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. [1]
This was the final season for the non-common template bodies. The following season would require all manufacturers to use the same roofline. The most significant rule change for 2002 was the implementation of the one-engine rule for race weekends. At a race event, cars would now be required to practice, qualify, and race with the same engine. The rule banned separate "qualifying engines" (and "practice engines"). Unapproved engine changes during the weekend would be met with a grid penalty. Before the start of the race, cars that changed engines would be forced to move to the rear of the field before the green flag. The rule was an effort to reduce costs, and potentially save crews valuable time during the course of a race weekend. [2]
The exhibition Budweiser Shootout race, for drivers that won a pole position in the previous season or previously won the event, was held on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway.
Top ten results
The Gatorade 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 were held on February 14 at Daytona International Speedway.
Race one: Top ten results
Race two: Top ten results
The 2002 Daytona 500 was held on Sunday, February 17. Rookie Jimmie Johnson won the pole, while Ward Burton won the race. This was the first Daytona 500 after the death of Dale Earnhardt.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: #41-Jimmy Spencer, #23-Hut Stricklin, #44-Buckshot Jones, #16-Greg Biffle, #90-Rick Mast, #59-Bobby Gerhart, #02-Hermie Sadler, #85-Carl Long, #84-Norm Benning, #80-Kirk Shelmerdine
The Subway 400 was held on February 24 at North Carolina Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole.
Failed to qualify: Dick Trickle (No. 71), Randy Renfrow (No. 59), Carl Long (No. 85)
The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held on March 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole in an unsponsored Travis Carter Motorsports entry; the No. 66 got a one-race deal with CSK Auto after qualifying.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 57)
The MBNA America 500 was held on March 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 57), Carl Long (No. 85)
The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 17 at Darlington Raceway. Ricky Craven won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Food City 500 was held on March 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8. Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was postponed from Sunday to Monday due to rain.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 57)
The Virginia 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on April 14, 2002. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Randy Renfrow (No. 59)
The Aaron's 499 was held at Talladega Superspeedway on April 21, 2002. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Shawna Robinson (No. 49), Rick Mast (No. 90), Bobby Gerhart (No. 59), Dick Trickle (No. 91)
The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held at California Speedway on April 28, 2002. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Brendan Gaughan (No. 62), Chad Little (No. 74), Hermie Sadler (No. 02)
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was scheduled to be run at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, but rain ended up stopping the race after 66 laps; the remainder was run on Sunday, May 5, during the daytime. Ward Burton won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Kevin Grubb (No. 54)
Ryan Newman held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win The Winston. He also won the No Bull 5 Sprint earlier that day.
The Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 26, 2002. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Chad Little (No. 74), Carl Long (No. 85), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Randy Renfrow (No. 59)
The MBNA Platinum 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on June 2. Matt Kenseth won the pole position.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 37), Hermie Sadler (No. 90), Randy Renfrow (No. 59)
The Pocono 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on June 9. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Sterling Marlin started on the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Sirius 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on June 16. Dale Jarrett won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held at Infineon Raceway on June 23. Tony Stewart won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Brandon Ash (No. 46), Stacy Compton (No. 14)
The Pepsi 400 was held at Daytona International Speedway on July 6. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Ed Berrier (No. 90), Steve Grissom (No. 44)
The Tropicana 400 was held at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 49), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 72), Tony Raines (No. 74), Scott Wimmer (No. 27)
The New England 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 21. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Pennsylvania 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on July 28. Bill Elliott swept both qualifying and the race. The race was shortened to 175 laps due to darkness, because of two lengthy red flags – one for rain and one for fence repairs after Steve Park (who barrel-rolled multiple times) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecked on the first lap.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 79)
