The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 49th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 26th modern-era NASCAR Cup series. It began on February 9 and ended on November 16. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his second Cup championship at the end of the season.
It was the last season until 2019 without Matt Kenseth.
No. | Race | Pole position | Most laps led | Winning driver | Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Busch Clash | Terry Labonte | Terry Labonte | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | |
Gatorade 125 #1 | Mike Skinner | Dale Jarrett | Dale Jarrett | Ford | |
Gatorade 125 #2 | Steve Grissom | Dale Earnhardt | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet | |
1 | Daytona 500 | Mike Skinner | Mark Martin | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
2 | Goodwrench Service 400 | Mark Martin | Dale Jarrett | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
3 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Terry Labonte | Dale Jarrett | Rusty Wallace | Ford |
4 | Primestar 500 | Robby Gordon | Dale Jarrett | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
5 | TranSouth Financial 400 | Dale Jarrett | Dale Jarrett | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
6 | Interstate Batteries 500 | Dale Jarrett | Terry Labonte | Jeff Burton | Ford |
7 | Food City 500 | Rusty Wallace | Rusty Wallace | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
8 | Goody's Headache Powder 500 | Kenny Wallace | Jeff Gordon | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
9 | Save Mart Supermarkets 300 | Mark Martin | Mark Martin | Mark Martin | Ford |
10 | Winston 500 | John Andretti | Dale Earnhardt | Mark Martin | Ford |
Winston Open | Chad Little | Ricky Craven | Ricky Craven | Chevrolet | |
The Winston | Bill Elliott | Bobby Labonte | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | |
11 | Coca-Cola 600 | Jeff Gordon | Ernie Irvan | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
12 | Miller 500 | Bobby Labonte | Dale Jarrett | Ricky Rudd | Ford |
13 | Pocono 500 | Bobby Hamilton | Ward Burton | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
14 | Miller 400 | Dale Jarrett | Ted Musgrave | Ernie Irvan | Ford |
15 | California 500 pres. by NAPA | Joe Nemechek | Jeff Gordon | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
16 | Pepsi 400 | Mike Skinner | John Andretti | John Andretti | Ford |
17 | Jiffy Lube 300 | Ken Schrader | Jeff Burton | Jeff Burton | Ford |
18 | Pennsylvania 500 | Joe Nemechek | Dale Jarrett | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
19 | Brickyard 400 | Ernie Irvan | Ernie Irvan | Ricky Rudd | Ford |
20 | The Bud at The Glen | Todd Bodine | Jeff Gordon | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
21 | DeVilbiss 400 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Mark Martin | Mark Martin | Ford |
22 | Goody's Headache Powder 500 | Kenny Wallace | Dale Jarrett | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
23 | Mountain Dew Southern 500 | Bobby Labonte | Bill Elliott | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
24 | Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 | Bill Elliott | Jeff Burton | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
25 | CMT 300 | Ken Schrader | Jeff Gordon | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
26 | MBNA 400 | Mark Martin | Mark Martin | Mark Martin | Ford |
27 | Hanes 500 | Ward Burton | Rusty Wallace | Jeff Burton | Ford |
28 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Geoff Bodine | Bobby Labonte | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
29 | DieHard 500 | Ernie Irvan | Terry Labonte | Terry Labonte | Chevrolet |
30 | AC Delco 400 | Bobby Labonte | Ricky Craven | Bobby Hamilton | Pontiac |
31 | Dura Lube 500 pres. by Kmart | Bobby Hamilton | Rusty Wallace | Dale Jarrett | Ford |
32 | NAPA 500 | Geoff Bodine | Bobby Labonte | Bobby Labonte | Pontiac |
The Busch Clash, a race for pole winners 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
The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 13 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mike Skinner and Steve Grissom were the pole sitters for races one and two, respectively. The races were broadcast tape-delayed on CBS just prior to the Daytona 500.
