1981 Virginia 500
NASCAR Cup Series Race 9 of 31
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$141,025Race Date:Apr 30, 2026Martinsville Speedway
Margin of Victory:15.000 SecondsRace Duration:3Hr 30Min 10Sec.Ridgeway, Virginia
Lead Changes:13Average Speed:75.019 MPH.526 Mile Paved Oval
No. of Cars:31No. of Cautions:5 For 38 Laps

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Morgan Shepherd M. ShepherdDriver: Ricky Rudd R. RuddPontiac:9
Car No.:#5 PontiacCar No.:#88 BuickFord:0
Team:Cliff Stewart RacingTeam:DiGard RacingBuick:0
Crew Chief:Crew Chief:Oldsmobile:0
Laps Led:203 of 500Pole Speed:89.056 MPH
Official 1981 Virginia 500 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorStatusMfgPointsLapsLed
1125 Morgan Shepherd (R)Morgan ShepherdPerformance ConnectionRunning180500203
21621 Neil BonnettNeil BonnettPurolatorRunning1755002
3188 Ricky RuddRicky RuddGatoradeRunning17049924
4212 Harry GantHarry GantKencoalRunning170497204
5944 Terry LabonteTerry LabonteStratagraph IncorporatedRunning1554970
61390 Jody RidleyJody RidleyTruxmore Industries / Sunny King FordRunning1504940
72666 Lake SpeedLake SpeedLake Speed RacingRunning1464930
8367 Buddy ArringtonBuddy ArringtonHills RacingRunning1424920
91447 Ron Bouchard (R)Ron BouchardRace Hill FarmRunning1384910
101137 Mike Alexander (R)Mike AlexanderRogers Auto LeasingRunning1344860
11571 Dave MarcisDave MarcisHudson ChevroletEngine1304850
122852 Jimmy MeansJimmy MeansBroadway MotorsRunning1274840
13828 Bobby AllisonBobby AllisonRanier RacingRunning1244770
141899 Tim Richmond (R)Tim RichmondUnoRunning1214760
152242 Kyle PettyKyle PettySTPEngine1184690
162364 Joe FieldsJoe FieldsRichmond PrintingRunning1154690
172048 James HyltonJames HyltonPalatine AutomotiveRunning1124610
182440 Tommy GaleTommy GaleMcWhirter GradingRunning1094220
192994 Bobby WawakBobby WawakLouise SmithRunning1063980
202517 Tommy HoustonTommy HoustonKings Inn DaytonaRear Gear03240
212127 Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughValvolineEngine10531748
22273 Richard ChildressRichard ChildressNicholsHead Gasket972710
231715 Benny ParsonsBenny ParsonsMelling Tool CompanyEngine941980
243124 Cecil GordonCecil GordonGordon RacingTransmission911980
25102 Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtWrangler JeansEngine881550
26611 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripMountain DewEngine851500
27426 Butch LindleyButch LindleyLindley RacingBrakes878719
281543 Richard PettyRichard PettySTPAccident79400
29775 Joe MillikanJoe MillikanHayes JewelersAccident76400
303070 J.D. McDuffieJ.D. McDuffieBailey ExcavatingEngine73170
311925 Ronnie ThomasRonnie ThomasThomas RacingAccident7030

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