The Brickyard 400 was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 4. Tony Stewart won the pole. This was the first race to feature Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier at Indianapolis that was used to make racing accidents safer.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 49), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Tony Raines (No. 74), Jim Sauter (No. 71), Stuart Kirby (No. 57), P. J. Jones (No. 50)
The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was held at Watkins Glen International on August 11. Ricky Rudd won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Austin Cameron (No. 62), Shane Lewis (No. 09), Justin Bell (No. 46), Jimmy Spencer (No. 42)
The Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack was held at Michigan International Speedway on August 18. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Greg Biffle (No. 16)
The Sharpie 500 was held at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Carl Long (No. 51), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Tim Sauter (No. 71)
The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held at Darlington Raceway on September 1. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Sterling Marlin started on the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 51)
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held at Richmond International Raceway on September 7. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 51)
The New Hampshire 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 15. Ryan Newman won the pole. The race was shortened to 207 laps due to rain.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 51)
The MBNA All-American Heroes 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on September 22. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Morgan Shepherd (No. 51)
The Protection One 400 was held at Kansas Speedway on September 29. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 11), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 27), Carl Long (No. 51)
The EA Sports 500 was held at Talladega Superspeedway on October 6. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Jimmie Johnson started on the pole. The race was caution-free for the third time in five years at Talladega.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (No. 51), Geoff Bodine (No. 09), Robert Pressley (No. 92), Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83)
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 13. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Tony Stewart started on the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 59), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 72), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Jack Sprague (No. 60), Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 54)
The Old Dominion 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on October 20. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Brian Rose (No. 51), Carl Long (No. 59), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Ryan McGlynn (No. 80), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 27)
The NAPA 500 was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 27. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Tony Stewart started on the pole. The race was shortened to 248 laps due to rain.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (No. 09), Frank Kimmel (No. 66), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Greg Biffle (No. 16), Buckshot Jones (No. 00), Jack Sprague (No. 60), Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 54)
The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held at North Carolina Speedway on November 3. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Tony Raines (No. 74), Tim Sauter (No. 71), Carl Long (No. 59), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 54), Hideo Fukuyama (No. 66)
The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held at Phoenix International Raceway on November 10. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave (No. 07), Jack Sprague (No. 60), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Jerry Robertson (No. 51), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Jeff Jefferson (No. 37), Lance Hooper (No. 47), Mike Harmon (No. 93)
The Ford 400 was held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17. Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: David Green (No. 54), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Tony Raines (No. 74), Boris Said (No. 67), Carl Long (No. 59), Geoff Bodine (No. 09), Mike Harmon (No. 93)
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.
Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | MAR | TAL | CAL | RCH | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | CHI | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | KAN | TAL | CLT | MAR | ATL | CAR | PHO | HOM | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tony Stewart | 43 | 4 | 5 | 1* | 36 | 15 | 5 | 3* | 29 | 29 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 2 | 39 | 3 | 39 | 7 | 12 | 1* | 2 | 24 | 8 | 30 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 4800 |
2 | Mark Martin | 6 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 29 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 28 | 10 | 5 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 25 | 30 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 2* | 4 | 4 | 4762 |
3 | Kurt Busch | 4 | 12 | 20 | 11 | 28 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 3 | 2* | 27 | 31 | 12 | 40 | 10 | 4* | 31 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 31 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1* | 3 | 6* | 1 | 4641 |
