1981 saw Darrell Waltrip team up with Junior Johnson and he would dominate in his Mountain Dew Buicks. He won 12 of 31 races and won the first of his three career Winston Cups. Many people remember DW from his later days of struggle and humorus broadcasting, but few remember that he won 84 races, and is still considered the all-time winner in the Modern Age, although I personally feel that the modern age began in 2004, and most of the rest of the community hasn't realized it yet. 1981 saw a huge rookie class, wich saw Ron Bouchard win Rookie of the Year. Other rookies in 1981 include Morgan Shephard, Tim Richmond, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Gary Balough, Connie Saylor, Stan Barrett, Mike Alexander and Joe Ruttman.
Dale Earnhardt started the year in the Osterlund cars, which were sold to JD Stacy at the start of the year. Earnhardt and Stacy did not get along well and by mid-season, Earnhardt would leave for Childress and take Wrangler with him.
The top car is from one of the Winner's Circle Lifetime series, the second car is from the Dale the Movie line, the 3 car is from an Action release of 1994.
Darrell Waltrip's Title winning Mountain Dew car. The top car is from the 30 Years of Champions set, the bottom car was issued by Winner's Circle in 2008.
Ertl also tried to release this car, in 1981, but they used that Caprice body again!
Neil Bonnett drove the Wood Brothers' Ford in 1981.
Cale Yarborough drove the MC Andterson Buicks (and Oldsmobiles) after he went part-time in 1981 and 82. Ertl released this car in 1981.
Richard Petty drove Buicks in 1981 and scored his 7th and final Daytona 500 victory this year. Racing Champions issued the top car in 1999, and Winner's Circle released the bottom car in 2009.



Dale Earnhardt started the year in the Osterlund cars, which were sold to JD Stacy at the start of the year. Earnhardt and Stacy did not get along well and by mid-season, Earnhardt would leave for Childress and take Wrangler with him.
The top car is from one of the Winner's Circle Lifetime series, the second car is from the Dale the Movie line, the 3 car is from an Action release of 1994.


Darrell Waltrip's Title winning Mountain Dew car. The top car is from the 30 Years of Champions set, the bottom car was issued by Winner's Circle in 2008.
Ertl also tried to release this car, in 1981, but they used that Caprice body again!

Neil Bonnett drove the Wood Brothers' Ford in 1981.

Cale Yarborough drove the MC Andterson Buicks (and Oldsmobiles) after he went part-time in 1981 and 82. Ertl released this car in 1981.


Richard Petty drove Buicks in 1981 and scored his 7th and final Daytona 500 victory this year. Racing Champions issued the top car in 1999, and Winner's Circle released the bottom car in 2009.