1978 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Mar. 24, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 19th, 1978, the 1978 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Cale Yarborough defeating Bobby Allison by 474 points to win the 30th championship in Cup Series history. It was the third (and final) Cup Series championship for Yarborough. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1978 Daytona 500 was won by Bobby Allison, while Buddy Baker led the most laps with 76, as Allison would go on to win the 500 a total of three times.

5. #2 Dave Marcis (-506 points)

Marcis picked up fifth with 14 top-fives and 24 top-10s, getting an average finish of 8.7.

4. #72 Benny Parsons (-491)

Parson took fourth as he scored three victories, 15 top-fives and 21 top-10s, getting an average finish of 9.4. Parsons also led the most laps in one race.

3. #88 Darrell Waltrip (-479)

Waltrip claimed third as he had six victories, 19 top-fives and 20 top-10s, taking an average finish of 10.4, while leading the most laps in seven races.

2. #15 Bobby Allison (-474)

Allison took the second spot with five wins, 14 top-fives and 22 top-10s, scoring an average finish of 9.4. Allison also led the most laps in four starts.

1. #11 Cale Yarborough

Yarborough picked up his third straight championship with 10 wins, 23 top-fives and 24 top-10s, taking an average finish of 6.0. Yarborough led the most laps in 12 races during the season.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1978/W