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1987 in NASCAR
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The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 8 and ended November 22. Dale Earnhardt of RCR Enterprises won the championship for the third time. This was Dale Earnhardt's last season with Wrangler Jeans sponsoring his blue and yellow car; beginning next year, he would drive a black and silver Chevy sponsored by GM Goodwrench.
See also: 1987 in NASCAR Busch Series
Team Changes
After a championship together in 1985, Darrell Waltrip decided to move from the #11 Junior Johnson Budweiser Ford to the new #17 Tide Chevrolet, a third full-time Rick Hendrick-owned team.
A famous quote stemmed from this move, which crew chief Jeff Hammond describes in his book Real Men Work In the Pits went like this:
"I finally got me a thoroughbred." - Darrell Waltrip, referring to his new ride.
"I don't know about any thoroughbred.
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Encyclopedia
The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 8 and ended November 22. Dale Earnhardt of RCR Enterprises won the championship for the third time. This was Dale Earnhardt's last season with Wrangler Jeans sponsoring his blue and yellow car; beginning next year, he would drive a black and silver Chevy sponsored by GM Goodwrench.
See also: 1987 in NASCAR Busch Series
Team Changes
After a championship together in 1985, Darrell Waltrip decided to move from the #11 Junior Johnson Budweiser Ford to the new #17 Tide Chevrolet, a third full-time Rick Hendrick-owned team.
A famous quote stemmed from this move, which crew chief Jeff Hammond describes in his book Real Men Work In the Pits went like this:
"I finally got me a thoroughbred." - Darrell Waltrip, referring to his new ride.
"I don't know about any thoroughbred. I do know we had a jackass around here who recently left." - Junior Johnson
The rest of "silly season" looked like this among full time teams: Terry Labonte left the #44 Piedmont Oldsmobile owned by Billy Hagan to replace Waltrip in the #11. Johnson decided to disband the #12 Budweiser team and let go driver Neil Bonnett, who moved to the #75 RahMoc Valvoline Pontiac. Morgan Shepherd vacated the #75 in favor of the #26 Quaker State Buick owned by Kenny Bernstein, driven by Joe Ruttman in 1986. Phil Parsons would replace older brother Benny in the #55 Copenhagen Oldsmobile owned by Leo and Richard Jackson. Lake Speed started out 1986 in the #75 RahMoc ride but was let go early in the season. With sponsorship from Wynn's, Speed would form his own team for 1987 in the #83 Oldsmobile. Valvoline would also sponsor the new #50 Dingman Brothers Pontiac, featuring Greg Sacks behind the wheel.
A few car number changes took place as well. Kyle Petty would continue to drive the Wood Brothers Ford, switching from #7 to #21. Alan Kulwicki took the #7 for his independent team. Cale Yarborough exited the #28 Ford team but took sponsor Hardee's with him to his self-owned #29 Oldsmobile. Davey Allison would compete for Rookie Of The Year in the Harry Ranier #28 Ford, still looking for a sponsor to open the season. Michael Waltrip would continue driving for Chuck Rider but switched from the #23 Hawaiian Punch Chevrolet to the #30 Chevrolet with various sponsors.
Drivers remaining with the same teams from 1986 would be: #3 Dale Earnhardt (sponsor: Wrangler, owner: Richard Childress), #4 Rick Wilson (Kodak, Larry McClure) #5 Geoff Bodine (Levi Garrett, Rick Hendrick), #8 Bobby Hillin, Jr. (Miller American, Stavola Brothers), #9 Bill Elliott (Coors, Harry Melling), #15 Ricky Rudd (Motorcraft, Bud Moore), #18 Tommy Ellis (Freelander Financial, Eric Freelander), #22 Bobby Allison (Miller American, Stavola Brothers), #27 Rusty Wallace (Kodiak, Raymond Beadle), #33 Harry Gant (Skoal Bandit, Hal Needham), #43 Richard Petty (STP, Petty Enterprises), #52 Jimmy Means, #70 J.D. McDuffie (Tom Winkle), #71 Dave Marcis, #88 Buddy Baker (Crisco, Baker/Danny Schiff), #90 Ken Schrader (Red Baron, Junie Donlavey) and the part-time/independent efforts of #14 A.J. Foyt, #67 Buddy Arrington, #77 Ken Ragan (Marvin Ragan), #81 Chet Fillip (Corey Fillip) and #89 Jim Sauter (Evinrude, Mueller Brothers).
