1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season
Previous:	1984	Next:	1986

Drivers Bobby Allison (upper left), Bobby Hillin (upper right), Cale Yarborough (lower left), Terry Labonte (2nd from lower left), and Bill Elliott (lower right) in at Pocono in 1985

The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 10 and ended on Sunday November 17. Darrell Waltrip, driving for Junior Johnson, was crowned champion (for the third time in his career) at the end of the season. Bill Elliott, driving for Harry Melling, had won 11 races in 1985 (as well as the Winston Million), but lost the title by 101 points to three-time race winner Waltrip.

Teams and drivers

Team	Make	No.	Driver	Car Owner	Crew Chief
Arrington Racing	Ford Thunderbird	67	Buddy Arrington	Buddy Arrington
Petty Enterprises	Pontiac Grand Prix	7	Kyle Petty	Richard Petty	Dale Inman
Baker-Schiff Racing	Oldsmobile Cutlass	88	Buddy Baker	Buddy Baker
Blue Max Racing	Pontiac Grand Prix	27	Tim Richmond	Raymond Beadle	Barry Dodson
Bobby Hawkins Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	16	Morgan Shepherd	Bobby Hawkins
Bud Moore Engineering	Ford Thunderbird	15	Ricky Rudd	Bud Moore	Bud Moore
Cliff Stewart Racing	Pontiac Grand Prix	2	Rusty Wallace	Cliff Stewart	Darrell Bryant
Curb Racing	Pontiac Grand Prix	43	Richard Petty	Mike Curb	Mike Beam
DiGard Motorsports	Buick Regal	77	Greg Sacks	Bill Gardner	Robin Pemberton
Donlavey Racing	Ford Thunderbird	90	Ken Schrader (R)	Junie Donlavey
Ellington Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	1	Davey Allison	Hoss Ellington	Runt Pittman
Freelander Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	18	Tommy Ellis	Eric Freelander
Hagan Racing	Oldsmobile Cutlass	44	Terry Labonte	Billy Hagan	Dale Inman
Hamby Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	17	Phil Parsons	Roger Hamby
			Lennie Pond
Hendrick Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	5	Geoff Bodine	Rick Hendrick	Harry Hyde
Hylton Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	49	Trevor Boys	James Hylton
Jackson Brothers Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	55	Benny Parsons	Leo Jackson Richard Jackson	Cliff Champion
		66	Phil Parsons
Junior Johnson & Associates	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	11	Darrell Waltrip	Junior Johnson	Jeff Hammond
		12	Neil Bonnett		Doug Richert
Langley Racing	Ford Thunderbird	64	Clark Dwyer	Elmo Langley
Mach 1 Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	33	Harry Gant	Hal Needham	Travis Carter
Marcis Auto Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	71	Dave Marcis	Helen Marcis
McDuffie Racing	Pontiac Grand Prix	70	J.D. McDuffie	J.D. McDuffie
Means Racing	Pontiac Grand Prix	52	Jimmy Means	Jimmy Means
Melling Racing	Ford Thunderbird	9	Bill Elliott	Harry Melling	Ernie Elliott
Morgan-McClure Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	4	Joe Ruttman	Larry McClure	Tony Glover
Pearson Racing	Ford Thunderbird	21	David Pearson	David Pearson	Leonard Wood
Race Hill Farm Team	Buick Regal	47	Ron Bouchard	Jack Beebe	Jake Elder
RahMoc Enterprises	Pontiac Grand Prix	75	Lake Speed	Bob Rahilly	Bob Rahilly
Ranier-Lundy Racing	Ford Thunderbird	28	Cale Yarborough	Harry Ranier	Waddell Wilson
Richard Childress Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	3	Dale Earnhardt	Richard Childress	Kirk Shelmerdine
Sadler Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	95	Mike Alexander	Eaadler
Stavola Brothers Racing	Buick Regal	8	Bobby Hillin Jr.	Billy Stavola
	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	22	Bobby Allison	Mickey Stavola
U.S. Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	6	Eddie Bierschwale (R)	D.K. Ulrich
Wawak Racing	Buick Regal	74	Bobby Wawak	Bobby Wawak
Wood Brothers Racing	Ford Thunderbird	7	Kyle Petty	Glen Wood	Leonard Wood

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash was run on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway. Ricky Rudd drew for the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 44- Terry Labonte
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 9- Bill Elliott
4. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
5. 33- Harry Gant
6. 15- Ricky Rudd
7. 88- Buddy Baker
8. 2- Rusty Wallace
9. 4- Joe Ruttman
10. 28- Cale Yarborough

