1981 Carolina 500
NASCAR Cup Series Race 4 of 31
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$156,730Race Date:Apr 30, 2026Rockingham Speedway
Margin of Victory:5.300 SecondsRace Duration:4Hr 21Min 59Sec.Rockingham, North Carolina
Lead Changes:36Average Speed:114.594 MPH1.017 Mile Paved
No. of Cars:37No. of Cautions:14 For 75 Laps

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Darrell Waltrip D. WaltripDriver: Cale Yarborough C. YarboroughBuick:9
Car No.:#11 BuickCar No.:#27 BuickFord:0
Team:Junior Johnson and AssociatesTeam:M.C. Anderson RacingOldsmobile:0
Crew Chief:Tim BrewerCrew Chief:David IfftPontiac:0
Laps Led:13 of 492Pole Speed:140.488 MPH
Official 1981 Carolina 500 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorStatusMfgPointsLapsLed
1411 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripMountain DewRunning18049213
2127 Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughValvolineRunning180492320
3343 Richard PettyRichard PettySTPRunning17049225
4821 Neil BonnettNeil BonnettPurolatorRunning16549282
561 Buddy BakerBuddy BakerUnoRunning1604913
6228 Bobby AllisonBobby AllisonTuf-LonRunning15549117
71475 Joe MillikanJoe MillikanRahmoc RacingRunning1514888
82642 Kyle PettyKyle PettySTPRunning1424860
91566 Lake SpeedLake SpeedGeorge's T-ShirtsRunning1384820
103286 Elliott Forbes-Robinson (R)Elliott Forbes-RobinsonHoward & Egerton RacingRunning1344770
112325 Ronnie ThomasRonnie ThomasThomas RacingRunning1304760
122898 Johnny Rutherford (R)Johnny RutherfordLevi GarrettRunning1274730
132437 Mike Alexander (R)Mike AlexanderRogers Auto LeasingRunning1244700
143094 Bobby WawakBobby WawakLouise SmithRunning1214690
151771 Dave MarcisDave MarcisBuck StoveRunning1184520
162299 Tim Richmond (R)Tim RichmondUnoRunning1154500
173479 Jody RidleyJody RidleyMiller RoofingEngine1124430
18747 Harry GantHarry GantRace Hill FarmEngine11442718
193764 Tommy GaleTommy GaleSunny King Ford & HondaRunning1064240
202148 James HyltonJames HyltonPalatine AutomotiveRunning1034210
21944 Terry LabonteTerry LabonteApache StoveAccident1054125
22163 Richard ChildressRichard ChildressChildress RacingEngine974090
233524 Cecil GordonCecil GordonSouth Hill TexacoRunning943950
241015 Benny ParsonsBenny ParsonsMelling Tool CompanyAccident913790
251253 Slick JohnsonSlick JohnsonJohnson RacingAccident882980
26112 Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtWrangler JeansAccident852850
273317 Glenn JarrettGlenn JarrettKings Inn DaytonaOverheating822770
28135 Morgan Shepherd (R)Morgan ShepherdPerformance ConnectionDriveshaft792680
292952 Jimmy MeansJimmy MeansBroadway MotorsAccident762540
302016 David PearsonDavid PearsonHalpern EnterprisesEngine732250
31588 Ricky RuddRicky RuddGatoradeAccident752241
323620 Rick NewsomRick NewsomNewsom RacingClutch672180
331970 J.D. McDuffieJ.D. McDuffieBailey ExcavatingTransmission641880
341812 Donnie AllisonDonnie AllisonThe 5 Racers CorporationOil Line611090
352762 Rick Wilson (R)Rick WilsonFlorida Equipment & Service58970
363122 Stan Barrett (R)Stan BarrettSkoal BanditAccident0610
372567 Buddy ArringtonBuddy ArringtonReid Trailer SalesEngine52340

Please remember to support all NASCAR race sponsors.
Trademarks and copyrights property of their respective owners.
NascarReference is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASCAR.
These results are provided for their entertainment value only.