| January 10, 1981 | Warner W. Hodgdon 300 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Grand American | Joe Ruttman |
| January 11, 1981 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Winston Cup/Winston West | Bobby Allison |
| February 1, 1981 | 24 Hours of Daytona | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | IMSA GT | Brian Redman Bob Garretson Bobby Rahal |
| February 7, 1981 | South African Grand Prix | Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa | WFMS Formula One | Carlos Reutemann |
| February 8, 1981 | Daytona ARCA 200 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | ARCA Stock Car | Tim Richmond |
| February 8, 1981 | Busch Clash | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Winston Cup non-championship | Darrell Waltrip |
| February 12, 1981 | Twin 125 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Winston Cup non-championship | Bobby Allison |
| February 12, 1981 | Twin 125 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Winston Cup non-championship | Darrell Waltrip |
| February 13, 1981 | Florida 200 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Dash Series | Larry Hoopaugh |
| February 13, 1981 | Daytona 500 Consolation Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Winston Cup non-championship | Lake Speed |
| February 14, 1981 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | David Pearson | |
| February 15, 1981 | Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Winston Cup | Richard Petty |
| February 21, 1981 | Eastern 150 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Brad Teague |
| February 22, 1981 | Richmond 400 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| February 28, 1981 | Coca Cola 200 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Dave Marcis |
| March 1, 1981 | Carolina 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham, NC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| March 8, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| March 8, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | John Settlemyre | |
| March 8, 1981 | All Pro 200 | Montgomery Motor Speedway, Montgomery, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Dick Trickle |
| March 14, 1981 | Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race | Long Beach Street Circuit, Long Beach, CA | Robert Hays | |
| March 14, 1981 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| March 15, 1981 | Dogwood 500 Classic | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine |
| March 15, 1981 | Dogwood 500 Classic | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans |
| March 15, 1981 | Coca Cola 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Cale Yarborough |
| March 15, 1981 | 6th United States Grand Prix West | Long Beach Street Circuit, Long Beach, CA | FIA Formula One | Alan Jones |
| March 21, 1981 | 12 Hours of Sebring | Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, FL | IMSA GT | Bruce Leven Al Holbert Hurley Haywood |
| March 22, 1981 | Kraco Car Stereo 150 | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, AZ | CART Indy Car | Johnny Rutherford |
| March 28, 1981 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| March 28, 1981 | Kingsport Speedway, Kingsport, TN | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis | |
| March 29, 1981 | Valleydale 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| March 29, 1981 | Hardees 200 | Fairgrounds Raceway, Birmingham, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Bob Senneker |
| March 29, 1981 | 10o Grande Prêmio do Brasil | Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | FIA Formula One | Carlos Reutemann |
| April 4, 1981 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| April 5, 1981 | Tri-County Speedway, West Chester, OH | ASA Stock Car | Bob Senneker | |
| April 5, 1981 | Northwestern Bank 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Richard Petty |
| April 11, 1981 | TranSouth 200 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Dave Marcis |
| April 12, 1981 | Spring Classic | Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL | ARTGO Stock Car | Joe Shear |
| April 12, 1981 | CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| April 12, 1981 | Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA | IMSA GTU | Walt Bohren | |
| April 12, 1981 | Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA | IMSA GT | John Fitzpatrick | |
| April 12, 1981 | 27o Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina | Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, Buenos Aires, Argentina | FIA Formula One | Nelson Piquet |
| April 18, 1981 | Coca Cola 200 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC | NASCAR Grand American | Greg Porter |
| April 18, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | G.W. Gibson | |
