In November 1980, Dale Earnhardt celebrated his first Winston Cup championship with his #2 Rod Osterland team. About seven months later, the celebration ended when J.D. Stacy bought the Osterland team. Joe Ruttman, who had been running a limited schedule in 1981 for Stacy, was moved to the #2 team when Earnhardt left to join forces with Richard Childress. Ruttman returned in 1982 but quit 5 races into the season.
Stacy hired Tim Richmond to replace Ruttman beginning with the spring Darlington race. Paired with NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Dale Inman, Richmond went to work right away piling up solid finishes and going door to door with many of Cups greats. Spartanburg Herald Journal
In June 1982, the Cup series headed for its annual summer race at Riverside. In only the 9 th race for Richmond with Stacys team, he won his first Winston Cup race on June 13 in the Budweiser 400. Motor Racing Programme Covers
Terry Labonte nabbed the pole in his Billy Hagan / JD Stacy #44 Buick. Darrell Waltrip timed alongside him in 2nd. Harry Gant and Richmond comprised the second row giving Buick the top 4 starting spots. Deep in the field were a couple of peculiar starters. Randy Becker made the first of 4 career stars, and he qualified 31st in the 36-car field in D.K. Ulrich's #6 DODGE. Starting 2 spots back in 33rd was ... Ulrich. Rather than race one of his own cars, he raced James Hylton's #48 Buick.
Dave Marcis had a really tough day. He qualified 23rd, pounded the wall and ended up 30th in the 36-car field. - Craig Bontrager
The race was truly a competitive one. Various drivers took turns at the front of the pack - generally for a single digit series of laps. Labonte lead the first dozen or so at the start. But soon Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison, Joe Ruttman (now with Rahmoc) and Richmond diced it up at the front. Labonte was leading late and seeking his first win of the season. But Tim passed Terry with 5 to go and held on for the win. Geoff Bodine finished 3rd - his first career Winston Cup top 5 finish.
Richmond was absolutely delighted with the win. He made victory lane electric that day as if often did as he continued to win. Though I think Ned Jarrett wasnt nearly as impressed with Richmonds win as many were. Sumter Daily Item
Or maybe Ned and Tim just needed to find a way to bring each other a smile. - Ray Lamm
Once the TV and radio interviews were concluded, Tim really enjoyed the race sponsor's product at the expense of Linda Vaughn.
Tim's win at Riverside in 1982 was his first Cup victory - but it certainly wouldn't be his last at the California track.
Race report from the Hendersonville NC's Times-Daily
Fin | Driver | Car |
1 | Tim Richmond | Buick |
2 | Terry Labonte | Buick |
3 | Geoffrey Bodine | Pontiac |
4 | Dale Earnhardt | Ford |
5 | Neil Bonnett | Ford |
6 | Roy Smith | Buick |
7 | Jody Ridley | Ford |
8 | Mark Martin | Buick |
9 | Ron Bouchard | Buick |
10 | Jim Reich | Chevrolet |
11 | Don Waterman | Buick |
12 | Kyle Petty | Pontiac |
13 | Scott Miller | Pontiac |
14 | Rick McCray | Pontiac |
15 | Buddy Arrington | Dodge |
16 | D.K. Ulrich | Buick |
17 | Jim Bown | Buick |
18 | Jimmy Means | Buick |
19 | John Krebs | Pontiac |
20 | Don Puskarich | Buick |
21 | Randy Becker | Dodge |
22 | Mark Stahl | Ford |
23 | Benny Parsons | Pontiac |
24 | Bill Schmitt | Buick |
25 | J.D. McDuffie | Pontiac |
26 | Joe Ruttman | Pontiac |
27 | Bobby Allison | Chevrolet |
28 | Jim Robinson | Oldsmobile |
29 | Ricky Rudd | Pontiac |
30 | Dave Marcis | Pontiac |
31 | Lake Speed | Buick |
32 | Darrell Waltrip | Buick |
33 | Hershel McGriff | Buick |
34 | Jim Lee | Buick |
35 | Harry Gant | Buick |
36 | Richard Petty | Pontiac |
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM