1988 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

The 1988 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was the fourth stock car race of the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 29th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, March 20, 1989, before an audience of 70,000 in Hampton, Georgia, at Atlanta International Raceway, a 1.522 miles (2.449 km) permanent asphalt quad-oval intermediate speedway. The race took the scheduled 328 laps to complete. On the final restart of the race with three laps left in the race, Richard Childress Racing driver Dale Earnhardt would manage to pull away from the field, completing a dominant performance where he would lead 270 laps. The victory was Earnhardt's 32nd career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory and his first victory of the season.[1][2][3][4] To fill out the top three, Blue Max Racing driver Rusty Wallace and Hendrick Motorsports driver Darrell Waltrip would finish second and third, respectively.

1988 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500
Race details
Race 4 of 29 in the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
The 1988 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 program cover, featuring Ricky Rudd.
The 1988 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 program cover, featuring Ricky Rudd.
Date March 20, 1988
Official name 29th Annual Motorcraft Quality Parts 500
Location Hampton, Georgia, Atlanta International Raceway
Course Permanent racing facility
1.522 mi (2.449 km)
Distance 328 laps, 499.216 mi (803.41 km)
Scheduled Distance 328 laps, 499.216 mi (803.41 km)
Average speed 139.684 miles per hour (224.800 km/h)
Attendance 70,000
Pole position
Driver Hendrick Motorsports
Time 31.022
Most laps led
Driver Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing
Laps 270
Winner
No. 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing
Television in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Keith Jackson, Jerry Punch
Radio in the United States
Radio Motor Racing Network

Background

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The layout of Atlanta International Raceway, the circuit where the race was held.

Atlanta Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta International Raceway) is a 1.522-mile race track in Hampton, Georgia, United States, 20 miles (32 km) south of Atlanta. It has annually hosted NASCAR Winston Cup Series stock car races since its inauguration in 1960.

The venue was bought by Speedway Motorsports in 1990. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track. In 1997, to standardize the track with Speedway Motorsports' other two intermediate ovals, the entire track was almost completely rebuilt. The frontstretch and backstretch were swapped, and the configuration of the track was changed from oval to quad-oval, with a new official length of 1.54-mile (2.48 km) where before it was 1.522-mile (2.449 km). The project made the track one of the fastest on the NASCAR circuit.