| April 18, 1981 | Caraway Speedway, Asheboro, NC | All Pro Stock Car | Dick Trickle | |
| April 19, 1981 | Holly Farms 4-99 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs |
| April 19, 1981 | Holly Farms 4-99 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Modified | Paul Radford |
| April 19, 1981 | Holly Farms 4-99 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis |
| April 19, 1981 | Maine 100 | Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME | NASCAR Grand National North | Kim Wallace |
| April 25, 1981 | Azalea 150 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans |
| April 26, 1981 | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | ASA Stock Car | Bob Strait | |
| April 26, 1981 | Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, OH | USAC Silver Crown | Steve Kinser | |
| April 26, 1981 | Virginia 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Morgan Shepherd |
| April 26, 1981 | Los Angeles Times Toyota Grand Prix | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | IMSA GT | Jim Busby John Fitzpatrick |
| May 1, 1981 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Wayne Patterson | |
| May 2, 1981 | KJMO Radio 50 | Capital Speedway, Holts Summit, MO | USAC Stock Car | Kevin Gundaker |
| May 2, 1981 | Talladega 300 | Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs |
| May 2, 1981 | Bowman-Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | NASCAR Modified | Billy Middleton | |
| May 2, 1981 | Hulman Hundred | Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN | USAC Silver Crown | Steve Kinser |
| May 2, 1981 | Fairgrounds Raceway, Birmingham, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Jody Ridley | |
| May 3, 1981 | Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL | USAC Stock Car | Ken Schrader | |
| May 3, 1981 | Badgerland 150 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | ASA Stock Car | Bob Senneker |
| May 3, 1981 | Autodrome de Laval, Laval, Québec, Canada | NASCAR Grand National North | Robbie Crouch | |
| May 3, 1981 | Winston 500 | Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL | NASCAR Winston Cup | Bobby Allison |
| May 3, 1981 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | IMSA GTU | Lee Mueller | |
| May 3, 1981 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | IMSA GT | Brian Redman | |
| May 3, 1981 | 1o Gran Premio di San Marino | Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | FIA Formula One | Nelson Piquet |
| May 9, 1981 | 10th Midwest Championship | Dells Motor Speedway, Wisconsin Dells, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Detjens |
| May 9, 1981 | 10th Midwest Championship | Dells Motor Speedway, Wisconsin Dells, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Detjens |
| May 9, 1981 | Melling Tool 420 | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | NASCAR Winston Cup | Benny Parsons |
| May 16, 1981 | Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| May 16, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Sam Ard | |
| May 16, 1981 | Stockton 150 | Stockton 99 Speedway, Stockton, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Jimmy Insolo |
| May 16, 1981 | Middle Georgia Raceway, Macon, GA | All Pro Stock Car | Gene Morgan | |
| May 17, 1981 | Memorial 200 | Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN | ASA Stock Car | Bob Senneker |
| May 17, 1981 | Mason-Dixon 500 | Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE | NASCAR Winston Cup | Jody Ridley |
| May 17, 1981 | Goody's 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | SCCA Trans Am | Eppie Wietzes |
| May 17, 1981 | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Larry Moyer | |
| May 17, 1981 | Memorial 100 | Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN | ASA Late Model Sportsman | Glenn Ohlmann |
| May 17, 1981 | 39e Grote Prijs van Belgie | Circuit Zolder, Heusden-Zolder, Belgium | FIA Formula One | Carlos Reutemann |
| May 22, 1981 | New Egypt Speedway, New Egypt, NJ | NASCAR Modified | Tom Baldwin | |
| May 23, 1981 | Chicagoland Showdown | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Detjens |
| May 23, 1981 | Chicagoland Showdown | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | ARTGO Stock Car | Dick Trickle |
| May 23, 1981 | Mello Yello 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Grand American | Morgan Shepherd |
| May 24, 1981 | Roseville 150 | All American Speedway, Roseville, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Jim Robinson |
| May 24, 1981 | Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN | USAC Indy Car | Bobby Unser |
| May 24, 1981 | World 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Bobby Allison |
| May 24, 1981 | Coca Cola 400 | Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT | IMSA GTU | Walt Bohren |