Top drivers out of a ride included Benny Parsons and Joe Ruttman.
Those who officially threw their hat in the ring for Rookie Of The Year in 1987 would be: Davey Allison, Steve Christman (#62 AC Delco, Tom Winkle), Rodney Combs (#10 DiGard) and Derrike Cope (#19 Stoke Racing).
Ron Bouchard, Trevor Boys, Eddie Bierschwale and a host of others would battle for the remaining open spots.
Preseason
- January 8, 1987 - Tim Richmond announced that he would miss the first part of 1987 due to "double pneumonia." Benny Parsons was hired to replace Richmond in the #35 Folgers Chevrolet for car owner Rick Hendrick.
- February 4, 1987 - Harold Bruce Jacobi passed away at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Jacobi was injured in the first Twin 125-mile qualifying race on February 17, 1983 and had been in a coma since then.
Busch Clash
The Busch Clash, an annual invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous season, was held February 8 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott drew for the pole. Alan Kulwicki was the wild card.
Results
- Bill Elliott
- Geoffrey Bodine
- Darrell Waltrip
- Dale Earnhardt
- Alan Kulwicki
- Cale Yarborough
- Benny Parsons
- Harry Gant
- Terry Labonte
- Ricky Rudd
Gatorade 125s
The Gatorade 125s, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Davey Allison won the poles for both races, respectively, as a result of their speeds in qualifying on February 9.
Race One: Top Ten Results
- 90-Ken Schrader
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 88-Buddy Baker
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 43-Richard Petty
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 1-Ron Bouchard
- 55-Phil Parsons
Notes:
Race Two: Top Ten Results
- 35-Benny Parsons
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 5-Geoff Bodine
- 44-Sterling Marlin
- 33-Harry Gant
- 28-Davey Allison
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 71-Dave Marcis
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 21-Kyle Petty
Daytona 500
Goodwrench 500
The Goodwrench 500 was held March 1 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 28-Davey Allison
- 90-Ken Schrader
Miller High Life 400
The Miller High Life 400 was held March 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoff Bodine
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 71-Dave Marcis
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 35-Benny Parsons
Failed to qualify:
34-Ron Sheppard, 83-Lake Speed, 02-Bob Hollar
Motorcraft Quality Parts 500
The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 15 at Atlanta International Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 35-Benny Parsons
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 28-Davey Allison
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 29-Cale Yarborough
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
Failed to Qualify:
67-Eddie Bierschwale, 68-Jerry Holden, 74-Bobby Wawak
TranSouth 500
The TranSouth 500 was held March 29 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott was leading at the white flag but ran out of gas in Turn 3. This allowed Dale Earnhardt to overtake Elliott and cruise to victory. Ken Schrader won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 43-Richard Petty
- 44-Sterling Marlin
- 90-Ken Schrader
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 33-Harry Gant
- 1-Ron Bouchard
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
First Union 400
The First Union 400 was held April 5 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 43-Richard Petty
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 11-Terry Labonte*
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 9-Bill Elliott
Valleydale Meats 500
The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harry Gant won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 43-Richard Petty
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 33-Harry Gant
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
- 11-Terry Labonte*
- 18-Dale Jarrett
Sovran Bank 500
The Sovran Bank 500 was held April 26 at Martinsville Speedway. The #26 of Morgan Shepherd won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 5-Geoff Bodine
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 90-Ken Schrader
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 30-Michael Waltrip
Winston 500
The Winston 500 was held May 3 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole at a record speed of 212.809 mph (44.998 seconds), a record that still stands today and will likely never be broken. But the race was also remembered for a near-tragedy early when Bobby Allison flew into the fence and nearly landed in the frontstretch grandstands. Though Allison was not injured, a female fan lost an eye as a result of being struck by debris. Eventually this crash would lead to the introduction of restrictor plates in 1988.
Top Ten Results
- 28-Davey Allison*
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 90-Ken Schrader
- 83-Lake Speed
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
- This was the last Winston Cup race at Daytona or Talladega to be run unrestricted with normal engine configurations.
- This was Davey Allison's first career Winston Cup victory, in only his 13th career start.
- The race was shortened to 178 laps due to darkness. This was as a result of the red flag that lasted about 2 and a half hours to repair the catchfence after Bobby Allison's crash.
The Winston
The Winston, an annual invitational race for previous winners in Winston Cup, was held May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the race. At one point, Bill Elliott's car nicked the rear of Earnhardt's, sending the latter into the infield grass. But no sooner did Earnhardt drive through the grass than he drove onto the track once more. That incident came to be known as "The Pass In The Grass."
