By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 17th, 1985, the 1985 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Darrell Waltrip defeating Bill Elliott by 101 points to win the 37th championship in Cup Series history. It was the third (and final) Cup Series championship for Waltrip. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1985 Daytona 500 was won by Bill Elliott, who also led the most laps with 136.

5. #5 Geoffrey Bodine (-430 points)

Bodine grabbed fifth spot with 10 top-fives and 14 top-10s, getting an average finish of 10.9 while leading the most laps in one race.

4. #12 Neil Bonnett (-390)

Bonnett scored fourth in points with a pair of victories, 11 top-fives and 18 top-10s for an average finish of 10.6. Bonnett also led the most laps in two starts.

3. #33 Harry Gant (-259)

Gant took third as he had three wins, 14 top-fives and 19 top-10s for an average finish of 10.0, while leading the most laps in four races.

2. #9 Bill Elliott (-101)

Elliott earned second in points, taking 11 wins, 16 top-fives and 18 top-10s for an average finish of 8.7. Elliott also led the most laps in seven starts.

1. #11 Darrell Waltrip

Waltrip got the championship on the strength of three victories, 18 top-fives and 21 top-10s for an average finish of 7.3, leading the most laps in three races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1985/W

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NASCAR / 1985 daytona 500

1985 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

1985 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

1985 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap