1980s NASCAR Season Recaps
1980s NASCAR season recaps include highlights and statistics of NASCAR races during the 1980s. Learn more on the 1980s NASCAR Season Recaps Channel.
The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup title was captured by three-time winner Darrell Waltrip. This season featured the inaugural running of The Winston which is a nonpoints race for NASCAR's all-stars. See results from the entire 1985 NASCAR season here.
During the 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup series, Dale Earnhardt earned the nickname "The Intimadator." The nickname was inspired by Earnhardt's aggressive driving style that often left opponents in up in smoke. See all race results from the 1986 NASCAR season.
For the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup season, champion Dale Earnhardt finished 489 points ahead of Bill Elliott. Earnhardt won six of the first eight races that set the pace for him to take the championship by April. See all race results from 1987 NASCAR.
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup title was closely contended by Bill Elliott, Rusty Wallace, and Dale Earnhardt. Elliott held off a late-season charge by Rusty Wallace and took the hotly contested championship title. See all 1988 NASCAR race results here.
The popularity of NASCAR rose dramatically and for the first time every race was covered live on television. The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup title was taken by first-time champion Rusty Wallace. See all results from the 1989 NASCAR Grand National season here.
During the 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Dale Earnhardt emerged from obscurity to instant fame. Earnhardt held off Cale Yarborough and Richard Petty to win the championship in his second year as a driver. See results from the 1980 NASCAR season here.
During the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Darrell Waltrip bagged his first Grand National championship. Fans also saw a record 772 lead changes that season, a record that still stands today. See the results from the 1981 NASCAR season.
The year ended with a second straight win for Darrell Waltrip in the 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Waltrip came from behind and took the championship away from Terry Labonte and Bobby Allison. See the results from every race in the 1982 NASCAR series.
Bobby Allison finally reached the top of the NASCAR world after finishing in second place six times. The 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup championship was claimed by Allison, who won six races that year. See all the race results from the 1983 NASCAR season here.
The 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte won only two races but capitalized on consistency. Richard Petty was greeted by President Ronald Reagan after winning his record-setting 200th win. See the results from the NASCAR 1984 season.
The Winston of 1987 is still regarded as one of the most spectacular thrill shows in NASCAR Cup Series history. Dale Earnhardt dominated the season and walked away with his third championship. Follow the action with a 1987 NASCAR recap.
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup season featured daring maneuvers and terrifying crashes. Trace the exhilarating 1988 Winston Cup campaign, from season highlights to final standings, with plenty of pictures to follow the action.
NASCAR's popularity was skyrocketing during the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup season and the races didn't disappoint. Get all the details on these events and more from the 1989 NASCAR season -- as well as the final standings in this 1989 recap.
The 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup season featured an exhilarating championship chase between Dale Earnhardt and Cal Yarborough. Relive the season's memorable moments and see the final standings for the year in this 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup season recap.
The 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup season set records for lead changes and races won with last-lap passes. Get all the details on these events and more from the 1981 NASCAR season -- as well as the final standings in this 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup recap.
The 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup season promised plenty of thrills to meet the sport's increased popularity. Relive the season's memorable moments and see the final standings for the year in this 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup season recap.
The 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup season was filled with controversy scandal and amazing driving performances. NASCAR began cracking down on teams that were stepping beyond the rules. Follows these events and other season highlights with this season recap.
The 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup season gave Richard Petty his 200th and final career victory. Trace the exhilarating 1984 Winston Cup season, from season highlights to final standings, with plenty of pictures to follow the action.
The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup season was a record breaker with Bill Elliott winning 11 superspeedway races, still a single-season record. Yet he didn't win the NASCAR Winston Cup championship. Follow the action with this 1985 recap.
Dale Earnhardt ruled the track during the 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Earnhardt's thrilling driving style made the season a joy to watch. Follow all the action with this recap filled with highlights and final standings of the 1986 season.
