1998 NASCAR Busch Series
The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series season began on Saturday February 14 and ended on Sunday November 15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was crowned champion at season's end.
Teams and drivers
List of full-time teams at the start of 1998.Team | Car | Driver | Listed owner | Crew chief | |
Akins-Sutton Motorsports | Ford Taurus | 38 | Elton Sawyer | Bob Sutton | Eddie Pardue |
BACE Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 33 | Tim Fedewa | Barbara Baumgardner | Bryan Smith |
BACE Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 74 | Randy LaJoie | Bill Baumgardner | Billy Manciewicz |
Bobby Hillin Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 8 | Bobby Hillin Jr. | Robert Hayes | Nick Short |
Brewco Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 37 | Mark Green | Clarence Brewer | Kenneth Campbell |
Buckshot Racing | Pontiac Grand Prix | 00 | Buckshot Jones | Billy Jones | Ricky Pearson |
CAA Performance Group | Pontiac Grand Prix | 96 | Mike Stefanik | Mike Curb | John Birosh |
DAJ Racing | Ford Thunderbird | 32 | Jason Jarrett ' | Horace Isenhower | Rick Bowman |
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt | Tony Eury Sr. |
Diamond Ridge Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 29 | Hermie Sadler | Gary Bechtel | Bob Gulbranson |
Diamond Ridge Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 66 | Elliott Sadler | Gary Bechtel | Sandy Jones |
Excel Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 56 | Jeff Krogh | Molly Krogh | Jimmy Elledge |
Excel Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 80 | Mark Krogh | Robert Krogh | Dan Glauz |
Hensley Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 63 | Tracy Leslie | Hubert Hensley | Jeff Hensley |
Innovative Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 47 | Andy Santerre ' | George DeBidart | Kevin Caldwell |
J & J Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 99 | Glenn Allen Jr. | Bill Papke | John Monsam |
Joe Bessey Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 6 | Joe Bessey | Nancy Bessey | Harold Holly |
Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac Grand Prix | 44 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs | Bryant Frazier |
Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac Grand Prix | 44 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs | Bryant Frazier |
Keystone Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 20 | Blaise Alexander ' | Alex Crestinger | Alex Crestinger |
Lone Star Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 88 | Kevin Schwantz ' | Kevin Schwantz | C. R. Miller |
Mark III Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 78 | Hank Parker Jr. ' | Dan Browder | Neil Browder |
Martin Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 92 | Derrike Cope/David Green | Mac Martin | Tim Weiss |
Michael Waltrip Racing | Ford Taurus | 14 | Patty Moise | Buffy Waltrip | Ronnie Silver |
NorthStar Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 89 | Stanton Barrett | Meredith Ruark | Mike Yoder |
Parker Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 72 | Mike Dillon | Ron Parker | Dean Johnson |
Phil Parsons Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 10 | Phil Parsons | Marcia Parsons | Gene Nead |
Phoenix Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 4 | Jeff Purvis | James Finch | Johnny Allen |
Progressive Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 57 | Jason Keller | Steve DeSouza | Jamie Jones |
PRW Racing | Ford Taurus | 77 | Ed Berrier | Tony Hall | Jimmy Means |
Reiser Enterprises | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Robbie Reiser | Robbie Reiser |
Roush Racing | Ford Taurus | 9 | Jeff Burton | Jack Roush | Tommy Morgan |
Roush Racing | Ford Taurus | 60 | Mark Martin | Jack Roush | Bobby Leslie |
Shoemaker Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 64 | Dick Trickle | Dennis Shoemaker | Bryan Schaffer |
Specialty Racing | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 40 | Kevin Lepage | Doug Taylor | Doug Taylor |
ST Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 59 | Robert Pressley | Tad Geschickter | Steve Plattenberger |
Stegall Motorsports | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 85 | Shane Hall | Don Stegall | John Finley |
Team 34 | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | Mike Cope ' | Jeffrey Welliver | Donnie Richeson |
Team 34 | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 34 | Mike McLaughlin | Frank Cicci | Gary Cogswell |
Team 34 | Pontiac Grand Prix | 36 | Matt Hutter | Scott Welliver | Clyde McLeod |
Team Amick | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 35 | Lyndon Amick | Bill Amick | Buddy Barnes |
Washington-Erving Motorsports | Ford Taurus | 50 | Jimmy Foster | Joe Washington | Darrell Bryant |
Races
NAPA Auto Parts 300
The NAPA Auto Parts 300 was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.Top ten results
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 60-Mark Martin
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 88-Kevin Schwantz
- 12-Jimmy Spencer
- 10-Phil Parsons
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a blowover with Dick Trickle after Trickle turned him.
