1987 First Union 400

1987 First Union 400
Race details
Race 6 of 29 in the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
The 1987 First Union 400 program cover, featuring Dale Earnhardt.
The 1987 First Union 400 program cover, featuring Dale Earnhardt.
Date April 5, 1987
Official name 37th Annual First Union 400
Location North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Course Permanent racing facility
0.625 mi (1.006 km)
Distance 400 laps, 250 mi (402.336 km)
Scheduled Distance 400 laps, 250 mi (402.336 km)
Average speed 94.103 miles per hour (151.444 km/h)
Attendance 26,500
Pole position
Driver Melling Racing
Time 19.396
Most laps led
Driver Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing
Laps 319
Winner
No. 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing
Television in the United States
Network ESPN
Announcers Bob Jenkins, Larry Nuber
Radio in the United States
Radio Motor Racing Network

The 1987 First Union 400 was the sixth stock car race of the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 37th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, April 5, 1987, before an audience of 26,500 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, a 0.625 miles (1.006 km) oval short track. The race took the scheduled 400 laps to complete.[1]

By race's end, Richard Childress Racing's Dale Earnhardt managed to dominate a majority of the race, leading 319 laps en route to his 24th career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory, his fourth victory of the season, his second straight win, and his fourth win in six races, increasing his driver's championship points lead to 117 points over second-place driver Bill Elliott.[2][3] To fill out the top three, Wood Brothers Racing's Kyle Petty and RahMoc Enterprises' Neil Bonnett finished second and third, respectively.

Background

[edit]
The layout of North Wilkesboro Speedway, the venue where the race was held

North Wilkesboro Speedway is a short oval racetrack located on U.S. Route 421, about five miles east of the town of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, or 80 miles north of Charlotte. It measures 0.625 mi (1.006 km) and features a unique uphill backstretch and downhill frontstretch. It has previously held races in NASCAR's top three series, including 93 Winston Cup Series races. The track, a NASCAR original, operated from 1949, NASCAR's inception, until the track's original closure in 1996. The speedway briefly reopened in 2010 and hosted several stock car series races before closing again in the spring of 2011. It was re-opened in August 2022 for grassroots racing.

Entry list

[edit]
  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
# Driver Team Make Sponsor
3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Wrangler
5 Geoff Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Levi Garrett
6 Bobby Baker U.S. Racing Chevrolet U.S. Racing
7 Alan Kulwicki AK Racing Ford Zerex
8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Stavola Brothers Racing Buick Miller American
9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford Coors
10 Rodney Combs DiGard Motorsports Chevrolet DiGard Motorsports
11 Terry Labonte[a] Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet Budweiser
12 Doug Wolfgang[b] Hamby Racing Chevrolet Hesco Exhaust Systems
15 Ricky Rudd Bud Moore Engineering Ford Motorcraft Quality Parts
16 Larry Pearson Pearson Racing Chevrolet Chattanooga Chew
17 Darrell Waltrip Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Tide
18 Dale Jarrett (R) Freedlander Motorsports Chevrolet Freedlander Financial
21 Kyle Petty Wood Brothers Racing Ford Citgo
22 Bobby Allison Stavola Brothers Racing Buick Miller American
26 Morgan Shepherd King Racing Buick Quaker State
27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac Kodiak
30 Michael Waltrip Bahari Racing Chevrolet Bahari Racing
33 Harry Gant Mach 1 Racing Chevrolet Skoal Bandit
34 Jesse Samples Jr. AAG Racing Chevrolet Allen's Glass
35 Benny Parsons Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Folgers
43 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Pontiac STP
44 Sterling Marlin Hagan Racing Oldsmobile Piedmont Airlines
52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means Racing Pontiac Turtle Wax
55 Phil Parsons Jackson Bros. Motorsports Oldsmobile Copenhagen
62 Steve Christman (R) Winkle Motorsports Pontiac AC Spark Plug
64 Jerry Cranmer Langley Racing Ford Sunny King Ford
67 Eddie Bierschwale[c] Arrington Racing Ford Pannill Sweatshirts
70 J. D. McDuffie McDuffie Racing Pontiac Rumple Furniture
71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet Lifebuoy
75 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Pontiac Valvoline
81 Buddy Arrington[c] Fillip Racing Ford Pannill Sweatshirts
90 Ken Schrader Donlavey Racing Ford Red Baron Frozen Pizza