Race one results
Race two results
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 23 at Darlington Raceway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 78-Billy Standridge, 90-Dick Trickle
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
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
The Food City 500 was held on April 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 20-Greg Sacks, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 78-Billy Standridge, 91-Mike Wallace
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
Failed to qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 20-Lance Hooper, 78-Billy Standridge, 79-Randy MacDonald, 96-David Green
The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 4 at Sears Point Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 29-Robert Pressley, 42-Joe Nemechek, 45-Gary Smith, 75-Rick Mast, 78w-Chuck Pruitt, 90-Dick Trickle, 96-David Green, 97-Chad Little, 09-R. K. Smith
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 broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 42-Joe Nemechek*, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 78-Billy Standridge, 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Ed Berrier
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
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 year 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 lap 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 posted in the top ten below. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten final segment results
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
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Ed Berrier, 97-Chad Little
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
Failed to qualify: 78-Billy Standridge, 95-Ed Berrier
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
The Miller 400 was held June 15 at Michigan Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
The inaugural California 500 presented by NAPA was held on June 22 at California Speedway. The #42 of Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 78-Billy Standridge, 81-Kenny Wallace, 91-Mike Wallace*
The Pepsi 400 was held on 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
Failed to qualify: 7-Geoff Bodine, 29-Jeff Green, 91-Loy Allen Jr.
The Jiffy Lube 300 was held July 13 at New Hampshire International Speedway. #33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
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
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
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 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
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
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
Failed to qualify: 40-Robby Gordon, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd
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
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd, 91-Greg Sacks
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
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
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
Failed to qualify: 14-Steve Park
The Hanes 500 was held September 29 at Martinsville Speedway. Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
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
Failed to qualify: 14-Steve Park, 15-Greg Sacks, 17-Darrell Waltrip, 31-Mike Skinner, 40-Elliott Sadler*, 71-Dave Marcis, 75-Rick Mast
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
Failed to qualify: 8– Hut Stricklin, 22– Ward Burton, 29– Jeff Green, 78– Gary Bradberry, 95– Ed Berrier
The AC Delco 400 was held on Monday, October 27 at North Carolina Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. It was originally scheduled to be run on Sunday, October 26 but heavy rain pushed the start to Monday morning. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 11– Brett Bodine, 71– Dave Marcis
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
Failed to qualify: 1-Morgan Shepherd
The 1997 championship season finale was the NAPA 500 held November 16 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole at a speed of 197.478 mph (317.810 km/h), which at the time was the fastest qualifying lap ever run outside of Daytona and Talladega. During the summer, the track had been reconfigured from a traditional oval to a quad-shaped oval. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Jeff Gordon entered the race with a 77-point advantage over Dale Jarrett and an 88-point advantage over Mark Martin. During a practice session on Saturday, Gordon was driving down the pit lane, scrubbing his tires to heat them up on what was a cold morning. Gordon lost control and crashed into the parked car of Bobby Hamilton. Gordon had to go to a backup car, and qualified a lowly 37th. Gordon had to finish 18th or better to clinch the championship, but starting deep in the field, he had charge his way up through the pack. Jarrett finished 2nd, Martin 3rd, and Gordon 17th, while Bobby Labonte took the victory, the first win for Joe Gibbs Racing since the team switched from Chevrolet to Pontiac. Gordon ultimately hung on and won the title by only 14 points over Jarrett and 29 points over Martin, the closest three-way points finish under the Bob Latford 1975 points system.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 35-Todd Bodine, 40-Greg Sacks, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Robert Pressley, 95-Ed Berrier, 96-David Green
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
(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.
Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | DAR | TEX | BRI | MAR | SON | TAL | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | CAL | DAY | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | MAR | CLT | TAL | CAR | PHO | ATL | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jeff Gordon | 1 | 1 | 4 | 42 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 1* | 2 | 5 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 5 | 1* | 21 | 23 | 2 | 4 | 1* | 2 | 35 | 1 | 3 | 1* | 7 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 4710 |
2 | Dale Jarrett | 23 | 2* | 3* | 1* | 1* | 2 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 35 | 27 | 32* | 3 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 38 | 1* | 3 | 32 | 5 | 1* | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4696 |
3 | Mark Martin | 7* | 13 | 13 | 6 | 24 | 38 | 5 | 3 | 1* | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 27 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1* | 2 | 8 | 25 | 9 | 1* | 11 | 4 | 30 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4681 |
4 | Jeff Burton | 11 | 3 | 42 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 30 | 8 | 1* | 3 | 15 | 29 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2* | 14 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 38 | 13 | 34 | 4285 |
5 | Dale Earnhardt | 31 | 11 | 25 | 8 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 2* | 7 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 29 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 30 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 8 | 5 | 16 | 4216 |
6 | Terry Labonte | 2 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 4* | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 9 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 35 | 40 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 41 | 37 | 22 | 11 | 1* | 7 | 11 | 21 | 4177 |
7 | Bobby Labonte | 21 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 34 | 8 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 40 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 27 | 11 | 2 | 37 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 15 | 4 | 27 | 2* | 2 | 11 | 23 | 1* | 4101 |
8 | Bill Elliott | 4 | 22 | 15 | 38 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 37 | 32 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 32 | 2 | 32 | 33 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 4* | 30 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 36 | 3836 |
9 | Rusty Wallace | 41 | 6 | 1 | 31 | 6 | 37 | 2* | 5 | 40 | 37 | 2 | 39 | 22 | 29 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 37 | 38 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 43 | 5 | 21 | 16 | 15* | 12 | 10 | 18 | 2* | 32 | 3598 |
10 | Ken Schrader | 33 | 18 | 35 | 25 | 8 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 31 | 12 | 38 | 6 | 23 | 27 | 34 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 37 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 30 | 4 | 20 | 3576 |
11 | Johnny Benson | 28 | 27 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 28 | 31 | 17 | 21 | 9 | 15 | 21 | 27 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 28 | 19 | 10 | 19 | 36 | 7 | 10 | 3575 |
12 | Ted Musgrave | 13 | 12 | 20 | 34 | 2 | 35 | 38 | 24 | 11 | 24 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 4* | 4 | 12 | 26 | 4 | 33 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 29 | 9 | 30 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 11 | 32 | 22 | 31 | 3556 |
13 | Jeremy Mayfield | 6 | 16 | 17 | 37 | 17 | 32 | 9 | 7 | 27 | 23 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 15 | 33 | 30 | 16 | 10 | 25 | 23 | 18 | 27 | 26 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 3547 |
14 | Ernie Irvan | 20 | 9 | 36 | 2 | 21 | 36 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 10 | 13* | 30 | 29 | 1 | 37 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 10* | 21 | 4 | 41 | 33 | 23 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 5 | 28 | 18 | 12 | 3534 |
15 | Kyle Petty | 14 | 29 | 10 | 13 | 33 | 27 | 29 | 40 | 13 | 40 | 14 | 5 | 14 | 26 | 31 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 26 | 23 | 36 | 32 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 9 | 6 | 3455 |
