The 1979 Gabriel 400, the 16th race of the NASCAR Winston Cup season, was held on June 17 at Michigan International Speedway before about 62,000 fans. A 36-car field contested 200 laps on the two-mile oval. Neil Bonnett sat on the pole in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Mercury with a speed of 162.371 mph.
Buddy Baker, driving the No. 28 Harry Ranier Spectra Chevrolet, won under caution over Donnie Allison. Cale Yarborough finished third, followed by Bonnett and Richard Petty. Baker led a race-high 121 laps across 16 different stints, averaged 135.798 mph through six cautions for 33 laps, and earned $16,870. The race featured a highly competitive 47 lead changes among 12 drivers.
