Virginia 500
Martinsville Speedway — January 1, 1981
Morgan Shepherd
Winner
500
Laps
31
Entries
6
Leaders
Morgan Shepherd won the 1981 Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway on January 1, 1981, leading 294 of 500 laps. Neil Bonnett finished second; Ricky Rudd rounded out the podium. The race featured 6 different leaders.
Race Details
Date
Thursday, January 1, 1981
Track
Season
1981
Winner
Leaders
6 drivers
| Pos | Start | +/- | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | +11 | Morgan Shepherd |
| 2 | 16 | +14 | Neil Bonnett |
| 3 | 1 | -2 | Ricky Rudd |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | Harry Gant |
| 5 | 9 | +4 | Terry Labonte |
| 6 | 13 | +7 | Jody Ridley |
| 7 | 26 | +19 | Lake Speed |
| 8 | 3 | -5 | Buddy Arrington |
| 9 | 14 | +5 | Ron Bouchard |
| 10 | 11 | +1 | Mike Alexander |
| 11 | 5 | -6 | Dave Marcis |
| 12 | 28 | +16 | Jimmy Means |
| 13 | 8 | -5 | Bobby Allison |
| 14 | 18 | +4 | Tim Richmond |
| 15 | 22 | +7 | Kyle Petty |
| 16 | 23 | +7 | Joe Fields |
| 17 | 20 | +3 | James Hylton |
| 18 | 24 | +6 | Tommy Gale |
| 19 | 29 | +10 | Bobby Wawak |
| 20 | 25 | +5 | Tommy Houston |
| 21 | 21 | — | Cale Yarborough |
| 22 | 27 | +5 | Richard Childress |
| 23 | 17 | -6 | Benny Parsons |
| 24 | 31 | +7 | Cecil Gordon |
| 25 | 10 | -15 | Dale Earnhardt |
| 26 | 6 | -20 | Darrell Waltrip |
| 27 | 4 | -23 | Butch Lindley |
| 28 | 15 | -13 | Richard Petty |
| 29 | 7 | -22 | Joe Millikan |
| 30 | 30 | — | J.D. McDuffie |
| 31 | 19 | -12 | Ronnie Thomas |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1981 Virginia 500?
Morgan Shepherd won the 1981 Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway driving for Cliff Stewart Racing.
Where was the 1981 Virginia 500 held?
The 1981 Virginia 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on January 1, 1981.