| May 24, 1981 | Coca Cola 400 | Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT | IMSA GT | Brian Redman |
| May 25, 1981 | Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN | USAC Stock Car | Scott Stovall | |
| May 25, 1981 | Pepsi Memorial Day 100 | Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Detjens |
| May 25, 1981 | Pepsi Memorial Day 100 | Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Detjens |
| May 29, 1981 | Miller Lite 200 | Southside Speedway, Midlothian, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Bill Dennis |
| May 30, 1981 | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | ASA Stock Car | Mike Eddy | |
| May 30, 1981 | Mesa Marin 150 | Mesa Marin Raceway, Bakersfield, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Roy Smith |
| May 30, 1981 | Flat Rock Speedway, Flat Rock, MI | ARCA Stock Car | Bob Dotter | |
| May 30, 1981 | Montgomery Motor Speedway, Montgomery, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Butch Lindley | |
| May 31, 1981 | ARTGO Dixieland Challenge | Wisconsin International Raceway, Kaukauna, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Schuler |
| May 31, 1981 | ARTGO Dixieland Challenge | Wisconsin International Raceway, Kaukauna, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| May 31, 1981 | Red Roof Inns 200 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH | IMSA GT | Brian Redman |
| May 31, 1981 | 39e Grand Prix de Monaco | Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco | FIA Formula One | Gilles Villeneuve |
| June 6, 1981 | Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| June 6, 1981 | Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, IA | USAC Silver Crown | Rich Vogler | |
| June 7, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis | |
| June 7, 1981 | Gould Rex Mays 150 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | CART Indy Car | Mike Mosley |
| June 7, 1981 | Budweiser NASCAR 400 | Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX | NASCAR Winston Cup | Benny Parsons |
| June 7, 1981 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | SCCA Formula Super Vee | Al Unser Jr. | |
| June 12, 1981 | Southside Speedway, Midlothian, VA | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| June 12, 1981 | New Asheville Speedway, Asheville, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis | |
| June 12, 1981 | Huntsville Speedway, Huntsville, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Butch Lindley | |
| June 13, 1981 | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | ASA Stock Car | Bob Senneker | |
| June 13, 1981 | South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine | |
| June 14, 1981 | WMAY Radio 100 | Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL | USAC Stock Car | Dean Roper |
| June 14, 1981 | Sharon Hodgdon 200 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Grand American | Hershel McGriff |
| June 14, 1981 | Warner W. Hodgdon 400 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Winston Cup/Winston West | Darrell Waltrip |
| June 14, 1981 | Pepsi Grand Prix | Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN | IMSA GT | Klaus Ludwig |
| June 14, 1981 | Molson Can-Am | Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada | SCCA Can-Am | Teo Fabi |
| June 14, 1981 | G.I. Joe's Rose Cup | Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR | SCCA Trans Am | Bob Tullius |
| June 16, 1981 | ARTGO Tuesday Special | Raceway Park, Blue Island, IL | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| June 16, 1981 | ARTGO Tuesday Special | Raceway Park, Blue Island, IL | ARTGO Stock Car | Mark Martin |
| June 19, 1981 | Southside Speedway, Midlothian, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine | |
| June 21, 1981 | Kingsport Speedway, Kingsport, TN | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Jack Ingram | |
| June 21, 1981 | Van Scoy Diamond Mines 500 | Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond, PA | USAC Indy Car | A.J. Foyt |
| June 21, 1981 | Gabriel 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI | NASCAR Winston Cup | Bobby Allison |
| June 21, 1981 | 27o Gran Premio de España | Circuito Permanente del Járama, Madrid, Spain | FIA Formula One | Gilles Villeneuve |
| June 27, 1981 | South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis | |
| June 27, 1981 | Flat Rock Speedway, Flat Rock, MI | ARCA Stock Car | Marvin Smith | |
| June 27, 1981 | Nutek-Mackie Ignition 200 | Palm Beach Speedway, West Palm Beach, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Billie Harvey |
| June 28, 1981 | Cayuga Speedway, Hagersville, Ontario, Canada | ASA Stock Car | Mark Martin | |
| June 28, 1981 | Coca Cola 200 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Roy Smith |
| June 28, 1981 | Kraco Twin 125 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | CART Indy Car | Rick Mears |
