1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an exhibition event for all 1991 Busch Pole winners, and one "wild card" (from the fastest second round qualifiers from 1991), was held on Saturday, February 9 at Daytona International Speedway. Brett Bodine drew the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #15 - Geoff Bodine
2. #4 - Ernie Irvan
3. #6 - Mark Martin
4. #28 - Davey Allison
5. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
6. #22 - Sterling Marlin
7. #11 - Bill Elliott
8. #30 - Michael Waltrip
9. #5 - Ricky Rudd
10. #66 - Chad Little

• The race consisted of two 10-lap "sprint" segments, separated by a competition yellow, during which the field would be inverted.
• Sterling Marlin won the first 10-lap segment, and Geoff Bodine won the second 10-lap segment, to claim the overall victory.
• Except for the 2-lap competition yellow, the race otherwise was completed caution-free.
• This was the first Busch Clash to be held on a Saturday. The move was made at the request of CBS, who wanted the additional time on Sunday for their coverage of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 were held Thursday, February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin and Bill Elliott started first in each of the races, respectively.

Top-five results: (Race 1)

1. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
2. #6 - Mark Martin
3. #4 - Ernie Irvan
4. #41 - Greg Sacks
5. #33 - Harry Gant

Top-five results: (Race 2)

1. #11 - Bill Elliott
2. #21 - Morgan Shepherd
3. #28 - Davey Allison
4. #5 - Ricky Rudd
5. #30 - Michael Waltrip

• During the second race, a crash on lap 4 took out several cars, including Alan Kulwicki, Terry Labonte and A. J. Foyt. Richard Petty also wrecked out on lap 8. All four would qualify for the Daytona 500 based on speed or by provisional.

34th Daytona 500 by STP

The Daytona 500 was held on February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #28 - Davey Allison
2. #21 - Morgan Shepherd
3. #15 - Geoff Bodine
4. #7 - Alan Kulwicki*
5. #75 - Dick Trickle*
6. #42 - Kyle Petty
7. #94 - Terry Labonte
8. #55 - Ted Musgrave
9. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
10. #9 - Phil Parsons

Failed to qualify: #99 - Brad Teague, #59 - Andy Belmont, #89 - Jim Sauter, #23 - Eddie Bierschwale, #83 - Lake Speed, #13 - Dave Mader III, #98 - Jimmy Spencer, #20 - Mike Wallace, #62 - Ben Hess, #13 - Mike Skinner, #88 - Joe Booher, #50 - Clay Young, #48 - James Hylton, #52 - Jimmy Means, #97 - Mark Gibson

• The "Big One" took place on lap 92 after contact between Bill Elliott, Ernie Irvan, and Sterling Marlin, collecting 14 cars in total. Richard Petty, in his final Daytona 500, was among those involved. Petty was able to continue the race, and finish 16th.
• This would be the final Daytona 500 start for both Richard Petty and A. J. Foyt.
• Three weeks removed from leading Washington to victory in Super Bowl XXVI; Joe Gibbs made his debut as a car owner, fielding the #18 Chevy with Dale Jarrett driving. Jarrett would finish 36th after being collected in the aforementioned "Big One".
• Alan Kulwicki rallied to finished 4th after starting the race in 41st, and getting collected in the 14-car pileup.
• Dick Trickle finished 5th in what would be the final start for RahMoc Enterprises, as co-owners Bob Rahilly and Butch Mock would part ways after the race. Mock later reformed the team as Butch Mock Motorsports.

GM Goodwrench 500

The GM Goodwrench 500 was held March 1 at Rockingham. Kyle Petty won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #11 - Bill Elliott*
2. #28 - Davey Allison
3. #33 - Harry Gant
4. #30 - Michael Waltrip -1 lap
5. #25 - Ken Schrader -1 lap
6. #6 - Mark Martin -2 laps
7. #94 - Terry Labonte -2 laps
8. #26 - Brett Bodine -2 laps
9. #12 - Hut Stricklin -2 laps
10. #17 - Darrell Waltrip -2 laps

Failed to qualify: none

• Bill Elliott lead the final 213 laps, and won in only his second start with Junior Johnson Motorsports.
• Elliott and Davey Allison led a combined 450 of 492 laps.
• Polesitter Kyle Petty, the two-time defending race and pole position winner, was unable to make it three in a row. The Unocal 76 Challenge bonus money had now rolled over 25 races, and would be $197,600 for the next race.