Gatorade Twin 125's

The Gatorade Twin 125's were run on February 14 at Daytona. Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough won the pole for Races 1 and 2, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 55- Benny Parsons
4. 88- Buddy Baker
5. 15- Ricky Rudd
6. 1- Dick Brooks
7. 51- Greg Sacks
8. 47- Ron Bouchard
9. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
10. 12- Neil Bonnett

Race Two Top Ten Results

1. 28- Cale Yarborough
2. 21- David Pearson
3. 7- Kyle Petty
4. 43- Richard Petty
5. 33- Harry Gant
6. 66- Phil Parsons
7. 75- Lake Speed
8. 14- A.J. Foyt
9. 3- Dale Earnhardt
10. 95- Sterling Marlin

Daytona 500

Main article: 1985 Daytona 500

Miller High Life 400

The Me 400 was run on February 24 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3- Dale Earnhardt
2. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
3. 11- Darrell Waltrip
4. 47- Ron Bouchard
5. 33- Harry Gant
6. 44- Terry Labonte
7. 7- Kyle Petty
8. 71- Dave Marcis
9. 27- Tim Richmond
10. 75- Lake Speed

Carolina 500

The Carolina 500 was run on March 3 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 12- Neil Bonnett
2. 33- Harry Gant
3. 44- Terry Labonte
4. 75- Lake Speed
5. 7- Kyle Petty
6. 4- Joe Ruttman
7. 28- Cale Yarborough
8. 43- Richard Petty
9. 2- Rusty Wallace
10. 3- Dale Earnhardt

Coca-Cola 500

The Coca-Cola 500 was run on March 17 at Atlanta International Raceway in Atlanta, Georgia. Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
3. 12- Neil Bonnett
4. 15- Ricky Rudd
5. 22- Bobby Allison
6. 44- Terry Labonte
7. 47- Ron Bouchard
8. 55- Benny Parsons
9. 3- Dale Earnhardt
10. 51- Greg Sacks

Valleydale 500

The Valleydale 500 was run on April 6 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3- Dale Earnhardt
2. 15- Ricky Rudd
3. 44- Terry Labonte
4. 88- Buddy Baker
5. 2- Rusty Wallace
6. 7- Kyle Petty
7. 75- Lake Speed
8. 43- Richard Petty
9. 8- Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 90- Ken Schrader

This race was scheduled to run on March 31, 1985 but was moved to April 6 due to rain.

TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was run on April 14 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 27- Tim Richmond
4. 44- Terry Labonte
5. 2- Rusty Wallace
6. 12- Neil Bonnett
7. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
8. 66- Phil Parsons
9. 75- Lake Speed
10. 22- Bobby Allison

Northwestern Bank 400

The Northwestern Bank 400 was run on April 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 12- Neil Bonnett
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 22- Bobby Allison
4. 15- Ricky Rudd
5. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
6. 9- Bill Elliott
7. 44- Terry Labonte
8. 3- Dale Earnhardt
9. 75- Lake Speed
10. 33- Harry Gant

Sovran Bank 500

The Sovran Bank 500 was run on April 28 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 33- Harry Gant
2. 15- Ricky Rudd
3. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
4. 22- Bobby Allison
5. 12- Neil Bonnett
6. 44- Terry Labonte
7. 43- Richard Petty
8. 75- Lake Speed
9. 66- Phil Parsons
10. 2- Rusty Wallace

Winston 500

The Winston 500 was run on May 5 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 7- Kyle Petty
3. 28- Cale Yarborough
4. 22- Bobby Allison
5. 15- Ricky Rudd
6. 88- Buddy Baker
7. 44- Terry Labonte
8. 71- Dave Marcis
9. 8- Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 75- Lake Speed

Bill Elliott made up two laps under green during this race. Elliott lost the laps from having to pit due to a broken oil fitting.

Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was run on May 19 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 33- Harry Gant
3. 7- Kyle Petty
4. 15- Ricky Rudd
5. 11- Darrell Waltrip
6. 27- Tim Richmond
7. 43- Richard Petty
8. 75- Neil Bonnett
9. 71- Dave Marcis
10. 90- Ken Schrader

The Winston

Main article: The Winston I

The inaugural Winston (now referred as the Sprint All-Star Race I, as Roman numeral designations were added to the race in 2008) was run on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Darrell Waltrip won.