16 | Bobby Hamilton | 15 | 28 | 5 | 10 | 37 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 19 | 31 | 29 | 17 | 39 | 32 | 23 | 20 | 31 | 32 | 20 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 20 | 38 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3450 |
17 | Ricky Rudd | 9 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 23 | 5 | 27 | 13 | 34 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 21 | 13 | 3 | 34 | 9 | 36 | 1 | 40 | 29 | 19 | 5 | 28 | 42 | 6 | 13 | 41 | 34 | 40 | 36 | 37 | 3330 |
18 | Michael Waltrip | 32 | 26 | 27 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 21 | 26 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 35 | 29 | 22 | 39 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 9 | 35 | 32 | 42 | 36 | 24 | 28 | 14 | 26 | 13 | 3173 |
19 | Ricky Craven | 3 | 5 | 14 | 35 | 40 | 22 | 39 | 27 | 37 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 9 | 37 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 18 | 5 | 41 | 8 | 25 | 6 | 3* | 43 | 39 | 3108 | ||
20 | Jimmy Spencer | 35 | 40 | 22 | 32 | 22 | 39 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 18 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 5 | 31 | 12 | 7 | 24 | 34 | 19 | 27 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 36 | 33 | 42 | 24 | 43 | 14 | 24 | 3079 |
21 | Steve Grissom | 40 | 24 | 11 | 33 | DNQ | 10 | 32 | 20 | 17 | 41 | 11 | 24 | 18 | 38 | 17 | 38 | 4 | 30 | 26 | 9 | 25 | 5 | 21 | 12 | 4 | 21 | 40 | 13 | 32 | 24 | 8 | 28 | 3061 |
22 | Geoff Bodine | 34 | 8 | 2 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 33 | 29 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 8 | 40 | 35 | DNQ | 10 | 17 | DNQ | 2 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 28 | 43 | 8 | 19 | 10 | 33 | 3046 | |
23 | John Andretti | 25 | 34 | 31 | 15 | 25 | 12 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 4 | 30 | 29 | 40 | 37 | 21 | 1* | 14 | 24 | 17 | 20 | 35 | 11 | 37 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 29 | 32 | 3 | 31 | 39 | 22 | 3019 |
24 | Ward Burton | 8 | 23 | 24 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 42 | 36 | 34 | 38* | 35 | 28 | 26 | 36 | 15 | 19 | 41 | 28 | 17 | 27 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 7 | 8 | DNQ | 26 | 42 | 9 | 2987 |
25 | Sterling Marlin | 5 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 32 | 8 | 20 | 21 | 26 | 39 | 40 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 36 | 3 | 22 | 20 | 43 | 13 | 43 | 10 | 40 | 39 | 39 | 27 | 39 | 20 | 38 | 9 | 27 | 11 | 2954 |
26 | Darrell Waltrip | 10 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 43 | 25 | 9 | 5 | 32 | 21 | 28 | 7 | 24 | 15 | 14 | 33 | 26 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 42 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 24 | DNQ | 37 | 29 | 12 | 40 | 2942 |
27 | Derrike Cope | 36 | 31 | 30 | DNQ | 20 | 41 | 16 | 34 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 29 | 28 | 20 | 16 | 41 | 38 | 16 | 32 | 14 | 16 | 26 | 30 | 36 | 33 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 5 | 2901 |
28 | Joe Nemechek | 27 | 35 | 39 | 39 | 29 | 19 | 19 | DNQ | 19 | 19 | 15 | 36 | 41 | 18 | 24 | 40 | 21 | 32 | 12 | 27 | 38 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 25 | 16 | 31 | 10 | 24 | 8 | 2754 | |
29 | Brett Bodine | 18 | 17 | 23 | 18 | 35 | 19 | 10 | 27 | 6 | 33 | 26 | 33 | 25 | 19 | 26 | 23 | 42 | 29 | 18 | 39 | 31 | 31 | 15 | 21 | 33 | 26 | 17 | 30 | 22 | DNQ | 33 | 41 | 2716 |
30 | Mike Skinner (R) | 12 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 30 | 22 | 35 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 34 | 9 | 41 | 42 | 33 | 41 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 30 | 34 | 36 | 29 | 35 | 19 | 31 | DNQ | 33 | 23 | 28 | 23 | 2669 |
31 | Dick Trickle | 30 | 19 | 29 | 28 | DNQ | 23 | 11 | 30 | DNQ | 15 | 33 | 41 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 19 | DNQ | 39 | 3 | 13 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 42 | 14 | 23 | 5 | 40 | 14 | 2629 | |
32 | Rick Mast | DNQ | 21 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 31 | 17 | 36 | DNQ | 22 | 20 | 12 | 20 | 30 | 41 | 18 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 38 | 33 | 34 | 26 | 20 | 10 | 23 | DNQ | 9 | 42 | 31 | 35 | 2569 |
