2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series


The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Season was the 52nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States, and was the 29th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 13 and ended on November 20. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte was crowned champion at season's end. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Ford as they captured 14 wins and 234 points to better Pontiac's 11 wins and 213 points. Chevrolet finished third with nine wins and 199 points.
The season was marred by tragedy when Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin Jr. were killed in separate accidents at the New Hampshire International Raceway.
This was the final season for the three-time Winston Cup Champion Darrell Waltrip. Also, this was unexpectedly the final full-time season for seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in the 2001 Daytona 500.
The 2000 season also marked the final one for various networks that carried NASCAR racing. Because of the new television deal struck on December 15, 1999, it would be the last year for a multitude of these long-time broadcasters. NASCAR on CBS broadcast the final races of its twenty-two season partnership, ending with the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. NASCAR on TNN and NASCAR on TBS ended their time in the Winston Cup Series; the former's run of ten seasons came to an end at the Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix, while the latter's abruptly ceased at eighteen seasons following the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. NASCAR on ESPN, alongside its affiliated programming with ESPN on ABC, ended its initial run of covering NASCAR's top series ; ESPN's first run of twenty seasons concluded with the NAPA 500 at Atlanta, while ABC's then-twenty-five nonconsecutive seasons with the sport stopped with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.
2000 was the first season without Ernie Irvan since 1986. Also as the final season before the future champions, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Schedule

Results

Bud Shootout">Advance Auto Parts Clash">Bud Shootout

The Bud Shootout, an exhibition race for all Pole Award winners from the previous season, was held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Mark Martin drew the pole. Ricky Rudd suffered a spectacular flip at the checkered flag when he was tapped by Sterling Marlin when Marlin ran into Bobby Labonte. Everyone involved walked away uninjured. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top 10 results
  1. 88–Dale Jarrett
  2. 24–Jeff Gordon
  3. 40–Sterling Marlin
  4. 20–Tony Stewart
  5. 16–Kevin Lepage
  6. 36–Ken Schrader
  7. 2–Rusty Wallace
  8. 33–Joe Nemechek
  9. 42–Kenny Irwin Jr.
  10. 22–Ward Burton

    Gatorade 125s">Can-Am Duel">Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd were the polesitters for races 1 and 2, respectively. The Gatorade Twin 125s were held on February 19 on CBS after the NASCAR Busch Series Race.
Race one top 10 results
  1. 94–Bill Elliott
  2. 88–Dale Jarrett
  3. 2–Rusty Wallace
  4. 20–Tony Stewart
  5. 6–Mark Martin
  6. 24–Jeff Gordon
  7. 18–Bobby Labonte
  8. 32–Scott Pruett
  9. 13–Robby Gordon
  10. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
Race two top 10 results
  1. 28–Ricky Rudd
  2. 31–Mike Skinner
  3. 22–Ward Burton
  4. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. 7–Michael Waltrip
  6. 15–Derrike Cope
  7. 99–Jeff Burton
  8. 33–Joe Nemechek
  9. 42–Kenny Irwin Jr.
  10. 25–Jerry Nadeau

    42nd [Daytona 500]

The 2000 Daytona 500 was held February 20 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.
  1. 88–Dale Jarrett
  2. 99–Jeff Burton
  3. 94–Bill Elliott
  4. 2–Rusty Wallace
  5. 6–Mark Martin
  6. 18–Bobby Labonte
  7. 5–Terry Labonte
  8. 22–Ward Burton
  9. 36–Ken Schrader
  10. 17–Matt Kenseth*
Failed to qualify: 60 –Geoffrey Bodine, 84-Norm Benning, 72–Jim Sauter, 65–Dan Pardus, 85 –Carl Long, 48–Stanton Barrett, 89-Bobby Gerhart, 96–Greg Sacks, 11 –Brett Bodine, 71-Dave Marcis, 91 –Andy Hillenburg, 27 –Jeff Fuller*, 50 –Ricky Craven, and 34 –David Green.
The Dura Lube / Kmart 400 was held February 27 at North Carolina Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 18–Bobby Labonte
  2. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  3. 22–Ward Burton
  4. 20–Tony Stewart
  5. 88–Dale Jarrett 1 lap down
  6. 28–Ricky Rudd 1 lap down
  7. 12–Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down
  8. 6–Mark Martin 1 lap down
  9. 1–Steve Park 1 lap down
  10. 24–Jeff Gordon 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: Ricky Craven, Scott Pruett, Dave Blaney, Mike Bliss

CarsDirect.com 400">Pennzoil 400 (Las Vegas)">CarsDirect.com 400

The CarsDirect.com 400 was held March 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.
Top 10 results
  1. 99–Jeff Burton
  2. 20–Tony Stewart
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 94–Bill Elliott
  5. 18–Bobby Labonte
  6. 10–Johnny Benson
  7. 88–Dale Jarrett
  8. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  9. 33–Joe Nemechek
  10. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Failed to qualify: Rick Mast, Mike Bliss, Ed Berrier, Brett Bodine, Dave Marcis, Austin Cameron
The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  2. 18–Bobby Labonte
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 1–Steve Park
  5. 33–Joe Nemechek
  6. 97–Chad Little
  7. 91–Todd Bodine
  8. 22–Ward Burton 1 lap down
  9. 24–Jeff Gordon 1 lap down
  10. 94–Bill Elliott 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis, Ed Berrier, Johnny Benson, Mike Bliss, Robby Gordon
The Mall.com 400 was held March 19 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 22–Ward Burton
  2. 88–Dale Jarrett
  3. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 20–Tony Stewart
  5. 99–Jeff Burton
  6. 17–Matt Kenseth
  7. 4–Bobby Hamilton
  8. 24–Jeff Gordon
  9. 6–Mark Martin
  10. 16–Kevin Lepage
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope, Ricky Craven, Scott Pruett, Wally Dallenbach Jr., Ed Berrier
The Food City 500 was held March 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Park won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 2–Rusty Wallace
  2. 10–Johnny Benson
  3. 22–Ward Burton
  4. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  5. 5–Terry Labonte
  6. 18–Bobby Labonte
  7. 1–Steve Park
  8. 24–Jeff Gordon
  9. 99–Jeff Burton
  10. 40–Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis, Ricky Craven, Ed Berrier, Scott Pruett
The DirecTV 500 was held April 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. 99–Jeff Burton
  3. 18–Bobby Labonte
  4. 2–Rusty Wallace
  5. 16–Kevin Lepage
  6. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  7. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  8. 5–Terry Labonte
  9. 20–Tony Stewart
  10. 28–Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: Robby Gordon, Dave Marcis, Wally Dallenbach Jr., Kyle Petty, Todd Bodine
The Goody's Body Pain 500 was held April 9 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 6–Mark Martin
  2. 99–Jeff Burton
  3. 7–Michael Waltrip
  4. 24–Jeff Gordon
  5. 88–Dale Jarrett
  6. 20–Tony Stewart
  7. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  8. 94–Bill Elliott
  9. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  10. 2–Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: Wally Dallenbach Jr., Rick Mast, Dave Marcis, Ed Berrier
The DieHard 500 was held April 16 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 24–Jeff Gordon*
  2. 31–Mike Skinner
  3. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 42–Kenny Irwin Jr.