Coca-Cola World 600

The Coca-Cola World 600 was run on May 26 at Charlotte. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11- Darrell Waltrip
2. 33- Harry Gant
3. 22- Bobby Allison
4. 3- Dale Earnhardt
5. 44- Terry Labonte
6. 75- Lake Speed
7. 4- Joe Ruttman
8. 2- Rusty Wallace
9. 27- Tim Richmond
10. 1- Dick Brooks *this was the first NASCAR Winston cup start for Michael Waltrip

Budweiser 400

The Budweiser 400 was run on June 2 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 44- Terry Labonte
2. 33- Harry Gant
3. 22- Bobby Allison
4. 15- Ricky Rudd
5. 7- Kyle Petty
6. 9- Bill Elliott
7. 43- Richard Petty
8. 11- Darrell Waltrip
9. 27- Tim Richmond
10. 90- Ken Schrader

Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500

Main article: 1985 Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500

The Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 was run on June 9 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 33- Harry Gant
3. 11- Darrell Waltrip
4. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
5. 12- Neil Bonnett
6. 55- Benny Parsons
7. 15- Ricky Rudd
8. 88- Buddy Baker
9. 22- Bobby Allison
10. 27- Tim Richmond

Miller 400

The Miller 400 was run on June 16 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 28- Cale Yarborough
4. 27- Tim Richmond
5. 3- Dale Earnhardt
6. 22- Bobby Allison
7. 15- Ricky Rudd
8. 12- Neil Bonnett
9. 71- Dave Marcis
10. 55- Benny Parsons

Pepsi Firecracker 400

The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was won by Greg Sacks, who was driving as a Research & Development driver for DiGard Motorsports. His win caused Bobby Allison to leave the team.

See also: DiGard Motorsports § 1985 Firecracker 400

Top Ten Results

1. 10- Greg Sacks
2. 9- Bill Elliott
3. 11- Darrell Waltrip
4. 47- Ron Bouchard
5. 7- Kyle Petty
6. 88- Buddy Baker
7. 15- Ricky Rudd
8. 44- Terry Labonte
9. 3- Dale Earnhardt
10. 21- David Pearson

Summer 500

Main article: 1985 Summer 500

The Summer 500 was run on July 21 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 12- Neil Bonnett
3. 11- Darrell Waltrip
4. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
5. 33- Harry Gant
6. 55- Benny Parsons
7. 7- Kyle Petty
8. 66- Phil Parsons
9. 47- Ron Bouchard
10. 88- Buddy Baker

Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was run on July 28 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28- Cale Yarborough
2. 12- Neil Bonnett
3. 47- Ron Bouchard
4. 9- Bill Elliott
5. 14- A.J. Foyt
6. 43- Richard Petty
7. 33- Harry Gant
8. 75- Lake Speed
9. 11- Darrell Waltrip
10. 1- Davey Allison*

• This race was Davey Allison's NASCAR Winston Cup debut.

Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 11 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 33- Harry Gant
4. 7- Kyle Petty
5. 55- Benny Parsons
6. 66- Phil Parsons
7. 2- Rusty Wallace
8. 10- Dick Trickle
9. 44- Terry Labonte
10. 67- Buddy Arrington

Busch 500

The Busch 500 was run on August 24 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3- Dale Earnhardt
2. 27- Tim Richmond
3. 12- Neil Bonnett
4. 11- Darrell Waltrip
5. 9- Bill Elliott
6. 33- Harry Gant
7. 47- Ron Bouchard
8. 43- Richard Petty
9. 15- Ricky Rudd
10. 75- Lake Speed

Southern 500

The Southern 500 was run on September 1 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole, and won the Winston Million with the race victory.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 28- Cale Yarborough
3. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
4. 12- Neil Bonnett
5. 47- Ron Bouchard
6. 15- Ricky Rudd
7. 44- Terry Labonte
8. 55- Benny Parsons
9. 4- Joe Ruttman
10. 7- Kyle Petty

Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400

The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was run on September 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole. This race marked the Winston Cup Series debut of Alan Kulwicki, driving Bill Terry's #32 Ford. Kulwicki would finish 19th, 8 laps down.

