1983 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Mar. 31, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 20th, 1983, the 1983 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Bobby Allison defeating Darrell Waltrip by 47 points to win the 35th championship in Cup Series history. It was the first (and only) Cup Series championship for Allison. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1983 Daytona 500 was won by Cale Yarborough, while Joe Ruttman led the most laps with 57. It was the third of four Daytona 500 victories for Yarborough, as he recovered from crashing and flipping over in qualifying to go on to take the win.

5. #44 Terry Labonte (-663 points)

Labonte took fifth with one win, 11 top-fives and 20 top-10s for an average finish of 12.1. Labonte also led the most laps in one race.

4. #43 Richard Petty (-625)

Petty earned fourth in points as he had three wins, nine top-fives and 21 top-10s to take an average finish of 10.7, while leading the most laps in one race.

3. #9 Bill Elliott (-388)

Elliott picked up the third spot with one victory, 12 top-fives and 22 top-10s, getting an average finish of 9.5.

2. #11 Darrell Waltrip (-47)

Waltrip scored second in points with six wins, 22 top-fives and 25 top-10s for an average finish of 7.7, while leading the most laps in seven races.

1. #22 Bobby Allison

Allison claimed the championship as he took six victories, 18 top-fives and 25 top-10s to take an average finish of 7.0, leading the most laps in eight starts.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1983/W