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NASCAR CUP Champions 1948-2006
By Gregg Leary
Category:NASCAR -> Sprint Cup
1948 NASCAR Modified Championship (Not enough “Strictly Stock” cars available after World War Two…fans in the stands couldn’t get them so Bill France wasn’t about to wreck them in races.) Red Byron won it.
1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock Champion…Red Byron
1950-1970 NASCAR Grand National (Named after British Horse Racing) Last dirt race is run in 1970. In December of 1970 Winston comes on board as title sponsor for 1971. The official title will be the “NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Series”.
1971-1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National
1972 Marks the start of the “Modern Era”…Races were reduced from 48 in 1971 to 30 in 1972, only races of 250 miles or more would be contested…NO dirt tracks.
1986-2003 NASCAR Winston Cup,(The Busch Series takes on “Grand National” moniker.)
2004 ON- NASCAR Nextel Cup
1964: NASCAR Grand National Champion
1967: “
1971: NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Champion
1972: “
1974: “
1975: “
1979: “
Richard Petty won NO “Winston Cup” Championships. The “Winston Cup” without the Grand National name…began in 1986!!!!