Top Ten Results

1. 11- Darrell Waltrip
2. 44- Terry Labonte
3. 43- Richard Petty
4. 3- Dale Earnhardt
5. 15- Ricky Rudd
6. 33- Harry Gant
7. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
8. 7- Kyle Petty
9. 12- Neil Bonnett
10. 18- Tommy Ellis

Delaware 500

The Delaware 500 was run on September 15 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 33- Harry Gant
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 15- Ricky Rudd
4. 22- Bobby Allison
5. 12- Neil Bonnett
6. 27- Tim Richmond
7. 3- Dale Earnhardt
8. 47- Ron Bouchard
9. 43- Richard Petty
10. 75- Lake Speed

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3- Dale Earnhardt
2. 11- Darrell Waltrip
3. 33- Harry Gant
4. 15- Ricky Rudd
5. 7- Kyle Petty
6. 47- Ron Bouchard
7. 27- Tim Richmond
8. 8- Bobby Hillin, Jr.
9. 12- Neil Bonnett
10. 22- Bobby Allison

Holly Farms 400

The Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 33- Harry Gant
2. 5- Geoff Bodine
3. 44- Terry Labonte
4. 3- Dale Earnhardt
5. 15- Ricky Rudd
6. 47- Ron Bouchard
7. 27- Tim Richmond
8. 43- Richard Petty
9. 71- Dave Marcis
10. 12- Neil Bonnett

Miller High Life 500

The Miller High Life 500 was run on October 6 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28- Cale Yarborough
2. 9- Bill Elliott
3. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
4. 11- Darrell Waltrip
5. 4- Joe Ruttman
6. 27- Tim Richmond
7. 16- Morgan Shepherd
8. 88- Buddy Baker
9. 8- Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 43- Richard Petty

Nationwise 500

The Nationwise 500 was run on October 20 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11- Darrell Waltrip
2. 47- Ron Bouchard
3. 33- Harry Gant
4. 9- Bill Elliott
5. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
6. 27- Tim Richmond
7. 15- Ricky Rudd
8. 3- Dale Earnhardt
9. 2- Rusty Wallace
10. 77- Greg Sacks

Atlanta Journal 500

The Atlanta Journal 500 was run on November 3 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9- Bill Elliott
2. 28- Cale Yarborough
3. 11- Darrell Waltrip
4. 3- Dale Earnhardt
5. 16- Morgan Shepherd
6. 44- Terry Labonte
7. 75- Lake Speed
8. 33- Harry Gant
9. 77- Greg Sacks
10. 43- Richard Petty

Winston Western 500

Main article: 1985 Winston Western 500

The Winston Western 500 was run on November 17 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Terry Labonte won the pole. In this race, Darrell Waltrip clinched his third Winston Cup title, having won three races to Bill Elliott's eleven. Elliott, on the other hand, suffered early transmission problems in the race, which cost him the championship; he finished 31st.

Top Ten Results

1. 15- Ricky Rudd
2. 44- Terry Labonte
3. 75- Neil Bonnett
4. 33- Harry Gant
5. 3- Dale Earnhardt
6. 5- Geoffrey Bodine
7. 11- Darrell Waltrip
8. 43- Richard Petty
9. 75- Lake Speed
10. 47- Ron Bouchard

Final point standings

1. Darrell Waltrip 4292
2. Bill Elliott 4191
3. Harry Gant 4033
4. Neil Bonnett 3902
5. Geoffrey Bodine 3862
6. Ricky Rudd 3857
7. Terry Labonte 3683
8. Dale Earnhardt 3561
9. Kyle Petty 3528
10. Lake Speed 3507
11. Tim Richmond 3413
12. Bobby Allison 3312
13. Ron Bouchard 3267
14. Richard Petty 3140
15. Bobby Hillin, Jr. 3091
16. Ken Schrader 3024
17. Buddy Baker 2986
18. Dave Marcis 2871
19. Rusty Wallace 2861
20. Buddy Arrington 2870
21. Phil Parsons 2840
22. Clark Dwyer 2641
23. Jimmy Means 2548
24. Eddie Bierschwale 2396
25. Greg Sacks 1944
26. Cale Yarborough 1861
27. J. D. McDuffie 1853
28. Trevor Boys 1461
29. Benny Parsons 1427
30. Joe Ruttman 1410
31. Morgan Shepherd 1406
32. Bobby Wawak 1226
33. Lennie Pond 1107
34. Tommy Ellis 1100
35. Mike Alexander 1046
36. David Pearson 879
37. Sterling Marlin 645
38. Don Hume 637
39. Ronnie Thomas 631
40. Alan Kulwicki 509
41. Rick Newsom 450
42. Mike Potter 443
43. Jerry Bowman 434
44. Bobby Gerhart 422
45. A.J. Foyt 410
46. Phil Good 406
47. Ken Ragan 356
48. Slick Johnson 343
49. Connie Saylor 296
50. Jim Sauter 267

The above information is from Racing Reference