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The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season was the 49th season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 26th modern era NASCAR Cup series, and the first of the final 4 Cup seasons of the 20th Century and the 2nd millennium. It began on February 9 and ended on November 16. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was crowned champion at season's end. It was Gordon's second championship.
Contents
- Busch Clash
- Gatorade 125s
- 39th Daytona 500
- Goodwrench Service 400
- Pontiac Excitement 400
- Primestar 500
- TranSouth Financial 400
- Interstate Batteries 500
- Food City 500
- Goodys Headache Powder 500
- Save Mart Supermarkets 300
- Winston 500
- Winston Open
- The Winston
- Coca Cola 600
- Miller 500
- Pocono 500
- Miller 400
- California 500 Presented by NAPA
- Pepsi 400
- Jiffy Lube 300
- Pennsylvania 500
- Brickyard 400
- The Bud At The Glen
- DeVilbiss 400
- Mountain Dew Southern 500
- Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400
- CMT 300
- MBNA 400
- Hanes 500
- UAW GM Quality 500
- DieHard 500
- AC Delco 400
- Dura Lube 500 Presented by Kmart
- NAPA 500
- NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka
- Drivers championship
- NASCAR Rookie of the Year
- References
Busch Clash
The Busch Clash, a race for polewinners from the previous season, and drivers who have won the event before, was run on February 9 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Terry Labonte drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
- Jeff Gordon
- Rusty Wallace
- Dale Earnhardt
- Ward Burton
- Ernie Irvan
- Mark Martin
- Dale Jarrett
- Ricky Craven
- Johnny Benson
Gatorade 125s
The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 13 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mike Skinner and Steve Grissom were the polesitters for races one and two, respectively. The races were broadcast tape-delayed on CBS just prior to the Daytona 500.
Race one results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 6-Mark Martin
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 22-Ward Burton
- 29-Robert Pressley
Race two results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 30-Johnny Benson
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 40-Robby Gordon
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
39th Daytona 500
The 1997 Daytona 500 was run on February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The #31 of Mike Skinner won the pole. The race ended under caution after a big crash with five laps remaining involved several cars. The race was broadcast on CBS.
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 6-Mark Martin
- 22-Ward Burton
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
Failed to qualify: 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Gary Bradberry, 78-Billy Standridge, 15-Larry Pearson, 42-Joe Nemechek, 97-Chad Little, 75-Rick Mast, 96-David Green*, 0-Delma Cowart, and 84-Norm Benning.
Goodwrench Service 400
The Goodwrench Service 400 was run on February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. The #6 of Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 1-Morgan Shepherd
Pontiac Excitement 400
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 30-Johnny Benson
- 44-Kyle Petty
Primestar 500
The Primestar 500 was run on March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The #40 of Robby Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 1-Morgan Shepherd
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 6-Mark Martin
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
Failed to qualify: 29-Robert Pressley, 36-Derrike Cope, 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 95-Ed Berrier, 08-Mike Miller
TranSouth Financial 400
The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 23 at Darlington Raceway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Until Kevin Harvick's win in this event on April 12, 2014, this would be the last Darlington race to be won by a polesitter.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 30-Johnny Benson
Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 78-Billy Standridge, 90-Dick Trickle
Interstate Batteries 500
The inaugural Interstate Batteries 500 was held April 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the first race held at the track, and the first NASCAR race in the state of Texas since 1981. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
- 99-Jeff Burton*
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 22-Ward Burton
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 41-Steve Grissom
Failed to Qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 27-Rick Wilson, 29-Robert Pressley, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 66-H. B. Bailey, 74-Randy LaJoie, 95-Ed Berrier, 96-David Green, 02-Mike Bliss
Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held April 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. the race had 20 cautions for 132 laps to set a Bristol record for the first time since 1989. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 97-Chad Little
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 11-Brett Bodine
Failed to qualify: 20-Greg Sacks, 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 78-Billy Standridge, 91-Mike Wallace
Goody's Headache Powder 500
The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was held April 20 at Martinsville Speedway. Kenny Wallace won the pole. It was FILMAR Racing's first career pole of the season. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 6-Mark Martin
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 33-Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 20-Lance Hooper, 78-Billy Standridge, 79-Randy MacDonald, 96-David Green
Save Mart Supermarkets 300
The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 4 at Sears Point International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 11-Brett Bodine
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 22-Ward Burton
Failed to Qualify:
42-Joe Nemechek, 75-Rick Mast, 78w-Chuck Pruitt, 90-Dick Trickle, 96-David Green, 09-R.K. Smith
Winston 500
The Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway was originally scheduled for Sunday April 27, but rain forced the race to be postponed. Teams returned on Saturday May 10 (Mother's Day weekend), and the race was held under sunny skies.
