[1] The Generation 3 era began in 1981[1] and, as a consequence of the second aero war between General Motors and Ford that also extended to their production models,[2] featured bigger spoilers, and streamlined designs[3] that barely resembled their showroom counterparts.

[3] These were the cars that necessitated restrictor plates at Daytona and Talladega.

He also set the qualifying lap of 210.364 mph (338.548 km/h) at Daytona in 1987, circling the oval in 42.783 seconds, which still stands today.

NASCAR mandated smaller carburetors for the rest of that season, and in 1988 required the restrictor plates.

In 1982, NASCAR's then-new second-tier series (currently known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series) competitors began looking at alternatives from the 5-litre based (311 cu in (5.1 L) engines, as in short track racing there was a push for six-cylinder engines to save on costs, with some series allowing weight breaks.