• NASCAR adds the Busch Series to its impressive portfolio of touring divisions.

• After 10 runner-up finishes, Harry Gant scores his first Winston Cup victory at Martinsville in April.

• Benny Parsons becomes the first man to post an official Winston Cup qualifying lap at more than 200 mph on April 29 at Talladega Superspeedway. Parsons' 200.176 mph clocking earns him the pole for the Winston 500 in Harry Ranier's Pontiac.

• The International Speedway Corporation purchases the Darlington International Raceway.

• Darrell Waltrip erases a 147-point deficit in the last seven races to capture his second straight Winston Cup championship.

• Waltrip wins 12 races during the course of the season and beats runner-up Bobby Allison by 72 points.