33 | Kenny Wallace | 22 | 41 | 40 | 29 | 14 | 13 | 41 | 6 | 36 | 24 | 39 | 27 | 34 | 43 | DNQ | 11 | 19 | 34 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 39 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 38 | 6 | 28 | 15 | 37 | 35 | 30 | 2462 |
34 | Hut Stricklin | 19 | 36 | 32 | 41 | 26 | 33 | 26 | 14 | 29 | 36 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 22 | 42 | 36 | 15 | 23 | DNQ | 36 | 36 | 23 | 17 | 27 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 35 | DNQ | 25 | 30 | DNQ | 2423 |
35 | Lake Speed | 24 | 15 | 12 | 22 | 36 | 16 | 36 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 11 | 20 | 29 | 12 | 21 | 29 | 18 | 36 | 18 | 14 | 38 | 36 | 17 | 37 | 26 | 2301 | |||||||
36 | Chad Little | DNQ | DNQ | 34 | 19 | 27 | 26 | 8 | 42 | DNQ | 34 | DNQ | 31 | DNQ | 25 | 19 | 42 | 30 | 28 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 20 | 11 | 40 | 28 | 29 | 35 | 23 | 40 | 16 | 25 | 18 | 2081 |
37 | David Green (R) | DNQ | 38 | 33 | 24 | 41 | DNQ | 22 | DNQ | DNQ | 38 | 16 | 18 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 39 | 35 | 22 | 20 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 25 | 20 | 31 | 16 | 27 | 29 | DNQ | 2038 | |
38 | Morgan Shepherd | 29 | 10 | 43 | 3 | 12 | 24 | 28 | 35 | 23 | 28 | 9 | 38 | 12 | DNQ | 24 | 32 | 37 | 27 | DNQ | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 31 | DNQ | 22 | 12 | 34 | DNQ | 27 | 2033 | |
39 | Jeff Green (R) | 22 | 37 | 35 | 31 | 7 | DNQ | 32 | 31 | 25 | 30 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 31 | 38 | 40 | 30 | 29 | DNQ | 21 | 32 | 4 | 1624 | ||||||||||
40 | Robby Gordon (R) | 16 | 33 | 28 | 14 | 34 | 34 | 43 | 41 | 41 | QL | 41 | QL | 22 | 34 | 42 | 28 | 4 | 17 | DNQ | 22 | 42 | 24 | 33 | 1495 | |||||||||
41 | Wally Dallenbach Jr. | 42 | DNQ | DNQ | 15 | 17 | 35 | 36 | 17 | 20 | 39 | 39 | 38 | 36 | 10 | 41 | 26 | 41 | 41 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 41 | 35 | DNQ | 38 | 1475 | |||||||
42 | Dave Marcis | 17 | 30 | 37 | DNQ | 28 | 15 | 30 | 38 | 25 | 30 | DNQ | 25 | DNQ | 34 | 40 | 17 | 35 | 41 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 29 | 34 | DNQ | DNQ | 25 | DNQ | 34 | DNQ | 1405 |
43 | Robert Pressley | 39 | 37 | 21 | DNQ | 39 | DNQ | 14 | 23 | DNQ | 29 | 43 | 39 | 38 | 36 | 27 | 13 | 38 | DNQ | 984 | ||||||||||||||
44 | Gary Bradberry | DNQ | DNQ | 38 | 40 | 38 | DNQ | 37 | DNQ | 43 | DNQ | 31 | 35 | 33 | DNQ | 27 | 37 | 25 | DNQ | 34 | 35 | DNQ | 34 | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | 42 | 868 | ||||||
45 | Greg Sacks | 37 | 39 | DNQ | 27 | 29 | 40 | DNQ | 25 | 42 | DNQ | 27 | DNQ | 31 | DNQ | DNQ | 39 | 39 | 21 | DNQ | 778 | |||||||||||||
46 | Mike Wallace | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 26 | 43 | 17 | DNQ | 39 | 22 | DNQ | DNQ | 23 | 30 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 541 | ||||||||||||||||
47 | Bobby Hillin Jr. | 38 | 42 | 41 | DNQ | 42 | 42 | DNQ | 33 | 35 | 20 | DNQ | 43 | 37 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 511 | ||||||||||||||||
48 | Lance Hooper | DNQ | 42 | 24 | 34 | 24 | 35 | 33 | DNQ | 402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | 8 | 37 | DNQ | 20 | 25 | 390 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Billy Standridge | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 36 | DNQ | 21 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 32 | DNQ | DNQ | 33 | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | 42 | 366 | |||||||||||||||
51 | Steve Park | DNQ | 33 | DNQ | DNQ | 41 | DNQ | 33 | 41 | 15 | 326 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
52 | Todd Bodine | 25 | 42 | 35 | 42 | QL | QL | 26 | DNQ | 310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | Rick Wilson | DNQ | 21 | 21 | 19 | 306 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Jerry Nadeau | 36 | 38 | 30 | 39 | 33 | 287 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | Ed Berrier | DNQ | DNQ | 23 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 27 | 28 | DNQ | 255 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | Kevin Lepage | DNQ | 40 | 17 | 29 | 231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Jeff Purvis | 37 | 38 | 39 | 152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Loy Allen Jr. | 26 | 43 | DNQ | 119 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Ron Barfield Jr. | 22 | 97 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Butch Gilliland | 24 | Wth | 91 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Tom Hubert | 28 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | Phil Parsons | 31 | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Dorsey Schroeder | 31 | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | Sean Woodside | 33 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Rich Bickle | 34 | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