GM Goodwrench Service Plus 200
Top ten results
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 44-Tony Stewart
- 60-Mark Martin
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 72-Mike Dillon
- 37-Mark Green
- 57-Jason Keller
- This was Kenseth's first career Busch Series victory.
Sam's Town Las Vegas 300
Top ten results
- 12-Jimmy Spencer
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 32-Dale Jarrett
- 60-Mark Martin
- 72-Mike Dillon
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 29-Hermie Sadler
- 77-Ed Berrier
• Randy LaJoie flipped on the final lap of the race.
BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320
The BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320 was held March 15 at Nashville Speedway USA. Casey Atwood won the pole, becoming the youngest pole winner in NASCAR Busch Series history.Top ten results
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 28-Casey Atwood
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 57-Jason Keller
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 1-Sterling Marlin
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 64-Dick Trickle
- 38-Elton Sawyer
Diamond Hill Plywood 200
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.Top ten results
- 44-Bobby Labonte
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 64-Dick Trickle
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 72-Mike Dillon
- 29-Hermie Sadler
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 59-Robert Pressley
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Moore's Snacks 250
The Moore's Snacks 250 was held March 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.Top ten results
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 57-Jason Keller
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 89-Stanton Barrett
- 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
- 14-Patty Moise
Coca-Cola 300
The Coca-Cola 300 was held April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 56-Jeff Krogh
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 37-Mark Green
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 2-Jeff Green
- 9-Jeff Burton
- This was Dale Earnhardt Jr's first career Busch Series win.
Galaxy Food Centers 300
Top ten results
- 77-Ed Berrier
- 29-Hermie Sadler
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 72-Mike Dillon
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 59-Robert Pressley
- 30-Mike Cope
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 85-Shane Hall
- 57-Jason Keller
- This would be the first and only NASCAR victory of Berrier's career.
Touchstone Energy 300
got spun around and flipped onto its side and slammed the wall with his roof.
He walked away.
Top ten results
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 64-Dick Trickle
- 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
- 78-Loy Allen Jr.
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 36-Matt Hutter
- 38-Elton Sawyer
Gumout Long Life Formula 200
The Gumout Long Life Formula 200 was held May 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Joe Bessey won the pole.Top ten results
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 44-Tony Stewart
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 52-Kevin Grubb
- 59-Robert Pressley
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
First Union 200
The First Union 200 was held May 17 at Nazareth Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.Top ten results
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 6-Joe Bessey
- 77-Ed Berrier
- 57-Jason Keller
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
- 13-Ted Christopher
CarQuest Auto Parts 300
The CarQuest Auto Parts 300 was held May 23 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.Top ten results
- 60-Mark Martin
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 12-Jimmy Spencer
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 44-Bobby Labonte
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 29-Hermie Sadler
MBNA Platinum 200
The MBNA Platinum 200 was held May 30 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 44-Tony Stewart
- 32-Dale Jarrett
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 59-Robert Pressley
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 57-Jason Keller
- 21-Michael Waltrip
Hardee's 250
The Hardee's 250 was held June 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Wayne Grubb won the pole.Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 83-Wayne Grubb
- 60-Mark Martin
- 57-Jason Keller
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 64-Dick Trickle
- 52-Kevin Grubb
- 59-Robert Pressley
Lycos.com 250
The inaugural Lycos.com 250 was held June 14 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.Top ten results
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 63-Curtis Markham
- 37-Mark Green
- 59-Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 30-Mike Cope
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Lysol 200
The Lysol 200 was held June 28 at Watkins Glen International. Boris Said won the pole.Top ten results
- 87-Ron Fellows
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 9-Ashton Lewis
- 36-David Green
- 72-Mike Dillon
- 40-Jack Sprague
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2-Ricky Craven
- 57-Jason Keller
- With his victory, Fellows became the first Non-American winner in the NASCAR Busch series.
DieHard 250
Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 36-David Green
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 6-Joe Bessey
- 74-Randy LaJoie
Myrtle Beach 250
The Myrtle Beach 250 was held July 11 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Tim Fedewa won the pole.Top ten results
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 36-David Green
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 35-Lyndon Amick
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 6-Joe Bessey
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 37-Mark Green
- 66-Elliott Sadler
Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300
The Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 was held July 19 at California Speedway. Robert Pressley won the pole.Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 36-David Green
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 56-Mark Krogh
- 6-Joe Bessey
- 72-Mike Dillon
Lycos.com 300 Presented by Vallydale Foods
The Lycos.com 300 Presented by Vallydale Foods was held July 25 at South Boston Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.Top ten results
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 36-David Green
- 30-Todd Bodine
- 63-Curtis Markham
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 85-Shane Hall
- 35-Lyndon Amick
- 59-Kevin Lepage
Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held July 31 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Buckshot Jones won the pole.Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 36-David Green
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 21-Mike Bliss
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 15-Mike Wallace
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- This race marked the debut of Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR.
