The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 42nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 19th modern-era Cup Series. It began on Sunday, February 11, and ended on Sunday, November 18. Because of a highly controversial penalty to Mark Martin early in the season, Dale Earnhardt with Richard Childress Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion for the fourth time, edging out Martin by 26 points.
Teams and drivers
Complete schedule ManufactuterTeamDriverCrew Chief Buick Bobby Allison Racing 12 Mike Alexander Jimmy Fennig Jeff Purvis Hut Stricklin King Racing 26 Brett Bodine Larry McReynolds Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Harry Hyde Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 5 Ricky Rudd Waddell Wilson17 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond Jimmy Horton Sarel van der Merwe Greg Sacks 25 Ken Schrader Richard Broome Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Bob Marcis Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk Shelmerdine Travis Carter Enterprises 98 Butch Miller Travis Carter Rick Mast Whitcomb Racing 10 Derrike Cope Buddy Parrott Ford AK Racing 7 Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Bud Moore Engineering 15 Morgan Shepherd Donnie Wingo Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Geoff Bodine Tim Brewer Melling Racing 9 Bill Elliott Mike Beam Robert Yates Racing 28 Davey Allison Jake Elder Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Robin Pemberton Wood Brothers Racing 21 Neil Bonnett Leonard WoodDale Jarrett Oldsmobile Hagan Racing 94 Sterling Marlin Steve Loyd Leo Jackson Motorsports 33 Harry Gant Andy PetreePhil Parsons Moroso Racing 20 Rob Moroso (R) Steve Bird Jake Elder Jimmy Hensley Chad Little Steve Grissom Precision Products Racing 1 Terry Labonte Cliff Champion RahMoc Enterprises 75 Rick Wilson Bob Rahilly Pontiac Bahari Racing 30 Michael Waltrip Bill Ingle Blue Max Racing 27 Rusty Wallace Jimmy Makar Cale Yarborough Motorsports 66 Dick Trickle Doug Williams Means Racing52 Jimmy Means Darrell Bryant Osterlund Racing 57 Jimmy Spencer Jim Bown Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale InmanSABCO Racing 42 Kyle Petty Gary Nelson Oldsmobile Chevrolet Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Phil Parsons Tony Glover Ernie Irvan
Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamDriverCrew ChiefRound(s)BuickFreymiller Racing23Mike ChaseJim BenisonPearson Racing16Larry PearsonRicky PearsonTroy Beebe93Troy BeebeChevroletHendrick Motorsports18Greg SacksGary DeHartStan Barrett46Greg Sacks51Hut StricklinDennis ConnorLarry Hedrick Motorsports41Larry PearsonLarry HedrickPhoenix Racing51Jeff PurvisFrankie GrillRay DeWitt50Rich VoglerTed MusgraveReno Enterprises40Tommy KendallTony Eury Sr.Spears Motorsports76Bill SedgwickLeon RutherTex Racing97Chuck BownVenturini Motorsports35Bill Venturini Ford Little Racing 19 Chad Little (R)Branch-Ragan Racing77Ken RaganGary Cruise Dick Johnson Racing 38 Dick Johnson Ray EvernhamJim Sauter Donlavey Racing 90 Ernie Irvan Junie DonlaveyBuddy BakerTroy BeebeCharlie GlotzbachGibbs Racing01Mickey Gibbs (R)David IfftH.L. Waters Racing0Delma CowartJim SauterS & H Racing80Jimmy HortonStahl Racing82Mark StahlOldsmobileA.J. Foyt Enterprises14A. J. FoytAroneck Racing53Jerry O'NeilAlan AroneckB & B Racing23Eddie BierschwaleBarkdoll Motorsports72Phil Parsons73Phil BarkdollBickle Racing02Rich BickleClose Racing47Jack Pennington (R)Tony FurrGeorge Hakes Racing54Tommy RigginsSpeed Racing83Lake SpeedTommy EllisPhil ParsonsPrecision Products Racing0Irv HoerrU.S. Racing2Eddie BierschwaleBob JohnsonPontiacRick MastJim BownTroy BeebeCharlie GlotzbachJerry O'NeilD.K. UlrichJim SauterRon EsauTed Musgrave22Rick MastRick WareDiamond Ridge Motorsports29Phil ParsonsDoug Richert68Bobby HamiltonMcDuffie Racing70J. D. McDuffieJeff McDuffieMueller Brothers Racing89Rodney CombsTriStar Motorsports18Hut Stricklin68Stanley SmithMike ChaseBobby HamiltonWawak Racing74Mike PotterJohn Linville
Schedule No. Race title Track DateBusch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 11Twin 125 QualifiersFebruary 151Daytona 500February 182Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondFebruary 253GM Goodwrench 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamMarch 44Motorcraft 500Atlanta International Raceway, HamptonMarch 185TranSouth 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonApril 16Valleydale Meats 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 87First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 228Hanes Activewear 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 299Winston 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaMay 6Winston OpenCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 20The Winston10Coca-Cola 600May 2711Budweiser 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverJune 312Banquet Frozen Foods 300Sears Point Raceway, SonomaJune 1013Miller Genuine Draft 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 1714Miller Genuine Draft 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 2415Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 716AC Spark Plug 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 2217DieHard 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaJuly 2918Budweiser at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1219Champion Spark Plug 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1920Busch 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2521Heinz Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 222Miller Genuine Draft 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 923Peak Antifreeze 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 1624Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2325Tyson Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroSeptember 3026Mello Yello 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 727AC Delco 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2128Checker 500Phoenix International Raceway, PhoenixNovember 429Atlanta Journal 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonNovember 18
Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverBusch ClashJimmy HensleyKen SchraderKen SchraderChevroletTwin 125 #1Ken SchraderKen SchraderGeoff BodineFordTwin 125 #2Dale EarnhardtDick TrickleDale EarnhardtChevrolet1Daytona 500Ken SchraderDale EarnhardtDerrike CopeChevrolet2Pontiac Excitement 400Ricky RuddRusty WallaceMark MartinFord3GM Goodwrench 500Kyle PettyKyle PettyKyle PettyPontiac4Motorcraft 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet5TranSouth 500Geoff BodineGeoff BodineDale EarnhardtChevrolet6Valleydale Meats 500Ernie IrvanDarrell WaltripDavey AllisonFord7First Union 400Mark MartinBrett BodineBrett BodineBuick8Hanes Activewear 500Geoff BodineGeoff BodineGeoff BodineFord9Winston 500Bill ElliottDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevroletWinston OpenErnie IrvanErnie IrvanDick TricklePontiacThe WinstonDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet10Coca-Cola 600Ken SchraderRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac11Budweiser 500Dick TrickleRusty WallaceDerrike CopeChevrolet12Banquet Frozen Foods 300Ricky RuddRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac13Miller Genuine Draft 500Ernie IrvanGeoff BodineHarry GantOldsmobile14Miller Genuine Draft 400Mark MartinBill ElliottDale EarnhardtChevrolet15Pepsi 400Greg SacksDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet16AC Spark Plug 500Mark MartinGeoff BodineGeoff BodineFord17DieHard 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet18Budweiser at The GlenDale EarnhardtRusty WallaceRicky RuddChevrolet19Champion Spark Plug 400Alan KulwickiMark MartinMark MartinFord20Busch 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtErnie IrvanChevrolet21Heinz Southern 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet22Miller Genuine Draft 400Ernie IrvanDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet23Peak Antifreeze 500Bill ElliottBill ElliottBill ElliottFord24Goody's 500Mark MartinRicky RuddGeoff BodineFord25Tyson Holly Farms 400Kyle PettyDale EarnhardtMark MartinFord26Mello Yello 500Brett BodineBill ElliottDavey AllisonFord27AC Delco 500Ken SchraderKyle PettyAlan KulwickiFord28Checker 500Rusty WallaceDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet29Atlanta Journal 500Rusty WallaceBill ElliottMorgan ShepherdFord
Busch Clash The exhibition Busch Clash race, for drivers who have won a pole position in the previous season or have won the event before, was held on February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Jimmy Hensley drew the pole.
