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| 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series | |||
| Previous: | 1990 | Next: | 1992 |
The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 43rd of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 20th modern-era Cup Season. It began January 27 and ended November 17. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won his fourth Cup championship at the end of the season.
The 1991 season introduced the past champion's provisional, which allowed a former Cup champion to claim the final starting position if he was too low in the points standings and was unable to qualify by speed.
The 1991 season was also the final year of Buick as a full-time manufacturer in the series; Buick cars would run in limited schedules in 1992 and 1993 before leaving the series for good.
The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series marked the debut of NASCAR Winston Cup Series races being televised on TNN. As of the 1991 season, there were three television networks broadcasting the 39 Winston Cup Series schedule: WBC, ESPN, and TNN.
This was the last season until 2017 without Jeff Gordon.
1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers and manufacturers[]
Manufacturers[]
| Company | Marquee | Model | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Motors | Chevrolet | Lumina | Full factory support |
| Corsica | Full factory support | ||
| Caprice | NEW, full factory support | ||
| Cavalier | Full factory support | ||
| Camaro | NEW, full factory support | ||
| Beretta | NEW, no factory support | ||
| Pontiac | Grand Prix | Full factory support | |
| Sunbird | Full factory support | ||
| Firebird | NEW, full factory support | ||
| Bonneville | NEW, no factory support | ||
| Buick | Regal | Full factory support (final year) | |
| Electra | NEW, no factory support | ||
| Oldsmobile | Cutlass Supreme | Full factory support | |
| Ford Motor Company | Ford | Thunderbird | Full factory support |
| Probe | Full factory support | ||
| Tempo | NEW, full factory support | ||
| Escort | Full factory support | ||
| Chrysler Corporation | Chrysler | LeBaron | Full factory support |
| Imperial | Full factory support | ||
| Saratoga | RETURNING, no factory support | ||
| Dodge | Dynasty | Full factory support | |
| Spirit | Full factory support | ||
| Daytona | NEW, no factory support |
Manufacturer notes[]
After the introduction of the fourth-generation car in 1990, the floodgates opened for manufacturers to field any suitable sedan or coupe in NASCAR. For 1991, several new models were added, including the Chevrolet Caprice and Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Ford Tempo. In addition, the Chevrolet Beretta, Pontiac Bonneville, Buick Electra, Chrysler Saratoga, and Dodge Daytona all ran in 1991, albeit without factory support, the bodies literally coming direct from the showrooms, taken off the stock chassis, modified to meet NASCAR standards (including removing the driver's side window and the side mirrors), and then put on race-spec chassis. Also starting this season, many part-time teams started using a previous year’s spec car in order to save money. The manufacturers also gave factory support to these holdouts.
Full-time teams[]
| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Driver | Crew Chief | Model | Primary Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick | Bobby Allison Motorsports | 12 | Bobby Allison | Jimmy Fennig | 1991 Regal | Raybestos Brakes |
| King Racing | 26 | Brett Bodine | 1991 Regal | Quaker State | ||
| Stavola Brothers Racing | 8 | Rick Wilson | Harry Hyde | 1991 Regal | Snickers | |
