The 1988 TranSouth 500 was the fifth stock car race of the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 32nd iteration of the event.

This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that is effective at both ends.

The top twenty cars in pole qualifying were locked into the starting field.

The remainder of the cars could stand on their time, or make a new attempt in second-round qualifying.

[2] Ken Schrader, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 30.233 and an average speed of 162.657 miles per hour (261.771 km/h).