The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 40th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 17th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 20 at the Atlanta International Speedway. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.
The 1988 season was notable for hosting the first of two NASCAR tire wars between Goodyear and Hoosier. Notably, unless a team was under an exclusive tire contract, teams were allowed to switch tire manufacturers from race to race so no team ran a full season on the same tire like in other motorsports where teams tend exclusively run one tire manufacturer during a tire war.
Teams and drivers
Complete schedule ManufacturerTeamDriverCrew ChiefBuick King Racing 26 Ricky Rudd Larry McReynolds Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Bobby Hillin Jr.Bill Woodruff 12 Bobby Allison Jimmy FennigMike Alexander Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 5 Geoff Bodine Waddell Wilson 17 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond 25 Ken Schrader Harry Hyde Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Terry Labonte Tim Brewer Mach 1 Racing 33 Harry Gant Travis Carter Morgan Shepherd Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Ivan Baldwin Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk ShelmerdineFord AK Racing 7 Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Bud Moore Engineering 15 Brett Bodine Bud Moore Donlavey Racing 90 Benny Parsons Doug RichertTommy Ellis Jimmy Means Melling Racing 9 Bill Elliott Ernie Elliott Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Davey Allison Tony Price Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Robin Pemberton Whitcomb Racing 10 Ken Bouchard (R) Bob Johnson Jim Garde Wood Brothers Racing 21 Kyle Petty Leonard WoodOldsmobileCale Yarborough Motorsports 29 Cale Yarborough Elmo Langley Cale Yarborough Dale Jarrett Bob Clark Motorsports 31 Brad Teague Bob Sutton Bob Clark Joe Ruttman Donnie Allison Butch Miller Jim Sauter Lee Faulk Johnny Rutherford Hagan Racing 44 Sterling MarlinJake Elder Jackson Brothers Motorsports 55 Phil Parsons Andy PetreeMorgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Rick Wilson Tony GloverSpeed Racing 83 Lake Speed Darrell Bryant Pontiac Bahari Racing 30 Michael Waltrip Mike Beam Baker-Schiff Racing 88 Buddy Baker Herb Nab Joey Knuckles Morgan Shepherd Rick Mast Greg Sacks Blue Max Racing 27 Rusty Wallace Barry DodsonMeans Racing 52 Jimmy Means Keith WilsonPetty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale InmanRahMoc Enterprises 75 Neil Bonnett Butch Mock Morgan Shepherd U.S. Racing 2 Ernie Irvan (R) Marc Reno D.K. Ulrich Bob Johnson
Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamDriverCrew ChiefRound(s)BuickAAG Racing34Donnie AllisonConnie SaylorRodney CombsCurb Racing98Ed PimmCarlisle Johnson Cliff Champion Darrell Bryant Brad Noffsinger (R)Ellington Racing1Dale JarrettShelton PittmannJim BownHope Motorsports37Patty MoiseDavid IfftPhilip Duffie32Philip DuffieJames Hylton48Tony SpanosShepherd Racing47Morgan Shepherd57Bobby WawakMorgan ShepherdReet Racing66Bob SchachtWinkle Motorsports 97 Morgan ShepherdRodney CombsTommy EllisJoe RuttmanChevroletHamby Motorsports22Steve MooreLennie PondHendrick Motorsports18Sarel van der MerweGary NelsonRick Hendrick47Rob MorosoHenley Gray54Ronnie SandersLennie PondLinro Motorsports63Jocko MaggiacomoJohn McFadden24John McFaddenPearson Racing16Larry PearsonRicky PearsonPotter Racing64Mike PotterBrad TeagueRichard Childress Racing22Rodney CombsRonnie Thomas41Ronnie ThomasTerry Petris62Terry PetrisFord Arrington Racing 67 Buddy Arrington Joey Arrington Ken Schrader Rick Jeffrey Jimmy Hensley Dale Jarrett Ron Esau Brad TeagueAutosports Enterprises19Chad LittleChuck LittleJefferson RacingJoe Booher41Joe BooherStoke Racing19Chad LittleChuck Little32Ruben Garcia Testa Racing 68 Derrike Cope Dave FugeWangerin Racing39Blackie WangerinOldsmobileA. J. Foyt Enterprises14A. J. FoytTex Powell B&B Racing 23 Eddie Bierschwale Buddy ParrottBob Clark Motorsports32Lee FaulkCollins Racing24Gary CollinsGordon Chilson16Bob SchachtTom RotsellHess Racing40Ben HessKC Racing66John KrebsMoroso Racing22Rob MorosoGary NelsonPro-Star Motorsports38Mike LawsPontiacBahre Racing20Dave Mader IIIGary NelsonDavid Simko51David SimkoDingman Brothers Racing50Greg SacksBilly DingmanCharlie GlotzbachBobby CoyleH. B. Bailey36H. B. BaileyMark Gibson59Mark Gibson
