By Zane Miller
On Sunday, November 18th, 1979, the 1979 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Richard Petty defeating Darrell Waltrip by 11 points to win the 31st championship in Cup Series history. It was the seventh (and final) Cup Series championship for Yarborough. These are the top five points finishers for the season.
The 1979 Daytona 500 was won by Richard Petty, while Donnie Allison led the most laps with 93. It was the sixth 500 win for Petty, however the race is most remembered for the final lap crash between Allison and Cale Yarborough while battling for the win, and the subsequent fight that broke out after the crash between Allison, Yarborough and Bobby Allison, who had initially stopped to ask his brother if he needed a ride back to the infield.
5. #27 Benny Parsons (-574 points)
Parsons finished fifth in points with two wins, 16 top-fives and 21 top-10s for an average finish of 11.3. Parsons also led the most laps in three races.
4. #11 Cale Yarborough (-226)
Yarborough claimed the fourth spot as he had four wins, 19 top-fives and 22 top-10s with an average finish of 8.6, leading the most laps in four starts in the process.
3. #15 Bobby Allison (-197)
Allison got third in points with five victories, 18 top-fives and 22 top-10s on the way to an average finish of 8.6, getting the most laps led in five races.
2. #88 Darrell Waltrip (-11)
Waltrip took the second spot with seven wins, 19 top-fives and 22 top-10s for an average finish of 7.0. Waltrip led the most laps in eight starts as well.
1. #43 Richard Petty
Petty earned his seventh championship as he had five victories, 23 top-fives and 27 top-10s, claiming an average finish of 6.4 while leading the most laps in three races.
Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)
Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1979/W
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