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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.
Contents
- Bud Shootout Qualifier
- Bud Shootout
- Gatorade 125s
- 40th Daytona 500
- GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400
- Las Vegas 400
- Primestar 500
- TranSouth Financial 400
- Food City 500
- Texas 500
- Goodys Headache Powder 500
- DieHard 500
- California 500 Presented by NAPA
- The Winston
- Coca Cola 600
- MBNA Platinum 400
- Pontiac Excitement 400
- Miller Lite 400
- Pocono 500
- Save MartKragen 350
- Jiffy Lube 300
- Pennsylvania 500
- Brickyard 400
- The Bud at the Glen
- Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss
- Farm Aid on CMT 300
- Pepsi Southern 500
- Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400
- MBNA Gold 400
- NAPA Autocare 500
- UAW GM Quality 500
- Winston 500
- Pepsi 400
- Dura LubeKmart 500
- AC Delco 400
- NAPA 500
- NASCAR Thunder Special Motegi Coca Cola 500
- Final points standings
- Rookie of the Year
- References
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
- 23- Jimmy Spencer
- 9- Lake Speed
- 3- Dale Earnhardt
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 11- Brett Bodine
- 97- Chad Little
- 75- Rick Mast
- 29- Jeff Green
- 98- Greg Sacks
- 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
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 81- Kenny Wallace
- 94- Bill Elliott
- 23- Jimmy Spencer
- 33- Ken Schrader
- 7- Geoff Bodine
- 36- Ernie Irvan
- 6- Mark Martin
- 43- John Andretti
- 35- Todd Bodine
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.
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 22-Ward Burton
- 30-Derrike Cope
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 6-Mark Martin
- 43-John Andretti
- 94-Bill Elliott
Race Two: Top Ten Results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 9-Lake Speed
- 95-Andy Hillenburg
- 91-Kevin Lepage
- 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
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 97-Chad Little
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 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
GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 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
Primestar 500
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 (air guns, lugnuts, etc.) 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
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
- 90-Dick Trickle
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 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
TranSouth Financial 400
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
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 6-Mark Martin
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 16-Ted Musgrave
Failed to qualify: 05-Morgan Shepherd, 1-Ron Hornaday, 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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 6-Mark Martin
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 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 of his No. 98 Ford. He would not race for the rest of the year at all. 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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 97-Chad Little
- 77-Robert Pressley
- 42-Joe Nemechek
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 41-Steve Grissom
Failed to qualify: 13-Jerry Nadeau, 30-Derrike Cope, 35-Todd Bodine, 47-Billy Standridge, 95-Andy Hillenburg
Goody's Headache Powder 500
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
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 50-Randy LaJoie
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 33-Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify: 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry
DieHard 500
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
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 22-Ward Burton
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 50-Randy LaJoie
Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 7-Geoff Bodine, 8-Hut Stricklin, 29-Jeff Green, 35-Todd Bodine, 60-Matt Kenseth, 61-Bob Strait, 78-Gary Bradberry, 98-Rich Bickle
California 500 Presented by NAPA
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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 1-Darrell Waltrip
- 97-Chad Little
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 99-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 19-Tony Raines, 71-Dave Marcis, 98-Rich Bickle
The Winston
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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 6-Mark Martin
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 42-Joe Nemechek
- 43-John Andretti
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 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
MBNA Platinum 400
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
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 8-Buckshot Jones*
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 5-Terry Labonte
Failed to qualify: 13-Dennis Setzer, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Morgan Shepherd
Pontiac Excitement 400
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
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 6-Mark Martin
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
- 40-Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: 8-Buckshot Jones, 91-Kevin Lepage
Miller Lite 400
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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 22-Ward Burton
- 42-Joe Nemechek
- 50-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.*
Failed to qualify: 19-Tony Raines, 30-Derrike Cope, 35-Todd Bodine, 71-Dave Marcis
Pocono 500
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
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield*
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 6-Mark Martin
- 1-Darrell Waltrip
- 50-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 71-Dave Marcis
Save Mart/Kragen 350
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 43-John Andretti
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 75-Rick Mast*
- 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
- 41-Steve Grissom
Failed to qualify: 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Tommy Kendall*, 58-Chris Raudman, 70-Rick Ware, 71-Dave Marcis
Jiffy Lube 300
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 in Sonoma, CA. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top Ten Results
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 43-John Andretti
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 21-Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: 35-Jimmy Horton, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Randy MacDonald
