1990 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Apr. 8, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 18th, 1990, the 1990 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Dale Earnhardt defeating Mark Martin by 26 points to win the 42ns championship in Cup Series history. It was the fourth Cup Series championship for Earnhardt. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1990 Daytona 500 was won by Derrike Cope, while Dale Earnhardt led the most laps with 155. Earnhardt was leading going into turn four on the final lap, however, he cut down a tire and drifted out of the groove, giving Cope the chance to grab the win.

5. #15 Morgan Shepherd (-741 points)

Shepherd took fifth with one victory, seven top-fives and 16 top-10s, getting an average finish of 13.6.

4. #9 Bill Elliott (-431)

Elliott scored fourth in points as he had one victory, 12 top-fives and 16 top-10s for an average finish of 11.0, while leading the most laps in four races.

3. #11 Geoffrey Bodine (-413)

Bodine earned the third spot as he had three wins, 11 top-fives and 19 top-10s to get an average finish of 11.4. Bodine also led the most laps in four races.

2. #6 Mark Martin (-26)

Martin claimed second place with three wins, 16 top-fives and 23 top-10s, taking an average finish of 6.6. Martin led the most laps in one race during the season.

1. #3 Dale Earnhardt

Earnhardt took the championship with nine wins, 18 top-fives and 23 top-10s for an average finish of 8.0, while leading the most laps in 10 starts.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1990/W