Schedule No. Race title Track DateBusch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 7Twin 125 QualifiersFebruary 111Daytona 500February 142Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, RichmondFebruary 21Goodyear NASCAR 500Calder Park Thunderdome, MelbourneFebruary 283Goodwrench 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamMarch 64Motorcraft Quality Parts 500Atlanta International Raceway, HamptonMarch 205TranSouth 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMarch 276Valleydale Meats 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 107First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 178Pannill Sweatshirts 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 249Winston 500Alabama International Motor Speedway, TalladegaMay 1Winston OpenCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 22The Winston10Coca-Cola 600May 2911Budweiser 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverJune 512Budweiser 400Riverside International Raceway, RiversideJune 1213Miller High Life 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 1914Miller High Life 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 2615Pepsi Firecracker 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 216AC Spark Plug 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 2417Talladega DieHard 500Alabama International Motor Speedway, TalladegaJuly 3118Budweiser at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1419Champion Spark Plug 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 2120Busch 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2721Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 422Miller High Life 400Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, RichmondSeptember 1123Delaware 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 1824Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2525Oakwood Homes 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 926Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroOctober 1627AC Delco 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2328Checker 500Phoenix International Raceway, PhoenixNovember 629Atlanta Journal 500Atlanta International Raceway, HamptonNovember 20
Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverBusch ClashGeoff BodineDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevroletTwin 125 #1Ken SchraderBobby AllisonBobby AllisonBuickTwin 125 #2Davey AllisonDarrell WaltripDarrell WaltripChevrolet1Daytona 500Ken SchraderBobby AllisonBobby AllisonBuick2Pontiac Excitement 400Morgan ShepherdDale EarnhardtNeil BonnettPontiac3Goodwrench 500Bill ElliottNeil BonnettNeil BonnettPontiac4Motorcraft Quality Parts 500Geoff BodineDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet5TranSouth 500Ken SchraderLake SpeedLake SpeedOldsmobile6Valleydale Meats 500Rick WilsonHarry GantBill ElliottFord7First Union 400Terry LabonteDale EarnhardtTerry LabonteChevrolet8Pannill Sweatshirts 500Ricky RuddDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet9Winston 500Davey AllisonGeoff BodinePhil ParsonsOldsmobileWinston OpenKen SchraderBrett BodineSterling MarlinOldsmobileThe WinstonDarrell WaltripDarrell WaltripTerry LabonteChevrolet10Coca-Cola 600Davey AllisonRick WilsonDarrell WaltripChevrolet11Budweiser 500Alan KulwickiBill ElliottBill ElliottFord12Budweiser 400Ricky RuddRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac13Miller High Life 500Alan KulwickiGeoff BodineGeoff BodineChevrolet14Miller High Life 400Bill ElliottRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac15Pepsi Firecracker 400Darrell WaltripDale EarnhardtBill ElliottFord16AC Spark Plug 500Morgan ShepherdBill ElliottBill ElliottFord17Talladega DieHard 500Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripKen SchraderChevrolet18Budweiser at The GlenGeoff BodineBill ElliottRicky RuddBuick19Champion Spark Plug 400Bill ElliottRusty WallaceDavey AllisonFord20Busch 500Alan KulwickiDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet21Southern 500Bill ElliottBill ElliottBill ElliottFord22Miller High Life 400Davey AllisonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord23Delaware 500Mark MartinBill ElliottBill ElliottFord24Goody's 500Rusty WallaceRicky RuddDarrell WaltripChevrolet25Oakwood Homes 500Alan KulwickiDale EarnhardtRusty WallacePontiac26Holly Farms 400Bill ElliottRicky RuddRusty WallacePontiac27AC Delco 500Bill ElliottBill ElliottRusty WallacePontiac28Checker 500Geoff BodineRicky RuddAlan KulwickiFord29Atlanta Journal 500Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac
Busch Clash The Busch Clash, an invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous season, was held February 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Geoff Bodine drew the pole.
