1986 season recap

1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt returned to the head of the class after five years of mediocre showings - at least by his standards - in the point standings. With five wins and a developing chemistry with car owner Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt used the 1986 to begin his legacy.

The 1986 championship chase was a roller coaster, as Dale Earnhardt would find himself ahead by over 100 points one week and only 20 the next.

FIVE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - Defending champion Darrell Waltrip wins the Holly Farms 400 to cut 37 points off Dale Earnhardt's point lead as Earnhardt finishes ninth. Tire problems dropped Earnhardt two laps off the pace. Tim Richmond, who was now third place in the season standings, struggled to an 11th place finish. The win allowed Waltrip to move back into second place, 112 points back of Earnhardt. Richmond dropped to third, 144 points out of first as he lost eight points in his bid to win his first title.

FOUR RACE TO GO: Charlotte, NC - Dale Earnhardt wins at Charlotte to add 37 points back to his lead over Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip struggled with an ill-handling Chevrolet and finished ninth. Tim Richmond led the most laps but finished 27th due to engine failure. Earnhardt now leads Waltrip by 159 points, while Richmond's finish dropped him to 232 points out of first.

THREE RACES TO GO: Rockingham, NC - 1980 Champion Dale Earnhardt has ignition problems and drops from second place in the rae to 11th, but fights his way back to finish sixth at the Rock. A jack breaks during Darrell Waltrip's final pit stop - he was leading the race when he pitted - forcing him to settle for third place and limiting his point gain to 15. Dale Earnhardt left North Carolina with a 144 point lead. Tim Richmond, who dominated the early part of the race, suffers a broken axle and finishes 20th to drop from contention as he trails Earnhardt by 279 points.

TWO RACES TO GO: Hampton, GA - Dale Earnhardt wins at Atlanta to clinch his second NASCAR Winston Cup championship as arch-rival Darrell Waltrip suffers a blown engine and finishes 39th in a 42-car field. This is the first time since 1978 that a driver clinched the title before the last race of the season. Earnhardt dominates the race as he leads the most laps while lapping the field to score his fifth win of the year and increase his point lead to an insurmountable 278 points.

FINAL RACE: Riverside, CA - Tim Richmond wins the season finale but falls six points short in his bid to overtake Darrell Waltrip for second place in the standings. Dale Earnhardt finishes second with Waltrip fourth. Earnhardt wins the championship by 288 points over Waltrip.