66 | Jeff Davis | 37 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | Larry Gunselman | 38 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | Jack Sprague | 40 | DNQ | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | Randy MacDonald | DNQ | 41 | Wth | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | Buckshot Jones | 43 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | Delma Cowart | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
72 | Norm Benning | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Larry Pearson | DNQ | Wth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
74 | Mike Miller | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | Randy LaJoie | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | H. B. Bailey | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
77 | Mike Bliss | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | R. K. Smith | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
79 | Gary Smith | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
80 | Chuck Pruett | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | Bill McAnally | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Scott Gaylord | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
83 | Wayne Jacks | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
84 | Rick Scribner | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | Phil Barkdoll | QL | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
86 | Tim Steele | DNQ | Wth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
88 | A. J. Foyt | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | DAR | TEX | BRI | MAR | SON | TAL | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | CAL | DAY | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | MAR | CLT | TAL | CAR | PHO | ATL | Points |
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.
The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 54th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 31st modern-era Cup Series season. It began on February 10, 2002, at Daytona International Speedway, and ended on November 17, 2002, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, was declared as the Winston Cup champion. Bill Elliott won the 2002 NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award. He would win it for the 16th and final time in his career. He withdrew from the ballot after receiving the award. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was captured by Ford after winning 14 events and gaining 245 points over second-place finisher Chevrolet, who had 10 wins and 211 points.
The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 42nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 19th modern-era Cup Series. It began on Sunday, February 11, and ended on Sunday, November 18. Because of a highly controversial penalty to Mark Martin early in the season, Dale Earnhardt with Richard Childress Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion for the fourth time, edging out Martin by 26 points.
The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 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.
The 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 51st season of professional Stock car racing in the United States, the 28th modern-era Cup series, and the last Cup season of the 1990s and the 20th century. The season began on Sunday, February 7, and ended on Sunday, November 21. Dale Jarrett, representing Robert Yates Racing, was crowned the champion, while the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by the Ford drivers with 13 wins and 231 points over second-place Chevrolet who had 12 wins and 210 points and third place Pontiac who had 9 wins and 205 points.
