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[edit] Key Changes
- After a championship together in 1985 and 2nd place finish in 1986, Darrell Waltrip moved from the Junior Johnson #11 Budweiser Chevrolet to the new #17 Tide Chevrolet, a third full-time Rick Hendrick-owned team.
- Terry Labonte left the Billy Hagan #44 Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile replace Waltrip in the #11.
- Johnson decided to disband the #12 Budweiser team and let go driver Neil Bonnett, who moved to the RahMoc Enterprises #75 Valvoline Pontiac.
- Morgan Shepherd vacated the #75 in favor of the #26 Quaker State Buick owned by Kenny Bernstein, which was driven by Joe Ruttman in 1986.
- Phil Parsons replaced older brother Benny Parsons in the #55 Copenhagen Oldsmobile owned by Leo and Richard Jackson.
- Lake Speed started out 1986 in the #75 RahMoc ride but was let go early in the season. With sponsorship from Wynn's, Speed put together his own team for 1987 in the #83 Oldsmobile in a part-time effort.
- Valvoline sponsored the new #50 Dingman Brothers Pontiac, featuring Greg Sacks behind the wheel in a part-time effort.
- A few car number changes took place as well. Kyle Petty continued to drive the Wood Brothers Ford, switching from #7 to #21.
- Alan Kulwicki switched from #35 to #7 for his independent Ford team, with sponsorship from Zerex.
- Cale Yarborough exited the Harry Ranier #28 Ford team but took sponsor Hardee's with him to his self-owned #29 Oldsmobile.
- Davey Allison was hired to drive the #28 Ford, still looking for a sponsor to open the season.
- Michael Waltrip continued driving for Chuck Rider but switched from the #23 Hawaiian Punch Chevrolet to the #30 Chevrolet with various sponsors.
- On January 8, 1986 Tim Richmond announced that he would miss the first half of 1987 due to double pneumonia (which he would later reveal to be AIDS). Benny Parsons would take over for him in the Hendrick-owned #35 Folgers Chevrolet.
[edit] Rookie Of The Year
Those who officially threw their hat in the ring for Rookie Of The Year in 1987 were: Davey Allison, Steve Christman (#62 AC Delco, Tom Winkle), Rodney Combs (#10 DiGard) and Derrike Cope (#19 Stoke Racing).
[edit] Schedule
1987 Busch Clash
The ninth annual Busch Clash took place on February 8, 1987 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. It was non-points event, the first race of 1987 Daytona Speedweeks. All pole sitters from 1986 and one wild card draw from the top 2nd Round qualifiers (Alan Kulwicki) were able to participate. Benny Parsons replaced the ailing Tim Richmond, who led all drivers with eight poles in 1986. Starting order was also a random draw.
[edit] Starting Grid
[edit] Results
[edit] Race Summary
[edit] Race Notes
- Alan Kulwicki reached the starting line three minutes before the deadline after issues with his carburetor.
- Lap 1: Immediately following the green flag, Dale Earnhardt cut down between Terry Labonte and Ricky Rudd. Labonte made contact with Rudd and both were too damaged to continue. Darrell Waltrip led back to the caution flag when leader Bill Elliott slowed. In his victory lane interview, Elliott said he thought the race would revert back to the original starting order.
- Lap 8: Waltrip got out to a huge lead before Elliott and Geoff Bodine caught him. Elliott passed Waltrip to take the lead.
- Lap 19: Bodine passed Waltrip for second place.
- Elliott was the first Ford driver to win this event and also set the average speed record, which still stands to this day.
- Tim Richmond phoned Ken Squier during the race and said he would be back in May.
- Bonus Money was awarded for leading certain laps: Lap 5 - $10,000 (Waltrip), Lap 10 - $15,000 (Elliott), Lap 15 - $10,000 (Elliott).
1987 Daytona 500
[edit] Entry List
