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1981 American 500
NASCAR Cup Series Race 29 of 31
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$164,610Race Date:Apr 30, 2026Rockingham Speedway
Margin of Victory:2 CL SecondsRace Duration:4Hr 39Min 32Sec.Rockingham, North Carolina
Lead Changes:33Average Speed:107.399 MPH1.017 Mile Paved
No. of Cars:37No. of Cautions:12 For 97 Laps

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Darrell Waltrip D. WaltripDriver: Darrell Waltrip D. WaltripBuick:9
Car No.:#11 BuickCar No.:#11 BuickPontiac:0
Team:Junior Johnson and AssociatesTeam:Junior Johnson and AssociatesFord:0
Crew Chief:Tim BrewerCrew Chief:Tim BrewerChevrolet:0
Laps Led:163 of 492Pole Speed:138.164 MPH

◄  View Crew Chiefs  View Teams ►

Official 1981 American 500 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorStatusMfgPointsLapsLed
1111 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripMountain DewRunning185492163
21428 Bobby AllisonBobby AllisonHardee'sRunning17549231
3233 Harry GantHarry GantSkoal BanditRunning170492125
41243 Richard PettyRichard PettySTPRunning16549292
5162 Joe Ruttman (R)Joe RuttmanJ.D. StacyRunning1604923
62415 Benny ParsonsBenny ParsonsMelling Tool CompanyRunning1504910
71044 Terry LabonteTerry LabonteJ.D. Stacy RacingRunning1464900
8229 Bill ElliottBill ElliottMell-Gear Tuning ComponentsRunning14749017
953 Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtWrangler JeansRunning14348916
101990 Jody RidleyJody RidleyTruxmore Industries / Sunny King FordRunning1344870
113747 Ron Bouchard (R)Ron BouchardJ.D. StacyRunning1304850
122671 Dave MarcisDave MarcisJ.D. Stacy RacingRunning1324832
132764 Tommy GaleTommy GaleSunny King FordRunning1244750
143167 Buddy ArringtonBuddy ArringtonPetty's Boot BarnRunning1214700
153424 Cecil GordonCecil GordonWashington FreightlinerRunning1184570
1641 Buddy BakerBuddy BakerUnoRear Gear1204452
173299 D.K. UlrichD.K. UlrichUlrich RacingEngine1124350
18388 Ricky RuddRicky RuddGatoradeRunning11443416
19175 Joe MillikanJoe MillikanPerformance ConnectionRunning1064250
203652 Jimmy MeansJimmy MeansBroadway MotorsRunning1034040
212313 Dick BrooksDick BrooksCarolina Tool & EquipmentValves03790
221337 Tim Richmond (R)Tim RichmondRoger's Auto LeasingAccident973340
233592 Joe FieldsJoe FieldsRichmond PrintingAccident02620
242917 John AndersonJohn AndersonKings Inn DaytonaTrack Bar02260
25827 Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughValvolineAccident882140
262548 James HyltonJames HyltonPalatine Automotive852140
271596 Morgan Shepherd (R)Morgan ShepherdLevi GarrettAccident8720525
282816 Chuck BownChuck BownRose Auto WreckingEngine791930
291198 Johnny Rutherford (R)Johnny RutherfordLevi GarrettAccident761720
303070 J.D. McDuffieJ.D. McDuffieBailey ExcavatingEngine731650
311866 Lake SpeedLake SpeedLake Speed RacingEngine701620
322175 Gary Balough (R)Gary BaloughA. Ferraiuolo & SonsAccident671170
333340 Don HumeDon HumeNewton Oil & GasAccident01010
34777 Dean CombsDean CombsCaptains TableAccident0890
35921 Neil BonnettNeil BonnettHodgdon / National EngineeringAccident58550
362068 Lennie PondLennie PondJ.D. Stacy RacingAccident55540
37642 Kyle PettyKyle PettySTPEngine52190
(R) Denotes Rookie  ◄► (I) Driver is Ineligible For Points
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