from the Richmond Times Dispatch – Today is the 20th race of the Winston Cup season. Last year was the first time since 1992 that the points leader after 20 races didn’t win the championship. Since the current system was adopted in 1975, the leader after 20 races has won the championship 19 times [27 seasons]. Since 1975, there have been 14 seasons in which at least one driver won more races than the champion. In 1984, Darrell Waltrip (7), Geoffrey Bodine (3), Bill Elliott (3), Harry Gant (3) and Cale Yarborough (3) all won more than champion Terry Labonte (2). Adding a 10-point bonus for winning a race would change the standings in a number of years and would change the champion three times since 1975. Jeff Gordon won 10 times to two for champion Terry Labonte in 1996. Gordon lost the title by 37 points. Darrell Waltrip won seven times to Richard Petty’s five in 1979. Waltrip lost the title by 11 points. Bill Elliott won five times to Alan Kulwicki’s two in 1992. Elliott lost the title by 10 points.(7-27-2003)
