1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season was the 37th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 14th modern-era Cup series season. The 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. This was the first season where all races were televised in some form.

1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
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

NASCAR at Dover in 1985

This is the last season without Dale Jarrett until 2009 and Mark Martin until 2014.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

There were 23 full-time teams in 1985.

Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race Driver	Crew Chief
Buick	Race Hill Farm Team	47	Ron Bouchard	Jake Elder
	Stavola Brothers Racing	8	Bobby Hillin Jr.
Chevrolet	Hamby Motorsports	17	Ken Ragan 6
			Phil Parsons 14
			Bosco Lowe 1
			Lennie Pond 7
	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Geoffrey Bodine	Harry Hyde
	Junior Johnson & Associates	11	Darrell Waltrip	Jeff Hammond
		12	Neil Bonnett	Doug Richert
	Mach 1 Racing	33	Harry Gant	Travis Carter
	Marcis Auto Racing	71	Dave Marcis
	Richard Childress Racing	3	Dale Earnhardt	Kirk Shelmerdine
Ford	Bud Moore Engineering	15	Ricky Rudd	Bud Moore
	Donlavey Racing	90	Ken Schrader (R)
	Langley Racing	64	Clark Dwyer
	Melling Racing	9	Bill Elliott	Ernie Elliott
	Wood Brothers Racing	7	Kyle Petty	Leonard Wood
Oldsmobile	Baker-Schiff Racing	88	Buddy Baker
	Hagan Racing	44	Terry Labonte	Dale Inman
Pontiac	Blue Max Racing	27	Tim Richmond	Barry Dodson
	Cliff Stewart Racing	2	Rusty Wallace	Darrell Bryant
	Curb Racing	43	Richard Petty	Mike Beam
	Means Racing	52	Jimmy Means
	RahMoc Enterprises	75	Lake Speed	Bob Rahilly
Buick 8 Chevrolet 1 Ford 4[1]	Bobby Allison Motorsports	22	Bobby Allison	Reds Kagle[2]
Chrysler 5 Dodge 1 Ford 22	Arrington Racing	67	Morgan Shepherd 1
			Phil Good 1
			Buddy Arrington 26	Joey Arrington 26

