1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 44th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 21st modern-era Cup season. The season began on February 9, 1992, and ended on November 15, 1992. Independent owner/driver Alan Kulwicki of AK Racing won the Winston Cup championship.

The Generation 4 car was introduced this season, when body panels were removed, teams spent hours in a wind tunnel to gain aerodynamics, the led shot was replaced by the led ingot, the fuel mileage was cut for the drivers to lead more laps, and the bumpers, nose, and tail were composed to mullet fiber glass.

The 1992 season was considered one of the most dramatic and emotional years in NASCAR. The seven-time champion, and "King of stock car racing," Richard Petty retired from the sport at the season's end, concluding a year-long "Fan Appreciation Tour." Petty appeared across the country for autographs and diecast cars were made of his No. 43 car for all 29 of the races he appeared in. The season also saw the quiet debut of a future champion Jeff Gordon, who was planning to move up after two seasons in the Busch Series. Gordon debuted his now-iconic No. 24 DuPont "Rainbow Warrior" Chevrolet at the final race of the year.

The season-long championship battle narrowed down to six drivers, the most ever going into the final race of the season. Davey Allison won the season-opening Daytona 500, and despite a roller-coaster season, remained first, or near the top of the standings all season. Bill Elliott and Kulwicki experienced more consistent results, placing them comfortably near the top. Harry Gant, Mark Martin and Kyle Petty were also factors during the season. Two-time defending champion Dale Earnhardt, however, suffered a dismal season, winning only one race, dropping out several times, and finished outside the top ten at season's end, for just the second time in his Cup career.

The season's climax occurred at the final race of the season, the Hooters 500 at Atlanta. Six drivers entered the race with a mathematical chance at winning the Winston Cup championship. Davey Allison led the charge, but ultimately fell short when he was involved in an accident. The race and the championship came down to a two-man battle between Bill Elliott and Alan Kulwicki. Elliott won the race, while Kulwicki finished second. Kulwicki led 103 laps during the race (compared to 102 by Elliott), clinched the 5 bonus points for leading the most laps, and won the Winston Cup title.

Tragically, only months later, both Kulwicki and Allison would be killed in separate aviation crashes.

The 1992 season was also the final year of Oldsmobile as a manufacturer in the series. The 1992 season was also the first Manufacturers' championship for Ford since 1969. Ford swept the top three in points snapping GM's streak of 16 straight manufacturers' championships (between Chevrolet and Buick).

Teams and drivers Complete schedule ManufacturerTeamDriverCrew chief Chevrolet Darrell Waltrip Motorsports17 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond Jake Elder Hendrick Motorsports 5 Ricky Rudd Gary DeHart 25 Ken SchraderRichard Broome Ken Howes Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Dale Jarrett Jimmy MakarLarry Hedrick Motorsports41 Greg Sacks Dennis Conner Dave Marcis Hut Stricklin Marcis Auto Racing71 Dave Marcis Bob Marcis Jim Sauter Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Ernie Irvan Tony Glover Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk Shelmerdine Whitcomb Racing 10 Derrike Cope Doug Williams Barry Dodson Ford AK Racing 7 Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Bud Moore Engineering 15 Geoff Bodine Donnie WingoCale Yarborough Motorsports66 Chad Little Bobby Hillin Jr. Jimmy Hensley (R) Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Bill Elliott Tim Brewer 22 Sterling Marlin Mike Beam King Racing 26 Brett Bodine Donnie Richeson RaDiUs Motorsports 55 Ted Musgrave James Ince Robert Yates Racing 28 Davey Allison Larry McReynolds Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Steve Hmiel 16 Wally Dallenbach Jr. Steve Lloyd Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Rick Wilson Ken Wilson Dick Trickle Wood Brothers Racing 21 Morgan Shepherd Leonard Wood Oldsmobile Hagan Racing 94 Terry Labonte Dewey Livengood Leo Jackson Motorsports 33 Harry Gant Andy Petree Precision Products Racing 1 Rick Mast Richard JacksonTri-Star Motorsports 68 Bobby Hamilton Pontiac Bahari Racing 30 Michael Waltrip Bill Ingle Doug Hewitt Penske Racing 2 Rusty Wallace Eddie Dickerson Buddy Parrott Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Robbie Loomis SABCO Racing 42 Kyle Petty Robin PembertonPontiac Ford Means Racing52 Jimmy Means Brad Teague Tommy Kendall Scott Sharp Scott Gaylord Chevrolet Ford Bobby Allison Motorsports12Hut Stricklin Jimmy FennigJeff Purvis Jimmy Spencer

Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamRace driverCrew chiefRound(s)Buick Adele Emerson 44 Jack Sellers Balogh Racing 77 Mike Potter Chevrolet Active Motorsports 32 Jimmy Horton David Ifft Ball Motorsports 99 Brad Teague B&B Racing 14 A. J. Foyt BS&S Motorsports 49 Stanley Smith Philippe Lopez Chesrown Racing 37 Rick Carelli David Ifft Close Racing 47 Buddy Baker Diamond Ridge Racing John Krebs Bob Rahilly Ed Ferree 45 Ed Ferree Folsom Racing 13 Dave Mader III Bob Schacht Stan Fox Hendrick Motorsports 24 Jeff Gordon Ray Evernham Mansion Motorsports 13 Mike Skinner Mueller Brothers Racing 89 Jim Sauter Phoenix RacingJeff Purvis Scribner Racing Rick Scribner Cliff Duvall Team Ireland 31 Bobby Hillin Jr. Tony Price Doug Hewitt Travis Carter Enterprises 98 Jimmy Spencer Venturini Motorsports35Bill VenturiniSpeed Racing83Lake Speed Ford Barkdoll Racing 73 Bill Schmitt Cicci Racing 34 Todd Bodine Jeff Davis Racing 44 Jeff Davis Rod Pool Donlavey Racing90 Dorsey SchroederJunie Donlavey Charlie Glotzbach Kerry Teague Hut Stricklin Pancho Carter Bobby Hillin Jr. 91 Kerry Teague Gray Racing 62 Ben Hess H. L. Waters Motorsports 0 Delma Cowart Junior Johnson & Associates 97 Hut Stricklin Melling Racing9 Phil ParsonsGene Roberts Dorsey Schroeder Dave Mader III Chad Little Bill Schmitt Pat Rissi Racing 59 Andy Belmont (R) TTC Motorsports Inc. 45 Rich Bickle 50 Hershel McGriff Moroso Racing20 Jimmy Spencer Oldsmobile Mike Wallace Joe Ruttman B&B Racing 14 A. J. Foyt Tex Powell 23 Eddie Bierschwale Don Bierschwale Barkdoll Racing 73 Phil Barkdoll Close Racing 47 Buddy Baker David Ifft Collins Racing 97 Mark Gibson KT Motorsports 03 Kerry Teague Pontiac 88 Racing 88 Joe Booher Bailey Racing36H. B. BaileyClay Young50 Clay Young Gilliland Racing 24 Butch Gilliland Rusty Wallace Racing Kenny Wallace Means Racing53 John McFadden Graham Taylor 77 Mike Potter Porter RacingRandy Porter Pontiac Chevrolet Hylton Motorsports 48 James Hylton Chevrolet Oldsmobile Linro Motorsports27Gary BaloughBob SchachtJeff McClure

Schedule No. Race title Track DateBusch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 9Gatorade Twin 125 QualifiersFebruary 131Daytona 500February 162GM Goodwrench 500Rockingham Speedway, RockinghamMarch 13Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondMarch 84Motorcraft Quality Parts 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 155TranSouth 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMarch 296Food City 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 57First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 128Hanes 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 269Winston 500Talladega Superspeedway, LincolnMay 3Winston OpenCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 16The Winston10Coca-Cola 600May 2411Budweiser 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverMay 3112Save Mart 300KSears Point Raceway, SonomaJune 713Champion Spark Plug 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 1414Miller Genuine Draft 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 2115Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 416Miller Genuine Draft 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 1917DieHard 500Talladega Superspeedway, LincolnJuly 2618Budweiser at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 919Champion Spark Plug 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1620Bud 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2921Mountain Dew Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 622Miller Genuine Draft 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 1223Peak Antifreeze 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 2024Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2825Tyson/Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroOctober 526Mello Yello 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 1127AC Delco 500Rockingham Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2528Pyroil 500KPhoenix International Raceway, PhoenixNovember 129Hooters 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonNovember 15

Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverBusch ClashBrett BodineGeoff BodineGeoff BodineFordGatorade Twin 125 #1Sterling MarlinDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevroletGatorade Twin 125 #2Bill ElliottBill ElliottBill ElliottFord1Daytona 500Sterling MarlinDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord2GM Goodwrench 500Kyle PettyBill ElliottBill ElliottFord3Pontiac Excitement 400Bill ElliottBill ElliottBill ElliottFord4Motorcraft Quality Parts 500Mark MartinDavey AllisonBill ElliottFord5TranSouth 500Sterling MarlinDavey AllisonBill ElliottFord6Food City 500Alan KulwickiAlan KulwickiAlan KulwickiFord7First Union 400Alan KulwickiAlan KulwickiDavey AllisonFord8Hanes 500Darrell WaltripAlan KulwickiMark MartinFord9Winston 500Ernie IrvanDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFordWinston OpenBrett BodineSterling MarlinMichael WaltripPontiacThe WinstonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord10Coca-Cola 600Bill ElliottKyle PettyDale EarnhardtChevrolet11Budweiser 500Brett BodineDarrell WaltripHarry GantOldsmobile12Save Mart 300KRicky RuddBill ElliottErnie IrvanChevrolet13Champion Spark Plug 500Ken SchraderAlan KulwickiAlan KulwickiFord14Miller Genuine Draft 400Davey AllisonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord15Pepsi 400Sterling MarlinErnie IrvanErnie IrvanChevrolet16Miller Genuine Draft 500Davey AllisonDavey AllisonDarrell WaltripChevrolet17DieHard 500Sterling MarlinRicky RuddErnie IrvanChevrolet18Budweiser at The GlenDale EarnhardtErnie Irvan Kyle PettyKyle PettyPontiac19Champion Spark Plug 400Alan KulwickiBill ElliottHarry GantOldsmobile20Bud 500Ernie IrvanDarrell WaltripDarrell WaltripChevrolet21Mountain Dew Southern 500Sterling MarlinHarry GantDarrell WaltripChevrolet22Miller Genuine Draft 400Ernie IrvanRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac23Peak AntiFreeze 500Alan KulwickiBill ElliottRicky RuddChevrolet24Goody's 500Kyle PettyRusty WallaceGeoff BodineFord25Tyson Holly Farms 400Alan KulwickiGeoff BodineGeoff BodineFord26Mello Yello 500Alan KulwickiKyle PettyMark MartinFord27AC Delco 500Kyle PettyKyle PettyKyle PettyPontiac28Pyroil 500KRusty WallaceRusty WallaceDavey AllisonFord29Hooters 500Rick MastAlan KulwickiBill ElliottFord

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an exhibition event for all 1991 Busch Pole winners, and one "wild card" (from the fastest second round qualifiers from 1991), was held on Saturday, February 9 at Daytona International Speedway. Brett Bodine drew the pole.

Top-ten results: #15 - Geoff Bodine #4 - Ernie Irvan #6 - Mark Martin #28 - Davey Allison #7 - Alan Kulwicki #22 - Sterling Marlin #11 - Bill Elliott #30 - Michael Waltrip #5 - Ricky Rudd #66 - Chad Little

The race consisted of two 10-lap "sprint" segments, separated by a competition yellow, during which the field would be inverted. Sterling Marlin won the first 10-lap segment, and Geoff Bodine won the second 10-lap segment, to claim the overall victory. Except for the 2-lap competition yellow, the race otherwise was completed caution-free. This was the first Busch Clash to be held on a Saturday. The move was made at the request of CBS, who wanted the additional time on Sunday for their coverage of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

Gatorade 125s