The Evolution of the Stock Car (1980-1985)

The 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup season began with a refreshing outlook for a sport that had endured a tumultuous trek through peaks and valleys in the preceding 10 years. Through a complex, shifting panorama, NASCAR overcame innumerable obstacles in the 1970s and emerged in 1980 with one of the most thrilling championship chases in NASCAR history between sophomore Dale Earnhardt and veteran Cale Yarborough. Buddy Baker started out the year by driving his Ranier Racing Oldsmobile to an impressive victory after many years of hard luck in The Great American Race. It was Baker's 18th Daytona 500 start, for which he won $102,175, the first time a NASCAR winner took home more than $100,000 in a single event. 1980 also saw Rusty Wallace make his...

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