Top ten results #3 - Dale Earnhardt #28 - Davey Allison #12 - Bobby Allison #5 - Geoff Bodine #9 - Bill Elliott #27 - Rusty Wallace #25 - Ken Schrader #97 - Morgan Shepherd #11 - Terry Labonte #33 - Harry Gant
Tim Richmond was eligible to race in this event, but was without a ride.
Gatorade 125s
The Gatorade 125s, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader and Davey Allison won the poles for the races.
Race one: top ten results #12 - Bobby Allison #27 - Rusty Wallace #25 - Ken Schrader #50 - Greg Sacks #8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. #97 - Morgan Shepherd #4 - Rick Wilson #5 - Geoff Bodine #14 - A. J. Foyt #55 - Phil Parsons
Race two: top ten results #17 - Darrell Waltrip #3 - Dale Earnhardt #28 - Davey Allison #11 - Terry Labonte #83 - Lake Speed #44 - Sterling Marlin #75 - Neil Bonnett #7 - Alan Kulwicki #88 - Buddy Baker #33 - Harry Gant
Daytona 500 The Daytona 500, was held February 14, 1988, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Ken Schrader won the pole.
Top ten results #12 - Bobby Allison #28 - Davey Allison #55 - Phil Parsons #75 - Neil Bonnett #11 - Terry Labonte #25 - Ken Schrader #27 - Rusty Wallace #44 - Sterling Marlin #88 - Buddy Baker #3 - Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: #34 - Donnie Allison, #07 - Larry Moyer, #82 - Mark Stahl, #18 - Sarel van der Merwe, #85 - Bobby Gerhart, #2 - Ernie Irvan, #30 - Michael Waltrip*, #67 - Buddy Arrington, #10 - Ken Bouchard, #24 - Bobby Coyle, #01 - Mickey Gibbs, #77 - Ken Ragan, #63 - Jocko Maggiacomo, #03 - David Pletcher, #54 - Ronnie Sanders, #80 - Jimmy Horton, #0 - Delma Cowart, #59 - Mark Gibson, #70 - J.D. McDuffie, #48 - Tony Spanos, #74 - John Linville, #02 - Joe Booher, #64 - Mike Potter, #39 - Blackie Wangerin, #56 - Joey Sonntag, #57 - Bobby Wawak, #49 - Mike Porter This was Bobby Allison's final career victory. Michael Waltrip drove Jim Sauter's #89 Pontiac in the race after failing to qualify.
Pontiac Excitement 400
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held February 21 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Morgan Shepherd won the pole.
Top ten results #75 - Neil Bonnett #26 - Ricky Rudd #43 - Richard Petty* #17 - Darrell Waltrip #44 - Sterling Marlin #83 - Lake Speed #27 - Rusty Wallace #8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. #11 - Terry Labonte #3 - Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: #2 - Ernie Irvan, #4 - Rick Wilson, #25* - Ken Schrader Ken Schrader's team bought the #67 entry (normally driven by Buddy Arrington) in order to get Schrader into the race. This was the last race on the half-mile Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. After the race, workers immediately began to convert the track into a more modern-looking, 3/4-mile oval. A scoring error failed to show that Neil Bonnett was one lap down after making a green flag pit stop. A post-race protest filed by Ricky Rudd's car owner Kenny Bernstein did not resolve the NASCAR scoring error and Bonnett's win stood even though a review of the race tape showed that Rudd should have won. Last career top 5 finish for Richard Petty. This race marked the first victory for RahMoc Enterprises since the Atlanta Journal 500 in 1983; the penultimate race of Neil Bonnett's first stint with RahMoc.
Goodyear NASCAR 500