What Is 1968 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Overview

The 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series was the 20th season of what is now known as the NASCAR Cup Series. Although it wasn’t called the Sprint Cup at the time—Sprint became the sponsor in 2008—it is retroactively considered part of the modern Cup Series lineage.

This season was defined by dominance, tragedy, and transition, as NASCAR evolved from short-track roots into a national motorsport. The competition featured legendary drivers like Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac, David Pearson, and LeeRoy Yarbrough battling on dirt and asphalt tracks across America.

• Richard Petty won 27 of 48 races, setting a single-season record that remains unbroken in NASCAR history.
• 10 consecutive wins by Petty between August and October 1968 is a record no driver has matched in the modern era.
• Bobby Isaac claimed the championship with 4,755 points despite winning only five races, thanks to consistent top finishes.
• The season began on January 21, 1968, with the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside International Raceway and ended November 17 at Texas World Speedway.
• David Pearson finished second in the championship, just 159 points behind Isaac, showcasing the tight competition behind Petty’s dominance.

How It Works

The 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series operated under a points-based system where drivers earned standings points based on race finishes, consistency, and laps led. Unlike today’s playoff format, the champion was determined by total points accumulated over the full season.

• Points System:1st place earned 100 points, with a descending scale down to 35th place. Bonus points were awarded for leading laps and winning.
• Championship Format: The driver with the highest cumulative points total after all races won the title—no elimination-style playoffs existed.
• Race Length: Events ranged from 100 miles on short tracks to 500-mile marathons like the Daytona 500 and Talladega 500.
• Car Specifications: Cars were factory-built stock vehicles modified for safety and performance, with manufacturers like Ford, Dodge, and Plymouth dominating.
• Driver Eligibility: Any licensed NASCAR driver could enter, but only 48 drivers competed in enough races to be ranked in final standings.
• Awards: The champion received a trophy and prestige, but prize money was modest—Petty earned about $100,000 for the season, a high sum at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1968 season compares to the modern NASCAR Cup Series in key structural aspects:

This comparison highlights how NASCAR has shifted from a grueling endurance test of consistency to a tightly scheduled, playoff-driven entertainment product. While 1968 emphasized durability and frequency, modern NASCAR prioritizes narrative and parity.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season is a landmark year in NASCAR history, representing both the peak of driver dominance and the sport’s growing national appeal. Its records and rivalries continue to influence the culture and competition of stock car racing today.

• Richard Petty’s 27 wins remain the single-season benchmark, illustrating a level of dominance unseen in modern NASCAR.
• Bobby Isaac’s championship demonstrated that consistency could overcome raw win totals, a concept echoed in today’s points strategies.
• The season featured the debut of Talladega Superspeedway, which became a cornerstone of the NASCAR circuit.
• Tragedy struck when Joe Weatherly died in a crash at Riverside, underscoring the dangers drivers faced before modern safety standards.
• Manufacturers like Dodge used NASCAR to promote muscle cars, linking racing success to showroom sales.
• The 1968 season helped expand NASCAR’s TV and media coverage, paving the way for its mainstream popularity in later decades.

As a bridge between NASCAR’s grassroots origins and its modern era, the 1968 season remains a critical reference point for fans, historians, and analysts alike.