This race would be the breakthrough edition NASCAR envisioned, with the adoption of the non-winners "last chance" race and the 19 most recent NASCAR race winners in the feature of 75, 50, and 10 laps.
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
- 83-Lake Speed
- 43-Richard Petty
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 88-Buddy Baker
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 89-Jim Sauter
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- This race was notable for the sheer amount of attrition. Out of the 42 cars that started the 600 mile event, only 17 of them finished the race.
Budweiser 500
The Budweiser 500 was held May 31 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 28-Davey Allison
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 35-Benny Parsons
- 90-Ken Schrader
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 71-Dave Marcis
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 44-Sterling Marlin
Miller High Life 500
The Miller High Life 500 was held June 14 at Pocono Raceway. The #11 of Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 25-Tim Richmond*
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 29-Cale Yarborough
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 5-Geoff Bodine
- 88-Buddy Baker
- This was Tim Richmond's first start of 1987. Late in the 1986 season, Richmond came down with what was thought of as "double pnuemonia." This caused him to miss most of the season.
Budweiser 400
The Budweiser 400 was held June 21 at Riverside International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 25-Tim Richmond
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 75-Neil Bonnett
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 43-Richard Petty
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 44-Sterling Marlin
- 90-Ken Schrader
Miller American 400
The Miller American 400 was held June 28 at Michigan International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 28-Davey Allison
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 25-Tim Richmond
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 90-Ken Schrader
- 35-Benny Parsons
- 83-Lake Speed
Pepsi Firecracker 400
The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was held July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. The #28 of Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 88-Buddy Baker
- 71-Dave Marcis
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 90-Ken Schrader*
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 33-Harry Gant
- 11-Terry Labonte
Failed to Qualify:
0-Delma Cowart, 6-Connie Saylor, 39-Blackie Wangerin, 48-Tony Spanos, 62-Steve Christman, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 74-Bobby Wawak
- In this race, smaller carburetors (the size used in the Busch Series) were mandated by NASCAR at Daytona and Talladega in an attempt to slow the cars. The pole speed was just over 198 mph as compared to over 210 mph in February.
- Ken Schrader actually flipped over at the finish line and was credited with 7th.
Summer 500
The Summer 500 was held July 19 at Pocono Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Dale Earnhardt
- Alan Kulwicki
- Buddy Baker
- Benny Parsons
- Davey Allison
- Terry Labonte
- Neil Bonnett
- Richard Petty
- Dave Marcis
- Ken Schrader
Talladega 500
The Talladega 500 was held July 26 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Bill Elliott
- Davey Allison
- Dale Earnhardt
- Darrell Waltrip
- Cale Yarborough
- Terry Labonte
- Lake Speed
- Rusty Wallace
- Kyle Petty
- Buddy Baker
The Budweiser At The Glen
The The Budweiser At The Glen was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Rusty Wallace
- Terry Labonte
- Dave Marcis
- Ricky Rudd
- Benny Parsons
- Alan Kulwicki
- Phil Parsons
- Dale Earnhardt
- Bobby Allison
- Tim Richmond
Champion Spark Plug 400
The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Bill Elliott
- Dale Earnhardt
- Morgan Shepherd
- Rusty Wallace
- Davey Allison
- Alan Kulwicki
- Bobby Allison
- Buddy Baker
- Neil Bonnett
- Geoff Bodine
Busch 500
The Busch 500 was held August 22 at Bristol International Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Dale Earnhardt
- Rusty Wallace
- Ricky Rudd
- Terry Labonte
- Richard Petty
- Geoff Bodine
- Rick Wilson
- Harry Gant
- Bill Elliott
- Neil Bonnett
Failed to qualify: Tony Spanos (#48), Troy Beebe (#6), Mike Potter (#81), J. D. McDuffie (#70)
Southern 500
The Southern 500 was held September 6 at Darlington Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Dale Earnhardt
- Rusty Wallace
- Richard Petty
- Sterling Marlin
- Terry Labonte
- Bobby Hillin, Jr.
