1987 season recap

Two-time and defending champion Dale Earnhardt turned in a dominating performance all season long to win the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship. It was one of those rare seasons only seen by the likes of a Richard Petty or Jeff Gordon. The Intimidator won 11 races, as well as The Winston, while winning four straight events and winning the title by a huge margin.

Bill Elliott found himself far behind defending champion Dale Earnhardt all season in Earnhardt's bid to win back-to-back titles.

FIVE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - With five races remaining in the 1987 season, Dale Earnhardt's lead in the standings is safe at 568 points. At North Wilkesboro, he and Terry Labonte are the class of the field. They are the only two drivers finishing on the lead lap with Labonte taking the win. Bill Elliott, second in the standings, finishes third, but Earnhardt stretches the lead to 573.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Charlotte, NC - Points leader Dale Earnhardt gets in an early wreck with Derrick Cope but makes up three laps and has the fastest car on the track before brake failuremoves him back to a 12th place finish. Bill Elliott wins the event and trims his deficit to 525 points.

THREE RACES TO GO: Rockingham, NC - Dale Earnhardt clinches the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup title with a second place showing, capturing the third title of his career. It was the earliest clinching of a title since Cale Yarborough in 1977, who also clinched at Rockingham with two races remaining.

TWO RACES TO GO: Riverside, CA - New champion Dale Earnhardt battles for the lead with eight laps remaining in the race but suffers engine trouble and finishes 30th.

FINAL RACE: Hampton, GA - Second place Bill Elliott beats Dale Earnhardt by 13.1 seconds and Dale Earnhardt wins the 1987 title by 489 points.