1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won his fifth Winston Cup championship at the conclusion of the season.
The season was marred by the death of driver and team owner J. D. McDuffie, who was killed in a wreck at Watkins Glen.
The pit road speed limit (at all times) and use of the "lollipop" style signboard were the significant changes made permanent (and remain to this day).
This rule was implemented after Richard Petty failed to qualify for four races in 1989, resulting in a drop in ratings that season.
For 1991, there were five television networks broadcasting the 29-race Winston Cup Series schedule: CBS, ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNN.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 49–Stanley Smith, 82–Mark Stahl* The TranSouth 500 was held April 7 at Darlington Raceway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: #82–Mark Stahl The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 14 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
D. McDuffie, 71–Dave Marcis The Winston 500 was scheduled for Sunday, May 5 but was delayed to Monday, May 6 due to rain at Talladega Superspeedway.
D. McDuffie, 82–Mark Stahl, 99–Brad Teague, 86–Jeff Green The Budweiser 500 was held June 3 at Dover Downs International Speedway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 45-Billy Fulcher, 80-Jimmy Horton, 85-Bobby Gerhart, 47-Rich Bickle The Banquet Frozen Foods 300 was held June 9 at Sears Point Raceway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 85–Bobby Gerhart, Walter Surma, Norm Benning The DieHard 500 was held July 28 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 89–Jim Sauter, 65–Jerry O'Neil, 45–Ed Ferree The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 18 at Michigan International Speedway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 53–John Paul Jr., 82–Mark Stahl The Bud 500 was held August 24 at Bristol International Raceway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 41–Larry Pearson, 52–Jimmy Means The Heinz Southern 500 was held September 1 at Darlington Raceway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 52–Jimmy Means The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was held September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 53–Bobby Hillin Jr., 05–Bill Meacham The Pyroil 500K was held November 3 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Top ten results Failed to qualify: 93–Troy Beebe, 44–Jack Sellers, 89–Jim Sauter, 00–Scott Gaylord The Hardee's 500 was held November 17 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
B. Bailey, 59–Mark Gibson, 65–Dave Mader III, 65–Keith van Houten (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time.
Bobby Hamilton, driving for Tri-Star Motorsports, narrowly defeated Ted Musgrave for Rookie of the Year honors in 1991.
Stanley Smith, Wally Dallenbach Jr., and Sammy Swindell also declared for the award, but did not complete enough races to challenge Hamilton or Musgrave.