- Ricky Rudd
- Bill Elliott
- Morgan Shepherd
- Darrell Waltrip
Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400
The Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 was held September 13 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Dale Earnhardt
- Darrell Waltrip
- Ricky Rudd
- Bill Elliott
- Richard Petty
- Geoff Bodine
- Dave Marcis
- Terry Labonte
- Jimmy Means
- Neil Bonnett
Delaware 500
The Delaware 500 was held September 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Ricky Rudd
- Davey Allison
- Neil Bonnett
- Bill Elliott
- Sterling Marlin
- Geoff Bodine
- Bobby Allison
- Buddy Baker
- Richard Petty
- Darrell Waltrip
Goody's 500
The Goody's 500 was held September 27 at Martinsville Speedway. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Darrell Waltrip
- Dale Earnhardt
- Terry Labonte
- Neil Bonnett
- Morgan Shepherd
- Alan Kulwicki
- Sterling Marlin
- Bobby Allison
- Kyle Petty
- Dale Jarrett
Holly Farms 400
The Holly Farms 400 was held October 4 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Terry Labonte
- Dale Earnhardt
- Bill Elliott
- Morgan Shepherd
- Geoff Bodine
- Kyle Petty
- Alan Kulwicki
- Bobby Hillin, Jr.
- Richard Petty
- Rusty Wallace
Oakwood Homes 500
The Oakwood Homes 500 was held October 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bobby Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Bill Elliott
- Bobby Allison
- Sterling Marlin
- Terry Labonte
- Richard Petty
- Larry Pearson
- Lake Speed
- Ernie Irvan
- Darrell Waltrip
- Kyle Petty
AC Delco 500
The AC Delco 500 was held October 25 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Bill Elliott
- Dale Earnhardt
- Darrell Waltrip
- Terry Labonte
- Morgan Shepherd
- Kyle Petty
- Buddy Baker
- Geoff Bodine
- Phil Parsons
- Joe Ruttman
Winston Western 500
The Winston Western 500 was held November 8 at Riverside International Raceway. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Rusty Wallace
- Benny Parsons
- Kyle Petty
- Richard Petty
- Bobby Allison
- Darrell Waltrip
- Joe Ruttman
- Terry Labonte
- Dave Marcis
- Geoff Bodine
Failed to qualify: Trevor Boys (#12), John Krebs (#66), Brad Noffsinger (#98), St. James Davis, Jack Sellers
Atlanta Journal 500
The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 22 at Atlanta International Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
- Bill Elliott
- Dale Earnhardt
- Ricky Rudd
- Bobby Allison
- Davey Allison
- Alan Kulwicki
- Benny Parsons
- Phil Parsons
- Sterling Marlin
- Buddy Baker
Final Points Standings
- Dale Earnhardt - 4696
- Bill Elliott - 4207
- Terry Labonte - 4007
- Darrell Waltrip - 3911
- Rusty Wallace - 3818
- Ricky Rudd - 3742
- Kyle Petty - 3737
- Richard Petty - 3708
- Bobby Allison - 3525
- Ken Schrader - 3405
- Sterling Marlin - 3381
- Neil Bonnett - 3352
- Geoff Bodine - 3328
- Phil Parsons - 3327
- Alan Kulwicki - 3238
- Benny Parsons - 3215
- Morgan Shepherd - 3099
- Dave Marcis - 3080
- Bobby Hillin, Jr - 3027
- Michael Waltrip - 2840
- Davey Allison - 2739
- Harry Gant - 2725
- Jimmy Means - 2483
- Buddy Baker - 2373
- Buddy Arrington - 2003
- Dale Jarrett - 1840
- Steve Christman - 1727
- Rick Wilson - 1723
- Cale Yarborough - 1450
- J. D. McDuffie - 1361
- Lake Speed - 1345
- Brett Bodine - 1271
- Greg Sacks - 1200
- Eddie Bierschwale - 1162
- Rodney Combs - 1098
- Tim Richmond - 1063
- Derrike Cope - 797
- Mark Stahl - 687
- Bobby Wawak - 638
- D.K. Ulrich - 625
- Ken Ragan - 549
- Connie Saylor - 486
- Jerry Cranmer - 482
- Chet Fillip - 480
- Trevor Boys - 460
- Mike Potter - 456
- Slick Johnson - 444
- Ron Bouchard - 440
- H. B. Bailey - 428
- A. J. Foyt - 409
Rookie of the Year
Davey Allison won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987, winning two races for Harry Ranier after making an abborted attempt at the award the previous season. He was followed by Dale Jarrett, who had two top-ten finishes, and Steve Christman, who did not race in NASCAR again following the season. The other contenders were Rodney Combs, Derrike Cope, and Jerry Cramner, all running incomplete schedules.
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