Pepsi 200 Presented by Devilbiss
Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 44-Bobby Labonte
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 60-Mark Martin
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 12-Rick Mast
Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held August 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Grissom won the pole.Top ten results
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 32-Dale Jarrett
- 30-Todd Bodine
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 15-Ken Schrader
- 83-Wayne Grubb
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 4-Nathan Buttke
- 36-David Green
Dura-Lube 200 Presented by BI-LO
The Dura-Lube 200 Presented by BI-LO was held September 5 at Darlington Raceway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.Top ten results
- 64-Dick Trickle
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 30-Todd Bodine
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 32-Dale Jarrett
- 60-Mark Martin
- 59-Robert Pressley
- 15-Ken Schrader
- With his victory, Trickle became the oldest winner in Busch Series history, at the age of 56 years, 1 month, and 32 days.
Autolite Platinum 250
Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 12-Jimmy Spencer
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 30-Todd Bodine
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 64-Dick Trickle
- 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
- 47-Andy Santerre
- Steve Grissom qualified for Jimmy Spencer
MBNA Gold 200
Top ten results
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 52-Kevin Grubb
- 38-Elton Sawyer
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 30-Todd Bodine
- 93-Dave Blaney
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2-Ricky Craven
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- Tracy Leslie replaced Hal Browning in the #46 in the race.
All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300
Top ten results
- 34-Mike McLaughlin
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12-Jimmy Spencer
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 1-Sterling Marlin
Carquest Auto Parts 250
The Carquest Auto Parts 250 was held October 17 at Gateway International Raceway. Shane Hall won the pole.Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 4-Jeff Purvis
- 47-Andy Santerre
- 44-Tony Stewart
- 93-Dave Blaney
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 85-Shane Hall
- 30-Todd Bodine
- 40-Kevin Lepage
AC Delco 200
The AC Delco 200 was held October 31 at North Carolina Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole.Top ten results
- 66-Elliott Sadler
- 40-Kevin Lepage
- 29-Hermie Sadler
- 52-Kevin Grubb
- 84-Philip Morris
- 53-Hank Parker Jr.
- 72-Mike Dillon
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 33-Tim Fedewa
- 63-Curtis Markham
Stihl 300
The Stihl 300 was originally scheduled for March 1998 but was held November 7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway after it and the Winston Cup Series Primestar 500 were both rained out. Dick Trickle won the pole.Top ten results
- 60-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 44-Tony Stewart
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 00-Buckshot Jones
- 52-Kevin Grubb
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 10-Phil Parsons
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 15-Ken Schrader
Jiffy Lube Miami 300
The Jiffy Lube Miami 300 was held November 15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Casey Atwood won the pole.Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 12-Jimmy Spencer
- 60-Mark Martin
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 36-David Green
- 93-Dave Blaney
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 33-Tim Fedewa
Final points standings
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 4469
- Matt Kenseth - 4421
- Mike McLaughlin - 4045
- Randy LaJoie - 3543
- Elton Sawyer - 3533
- Phil Parsons - 3525
- Tim Fedewa - 3515
- Elliott Sadler - 3470
- Buckshot Jones - 3453
- Hermie Sadler - 3340
- Glenn Allen Jr. - 3270
- Mike Dillon - 3250
- Mark Green - 3075
- Kevin Lepage - 3052
- Jeff Purvis - 3019
- Jason Keller - 2971
- Ed Berrier - 2772
- Joe Bessey - 2763
- Shane Hall - 2763
- Andy Santerre - 2598
- Tony Stewart - 2455
- Dick Trickle - 2441
- Tracy Leslie - 2338
- Bobby Hillin Jr. - 2304
- Jeff Krogh - 2225
- David Green - 2180
- Mark Martin - 1976
- Mark Krogh - 1917
- Dave Blaney - 1915
- Jeff Burton - 1883
- Robert Pressley - 1870
- Blaise Alexander - 1730
- Todd Bodine - 1668
- Michael Waltrip - 1667
- Kevin Grubb - 1660
- Wayne Grubb - 1546
- Patty Moise - 1421
- Casey Atwood - 1359
- Joe Nemechek - 1315
- Mike Cope - 1293
- Dale Jarrett - 1284
- Matt Hutter - 1169
- Jimmy Spencer - 1164
- Lance Hooper - 1059
- Lyndon Amick - 1045
- Ken Schrader - 977
- Jason Jarrett - 935
- Jeff Fuller - 899
- Stanton Barrett - 865
- Kevin Schwantz - 801
Rookie of the Year