| June 28, 1981 | Kraco Twin 125 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | CART Indy Car | Rick Mears |
| June 28, 1981 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH | SCCA Can-Am | Teo Fabi | |
| June 28, 1981 | Baer Field Speedway, Fort Wayne, IN | ARCA Stock Car | Marvin Smith | |
| July 1, 1981 | Sunshine Speedway, Clearwater, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Jody Ridley | |
| July 4, 1981 | Firecracker 100 | Lake Geneva Raceway, Lake Geneva, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| July 4, 1981 | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | ASA Stock Car | Bob Senneker | |
| July 4, 1981 | Mobile International Speedway, Irvington, AL | NASCAR Grand American | Billy McGinnis | |
| July 4, 1981 | Langley Field Speedway, Hampton, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine | |
| July 4, 1981 | Firecracker 400 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Winston Cup | Cale Yarborough |
| July 4, 1981 | Paul Revere 250 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | IMSA GT | Maurico DeNarvaez Hurley Haywood |
| July 4, 1981 | Kendall Cup | Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT | SCCA Trans Am | Greg Pickett |
| July 4, 1981 | Crane Cams 200 | New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna, FL | All Pro Stock Car | David Rogers |
| July 5, 1981 | Holiday Twin 50s | Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| July 5, 1981 | Holiday Twin 50s | Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Mark Martin |
| July 5, 1981 | Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, FL | NASCAR Grand American | Ronnie Sanders | |
| July 5, 1981 | G.I. Joe's Portland 150 | Portland Speedway, Portland, OR | NASCAR Winston West Series | Jim Robinson |
| July 5, 1981 | Jack Gunn Memorial | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | USAC Silver Crown | Eddie Leavitt |
| July 5, 1981 | 67e Grand Prix de France | Circuit de Dijon-Prenois, Dijon, France | FIA Formula One | Alain Prost |
| July 8, 1981 | Juan de Fuca News 150 | Western Speedway, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | NASCAR Winston West Series | Jim Bown |
| July 11, 1981 | Riverside Park Speedway, Agawam, MA | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans | |
| July 11, 1981 | Busch Nashville 420 | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| July 11, 1981 | Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY | SCCA Can-Am | Al Holbert | |
| July 11, 1981 | Peach State Speedway, Jefferson, GA | All Pro Stock Car | Randy Couch | |
| July 12, 1981 | Evergreen 200 | Evergreen Speedway, Monroe, WA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Roy Smith |
| July 12, 1981 | White Race | Wisconsin International Raceway, Kaukauna, WI | Red White & Blue Championship | Joe Shear |
| July 14, 1981 | All Star 100 | Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL | ARTGO Stock Car | Joe Shear |
| July 18, 1981 | Islip Speedway, Islip, NY | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans | |
| July 18, 1981 | Middle Georgia Raceway, Macon, GA | All Pro Stock Car | Billy McGinnis | |
| July 18, 1981 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Hamptonshire, England | FIA Formula One | John Watson |
| July 19, 1981 | Miller 200 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Stock Car | Rusty Wallace |
| July 19, 1981 | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | ASA Stock Car | Mike Eddy | |
| July 19, 1981 | Oxford 250 | Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME | NASCAR GN North/Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine |
| July 25, 1981 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| July 25, 1981 | South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine | |
| July 25, 1981 | Tioga Motorsports Park, Owego, NY | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans | |
| July 25, 1981 | Norton Michigan 500 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI | CART Indy Car | Pancho Carter |
| July 26, 1981 | Aqua-Oly 100 | Elko Speedway, Elko, MN | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| July 26, 1981 | Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, CT | NASCAR Modified | Geoff Bodine | |
| July 26, 1981 | Mountain Dew 500 | Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond, PA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| July 26, 1981 | Sears Point International Raceway, Sonoma, CA | IMSA GT | Klaus Ludwig | |
| July 26, 1981 | Sears Point International Raceway, Sonoma, CA | IMSA GTU | Wayne Baker | |
| July 26, 1981 | Budweiser Can-Am Challenge | Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI | SCCA Can-Am | Geoff Brabham |
| July 26, 1981 | Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI | SCCA Trans Am | Monte Shelton | |
