Race of the week- 1982 Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan

June 11, 2:58 PMAtlanta NASCAR ExaminerJeremy Dunn

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In 1982, Richard Petty was still the most recognizable figure in NASCAR, even though he had already won his last championship.  Bobby Allison was a legend as well, as he was a recurrent winner over the previous decade and a half, but the coveted championship trophy eluded him.  For years, the patriarch of the Alabama Gang came up short in his quest for a Winston Cup trophy.

Petty, Cale Yarborough, and Darrell Waltrip won a combined eight championships from 1974 to 1982; however, each of those legends will concede that Allison was one of the most feared competitors. 

At Michigan in August of 1982, Allison was in a heated battle with the seven-time champion for the Champion Spark Plug 400 trophy.  Heading into the race, Allison was in the heat of a championship battle.  He had five wins and trailed the young Terry Labonte by only 35 points with eleven races remaining.  Petty had yet to win in 1982, and was a distant 450 points behind Labonte.  At this point, Petty knew that an eighth title was almost out of reach, but he was ready to add to his phenomenal career win total. 

Allison’s victory allowed him to overtake Labonte as the championship leader, but once again, the revered veteran fell victim to a late-season rally by Darrell Waltrip.  Still, the final lap of the 1982 Champion Spark Plug 400 was one for the ages. 

Allison finally captured the elusive title in 1983 by edging out Waltrip by 47 points.

Check out bonus clips honoring the two legendary wheelmen. 

Previously featured races:

• 1998 Daytona 500
• 1983 Carolina 500 at Rockingham
• 1986 Miller High Life 400 at Richmond
• 2001 Cracker Barrel 500 at Atlanta
• 1989 Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro
• 1990 Valleydale Meats 500 at Bristol
• 1999 Goody's 500 at Martinsville
• 2004 Samsung Radio Shack 500 at Texas
• 1963 Motor Trend 500 at Riverside
• 2007 Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix
• 1977 Winston 500 at Talladega
• 1998 Exide Batteries 400 at Richmond
• 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington
• 1987 The Winston at Charlotte
• 2005 Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte
• 1985 Delaware 500 at Dover
• 2000 Pocono 500 at Pocono