Limited schedule

Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race Driver	Crew Chief	Round(s)
Buick	Bahre Racing	23	Dick May		1
	Booher Farms	65	Joe Booher		1
	Ulrich Racing		D. K. Ulrich		1
	Buck Baker Racing	87	Randy Baker		3
	Stolarcyk Racing		Mike Stolarcyk		1
	Cooper Racing	80	Edward Cooper		1
	DiGard Motorsports	22	Bobby Allison	Robin Pemberton	15[3]
		77	Greg Sacks		13
	Edwards Racing	32	Jonathan Lee Edwards		1
		40			1
		41			1
	Elliott Racing	72	Brent Elliott	Kermit Elliott	4
	Kieper Racing	98	Jim Bown		1
	Newsom Racing	20	Rick Newsom		4
	Osborne Racing	16	Bill Osborne		2
	Petris Racing	63	Dale Perry		1
	U.S. Racing	6	Jim Southard		4
Chevrolet 5 Buick 6[4]	Wawak Racing	74	Bobby Wawak		8
Chevrolet	Adcox Racing	29	Grant Adcox		2
	Anderson Racing	08	Craig Spetman		2
	Bahre Racing	23	Morgan Shepherd		1
			Jim Hull		1
			Eldon Dotson		1
	Ball Racing	99	Connie Saylor		6
			Blair Aiken		2
	Beahr Racing	35	Bud Hickey		1
	Benfield Racing	98	Trevor Boys		6
	Stoke Racing		Ron Esau		1
	Kieper Racing		Jim Bown		1
	Billy Matthews Racing	09	Dick Trickle		2
	Bob Johnson Racing	07	Randy LaJoie		2
	Bobby Hawkins Racing	16	Butch Lindley		1
			Morgan Shepherd		4
	Boys Racing	24	Trevor Boys		1
	Davis Racing	06	Joe Thurman		1
	Freelander Motorsports	18	Tommy Ellis		14
			Glen Steurer		2
	Hendrick Motorsports	1	Dick Brooks		1
	Ellington Racing		Charles Poalillo	Runt Pittman	1
			Davey Allison		3
			Pancho Carter		1
	Helen Rae Motorsports	00	Jody Ridley		1
			Ed Sanger		1
			Phil Barkdoll		2
			Morgan Shepherd		7
			Sterling Marlin		1
	Heveron Racing	10	Doug Heveron		1
	DiGard Motorsports		Greg Sacks		1
	Gerhart Racing	25	Bobby Gerhart		5
	Henley Gray Racing	31	Slick Johnson		1
			Steve Gray		1
		54	Bobby Wawak		1
	Goff Racing	79	Dick Skillen		2
	H. L. Waters Racing	0	Delma Cowart		6
	Hylton Racing	48	Lennie Pond		4
			Don Hume (R)		1
		49			6
			James Hylton		1
			Greg Sacks		3
			Trevor Boys		13
			Lennie Pond		1
			Ron Esau		1
	Jackson Brothers Motorsports	55	Benny Parsons	Cliff Champion	13
		66	Phil Parsons		13
	Lain Motorsports	37	Satch Worley		1
	McCray Racing	45	Rick McCray		2
	Morris Racing		Rick Baldwin		1
	McDuffie Racing	70	J. D. McDuffie		7
	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	4	Joe Ruttman	Tony Glover	16
	Newsom Racing	20	Rick Newsom		5
	Paul Racing	53	Donny Paul		2
	Scott Racing		Bill Scott		3
			Jeff Hooker		1
	Ragan Racing	77	Davey Allison	Marvin Ragan	2
	Sacks & Sons	51	Greg Sacks		4
			Cecil Gordon		1
	Sadler Brothers Racing	95	Sterling Marlin		7
			Mike Alexander		4
	Schmitt Motorsports	73	Bill Schmitt		2
			Steve Moore		1
	Shepherd Racing	38	Morgan Shepherd		1
	Sims Brothers Racing	84	Mike Alexander		7
Sonntag Racing	65	Joey Sonntag		1
Booher Farms		Joe Booher		1
Stoner Racing	96	Eldon Dotson		1
Terry Motorsports	32	Ruben Garcia		2
		Tommy Houston		1
U.S. Racing	6	Eddie Bierschwale (R)		27
Thomas Racing	41	Glenn Jarrett		1
		Ronnie Thomas		8
Williams Racing	63	Chuck Walton		1
Wawak Racing	74	Bobby Wawak		6
		Rick Wilson		1
Chrysler	Good Racing	76	Phil Good		3
	Rick Baldwin Racing	04	Rick Baldwin		1
	MRE Racing	93	Maurice Randall		5
	Palmer Racing		Norm Palmer		1
	St. James Racing	02	St. James Davis		1
Dodge	Good Racing	76	Phil Good		1
Ford	Beahr Racing	35	Dick May		1
			Morgan Shepherd		1
	Bowman Racing	96	Jerry Bowman		5
	DiGard Motorsports	10	Ken Ragan		1
	Jefferson Racing	07	Derrike Cope		2
	McDuffie Racing	70	J. D. McDuffie		3
	McKnight Racing	83	Sumner McKnight		1
	Mitchell Racing	31	Chet Fillip		1
	Pearson Racing	21	David Pearson	Leonard Wood	12
			Rick Wilson		1
	Petty Enterprises	1	Dick Brooks		3
			Morgan Shepherd		1
	Ranier-Lundy Racing	28	Cale Yarborough	Waddell Wilson	16
	Spohn Racing	05	Dean Roper		1
			Slick Johnson		5
		51	Doug Heveron		1
			Slick Johnson		1
	Stahl Racing	82	Mark Stahl		3
	Terry Motorsports	32	Alan Kulwicki		2
		38			3
	Walker Enterprises	68	Mike Potter		7
			Jimmy Walker		1
			Ed Baugess		1
	Wangerin Racing	39	Blackie Wangerin		2
Oldsmobile	A. J. Foyt Enterprises	14	A. J. Foyt		7
	Earle Canavan Racing	01	Earle Canavan		1
	KC Racing	91	John Krebs		1
	Midgley Racing	29	Scott Autrey	Dick Midgley	1
	Williams Racing	78	Jim Robinson		2
Pontiac	Bahre Racing	23	Michael Waltrip		5
	Blue Max Racing	72	Sammy Swindell		1
	Curb Racing	42	Tom Sneva		2
	DiGard Motorsports	10	Dick Trickle		1
	Francis Racing	03	Glenn Francis		1
	H. B. Bailey Racing	36	H. B. Bailey		2
	Leonard Racing	85	Tommie Crozier		4
	McDuffie Racing	0	Jeff McDuffie		1
		70	J. D. McDuffie		18
	Mueller Brothers Racing	89	Jim Sauter		3
	Park Racing	19	Bob Park		3
	Riley Racing	60	Bob Riley		1
	Sosres Racing	94	John Soares Jr.		2
	Smith Motorsports	04	Hershel McGriff		2

