Top NASCAR Rookie Seasons from the 1980's

Following Dale Earnhardt's spectacular rookie season in 1979, other first year drivers began make some noise in the 1980's. In 1981, two rookie drivers visited victory lane. Six years later, another driver visits victory lane, not once, but twice. Below is the list of top rookie seasons from the decade of the 1980's.

Davey Allison (1987)

The late Davey Allison was the son of 1983 champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison. He was on path to follow in his father's footsteps. He competed in a handful of races in 1985 and 1986. However, in 1987, the young Allison made his mark in NASCAR's top level. Wins at Talladega and Dover, put the young driver on the NASCAR map. His team, owned by Harry Ranier, later acquired by Robert Yates, only competed in 22 of the 29 races, so it is likely Allison could have accomplished more, had he the opportunity. Allison emerged as a championship contender, nearly conquering the title in 1992, only to come up short. Sadly, he passed away from fatal injuries sustained in a helicopter accident in July of 1993.

22 races; 2 wins; 9 top five finishes; 10 top 10 finishes; 5 poles; 710 laps led; finished 21^st in NASCAR Winston Cup standings

Ron Bouchard (1981)

Bouchard entered the 1981 season as an unknown rookie driving for Jack Beebee's Race Hill Farms team. They competed in 22 of the 31 schedule events, but his win at Talladega helped him clinch the rookie of the year honors. In July of 1981, Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte were battling on the final when Bouchard pulled to the inside coming to the checkered. He barely edged out Waltrip and Labonte in a photo finish, earning his first and only NASCAR Winston Cup victory. Bouchard had some decent showings following his rookie season, but went back to a partial schedule in 1986 with car owner Mike Curb. He competed in his final Winston Cup event in 1987.

22 races; 1 win; 5 top five finishes; 12 top 10 finishes; 1 pole; 12 laps led; finished 21^st in NASCAR Winston Cup standings

Morgan Shepherd (1981)

Shepherd did not win the rookie of the year award in 1981, as that acknowledgment went to Bouchard. Nevertheless, Shepherd enjoyed a stellar rookie season driving for Cliff Stewart. He won his first race at the intricate Martinsville Speedway. He led 518 laps throughout his rookie camping en route to a 13^th place finish in the final Winston Cup standings. Despite his solid rookie outing, Shepherd bounced around from team to team over the next six years. He would end up with four Winston Cup victories. He enjoyed success in NASCAR's Busch Series, winning 15 races.

29 races; 1 win; 3 top five finishes; 10 top 10 finishes; 1 pole; 518 laps led; finished 13^th in NASCAR Winston Cup standings

Honorable mentions include Jody Ridley (1980); Geoff Bodine (1982); Rusty Wallace (1984); Alan Kulwicki (1986); Dick Trickle (1989)
Resource: Racing-Reference.info