| Chevrolet | Darrell Waltrip Motorsports | 17 | Darrell Waltrip | Jeff Hammond | 1991 Corsica | Western Auto |
| Hendrick Motorsports | 5 | Ricky Rudd | Waddell Wilson | 1991 Lumina | Tide | |
| 25 | Tim Richmond | Richard Broome | Kodiak | |||
| Marcis Auto Racing | 71 | Dave Marcis | Bob Marcis | 1991 Corsica | Big Apple Markets | |
| Morgan-McClure Motorsports | 4 | Ernie Irvan | Tony Glover | 1991 Caprice | Kodak Film | |
| Richard Childress Racing | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Kirk Shelmerdine | 1991 Lumina | GM Goodwrench | |
| 31 | Neil Bonnett | Mom N Pop's Country Ham | ||||
| Travis Carter Enterprises | 98 | Jimmy Spencer | Travis Carter | 1990 Cavalier | Banquet Frozen Foods | |
| Whitcomb Racing | 10 | Derrike Cope | Buddy Parrott | 1991 Cavalier | Purolator | |
| Chrysler | Donlavey Racing | 90 | Ken Schrader | Junie Donlavey | 1991 LeBaron | Publix Supermarkets |
| Means Racing | 52 | Jimmy Means | 1991 Imperial | Alka-Seltzer | ||
| SABCO Racing | 42 | Kyle Petty | Gary Nelson | 1991 LeBaron | Mello Yello | |
| 45 | Patty Moise (R) | 1991 LeBaron | Barbie | |||
| Dodge | Bahari Racing | 30 | Michael Waltrip | Bill Ingle | 1991 Dynasty | Pennzoil |
| Hagan Racing | 94 | Terry Labonte | Steve Lloyd | 1991 Spirit | Sunoco | |
| Moroso Racing | 20 | Rob Moroso | 1991 Spirit | Glad Bag | ||
| Petty Enterprises | 43 | Richard Petty | Dale Inman | 1991 Dynasty | STP | |
| Ford | AK Racing | 7 | Alan Kulwicki | Paul Andrews | 1991 Thunderbird | Zerex |
| Bud Moore Engineering | 15 | Morgan Shepherd | Donnie Wingo | 1991 Escort | Motorcraft | |
| Junior Johnson & Associates | 11 | Geoff Bodine | Tim Brewer | 1991 Thunderbird | Budweiser | |
| 22 | Sterling Marlin | Mike Beam | Maxwell Coffee House | |||
| Little Racing | 19 | Chad Little | Harry Hyde | 1991 Thunderbird | Bull's-Eye BBQ Sauce | |
| Melling Racing | 9 | Bill Elliott | Ernie Elliott | 1991 Thunderbird | Coors Light | |
| Robert Yates Racing | 28 | Davey Allison | Larry MacReynolds | 1991 Thunderbird | Havoline | |
| Roush Racing | 6 | Mark Martin | Robin Pemberton | 1991 Probe | Folger's Coffee | |
| U.S. Racing | 55 | Ted Musgrave (R) | 1990 Thunderbird | Mr. Rooter | ||
| Wood Brothers Racing | 21 | Dale Jarrett | Eddie Wood | 1991 Tempo | Citgo | |
| Oldsmobile | Jackson Brothers Motorsports | 33 | Harry Gant | Andy Petree | 1991 Cutlass Supreme | Skoal Bandit |
| Precision Products Racing | 1 | Rick Mast | 1991 Cutlass Supreme | Skoal Classic | ||
| Pontiac | Cale Yarborough Motorsports | 66 | Dick Trickle | 1991 J2000 | TropArctic | |
| Lake Speed | ||||||
| Chuck Bown | ||||||
| Dorsey Schroeder | ||||||
| Randy LaJoie | ||||||
| Penske Racing | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Jimmy Makar | 1991 Firebird | Miller Geniune Draft | |
| Team III Racing | 24 | Mickey Gibbs | Barry Dodson | 1989 Grand Prix
1990 Grand Prix |
Team III Racing | |
| Dick Trickle | ||||||
| Dorsey Schroeder | ||||||
| Kenny Wallace | ||||||
| Jimmy Hensley | ||||||
| Oldsmobile
Chevrolet |
RahMoc Enterprises | 75 | Joe Ruttman | 1991 Cavalier
1991 Camaro 1991 Cutlass Supreme |
Dinner Bell Foods | |
| Oldsmobile | Tri-Star Motorsports | 68 | Bobby Hamilton (R) | 1991 Cutlass Supreme
1991 Imperial |
Country Time Drink Mix |
Part-time teams[]
| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Driver | Crew Chief | Model | Primary Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick | AAG Racing | 34 | Gary Balough | 1990 Regal | Allen's Glass | |
| Dick Trickle | ||||||
| Hylton Motorsports | 48 | James Hylton | 1991 Electra | Hylton Racing | ||
| Labonte Motorsports | 44 | Jack Sellers | 1990 Regal | Coca-Cola | ||
| Linro Motorsports | 13 | Brian Ross | 1991 Regal | unsponsored | ||
| Kerry Teague | ||||||
