The 1981 Winston Western 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on January 11, 1981, at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. This race would be the final race where 115-inch wheelbase cars were eligible to run; the field was a mix of older cars and 1981 105-inch wheelbase models. Dale Earnhardt drove a 1981 Pontiac while race winner Bobby Allison drove a 1977 Monte Carlo.