4 | Jeff Gordon | 9 | 7 | 17 | 16 | 9 | 31 | 2 | 23 | 4 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 22 | 2 | 29 | 12 | 6 | 22 | 19 | 1* | 1* | 40 | 14 | 37 | 1* | 42 | 4 | 36 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4607 |
5 | Jimmie Johnson (R) | 15 | 28 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 35 | 7 | 1 | 31 | 7* | 1* | 3 | 14 | 35 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 34 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 1* | 10 | 37 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 37 | 15 | 8 | 4600 |
6 | Ryan Newman (R) | 7 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 37 | 40 | 41 | 43 | 14 | 2 | 41 | 4 | 32 | 3 | 9 | 27 | 5* | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 36 | 2 | 2* | 1* | 8 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 10 | 23 | 18 | 6 | 4593 |
7 | Rusty Wallace | 18 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 10 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 27 | 2 | 25 | 4 | 40 | 2 | 17 | 24 | 2 | 22 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 27 | 2 | 14 | 4574 |
8 | Matt Kenseth | 33 | 1* | 14 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 40 | 35 | 1 | 39 | 30 | 14 | 33 | 8 | 3 | 33 | 11 | 5 | 37 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 34 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 40 | 4432 |
9 | Dale Jarrett | 14 | 42 | 7 | 13 | 40 | 29 | 24* | 4 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 2* | 15 | 35 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 37 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 31 | 7 | 3 | 39 | 9 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 4415 |
10 | Ricky Rudd | 38 | 18 | 13 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 39 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 5 | 12 | 39 | 30 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 3 | 39 | 3 | 32 | 20 | 13 | 19 | 4323 |
11 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 29 | 26 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 4* | 42 | 5 | 1* | 36 | 36 | 35 | 30 | 12 | 22 | 30 | 6 | 10 | 23 | 37 | 22 | 35 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 11 | 24 | 6 | 1* | 9 | 4 | 5 | 34 | 5 | 21 | 4270 |
12 | Jeff Burton | 12 | 6 | 9 | 21 | 11 | 26 | 39 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 6 | 20 | 29 | 33 | 39 | 12 | 16 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 10 | 39 | 20 | 6 | 29 | 11 | 7 | 17 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 4259 |
13 | Bill Elliott | 11 | 11 | 8 | 35 | 10 | 21 | 9 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 30 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 7 | 34 | 1 | 1* | 21 | 22 | 17 | 3 | 16 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 19 | 35 | 42 | 33 | 39 | 30 | 7 | 4158 |
14 | Michael Waltrip | 5 | 40 | 22 | 40 | 15 | 30 | 28 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 24 | 8 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 1* | 42 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 24 | 36 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 8 | 11 | 18 | 11 | 19 | 20 | 41 | 3985 |
15 | Ricky Craven | 17 | 5 | 31 | 5 | 41 | 13 | 14 | 30 | 18 | 37 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 33 | 34 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 38 | 15 | 36 | 7 | 21 | 9 | 34 | 24 | 3888 |
16 | Bobby Labonte | 34 | 3 | 12 | 37 | 21 | 5 | 30 | 1 | 41 | 34 | 32 | 14 | 16 | 25 | 24 | 13 | 32 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 32 | 5 | 41 | 22 | 25 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 39 | 29 | 3810 |
17 | Jeff Green | 19 | 17 | 33 | 41 | 25 | 27 | 16 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 20 | 38 | 34 | 18 | 5 | 21 | 12 | 2 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 35 | 12 | 3 | 26 | 13 | 17 | 5 | 29 | 32 | 24 | 10 | 35 | 38 | 3704 |
18 | Sterling Marlin | 8* | 2 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 21 | 43 | 3 | 16 | 14 | 3* | 27 | 30 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 43 | 21 | 21 | 33 | 3703 | |||||||
19 | Dave Blaney | 25 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 30 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 31 | 9 | 29 | 21 | 29 | 10 | 13 | 20 | 28 | 17 | 35 | 22 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 33 | 29 | 9 | 25 | 11 | 21 | 31 | 10 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 7 | 43 | 3670 |
20 | Robby Gordon | 13 | 24 | 37 | 18 | 34 | 20 | 41 | 34 | 33 | 12 | 37 | 16 | 8 | 19 | 33 | 11 | 29 | 8 | 7 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 28 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 38 | 23 | 20 | 11 | 27 | 26 | 3632 |
21 | Kevin Harvick | 36 | 19 | 25 | 39 | 3 | 10 | 25 | QL | 28 | 35 | 40 | 34 | 28 | 39 | 27 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 40 | 18 | 33 | 30 | 11 | 27 | 22 | 31 | 40 | 26 | 17 | 20 | 3501 |
22 | Kyle Petty | 41 | 37 | 30 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 20 | 10 | 17 | 23 | 13 | 20 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 24 | 37 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 39 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 37 | 14 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 3501 |
23 | Elliott Sadler | 2 | 31 | 28 | 19 | 2 | 41 | 17 | 28 | 40 | 39 | 21 | 33 | 10 | 15 | 26 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 10 | 21 | 35 | 43 | 27 | 42 | 19 | 34 | 35 | 25 | 18 | 36 | 19 | 34 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 3418 |
24 | Terry Labonte | 20 | 16 | 38 | 14 | 23 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 21 | 33 | 12 | 15 | 38 | 31 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 41 | 30 | 38 | 12 | 38 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 32 | 26 | 28 | 3417 |