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #11 - Bill Elliott*
2. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
3. #33 - Harry Gant
4. #28 - Davey Allison
5. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
6. #5 - Ricky Rudd
7. #22 - Sterling Marlin -1 lap
8. #94 - Terry Labonte -1 lap
9. #12 - Hut Stricklin -1 lap
10. #21 - Morgan Shepherd -1 lap

Failed to qualify: #59 - Andy Belmont, #32 - Randy Porter

• This was Bill Elliott's final win at a short track. He dominated by leading 348 of the 400 laps.
• Bill Elliott broke a streak of 25 rollovers, and claimed the Unocal 76 Challenge of $197,600 — the second-highest total awarded in the history of the program.

Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 15 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #11 - Bill Elliott
2. #33 - Harry Gant
3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
4. #28 - Davey Allison
5. #8 - Dick Trickle
6. #15 - Geoff Bodine
7. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
8. #42 - Kyle Petty
9. #94 - Terry Labonte
10. #21 - Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: #95 - Bob Schacht, #85 - Mike Skinner, #50 - Clay Young, #77 - Mike Potter

• Bobby Labonte served as a relief driver for Ernie Irvan, after Irvan suffered injuries in the Busch Series race the previous day. Labonte took over the car on the first pit stop, and finished 25th.

TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was held March 29 at Darlington Raceway. Sterling Marlin won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #11 - Bill Elliott*
2. #33 - Harry Gant
3. #6 - Mark Martin
4. #28 - Davey Allison* -1 lap
5. #5 - Ricky Rudd -1 lap
6. #26 - Brett Bodine -1 lap
7. #8 - Dick Trickle -2 laps
8. #15 - Geoff Bodine -2 laps
9. #94 - Terry Labonte -2 laps
10. #3 - Dale Earnhardt -2 laps

Failed to qualify: #49 - Stanley Smith, #62 - Mark Thompson, #23 - Eddie Bierschwale, #47 - Buddy Baker, #87 - Randy Baker, #24 - Kenny Wallace, #31 - Bobby Hillin Jr., #83 - Lake Speed, #13 - Mike Skinner

• This was Bill Elliott's record-tying fourth consecutive Cup Series victory, finishing ahead of Harry Gant, the last driver to accomplish this feat in September 1991.
• Despite the victories, Elliott still trailed behind Davey Allison in the points standings, as Allison's consistency allowed him to retain a 48-point lead over Elliott.

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held April 5 at Bristol International Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
2. #18 - Dale Jarrett*
3. #25 - Ken Schrader
4. #94 - Terry Labonte -1 lap
5. #8 - Dick Trickle -1 lap
6. #5 - Ricky Rudd -3 laps
7. #21 - Morgan Shepherd -4 laps
8. #12 - Hut Stricklin -5 laps
9. #2 - Rusty Wallace -6 laps
10. #10 - Derrike Cope -6 laps

Failed to qualify: #98 - Jimmy Spencer

• This was Joe Gibbs Racing's first top-5 finish.
• In what would be his first of multiple injuries throughout the season, points leader Davey Allison suffered a hard crash on lap 283, separating the cartilage around his rib cage and knocking two vertebrae out of place and finished 28th.
• Fortunately for Allison, Bill Elliott experienced trouble during the race, finishing 30 laps down in 20th, while Harry Gant blew an engine and finished 29th.
• This was the last asphalt race at Bristol International Raceway. After the race ended, the blacktop was torn up and a new concrete surface was laid down.

First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 12 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #28 - Davey Allison*
2. #2 - Rusty Wallace
3. #5 - Ricky Rudd
4. #15 - Geoff Bodine
5. #33 - Harry Gant
6. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
7. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
8. #22 - Sterling Marlin
9. #94 - Terry Labonte
10. #26 - Brett Bodine

Failed to qualify: #32 - Jimmy Horton, #9 - Dave Mader III, #48 - James Hylton.

• Allison's victory came while still recovering from injuries suffered at Bristol. Wearing a flak jacket and using an electrode-shock apparatus to help ease the pain, Allison held off Rusty Wallace to win, expanding his championship lead to 86 points.
• Prior to the race, a special tribute was held for Junior Johnson, a native of nearby Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
• The day before the race saw ESPN broadcaster Benny Parsons marry his second wife Terri just shy of one year after the death of Parsons' wife Connie.
• Jimmy Hensley qualified Allison's #28 Ford in 7th place.

Hanes 500

The Hanes 500 was held April 26 at Martinsville Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #6 - Mark Martin
2. #22 - Sterling Marlin
3. #17 - Darrell Waltrip -1 lap
4. #94 - Terry Labonte -1 lap
5. #33 - Harry Gant -2 laps
6. #21 - Morgan Shepherd -2 laps
7. #25 - Ken Schrader -2 laps
8. #26 - Brett Bodine -2 laps
9. #3 - Dale Earnhardt -3 laps
10. #11 - Bill Elliott -3 laps

Failed to qualify: #23 - Eddie Bierschwale, #98 - Jimmy Spencer, #65 - Jerry O'Neil

• Scheduling conflicts with ESPN's coverage of the 1992 NFL draft meant they were unable to carry the race live, forcing ESPN to air the race on tape the next day.
• Davey Allison suffered another hard crash on lap 387, bruising his lung, and aggravating the rib and spine injuries from Bristol. Allison finished 26th.

Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held May 3 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top-ten results

1. #28 - Davey Allison*
2. #11 - Bill Elliott
3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
4. #22 - Sterling Marlin
5. #4 - Ernie Irvan
6. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
7. #18 - Dale Jarrett
8. #6 - Mark Martin
9. #21 - Morgan Shepherd
10. #42 - Kyle Petty

Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #23 - Eddie Bierschwale, #48 - James Hylton, #73 - Phil Barkdoll, #77 - Mike Potter

• Buddy Baker made his 700th and final Winston Cup start in this race, starting 31st and finishing 36th. He would later attempt but fail to qualify for the 1993 DieHard 500, and at Daytona and Atlanta in 1994.
• For the second time of the season Davey Allison won just one week after getting injured in a crash.
• By winning this race, Allison became the only remaining contender for the Winston Million, having already won the Daytona 500. He would have to win either the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte or the Southern 500 at Darlington to claim the bonus.

The Winston Open

The Winston Open, a last chance race to qualify for The Winston, was held on May 16, 1992, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Brett Bodine won the pole.

Top-five results:

1. #30 - Michael Waltrip
2. #12 - Hut Stricklin
3. #41 - Greg Sacks
4. #8 - Dick Trickle
5. #66 - Jimmy Hensley

The Winston

The 1992 edition of The Winston, took place on May 16, 1992. Davey Allison won the pole.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #3 - Dale Earnhardt*
2. #4 - Ernie Irvan
3. #42 - Kyle Petty
4. #28 - Davey Allison*
5. #33 - Harry Gant
6. #94 - Terry Labonte
7. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
8. #55 - Ted Musgrave
9. #5 - Ricky Rudd
10. #8 - Dick Trickle
11. #66 - Jimmy Hensley

Failed to qualify: #23 - Eddie Bierschwale, #48 - James Hylton, #0 - Delma Cowart, #77 - Mike Potter, #85 - Mike Skinner

• Despite spending two days in the hospital, nursing a broken collarbone, re-injured ribs, and bruises covering 60% of his body. Davey Allison ran the full 600-mile race and finished 4th.
• Allison's 4th-place finish denied him a chance to win the Winston Million. Allison would have one more chance to win the bonus at the Darlington in September.
• This was the first victory of the season for General Motors, as all races up to this point have been won by Ford.
• This would be Dale Earnhardt's lone victory of 1992 (with the exception of the Gatorade 125 qualifier at Daytona).
• Approaching his final green-flag pit stop, Earnhardt trailed by 3 seconds, but emerged with a 1.5-second lead, prompting several of his competitors to believe that Earnhardt broke the 55 mph pit road speed limit while exiting. No penalty was assessed.
• This would be the final Coca-Cola 600 scheduled to run during the daytime. Starting in 1993, the race was moved to a late afternoon/night race.

Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was held May 31 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Brett Bodine won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #33 - Harry Gant*
2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
3. #2 - Rusty Wallace -1 lap
4. #4 - Ernie Irvan -1 lap
5. #17 - Darrell Waltrip -1 lap
6. #5 - Ricky Rudd -2 laps down
7. #12 - Hut Stricklin -2 laps
8. #66 - Jimmy Hensley -2 laps
9. #8 - Dick Trickle -2 laps
10. #21 - Morgan Shepherd -2 laps

Failed to qualify: none

• In a race decided on fuel milage, Gant's final pit stop was on lap 403, and Darrell Waltrip's last stop was on lap 406. Waltrip would run out of fuel with a lap and one half remaining, while Gant ran out on the backstretch on lap 500 with a one lap lead. Dale Earnhardt passed Gant to un-lap himself, and finished 26 seconds behind Gant.
• This race would be the first time radial tires were used at Dover.

Save Mart Supermarkets 300K

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300K was held June 7 at Sears Point Raceway. For the third consecutive year in this event Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #4 - Ernie Irvan*
2. #94 - Terry Labonte
3. #6 - Mark Martin
4. #5 - Ricky Rudd
5. #11 - Bill Elliott
6. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
7. #2 - Rusty Wallace
8. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
9. #25 - Ken Schrader
10. #15 - Geoff Bodine

Failed to qualify: #58 - Wayne Jacks, #04 - Bobby Woods

• This race was marred by the death of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who passed away on the day of the event. Race winner Irvan dedicated the race to France.
• Ernie Irvan overcame a stop-and-go penalty for jumping the initial start to win in the fastest Winston Cup race held on the 2.52-mile (4.06 km) configuration of Sears Point.
• Points leader Davey Allison suffered multiple issues throughout the race and finished 28th, reducing his points lead to just 28 points over Dale Earnhardt.
• Richard Petty's 21st-place finish would be the final lead-lap finish of his career.