Entry list

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  • (R) - denotes rookie driver.
# Driver Team Make Sponsor
1 Dale Jarrett Ellington Racing Buick Port-A-Lube
01 Mickey Gibbs Gibbs Racing Ford Gibbs–West Tractor
2 Ernie Irvan (R) U.S. Racing Chevrolet Kroger
3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet GM Goodwrench
03 Dave Pletcher Sr. Weaver Racing Ford Wild Turkey Music
4 Rick Wilson Morgan–McClure Motorsports Oldsmobile Kodak
5 Geoff Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Levi Garrett
6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford Stroh's Light
7 Alan Kulwicki AK Racing Ford Zerex
8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Stavola Brothers Racing Buick Miller High Life
9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford Coors Light
10 Ken Bouchard (R) Whitcomb Racing Ford Whitcomb Racing
11 Terry Labonte Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet Budweiser
12 Bobby Allison Stavola Brothers Racing Buick Miller High Life
14 A. J. Foyt A. J. Foyt Racing Oldsmobile Copenhagen
15 Brett Bodine Bud Moore Engineering Ford Crisco
17 Darrell Waltrip Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Tide
21 Kyle Petty Wood Brothers Racing Ford Citgo
22 Steve Moore Hamby Racing Chevrolet Hamby Racing
23 Eddie Bierschwale B&B Racing Chevrolet Wayne Paging
25 Ken Schrader Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Folgers
26 Ricky Rudd King Racing Buick Quaker State
27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac Kodiak
28 Davey Allison Ranier-Lundy Racing Ford Texaco, Havoline
29 Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough Motorsports Oldsmobile Hardee's
30 Michael Waltrip Bahari Racing Pontiac Country Time
31 Brad Teague Bob Clark Motorsports Oldsmobile Slender You Figure Salons
33 Harry Gant Mach 1 Racing Chevrolet Skoal Bandit
36 H. B. Bailey Bailey Racing Pontiac National Motors
43 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Pontiac STP
44 Sterling Marlin Hagan Racing Oldsmobile Piedmont Airlines
47 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Buick Shepherd Racing
48 Tony Spanos Hylton Motorsports Chevrolet Hylton Motorsports
50 Greg Sacks Dingman Brothers Racing Pontiac Dingman Brothers Racing
52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means Racing Chevrolet Eureka
55 Phil Parsons Jackson Bros. Motorsports Oldsmobile Skoal, Crown Central Petroleum
63 Jocko Maggiacomo Linro Motorsports Chevrolet Linro Motorsports
67 Buddy Arrington Arrington Racing Ford Pannill Sweatshirts
68 Derrike Cope Testa Racing Ford Purolator
71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet Lifebuoy
75 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Pontiac Valvoline
77 Ken Ragan Ragan Racing Ford Ragan Racing
80 Jimmy Horton (R) S&H Racing Ford S&H Racing
83 Lake Speed Speed Racing Oldsmobile Wynn's, Kmart
86 Rick Jeffrey Jeffrey Racing Chevrolet Slenderizers
88 Buddy Baker Baker–Schiff Racing Oldsmobile Red Baron Frozen Pizza
89 Jim Sauter Mueller Brothers Racing Pontiac Evinrude Outboard Motors
90 Benny Parsons Donlavey Racing Ford Bull's-Eye Barbecue Sauce
92 David Sosebee LC Racing Ford LC Racing
93 Charlie Baker Salmon Racing Chevrolet Salmon Racing
97 Rodney Combs Winkle Motorsports Buick AC Spark Plug
98 Brad Noffsinger (R) Curb Racing Buick Sunoco
99 Connie Saylor Ball Motorsports Chevrolet Port-A-Lube

Qualifying

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Qualifying was originally scheduled to be split into two rounds. The first round was scheduled to be held on Friday, March 18, at 3:00 PM EST. Originally, the first 20 positions were going to be determined by first round qualifying, with positions 21-40 meant to be determined the following day on Saturday, March 19.[5] However, due to rain, the first round was cancelled. As a result, qualifying was condensed into one round for all starting grid spots in the race, which was run on Saturday. Depending on who needed it, a select amount of positions were given to cars who had not otherwise qualified but were high enough in owner's points; up to two were given.[6]

Geoff Bodine, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 31.022 and an average speed of 176.623 miles per hour (284.247 km/h) in the first round.[7]

11 drivers would fail to qualify.