| July 31, 1981 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis | |
| July 31, 1981 | Winters Performance 200 | Huntsville Speedway, Huntsville, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Butch Lindley |
| July 31, 1981 | Tobaccoland 200 | Southside Speedway, Midlothian, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis |
| August 1, 1981 | Saturday Night Twin 50s | Dells Motor Speedway, Wisconsin Dells, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Junior Hanley |
| August 1, 1981 | Saturday Night Twin 50s | Dells Motor Speedway, Wisconsin Dells, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| August 1, 1981 | ARCA 200 | Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL | ARCA Stock Car | Mark Martin |
| August 1, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Sam Ard | |
| August 1, 1981 | Bowman-Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | NASCAR Modified | Ralph Brinkley | |
| August 2, 1981 | Talladega 500 | Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL | NASCAR Winston Cup | Ron Bouchard |
| August 2, 1981 | G.I. Joe's Grand Prix | Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR | IMSA GTU | Lee Mueller |
| August 2, 1981 | G.I. Joe's Grand Prix | Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR | IMSA GT | Brian Redman |
| August 2, 1981 | 43. Grosser Preis von Deutschland | Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | FIA Formula One | Nelson Piquet |
| August 8, 1981 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC | NASCAR Grand American | Rusty Wallace | |
| August 8, 1981 | Kingsport Speedway, Kingsport, TN | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Jack Ingram | |
| August 8, 1981 | Shasta 150 | Shasta Speedway, Anderson, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Jim Robinson |
| August 8, 1981 | Peach State Speedway, Jefferson, GA | All Pro Stock Car | Neil Bonnett | |
| August 9, 1981 | Dairyland 150 | Golden Sands Speedway, Plover, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Mark Martin |
| August 9, 1981 | Dairyland 150 | Golden Sands Speedway, Plover, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Jim Sauter |
| August 9, 1981 | Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN | SCCA Trans Am | Bob Tullius | |
| August 15, 1981 | Coca Cola 100 | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | ARTGO Stock Car | Bruce VanderLaan |
| August 15, 1981 | Coca Cola 100 | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | ARTGO Stock Car | Junior Hanley |
| August 15, 1981 | South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Tommy Ellis | |
| August 15, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Jack Ingram | |
| August 15, 1981 | Tony Bettenhausen 100 | Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL | USAC Indy Car/Silver Crown | George Snider |
| August 16, 1981 | Allen Crowe 100 | Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL | USAC Stock Car | Dean Roper |
| August 16, 1981 | Champion Spark Plug 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI | NASCAR Winston Cup | Richard Petty |
| August 16, 1981 | Molson 1000 | Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada | IMSA GT | Harald Grohs Rolf Stommelen |
| August 16, 1981 | Letheridge Brewery Can-Am | Edmonton International Speedway, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | SCCA Can-Am | Geoff Brabham |
| August 16, 1981 | 19. Grosser Preis von Österreich | Österreichring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria | FIA Formula One | Jacques Laffite |
| August 16, 1981 | Wausau Fairgrounds, Wausau, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Tom Nesbitt | |
| August 18, 1981 | Wayne Carter Classic | Grundy County Speedway, Morris, IL | ARTGO Stock Car | Larry Schuler |
| August 21, 1981 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| August 22, 1981 | Redbud 300 | Anderson Speedway, Anderson, IN | ASA Stock Car | Mark Martin |
| August 22, 1981 | Tioga Motorsports Park, Owego, NY | NASCAR Modified | Billy Griffin | |
| August 22, 1981 | Busch 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| August 22, 1981 | Flat Rock Speedway, Flat Rock, MI | ARCA Stock Car | Marvin Smith | |
| August 23, 1981 | Pabst 500 | Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI | IMSA GT | Harald Grohs Rolf Stommelen |
| August 29, 1981 | DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL | USAC Stock Car | Dean Roper | |
| August 29, 1981 | Coca Cola 150 | Jackson International Speedway, Clinton, MS | NASCAR Grand American | Freddy Fryar |
| August 29, 1981 | Islip 200 | Islip Speedway, Islip, NY | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans |
| August 30, 1981 | Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights, MN | ASA Stock Car | Mike Miller | |
