1979 Champion 400
NASCAR Cup Series Race 21 of 31
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$142,905Race Date:Apr 30, 2026Michigan International Speedway
Margin of Victory:1.000 SecondsRace Duration:3Hr 4Min 5Sec.Brooklyn, Michigan
Lead Changes:21Average Speed:130.376 MPH2 Mile Paved D-Shaped Oval
No. of Cars:36No. of Cautions:5 For 35 Laps

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Richard Petty R. PettyDriver: David Pearson D. PearsonChevrolet:9
Car No.:#43 ChevroletCar No.:#1 ChevroletMercury:0
Team:Petty EnterprisesTeam:Osterlund RacingBuick:0
Crew Chief:Dale InmanCrew Chief:Oldsmobile:0
Laps Led:9 of 200Pole Speed:162.992 MPH
Official 1979 Champion 400 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorStatusMfgPointsLapsLed
1543 Richard PettyRichard PettySTPRunning1802009
21128 Buddy BakerBuddy BakerW.I.N. IncorporatedRunning180200115
3627 Benny ParsonsBenny ParsonsMelling Tool CompanyRunning1652000
412 David PearsonDavid PearsonOsterlund RacingRunning1601990
5208 John AndersonJohn AndersonDraime Race EnginesRunning1551990
6772 Joe Millikan (R)Joe MillikanAppliance WheelsRunning1551998
71690 Ricky RuddRicky RuddTruxmore IndustriesRunning1461990
82830 Tighe ScottTighe ScottRuss TogsRunning1421970
91570 J.D. McDuffieJ.D. McDuffieBailey ExcavatingRunning1381970
10123 Richard ChildressRichard ChildressCRC ChemicalsRunning1341970
111317 Bill ElliottBill ElliottKnutson's RVRunning1301950
123148 James HyltonJames HyltonPalatine AutomotiveRunning1271950
133442 Kyle PettyKyle PettySTPRunning1241950
141864 Tommy GaleTommy GaleSunny King Ford & HondaRunning1211930
15290 John KennedyJohn KennedyAvanti CbRunning01880
163079 Frank WarrenFrank WarrenNative TanRunning1151880
17811 Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughBuschEngine1171853
183524 Cecil GordonCecil GordonGordon RacingRunning1091830
191088 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripGatoradeRunning1061730
202267 Buddy ArringtonBuddy ArringtonHills RacingEngine1031500
212645 Baxter PriceBaxter PriceIron PeddlersRunning1001460
221952 Jimmy MeansJimmy MeansMr. TransmissionRunning971450
23215 Bobby AllisonBobby AllisonHodgdon / MooreEngine9914138
243225 Ronnie ThomasRonnie ThomasStone's CafeteriaRear Gear911310
25947 Harry Gant (R)Harry GantRace Hill FarmClutch931295
26444 Terry Labonte (R)Terry LabonteStratagraph IncorporatedEngine901085
27336 Marty RobbinsMarty RobbinsMarty Robbins RacingCylinder Head82960
281740 D.K. UlrichD.K. UlrichMidwestern Farm LinesRunning79850
291405 Dick BrooksDick BrooksBearfinderExhaust76810
302171 Dave MarcisDave MarcisTransmissions UnlimitedEngine73670
312419 Lennie PondLennie PondBelden AsphaltRear Gear70570
322322 Al Rudd, Jr.Al Rudd, Jr.Al Rudd (Car Owner)Clutch0390
33321 Neil BonnettNeil BonnettPurolatorIgnition692817
34361 Earle CanavanEarle CanavanScope MountPiston0230
352536 H.B. BaileyH.B. BaileyCaldwell Knapp CadillacAccident5820
362739 Blackie WangerinBlackie WangerinWangerin RacingAccident5520

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