1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Season was the 41st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 18th modern-era Cup season. It began February 12 and ended November 19. Rusty Wallace of Blue Max Racing won the championship. This was the first year that every Winston Cup race had flag-to-flag coverage, with almost all of them being televised live.
The 1989 season marked the end of the first of two tire wars between Goodyear and Hoosier, with Hoosier leaving NASCAR shortly after Goodyear debuted their new radial tires.
Also, 1989 was the first season without Bobby Allison, Benny Parsons, and Cale Yarborough.
1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Drivers
Schedule
Races
Busch Clash
The Busch Clash, an annual invitational event for all winners of the Busch Pole award from the previous season, was held February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew for the pole.Top Ten Results
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 28-Davey Allison
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 66-Rick Mast
Gatorade 125s
Race One Top Ten Results
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 66-Rick Mast
- 9-Jody Ridley
- 10-Ken Bouchard -1
- 45-Joe Ruttman -1
- 71-Dave Marcis -1
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 33-Harry Gant
- 16-Larry Pearson
- 28-Davey Allison
- 17-Darrell Waltrip -1
- 15-Brett Bodine -1
- 29-Dale Jarrett -1
- Jody Ridley substituted for Bill Elliott, who injured his wrist in a practice crash.
Daytona 500
- Darrell Waltrip stretched his fuel for 53 laps, and won the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career, after 17 tries.
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 66-Rick Mast*
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 23-Eddie Bierschwale
Goodwrench 500
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 6-Mark Martin
- 28-Davey Allison
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 83-Lake Speed
- 88-Greg Sacks
- 31-Jim Sauter
- Rusty Wallace became the first driver to claim the Unocal 76 Challenge. After one rollover, and bonus money added at the season ending banquet, Wallace received an additional $22,800 for winning from the pole.
Motorcraft Quality Parts 500
Top Ten Results
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 57-Hut Stricklin
- 29-Dale Jarrett
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- Richard Petty was a factor among the leaders, and led 9 laps. But during a pit stop, the gas can leaked fuel onto the exhaust pipe, and started a bad pit fire. Crew member Robert Callicutt suffered second degree burns over 40% of his body and was hospitalized. Petty was forced to drop out of the race. The incident led to new rules regarding crew member fire protection, and newly designed gas can nozzles to prevent leakage. In addition all pit road reporters for ABC and ESPN would be required to wear fire protected suits for future races telecast by either network.
Pontiac Excitement 400
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 28-Davey Allison
- 16-Larry Pearson
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 2-Ernie Irvan
- 9-Bill Elliott
- This race was scheduled for the weekend after the Daytona 500, but snow fell in Richmond, and blanketed the Speedway. The race was postponed a month, and in subsequent seasons, the spring Richmond race was moved later and later into the season. It is one of the rare times a NASCAR race has been held on Easter Sunday, a weekend that has not had an originally scheduled NASCAR Cup race in the modern era.
- After qualifying for 513 consecutive races, Richard Petty failed to make the field for this race for the first time since the 1971 Georgia 500. He wrecked his primary car during practice, and could not get the backup car up to speed. His consecutive starts record would stand until the 1996 First Union 400 when Terry Labonte broke the record.
TranSouth 500
Top Ten Results
- 33-Harry Gant
- 28-Davey Allison
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 6-Mark Martin
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 83-Lake Speed
Valleydale Meats 500
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 28-Davey Allison
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 6-Mark Martin
- 88-Greg Sacks
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 33-Harry Gant
First Union 400
The First Union 400 was held April 16 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was notable for Goodyear debuting their new radial tires and Dale Earnhardt winning the race with them.Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 6-Mark Martin
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 2-Ernie Irvan
- Phil Parsons' team purchased the No. 60 in this event in order to race. He finished 12th, 6 laps down.
Pannill Sweatshirts 500
Top Ten Results
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 6-Mark Martin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 71-Dave Marcis
- 21-Neil Bonnett
Winston 500
The Winston 500 was held May 7 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.Top Ten Results
- 28-Davey Allison
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 6-Mark Martin
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 33-Harry Gant
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- This was the first race for the new Chevrolet Lumina race car.
- This race marked the end of the first tire war, as Hoosier Racing Tire left NASCAR when they could not sell enough tires to be economically viable. Hoosier returned to the Winston Cup Series in 1994, but left for good after that season.
The Winston
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 88-Greg Sacks
Coca-Cola 600
Top Ten Results
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 6-Mark Martin
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 15-Brett Bodine
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- By winning the Daytona 500 earlier in the season, and now the Coca-Cola 600, Waltrip secured a $100,000 bonus for winning two of the Winston Million races, and put himself in position to win the Winston Million later in the season at Darlington.
