1977 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Mar. 22, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 20th, 1977, the 1977 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Cale Yarborough defeating Richard Petty by 386 points to win the 29th championship in Cup Series history. It was the second Cup Series championship for Yarborough. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1977 Daytona 500 was won by Cale Yarborough, who also led the most laps with 137. It was the second of four Daytona 500 wins for Yarborough.

5. #15 Buddy Baker (-1,039 points)

Baker claimed the fifth spot with nine top-fives and 20 top-10s for an average finish of 12.1.

4. #88 Darrell Waltrip (-502)

Waltrip picked up fourth in points with six wins, 16 top-fives and 24 top-10s to get an average finish of 8.3. Waltrip also led the most laps in two races.

3. #72 Benny Parsons (-430)

Parsons claimed the third spot with four wins, 20 top-fives and 22 top-10s for an average finish of 7.8. Parsons also led the most laps in three races.

2. #43 Richard Petty (-386)

Petty took runner-up, as he had five wins, 20 top-fives and 23 top-10s for an average finish of 7.5. Petty led the most laps in five starts during the season.

1. #11 Cale Yarborough

Yarborough picked up the championship on the strength of nine victories, 25 top-fives and 27 top-10s to take an average finish of 4.5. Yarborough led the most laps in 12 races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1977/W