1982 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 21st, 1982, the 1982 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Darrell Waltrip defeating Bobby Allison by 72 points to win the 34th championship in Cup Series history. It was the second Cup Series championship for Waltrip. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1982 Daytona 500 was won by Bobby Allison, who also led the most laps with 147. It was the second of three Daytona 500 victories for Allison; this was also the first 500 to be held as the first race of the season, where it has stayed on the schedule for every season since.

5. #43 Richard Petty (-675 points)

Photo Credit: Fine Art America

Petty earned fifth with nine top-fives and 16 top-10s for an average finish of 14.4 while leading the most laps in one race during the season.

4. #33 Harry Gant (-612)

Photo Credit: NASCAR

3. #44 Terry Labonte (-278)

Photo Credit: NASCAR

Labonte took the third spot with 17 top-fives and 21 top-10s to take an average finish of 10.7. Labonte led the most laps in one race during the season.

2. #88 Bobby Allison (-72)

Photo Credit: NASCAR Legends

Allison picked up second with eight wins, 14 top-fives and 20 top-10s, getting an average finish of 9.3 while leading the most laps in 10 starts.

1. #11 Darrell Waltrip

Photo Credit: Car Throttle

Waltrip earned back-to-back championships as he had 12 victories, 17 top-fives and 20 top-10s for an average finish of 9.1. Waltrip also led the most laps in seven races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1982/W

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