25 | Ward Burton | 1 | 13 | 21 | 7 | 31 | 25 | 43 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 30* | 42 | 37 | 33 | 42 | 40 | 9 | 41 | 1 | 14 | 30 | 20 | 29 | 37 | 6 | 8 | 38 | 43 | 43 | 10 | 33 | 5* | 16 | 40 | 19 | 12 | 3362 |
26 | Jeremy Mayfield | 39 | 29 | 2 | 23 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 11 | 36 | 38 | 5 | 39 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 28 | 13 | 34 | 19 | 38 | 39 | 15 | 16 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 24 | 20 | 9 | 20 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 25 | 33 | 3309 |
27 | Jimmy Spencer | DNQ | 20 | 10 | 26 | 37 | 2 | 8 | 21 | 17 | 27 | 10 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 28 | 36 | 4 | 32 | 11 | 32 | 31 | DNQ | 34 | 8 | 18 | 42 | 15 | 35 | 24 | 21 | 32 | 24 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 42 | 3187 |
28 | John Andretti | 37 | 15 | 36 | 36 | 22 | 34 | 22 | 42 | 38 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 32 | 31 | 23 | 10 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 42 | 29 | 22 | 29 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 13 | 43 | 18 | 14 | 39 | 3161 |
29 | Johnny Benson | 10 | 23 | 32 | 27 | 33 | 39 | 13 | 19 | 39 | 15 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 43 | 30 | 37 | 25 | 8 | 12 | 34 | 35 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 40 | 18 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 16 | 13 | 3132 | |||||
30 | Ken Schrader | 26 | 35 | 26 | 24 | 35 | 22 | 34 | 36 | 24 | 43 | 15 | 18 | 36 | 16 | 25 | 38 | 25 | 40 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 26 | 13 | 22 | 28 | 41 | 31 | 26 | 42 | 22 | 37 | 27 | 2954 |
31 | Mike Skinner | 23 | 36 | 34 | 28 | 20 | 23 | 12 | 25 | 23 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 37 | 30 | 12 | 37 | 23 | 38 | 29 | 36 | 40 | 28 | 29 | 38 | 22 | 43 | 19 | 32 | 28 | 24 | 33 | 26 | 6 | 24 | 36 | 2886 |
32 | Bobby Hamilton | 32 | 9 | 43 | 29 | 13 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 22 | 30 | 17 | 23 | 9 | 27 | 37 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 26 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 11 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 35 | 38 | 29 | 10 | 2832 | |||||
33 | Steve Park | 39 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 34 | 22 | 34 | 38 | 39 | 23 | 32 | 23 | 34 | 27 | 32 | 43 | 7 | 39 | 41 | 26 | 36 | 11 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 6 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 2694 | ||||
34 | Joe Nemechek | 40 | 33 | 19 | 25 | 17 | 43 | 25 | 12 | 30 | 43 | 41 | 29 | 18 | 36 | 33 | 41 | 24 | 20 | 38 | 35 | 27 | 21 | 25 | 32 | 23 | 4 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 2 | 28 | 33 | 2* | 2682 | |||
35 | Casey Atwood | 35 | 39 | 41 | 32 | 26 | 18 | 35 | 38 | 26 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 39 | 21 | 20 | 28 | 36 | 28 | 38 | 27 | 42 | 18 | 28 | 24 | 34 | 32 | 42 | 34 | 30 | 21 | 38 | 29 | 37 | 2621 | |
36 | Brett Bodine | 16 | 30 | 35 | 38 | 38 | 36 | 38 | 26 | 13 | 23 | 19 | 27 | 34 | 24 | 34 | 24 | 38 | 30 | 27 | 33 | 42 | 32 | 38 | 32 | 39 | 20 | 36 | DNQ | DNQ | 29 | 26 | 38 | 34 | 36 | DNQ | DNQ | 2276 |
37 | Jerry Nadeau | 28 | 25 | 15 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 32 | 39 | 32 | 26 | 41 | 28 | 27 | 34 | 37 | 18 | 36 | 24 | 26 | 32 | 21 | 41 | 27 | 28 | 42 | 27 | 24 | 13 | 2250 | ||||||||
38 | Todd Bodine | 31 | 32 | 29 | 18 | 18 | 26 | 7 | 26 | 6 | 34 | 8 | 26 | 43 | 33 | 5 | 42 | 40 | 34 | 23 | 37 | 30 | 41 | 42 | 22 | QL | 1987 | |||||||||||
39 | Kenny Wallace | 30 | 10 | 27 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 42 | 29 | 32 | 36 | 25 | 14 | 18 | 27 | 16 | 33 | 25 | 36 | 13 | 11 | 23 | 1868 | |||||||||||||||
40 | Hut Stricklin | DNQ | 27 | 24 | 43 | 32 | 35 | 27 | 15 | 11 | 40 | 16 | 22 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 33 | 26 | 36 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 36 | 38 | 1781 | |||||||||||||
41 | Mike Wallace | 21 | 38 | 42 | 41 | 38 | 39 | 43 | 40 | 10 | 32 | 12 | 31 | 28 | 19 | 35 | 17 | 27 | 31 | 43 | 28 | 11 | 1551 | |||||||||||||||
42 | Stacy Compton | 27 | 43 | 39 | 31 | 27 | 38 | 19 | 18 | 27 | 41 | 26 | 37 | 24 | 28 | 35 | DNQ | 18 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 22 | 42 | 1527 | ||||||||||||||
43 | Geoff Bodine | 3 | 12 | 19 | 10 | 43 | 34 | 40 | 38 | DNQ | 39 | DNQ | 32 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Steve Grissom | 25 | 33 | 8 | 32 | 25 | 26 | 40 | 31 | 28 | 40 | 769 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Hermie Sadler | DNQ | 32 | 29 | DNQ | 18 | Wth | DNQ | 29 | DNQ | 23 | 37 | 41 | 35 | 41 | DNQ | 688 | |||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Jamie McMurray | 26 | 1* | 7 | 15 | 40 | 22 | 679 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
47 | Rick Mast | DNQ | 34 | 40 | 33 | 24 | 33 | 29 | 37 | DNQ | 32 | 35 | 576 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
48 | Greg Biffle | DNQ | 13 | DNQ | 33 | 27 | 33 | 36 | DNQ | 25 | 25 | 570 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Buckshot Jones | DNQ | 41 | 23 | 12 | 19 | 40 | 26 | 33 | DNQ | 559 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Ted Musgrave | 21 | 27 | 29 | 28 | DNQ | 16 | 452 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
51 | Tony Raines | 31 | DNQ | DNQ | 43 | 35 | 31 | 41 | 29 | DNQ | 43 | DNQ | 382 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
