1971 Winston Cup Awards and Statistics
The 1971 season featured a total of 10,073 laps for 11,883 miles over 29 races, with 15 different winners getting to victory lane!
Winston Cup Champion: David Pearson
Winston Cup Rookie of the Year: Shannon Faulkner
Manufacture's Champion: Plymouth
League leader in wins: Tie, Bobby Isaac & Richard Petty each with 5
League leader in poles: 5, Cale Yarborough
Winston Cup top 5 lap leaders:
1. Richard Petty 1,627
2. Cale Yarborough 1,447
3. David Pearson 1,341
4. Bobby Isaac 1,133
5. Shannon Faulkner 747
Most top 5 finishes: 14, Bobby Isaac
Most top 10 finishes: 18, David Pearson
Most laps completed: 9,481 Neil Castles (94.1%)
Most miles completed: 10,961 Neil Castles (92.2%)
Race Statistics:
Closest finish: 0.07 seconds, Michigan 400 (20), Donnie Allison beat rookie Shannon Faulkner to the finish.
Largest margin of victory: Tie, 1 lap, Charlotte 500 (24) Bobby Isaac over David Pearson, and Dover 500 (25) Richard Petty over Bobby Allison.
Fastest average speed: 172.567 mph Texas World 500 (29) Leeroy Yarbrough
Slowest average speed: 62.242 mph Richmond 500 (4) Bobby Isaac
Fastest pole: 189.294 mph Daytona 400 (16), Richard Petty
Slowest pole: 82.646 mph Richmond 400 (27), Shannon Faulkner
Most lead changes: 119 Michigan 400 (20)
Most different leaders: 20 Alabama 500 (11)
Most cars running at finish: 35 Daytona 400 (16)
Most cautions: 27 Richmond 500 (4)
Most DNFs: 20 World 600 (12) Elmo Langley
Crown Jewel Event Winners:
Daytona 500 - Bill Champion*
Ontario 500 - Cale Yarborough
World 600 - Elmo Langley*
Alabama 500 - Donnie Allison
Southern 500 - Benny Parsons
Texas World 500 - Leeroy Yarbrough
Champion - David Pearson
Bonus: N/A
*denotes first career victory
_____________________________________