Qualifying

[edit]

Qualifying was originally scheduled to be split into two rounds. The first round was scheduled to be held on Friday, April 5, at 3:00 PM EST. Originally, the first 10 positions were going to be determined by first round qualifying, with positions 11-30 meant to be determined the following day on Saturday, April 6, at 12:15 PM EST.[6] 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.[7]

Bill Elliott, driving for Melling Racing, managed to win the pole, setting a time of 19.396 and an average speed of 116.003 miles per hour (186.689 km/h).[8]

Eddie Bierschwale was the only driver to fail to qualify.

Full qualifying results

[edit]
Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford 19.396 116.003
2 35 Benny Parsons Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 19.621 114.673
3 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 19.667 114.405
4 22 Bobby Allison Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 19.669 114.393
5 11 Brett Bodine[a] Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet 19.709 114.161
6 17 Darrell Waltrip Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 19.736 114.005
7 5 Geoff Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 19.756 113.889
8 26 Morgan Shepherd King Racing Buick 19.769 113.815
9 27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac 19.772 113.797
10 30 Michael Waltrip Bahari Racing Chevrolet 19.775 113.780
Failed to lock in Round 1
11 15 Ricky Rudd Bud Moore Engineering Ford 19.635 114.591
12 21 Kyle Petty Wood Brothers Racing Ford 19.645 114.533
13 90 Ken Schrader Donlavey Racing Ford 19.686 114.294
14 18 Dale Jarrett (R) Freedlander Motorsports Chevrolet 19.721 114.092
15 43 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Pontiac 19.777 113.769
16 33 Harry Gant Mach 1 Racing Chevrolet 19.788 113.705
17 55 Phil Parsons Jackson Bros. Motorsports Oldsmobile 19.822 113.510
18 44 Sterling Marlin Hagan Racing Oldsmobile 19.849 113.356
19 7 Alan Kulwicki AK Racing Ford 19.858 113.304
20 16 Larry Pearson Pearson Racing Chevrolet 19.896 113.088
21 75 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Pontiac 19.898 113.077
22 62 Steve Christman (R) Winkle Motorsports Pontiac 19.959 112.731
23 10 Rodney Combs DiGard Motorsports Chevrolet 19.988 112.568
24 64 Jerry Cranmer Langley Racing Ford 20.013 112.427
25 34 Jesse Samples Jr. AAG Racing Chevrolet 20.025 112.360
26 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 20.029 112.337
27 52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means Racing Pontiac 20.139 111.724
28 71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet 20.161 111.602
29 81 Buddy Arrington Fillip Racing Ford 20.214 111.309
30 6 Bobby Baker U.S. Racing Chevrolet 20.243 111.150
Provisionals
31 12 Doug Wolfgang Hamby Racing Oldsmobile -* -*
32 70 J. D. McDuffie McDuffie Racing Pontiac -* -*
Failed to qualify
33 67 Eddie Bierschwale Arrington Racing Ford -* -*
Official starting lineup

Race results

[edit]
Fin St # Driver Team Make Laps Led Status Pts Winnings
1 3 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 400 319 running 185 $44,675
2 12 21 Kyle Petty Wood Brothers Racing Ford 400 0 running 170 $20,055
3 21 75 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Pontiac 400 56 running 170 $14,470
4 19 7 Alan Kulwicki AK Racing Ford 400 0 running 160 $12,935
5 11 15 Ricky Rudd Bud Moore Engineering Ford 399 0 running 155 $14,890
6 15 43 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Pontiac 399 1 running 155 $6,435
7 17 55 Phil Parsons Jackson Bros. Motorsports Oldsmobile 399 0 running 146 $4,660
8 5 11 Terry Labonte[a] Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet 398 0 running 142 $10,515
9 9 27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac 398 0 running 138 $8,685
10 1 9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford 398 10 running 139 $17,185
11 16 33 Harry Gant Mach 1 Racing Chevrolet 398 0 running 130 $4,885
12 14 18 Dale Jarrett (R) Freedlander Motorsports Chevrolet 398 0 running 0 $4,725
13 26 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 397 1 running 129 $7,380
14 4 22 Bobby Allison Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 396 0 running 121 $7,300
15 2 35 Benny Parsons Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 396 12 running 123 $9,830
16 13 90 Ken Schrader Donlavey Racing Ford 396 0 running 115 $4,415
17 18 44 Sterling Marlin Hagan Racing Oldsmobile 395 0 running 112 $4,205
18 29 81 Eddie Bierschwale Fillip Racing Ford 392 0 running 109 $1,430
19 31 12 Slick Johnson Hamby Racing Oldsmobile 392 1 running 0 $4,045
20 23 10 Rodney Combs DiGard Motorsports Chevrolet 386 0 running 103 $2,030
21 6 17 Darrell Waltrip Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 383 0 running 100 $1,335
22 24 64 Jerry Cranmer Langley Racing Ford 380 0 running 97 $3,815
23 30 6 Bobby Baker U.S. Racing Chevrolet 380 0 running 94 $3,500
24 10 30 Michael Waltrip Bahari Racing Chevrolet 379 0 running 91 $3,440
25 20 16 Larry Pearson Pearson Racing Chevrolet 359 0 rear end 88 $1,310
26 28 71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet 316 0 running 85 $3,355
27 8 26 Morgan Shepherd King Racing Buick 258 0 crash 82 $3,345
28 7 5 Geoff Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 240 0 engine 79 $7,610
29 25 34 Jesse Samples Jr. AAG Racing Chevrolet 156 0 rear end 76 $1,160
30 27 52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means Racing Pontiac 74 0 cylinder head 73 $2,635
31 22 62 Steve Christman (R) Winkle Motorsports Pontiac 63 0 crash 70 $1,135
32 32 70 J. D. McDuffie McDuffie Racing Pontiac 29 0 engine 67 $1,085
Failed to qualify
33 67 Eddie Bierschwale Arrington Racing Ford
Official race results

Standings after the race

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Due to injuries sustained at the 1987 TranSouth 500, Labonte was replaced by Brett Bodine for qualifying.[4] However, Labonte was able to run pace laps during the race before Bodine substituted him for the race. Per the rules at the time, Labonte is credited with starting the race.[5]
  2. ^ Wolfgang qualified for the race; however, for unknown reasons, he was replaced by Slick Johnson for the race.
  3. ^ a b After Bierschwale failed to qualify, Bierschwale replaced Buddy Arrington for the race.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cook, Monty (April 6, 1987). "Earnhardt hot; gets second straight win". The News Herald. p. 9. Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ Higgins, Tom (April 6, 1987). "Earnhardt Rolls To 4th Win In 6 Starts". The Charlotte Observer. pp. 1C, 3C. Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ Mulhurn, Mike (April 5, 1987). "Earnhardt Takes First Union For 4th NASCAR Win". Winston-Salem Journal. pp. 17, 23. Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Owens, Mike (April 5, 1987). "From The Pressbox". Statesville Record & Landmark. pp. 2B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ Mulhurn, Mike (April 6, 1987). "Bodine's Smooth Run Offers Johnson Hope". Winston-Salem Journal. p. 23. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ "NASCAR Today". The Charlotte Observer. April 3, 1988. pp. 6C. Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ Higgins, Tom (April 4, 1987). "Weather Postpones Wilkesboro 400 Time Trials". The Charlotte Observer. pp. 1C. Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  8. ^ Higgins, Tom (April 5, 1987). "Elliott Sets Track Record En Route To 400 Pole". The Charlotte Observer. pp. 1B, 9B. Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon


Previous race:
1987 TranSouth 500
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
1987 season
Next race:
1987 Valleydale Meats 500