Sunday 6th April 1986

Rusty Wallace captured his first career NASCAR Cup Series win, and first of nine at Bristol Motor Speedway, in the Valleydale 500. Wallace led 174 laps and had a commanding victory over Ricky Rudd and Darrell Waltrip the only other drivers on the lead lap. Dale Earnhardt led 106 laps early and was running second, but finished 10th after he had an engine issue with three laps to go.