1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series


The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season was the 50th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 27th modern-era cup series. The season included 33 races and three exhibition races, beginning with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the Driver's Championship, the third of his career and his third in the last four seasons.
1998 was the last season without either NASCAR Legends: Tony Stewart until 2017, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. until 2018.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Schedule

Races

Bud Shootout Qualifier">Budweiser Shootout">Bud Shootout Qualifier

The Bud Shootout Qualifier, a race for the fastest second round qualifier, from each race from the previous season, was run on February 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sterling Marlin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 23- Jimmy Spencer
  2. 9- Lake Speed
  3. 3- Dale Earnhardt
  4. 40- Sterling Marlin
  5. 11- Brett Bodine
  6. 97- Chad Little
  7. 75- Rick Mast
  8. 29- Jeff Green
  9. 98- Greg Sacks
  10. 17- Darrell Waltrip

    [Bud Shootout]

The Bud Shootout, a race for pole winners from the previous season, was run on February 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mark Martin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 2- Rusty Wallace
  2. 81- Kenny Wallace
  3. 94- Bill Elliott
  4. 23- Jimmy Spencer
  5. 33- Ken Schrader
  6. 7- Geoffrey Bodine
  7. 36- Ernie Irvan
  8. 6- Mark Martin
  9. 43- John Andretti
  10. 35- Todd Bodine

    Gatorade 125s">Gatorade Duel">Gatorade 125s

Race One: Top Ten Results
The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 12 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bobby and Terry Labonte were the pole-sitters, for both races, respectively. The races were broadcast tape delayed on CBS prior to the Daytona 500.
  1. 40-Sterling Marlin
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 18-Bobby Labonte
  4. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  5. 22-Ward Burton
  6. 30-Derrike Cope
  7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  8. 6-Mark Martin
  9. 43-John Andretti
  10. 94-Bill Elliott
Race Two: Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 21-Michael Waltrip
  3. 31-Mike Skinner
  4. 36-Ernie Irvan
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 99-Jeff Burton
  7. 9-Lake Speed
  8. 95-Andy Hillenburg
  9. 91-Kevin Lepage
  10. 4-Bobby Hamilton

    40th Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 was run on February 15 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Labonte brothers shared the front row with Bobby Labonte on the pole, and brother Terry Labonte starting second. But the biggest news of the day was Dale Earnhardt's long-awaited victory in the Daytona 500 after 19 frustrating attempts to win the big race. Moreover, his victory snapped a 59-race winless streak dating back to the spring of 1996. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  4. 33-Ken Schrader
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 36-Ernie Irvan
  7. 97-Chad Little
  8. 31-Mike Skinner
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 94-Bill Elliott
Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 8-Hut Stricklin, 14-Loy Allen Jr., 26-Johnny Benson, 29-Jeff Green, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 59-Mark Gibson, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Norm Benning, 80-Michael Ciochetti, 81-Kenny Wallace, 85-Randy Renfrow, 96-David Green
The GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400 was run on February 22 in Rockingham, North Carolina. The No. 75 of Rick Mast won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  5. 7-Geoffrey Bodine
  6. 94-Bill Elliott
  7. 88-Dale Jarrett
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  10. 50-Ricky Craven
Failed to qualify: 05-Morgan Shepherd, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 91-Kevin Lepage

[Las Vegas 400]

The inaugural Las Vegas 400 was run on March 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The No. 88 of Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 26-Johnny Benson
  5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 16-Ted Musgrave
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 94-Bill Elliott
  10. 97-Chad Little
Failed to qualify: 1-Steve Park, 13-Jerry Nadeau, 19-Tony Raines, 35-Todd Bodine, 37-Larry Gunselman, 38-Butch Gilliland, 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry
The Primestar 500 was scheduled to run on March 8 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, but was run on March 9 due to rain. The No. 43 of John Andretti won the pole. Steve Park suffered a broken leg in a crash during a Saturday morning practice session before 2nd Round Qualifying. Park's car hit the wall coming off Turn 4, hit it again in the quad-oval, then shot across the grass, and hit the pit wall, scattering equipment on the wall around. This crash put Park out of the No. 1 until Indianapolis in August. Phil Parsons was tapped to replace Park on a temporary basis, with Darrell Waltrip being chosen to fill in soon after. The race was supposed to be broadcast on ABC, but due to the washout, the broadcast was moved to ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace
  5. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
  6. 90-Dick Trickle
  7. 81-Kenny Wallace
  8. 99-Jeff Burton
  9. 26-Johnny Benson
  10. 35-Todd Bodine
Failed to qualify: 05-Morgan Shepherd, 1-Steve Park/Phil Parsons, 29-Jeff Green, 40-Sterling Marlin*, 71-Dave Marcis, 95-Andy Hillenburg, 97-Chad Little
The TranSouth Financial 400 was run on March 22 in Darlington, South Carolina. Mark Martin won the pole. Before this race, Ricky Craven was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Because of this, he was forced to sit out. 2 time defending Busch Grand National champion Randy LaJoie was tapped to sub for Craven in the No. 50 Chevrolet. LaJoie ended up finishing 38th, 9 laps down as he encountered problems during the race. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 26-Johnny Benson
  9. 81-Kenny Wallace
  10. 16-Ted Musgrave
Failed to qualify: 05-Morgan Shepherd, 1-Ron Hornaday Jr., 8-Hut Stricklin, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry

[Food City 500]

The Food City 500 was run on March 29 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. The No. 2 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 26-Johnny Benson
  6. 33-Ken Schrader
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 16-Ted Musgrave
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 50-Randy LaJoie
Failed to qualify: 29-Jeff Green, 42-Joe Nemechek, 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry

[Texas 500]

The Texas 500 was run on April 5 in Fort Worth, Texas. The No. 12 of Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. During this race, journeyman Greg Sacks suffered near-fatal injuries in a lap 137 crash. Replays showed that the car got loose in the corner. Sacks over-corrected, which resulted in the car hitting the wall at about a 50 degree angle. Sacks suffered head injuries and had to be cut out of his No. 98 Ford. He would sit out the remainder of the 1998 season. After this crash, Sacks only raced sparingly in the ARCA Racing Series, the Sprint Cup Series, and the Xfinity Series. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 97-Chad Little
  3. 77-Robert Pressley
  4. 42-Joe Nemechek
  5. 26-Johnny Benson
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 41-Steve Grissom
Failed to qualify:
13-Jerry Nadeau, 30-Derrike Cope, 35-Todd Bodine, 47-Billy Standridge, 95-Andy Hillenburg
The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was scheduled to run on April 19 in Martinsville, Virginia, but was run on April 20 due to rain. Bobby Hamilton won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  2. 16-Ted Musgrave
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 50-Randy LaJoie
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  8. 24-Jeff Gordon
  9. 36-Ernie Irvan
  10. 33-Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify:
46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry
The DieHard 500 was run on April 26 in Talladega, Alabama. Bobby Labonte won the pole and went on to win the race. The race was marred by "the Big One" on lap 141, collecting Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and 18 other cars. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top Ten Results
  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 36-Ernie Irvan
  7. 81-Kenny Wallace
  8. 22-Ward Burton
  9. 40-Sterling Marlin
  10. 50-Randy LaJoie
Failed to qualify:
07-Dan Pardus, 7-Geoffrey Bodine, 8-Hut Stricklin, 29-Jeff Green, 35-Todd Bodine, 60-Matt Kenseth, 61-Bob Strait, 78-Gary Bradberry, 98-Rich Bickle
The California 500 was run on May 3 in Fontana, California. Jeff Gordon won the pole. For the second week in a row, a multiple car crash involved Bill Elliott's car erupting in flames. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon
  5. 1-Darrell Waltrip
  6. 97-Chad Little
  7. 7-Geoffrey Bodine
  8. 26-Johnny Benson
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 99-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify:
8-Hut Stricklin, 19-Tony Raines, 71-Dave Marcis, 98-Rich Bickle
The Winston, a non-points race with seventy laps in three segments, was run on May 16 in Concord, North Carolina at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 6 of Mark Martin won after the No. 24 of Jeff Gordon ran out of gas on the last lap after dominating all night. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 40-Sterling Marlin
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 7-Geoffrey Bodine
  9. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  10. 98-Rich Bickle

    [Coca-Cola 600]

The Coca-Cola 600 was run on May 24 in Concord, North Carolina. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 18-Bobby Labonte
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 88-Dale Jarrett
  6. 42-Joe Nemechek
  7. 43-John Andretti
  8. 99-Jeff Burton
  9. 26-Johnny Benson
  10. 33-Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 8-Hut Stricklin, 28-Kenny Irwin Jr., 46-Morgan Shepherd, 47-Billy Standridge, 71-Dave Marcis, 85-Randy MacDonald, 95-Andy Hillenburg
The MBNA Platinum 400 was run on May 31 in Dover, Delaware. The No. 2 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 8-Buckshot Jones*
  9. 36-Ernie Irvan
  10. 5-Terry Labonte
Failed to qualify: 13-Dennis Setzer, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Morgan Shepherd
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was run on June 6 in Richmond, Virginia. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 5-Terry Labonte
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 33-Ken Schrader
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  7. 99-Jeff Burton
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
  10. 40-Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify:
8-Buckshot Jones, 91-Kevin Lepage
The Miller Lite 400 was run on June 14 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 94-Bill Elliott
  7. 18-Bobby Labonte
  8. 22-Ward Burton
  9. 42-Joe Nemechek
  10. 50-Wally Dallenbach Jr.*
Failed to qualify: 19-Tony Raines, 30-Derrike Cope, 35-Todd Bodine, 71-Dave Marcis
The Pocono 500 was run on June 21 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 12-Jeremy Mayfield*
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 1-Darrell Waltrip
  7. 50-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 40-Sterling Marlin
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer
Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 71-Dave Marcis
The Save Mart/Kragen 350 was run on June 28 in Sonoma, California. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  3. 43-John Andretti
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 40-Sterling Marlin
  8. 75-Rick Mast*
  9. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
  10. 41-Steve Grissom
Failed to qualify: 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Tommy Kendall*, 58-Chris Raudman, 70-Rick Ware, 71-Dave Marcis
The Jiffy Lube 300 was run on July 12 in Loudon, New Hampshire. The No. 50 of Ricky Craven won the pole in his return to the No. 50 after missing the previous 13 races. This race was the last career start for Lake Speed, who's aggravated rib and sternum injuries during the race leading to his retirement. Speed's original injuries came from a practice crash he suffered in the previous race at Sears Point. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 99-Jeff Burton
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace
  5. 31-Mike Skinner
  6. 43-John Andretti
  7. 88-Dale Jarrett
  8. 44-Kyle Petty
  9. 33-Ken Schrader
  10. 81-Kenny Wallace
Failed to qualify:
71-Dave Marcis

[Pennsylvania 500]

The Pennsylvania 500 was run on July 26 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The No. 22 of Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 99-Jeff Burton
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 88-Dale Jarrett
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 33-Ken Schrader
  9. 36-Ernie Irvan
  10. 21-Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: 35-Jimmy Horton, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Randy MacDonald
The Brickyard 400 was run on August 1 in Speedway, Indiana. Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 18-Bobby Labonte
  4. 31-Mike Skinner
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 36-Ernie Irvan
  7. 43-John Andretti
  8. 2-Rusty Wallace
  9. 5-Terry Labonte
  10. 33-Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify:
07-Dan Pardus, 14-Lance Hooper*, 15-Loy Allen Jr., 19-Robby Gordon, 30-Derrike Cope, 78-Gary Bradberry, 95-Randy MacDonald, 96-Hut Stricklin
was run on August 9 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 6-Mark Martin*
  3. 31-Mike Skinner*
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace
  5. 88-Dale Jarrett
  6. 44-Kyle Petty
  7. 40-Sterling Marlin
  8. 43-John Andretti
  9. 26-Johnny Benson
  10. 18-Bobby Labonte
Failed to qualify: 58-Larry Gunselman**, 59-Brian Cunningham, 71-Dave Marcis
The Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss was run on August 16 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon*
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 36-Ernie Irvan
  7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  8. 50-Wally Dallenbach Jr.*
  9. 43-John Andretti
  10. 97-Chad Little
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 81-Kenny Wallace, 96-Hut Stricklin
The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was run on August 22 in Bristol, Tennessee. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 31-Mike Skinner
  8. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 16-Kevin Lepage
Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 85-Ken Bouchard
The Farm Aid on CMT 300 was run on August 30 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon*
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 43-John Andretti
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 81-Kenny Wallace
  7. 18-Bobby Labonte
  8. 2-Rusty Wallace
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 10-Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 07-Dan Pardus, 30-Derrike Cope, 79-Ken Bouchard
The Pepsi Southern 500 was run on September 6 in Darlington, South Carolina. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down
  6. 36-Ernie Irvan 2 laps down
  7. 2-Rusty Wallace 2 laps down
  8. 40-Sterling Marlin 2 laps down
  9. 7-Geoffrey Bodine 3 laps down
  10. 81-Kenny Wallace 3 laps down
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 91-Morgan Shepherd, 96-Hut Stricklin
The Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 was run on September 12 in Richmond, Virginia. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN. Jeff Burton would edge Jeff Gordon in an exciting side by side finish to take the win.
Top Ten Results
  1. 99-Jeff Burton
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 33-Ken Schrader
  5. 43-John Andretti
  6. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  7. 2-Rusty Wallace
  8. 31-Mike Skinner
  9. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  10. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Ken Bouchard, 98-Rich Bickle