Budweiser 500
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 55-Phil Parsons
Banquet Frozen Foods 300
Top Ten Results
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 83-Lake Speed
- 88-Joe Ruttman
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 28-Davey Allison
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- Mark Martin actually rolled his car during the race due to an error by a new tire changer. Right after the car left the pits, the right rear came off, the car spun, hit the tire barrier and rolled onto its roof. However, he came back to finish the race in 31st, 5 laps down.
Miller High Life 500
Top Ten Results
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 33-Harry Gant
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 29-Dale Jarrett
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 16-Larry Pearson
- 15-Brett Bodine
Miller High Life 400 (Michigan)
Top Ten Results
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 15-Brett Bodine
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 83-Lake Speed
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 10-Derrike Cope
- 42-Kyle Petty
Pepsi 400
Top Ten Results
- 28-Davey Allison
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 55-Phil Parsons
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 57-Hut Stricklin
- This was the last Pepsi 400 to be shown on tape delay, but was shown flag-to-flag. Previous to this, the race was aired as part of ABC's Wide World of Sports and only the last 25 laps or so of the race would be aired.
AC Spark Plug 500
Top Ten Finishers
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 28-Davey Allison
- 33-Harry Gant
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 15-Brett Bodine
- Elliott cut a tire on the opening lap but rallied to take the lead from Wallace in the final ten laps. The win tied Elliott with Tim Richmond for most wins at Pocono. Richmond, battling illness, was the subject of a short retrospective piece on the ESPN telecast and former Richmond crew chiefs Barry Dodson and Harry Hyde were interviewed on-air about him.
Talladega DieHard 500
Top Ten Results
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 6-Mark Martin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 33-Harry Gant
- 28-Davey Allison
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- Joe Ruttman substituted for Lake Speed in the No. 83, and crashed spectacularly on lap 145. Ruttman hit the wall nearly head-on and almost got on his side as a result.
The Budweiser at the Glen
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 28-Davey Allison
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 4-Rick Wilson
- 44-Jim Sauter
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- Eddie Bierschwale was the substitute driver in the No. 83 for Lake Speed, who was still recovering from his shoulder injury at Pocono. He finished 38th.
Champion Spark Plug 400
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 33-Harry Gant
- 57-Hut Stricklin
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 10-Derrike Cope
- 28-Davey Allison
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
Busch 500
Top Ten Results
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 33-Harry Gant
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 88-Jimmy Spencer
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 29-Dale Jarrett
- This was the fourth race that Petty failed to qualify. In response to fan complaints about Petty missing several races, NASCAR introduced the past champion's provisional in 1991.
- Fortunately, this would be the last DNQ for Richard Petty before his retirement in 1992.
Heinz Southern 500
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 33-Harry Gant
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- Darrell Waltrip had a chance to win the Winston Million at Darlington, but hit the wall early in the race and finished 22nd.
- Rodney Combs replaced Joe Ruttman as Lake Speed's substitute driver in the No. 83 at Darlington. He finished 23rd.
Miller High Life 400 (Richmond)
Top Ten Results
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 33-Harry Gant
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 57-Hut Stricklin
- 28-Davey Allison
- Lake Speed returned to the No. 83 at Richmond after sitting out 5 races due to injury.
- Lennie Pond retired after this race
Peak Performance 500
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 10-Derrike Cope
- 15-Brett Bodine
- 88-Jimmy Spencer
- The race was red flagged briefly because of a crash involving Neil Bonnett. Bonnett, who broke his sternum in the incident, had to leave the car for the next three races. Since there was no way to get out of the track from the infield, the track had to be cleared so the ambulance could drive Bonnett out.
Goody's 500
Top Ten Results
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 33-Harry Gant
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 29-Dale Jarrett
- 2-Ernie Irvan
- 15-Brett Bodine
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 25-Ken Schrader
- Tommy Ellis substituted for Neil Bonnett in the No. 21 in this race, and the next 2 events in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro.
All Pro Auto Parts 500
Top Ten Results
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 33-Harry Gant
- 6-Mark Martin
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 28-Davey Allison
- 10-Derrike Cope
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 27-Rusty Wallace -1
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -2
- 75-Morgan Shepherd -2
- Foyt was involved in a practice crash where he suffered a significant concussion which kept him from attempting to qualify.
- Dale Earnhardt lost the points lead in this race when the camshaft in his No. 3 Chevrolet broke in the 13th lap, and he dropped out.
Holly Farms 400
Top Ten Results
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 6-Mark Martin
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 33-Harry Gant
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 2-Ernie Irvan
- 26-Ricky Rudd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- This was Bodine's first win since the 1988 Miller High Life 500 at Pocono. Bodine led only the final lap of the race while Dale Earnhardt dominated, leading 343 of the 400 laps. This was also Geoffrey Bodine's final win in a Chevrolet and with Hendrick Motorsports. Geoffrey would leave the #5 Levi Garrett Chevrolet Lumina to go drive the #11 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird for the next 2 years with Junior Johnson & Associates.
AC Delco 500
Top Ten Results
- 6-Mark Martin*
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 21-Neil Bonnett*
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 7-Alan Kulwicki
- 42-Kyle Petty
- This was Martin's first career Winston Cup victory.
- This was Bonnett's first race back from his sternum injury that he suffered at Dover.
Autoworks 500
Top Ten Results
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 6-Mark Martin
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 29-Dale Jarrett
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 84-Dick Trickle
- 33-Harry Gant
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 88-Jimmy Spencer
- Two cars entered by Hendrick Motorsports were entered to get in-race footage for the 1990 film Days of Thunder. Hamilton actually led the race with 100 laps to go before the engine blew. A third movie car failed to make the race.
Atlanta Journal 500
Despite his plan to race all-out, Wallace encountered problems that complicated his day. On the first round of pit stops, he pitted under green but lost a lap when the caution came out shortly thereafter. Later, he suffered a flat tire and fell all the way back to the 33rd position. Wallace slowly and steadily worked his way back up the standings. Dale Earnhardt meanwhile, dominated the race leading 294 of the 328 laps en route to victory. Mark Martin, the other driver in the mix for the championship did not end up being a factor. He dropped out on lap 224 with a blown engine that resulted in a fire. In the closing laps, Wallace was three laps down in 15th place, just barely holding on to the hypothetical points lead. Wallace managed to finish the race in 15th, and won the Winston Cup championship by a mere 12 points over Earnhardt. It was Wallace's first and only Winston Cup championship, and the first championship in the modern era for Pontiac.
On Lap 203, Grant Adcox struck the wall and suffered a heart attack and severe head injuries. Adcox died shortly after the accident.
Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoffrey Bodine
- 94-Sterling Marlin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 75-Morgan Shepherd
- 21-Neil Bonnett
- 83-Lake Speed
- Last career top 10 for Neil Bonnett.
Final points standings
- Rusty Wallace – 4176
- Dale Earnhardt – 4164
- Mark Martin – 4053
- Darrell Waltrip – 3971
- Ken Schrader – 3876
- Bill Elliott – 3774
- Harry Gant – 3610
- Ricky Rudd – 3608
- Geoffrey Bodine – 3600
- Terry Labonte – 3569
- Davey Allison – 3481
- Sterling Marlin – 3422
- Morgan Shepherd – 3403
- Alan Kulwicki – 3236
- Dick Trickle – 3203
- Bobby Hillin Jr. – 3139
- Rick Wilson – 3119
- Michael Waltrip – 3057
- Brett Bodine – 3051
- Neil Bonnett – 2995
- Phil Parsons – 2933
- Ernie Irvan – 2919
- Larry Pearson – 2860
- Dale Jarrett – 2789
- Dave Marcis – 2715
- Hut Stricklin – 2705
- Lake Speed – 2550
- Derrike Cope – 2180
- Richard Petty – 2148
- Kyle Petty – 2099
- Jimmy Means – 1698
- Greg Sacks – 1565
- Jim Sauter – 1510
- Jimmy Spencer – 1445
- Rick Mast – 1315
- Eddie Bierschwale – 1306
- Ben Hess – 921
- Chad Little – 602
- Butch Miller – 576
- A. J. Foyt – 527
- Mickey Gibbs – 508
- Rodney Combs – 470
- Joe Ruttman – 469
- J. D. McDuffie – 457
- Phil Barkdoll – 378
- Jimmy Horton – 377
- Dick Johnson – 322
- Ken Bouchard – 313
- Terry Byers – 306
- Darin Brassfield – 306
Winston Cup Standings
# | Driver | Make | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 27 | Rusty Wallace | Pontiac | 18 | 1* | 31 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 31 | 10 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 22* | 2* | 17 | 2* | 37 | 1 | 1* | 6 | 4 | 1* | 7 | 4* | 8 | 7 | 2* | 16 | 15 | 4176 |
2 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 33 | 16 | 1* | 2 | 8 | 38 | 1* | 4 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 14 | 1* | 2 | 1* | 9 | 42 | 10* | 20 | 6 | 1* | 4164 |
3 | 6 | Mark Martin | Ford | 33 | 5 | 38 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 31 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 20 | 2 | 17 | 2 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 1* | 3 | 30 | 4053 |
4 | 17 | Darrell Waltrip | Chevrolet | 1 | 29 | 1 | 7 | 36 | 2 | 8 | 1* | 5 | 1 | 9 | 38 | 32 | 3 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 37 | 1* | 22 | 6 | 18 | 1 | 14 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3971 |
5 | 25 | Ken Schrader | Chevrolet | 2* | 25 | 15 | 19 | 27 | 32 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 4 | 11 | 36 | 7 | 4 | 20 | 11 | 23 | 5 | 24 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 3876 |
6 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Ford | 35 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 21 | 1 | 4* | 1 | 12 | 18 | 39 | 24 | 7 | 18 | 4 | 15 | 4* | 6 | 15 | 1 | 27 | 3774 |
# | Driver | Make |