Full qualifying results

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Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 5 Geoff Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 31.022 176.623
2 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 31.139 175.959
3 9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford 31.265 175.250
4 27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac 31.289 175.116
5 15 Brett Bodine Bud Moore Engineering Ford 31.342 174.820
6 14 A. J. Foyt A. J. Foyt Racing Oldsmobile 31.439 174.280
7 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 31.442 174.264
8 90 Benny Parsons Donlavey Racing Ford 31.467 174.125
9 25 Ken Schrader Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 31.499 173.948
10 17 Darrell Waltrip Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 31.503 173.926
11 44 Sterling Marlin Hagan Racing Oldsmobile 31.521 173.827
12 7 Alan Kulwicki AK Racing Ford 31.544 173.700
13 11 Terry Labonte Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet 31.553 173.651
14 83 Lake Speed Speed Racing Oldsmobile 31.566 173.579
15 55 Phil Parsons Jackson Bros. Motorsports Oldsmobile 31.607 173.354
16 30 Michael Waltrip Bahari Racing Pontiac 31.622 173.272
17 33 Harry Gant Mach 1 Racing Chevrolet 31.786 172.378
18 88 Buddy Baker Baker–Schiff Racing Oldsmobile 31.888 171.826
19 29 Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough Motorsports Oldsmobile 31.914 171.687
20 47 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Buick 31.922 171.643
21 21 Kyle Petty Wood Brothers Racing Ford 31.954 171.471
22 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 31.980 171.332
23 23 Eddie Bierschwale B&B Racing Oldsmobile 31.981 171.327
24 43 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Pontiac 32.012 171.161
25 98 Brad Noffsinger (R) Curb Racing Buick 32.049 170.963
26 97 Rodney Combs Winkle Motorsports Buick 32.062 170.894
27 12 Bobby Allison Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 32.067 170.867
28 26 Ricky Rudd King Racing Buick 32.139 170.484
29 92 David Sosebee LC Racing Ford 32.164 170.352
30 77 Ken Ragan Ragan Racing Ford 32.165 170.347
31 75 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Pontiac 32.191 170.209
32 4 Rick Wilson Morgan–McClure Motorsports Oldsmobile 32.197 170.177
33 71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet 32.201 170.156
34 2 Ernie Irvan (R) U.S. Racing Chevrolet 32.220 170.056
35 31 Brad Teague Bob Clark Motorsports Oldsmobile 32.221 170.051
36 68 Derrike Cope Testa Racing Ford 32.291 169.682
37 36 H. B. Bailey Bailey Racing Pontiac 32.291 169.682
38 89 Jim Sauter Mueller Brothers Racing Pontiac 32.483 168.679
39 52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means Racing Pontiac 32.518 168.497
40 99 Dale Jarrett Ball Motorsports Chevrolet 32.547 168.347
Provisionals
41 28 Davey Allison Ranier-Lundy Racing Ford 32.603 168.058
42 10 Ken Bouchard (R) Whitcomb Racing Ford 32.713 167.493
Failed to qualify
43 67 Buddy Arrington Arrington Racing Ford -* -*
44 93 Charlie Baker Salmon Racing Chevrolet -* -*
45 01 Mickey Gibbs Gibbs Racing Ford -* -*
46 80 Jimmy Horton (R) S&H Racing Ford -* -*
47 1 Dale Jarrett Ellington Racing Buick -* -*
48 86 Rick Jeffrey Jeffrey Racing Chevrolet -* -*
49 63 Jocko Maggiacomo Linro Motorsports Chevrolet -* -*
50 22 Steve Moore Hamby Racing Chevrolet -* -*
51 03 Dave Pletcher Sr. Weaver Racing Ford -* -*
52 50 Greg Sacks Dingman Brothers Racing Pontiac -* -*
53 48 Tony Spanos Hylton Motorsports Buick -* -*
Official starting lineup