| August 30, 1981 | Warner W. Hodgdon 200 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Roy Smith |
| August 30, 1981 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | CART Indy Car | Rick Mears |
| August 30, 1981 | DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL | USAC Indy Car/Silver Crown | Rich Vogler | |
| August 30, 1981 | 29e Grote Prijs van Nederland | Circuit Park Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands | FIA Formula One | Alain Prost |
| September 2, 1981 | LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI | ASA Stock Car | Jim Sauter | |
| September 4, 1981 | Stafford 150 | Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans |
| September 5, 1981 | McLeod Industries 150 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC | NASCAR Dash Series | Nelson Gusler |
| September 5, 1981 | Tony Bettenhausen 200 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | CART Indy Car | Tom Sneva |
| September 5, 1981 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | SCCA Formula Super Vee | Al Unser Jr. | |
| September 6, 1981 | Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights, MN | ASA Stock Car | Butch Lindley | |
| September 6, 1981 | Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, FL | NASCAR Grand American | Ronnie Sanders | |
| September 6, 1981 | Grand Prix Molson Trois-Rivières | Circuit Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada | SCCA Can-Am | Al Holbert |
| September 6, 1981 | Grand Prix Molson Trois-Rivières | Circuit Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada | SCCA Trans Am | Eppie Wietzes |
| September 6, 1981 | Corbin Speedway, Corbin, KY | ARCA Stock Car | Marvin Smith | |
| September 7, 1981 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Neil Bonnett |
| September 11, 1981 | New Egypt Speedway, New Egypt, NJ | NASCAR Modified | Wayne Anderson | |
| September 12, 1981 | Governor's Cup 250 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Stock Car | Dick Trickle |
| September 12, 1981 | Mobile International Speedway, Irvington, AL | NASCAR Grand American | Ronnie Sanders | |
| September 12, 1981 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| September 12, 1981 | Hoosier Hundred | Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN | USAC Indy Car/Silver Crown | Larry Rice |
| September 12, 1981 | Swiss Chalet Trans Am | Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada | SCCA Trans Am | Bob Tullius |
| September 12, 1981 | Middle Georgia Raceway, Macon, GA | All Pro Stock Car | Randy Couch | |
| September 13, 1981 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| September 13, 1981 | Catamount Stadium, Milton, VT | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Hector Leclair | |
| September 13, 1981 | Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Benny Parsons |
| September 13, 1981 | Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA | IMSA GTU | Walt Bohren | |
| September 13, 1981 | Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA | IMSA GT | Brian Redman | |
| September 13, 1981 | Molson Can-Am | Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada | SCCA Can-Am | Teo Fabi |
| September 13, 1981 | 52o Gran Premio d'Italia | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza, Italy | FIA Formula One | Alain Prost |
| September 19, 1981 | Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs | |
| September 19, 1981 | Peach State Speedway, Jefferson, GA | All Pro Stock Car | Randy Couch | |
| September 20, 1981 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI | ASA Stock Car | Bob Senneker | |
| September 20, 1981 | Detroit News Grand Prix | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI | CART Indy Car | Rick Mears |
| September 20, 1981 | CRC Chemicals 500 | Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE | NASCAR Winston Cup | Neil Bonnett |
| September 20, 1981 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI | SCCA Formula Super Vee | Bob Cicconi | |
| September 26, 1981 | Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, IA | USAC Stock Car | Joe Wallace | |
| September 26, 1981 | Autumn 150 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Geoff Bodine |
| September 26, 1981 | Montgomery Motor Speedway, Montgomery, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Billy McGinnis | |
| September 27, 1981 | Bettenhausen Classic | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | ARTGO Stock Car | Frank Gawlinski |
| September 27, 1981 | Sears Point Western 200 | Sears Point International Raceway, Sonoma, CA | NASCAR Winston West Series | Bill Schmitt |
| September 27, 1981 | Old Dominion 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| September 27, 1981 | Kenwood Stereo 500 Grand Prix | Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond, PA | IMSA GT | John Paul John Paul Jr. |