| Randy LaJoie | ||||||
| Gary Balough | ||||||
| Oma Kimbrough | ||||||
| 29 | Kerry Teague | unsponsored | ||||
| BS&S Motorsports | 49 | Stanley Smith (R) | 1991 Regal | Interstate Batteries | ||
| Chevrolet | 1990 Cavalier | |||||
| Bahre Racing | 65 | Dave Mader III | 1991 Lumina | Jasper Engines | ||
| Mader Racing | 1990 Lumina | |||||
| Ball Motorsports | 99 | Brad Teague | 1989 Lumina | Kellogg's Corn Flakes | ||
| Buck Baker Racing | 87 | Randy Baker | 1990 Lumina | Armour Classics | ||
| Faggart Racing | 76 | Robbie Faggart | 1990 Lumina | Cobra Electronics | ||
| Larry Hedrick Motorsports | 41 | Larry Pearson | 1991 Beretta | Kellogg's Corn Flakes | ||
| O'Neil Racing | 63 | Norm Benning | 1991 Caprice | unsponsored | ||
| Pinnacle Racing | 84 | Jeff Green | 1991 Cavalier | Sea Ray Mercruiser | ||
| Ross Racing | 58 | Brian Ross | 1990 Lumina | unsponsored | ||
| Sadler Brothers Racing | 95 | Rick Jeffrey | 1989 Lumina | Texaco | ||
| Kerry Teague | ||||||
| Eddie Bierschwale | ||||||
| Team Ireland | 53 | John Paul Jr. | 1991 Lumina | Longhorn Steaks | ||
| Bobby Hillin Jr. | ||||||
| Chrysler | Bierschwale Motorsports | 23 | Eddie Bierschwale | 1991 Saratoga | Auto Finders | |
| Hylton Motorsports | 48 | James Hylton | 1989 LeBaron | unsponsored | ||
| Mark Gibson Racing | 59 | Mark Gibson | 1990 LeBaron | unsponsored | ||
| S&H Racing | 08 | Jimmy Horton | 1989 LeBaron | unsponsored | ||
| Spears Motorsports | 76 | Billy Sedgwick | 1991 Imperial | Spears Manufacturing | ||
| Dodge | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | 14 | Bobby Labonte | 1991 Daytona | Copenhagen | |
| Mike Chase | ||||||
| Barkdoll Racing | 73 | Phil Barkdoll | 1991 Daytona | X-1R Racing | ||
| Daytona Speed Inc. | 18 | Greg Sacks | 1990 Dynasty | US Navy | ||
| Italian Connection | 96 | Phil Parsons | 1991 Dynasty | Ferrari of Los Gatos | ||
| Osterlund Motorsports | 88 | Buddy Baker | 1990 Spirit | Crisco | ||
| Waters Racing | 0 | Delma Cowart | 1991 Dynasty | Master's Economy Inn | ||
| Ford | Compton Racing | 69 | Dorsey Schroeder | 1990 Escort | Valvoline | |
| Freymiller Racomg | 23 | Mike Chase | 1990 Thunderbird | Freymiller Trucking | ||
| Ragan Racing | 77 | Ken Ragan | 1989 Thunderbird | Jasper | ||
| Stahl Racing | 82 | Mark Stahl | 1991 Tempo | Hooters | ||
| Oldsmobile | Close Racing | 47 | Rich Bickle | 1990 Cutlass Supreme | Kanawha Insurance | |
| Greg Sacks | ||||||
| Labonte Motorsports | 44 | Bobby Labonte | 1989 Cutlass Supreme | Slim Jim | ||
| Irv Hoerr | ||||||
| Phoenix Racing | 51 | Jeff Purvis | 1990 Cutlass Supreme | Phoenix Construction | ||
| Sadler Brothers Racing | 95 | Kerry Teague | 1991 Cutlass Supreme | Texaco/Powerup | ||
| Pontiac | Bahre Racing | 65 | Dave Mader III | 1989 Grand Prix | Jasper Engines | |
| Mansion Motorsports | 27 | Gary Balough | 1990 J2000 | Terminal Trucking | ||
| McDuffie Racing | 70 | J.D. McDuffie | 1991 Bonneville | Rumple Furniture | ||
| Mueller Brothers Racing | 89 | Jim Sauter | 1991 Grand Prix | Evinrude Outboards |
Schedule[]
| No. | Race title | Track | Date | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banquet Frozen Foods 300 | Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma | January 27 | WBC |
| Busch Clash | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 10 | WBC | |
| Gatorade Twin 125 Qualifiers | February 14 | |||
| 2 | Daytona 500 by STP | February 17 | ||
| 3 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond International Speedway, Richmond | February 24 | WBC |
| 4 | Goodwrench 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | March 3 | TNN |
| 5 | Budweiser 400 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | March 10 | ESPN |