  5. 26–Jimmy Spencer
  6. 6–Mark Martin
  7. 5–Terry Labonte
  8. 40–Sterling Marlin
  9. 44–Kyle Petty
  10. 22–Ward Burton
Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine, Kevin Lepage, Gary Bradberry*, Rick Mast, Elliott Sadler
The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held April 30 at California Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 12–Jeremy Mayfield*
  2. 18–Bobby Labonte
  3. 17–Matt Kenseth
  4. 28–Ricky Rudd
  5. 99–Jeff Burton
  6. 22–Ward Burton
  7. 31–Mike Skinner
  8. 2–Rusty Wallace
  9. 88–Dale Jarrett
  10. 20–Tony Stewart
Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis, Ed Berrier, Dwayne Leik
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held May 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. 5–Terry Labonte
  3. 88–Dale Jarrett
  4. 28–Ricky Rudd
  5. 2–Rusty Wallace
  6. 22–Ward Burton
  7. 99–Jeff Burton
  8. 20–Tony Stewart
  9. 94–Bill Elliott
  10. 3–Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: Rick Mast, Darrell Waltrip, Dave Marcis, Ed Berrier
The Winston, the all-star race for all past champions and recent winners, was held May 20 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Top ten results
  1. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. 88–Dale Jarrett
  3. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 25–Jerry Nadeau
  5. 99–Jeff Burton
  6. 5–Terry Labonte
  7. 2–Rusty Wallace
  8. 94–Bill Elliott
  9. 18–Bobby Labonte
  10. 22–Ward Burton
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 17–Matt Kenseth
  2. 18–Bobby Labonte
  3. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. 88–Dale Jarrett
  6. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  7. 31–Mike Skinner
  8. 2–Rusty Wallace
  9. 1–Steve Park
  10. 24–Jeff Gordon
Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave, Steve Grissom, Ed Berrier, Darrell Waltrip, Dave Marcis
The MBNA Platinum 400 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 20–Tony Stewart
  2. 17–Matt Kenseth
  3. 18–Bobby Labonte
  4. 88–Dale Jarrett
  5. 28–Ricky Rudd
  6. 3–Dale Earnhardt 1 lap down
  7. 33–Joe Nemechek 2 laps down
  8. 22–Ward Burton 2 laps down
  9. 31–Mike Skinner 2 laps down
  10. 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2 laps down
Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty*, Carl Long
The Kmart 400 was held June 11 at Michigan International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was shortened to 194 laps due to darkness caused by two rain delays. Due to the rain delay, race coverage was moved from CBS to TNN but retained CBS' announce team and graphics.
Top ten results
  1. 20–Tony Stewart
  2. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  3. 18–Bobby Labonte
  4. 88–Dale Jarrett
  5. 77–Robert Pressley
  6. 22–Ward Burton
  7. 2–Rusty Wallace
  8. 94–Bill Elliott
  9. 43–John Andretti
  10. 40–Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: Darrell Waltrip, Ricky Craven, Dave Marcis
The Pocono 500 was scheduled for June 18 but was held June 19 at Pocono Raceway due to rain. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  2. 88–Dale Jarrett
  3. 28–Ricky Rudd
  4. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  5. 6–Mark Martin
  6. 20–Tony Stewart
  7. 99–Jeff Burton
  8. 24–Jeff Gordon
  9. 31–Mike Skinner
  10. 2–Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: Darrell Waltrip, Dwayne Leik, Bill Baird
The Save Mart/Kragen 350 was held June 25 at Sears Point International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. During qualifying, Ward Burton flipped.
Top ten results
  1. 24–Jeff Gordon
  2. 40–Sterling Marlin
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 18–Bobby Labonte
  5. 28–Ricky Rudd
  6. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  7. 88–Dale Jarrett
  8. 25–Jerry Nadeau
  9. 13–Robby Gordon
  10. 20–Tony Stewart
Failed to qualify: Rick Mast, Geoffrey Bodine, R. K. Smith
The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the final Winston Cup race that was televised on CBS.
Top ten results
  1. 99–Jeff Burton
  2. 88–Dale Jarrett
  3. 2–Rusty Wallace
  4. 6–Mark Martin
  5. 28–Ricky Rudd
  6. 20–Tony Stewart
  7. 22–Ward Burton
  8. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  9. 31–Mike Skinner
  10. 24–Jeff Gordon
Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine, Dave Marcis, Robby Gordon
The thatlook.com 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was shortened to 273 laps due to rain. The weekend was marked by tragedy as Kenny Irwin Jr. was killed in a Turn 3 practice crash on July 7. Race winner Tony Stewart later gave the race trophy to Irwin's parents.