[MBNA Gold 400]

The MBNA Gold 400 was run on September 20 in Dover, Delaware. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 94-Matt Kenseth*
  7. 88-Dale Jarrett
  8. 28-Ernie Irvan
  9. 43-John Andretti
  10. 4-Bobby Hamilton 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis,
96-Morgan Shepherd
The NAPA Autocare 500 was run on September 27 in Martinsville, Virginia. Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 10-Ricky Rudd*
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 98-Rich Bickle*
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 36-Ernie Irvan 1 lap down
  9. 26-Johnny Benson 1 lap down
  10. 18-Bobby Labonte 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 41-David Green, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Ken Bouchard, 85-Randy MacDonald
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was run on October 4 in Concord, North Carolina. The No. 30 of Derrike Cope won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 22-Ward Burton
  3. 99-Jeff Burton
  4. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 16-Kevin Lepage
  7. 42-Joe Nemechek
  8. 97-Chad Little
  9. 7-Geoffrey Bodine
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer
Failed to qualify: 19-Tony Raines, 46-Jeff Green, 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 85-Randy MacDonald
The Winston 500 was run on October 11 in Talladega, Alabama. Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 31-Mike Skinner
  8. 97-Chad Little
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 99-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 41-Rick Wilson, 54-Bobby Gerhart, 75-Rick Mast, 78-Gary Bradberry, 98-Rich Bickle
The Pepsi 400 was scheduled to run on July 4 in Daytona Beach, Florida, but was run on October 17 due to wildfires in the Daytona Beach area. Bobby Labonte sat on the Bud Pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 31-Mike Skinner
  4. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 36-Ernie Irvan / Ricky Craven*
  9. 33-Ken Schrader
  10. 3-Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: 41-Rick Wilson, 75-Rick Mast, 77-Robert Pressley, 78-Gary Bradberry, 90-Dick Trickle
The Dura Lube/Kmart 500* was run on October 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. The No. 33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 13-Ted Musgrave
  6. 43-John Andretti
  7. 24-Jeff Gordon
  8. 81-Kenny Wallace
  9. 26-Johnny Benson
  10. 5-Terry Labonte
Failed to qualify: 21-Michael Waltrip, 45-Jeff Ward, 71-Dave Marcis,
The AC Delco 400 was run on November 1 in Rockingham, North Carolina. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 10-Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom
The NAPA 500 was run on November 8 in Hampton, Georgia. Kenny Irwin Jr. won the pole. Twice during the race, the red flag was displayed, both times for rain. By the time the race was again red-flagged, midnight was approaching, and track officials felt obliged to get the fans home at a decent hour. So the race was called at 221 of the scheduled 325 laps. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top Ten Results
  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 91-Todd Bodine*
  6. 4-Bobby Hamilton
  7. 33-Ken Schrader
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 31-Mike Skinner
  10. 7-Geoffrey Bodine
Failed to qualify: 08-Harris DeVane, 75-Rick Mast, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom,
98-Rich Bickle
The NASCAR Thunder Special Motegi - Coca-Cola 500 was an exhibition race run on November 22 at the Twin Ring Motegi oval in Motegi, Tochigi, Japan. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
This is also the first NASCAR race where Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed with one another in the No. 3 and No. 1 Chevrolets, respectively. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top Ten Results
  1. 31-Mike Skinner
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 1-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 40-Sterling Marlin
  10. 21-Michael Waltrip 2 laps down
Failed to Qualify: None
Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings.
PosDriverDAYCARLVSATLDARBRITEXMARTALCALCLTDOVRCHMCHPOCSONNHAPOCINDGLNMCHBRINHADARRCHDOVMARCLTTALDAYPHOCARATLPoints
1Jeff Gordon161171921318541337321311115112225217115328
2Mark Martin38312577129231475156222241240313134162434964
3Dale Jarrett347402131133415122315751653443167422412332224619
4Rusty Wallace5234333126123421831742546842338775282627513204501
5Jeff Burton4018285429324310827443913362352521385310134544415
6Bobby Labonte233191233481513834871541143102257153541039622315434180
7Jeremy Mayfield314534122371321956511830184231782052232325544229154157
8Dale Earnhardt1178131222354369392521158111875111869438232229321039133928
9Terry Labonte138151262626434110119124214319403613392521186383610883901
10Bobby Hamilton129202135182613027201716382021520201320113423610144152121663786
11John Andretti181341201319421833317122220133612789383145937122114634323682
12Ken Schrader42321171862110291510154284320981024141442134391340249221473675
13Sterling Marlin222524DNQ144014369141519101897351111715211781516183014181213423530
14Jimmy Spencer154741211473022113241411102925193220133492719104122630213464
15Chad Little72110DNQ1735216346353713163023221628161023141812173688202040113423
16Ward Burton25111824111715288123429198244023343421373731122833112307147143352
17Michael Waltrip93414181699212120181440211434241021282216271726202013931DNQ22223340
18Bill Elliott1069111515131239431413256371226361227401937114071119153812263305
19Ernie Irvan61930153620439613119291434362096336222861488313783262
20Johnny BensonDNQ3049855384189411822362121332593433212141159283126941233160
21Mike Skinner8322942283233292730292917530431971526832162173162193153
22Ricky Rudd4243122333302714241131611374128194231141391022341313718272710243131
23Ted Musgrave2035629108302423312221526171939151919394320252615271134519193124
24Darrell Waltrip33413540302336401551720321261313131325252732381821212223283132382957
25Brett Bodine2416262622111613112822162033183228383334322630421922341913254331312907
26Joe Nemechek2639373537DNQ424322262612935253617241212311835372940729171817402897
27Geoffrey Bodine315132241393235DNQ7232328234035371437322130239131439925413411102864
28Kenny Irwin Jr.1926365394339194016DNQ3391311933223837161511411040272043324033162760
29Dick Trickle273716624132237203721211724273317291841384319334231333338DNQ1923122678
30Kyle Petty11242236293817343842304224363126821146291233283941291820223639292675
PosDriverDAYCARLVSATLDARBRITEXMARTALCALCLTDOVRCHMCHPOCSONNHAPOCINDGLNMCHBRINHADARRCHDOVMARCLTTALDAYPHOCARATLPoints

