The1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 31st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 8th modern-era Cup series. It began on Sunday, January 14, and ended on Sunday, November 18.Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points overDarrell Waltrip.Dale Earnhardt was crownedNASCAR Rookie of the Year.

The 1979Winston Western 500 was run on January 14 atRiverside International Raceway atRiverside, California.David Pearson won the pole.

• This would be the final pole that Pearson would win with The Wood Brothers.
• This would also be the final top 5 finish Pearson would achieve with The Wood Brothers.

The inauguralBusch Clash, a non-points race for all of the pole winners from the previous season, was run on February 11 atDaytona International Speedway inDaytona Beach, Florida.Benny Parsons started on the pole via a random draw.

The twoDaytona 500 125-mile qualifying races were run on February 15 atDaytona International Speedway inDaytona Beach, Florida.Buddy Baker andDonnie Allison started on the pole for races one and two, respectively.

Cale Yarborough was pessimistic about rivals' chances against Baker, saying "Baker is just pure horsepower."

The 21st annualDaytona 500 was run on February 18 atDaytona International Speedway inDaytona Beach, Florida.Buddy Baker won the pole.

• The race, the first televised nationally in its entirety, ended in spectacular fashion, as race leadersDonnie Allison andCale Yarborough crashed on the last lap in turn three, allowingRichard Petty to take the lead and win his sixth Daytona 500. During the cool-down lap, Allison and Yarborough got into a heated argument which later escalated into a fist-fight, which was later joined byBobby Allison, who stepped in to try to defend his brother. TV ratings were bolstered that day due to much of the U.S. Northeast being snowed in by a major blizzard.
• Petty would use the win as a springboard to his seventh and final championship, but it was going to be anything but easy.

The 1979Carolina 500 was run on March 4 atNorth Carolina Motor Speedway inRockingham, North Carolina.Bobby Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 72–Joe Millikan
3. 05–Dick Brooks
4. 30–Tighe Scott
5. 3–Richard Childress
6. 40–D. K. Ulrich
7. 48–James Hylton
8. 37–Dave Watson
9. 79–Frank Warren
10. 27–Benny Parsons

• The story of the race wasCale Yarborough andDonnie Allison, who crashed out of the lead on lap 10 in a wreck that swept up five other cars.
• Richard Petty who was involved in the lap 10 crash, had a crew member, one Maurice Petty involved in a post crash scuffle with NASCAR officials. Maurice was suspended by NASCAR for the next two Cup Series races.
• Bobby Allison's victory would make him the last Ford driver to win this particular race untilBill Elliott in1992.

The 1979Richmond 400 was scheduled for February 25 atRichmond Fairgrounds Raceway inRichmond, Virginia but it was postponed due to heavy snow. It was finally run on March 11 even though the track had a snow shower before race time which delayed the start by fifteen minutes.Bobby Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 70–J. D. McDuffie
8. 44–Terry Labonte
9. 1 –Donnie Allison
10. 40–D. K. Ulrich

The 1979Atlanta 500 was run on March 18 atAtlanta International Raceway inHampton, Georgia.Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 02–Dave Marcis
7. 1–Donnie Allison
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 90–Ricky Rudd
10. 05–Dick Brooks

• After a late race yellow, Baker got tires and stormed away from Bobby Allison (who led the most laps) for his first win since May 1976.
• The race was marred by the death of pit crew member Dennis Wade, who was struck and killed on pit road byDave Watson.

The1979 Northwestern Bank 400 was run on March 25 atNorth Wilkesboro Speedway inNorth Wilkesboro, North Carolina.Benny Parsons won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 27–Benny Parsons
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 88–Darrell Waltrip
6. 70–J. D. McDuffie
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 28–Buddy Baker
9. 11–Cale Yarborough
10. 72–Joe Millikan

• When Bobby Allison crossed the line to win the race, his right front tire blew. His car was too damaged from running on the wheel rim to make the trip to victory lane, so Allison had to walk to victory lane.
• This was Fords first victory in the Cup Series spring race since 1968. This was Fords first victory at the track since the 1969 Cup Series fall race.

The 1979Southeastern 500 was run on April 1 atBristol International Raceway inBristol, Tennessee.Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 2–Dale Earnhardt
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 1–Donnie Allison
7. 44–Terry Labonte
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 48–James Hylton
10. 90–Ricky Rudd

• This wasDale Earnhardt's first Winston Cup career victory.