John Andretti started from the pole position. The race was run caution-free, the first time in Talladega history. It also stands as the fastest 500-mile (800 km) race in NASCAR history (at 188.354 mph (303.126 km/h), a record that still stands). The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 98-John Andretti
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 30-Johnny Benson
- 28-Ernie Irvan
Failed to Qualify:
19-Gary Bradberry, 42-Joe Nemechek*, 91-Mike Wallace
Winston Open
The Winston Open was held before The Winston All Star Race on May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a last chance qualifier race for the cars that had not won a race yet in 1997 or late 1996 and was not a past champion. Chad Little won the pole. The winner of this race would qualify to be in The Winston All Star Race.
Top ten results
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 41-Steve Grissom
- 9-Lake Speed
- 97-Chad Little
- 8-Hut Stricklin
- 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
- 30-Johnny Benson
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 98-John Andretti
- 31-Mike Skinner
The Winston
The Winston is the All Star Race for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17 after the Winston Open Race. Drivers have to qualify; Win a race since last years The Winston race, Win the Winston Open qualifier race, or Win one of The Winston All Star Races from the past 5 years. This race was run in 3 segments with 2 30 segments and a 10 lap shootout segment for a total of 70 laps. Bill Elliott won the pole. Dale Jarrett won the first segment and Bobby Labonte won the second segment. The final segment results are post in the top ten below. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten final segment results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 6-Mark Martin
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 94-Bill Elliott
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was shortened to 333 laps due to time issues after a long rain delay; it was after 1:00 am EDT when the race was completed. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 1-Morgan Shepherd
- 10-Ricky Rudd
Failed to Qualify:
71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Ed Berrier, 97-Chad Little
Miller 500
The Miller 500 was held June 1 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The #18 of Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 4-Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: 78-Billy Standridge, 95-Ed Berrier
Pocono 500
The Pocono 500 was held June 8 at Pocono Raceway. The #43 of Bobby Hamilton won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
Miller 400
The Miller 400 was held June 15 at Michigan Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
- 28-Ernie Irvan*
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 6-Mark Martin
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 36-Derrike Cope
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 30-Johnny Benson
California 500 Presented by NAPA
The inaugural California 500 Presented by NAPA was held June 22 at California Speedway. The #42 of Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 29-Jeff Green
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 6-Mark Martin
Failed to qualify: 78-Billy Standridge, 81-Kenny Wallace, 91-Mike Wallace*
Pepsi 400
The Pepsi 400 was held July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. The #31 of Mike Skinner won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN, for the last time.
Top ten results
- 98-John Andretti
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 18-Bobby Labonte
Failed to qualify: 7-Geoff Bodine, 29-Jeff Green, 91-Loy Allen
Jiffy Lube 300
The Jiffy Lube 300 was held July 13 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The #33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 41-Steve Grissom
- 6-Mark Martin
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 7-Geoff Bodine
Pennsylvania 500
The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 20 at Pocono Raceway. The #42 of Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 6-Mark Martin
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 94-Bill Elliott
Brickyard 400
The Brickyard 400 was held August 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top ten results
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
- 6-Mark Martin
- 30-Johnny Benson
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 28-Ernie Irvan
Failed to qualify: 1-Mike Wallace, 7-Geoff Bodine, 8-Hut Stricklin, 61-Tim Steele, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd, 78-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 90-Dick Trickle
The Bud At The Glen
The Bud At The Glen was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. The #34 of Todd Bodine (in a one-off Winston Cup race for Team 34 Racing, his Busch Series team at the time) won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 40-Robby Gordon
- 6-Mark Martin
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 41-Steve Grissom
- 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
DeVilbiss 400
The DeVilbiss 400 was held August 17 at Michigan Speedway. The #30 of Johnny Benson won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Terry Labonte
● Mark Martin won after coming from 2 laps down after suffering a blown left rear tire
● Roush Racing drivers dominated the day leading 177 of 200 laps
Goody's Headache Powder 500
The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The #81 of Kenny Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 90-Dick Trickle
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 41-Steve Grissom
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 7-Geoff Bodine*
- 4-Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: 40-Robby Gordon, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd
Mountain Dew Southern 500