Top ten results
  1. 20–Tony Stewart
  2. 33–Joe Nemechek
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 25–Jerry Nadeau
  5. 24–Jeff Gordon
  6. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  7. 88–Dale Jarrett
  8. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  9. 18–Bobby Labonte
  10. 28–Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis
The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 23 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 2–Rusty Wallace
  2. 99–Jeff Burton
  3. 24–Jeff Gordon
  4. 88–Dale Jarrett
  5. 17–Matt Kenseth
  6. 18–Bobby Labonte
  7. 31–Mike Skinner
  8. 14–Rick Mast
  9. 26–Jimmy Spencer
  10. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
Failed to qualify: Geoffrey Bodine, Carl Long
The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. This would be ABC's last Winston Cup race until they returned with the fall Richmond race in 2007. Rusty Wallace led a dominating 110 laps of the race's 160, but it was a hard charging Bobby Labonte who caught and passed Rusty to lead the last 15 laps and win the race.
Top ten results
  1. 18–Bobby Labonte
  2. 2–Rusty Wallace
  3. 94–Bill Elliott
  4. 25–Jerry Nadeau
  5. 20–Tony Stewart
  6. 99–Jeff Burton
  7. 88–Dale Jarrett
  8. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  9. 31–Mike Skinner
  10. 32–Scott Pruett
Failed to qualify: David Keith, Rich Bickle, Dave Marcis, Robby Gordon, Steve Grissom, Bill Baird
The Global Crossing @ The Glen was held August 13 at Watkins Glen International. Bobby Labonte won the pole. Due to qualifying being rained out, the starting lineup was set by owner's points.
Top ten results
  1. 1–Steve Park
  2. 6–Mark Martin
  3. 99–Jeff Burton
  4. 13–Robby Gordon
  5. 18–Bobby Labonte
  6. 20–Tony Stewart
  7. 88–Dale Jarrett
  8. 33–Joe Nemechek
  9. 75–Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  10. 17–Matt Kenseth
Failed to qualify: Boris Said, Scott Pruett, R. K. Smith, Brett Bodine, Brian Simo
The Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer was held August 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 2–Rusty Wallace
  2. 28–Ricky Rudd
  3. 18–Bobby Labonte
  4. 88–Dale Jarrett
  5. 10–Johnny Benson
  6. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  7. 26–Jimmy Spencer
  8. 17–Matt Kenseth
  9. 22–Ward Burton
  10. 99–Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: Geoffrey Bodine, Darrell Waltrip, Stacy Compton, Kyle Petty, David Keith, Carl Long
The Goracing.com 500 was held August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 2–Rusty Wallace
  2. 20–Tony Stewart
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  5. 1–Steve Park
  6. 99–Jeff Burton
  7. 21–Elliott Sadler
  8. 40–Sterling Marlin
  9. 88–Dale Jarrett
  10. 28–Ricky Rudd
Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss, Hut Stricklin, Carl Long, Ricky Craven
The Pepsi Southern 500 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. The race was shortened to 328 laps due to thunderstorms. Due to the rain delay, race coverage was moved from ESPN to ESPN2 but retained ESPN's announce team and graphics. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 18–Bobby Labonte
  2. 99–Jeff Burton
  3. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 24–Jeff Gordon
  5. 88–Dale Jarrett
  6. 22–Ward Burton
  7. 16–Kevin Lepage
  8. 28–Ricky Rudd
  9. 20–Tony Stewart
  10. 1–Steve Park
Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 24–Jeff Gordon
  2. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 1–Steve Park
  5. 99–Jeff Burton
  6. 20–Tony Stewart
  7. 10–Johnny Benson
  8. 22–Ward Burton
  9. 28–Ricky Rudd
  10. 25–Jerry Nadeau
Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss, Robby Gordon, Darrell Waltrip, Dave Marcis
The Dura Lube 300 Sponsored by Kmart was held September 17 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.
This race also has the distinction of being the only Cup race outside of Daytona and Talladega to run a restrictor plate race since the adoption of the current 358 cubic inch formula. After Adam Petty's fatal crash in the Busch Series practice in May, and Kenny Irwin Jr.'s fatal crash in the Cup Series practice in July, NASCAR decided to run restrictor plates. Adding restrictor plates did have the desired result of slowing down the cars drastically, but at the same time restricted passing so much that Jeff Burton led all 300 laps. This lack of passing was so uncompetitive that, for Cup cars only, the restrictor plates were gone for the very next race. Replacing the plates was an engine kill switch, which is located on the steering wheel, and it allows drivers to halt the car if their throttle is stuck open going too hard into the turns.