Brickyard 400
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 6-Mark Martin
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 43-John Andretti
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 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
The Bud at the Glen
The Bud at the Glen 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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 6-Mark Martin*
- 31-Mike Skinner*
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 44-Kyle Petty
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 43-John Andretti
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 18-Bobby Labonte
Failed to qualify: 58-Larry Gunselman**, 59-Brian Cunningham, 71-Dave Marcis
Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon*
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 36-Ernie Irvan
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 50-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.*
- 43-John Andretti
- 97-Chad Little
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 81-Kenny Wallace, 96-Hut Stricklin
Goody's Headache Powder 500
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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 16-Kevin Lepage
Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 85-Ken Bouchard
Farm Aid on CMT 300
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon*
- 6-Mark Martin
- 43-John Andretti
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 10-Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 07-Dan Pardus, 30-Derrike Cope, 79-Ken Bouchard
Pepsi Southern 500
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down
- 36-Ernie Irvan 2 laps down
- 2-Rusty Wallace 2 laps down
- 40-Sterling Marlin 2 laps down
- 7-Geoff Bodine 3 laps down
- 81-Kenny Wallace 3 laps down
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 91-Morgan Shepherd, 96-Hut Stricklin
Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400
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
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 6-Mark Martin
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 43-John Andretti
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 94-Matt Kenseth*
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 43-John Andretti
- 4-Bobby Hamilton 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis, 96-Morgan Shepherd
NAPA Autocare 500
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
- 10-Ricky Rudd*
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 6-Mark Martin
- 98-Rich Bickle*
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 36-Ernie Irvan 1 lap down
- 26-Johnny Benson 1 lap down
- 18-Bobby Labonte 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 41-David Green, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Ken Bouchard, 85-Randy MacDonald
UAW-GM Quality 500
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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 22-Ward Burton
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 43-Bobby Hamilton
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 16-Kevin Lepage
- 42-Joe Nemechek
- 97-Chad Little
- 7-Geoff Bodine
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
Failed to qualify: 19-Tony Raines, 46-Jeff Green, 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 85-Randy MacDonald
Winston 500
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
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 23-Jimmy Spencer
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 97-Chad Little
- 21-Michael Waltrip
- 99-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 41-Rick Wilson, 54-Bobby Gerhart, 75-Rick Mast, 78-Gary Bradberry, 98-Rich Bickle
Pepsi 400
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 18-Bobby Labonte
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 22-Ward Burton
- 36-Ernie Irvan / Ricky Craven*
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: 41-Rick Wilson, 75-Rick Mast, 77-Robert Pressley, 78-Gary Bradberry, 90-Dick Trickle
Dura Lube/Kmart 500
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
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 13-Ted Musgrave
- 43-John Andretti
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 81-Kenny Wallace
- 26-Johnny Benson
- 5-Terry Labonte
Failed to qualify: 21-Michael Waltrip, 45-Jeff Ward, 71-Dave Marcis,
AC Delco 400
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 22-Ward Burton
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 10-Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom
NAPA 500
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
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 91-Todd Bodine*
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 33-Ken Schrader
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 7-Geoff Bodine
Failed to qualify: 08-Harris DeVane, 75-Rick Mast, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom, 98-Rich Bickle
NASCAR Thunder Special Motegi - Coca-Cola 500
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
- 31-Mike Skinner
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield
- 99-Jeff Burton
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 1-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 94-Bill Elliott
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 21-Michael Waltrip 2 laps down
Failed to Qualify: None
Final points standings
- 24-Jeff Gordon 5328
- 6-Mark Martin 4964
- 88-Dale Jarrett 4619
- 2-Rusty Wallace 4501
- 99-Jeff Burton 4415
- 18-Bobby Labonte 4180
- 12-Jeremy Mayfield 4157
- 3-Dale Earnhardt 3928
- 5-Terry Labonte 3901
- 4-Bobby Hamilton 3786
- 43-John Andretti 3682
- 33-Ken Schrader 3675
- 40-Sterling Marlin 3530
- 23-Jimmy Spencer 3464
- 97-Chad Little 3423
- 22-Ward Burton 3352
- 21-Michael Waltrip 3340
- 94-Bill Elliott 3305
- 36-Ernie Irvan 3262
- 26-Johnny Benson 3160
- 31-Mike Skinner 3153
- 10-Ricky Rudd 3131
- 16-Ted Musgrave 3124
- 17/1-Darrell Waltrip 2957
- 11-Brett Bodine 2907
- 42-Joe Nemechek 2897
- 7-Geoff Bodine 2864
- 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr. (R) 2760
- 90-Dick Trickle 2678
- 44-Kyle Petty 2675
- 81-Kenny Wallace 2615
- 77-Robert Pressley 2388
- 75-Rick Mast 2296
- 41-Steve Grissom 2215
- 91/16-Kevin Lepage (R) 2196
- 13/9-Jerry Nadeau (R) 2121
- 30-Derrike Cope 2065
- 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr. 1832
- 98-Rich Bickle 1773
- 29/46-Jeff Green 1687
- 1-Steve Park (R) 1322
- 35/91-Todd Bodine 1322
- 9-Lake Speed 1297
- 96/41-David Green 1014
- 71-Dave Marcis 949
- 50/36-Ricky Craven 907
- Morgan Shepherd 843
- 78-Gary Bradberry 787
- 50-Randy LaJoie 768
- 8/96-Hut Stricklin 700
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.