The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 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 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 46th season of NASCAR professional stock car racing in the United States and the 23rd modern-era Cup series. The season began on Sunday, February 20, and ended on Sunday, November 13. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing was crowned champion at season's end, winning consecutive Winston Cups for the third time in his career and tying Richard Petty for the record of most top-level NASCAR championships with seven. It was also the 7th and final NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship for Dale Earnhardt before his death 7 years later in 2001, this was also the final season for 18-time Winston Cup winner Harry Gant.
The 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 48th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 25th modern-era NASCAR Cup series. The season had been started on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway, and ended on November 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The season would be remembered for Terry Labonte pulling off a massive upset and winning his second Winston Cup Championship over teammate Jeff Gordon.
The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 53rd season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 30th modern-era Cup series. It began on February 11, 2001, at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 23, 2001, at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was declared as the series champion for the fourth time in seven years.
The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 47th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 24th modern-era Cup series season. The season began on February 12 in Daytona Beach and concluded on November 12 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his first career championship.
The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 45th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 22nd modern-era Cup season. The season began on February 7 and ended on November 14. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won the title, the sixth of his career.
The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 43rd of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 20th modern-era Cup Season. It began February 10 and ended November 17. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won his fifth Winston Cup championship at the conclusion of the season. The season was marred by the death of driver and team owner J. D. McDuffie, who was killed in a wreck at Watkins Glen.
The 1993 NASCAR Busch Series began February 13, 1993 and ended November 13, 1993, with Steve Grissom of Grissom Racing Enterprises winning the championship.
The 1992 NASCAR Busch Series began February 15, 1992 and ended November 8, 1992. Joe Nemechek of NEMCO Motorsports won the championship.
The 1991 NASCAR Busch Series began February 16, 1991 and ended on October 27,1991. Bobby Labonte of Labonte Motorsports won the championship.
The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 41st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 18th modern-era Cup season. It began February 12 and ended November 19. Rusty Wallace of Blue Max Racing won the championship. This was the first year that every Winston Cup race had flag to flag coverage, with almost all of them being televised live.
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 40th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 17th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 20 at the Atlanta International Speedway. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.
The 1996 Daytona 500, the 38th running of the event, was run on February 18, 1996, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, as the first race of the 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Dale Jarrett won this race for the second time after winning it in 1993 and for the first time in all of Daytona 500 history, Dale Earnhardt won the pole position, allowing many to believe that he would finally win the race. Ernie Irvan returned to race full-time alongside Earnhardt.
The 1996 edition of The Winston Select was a stock car racing competition that took place on May 18, 1996. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the 70-lap race was an exhibition race in the 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won the pole. Terry Labonte of Hendrick Motorsports led the most laps with 22 of the 70 laps. Michael Waltrip of Wood Brothers Racing became the first transferee to win the Winston Select after qualifying in the Winston Select Open.
The 1997 edition of The Winston was a stock car racing competition that took place on May 17, 1997. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the 70-lap race was an exhibition race in the 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Bill Elliott of Bill Elliott Racing won the pole. Bobby Labonte of Joe Gibbs Racing led the most laps with 17 of the 70 laps. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won the race and claimed his second All-Star Race win in a car that was nicknamed "T-Rex" after its Jurassic Park: The Ride paint scheme. The car was deemed controversial at the time due to its dominant performance in the race that NASCAR banned it from being used in further races.
The 1994 edition of The Winston Select was a stock car racing competition that took place on May 21, 1994. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the 70-lap race was an exhibition race in the 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Rusty Wallace of Penske Racing South won the pole, while Ernie Irvan of Robert Yates Racing led the most laps, but it was Geoff Bodine of Geoff Bodine Racing who won the race.