By Zane Miller
On Sunday, November 20th, 1988, the 1988 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Bill Elliott defeating Rusty Wallace by 24 points to win the 40th championship in Cup Series history. It was the first (and only) Cup Series championship for Elliott. These are the top five points finishers for the season.
The 1988 Daytona 500 was won by Bobby Allison, who also led the most laps with 70. Davey Allison came in second to make it the only father-son duo to finish 1-2 in the Daytona 500. It was the third and final 500 victory for Allison.
5. #25 Ken Schrader (-630)
Schrader claimed fifth as he took one win, four top-fives and 17 top-10s for an average finish of 11.7.
4. #11 Terry Labonte (-481)
Labonte earned the fourth spot with one victory, 11 top-fives and 18 top-10s, getting an average finish of 10.8.
3. #3 Dale Earnhardt (-232)
Earnhardt finished third in points, claiming three wins, 13 top-fives and 19 top-10s for an average finish of 8.8, leading the most laps in seven races.
2. #27 Rusty Wallace (-24)
Wallace grabbed the runner-up spot, earning six wins, 19 top-fives and 23 top-10s to take an average finish of 7.1, while leading the most laps in four races.
1. #9 Bill Elliott
Elliott won the championship with six wins, 15 top-fives and 22 top-10s, getting an average finish of 6.6 while leading the most laps in six starts.
Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)
Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1988/W
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