Race results

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Fin St # Driver Team Make Laps Led Status Pts Winnings
1 2 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 328 270 running 185 $67,950
2 4 27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac 328 2 running 175 $37,875
3 10 17 Darrell Waltrip Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 327 2 running 170 $26,150
4 13 11 Terry Labonte Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet 327 2 running 165 $19,575
5 21 21 Kyle Petty Wood Brothers Racing Ford 327 1 running 160 $18,750
6 22 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 326 0 running 150 $13,300
7 18 88 Buddy Baker Baker–Schiff Racing Oldsmobile 326 0 running 146 $13,650
8 9 25 Ken Schrader Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 326 0 running 142 $16,950
9 5 15 Brett Bodine Bud Moore Engineering Ford 326 0 running 138 $19,675
10 32 4 Rick Wilson Morgan–McClure Motorsports Oldsmobile 325 0 running 134 $11,825
11 27 12 Bobby Allison Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 325 2 running 135 $11,020
12 16 30 Michael Waltrip Bahari Racing Pontiac 322 0 running 127 $10,000
13 8 90 Benny Parsons Donlavey Racing Ford 322 44 running 129 $8,930
14 25 98 Brad Noffsinger (R) Curb Racing Buick 321 0 running 0 $5,310
15 33 71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet 320 3 running 123 $7,880
16 42 10 Ken Bouchard (R) Whitcomb Racing Ford 320 0 running 115 $5,520
17 23 23 Eddie Bierschwale B&B Racing Oldsmobile 319 0 running 112 $4,410
18 34 2 Ernie Irvan (R) U.S. Racing Chevrolet 318 0 running 109 $6,100
19 3 9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford 312 0 crash 106 $11,940
20 11 44 Sterling Marlin Hagan Racing Oldsmobile 311 0 running 103 $7,770
21 17 33 Harry Gant Mach 1 Racing Chevrolet 296 0 running 100 $5,985
22 31 75 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Pontiac 289 1 running 102 $9,600
23 24 43 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Pontiac 285 0 engine 94 $5,615
24 28 26 Ricky Rudd King Racing Buick 253 0 engine 91 $5,430
25 38 89 Jim Sauter Mueller Brothers Racing Pontiac 238 0 cylinder head 88 $2,945
26 36 68 Derrike Cope Testa Racing Ford 194 0 running 85 $5,255
27 26 97 Rodney Combs Winkle Motorsports Buick 172 0 cylinder head 0 $3,095
28 29 92 David Sosebee LC Racing Ford 165 0 clutch 79 $2,210
29 40 99 Dale Jarrett Ball Motorsports Chevrolet 164 0 brakes 76 $2,175
30 20 47 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Buick 143 0 grease seal 73 $2,090
31 7 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 142 0 crash 70 $2,060
32 19 29 Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough Motorsports Oldsmobile 127 0 brakes 67 $2,030
33 1 5 Geoff Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 109 1 engine 69 $8,725
34 6 14 A. J. Foyt A. J. Foyt Racing Oldsmobile 85 0 engine 61 $2,430
35 30 77 Ken Ragan Ragan Racing Ford 84 0 engine 58 $1,930
36 35 31 Brad Teague Bob Clark Motorsports Oldsmobile 80 0 crash 55 $1,905
37 15 55 Phil Parsons Jackson Bros. Motorsports Oldsmobile 71 0 crash 52 $4,585
38 14 83 Lake Speed Speed Racing Oldsmobile 49 0 cylinder head 49 $1,865
39 12 7 Alan Kulwicki AK Racing Ford 29 0 engine 46 $4,515
40 41 28 Davey Allison Ranier-Lundy Racing Ford 29 0 crash 43 $11,160
41 37 36 H. B. Bailey Bailey Racing Pontiac 12 0 oil leak 40 $1,760
42 39 52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means Racing Pontiac 3 0 engine 37 $4,410
Failed to qualify
43 67 Buddy Arrington Arrington Racing Ford
44 93 Charlie Baker Salmon Racing Chevrolet
45 01 Mickey Gibbs Gibbs Racing Ford
46 80 Jimmy Horton (R) S&H Racing Ford
47 1 Dale Jarrett Ellington Racing Buick
48 86 Rick Jeffrey Jeffrey Racing Chevrolet
49 63 Jocko Maggiacomo Linro Motorsports Chevrolet
50 22 Steve Moore Hamby Racing Chevrolet
51 03 Dave Pletcher Sr. Weaver Racing Ford
52 50 Greg Sacks Dingman Brothers Racing Pontiac
53 48 Tony Spanos Hylton Motorsports Buick
Official race results

Standings after the race

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References

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  1. ^ Higgins, Tom (March 21, 1988). "Earnhardt Sparkles In Victory At Atlanta (Part 1)". The Charlotte Observer. p. 21. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ Higgins, Tom (March 21, 1988). "Earnhardt Sparkles In Victory At Atlanta (Part 2)". The Charlotte Observer. p. 23. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ Hinton, Ed (March 21, 1988). "Earnhardt breaks drought, turns Motorcraft 500 into 'boring' rout (Part 1)". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 39. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Hinton, Ed (March 21, 1988). "Earnhardt breaks drought, turns Motorcraft 500 into 'boring' rout (Part 2)". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 49. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "NASCAR Today". The Charlotte Observer. March 18, 1988. p. 29. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Pearson, Harold (March 19, 1988). "Rain at AIR forces trials to be switched". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 32. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ Higgins, Tom (March 20, 1988). "Bumper-Car Show Moves To Atlanta". The Charlotte Observer. p. 82. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  


Previous race:
1988 Goodwrench 500
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
1988 season
Next race:
1988 TranSouth 500