What Is 1979 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Overview

The 1979 NASCAR season is widely regarded as a turning point in the sport’s history, though it was not known as the Sprint Cup Series at the time. The series was officially named the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, following R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s sponsorship that began in 1971. This season marked the beginning of NASCAR’s transition from a regional motorsport to a nationally recognized spectacle.

One of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history occurred during the 1979 Daytona 500, which was the first race to be broadcast live from start to finish on national television by CBS. The dramatic finish, including a post-race fight between Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers, captivated millions and significantly boosted the sport’s popularity across the United States.

• Richard Petty secured his sixth NASCAR championship in 1979, driving the iconic #43 Pontiac for Petty Enterprises, solidifying his status as 'The King' of stock car racing.
• The season consisted of 31 races, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 18 and ending with the Winston Western 500 on November 18 at Riverside International Raceway.
• Dale Earnhardt earned his first career Cup Series victory on April 1, 1979, at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the #2 Chevrolet for Rod Osterlund Racing.
• The 1979 Daytona 500 was won by Richard Petty, marking his third victory in the prestigious race and the 196th win of his legendary career.
• Television coverage by CBS introduced NASCAR to a broad audience, with an estimated 15 million viewers watching the Daytona 500 live, a record for the sport at the time.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series followed a points-based championship format that rewarded consistency, race finishes, and performance throughout the season. Unlike the modern playoff system, the champion was determined by total accumulated points over all races.

• Points System: NASCAR used a finishing position-based scale, where 1st place earned 175 points and decreased incrementally, with additional points for leading laps and leading the most laps.
• Driver Eligibility: All drivers had to be licensed by NASCAR and meet safety standards, with each team responsible for maintaining vehicle specifications per NASCAR rules.
• Car Specifications: Vehicles were production-based coupes with strict regulations on engine size (maximum 358 cubic inches), weight (minimum 3,400 lbs), and body dimensions.
• Team Structure: Crew chiefs and pit crews were essential for race strategy, handling tire changes, fuel calculations, and mechanical adjustments during pit stops.
• Race Format: Most races were 500-mile or 400-mile events, with green-white-checkered finishes not yet implemented, meaning races ended under green or caution without extensions.
• Championship Determination: The champion was crowned based on total season points, not a playoff system, making consistency across all 31 races critical for title contention.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series to modern NASCAR reveals significant differences in technology, broadcasting, and competition structure.

The 1979 season laid the foundation for NASCAR’s national expansion, while today’s series features advanced aerodynamics, electronic fuel injection, and a structured playoff format introduced in 2004. Despite these changes, the core appeal of close racing and driver rivalries remains central to the sport’s identity.

Why It Matters

The 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was a pivotal moment in motorsports history, marking the beginning of NASCAR’s mainstream popularity and setting the stage for its modern commercial success. The combination of dramatic on-track action and breakthrough television exposure helped transform NASCAR into a major American sport.

• The Daytona 500 fight between Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers drew widespread media attention, introducing NASCAR to casual viewers unfamiliar with the sport.
• Live national TV broadcasts enabled NASCAR to reach new demographics, particularly in non-traditional markets outside the southeastern United States.
• Richard Petty’s success helped legitimize stock car racing as a professional sport and inspired a generation of future drivers.
• Dale Earnhardt’s first win signaled the rise of a new superstar who would dominate the 1980s and 1990s.
• The season demonstrated the commercial potential of sponsorships, with brands like STP and GM investing heavily in team partnerships.
• It established a template for future media and marketing strategies that NASCAR continues to use in promoting its events and drivers.

Overall, the 1979 season was not just a championship year—it was a cultural milestone that elevated NASCAR from regional entertainment to national prominence.