Schedule

No.	Race Title	Track	Date
NC	Busch Clash	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 10
	7-Eleven Twin 125's		February 14
	Daytona 500 Consolation Race		February 15
1	Daytona 500		February 17
2	Miller High Life 400	Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond	February 24
3	Carolina 500	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham	March 3
4	Coca-Cola 500	Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton	March 17
5	Valleydale 500	Bristol International Raceway, Bristol	April 6
6	TranSouth 500	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	April 14
7	Northwestern Bank 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro	April 21
8	Sovran Bank 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	April 28
9	Winston 500	Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega	May 5
10	Budweiser 500	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	May 19
NC	The Winston	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	May 25
11	Coca-Cola World 600		May 26
12	Budweiser 400	Riverside International Raceway, Riverside	June 2
13	Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond	June 9
14	Michigan 400	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn	June 16
15	Pepsi Firecracker 400	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	July 4
16	Summer 500	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond	July 21
17	Talladega 500	Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega	July 28
18	Champion Spark Plug 400	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn	August 11
19	Busch 500	Bristol International Raceway, Bristol	August 24
20	Southern 500	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	September 1
21	Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400	Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond	September 8
22	Delaware 500	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	September 15
23	Goody's 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	September 22
24	Holly Farms 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro	September 29
25	Miller High Life 500	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	October 6
26	Nationwise 500	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham	October 20
27	Atlanta Journal 500	Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton	November 3
28	Winston Western 500	Riverside International Raceway, Riverside	November 17

Bolding indicates the race was part of the Winston Million

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

7-Eleven Twin 125's

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's were run on February 14 at Daytona. Bill Elliott won the pole for race 1 with a lap average speed of 205.114 mph (330.099 km/h). Cale Yarborough won the pole for races 2 with a lap average speed of 203.814 mph (328.007 km/h).

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 Consolation Race

For the final time to date, all 9 drivers that failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 were allowed to race in a 30 lap (75 mi (121 km)) race. Rick Newsom was on the pole.

Full Results

Finish	Grid	Car no.	Driver	Car Make	Laps	Status	Laps Led	Money
1	5	07	Randy LaJoie	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	30	0:23:46	36	$3,500
2	7	41	Glenn Jarrett	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	30	-3 seconds	0	$500
3	6	37	Satch Worley	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	30	Flagged	2	$100
4	1	20	Rick Newsom	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	30	Flagged	3
5	2	05	Dean Roper	Ford Thunderbird	29	-1 lap	0
6	3	06	Joe Thurman	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	29	-1 lap	0
7	9	65	Joey Sonntag	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	28	-2 laps	0
8	4	82	Mark Stahl	Ford Thunderbird	11	Engine	0
9	8	19	Bob Park	Pontiac Grand Prix	2	Engine	0
Source:[5]

Average speed: 189.341 mi (304.715 km)
Caution flags: none

Lead changes: 2
From lap	To lap	Total laps	Driver
1	3	3	Rick Newsom
4	5	2	Satch Worley
6	30	25	Randy LaJoie

Daytona 500

Main article: 1985 Daytona 500

The Daytona 500, the 27th running of the event, was held on February 17, 1985, at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bill Elliott won the pole with a new track record (at the time) speed of 205.114 mph (330.099 km/h), he also won his qualifying race.

Top Ten Results

1. 9 - Bill Elliott
2. 75 - Lake Speed
3. 11 - Darrell Waltrip -1 Lap
4. 88 - Buddy Baker -1 Lap
5. 15 - Ricky Rudd -1 Lap
6. 51 - Greg Sacks -1 Lap
7. 5 - Geoffrey Bodine -2 Laps
8. 2 - Rusty Wallace -3 Laps
9. 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. -3 Laps
10. 12 - Neil Bonnett -5 Laps (DNF: Engine Failure)

Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 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

• Final career pole for Neil Bonnett.

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 (R)

This race was scheduled to run on Sunday March 31, 1985, but was moved to Saturday 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. With the victory, Elliott claimed the second leg of the Winston Million.

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 (R)

The Winston

Main article: 1985 The Winston

The inaugural Winston was run on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole due to being the defending NASCAR Winston Cup Champion.

Top Six Results

1. 11 - Darrell Waltrip
2. 33 - Harry Gant
3. 44 - Terry Labonte
4. 28 - Cale Yarborough
5. 27 - Tim Richmond
6. 22 - Bobby Allison

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

• Bill Elliott had a chance to clinch the first Winston Million, and a then NASCAR record crowd of 155,000 spectators arrived to cheer him on. After considerable pre-race hype, Elliott led 81 laps, but fell short, however, as mechanical problems plagued much of his day. Elliott would have another chance at Darlington in the Southern 500.
• Darrell Waltrip gambled on fuel, stretching his tank over the final 110 laps to secure the victory. Waltrip (who won The Winston a day earlier) nearly missed the race after a car/engine swap controversy with NASCAR Director of Competition Dick Beatty.[6]
• This was the first NASCAR Winston cup start for Michael Waltrip. He would finish in 28th due to transmission failure

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 (R)

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.