The 1979CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 was run on April 8 atDarlington Raceway inDarlington, South Carolina.Donnie Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 1–Donnie Allison
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 28–Buddy Baker
6. 11–Cale Yarborough
7. 9–Bill Elliott
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 05–Dick Brooks
10. 72–Joe Millikan

• Waltrip won this race following a fierce duel with Richard Petty; they exchanged the lead eight times in the final five laps and three times on the last lap alone.
• This was alsoDavid Pearson's last race with theWood Brothers, for whom he had driven the #21 Mercury since 1972. Following a tire-change pit stop, Pearson reached the pit road exit, when two tires came off his car (the lug nuts had not been tightened when he left the pits). Within a week, Pearson was fired from the team and replaced byNeil Bonnett.

The 1979Virginia 500 was run on April 22 atMartinsville Speedway inMartinsville, Virginia.Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 28–Buddy Baker
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 72–Joe Millikan
6. 47–Harry Gant
7. 48–James Hylton
8. 2–Dale Earnhardt
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 70–J. D. McDuffie

• This was Petty's first win on a short track since 1975 and his first win in aChevrolet.
• Neil Bonnett, in his first start driving forWood Brothers Racing after longtime driverDavid Pearson was fired, finished 25th after blowing an engine on lap 207.

The 1979Winston 500 was run on May 6 atAlabama International Motor Speedway inTalladega, Alabama.Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 67–Buddy Arrington
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 72–Joe Millikan
6. 9–Bill Elliott
7. 64–Tommy Gale
8. 79–Frank Warren
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 14–Coo Coo Marlin

• A 17-car crash erupted on the fourth lap when race-leader Baker blew a tire;Cale Yarborough came to a stop and got out of his car, then was hit byDave Marcis' car, momentarily losing feeling in his legs; he recovered later that day.
• This was Fords first win at Talladega since the 1976 Winston 500.

The1979 Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 was run on May 12 atNashville Speedway inNashville, Tennessee.Joe Millikan won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 15–Bobby Allison
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 70–J. D. McDuffie
6. 3–Richard Childress
7. 27–Benny Parsons
8. 28–Buddy Baker
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 90–Ricky Rudd

• The finish was marred by controversy. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison asserted that Cale Yarborough was a lap down at the finish. Petty said,"He lost one lap when he spun (withJ. D. McDuffie), then he lost another when he spent 22 seconds in the pits." Allison agreed, saying,"Richard won this race and I finished second. I don't know how they had Cale winning."

The 1979Mason-Dixon 500 was run on May 20 atDover Downs International Speedway inDover, Delaware.Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 21–Neil Bonnett
2. 11–Cale Yarborough
3. 28–Buddy Baker
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 2–Dale Earnhardt
6. 44–Terry Labonte
7. 27–Benny Parsons
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 12–Lennie Pond
10. 67–Buddy Arrington

• Neil Bonnett was supposed to attempt to qualify for the1979 Indianapolis 500 the previous day (Saturday) but qualifying for the Cup race was postponed to Saturday following heavy rain which forced him to withdraw from qualifying at Indy. He was rewarded by winning his first race with The Wood Brothers.
• This would be Mercury's final victory at Dover.

The 1979World 600 was run on May 27 atCharlotte Motor Speedway inConcord, North Carolina.Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 90–Ricky Rudd
7. 44–Terry Labonte
8. 7–Al Holbert
9. 12–Lennie Pond
10. 3–Richard Childress

• The race saw 59 lead changes, a still-standing track record.

The 1979Texas 400 was run on June 3 atTexas World Speedway inCollege Station, Texas.Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 15–Donnie Allison
3. 28–Buddy Baker
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 44–Terry Labonte
6. 43–Richard Petty
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 67–Buddy Arrington
10. 48–James Hylton

• This was NASCAR's first visit to the track inCollege Station, Texas since 1973; the track had closed in 1974 but reopened with USAC Gold Crown racing in 1976.

The 1979NAPA Riverside 400 was run on June 10 atRiverside International Raceway inRiverside, California.Dale Earnhardt won his first Cup Series pole of his Hall of Fame career.

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 43–Richard Petty
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 3–Richard Childress
7. 70–J. D. McDuffie
8. 93–Norm Palmer
9. 67–Buddy Arrington
10. 72–Joe Millikan

• This was the first victory for the Ford nameplate at Riverside since the 1970 Motor Trend 500.
• This was also Fords penultimate victory at Riverside.