| 6 | Motorcraft 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton | March 17 | WBC |
| 7 | Mountain Dew 400 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis | March 24 | WBC |
| 8 | TranSouth 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | April 7 | ESPN |
| 9 | Valleydale Meats 500 | Bristol International Raceway, Bristol | April 14 | ESPN |
| 10 | First Union 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | April 21 | ESPN |
| 11 | Hanes 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville | April 28 | ESPN |
| 12 | Winston 500 | Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln | May 6 | ESPN |
| 13 | Silicon Valley 500 | San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy | May 12 | WBC |
| Winston Open | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 19 | WBC | |
| The Winston | WBC | |||
| 14 | Coca-Cola 600 | May 26 | WBC | |
| 15 | Budweiser 500 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover Downs | June 3 | TNN |
| 16 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | June 9 | ESPN |
| 17 | Diet Coke 500 | Denver International Speedway, Denver | June 16 | WBC |
| 18 | Coors Light 400 | Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain | June 23 | WBC |
| 19 | Pepsi 400 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | July 6 | ESPN |
| 20 | Pabst Blue Ribbon 400 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis | July 14 | TNN |
| 21 | Miller Genuine Draft 500 | Pocono International Raceway, Pocono | July 21 | ESPN |
| 22 | DieHard 500 | Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega | July 28 | WBC |
| 23 | Budweiser At The Glen | Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen | August 11 | ESPN |
| 24 | Champion Spark Plug 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn | August 18 | ESPN |
| 25 | Music City USA 420 | Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville | August 21 | ESPN |
| 26 | Bud 500 | Bristol International Raceway, Bristol | August 24 | ESPN |
| 27 | Heinz Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | September 1 | ESPN |
| 28 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond | September 7 | WBC |
| 29 | Peak AntiFreeze 500 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | September 15 | TNN |
| 30 | Goody's 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville | September 22 | ESPN |
| 31 | Tyson Holly Farms 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | September 29 | ESPN |
| 32 | Mello Yello 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | October 6 | WBC |
| 33 | Golden Gate 500 | San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy | October 13 | TNN |
| 34 | AC Delco 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | October 20 | TNN |
| 35 | Denver Post 400 | Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain | October 27 | WBC |
| 36 | Pyroil 500K | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale | November 3 | TNN |
| 37 | Sprite 500 | Denver International Speedway, Denver | November 10 | ESPN |
| 38 | Hardee's 500 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | November 17 | ESPN |
| 39 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario | November 24 | WBC |
Season summary[]
Results[]
| No. | Race | Pole Position | Winner | Make/Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banquet Frozen Foods 300 | Ricky Rudd | Rusty Wallace | Pontiac Firebird |
| Busch Clash | Derrike Cope | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet Lumina | |
| Gatorade 125 Race 1 | Davey Allison | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird | |
| Gatorade 125 Race 2 | Ernie Irvan | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet Lumina | |