Top ten results
  1. 99–Jeff Burton
  2. 18–Bobby Labonte
  3. 28–Ricky Rudd
  4. 88–Dale Jarrett
  5. 2–Rusty Wallace
  6. 24–Jeff Gordon
  7. 43–John Andretti
  8. 6–Mark Martin
  9. 33–Joe Nemechek
  10. 36–Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify: Steve Grissom, Dave Marcis
The MBNA.com 400 was held September 24 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 20–Tony Stewart
  2. 10–Johnny Benson
  3. 28–Ricky Rudd
  4. 1–Steve Park
  5. 18–Bobby Labonte
  6. 6–Mark Martin
  7. 33–Joe Nemechek
  8. 2–Rusty Wallace
  9. 24–Jeff Gordon
  10. 14–Rick Mast 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: Hut Stricklin, Joe Bessey
The NAPA Autocare 500 was held October 1 at Martinsville Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 20–Tony Stewart
  2. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  3. 99–Jeff Burton
  4. 28–Ricky Rudd
  5. 24–Jeff Gordon
  6. 88–Dale Jarrett
  7. 26–Jimmy Spencer
  8. 31–Mike Skinner
  9. 40–Sterling Marlin
  10. 18–Bobby Labonte
Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett, Steve Grissom, Carl Long, Dave Marcis, Rich Bickle
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. This was the final race that aired on TBS.
Top ten results
  1. 18–Bobby Labonte
  2. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  3. 28–Ricky Rudd
  4. 20–Tony Stewart
  5. 6–Mark Martin
  6. 99–Jeff Burton
  7. 1–Steve Park
  8. 10–Johnny Benson
  9. 17–Matt Kenseth
  10. 22–Ward Burton
Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett, Ricky Craven, Steve Grissom, Carl Long, Stacy Compton, Dave Marcis
The Winston 500 was held October 15 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. Bill Elliott led the most laps.
Top ten results
  1. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  2. 55–Kenny Wallace
  3. 33–Joe Nemechek
  4. 24–Jeff Gordon
  5. 5–Terry Labonte
  6. 31–Mike Skinner*
  7. 6–Mark Martin
  8. 2–Rusty Wallace
  9. 27–Mike Bliss
  10. 17–Matt Kenseth
Failed to qualify: Wally Dallenbach Jr., Blaise Alexander, Hut Stricklin
The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 88–Dale Jarrett
  2. 24–Jeff Gordon
  3. 28–Ricky Rudd
  4. 99–Jeff Burton
  5. 2–Rusty Wallace
  6. 1–Steve Park
  7. 20–Tony Stewart
  8. 22–Ward Burton
  9. 4–Bobby Hamilton
  10. 33–Joe Nemechek
Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave, Rich Bickle, Steve Grissom, Hut Stricklin, Stacy Compton
The Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 was held November 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 99–Jeff Burton
  2. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  3. 1–Steve Park
  4. 2–Rusty Wallace
  5. 18–Bobby Labonte
  6. 6–Mark Martin
  7. 24–Jeff Gordon
  8. 93–Dave Blaney
  9. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  10. 88–Dale Jarrett
Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton, Steve Grissom, Robby Gordon, Dave Marcis, Hut Stricklin
The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Discount Auto Parts was held November 12 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Steve Park won the pole. Bobby Labonte clinched the championship by finishing 4th with only one race left. It was the 2nd straight year that the championship was clinched at Homestead.