The 1979Gabriel 400 was run on June 17 atMichigan International Speedway inBrooklyn, Michigan.Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 1–Donnie Allison
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 21–Neil Bonnett
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 2–Dale Earnhardt
7. 15–Bobby Allison
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 30–Tighe Scott
10. 05–Dick Brooks

• The lead changed 47 times among 11 drivers.Dale Earnhardt was criticized byDarrell Waltrip andRichard Petty when he nearly spun out trying to passNeil Bonnett late in the race in front of both"He nearly took us all out in the third turn" Waltrip said after the race.

The1979 Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 atDaytona International Speedway inDaytona Beach, Florida.Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 21–Neil Bonnett
2. 27–Benny Parsons
3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
4. 88–Darrell Waltrip
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 68–Chuck Bown
7. 47–Harry Gant
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 05–Dick Brooks
10. 51–A. J. Foyt

• This was Mercury's penultimate victory at Daytona.
• Kyle Petty crashed in qualifying attempting to make his first Winston Cup start. That would come a few races later at Talladega

The 1979Busch Nashville 420 was run on July 14 atNashville Speedway inNashville, Tennessee.Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 11–Cale Yarborough
3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 48–James Hylton
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 70–J. D. McDuffie
9. 25–Ronnie Thomas
10. 52–Jimmy Means

The 1979Coca-Cola 500 was initially scheduled for July 29 but day-long rains forced postponement and it was run on July 30 atPocono International Raceway inLong Pond, Pennsylvania.Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 28–Buddy Baker
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 90–Ricky Rudd
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 22–Darrell Waltrip
8. 21–Neil Bonnett
9. 15–Bobby Allison
10. 30–Tighe Scott

• The lead changed a still-standing track record 55 times.
• Dale Earnhardt suffered broken collar bones in a bad crash in Turn Two.
• Darrell Waltrip lost five spots when he pitted under yellow with four to go for tires but the race never restarted. It cost him 19 points, a margin he would regret at the end of the season.

The 1979Talladega 500 was run on August 5 atAlabama International Motor Speedway inTalladega, Alabama.Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 2–David Pearson
3. 90–Ricky Rudd
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 77–Jody Ridley
6. 30–Tighe Scott
7. 47–Harry Gant
8. 67–Buddy Arrington
9. 42–Kyle Petty
10. 3–Richard Childress

• This was David Pearson's first race after leaving the Wood Brothers following the spring Darlington race. Pearson was hired to drive the #2 temporarily after Dale Earnhardt's injury.
• Kyle Petty’s first career Cup start.

The1979 Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 19 atMichigan International Speedway inBrooklyn,Michigan.David Pearson won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 28–Buddy Baker
3. 27–Benny Parsons
4. 2–David Pearson
5. 08–John Anderson
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 90–Ricky Rudd
8. 30–Tighe Scott
9. 70–J. D. McDuffie
10. 3–Richard Childress

• Blackie Wangerin flipped out of the track on lap 2 resulting in a lengthy red flag to rebuild the turn 3 and 4 guardrails.

The 1979Volunteer 500 was run on August 25 atBristol International Raceway inBristol, Tennessee.Richard Petty won his final pole as a driver and last for his racecar until1996.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 15–Bobby Allison
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 11–Cale Yarborough
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 2–David Pearson
8. 44–Terry Labonte
9. 90–Ricky Rudd
10. 17–Bill Elliott

The 1979Southern 500 was run on September 3 atDarlington Raceway inDarlington, South Carolina.Bobby Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 2–David Pearson
2. 17–Bill Elliott
3. 44–Terry Labonte
4. 28–Buddy Baker
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 71–Dave Marcis
7. 05–Dick Brooks
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 43–Richard Petty
10. 15–Bobby Allison

• David Pearson won the race forRod Osterlund. This was Pearson's last race for Osterlund becauseDale Earnhardt was back for the Capital City 400 due to a crash at Pocono with rib injuries.
• This is the last race not featuring the Earnhardt name on the grid until the2012 Charlotte fall race.
• Darrell Waltrip had over a lap lead when he had an accident. Darrell Waltrip had to make a pit stop which put David Pearson on the lead lap as well. Waltrip was passed by David Pearson and then involved in a second accident. David Pearson would win by 2 laps over second place.
• First career top 5 for Bill Elliott.

