On This Day June 13, 1982 Riverside International Raceway

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

Representing the West Coast and finishing in 6th was the late Roy Smith\

Pace Lap with Terry Labonte on the pole

The Dave Marcis wreck was horrendous. He hit the wall in the same spot that Tim Williamson was killed in 1980. The car caromed across the track coming to rest against the infield wall. The window net had been dislodged during the impact and was laying outside the car (in the position indicating that the driver is okay). Dave's head was laying on the door sill motionless as the safety crews stood idle watching for what seemed like minutes, all as the crowd in turn 6 were yelling for action. Seems NASCAR control told the safety crews to wait until the pace car had the field slowed until they could respond.

Linda Vaughn bumps. Wait, did I say that?