Results
#25 - Ken Schrader #46 - Greg Sacks* #28 - Davey Allison #11 - Geoff Bodine #9 - Bill Elliott #6 - Mark Martin #7 - Alan Kulwicki #27 - Rusty Wallace #15 - Morgan Shepherd #20 - Jimmy Hensley
Sacks' #46 Chevrolet was entered for in-race footage for the 1990 film Days of Thunder.
Gatorade Twin 125s The Gatorade Twin 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 was held on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
Top-Ten Results: (Race One) #11 - Geoff Bodine #33 - Harry Gant #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Darrell Waltrip #43 - Richard Petty #14 - A. J. Foyt #25 - Ken Schrader #12 - Mike Alexander #98 - Butch Miller #5 - Ricky Rudd
Top-Ten Results: (Race Two) #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #9 - Bill Elliott #57 - Jimmy Spencer #4 - Phil Parsons #8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. #10 - Derrike Cope #83 - Lake Speed #28 - Davey Allison #90 - Ernie Irvan #1 - Terry Labonte
Two cars entered by Hendrick Motorsports (the #46 Superflo Chevrolet driven by Greg Sacks and the #51 Exxon Chevrolet driven by Rick Mast) were entered into in-race footage for the 1990 film Days of Thunder. Both cars were unscored and withdrew from the race early. This would be the first of what would be ten consecutive Daytona Duel victories for Earnhardt, lasting all the way to 1999.
Daytona 500
The 32nd annual Daytona 500 was held on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader won the pole position, but was forced to start in the back of the field after crashing in the first Duel race.
Top-Ten Results: #10 - Derrike Cope* #1 - Terry Labonte #9 - Bill Elliott #5 - Ricky Rudd #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. #27 - Rusty Wallace #30 - Michael Waltrip -1 lap #11 - Geoff Bodine -1 lap #15 - Morgan Shepherd -1 lap
Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #13 - Mike Potter, #19 - Chad Little, #29 - Joe Booher, #34 - Charlie Glotzbach, #35 - Bill Venturini, #37 - Dennis Langston, #39 - Blackie Wangerin, #44 - Jim Sauter, #48 - Trevor Boys, #59 - Mark Gibson, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #72 - Stan Barrett, #77 - Ken Ragan, #82 - Mark Stahl, #85 - Bobby Gerhart, #89 - Rodney Combs, #96 - Phillip Duffie, #01 - Mickey Gibbs
Dale Earnhardt dominated the race, leading 155 of 200 laps. While leading on the last lap , Earnhardt ran over a piece of Rick Wilson's expired engine cutting the right rear tire in turn three on the final lap allowing Derrike Cope to shoot past for the win. This was Cope's first career Cup Series victory, becoming the first driver since Pete Hamilton in 1970 to score his first Cup victory in the Daytona 500, and the fourth overall. Two cars entered by Hendrick Motorsports (the #18 Hardee's Chevrolet driven by Tommy Ellis and the #51 Mello Yello Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton) were entered for in-race footage for the 1990 film Days of Thunder. Both cars were unscored and withdrew from the race early. Despite starting in the back, Schrader would still be eligible for the Unocal 76 Challenge, which at that point, had rolled over to $212,800.
Pontiac Excitement 400 The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held on February 25 at Richmond International Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.
Top-Ten Results: #6 - Mark Martin* #3 - Dale Earnhardt #5 - Ricky Rudd #9 - Bill Elliott #66 - Dick Trickle #27 - Rusty Wallace #15 - Morgan Shepherd #26 - Brett Bodine #57 - Jimmy Spencer #25 - Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify: #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #53 - Jerry O'NeilGrand National Scene race reports from 1990
This was possibly the coldest race in NASCAR history, with a temperature in the mid-20s and winds gusting to 41 MPH, generating a wind chill of about 5 degrees.