| 2 | Daytona 500 by STP | Davey Allison | Ernie Irvan | Chevrolet Caprice |
| 3 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Davey Allison | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet Lumina |
| 4 | Goodwrench 500 | Kyle Petty | Kyle Petty | Chrysler LeBaron |
| 5 | Budweiser 400 | Sterling Marlin | Bobby Allison | Buick Regal |
| 6 | Motorcraft 500 | Alan Kulwicki | Tim Richmond | Chevrolet Lumina |
| 7 | Mountain Dew 400 | Davey Allison | Mark Martin | Ford Probe |
| 8 | TranSouth 500 | Geoff Bodine | Ricky Rudd | Chevrolet Lumina |
| 9 | Valleydale Meats 500 | Rusty Wallace | Rusty Wallace | Pontiac Firebird |
| 10 | First Union 400 | Brett Bodine | Darrell Waltrip | Chevrolet Corsica |
| 11 | Hanes 500 | Mark Martin | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet Lumina |
| 12 | Winston 500 | Ernie Irvan | Harry Gant | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| 13 | Silicon Valley 500 | Bill Elliott | Richard Petty | Dodge Dynasty |
| Winston Open | Michael Waltrip | Michael Waltrip | Dodge Dynasty | |
| The Winston | Davey Allison | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird | |
| 14 | Coca-Cola 600 | Mark Martin | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird |
| 15 | Budweiser 500 | Michael Waltrip | Ken Schrader | Chrysler LeBaron |
| 16 | Winston Western 500 | Ricky Rudd | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird |
| 17 | Diet Coke 500 | Mark Martin | Neil Bonnett | Chevrolet Lumina |
| 18 | Coors Light 400 | Michael Waltrip | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird |
| 19 | Pepsi 400 | Sterling Marlin | Bill Elliott | Ford Thunderbird |
| 20 | Pabst Blue Ribbon 400 | Ricky Rudd | Bobby Allison | Buick Regal |
| 21 | Miller Genuine Draft 500 | Alan Kulwicki | Rusty Wallace | Pontiac Firebird |
| 22 | DieHard 500 | Sterling Marlin | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet Lumina |
| 23 | Budweiser at The Glen | Terry Labonte | Ernie Irvan | Chevrolet Caprice |
| 24 | Champion Spark Plug 400 | Alan Kulwicki | Dale Jarrett | Ford Tempo |
| 25 | Music City USA 420 | Ricky Rudd | Rob Moroso | Dodge Spirit |
| 26 | Bud 500 | Bill Elliott | Alan Kulwicki | Ford Thunderbird |
| 27 | Heinz Southern 500 | Davey Allison | Harry Gant | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| 28 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Rusty Wallace | Harry Gant | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| 29 | Peak AntiFreeze 500 | Alan Kulwicki | Harry Gant | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| 30 | Goody's 500 | Mark Martin | Harry Gant | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| 31 | Tyson Holly Farms 400 | Harry Gant | Harry Gant | Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| 32 | Mello Yello 500 | Mark Martin | Geoff Bodine | Ford Thunderbird |
| 33 | Golden Gate 500 | Terry Labonte | Richard Petty | Dodge Dynasty |
| 34 | AC Delco 500 | Kyle Petty | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird |
| 35 | Denver Post 400 | Rick Wilson | Jimmy Means | Chrysler Imperial |
| 36 | Pyroil 500K | Geoff Bodine | Davey Allison | Ford Thunderbird |
| 37 | Sprite 500 | Dale Earnhardt | Phil Barkdoll | Dodge Daytona |
| 38 | Hardee's 500 | Bill Elliott | Mark Martin | Ford Probe |
| 39 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Bill Elliott | Rob Moroso | Dodge Spirit |
Cars Used in 1991 (incomplete)[]
Chevrolet Lumina Z34
Chevrolet Camaro (restrictor-plate tracks only)
Ford Thunderbird
Ford Mustang (restrictor-plate tracks only)
Chrysler LeBaron
Dodge Daytona (restrictor-plate tracks only)
Pontiac Grand Prix
Buick Regal (final year with factory support)
Oldsmobile Cutlass