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

• 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

• This would be Sacks’ lone career win in Winston Cup competition.

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

• Bill Elliott completes his 1st of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

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 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

• Bill Elliott completes his 2nd of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

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

Main article: 1985 Southern 500

The Southern 500 was run on September 1 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

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

• Bill Elliott won the Winston Million with the race victory.
• With this victory Elliott had a 206 point lead in the standings with 8 races left in the season.
• Elliott also completes the Darlington sweep for his 3rd of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

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.

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

• This race marked the Winston Cup Series debut of Alan Kulwicki, driving Bill Terry's #32 Ford. Kulwicki would finish 19th, 8 laps down.
• By Elliott finishing 12th in this race, Darrell Waltrip gained 53 points on Elliott.

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

• Elliott had a disastrous race finishing in 20th place 70 laps down. Waltrip gained 67 points to only be behind by 86 points.

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

• Elliott had another disastrous race finishing in 17th place 33 laps down. Waltrip continued to chip away at Elliotts lead gaining 63 points to where he was only behind now by 23 points.

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 – Geoffrey 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

• By virtue of Elliott being the second car out of the race finishing in 30th place (out of 31 starters) and Waltrip managing to finish in 14th even with car issues 7 laps down, Waltrip overtook Elliott in the standings & now led by 30 points.

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

• Cale Yarborough’s win would be his 83rd and the final one of his career before retiring after 1988.
• Elliott and Waltrip both led laps and by Elliott finishing in 2nd he sliced 10 points off Waltrips lead with just 20 points separating the two with three races remaining.

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

• Elliott finishing three spots down in 4th lost ground to Waltrip by 15 points due to Waltrip winning. Waltrip now lead with 35 points in between him and Elliott, with just Atlanta and Riverside left to settle the Championship.

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

• 11th and final win of the season for Bill Elliott.
• With this win, and as of 2018, Bill Elliott is the only driver in NASCAR history to pull off the season sweep at 4 different tracks in one season. Along with the season sweep at Atlanta, he swept Pocono, Michigan, and Darlington. In 2004 however, Jimmie Johnson pulled off the season sweep at 3 different tracks, coming close to tying Bill Elliott's record. The tracks Johnson pulled off the season sweep are Pocono, Charlotte, and Darlington.
• With Elliott getting the bonus points for leading the most laps, Waltip lost 15 points on his lead. Elliott now had a 20 deficit going into the season finale at Riverside California where Elliott picked up his first Cup victory in 1983 but Waltrip had five wins at the road course. If Elliott won Riverside then all Waltrip would have to do to win the title would be to finish no lower then 7th if DW did not lead a lap. If DW led a lap then he could finish no lower then 8th to win the title. If DW led the most laps then he could finish no lower then 9th.

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.

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

• After winning the previous race, which was at Atlanta, Bill Elliott came into this race 2nd in points, only 20 points behind Darrell Waltrip, giving him a shot to rebound for the championship after a string of poor finishes in 4 of the last 5 races. During this race however, Elliott would suffer early transmission problems, and it would unfortunately cost him the championship. He finished the race in 31st. Waltrip finished in 7th, gaining 81 points on Elliott. Darrell Waltrip clinched his 3rd and final Winston Cup title, having won only three races to Bill Elliott's eleven. Elliott would officially lose the championship by 101 points. This would be the 1st time in Bob Latford's Winston Cup points system that a driver winning 10 or more races in a season failed to win the championship due to poor finishes and lack of consistency in the final stretch of the season.

Final point standings

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

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 (R) 3024
17. Buddy Baker 2986
18. Dave Marcis 2871
19. Rusty Wallace 2867
20. Buddy Arrington 2780
21. Phil Parsons 2740
22. Clark Dwyer 2641
23. Jimmy Means 2548
24. Eddie Bierschwale (R) 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 (R) 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

Rookie of the year

Ken Schrader won the 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rookie of the year. He beat out both Eddie Bierschwale (who failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 and skipped the next race), and Don Hume (whom only competed in 7 races) for the honors.

References

1. https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/allisbo01/1985/W
2. https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/allisbo01/1985/W
3. https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/allisbo01/1985/W
4. https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/wawakbo01/1985/W
5. https://www.racing-reference.info/race/1985-02/X
6. Jeff Hammond. "Darrell Waltrip's sweep in the 1985 Winston All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 despite controversy in Charlotte built a NASCAR champion". FOX Sports. Retrieved May 22, 2016.