1986 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Apr. 2, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 16th, 1986, the 1986 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Dale Earnhardt defeating Darrell Waltrip by 288 points to win the 38th championship in Cup Series history. It was the third (and final) Cup Series championship for Labonte. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1986 Daytona 500 was won by Geoffrey Bodine, who also led the most laps with 101.

5. #15 Ricky Rudd (-645 points)

Rudd claimed fifth in points with two wins, 11 top-fives and 17 top-10s, getting an average finish of 12.7 while leading the most laps in three races.

4. #9 Bill Elliott (-628)

Elliott scored fourth as he had a pair of victories, eight top-fives and 16 top-10s for an average finish of 12.4. Elliott also led the most laps in two races.

3. #25 Tim Richmond (-294)

Richmond claimed third with seven wins, 13 top-fives and 17 top-10s to score an average finish of 9.9. Richmond also had the most laps led in four races.

2. #11 Darrell Waltrip (-288)

Waltrip picked up the second spot with three victories, 21 top-fives and 22 top-10s, getting an average finish of 10.0 while leading the most laps in one race.

1. #3 Dale Earnhardt

Earnhardt got the championship with five wins, 16 top-fives and 23 top-10s for an average finish of 7.4. Earnhardt also had the most laps led in seven races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1986/W