Champion Spark Plug 400
Michigan International Speedway — January 1, 1981
Richard Petty
Winner
200
Laps
36
Entries
14
Leaders
Richard Petty won the 1981 Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan International Speedway on January 1, 1981, leading 64 of 200 laps. Darrell Waltrip finished second; Ricky Rudd rounded out the podium. The race featured 14 different leaders.
Race Details
Date
Thursday, January 1, 1981
Season
1981
Winner
Leaders
14 drivers
| Pos | Start | +/- | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | +6 | Richard Petty |
| 2 | 15 | +13 | Darrell Waltrip |
| 3 | 9 | +6 | Ricky Rudd |
| 4 | 8 | +4 | Harry Gant |
| 5 | 19 | +14 | Buddy Baker |
| 6 | 5 | -1 | Joe Ruttman |
| 7 | 12 | +5 | Bobby Allison |
| 8 | 6 | -2 | Bill Elliott |
| 9 | 10 | +1 | Dale Earnhardt |
| 10 | 20 | +10 | Mike Alexander |
| 11 | 21 | +10 | Dave Marcis |
| 12 | 18 | +6 | Jody Ridley |
| 13 | 16 | +3 | Johnny Rutherford |
| 14 | 4 | -10 | Terry Labonte |
| 15 | 22 | +7 | Lake Speed |
| 16 | 25 | +9 | J.D. McDuffie |
| 17 | 2 | -15 | Cale Yarborough |
| 18 | 3 | -15 | Gary Balough |
| 19 | 17 | -2 | Kyle Petty |
| 20 | 30 | +10 | Rick Knoop |
| 21 | 31 | +10 | Tommy Gale |
| 22 | 29 | +7 | Joe Booher |
| 23 | 24 | +1 | Joe Millikan |
| 24 | 26 | +2 | Cecil Gordon |
| 25 | 33 | +8 | Jimmy Means |
| 26 | 13 | -13 | Benny Parsons |
| 27 | 36 | +9 | James Hylton |
| 28 | 11 | -17 | Neil Bonnett |
| 29 | 1 | -28 | Ron Bouchard |
| 30 | 23 | -7 | Tim Richmond |
| 31 | 35 | +4 | Bobby Wawak |
| 32 | 28 | -4 | Bob Schacht |
| 33 | 32 | -1 | Bruce Hill |
| 34 | 14 | -20 | Morgan Shepherd |
| 35 | 27 | -8 | Buddy Arrington |
| 36 | 34 | -2 | Dick May |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1981 Champion Spark Plug 400?
Richard Petty won the 1981 Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan International Speedway driving for Petty Enterprises.
Where was the 1981 Champion Spark Plug 400 held?
The 1981 Champion Spark Plug 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on January 1, 1981.