| September 27, 1981 | Grand Prix Labatt du Canada | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montréal, Québec, Canada | FIA Formula One | Jacques Laffite |
| October 3, 1981 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | Mickey York | |
| October 3, 1981 | Mobile International Speedway, Irvington, AL | All Pro Stock Car | Ronnie Sanders | |
| October 4, 1981 | Winchester 400 | Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN | ASA Stock Car | Mike Eddy |
| October 4, 1981 | Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT | NASCAR Modified | Richie Evans | |
| October 4, 1981 | Watkins Glen 200 | Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY | CART Indy Car | Rick Mears |
| October 4, 1981 | Holly Farms 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| October 4, 1981 | Budweiser Grand Prix | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | SCCA Can-Am | Al Holbert |
| October 4, 1981 | Jackson International Speedway, Clinton, MS | All Pro Stock Car | Freddy Fryar | |
| October 10, 1981 | Patch Press Summer Nationals | Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Dick Trickle |
| October 10, 1981 | Miller High Life 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Gary Balough |
| October 11, 1981 | 4-Crown Nationals | Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, OH | USAC Stock Car | Joe Wallace |
| October 11, 1981 | Patch Press Summer Nationals | Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI | ARTGO Stock Car | Tom Jones |
| October 11, 1981 | 4-Crown Nationals | Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, OH | USAC Silver Crown | Steve Kinser |
| October 11, 1981 | National 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| October 11, 1981 | Datsun Budweiser Can Am Challenge | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | SCCA Can-Am | Teo Fabi |
| October 11, 1981 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | SCCA Trans Am | George Follmer | |
| October 16, 1981 | Coors Can Am Challenge | Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV | SCCA Can-Am | Danny Sullivan |
| October 17, 1981 | 1st Caesar's Palace Grand Prix | Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV | FIA Formula One | Alan Jones |
| October 18, 1981 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Pete Silva | |
| October 18, 1981 | Copa Mexico 150 | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, Mexico | CART Indy Car | Rick Mears |
| October 18, 1981 | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | ARCA Stock Car | Bob Schacht | |
| October 24, 1981 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham, NC | NASCAR Dash Series | Larry Pearson | |
| October 25, 1981 | Tri-County Speedway, West Chester, OH | ASA Stock Car | Butch Lindley | |
| October 25, 1981 | Sears Point International Raceway, Sonoma, CA | SCCA Trans Am | Tom Gloy | |
| October 31, 1981 | Miller High Life 150 | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, AZ | CART Indy Car | Tom Sneva |
| November 1, 1981 | All American 400 | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | ASA/All Pro Stock Car | Butch Lindley |
| November 1, 1981 | Cardinal 500 Classic | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Late Model Sportsman | Sam Ard |
| November 1, 1981 | Cardinal 500 Classic | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Modified | Geoff Bodine |
| November 1, 1981 | American 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham, NC | NASCAR Winston Cup | Darrell Waltrip |
| November 7, 1981 | Georgia 100 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Dash Series | Dean Combs |
| November 8, 1981 | Atlanta Journal 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Winston Cup | Neil Bonnett |
| November 21, 1981 | Warner Hodgdon 300 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Grand American | Glenn Steurer |
| November 22, 1981 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Winston Cup/Winston West | Bobby Allison |
| November 29, 1981 | Warner W. Hodgdon 250 | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, AZ | NASCAR Winston West Series | Richard Petty |
| November 29, 1981 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | IMSA GT | John Paul Jr. | |
| December 5, 1981 | Palm Beach Speedway, West Palm Beach, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Dick Anderson | |
| December 6, 1981 | Palm Beach Speedway, West Palm Beach, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Mike Eddy | |
| December 7, 1981 | Sunshine Speedway, Clearwater, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Mike Eddy | |
| December 9, 1981 | Sunshine Speedway, Clearwater, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Dick Trickle | |
| December 13, 1981 | New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna, FL | All Pro Stock Car | Joe Shear |