Top ten results
  1. 20–Tony Stewart
  2. 12–Jeremy Mayfield
  3. 6–Mark Martin
  4. 18–Bobby Labonte
  5. 26–Jimmy Spencer
  6. 28–Ricky Rudd
  7. 24–Jeff Gordon 1 lap down
  8. 1–Steve Park 1 lap down
  9. 93–Dave Blaney 2 laps down
  10. 19–Casey Atwood 2 laps down
Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty, Hut Stricklin, Ricky Craven, Dave Marcis, Steve Grissom, Norm Benning, Hermie Sadler, Ted Musgrave
The NAPA 500 was scheduled for November 19 but was held on November 20 due to a rain delay at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 25–Jerry Nadeau
  2. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  3. 22–Ward Burton
  4. 24–Jeff Gordon
  5. 18–Bobby Labonte
  6. 31–Mike Skinner
  7. 2–Rusty Wallace
  8. 40–Sterling Marlin
  9. 17–Matt Kenseth 1 lap down
  10. 10–Johnny Benson 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton, Hermie Sadler, Hut Stricklin, Dick Trickle, Blaise Alexander, Morgan Shepherd, Tim Sauter, Larry Foyt, Kevin Lepage, Carl Long, Mike Bliss, Steve Grissom, Norm Benning
Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.
PosDriverDAYCARLVSATLDARBRITEXMARTALCALRCHCLTDOVMCHPOCSPODAYNHAPOCINDGLNMCHBRIDARRCHNHADOVMARCLTTALCARPHOHOMATLPoints
1Bobby Labonte61*52136312212262331341296153151152510112205455130
2Dale Earnhardt2128133979317103624686258256432121721111792024865
3Jeff Burton2321*435922125711341171611126310625*1*363*62941*11124841
4Dale Jarrett1*57362213351793544272*74*77495314326401511017154684
5Ricky Rudd15612111714102227441751235510382111210893343*113376244575
6Tony Stewart1742344429634108141*161061*265641296231*14277141*384570
7Rusty Wallace4111532161410*4185*814710*2631512*341*1*30345823218541574544
8Mark Martin58339161116*14321236405343434321131438618574063404410
9Jeff Gordon341028988*2541111410321481*1053332336234169539427744361
10Ward Burton832381*314111066138627217182828229116830404310228123934152
11Steve Park3194343971925321611919291517332815161*33510434411719638183934
12Mike Skinner16212730*14131219273379209209397936161443302411820614112363898
13Johnny Benson12146DNQ24242161323251615243418131412252751338711219833111630103716
14Matt Kenseth '103714406123121183*1512171432201952610839333217123491025422193711
15Joe Nemechek4230954125371722202323718421111234188232731409714143102418253534
16Dale Earnhardt Jr. '1319102940381*26421214*101319243521131340312111133116361914342713203516
17Terry Labonte71731151158237332221126122741431120161525251317275381725173433
18Ken Schrader91316232226181336241237231618152323192218191216171030162537184032263398
19Sterling Marlin2415181221103424832291931102222525423030158172022379314133152683363
20Jerry Nadeau3529204237194320191330384223208154274381232291021331236132723121*3273
21Bill Elliott32541019363081519943128383538243231338123719153424162622113267
22Jimmy Spencer3026301723181528540172522153634324191731724323315347153839135333188
23John Andretti2212251820333214112518311392143144041423727203711722131820232837193169
24Jeremy Mayfield1171728344671413663741*13343810INQ133541*3940353824229*2241
25Robert Pressley20432133181726152321352626511371738142726323736371814333525123116133055
26Kenny Wallace29243937352021424036202718312313192621291430263514431522372431924232874
27Michael Waltrip39233325321129331301918392243124235172017211940432024242234353234392797
28Kevin Lepage362711381030534DNQ22211521212641373123363218187223838291243362127DNQ2795
29Elliott Sadler3828411412413929DNQ43242116271638181629342840718421326321617193028422762
