Throwin’ it back to 1986

By Allie Davison | Published: August 25, 2017 13

Photo by Dozier Mobley/Getty Images

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It's officially throwback week! Drivers and teams will celebrate the sport's great history with emphasis on the years 1985-1989 during the Bojangles' Southern 500 on Sunday at Darlington.

Each day leading up to the race we will focus on one of the years represented and share a few throwback photos.

In 1986, Dale Earnhardt takes home the coveted championship and Alan Kulwicki is crowned Rookie of the Year.

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Photo by Dozier Mobley/Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt's crew -- 'The Junkyard Dogs' -- hams it up prior to the Delaware 500. That's quite an entourage.

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Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images

Kyle Petty gets his first NASCAR premier series win, in the Miller High Life 400 at Richmond in 1986. Darrell Waltrip and leader Dale Earnhard took each other out just two laps from the finish.

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Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images

Bill Elliott (No. 9) and Dale Earnhardt (No. 3) make up the front row for the '86 Talladega 500 -- two legends who were always comfortable leading the pack.

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Photo by Dozier Mobley/Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt celebrates winning the championship after winning the Atlanta Journal 500 race -- one of five trophies that year.

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Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images

Bill Elliott earned the pole position at Talladega in 1986 for the Winston 500 at 212.229 mph. That speed didn't hold up in the race, though, and he finished 24th.

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Photo by Racing Photo Archives/Getty Images

Cale Yarborough gets ready to start the Oakwood Homes 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Yarborough was involved in an accident on the 84th lap and finished 36th.

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Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt earns his second championship in 1986. 'The Intimidator' took the points lead in May and never looked back.

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Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt takes the checkered flag to win at Darlington Raceway in the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet.

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Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Bill Elliott celebrates his victory in the Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan International Speedway, sweeping Michigan that year.

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Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Bobby Allison pits his Stavola Brothers Buick at Richmond International Raceway.

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Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Cars wait on the grid at Atlanta International Raceway for the running of the Motorcraft 500 race. Morgan Shepherd went on to win the race.

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1986 Rookie of the Year Alan Kulwicki, driver of the No. 35 Quincy's Steak House Ford, cheeses for the camera.