Champion Spark Plug 500

The Champion Spark Plug 500 was held June 14 at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #7 - Alan Kulwicki*
2. #6 - Mark Martin
3. #11 - Bill Elliott
4. #25 - Ken Schrader
5. #28 - Davey Allison
6. #42 - Kyle Petty
7. #22 - Sterling Marlin
8. #26 - Brett Bodine
9. #66 - Jimmy Hensley
10. #94 - Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: none

• In what would be the beginning of a brutal mid-season collapse for Dale Earnhardt, the #3 Chevy suffered a blown engine and finished 28th dropping Earnhardt to 5th in points.
• This would be Alan Kulwicki's last career victory. 1992 was also the only year in which Kulwicki won twice.
• This would be the last points race victory for Hooters as a primary sponsor until April 2024, 32 years later.

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 21 at Michigan International Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #28 - Davey Allison*
2. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
3. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
4. #42 - Kyle Petty
5. #5 - Ricky Rudd
6. #6 - Mark Martin
7. #33 - Harry Gant
8. #55 - Ted Musgrave -1 lap
9. #3 - Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
10. #11 - Bill Elliott -1 lap

Failed to qualify: #98 - Jimmy Spencer, #35 - Bill Venturini, #47 - Buddy Baker, Ben Hess*

• After four wrecks and a plethora of misfortune, Allison's victory extended his championship lead to 67 points over Bill Elliott.
• Ben Hess, after failing to qualify, served as a relief driver for Michael Waltrip, who was injured in a crash in first round qualifying.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway test

On the way home from Michigan, on June 22–23, nine top NASCAR Winston Cup series teams were invited to Indianapolis to participate in a Goodyear tire test. Although no official announcements were made, it was in fact an unofficial feasibility test to see if stock cars would be competitive at the circuit. An estimated 10,000 spectators watched a rather exciting two days of history in the making. A. J. Foyt took a few laps around the track in Dale Earnhardt's car on the second day. ESPN covered the test.

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held Saturday, July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole position, and Richard Petty qualified second, in his final race at Daytona.

Top-ten results:

1. #4 - Ernie Irvan
2. #22 - Sterling Marlin
3. #18 - Dale Jarrett
4. #15 - Geoff Bodine
5. #11 - Bill Elliott
6. #25 - Ken Schrader
7. #5 - Ricky Rudd
8. #6 - Mark Martin
9. #2 - Rusty Wallace
10. #28 - Davey Allison

Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #48 - James Hylton, #37 - Randy Porter

• This race was attended by President George H. W. Bush and he served as the grand marshal.
• A special ceremony was held during the pre-race festivities, honoring Richard Petty's final race at Daytona. Petty had spent time before the race testing at Daytona, in hopes that he might win the pole position and possibly be a factor in the race. Petty started 2nd, and led the first five laps (the final laps led of his long career). He dropped out in 36th due to heat-related fatigue. Eddie Bierschwale attempted to finish the race in Petty's car, but only ran a few laps.
• Harry Gant made his 400th career start in this race, finishing 2 laps down in 23rd.
• Dave Marcis made his 700th career start in this race, finishing 32nd with a blown engine.^[1]

Miller Genuine Draft 500

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 19 at Pocono Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
2. #33 - Harry Gant
3. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
4. #5 - Ricky Rudd
5. #55 - Ted Musgrave
6. #6 - Mark Martin
7. #42 - Kyle Petty
8. #26 - Brett Bodine
9. #8 - Dick Trickle
10. #18 - Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #37 - Randy Porter

• In a race that would change the outcome of the 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Davey Allison and Darrell Waltrip made contact on lap 148 in turn 2. Allison's car went airborne and into a frightening barrel roll over the inside guardrail. Allison suffered a broken right forearm, a dislocated wrist, a skull fracture and a severe concussion. Allison was hospitalized in Pennsylvania for four days. Mark Martin was famously quoted as saying "They may as well get a body bag for Davey."
• Bill Elliott finished 13th, but took over the points lead for the first time all season, leading Allison by 9 points.
• Last career pole for Davey Allison.
• Richard Petty, in his final race at Pocono, qualified 7th and advanced as high as 5th place early in the race before finishing 20th, 1 lap down.
• Dale Earnhardt's engine problems continued as Richard Childress Racing had to change engines shortly before the race started. The two-time defending champion qualified 29th and finished 23rd.