Full Top 50

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon 5328
  2. 6-Mark Martin 4964
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett 4619
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace 4501
  5. 99-Jeff Burton 4415
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte 4180
  7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield 4157
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt 3928
  9. 5-Terry Labonte 3901
  10. 4-Bobby Hamilton 3786
  11. 43-John Andretti 3682
  12. 33-Ken Schrader 3675
  13. 40-Sterling Marlin 3530
  14. 23-Jimmy Spencer 3464
  15. 97-Chad Little 3423
  16. 22-Ward Burton 3352
  17. 21-Michael Waltrip 3340
  18. 94-Bill Elliott 3305
  19. 36-Ernie Irvan 3262
  20. 26-Johnny Benson 3160
  21. 31-Mike Skinner 3153
  22. 10-Ricky Rudd 3131
  23. 16-Ted Musgrave 3124
  24. 17/1-Darrell Waltrip 2957
  25. 11-Brett Bodine 2907
  26. 42-Joe Nemechek 2897
  27. 7-Geoffrey Bodine 2864
  28. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr. ' 2760
  29. 90-Dick Trickle 2678
  30. 44-Kyle Petty 2675
  31. 81-Kenny Wallace 2615
  32. 77-Robert Pressley 2388
  33. 75-Rick Mast 2296
  34. 41-Steve Grissom 2215
  35. 91/16-Kevin Lepage ' 2196
  36. 13/9-Jerry Nadeau ' 2121
  37. 30-Derrike Cope 2065
  38. 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr. 1832
  39. 98-Rich Bickle 1773
  40. 29/46-Jeff Green 1687
  41. 1-Steve Park ' 1322
  42. 35/91-Todd Bodine 1322
  43. 9-Lake Speed 1297
  44. 96/41-David Green 1014
  45. 71-Dave Marcis 949
  46. 50/36-Ricky Craven 907
  47. Morgan Shepherd 843
  48. 78-Gary Bradberry 787
  49. 50-Randy LaJoie 768
  50. 8/96-Hut Stricklin 700

    Rookie of the Year">NASCAR Rookie of the Year">Rookie of the Year

This would be the last time until 2004 in which a rookie candidate did not win a race. The winner of this year's award was Kenny Irwin Jr., who qualified for 32 of the 33 races, had four top-tens, and one pole position in his Robert Yates Racing Ford. Kevin Lepage finished in second-place despite missing six races and starting the year with an underfunded team. Third-place finisher Jerry Nadeau also switched teams, starting the year with Bill Elliott Racing but winding up at Melling Racing at season's end. Finally, the last-place finisher was pre-season favorite Steve Park, who missed most of the year after suffering a broken leg in a practice crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway.