April 22, 1990
First Union 400
Running in his 80th career Winston Cup race, Brett Bodine took the checkered flag for the first time. Bodine had to work hard for the win. He started from the 20th position—the deepest in the field a winner has ever started from at a NWS race, Busch and Truck Series included. The win was the third for car owner, Kenny Bernstein. Ricky Rudd won two previous times on 2 different road courses. The 1990 First Union 400 would also be the last race won by a Buick. It also was the last race won by Bodine. He has run 400 races since the win.
Darrell Waltrip’s “Tide Ride” came in 2nd place, just under a second behind Bodine. Dale Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd and Morgan Shepherd filled spots 3 thru 5. Earnhardt, the 1990 champ, extended his season points lead over, at the time, 2nd place Shepherd an additional 15 points to a total of 57 after the race.
Bodine, Waltrip, Earnhardt and 6th place finisher Mark Martin were the drivers who led laps that day. Martin started from the pole (117.475 mph). 67 laps were run under caution. The yellow flag waved a total of 10 times.
New to a Winston Cup race at North Wilkesboro were Kenny Wallace (26th place finish) and my fellow Michigander, Butch Miller (25th). 1990 Rookie of the Year, Rob Moroso, ran his second career NWS race. It lasted only 9 laps due to a crash. Moroso finished last, 32nd. Tragedy would strike Moroso in the months to come.