52 | Shawna Robinson (R) | 24 | 42 | 34 | 42 | 36 | DNQ | 42 | 40 | 361 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | Derrike Cope | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 38 | 35 | DNQ | 37 | 41 | 37 | 38 | 34 | 361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Frank Kimmel | 33 | 40 | 35 | 42 | 26 | 43 | DNQ | 292 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | Morgan Shepherd | Wth | 40 | 42 | DNQ | 43 | 41 | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 202 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | Scott Wimmer | DNQ | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | 17 | DNQ | DNQ | 42 | 192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Jack Sprague | Wth | 35 | DNQ | DNQ | 35 | DNQ | 30 | 189 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | DNQ | DNQ | 36 | DNQ | DNQ | 32 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 36 | Wth | 177 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Boris Said | 41 | 13 | DNQ | 164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | P. J. Jones | DNQ | 4 | 160 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Scott Pruett | 6 | 150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | Kevin Lepage | 43 | 40 | 36 | 132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Jason Leffler | 31 | 35 | 128 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | Mike Bliss | 14 | 121 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Tim Sauter | DNQ | 37 | 34 | DNQ | 113 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
66 | Dick Trickle | DNQ | 42 | 42 | DNQ | 42 | 111 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | Robert Pressley | 22 | DNQ | 97 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | Tom Hubert | 24 | 91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | Ron Fellows | 25 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | Jay Sauter | 37 | 43 | 86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | Stuart Kirby | 43 | DNQ | 37 | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
72 | Hideo Fukuyama | 39 | 43 | DNQ | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Kirk Shelmerdine | DNQ | Wth | DNQ | 42 | 41 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | Wth | 77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
74 | Lance Hooper | 31 | Wth | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | Andy Hillenburg | 43 | 43 | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | Jim Inglebright | 32 | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
77 | Chad Little | DNQ | DNQ | 33 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | Hank Parker Jr. | 33 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
79 | Carl Long (R) | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | Wth | 42 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 39 | DNQ | DNQ | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||
80 | Jason Small | 41 | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | Christian Fittipaldi | 41 | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Dave Marcis | 42 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
83 | Austin Cameron | 42 | DNQ | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
84 | Joe Varde | 42 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | Randy Renfrow | DNQ | DNQ | 43 | DNQ | DNQ | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
86 | Gary Bradberry | 43 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | Jason Hedlesky | 43 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
88 | Norm Benning | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | Dwayne Leik | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 | Bobby Gerhart | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | Brendan Gaughan | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
92 | Kevin Grubb | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
93 | Brandon Ash | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
94 | Ed Berrier | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
95 | Jim Sauter | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
96 | Shane Lewis | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
97 | Justin Bell | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
98 | Kerry Earnhardt | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | Brian Rose | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100 | Ryan McGlynn | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101 | Jerry Robertson | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
102 | Jeff Jefferson | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
103 | David Green | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
104 | Mike Harmon | Wth | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
105 | Dennis Setzer | QL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | MAR | TAL | CAL | RCH | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | CHI | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | KAN | TAL | CLT | MAR | ATL | CAR | PHO | HOM | Points |
Because he had more wins, a teammate/mentor in Jeff Gordon, and the higher position in points, Jimmie Johnson was the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. But in the end, his rival Ryan Newman was named the victor. Newman's one win seemed mild to Johnson's record-tying three victories and even leading the championship standings at one point, but Newman broke the record for pole positions. The rookie points system is separate from the championship system, and only a driver's 15 best finishes counted towards the award. Newman's 15 best finishes were better than Johnson's, despite Johnson having the better run in championship points. Shawna Robinson and Carl Long, the only other racers who declared for the award, did not run enough races to remain eligible.