The 1979Capital City 400 was run on September 9 atRichmond Fairgrounds Raceway inRichmond, Virginia.Dale Earnhardt won the pole in his return race after being forced to sit out the previous four races due to injury.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 90–Ricky Rudd
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 11–Cale Yarborough
6. 43–Richard Petty
7. 71–Dave Marcis
8. 27–Benny Parsons
9. 47–Harry Gant
10. 72–Joe Millikan

The 1979CRC Chemicals 500 was run on September 16 atDover Downs International Speedway inDover, Delaware.Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 1–Donnie Allison
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 28–Buddy Baker
5. 72–Joe Millikan
6. 15–Bobby Allison
7. 71–Dave Marcis
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 2–Dale Earnhardt
10. 30–Tighe Scott

The 1979Old Dominion 500 was run on September 23 atMartinsville Speedway inMartinsville, Virginia.Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 72–Joe Millikan
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 71–Dave Marcis
6. 90–Ricky Rudd
7. 67–Buddy Arrington
8. 11–Cale Yarborough
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 40–D. K. Ulrich

• Waltrip blew his engine after leading 188 laps; the DiGard team changed engines in a record 11 minutes. NASCAR outlawed mid-race engine changes after the 1979 season citing costs.

The 1979NAPA National 500 was run on October 7 atCharlotte Motor Speedway inConcord,North Carolina.Neil Bonnett won the pole; it was the thirteenth straight Charlotte pole for theWood Brothers.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 1–Donnie Allison
6. 27–Benny Parsons
7. 9–Bill Elliott
8. 05–Dick Brooks
9. 40–D. K. Ulrich
10. 2–Dale Earnhardt

The 1979Holly Farms 400 was run on October 14 atNorth Wilkesboro Speedway inNorth Wilkesboro, North Carolina.Dale Earnhardt won the pole. The race had been postponed two weeks due to rain.

Top Ten Results

1. 27–Benny Parsons
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 43–Richard Petty
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 90–Ricky Rudd
6. 44–Terry Labonte
7. 25–Ronnie Thomas
8. 40–D. K. Ulrich
9. 67–Buddy Arrington
10. 3–Richard Childress

• The story of the race was betweenBobby Allison andDarrell Waltrip. On lap 309 Waltrip sideswiped past Allison in turn 3; coming onto the frontstretch Allison hooked Waltrip head-on into the wall.Benny Parsons took the lead at that point. Waltrip got repairs and under yellow began crowding Allison to the wall. NASCAR black-flagged Waltrip, but after pitting he went after Allison again. NASCAR competition directorBill Gazaway went onto the track and personally waved another black flag to Waltrip, making sure Waltrip stayed out of the way of the leaders. The wreck narrowed Waltrip's point lead overRichard Petty to just 17 points.

The 1979American 500 was run on October 21 atNorth Carolina Motor Speedway inRockingham, North Carolina.Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 27–Benny Parsons
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 1–Donnie Allison
5. 2–Dale Earnhardt
6. 88–Darrell Waltrip
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 25–Ronnie Thomas
9. 71–Dave Marcis
10. 51–Slick Johnson

• With the win and Waltrip finishing 6th, Petty finished erasing a 229-point gap to Waltrip and led the points standings by 8 points with two races remaining in the season.

The 1979Dixie 500 was run on November 4 atAtlanta International Raceway inHampton, Georgia.Buddy Baker won the pole, his seventh of the season and locked up the season long pole award.

Top Ten Results

1. 21–Neil Bonnett
2. 2–Dale Earnhardt
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 88–Darrell Waltrip
6. 43–Richard Petty
7. 44–Terry Labonte
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 72–Joe Millikan
10. 77–Jody Ridley

• By virtue of finishing ahead of Petty and getting 5 bonus points for leading a lap when Petty did not lead any laps during the race, Waltrip re-took the points lead by two points over Petty going into the season finale at Ontario; it was the second straight race where the point lead changed hands.

The 1979Los Angeles Times 500 was run on November 18 atOntario Motor Speedway inOntario, California.Cale Yarborough won the pole and became the last driver to qualify for the 1980 Busch Clash.

Top Ten Results

1. 27–Benny Parsons
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 28–Buddy Baker
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 21–Neil Bonnett
7. 05–Dick Brooks
8. 88–Darrell Waltrip
9. 2–Dale Earnhardt
10. 90–Ricky Rudd

• Waltrip finished a lap down when he spun withJohn Rezek and pitted before the leaders did.Richard Petty won the championship by 11 points, then the smallest margin of victory in NASCAR history and the first time in the sanctioning body's history the point lead changed hands in the final race.
• This would be the last time until1992 where an owner/driver would win the championship (Alan Kulwicki).

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time.Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.