30Bobby Hamilton4340341371516184318313427434016362239401614342238352535343694331162715
31Dave Blaney '27DNQ222026352241303834402525302924341823352443201826393028284289182656
32Chad Little231819615231327251539202032172516422019122230212933182634
33Rick Mast2833DNQ21303420DNQDNQ39DNQ39433035DNQ311283819292912283210261731133929352366
34Wally Dallenbach Jr.40203539DNQ29DNQDNQ16271628243439402127313592533192339214033DNQ222235292344
35Brett BodineDNQ35DNQ1627222336DNQ41383028363230DNQ203039DNQ422827354220413226262014282145
36Darrell Waltrip32393831433124432629DNQ3633DNQDNQ282733221120DNQ4242DNQ2931273035373336341981
37Scott Pruett '19DNQ4241DNQDNQ2732203427413819313940303610DNQ173824164142DNQDNQ39303443321929
38Stacy Compton '263432352928363933282233304237313929353729DNQINQDNQ24162939DNQ23DNQDNQ38DNQ1857
39Mike Bliss '33DNQDNQDNQ352435413235373322283224313928DNQ28DNQ194328439213840DNQ1748
40Ted Musgrave162627424335DNQWth1624261713211423212932DNQ25DNQ1614
41Kyle Petty253129262524DNQ3892628DNQ39411930403241DNQ2231QLDNQ1441
42Kenny Irwin Jr.142224243840173744242241735252322Wth1440
43Robby Gordon183813DNQ2832DNQ40373137QL289DNQDNQ43431WthDNQWth3841DNQ271309
44Ricky CravenDNQDNQ40DNQDNQ31294042DNQ29174137DNQ263620DNQ301518DNQ301175
45Geoffrey BodineDNQ1329403824DNQ3413DNQ1224DNQ25394141431039
46Dave MarcisDNQ41DNQDNQ33DNQDNQDNQ38DNQDNQDNQ29DNQ29DNQDNQ37DNQ3123DNQDNQ28DNQDNQ4031DNQDNQ723
47Ed Berrier '3736DNQDNQDNQDNQ35DNQ28DNQDNQDNQ413328263733628
48Kurt Busch18371324291936613
49Todd Bodine7DNQ431542QL14456
50Hut Stricklin1439DNQ343628DNQ4242DNQDNQDNQDNQDNQ436
51Dick Trickle312728393723DNQ423
52Steve GrissomDNQ362627DNQ27DNQDNQ16DNQDNQDNQDNQ419
53Jeff Fuller 'DNQ42362236373841390
54Casey Atwood1925Wth10328
55Andy Houston3526283642314
56Rich Bickle30DNQDNQ21DNQ35231
57Derrike Cope413719DNQ198
58P. J. Jones3521158
59David GreenWth3625143
60Bobby Hamilton Jr.3331134
61Ron Hornaday Jr.15118
62Carl LongDNQQLDNQDNQWthDNQDNQ41DNQDNQ32DNQ107
63Gary Bradberry4133DNQ104
64Joe Bessey27DNQ82
65Tom Hubert3364
66Brian Simo36DNQ55
67Buckshot Jones3752
68Bobby Hillin Jr.4043
69Adam Petty4043
70Ryan Newman4140
71Boris Said42WthDNQ37
72Kerry Earnhardt43DNP34
73Ron Fellows4334
Scott Wimmer22
David KeithDNQDNQ
Dwayne LeikDNQDNQ
Blaise AlexanderDNQDNQ
Hermie SadlerDNQDNQ
Michael RitchDNQ
R. K. SmithDNQDNQ
Bill BairdDNQDNQ
Andy HillenburgDNQ
Norm BenningDNQDNQDNQ
Austin CameronDNQ
Morgan ShepherdWthWthDNQ
Greg SacksDNQ
Larry GunselmanDNQ
Tim SauterDNQ
Bobby GerhartDNQ
Larry FoytDNQ
Stanton BarrettDNQ
Dan PardusDNQ
Jim SauterDNQ
PosDriverDAYCARLVSATLDARBRITEXMARTALCALRCHCLTDOVMCHPOCSPODAYNHAPOCINDGLNMCHBRIDARRCHNHADOVMARCLTTALCARPHOHOMATLPoints

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

In the preseason, the two favorites for the award were Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. While Earnhardt had the name, the popularity, and the two wins, Kenseth had more consistency and was able to claim the title by a narrow margin. The third-place finisher was Dave Blaney, who had finished 31st in points. Scott Pruett and Stacy Compton showed promise in the beginning of the year, but eventually lost momentum and bottomed out at the end of the year. Mike Bliss started the year with A. J. Foyt Racing, was released after 4 races, then finished the season with Eel River Racing. Ed Berrier and Jeff Fuller finished towards the bottom, mainly due to being released from their rides during the season.