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was held July 26 at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Sterling Marlin won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #4 - Ernie Irvan
2. #22 - Sterling Marlin
3. #28 - Davey Allison*
4. #5 - Ricky Rudd -1 lap
5. #11 - Bill Elliott -1 lap
6. #42 - Kyle Petty -1 lap
7. #30 - Michael Waltrip -1 lap
8. #9 - Chad Little -1 lap
9. #25 - Ken Schrader -1 lap
10. #26 - Brett Bodine -1 lap

Failed to qualify: #48 - James Hylton

• With a tailor-made cast, a wrist brace and velcro on the shifter, Davey Allison started the race and gained the all-important Winston Cup points. After 6 laps during the 1st caution, Bobby Hillin Jr. took over the car and nearly drove the Texaco Ford to victory.
• Dale Earnhardt suffered another engine failure and finished in last-place for the second time in three races. Earnhardt dropped to eighth in points, effectively taking him out of contention for a third consecutive Winston Cup title.
• Ernie Irvan suffered a flat tire on lap 5. When the yellow came out, he sped out of the pits to stay on the lead lap, but failed to beat leader Ricky Rudd to the line and was penalized to the rear of the field for speeding. He went on to pass everyone and get his lap back, and when the second (and only other) caution came out, he made up his lost lap.
• Thanks to Hillin's third-place finish, Allison retook the championship lead from Bill Elliott by one point.
• After falling out of the race, Earnhardt was briefly waiting in position as a possible substitute driver for Richard Petty. Ultimately, Petty would run the full race and finish 15th.

Budweiser at The Glen

The Budweiser at The Glen was held August 9 at Watkins Glen International. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #42 - Kyle Petty
2. #21 - Morgan Shepherd
3. #4 - Ernie Irvan
4. #6 - Mark Martin
5. #16 - Wally Dallenbach Jr.
6. #2 - Rusty Wallace
7. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
8. #94 - Terry Labonte
9. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
10. #26 - Brett Bodine

Failed to qualify: #61 - Tim Rotsell

• The race was shortened to 51 laps due to rain as NASCAR did not have rain tires to use at the time. The start of the race was also delayed by three hours due to rain.
• This was the first Winston Cup race with the new bus stop chicane, which was added following of J. D. McDuffie's fatal accident in 1991.
• Still suffering from his Pocono injuries, Davey Allison fell 17 points behind 14th-place finisher Bill Elliott, after Dorsey Schroeder relieved Allison mid-race and finished 20th. Alan Kulwicki's 7th-place finish reduced his interval to 94 points.
• Todd Bodine made his Winston Cup debut in this race. Bodine crashed out early and finished 37th.

Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #33 - Harry Gant*
2. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
3. #11 - Bill Elliott
4. #4 - Ernie Irvan
5. #28 - Davey Allison*
6. #42 - Kyle Petty
7. #22 - Sterling Marlin
8. #18 - Dale Jarrett
9. #6 - Mark Martin
10. #21 - Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: #36 - H.B. Bailey, #48 - James Hylton, #65 - Jerry O'Neil, #59 - Andy Belmont, #90 - Chuck Bown, #0 - Delma Cowart, #35 - Bill Venturini

• This race was marred by the death of Clifford Allison, younger brother of Davey Allison, who was killed in a practice crash for the NASCAR Busch Series race. Despite the tragedy, Davey decided to race. He qualified third and finished fifth in a courageous effort.
• This was Harry Gant's last Winston Cup victory, and the last NASCAR victory for Oldsmobile.
• At the age of 52 years and 219 days, Gant became the oldest race winner in NASCAR Cup Series history. A record that still stands as of 2026.
• Bill Elliott's championship lead grew from 17 points to 37 after he led a race-high 72 of 200 laps.
• What had been a frustrating second half of 1992 continued for Dale Earnhardt, who was forced to start from the back of the field after failing inspection during the second round of qualifying.^[2] Earnhardt would recover to finish 16th.

Bud 500

The Bud 500 was held Saturday night, August 29 at Bristol International Raceway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #17 - Darrell Waltrip*
2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
3. #25 - Ken Schrader
4. #42 - Kyle Petty
5. #7 - Alan Kulwicki -1 lap
6. #11 - Bill Elliott* -1 lap
7. #66 - Jimmy Hensley -1 lap
8. #5 - Ricky Rudd -1 lap
9. #26 - Brett Bodine -1 lap
10. #2 - Rusty Wallace* -2 laps

Failed to qualify: #77 - Mike Potter

• This was the first race at Bristol with the new concrete surface.
• This was Darrell Waltrip's 12th and final victory at Bristol.
• Waltrip won this race four days after the birth of his second daughter, Sarah.
• Bill Elliott finished 6th while Davey Allison crashed out and finished 30th, extending Elliott's championship lead to 109 points over Allison.
• With his 10th-place finish, Rusty Wallace would begin a Modern Era Record of consecutive top-10 finishes on short tracks, a streak that would go all the way into 1995.

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 6 at Darlington Raceway. Sterling Marlin won the pole position.

Top-ten results:

1. #17 - Darrell Waltrip*
2. #6 - Mark Martin
3. #11 - Bill Elliott
4. #26 - Brett Bodine
5. #28 - Davey Allison*
6. #18 - Dale Jarrett
7. #42 - Kyle Petty
8. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
9. #2 - Rusty Wallace
10. #5 - Ricky Rudd -1 lap

Failed to qualify: none

• This race was shortened to 298 laps of 367 due to rain.
• Davey Allison enter this race with a chance to win the Winston Million should he win this race. With rain coming, Allison pitted from the lead on lap 286, with Mark Martin pitting three laps later. It started raining on lap 295. Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott, and Brett Bodine were among a handful of drivers who had not yet pitted. When the red flag was displayed on lap 298, Waltrip was scored as the leader, having taken the lead on lap 293. Shortly thereafter, the race was called and Waltrip was declared the winner.
• Despite losing the Winston Million, Allison would win the $100,000 bonus from Winston for winning two out of four crown jewel races. Allison also lost ground to Elliott in the season standings. Elliott now led by 119 points over Allison. Alan Kulwicki was still in striking distance at 161 points behind.
• In his 2002 autobiography, The Big Picture: My Life from Pit Road to the Broadcast Booth, Larry McReynolds wrote about the pit miscue for Allison. He sent a crew member to the NASCAR hauler to look at the weather radar, and the crew member gave McReynolds the call to pit the car on lap 286. According to the book, the crew member said "Green means good," with McReynolds responding, "Green means rain." This incident heavily influenced McReynolds when he began his broadcasting career, even making an appearance on The Weather Channel in 2001.^[3]
• In the thick of the 1992 election season, Bill Clinton was the grand marshal for this race.
• This was Darrell Waltrip's 84th and final Winston Cup victory.
• This was the first time since 1983 that Waltrip won back-to-back races in a season.
• Dale Earnhardt would once again be plagued with mechanical issues, this time problems with the clutch early. The clutch would be fixed; but Earnhardt would finish in 29th place, 57 laps down and the lowest finishing car still running in the race.

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held Saturday night, September 12 at Richmond International Raceway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #2 - Rusty Wallace*
2. #6 - Mark Martin
3. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
4. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
5. #15 - Geoff Bodine
6. #5 - Ricky Rudd
7. #21 - Morgan Shepherd
8. #33 - Harry Gant
9. #25 - Ken Schrader
10. #55 - Ted Musgrave

Failed to qualify: #48 - James Hylton, #77 - Mike Potter

• This was Wallace's first victory with new crew chief Buddy Parrott.
• Despite finishing one lap down in 14th, points leader Bill Elliott still finished ahead of Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison, further extending Elliott's points lead to 124 points over Allison, and 164 over Kulwicki.

Peak Antifreeze 500

The Peak Antifreeze 500 was held September 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #5 - Ricky Rudd*
2. #11 - Bill Elliott*
3. #42 - Kyle Petty
4. #28 - Davey Allison -1 lap
5. #21 - Morgan Shepherd -2 laps
6. #33 - Harry Gant -3 laps
7. #94 - Terry Labonte -4 laps
8. #55 - Ted Musgrave -4 laps
9. #10 - Derrike Cope -5 laps
10. #68 - Bobby Hamilton -8 laps

Failed to qualify: none

• Despite dominating the race, late pit stop strategy cost Bill Elliott the victory. While battling Ricky Rudd for the lead, Elliott pitted first, taking four tires and fuel. Rudd pitted for fuel only, and came out with a 9-second lead over Elliott. Rudd held on to win by 0.5 seconds.
• Rudd's victory extended his streak of consecutive Cup seasons with a race victory to 10.
• Bill Elliott led the most laps and extended his point lead over Davey Allison to 154 points, the highest margin of the season.
• Polesitter Alan Kulwicki crashed out of the race on lap 91, finishing 34th and leaving him 278 points out of the lead with six races left.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was scheduled to be held Sunday, September 27 at Martinsville Speedway but rain delayed the race from both starting and finishing until Monday, September 28. Kyle Petty won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #15 - Geoff Bodine
2. #2 - Rusty Wallace
3. #26 - Brett Bodine
4. #42 - Kyle Petty
5. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
6. #8 - Dick Trickle
7. #22 - Sterling Marlin
8. #6 - Mark Martin -1 lap
9. #1 - Rick Mast -1 lap
10. #5 - Ricky Rudd -1 lap

Failed to qualify: #45 - Rich Bickle, #32 - Jimmy Horton, #52 - Jimmy Means

• Championship leader Bill Elliott finished 30th due to engine failure on lap 158. Davey Allison ran in the top 5 until his brakes failed in the final 50 laps; he finished 4 laps down in 16th, reducing Elliott's lead to 112 points.
• Kyle Petty, who finished fourth, actually got stuck in the mud and lost two laps at one point.
• Dale Earnhardt blew an engine on lap 111, scoring his third last-place finish of the season.

Tyson Holly Farms 400

The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was scheduled to be held Sunday, October 4 at North Wilkesboro Speedway but as a result of rain, the race was postponed, then started and completed on Monday, October 5 (the second week in a row that this occurred). Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #15 - Geoff Bodine*
2. #6 - Mark Martin
3. #42 - Kyle Petty -1 lap
4. #2 - Rusty Wallace -1 lap
5. #22 - Sterling Marlin -1 lap
6. #4 - Ernie Irvan -1 lap
7. #26 - Brett Bodine -2 laps
8. #94 - Terry Labonte -2 laps
9. #17 - Darrell Waltrip -3 laps
10. #18 - Dale Jarrett -3 laps

Failed to qualify: #52 - Jimmy Means

• Bodine's victory allowed Ford to clinch their first manufacturer's championship since 1969. It was also the first time a brand other than a General Motors product won the manufacturer's title since Dodge in 1975.
• Due to the race running caution-free, only two cars finished on the lead lap. However, Bodine won by only 5.3 seconds. As of 2026, this would be the last time ever that a NASCAR short track event race would go flag to flag green.
• Bill Elliott suffered another poor finish, finishing 8 laps down in 26th. Davey Allison was 3 laps down in 11th, reducing Elliott's championship lead to 67 points with 4 races to go.

Mello Yello 500

The Mello Yello 500 was held October 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #6 - Mark Martin*
2. #7 - Alan Kulwicki*
3. #42 - Kyle Petty
4. #12 - Jimmy Spencer
5. #5 - Ricky Rudd
6. #4 - Ernie Irvan
7. #25 - Ken Schrader
8. #33 - Harry Gant
9. #8 - Dick Trickle -1 lap
10. #15 - Geoff Bodine -1 lap

Failed to qualify: #77 - Mike Potter, #05 - Ed Ferree, #85 - Mike Skinner, #82 - Mark Stahl, #48 - James Hylton

• Mark Martin called this "the most important victory of his career." Martin led 107 laps en route to victory, which suddenly vaulted him back into contention for the 1992 Winston Cup title.
• The #31 Team Ireland Chevrolet of Bobby Hillin Jr. was disqualified due to illegal cylinder heads after finishing 15th. As a result, the team withdrew from the series in an attempt to avoid being drawn into disrepute. It would be the last time a Cup driver was disqualified for illegal parts until NASCAR introduced a new disqualification policy for technical inspection failures in 2019.
• Bill Elliott's anti-roll bar broke after 310 laps, leaving Bill with a 30th-place finish. Junior Johnson entered a third car driven by Hut Stricklin, who retired the car when Elliott had his problem. Stricklin's 31st-place finish saved Elliott 3 points.
• Davey Allison also struggled, finishing 5 laps down in 19th, but still managed to further reduce Elliott's points lead to just 39 points.
• Kulwicki would finish second despite breaking a gearbox that forced him to finish the race in fourth gear. Kulwicki's strong finish put him 47 points behind Elliott.

AC Delco 500

The AC Delco 500 was held October 25 at Rockingham Speedway. Kyle Petty won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #42 - Kyle Petty*
2. #4 - Ernie Irvan
3. #5 - Ricky Rudd
4. #11 - Bill Elliott*
5. #22 - Sterling Marlin
6. #33 - Harry Gant
7. #26 - Brett Bodine
8. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
9. #94 - Terry Labonte
10. #28 - Davey Allison

Failed to qualify: #48 - James Hylton

• Kyle Petty won in absolute dominating fashion, leading all but eight of the 492 laps. He only relinquished the lead during green flag pit stops.
• Only time in his career that Kyle Petty won multiple races in a season.
• Bill Elliott scored a much-needed 4th after 3 consecutive finishes of 26th or worse, extending his points lead to 70.
• For this race and the following week's Pyroil 500K, TNN had a promotion as part of their encouraging viewers to vote in the 1992 elections, where viewers could call a 1-800 number and respond which of the drivers contending for the 1992 Winston Cup championship would win.

Pyroil 500K

The Pyroil 500K was held November 1 at Phoenix International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top-ten results:

1. #28 - Davey Allison*
2. #6 - Mark Martin
3. #17 - Darrell Waltrip
4. #7 - Alan Kulwicki
5. #12 - Jimmy Spencer
6. #25 - Ken Schrader
7. #10 - Derrike Cope
8. #68 - Bobby Hamilton
9. #22 - Sterling Marlin
10. #3 - Dale Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: #86 - Rich Woodland Jr., #58 - Wayne Jacks

• Bill Elliott's car suffered from a cracked cylinder head and overheating problems, which relegated him to a 31st-place finish, his 4th sub-26th-place finish in the last five races, and dropping him from 1st to 3rd in the points standings.
• Davey Allison patiently made his way to the front and won his second consecutive Pyroil 500. This victory, Allison's first since the Pocono accident, vaulted him back into the points lead. Alan Kulwicki ran strong all day and finished fourth, also moving him past Elliott in the point standings.
• This would be the last Cup race without Jeff Gordon in the field until the 2016 Daytona 500.
• To mark Richard Petty's penultimate race, both of the cars sponsored by Skoal tobacco; Harry Gant's #33 Oldsmobile and Rick Mast's #1 Oldsmobile sported "Thanks King Richard" messages on their quarterpanels and decklid.

Hooters 500

The Hooters 500 was held November 15 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Rick Mast won the pole. In what is largely considered one of the greatest NASCAR races of all time, six drivers entered the race with a mathematical chance to win the Winston Cup (Bill Elliott, Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Kyle Petty, Harry Gant and Mark Martin). The race was the highly publicized final career start for 7-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty and, quietly, the first career start for future Cup champion Jeff Gordon. Davey Allison had to finish 6th or better to automatically clinch the championship.

Top-ten results:

1. #11 - Bill Elliott*
2. #7 - Alan Kulwicki*
3. #15 - Geoff Bodine
4. #12 - Jimmy Spencer
5. #94 - Terry Labonte
6. #2 - Rusty Wallace
7. #22 - Sterling Marlin
8. #66 - Jimmy Hensley
9. #55 - Ted Musgrave
10. #18 - Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: #77 - Mike Potter, #80 - Dave Blaney, #85 - Mike Skinner, #91 - Kerry Teague, #82 - Mark Stahl, #48 - James Hylton, #50 - Clay Young, #65 - Jerry O'Neil, #91 - T.W. Taylor, #08 - Jeff Fuller

• Rick Mast won his first career Winston Cup pole, but crashed out on lap 2 with Brett Bodine and Hut Stricklin, and did not lead any laps.
• On lap 95, a multi-car crash ensued that collected Richard Petty. The crash knocked the oil cooler off the car and dumped oil on the engine, causing it to erupt in flames. Petty rolled to a stop next to a fire truck, which quickly extinguished the flames.
• Championship contenders Mark Martin and Kyle Petty dropped out with engine trouble while Harry Gant faded and was not a factor in the second half.
• On lap 254, Davey Allison was running sixth when Ernie Irvan had a tire going down, lost control and crashed, collecting Allison. The crash heavily damaged Allison's car, effectively ending his championship run. Elliott and Kulwicki were left to battle for the title. Allison would finish 27th.
• Elliott and Kulwicki ran 1st-2nd for most of the second half, swapping the lead on several occasions. It became evident that the driver who led the most laps (receiving the 5 bonus points for leading the most laps) would clinch the championship. After final pit stops, Kulwicki had led 103 laps. Elliott took over the lead, and led the rest of the way, his fifth victory of the season, bringing his laps led total to 102 laps, one short of Kulwicki's total — giving the 5 bonus points to Kulwicki.
• Kulwicki's second-place finish allowed him to claim the 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup championship by only 10 points, the third-narrowest margin in the Cup Series history. This would be the final time in his career that Bill Elliott would pull off the season sweep at a track.
• Despite the heavy damage, Richard Petty rejoined the field with two laps to go and was running at the finish in 35th in his final race to receive the checkered flag.
• In his Winston Cup debut, Jeff Gordon started 21st, and finished 31st after crashing out.
• This was the last Cup race without Bobby Labonte until the 2013 Quaker State 400.
• Gordon would compete in every single Cup Series event from this race to the end of 2015. He would go on to win 93 races, four championships, and three Daytona 500s. Gordon made 797 consecutive starts, the most of every other driver.
• This would be Oldsmobile's final Cup start, with Harry Gant being the brands top finisher, finishing 13th.