The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon*
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 6-Mark Martin
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 33-Ken Schrader
Failed to Qualify:
71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd, 91-Greg Sacks
Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400
The Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 was held September 6 at Richmond International Raceway. The #94 of Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 42-Joe Nemechek
- 22-Ward Burton
- 27-Kenny Irwin, Jr.*
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 37-Jeremy Mayfield
CMT 300
The CMT 300 was held September 14 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The #33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 41-Steve Grissom
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 8-Hut Stricklin
MBNA 400
The MBNA 400 was held September 21 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 75-Rick Mast
Failed to qualify: 14-Steve Park
Hanes 500
The Hanes 500 was held September 29 at Martinsville Speedway. Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 22-Ward Burton
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 28-Ernie Irvan
UAW-GM Quality 500
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #7 of Geoff Bodine won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 22-Ward Burton
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 30-Johnny Benson
Failed to qualify: 14-Steve Park, 15-Greg Sacks, 17-Darrell Waltrip, 31-Mike Skinner, 40-Elliott Sadler*, 71-Dave Marcis, 75-Rick Mast
DieHard 500
The DieHard 500 was held October 12 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole. Like many Talladega races, the story was "the Big One" - collecting 23 cars on lap 140 after Jeff Gordon cut a tire and turned into traffic. Mark Martin was furious after the wreck, and made an infamous quote. "I hate restrictor plate racing" he said while being interviewed by a pit reporter. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 98-John Andretti
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 75-Rick Mast
- 2-Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 22-Ward Burton, 29-Jeff Green, 78-Gary Bradberry, 95-Ed Berrier
AC Delco 400
The AC Delco 400 was held October 27 at North Carolina Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 25-Ricky Craven
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 90-Dick Trickle
- 6-Mark Martin
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 42-Joe Nemechek
Failed to qualify: 11-Brett Bodine, 71-Dave Marcis
Dura Lube 500 Presented by Kmart
The Dura Lube 500 Presented by Kmart was held November 2 at Phoenix International Raceway. Bobby Hamilton won the pole. Dale Jarrett's victory in this race marked the final victory for the Ford Thunderbird. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 41-Steve Grissom
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 7-Geoff Bodine
Failed to qualify: 1-Morgan Shepherd
NAPA 500
The NAPA 500 was held November 16 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The #7 of Geoff Bodine won the pole at a speed of 197.478 mph (317.810 km/h), which (as of February 26, 2012) is the fastest qualifying lap ever run outside of Daytona and Talladega. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 29-Jeff Green
- 36-Derrike Cope
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 42-Joe Nemechek
- 22-Ward Burton
- 30-Johnny Benson
Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 35-Todd Bodine, 40-Greg Sacks, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Robert Pressley, 95-Ed Berrier, 96-David Green
NASCAR Thunder Special — Suzuka
The NASCAR Thunder Special - Suzuka was a non points exhibition race held November 23 on the Suzuka Circuit - East Circuit in Japan. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top ten results
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 6-Mark Martin
- 74-Randy LaJoie
- 96-David Green
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 09-Jim Richards
- 72-Kenny Wallace
- 38-Butch Gilliland
- 5-Jack Sprague
- 7-Geoff Bodine
Drivers' championship
- Jeff Gordon - 4710
- Dale Jarrett - 4696
- Mark Martin - 4681
- Jeff Burton - 4285
- Dale Earnhardt - 4216
- Terry Labonte - 4177
- Bobby Labonte - 4101
- Bill Elliott - 3836
- Rusty Wallace - 3598
- Ken Schrader - 3576
- Johnny Benson - 3575
- Ted Musgrave - 3556
- Jeremy Mayfield - 3547
- Ernie Irvan - 3534
- Kyle Petty - 3455
- Bobby Hamilton - 3450
- Ricky Rudd - 3330
- Michael Waltrip - 3173
- Ricky Craven - 3108
- Jimmy Spencer - 3079
- Steve Grissom - 3061
- Geoff Bodine - 3046
- John Andretti - 3019
- Ward Burton - 2987
- Sterling Marlin - 2954
- Darrell Waltrip - 2942
- Derrike Cope - 2901
- Joe Nemechek - 2754
- Brett Bodine - 2716
- Mike Skinner (R) - 2669
- Dick Trickle - 2629
- Rick Mast - 2569
- Kenny Wallace - 2462
- Hut Stricklin - 2423
- Lake Speed - 2301
- Chad Little - 2081
- David Green (R) - 2038
- Morgan Shepherd - 2033
- Jeff Green (R) - 1624
- Robby Gordon (R) - 1495
- Wally Dallenbach, Jr. - 1475
- Dave Marcis - 1405
- Robert Pressley - 984
- Gary Bradberry - 868
- Greg Sacks - 778
- Mike Wallace - 541
- Bobby Hillin, Jr. - 511
- Lance Hooper - 402
- Kenny Irwin, Jr. - 390
- Billy Standridge - 366
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
After running the Cup series part-time for a decade, Mike Skinner finally ran a full-time schedule, and walked away with three top-tens and the Rookie of the Year title. His closest runner-up was David Green, despite the fact Green did not finish any higher than sixteenth. Third place was Green's brother Jeff, who came into the season midway with Diamond Ridge Motorsports. The last place finisher was Robby Gordon, who suffered through a tumultuous season with Team SABCO, dealing with injuries and personal disputes.