1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

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.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule


Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race Driver	Crew Chief
Chevrolet	American Equipment Racing	96	David Green 12	Sammy Johns
			Kevin Lepage (R) 1
			Hut Stricklin 8
			Robby Gordon 1
			Ron Fellows 2
			Ted Musgrave 1
			Morgan Shepherd 1
			Mike Bliss 2
			Steve Grissom 5
	Andy Petree Racing	33	Ken Schrader	Andy Petree
	Dale Earnhardt, Inc.	1	Steve Park (R) 18	Phillipe Lopez
			Phil Parsons 1
			Ron Hornaday Jr. 1
			Darrell Waltrip 13
	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Terry Labonte	Andy Graves
		24	Jeff Gordon	Ray Evernham
		50	Ricky Craven 8	Tony Furr
			Randy LaJoie 9
			Wally Dallenbach Jr. 16
	Larry Hedrick Motorsports	41	Steve Grissom 26	Tim Brewer
			David Green 5
			Rick Wilson 2
	LJ Racing	91	Kevin Lepage (R) 15	Doug Richert
			Tommy Kendall 1
			Andy Hillenburg 3
			Morgan Shepherd 7
			Todd Bodine 7
	Marcis Auto Racing	71	Dave Marcis	Bob Marcis
	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	4	Bobby Hamilton	Charley Pressley
	Richard Childress Racing	3	Dale Earnhardt	Larry McReynolds 13 Kevin Hamlin 20
		31	Mike Skinner 30	Kevin Hamlin
			Morgan Shepherd 2
			Mike Dillon 1
	Team SABCO	40	Sterling Marlin	Corrie Stott
		42	Joe Nemechek	Scott Eggleston
		46	Wally Dallenbach Jr. 8	Gary Grossenbacher
			Morgan Shepherd 4
			Jeff Green 20
			Tommy Kendall 1
Ford	Butch Mock Motorsports	75	Rick Mast	Dave Charpentier
	Cale Yarborough Motorsports	98	Greg Sacks 7	Michael McSwain
	Cale Yarborough Motorsports	98	Rich Bickle 26	Michael McSwain
	Donlavey Racing	90	Dick Trickle	Junie Donlavey
	Elliott-Marino Racing	13	Jerry Nadeau (R) 16	Jerry Pitts
			Dennis Setzer 7
			Wally Dallenbach Jr. 2
			Tom Hubert 1
			Ted Musgrave 7
		94	Bill Elliott 32	Joe Garone
		94	Matt Kenseth 1	Joe Garone
	FILMAR Racing	81	Kenny Wallace	David Ifft
	Jasper Motorsports	77	Robert Pressley 31	Newt Moore
			Hut Stricklin 1
			Ted Musgrave 1
	Mattei Motorsports	7	Geoff Bodine	Pete Peterson
	Melling Racing	9	Lake Speed 16	Jeff Buice
			Butch Gilliland 1
			Jerry Nadeau (R) 16
	Penske Racing South Penske-Kranefuss Racing	2	Rusty Wallace	Robin Pemberton
	Penske Racing South Penske-Kranefuss Racing	12	Jeremy Mayfield	Paul Andrews
	Robert Yates Racing	28	Kenny Irwin Jr. (R)	Marc Reno
	Robert Yates Racing	88	Dale Jarrett	Todd Parrott
	Roush Racing	6	Mark Martin	Jimmy Fennig
		16	Ted Musgrave 20	James Ince
		16	Kevin Lepage (R) 13	James Ince
		26	Johnny Benson	Ben Leslie
		97	Chad Little	Jeff Hammond
		99	Jeff Burton	Frank Stoddard
	Rudd Performance Motorsports	10	Ricky Rudd	Bill Ingle
	Team Scandia Brett Bodine Racing	11	Brett Bodine	Gere Kennon
	Travis Carter Enterprises	23	Jimmy Spencer 31	Donnie Wingo
			Frank Kimmel 1
			Ted Musgrave 1
	Wood Brothers Racing	21	Michael Waltrip	Glen Wood
Pontiac	Bahari Racing	30	Derrike Cope 32	Doug Hewitt
	Bahari Racing	30	Jeff Green 1	Doug Hewitt
	Bill Davis Racing	22	Ward Burton	Tommy Baldwin Jr.
	ISM Racing	35	Todd Bodine 15	Pat Tryson 18 Phil Hammer 15
			Wally Dallenbach Jr. 1
			Gary Bradberry 1
			Jimmy Horton 1
	Tyler Jet Motorsports †		Darrell Waltrip 15
	Joe Gibbs Racing	18	Bobby Labonte	Jimmy Makar
	MB2 Motorsports	36	Ernie Irvan 30	Ryan Pemberton
	MB2 Motorsports	36	Ricky Craven 3	Ryan Pemberton
	Petty Enterprises	43	John Andretti	Robbie Loomis
	PE2	44	Kyle Petty	Bobby Kennedy

Limited schedule

Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race Driver	Crew Chief	Round(s)
Chevrolet	Andy Petree Racing	55	Hut Stricklin	Jimmy Elledge	1
	Barkdoll Racing	73	Mike Wallace		1
	BMR Motorsports	45	Jeff Ward		1
	Buckshot Racing †	00	Buckshot Jones	Ricky Pearson	7
	Chris Raudman Racing	58	Chris Raudman		1
	Darrell Waltrip Motorsports	17	Darrell Waltrip	Dave McCarty	5
	Tyler Jet Motorsports	17	Ron Hornaday Jr.	Phil Hammer	1
	Diamond Ridge Motorsports	29	Jeff Green		7
	Diamond Ridge Motorsports	92	Elliott Sadler	Butch Hylton 1 Sandy Jones 1	2
	Gerhart Racing	54	Bobby Gerhart		1
	Highland Timber Racing	08	Harris DeVane		1
	Mansion Motorsports	85	Randy Renfrow		1
	Mansion Motorsports	85	Bob Strait		1
	Midwest Transit Racing	07	Dan Pardus	Chet Shirah Jr. 5 John McQueen 2	7
	Sadler Brothers Racing	95	Andy Hillenburg		5
	Sadler Brothers Racing	95	Randy MacDonald		1
	Stavola Brothers Racing	8	Hut Stricklin	Ross Freisinger 4 Jim Long 11	11
			Buckshot Jones		2
			Morgan Shepherd		2
	T.R.I.X. Racing	79	Norm Benning	Ted Walters	1
			Randy MacDonald		1
			Ken Bouchard		3
Ford	CSG Racing	59	Mark Gibson	Tony Gibson	1
	CSG Racing	59	Brian Cunningham		1
	Elliott-Marino Racing	89	Dennis Setzer	Mike Brandt	1
	Gunselman Racing	37	Larry Gunselman		1
	Hilton Racing	38	Butch Gilliland		1
	Hover Motorsports	80	Mike Ciochetti		1
	Hover Motorsports	80	Andy Hillenburg		3
	Mansion Motorsports	85	Randy MacDonald		3
	Mansion Motorsports	85	Ken Bouchard		1
	Moore-Robinson Motorsports	15	Loy Allen Jr.	Joey Knuckles	1
	Moore-Robinson Motorsports	15	Ted Musgrave	Joey Knuckles	2
	Roehrig Motorsports	19	Tony Raines	Mike Bodick	4
			Tom Hubert		1
			Robby Gordon		1
	Roush Racing	60	Matt Kenseth	Robbie Reiser	1
	SBIII Motorsports	58	Rick Wilson		1
	Standridge Motorsports	47	Billy Standridge	Dave Smith	6
	Triad Motorsports	78	Gary Bradberry	Dennis Adcock	27
	Ware Racing Enterprises	70	Rick Ware		1
Pontiac	Precision Products Racing	14	Loy Allen Jr.		1
	Precision Products Racing	14	Lance Hooper		1
	Shepherd Racing	05	Morgan Shepherd	J. T. Townsend	3

Schedule

No.	Race Title	Track	Date
	Bud Shootout Qualifier	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 8
	Bud Shootout		February 8
	Gatorade 125s		February 12
1	Daytona 500		February 15
2	GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400	North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham	February 22
3	Las Vegas 400	Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas	March 1
4	Primestar 500	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton	March 9
5	TranSouth Financial 400	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	March 22
6	Food City 500	Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol	March 29
7	Texas 500	Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth	April 5
8	Goody's Headache Powder 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	April 20
9	DieHard 500	Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega	April 26
10	California 500 presented by NAPA	California Speedway, Fontana	May 3
	No Bull 25 Shootout	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	May 16
	Winston Open
	The Winston
11	Coca-Cola 600		May 24
12	MBNA Platinum 400	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	May 31
13	Pontiac Excitement 400	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond	June 6
14	Miller Lite 400	Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn	June 14
15	Pocono 500	Pocono Raceway, Long Pond	June 21
16	Save Mart/Kragen 350	Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma	June 28
17	Jiffy Lube 300	New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon	July 12
18	Pennsylvania 500	Pocono Raceway, Long Pond	July 26
19	Brickyard 400	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway	August 1
20	The Bud at The Glen	Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen	August 9
21	Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer	Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn	August 16
22	Goody's Headache Powder 500	Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol	August 22
23	Farm Aid on CMT 300	New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon	August 30
24	Pepsi Southern 500	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	September 6
25	Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond	September 12
26	MBNA Gold 400	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	September 20
27	NAPA Autocare 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	September 27
28	UAW-GM Quality 500	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	October 4
29	Winston 500	Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega	October 11
30	Pepsi 400	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	October 17
31	Dura Lube/Kmart 500	Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix	October 25
32	AC Delco 400	North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham	November 1
33	NAPA 500	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton	November 8
	Coca-Cola 500	Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi	November 22

Races

No.	Race	Pole position	Most laps led	Winning driver	Manufacturer
	Bud Shootout Qualifier	Sterling Marlin	Jimmy Spencer	Jimmy Spencer	Ford
	Bud Shootout	Mark Martin	Jeff Gordon	Rusty Wallace	Ford
	Gatorade 125 #1	Bobby Labonte	Bobby Labonte Sterling Marlin	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet
	Gatorade 125 #2	Terry Labonte	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
1	Daytona 500	Bobby Labonte	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
2	GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400	Rick Mast	Mark Martin	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
3	Las Vegas 400	Dale Jarrett	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
4	Primestar 500	John Andretti	Kenny Irwin Jr.	Bobby Labonte	Pontiac
5	TranSouth Financial 400	Mark Martin	Jeff Burton	Dale Jarrett	Ford
6	Food City 500	Rusty Wallace	Rusty Wallace	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
7	Texas 500	Jeremy Mayfield	Jeremy Mayfield	Mark Martin	Ford
8	Goody's Headache Powder 500	Bobby Hamilton	Bobby Hamilton	Bobby Hamilton	Chevrolet
9	DieHard 500	Bobby Labonte	Terry Labonte	Bobby Labonte	Pontiac
10	California 500 pres. by NAPA	Jeff Gordon	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
	No Bull 25 Race 1	Jeremy Mayfield	Jeremy Mayfield	Jeremy Mayfield	Ford
	No Bull 25 Race 2	Joe Nemechek	Jimmy Spencer	Jimmy Spencer	Ford
	Winston Open	Jeremy Mayfield	Jeremy Mayfield	Jeremy Mayfield	Ford
	The Winston	Bill Elliott	Jeff Gordon	Mark Martin	Ford
11	Coca-Cola 600	Jeff Gordon	Mark Martin	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
12	MBNA Platinum 400	Rusty Wallace	Jeff Gordon	Dale Jarrett	Ford
13	Pontiac Excitement 400	Jeff Gordon	Dale Jarrett	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet
14	Miller Lite 400	Ward Burton	Jeff Gordon	Mark Martin	Ford
15	Pocono 500	Jeff Gordon	Jeremy Mayfield	Jeremy Mayfield	Ford
16	Save Mart/Kragen 350	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
17	Jiffy Lube 300	Ricky Craven	Jeff Burton	Jeff Burton	Ford
18	Pennsylvania 500	Ward Burton	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
19	Brickyard 400	Ernie Irvan	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
20	The Bud at The Glen	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
21	Pepsi 400 pres. by DeVilbiss	Ernie Irvan	Ernie Irvan	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
22	Goody's Headache Powder 500	Rusty Wallace	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
23	Farm Aid on CMT 300	Jeff Gordon	Mark Martin	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
24	Pepsi Southern 500	Dale Jarrett	Jeff Burton	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
25	Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400	Rusty Wallace	Jeff Burton	Jeff Burton	Ford
26	MBNA Gold 400	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
27	NAPA Autocare 500	Ernie Irvan	Sterling Marlin	Ricky Rudd	Ford
28	UAW-GM Quality 500	Derrike Cope	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
29	Winston 500	Ken Schrader	Mike Skinner	Dale Jarrett	Ford
30	Pepsi 400	Bobby Labonte	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
31	Dura Lube/Kmart 500	Ken Schrader	Rusty Wallace	Rusty Wallace	Ford
32	AC Delco 400	Mark Martin	Dale Jarrett	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
33	NAPA 500	Kenny Irwin Jr.	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet

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

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

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.

Ken Schrader was injured in a crash on the last lap of Race 1. The No. 96 Chevrolet of David Green got into the rear of Schrader's No. 33 Chevrolet in Turn 1. It put Schrader head-on into the wall. Schrader's car also caught Johnny Benson in the No. 26 Ford and put Benson in the wall, eliminating his chance to make the Daytona 500. In the crash, Schrader suffered a broken sternum. He raced in the 500 using his car from the Bud Shootout (it was painted differently from the car Schrader was intending to use in the 500) while wearing a bull rider's vest.

Race Two: Top Ten Results

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. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top Ten Results

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

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.
Dale dedicated the win to his late friend and colleague, Neil Bonnett, who died after a crash while practicing for the 1994 race.
"20 years of trying, 20 years of frustration. Dale Earnhardt will come to the caution flag to win the Daytona 500! Finally!" - Mike Joy talking as Earnhardt came to the white flag and the caution flag, giving him his first (and only) Daytona 500 victory.
First time since 1996 that Dale Earnhardt would leave an event as the points leader, and the only race in 1998 and the final time in his career that Earnhardt would do so.

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

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

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

Mark Martin's win in this inaugural Las Vegas 400 was the first for the Ford Taurus.
Dale Earnhardt, finishing 8th, would be the only driver to finish in the Top 10 that was not driving a Ford Taurus.

Primestar 500

The Primestar 500 was scheduled to run on March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, but was run on March 9 due to rain. The No. 43 of John Andretti won the pole. The race was supposed to be broadcast on ABC, but due to the washout, the broadcast was moved to ESPN.

Top Ten Results

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

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.
After Sterling Marlin unexpectedly failed to qualify, Coors Light decals were placed on the No. 91 of Kevin Lepage for the race.

TranSouth Financial 400

The TranSouth Financial 400 was run on March 22 in Darlington, South Carolina. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top Ten Results

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.
Darrell Waltrip showed up to the track with a special No. 300 car as a tribute to Tim Flock, who was dying from cancer. The car was named "Tim Flock Special" and was based on Flock's car from 1955. Due to NASCAR prohibiting three digit numbers from competing, Waltrip used his familiar No. 17. Not only was this the final race Waltrip would be in the No. 17, but this would also be his final race as a Winston Cup owner/driver. The No. 17 would later return for Roush Racing.

Failed to qualify: 05-Morgan Shepherd, 1-Ron Hornaday Jr., 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

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. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: 13-Jerry Nadeau, 30-Derrike Cope, 35-Todd Bodine, 47-Billy Standridge, 95-Andy Hillenburg

The green flag was waved by Jim Roper, who won the very first NASCAR Strictly Stock race in 1949.
On lap 2, there was a multi-car pileup in turn 1 that involved at least 9 cars, including Dale Earnhardt, Ted Musgrave, Darrell Waltrip, John Andretti, Rick Mast, Kenny Wallace, Kevin Lepage, Hut Stricklin and Jeff Gordon. Andretti's car caught fire when his fuel pump broke. This was very similar to the start of the previous year's 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 out of his No. 98 Ford. He would sit out the remainder of the 1998 season. After this crash, Sacks only raced sparingly in the ARCA Racing Series, the Cup Series, and the Xfinity Series.
Mike Skinner was also injured in a hard crash into the wall on lap 252 in the quad-oval. He had actually already been injured at Atlanta earlier in the season in another hard crash, but was hurt enough here that he had to sit out 3 races. Morgan Shepherd, who had relief driven for Skinner at Darlington a couple weeks earlier, drove the car the next 2 races (Martinsville and Talladega), where he finished 11th and 35th (after getting caught up in "The Big One"). Mike Dillon, car owner Richard Childress' son-in-law, drove the car at California to a 35th-place finish.

Goody's Headache Powder 500 (Martinsville)

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

Failed to qualify: 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry

Bobby Hamilton led 378 of the race's 500 laps on his way to a dominant victory, it was his penultimate Cup series victory.
Rich Bickle was tapped to drive the No. 98 Ford in place of the injured Greg Sacks for the rest of the season. Here, Bickle qualified 11th, but ran into problems and finished 41st.
Last win for Morgan McClure Motorsports.
Randy LaJoie's fifth-place finish stands as his lone top five in the Cup Series.

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 broadcast on ABC.

Top Ten Results

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

The race was marred by "The Big One" on lap 141, collecting Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and 18 other cars.
The No. 60 Ford was a 6th Roush Racing Ford that was entered for Matt Kenseth.
This was the only DNQ of Matt Kenseth's Cup Series career.
After Geoff Bodine failed to qualify, Billy Standridge received sponsorship from Philips.
Bobby Labonte's victory made him the first Pontiac driver to win multiple races since Rusty Wallace in 1993.

California 500 presented by NAPA

The California 500 was run on May 3 in Fontana, California. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 19-Tony Raines, 71-Dave Marcis, 98-Rich Bickle

On lap 86, a major accident occurred in turn 1 that caused a red flag. It started when Dale Jarrett, running 13th, blew his engine going into in turn 1 and laid down some oil. Kyle Petty spun in the oil and drifted into the oncoming Bill Elliott. Both cars slammed hard into the outside wall, with Elliott's car going airborne and erupting in flames. Dale Earnhardt also spun and clipped the front of Mike Dillon's car. It was the second week in a row in which Elliott was involved in a fiery crash.
Darrell Waltrip's 5th place finish was his final career top-5.
Only career race that Mike Dillon started, driving the #31 for father-in-law Richard Childress. The only other Cup Series race Dillon - father of future Cup Series drivers Austin and Ty Dillon - participated in was the previous year's Southern 500 as a relief driver for Dale Earnhardt after Earnhardt blacked out for unknown reasons early in that race.

The Winston

The Winston, a non-points race with seventy laps in three segments, was run on May 16 in Concord, North Carolina at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole in the #94. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

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.

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

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

Bill Elliott had Jeff Green relieve him midway through the race after his hard accidents at Talladega and California.
After Morgan Shepherd failed to qualify for the race, First Union put their colors on the No. 91 LJ Racing Chevrolet driven by Kevin Lepage, who had qualified 15th. Lepage ran into problems early and finished 36th.
This was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Elliott Sadler, who drove the No. 92 Chevrolet for Diamond Ridge Motorsports (Sadler's Busch Grand National team at the time). Sadler blew an engine and finished 42nd after starting 31st.

MBNA Platinum 400

The MBNA Platinum 400 was run on May 31, Dover, Delaware. The No. 2 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: 13-Dennis Setzer, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Morgan Shepherd

This was Buckshot Jones' only career Top 10 finish in the Winston Cup Series, in only his 2nd career start.

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

Failed to qualify: 8-Buckshot Jones, 91-Kevin Lepage

On lap 370, Jeff Gordon was battling for the lead with Rusty Wallace. Gordon passed Wallace off turn 4 to take the lead, but was tapped by Wallace and spun into the outside wall in turn 2, suffering major damage on the front. Many fans cheered as Gordon's car was pushed toward the garage area. Gordon finished 37th, experiencing his 2nd DNF of 1998.
This would be Jeff Gordon's final finish outside the top 10 in 1998, because after this race, he would spend the next/last 20 races in the top 10. He would go on to score 17 consecutive top 5 finishes and 20 consecutive top 10 finishes, which both stand as All-Time NASCAR records as of 2021. He would go on to score 10 victories in the 20 race stretch.
This race was notable as it was the first time that NASCAR decided to red flag a race with under 10 laps to go in order to ensure a green flag finish. This did allow for a final restart, but the race still ended under caution when the No. 26 of Johnny Benson smacked the wall in Turn 1 with 2 laps to go. Benson scraped along the wall for the rest of the race to finish 18th.
This was the first time that the first race of the season at Richmond was held at night during the spring. In previous years, it was an afternoon race in February or March.
This Was Dale Earnhardts final race with Larry McReynolds as his crew chief after 45 races together and 1 win, Team Owner Richard Childress swapped McReynolds with Mike Skinners Crew Chief Kevin Hamlin, Both drivers saw better performances after swapping

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

Failed to qualify: 19-Tony Raines, 30-Derrike Cope, 35-Todd Bodine, 71-Dave Marcis

This race would begin Jeff Gordon's stretch of 17 consecutive top 5 finishes, and 20 consecutive top 10 finishes, which both stand as All-Time NASCAR records as of 2021.
Wally Dallenbach Jr. drove the No. 50 Chevrolet in place of Randy LaJoie, who had Busch Grand National obligations at Pikes Peak International Raceway in his No. 74 Chevrolet.

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

Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 71-Dave Marcis

This was Jeremy Mayfield's 1st career Winston Cup victory. In order to procure the victory, Mayfield had to overtake the No. 1 Chevrolet of Darrell Waltrip, Mayfield's idol.
Final career top 10 finish for Darrell Waltrip.
The race was interrupted by a 71-minute red flag for rain.
Final race for Todd Bodine as ISM Racing's driver; as following his failure to qualify for the 1998 Save Mart/Kragen 350 - the 8th race that ISM Racing failed to qualify for - and with only one Top 10 finish at the Primestar 500 in Atlanta; Bodine was released by the team.

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

Failed to qualify: 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Tommy Kendall*, 58-Chris Raudman, 70-Rick Ware, 71-Dave Marcis

Due to ESPN's coverage of the final round of the Senior PGA Tour NFL Golf Classic running long, ESPN2 carried the start of the race. ESPN joined the race in progress on lap 3.
During the weekend, Kevin Lepage signed a contract with Roush Racing to replace Ted Musgrave in the No. 16 Ford after The Bud at The Glen. After learning of the deal, Lepage was dropped by LJ Racing after 2nd round qualifying. The car still made the field in 42nd starting spot through a provisional. Tommy Kendall was tapped to drive the car in the race and drove up from the back of the field to finish 16th.
To try to get Rick Mast some confidence coming into Sears Point, the Butch Mock Racing team gave Rick the nickname "Nigel Mast", after the former Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell. It was designed to convince Rick that he could run well at road courses, typically the scenes of mediocre finishes, DNF's, and most notably, a spectacular wreck at Watkins Glen in 1993. Previously, his best road course finish was 11th at Sears Point in 1992.
Jerry Nadeau got anxious on the start, having never been so close to the front previously in his Winston Cup career. Starting on the outside pole, Nadeau tried to beat polesitter Jeff Gordon to Turn 2 (the first right turn on the course). Unfortunately, he went into Turn 1 too fast and drove off course. By the time he had fully recovered the car, he had dropped to 5th. The off course excursion caused problems with Nadeau's brakes and tires to develop, which resulted in Nadeau crashing in the esses on lap 15, which put him out of the race with a 43rd (last) place finish.
Jeff Burton became the first Winston Cup driver ever to crash on the 400-foot (120 m) long start-finish straight after contact with Dale Jarrett on lap 64. This resulted in a 10 lap full course caution because the impact of Burton's car caused damage to the wall.
Lake Speed suffered rib and sternum injuries in a practice crash in Turn 10. The injuries were serious enough for Speed to have to sit out the race. Winston West regular Butch Gilliland drove the No. 9 Ford to a 24th-place finish from 40th on the grid in place of Speed.
Jeff Gordon would take over the Winston Cup point lead after Jeremy Mayfield had troubles in this race. Gordon held on to the lead for the rest of the year.
This was the first race with the configuration erasing turns 4–6. A short chute was in place where the old hills were, making speeds much faster on the speed charts.
At the time this race was held no driver who had won at Sears Point went on to win the championship. Race winner Jeff Gordon was the first to win both Sears Point and the championship later that year, earning his 3rd championship in 4 years.

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. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis

This was the last career start for Lake Speed, whose aggravated rib and sternum injuries during the race led to his retirement. Speed's original injuries came from a practice crash he suffered in the previous race at Sears Point.

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

Failed to qualify: 35-Jimmy Horton, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Randy MacDonald

After the previous Sunday's race at Loudon, Jerry Nadeau was fired out of the No. 13 Ford. He immediately signed with Melling Racing to race their No. 9 Ford after Lake Speed was forced to retire because of his injuries. Nadeau finished 26th, 2 laps down in his first race at Melling after starting 34th.
Elliott-Marino Racing tapped Wally Dallenbach Jr. to drive the No. 13 Ford on an interim basis starting at Pocono. Dallenbach finished 25th, 2 laps down. after starting 42nd (with a provisional)
Morgan Shepherd was tapped to drive the No. 91 LJ Racing Chevrolet starting at Pocono. Shepherd qualified a strong 7th, but collided with the turn 1 wall on lap 71 and finished 40th.

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

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

Jimmy Spencer suffered a concussion in a crash late in the race in Turn 2. This forced Spencer to seek relief from Boris Said the next weekend at Watkins Glen. Spencer, not fully recovered from his concussion at Indy, had to completely sit out the following two races at Michigan with driver Frank Kimmel and Bristol with Ted Musgrave filling in respectively.
Jeremy Mayfield crashed early in the race coming out of Turn 1. He seemed fine after the wreck, but at Watkins Glen the next weekend, he suffered fainting spells and had Larry Gunselman on standby, but did not take relief during the race.
On lap 77, Ward Burton cut a tire and hit the wall in turn 2, but the race stayed green for the next several laps. As Burton's car came to a stop on the warmup lane inside turn 3, drivers proceeded to make pit stops under green. With the caution still not yet out, leader Dale Jarrett began running out of gas exiting turn 1. After limping slowly around into the pits, Jarrett came to a stop just past the pit lane entrance. Jarrett's crew ran quickly toward the entrance of pit road to retrieve the car. After pushing the car about 1000 feet to the pit box, the team managed to refuel it and change four tires. The misadventure cost Jarrett 4 laps, but he would eventually finish in 16th place, last car on the lead lap.
This was the last race attempted by Precision Products Racing, as car owner Richard Jackson withdrew the #14 car driven by Lance Hooper before qualifying began due to lack of sponsorship, when their one race sponsorship deal with World Championship Wrestling began to fallout days earlier, and also Jackson planning on continuing focusing on his Busch Grand National team during the rest of the 1998 Season.
The race also marked the return of Steve Park to Winston Cup action for the first time since suffering injuries in a practice crash in March at Atlanta.
Jeff Gordon had become the first driver to win the Brickyard 400 twice, and he won the No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus. Mark Martin and Bobby Labonte, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, were also No Bull 5 contenders. Dale Jarrett and Rusty Wallace were the other two contenders for the bonus.
This race ended under the caution flag, as due to a multi-car accident with a couple laps to go, there were not enough laps to clean up the track and restart the race.

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

Failed to qualify: 58-Larry Gunselman**, 59-Brian Cunningham, 71-Dave Marcis

Jeff Gordon did not actually know during the chase down of Mike Skinner that he was not actually leading the race until there were about 9 or 10 laps to go, when Crew Chief Ray Evernham radioed to him, pointed out Skinner in front of him, told him he was the leader and to go get him.
On the ESPN telecast, it was stated that Rick Wilson attempted the race in the No. 58 instead of Larry Gunselman.
Gunselman was also tapped to stand by to potentially drive in relief of Jeremy Mayfield, but did not get in the No. 12 during the race.
Jimmy Spencer was forced to give way to Boris Said at the first full course caution because of the concussion that he had suffered the previous Saturday during the Brickyard 400. Spencer only briefly practiced the car before the race. Said had practiced and qualified the car in the 5th position (Since Spencer started the car that Said had qualified, Spencer had to start at the rear of the field). After Said got in the car at lap 10, he began a drive up through the field. A couple of spins within 10 laps of each other slowed Said's charge on his way to a 20th-place finish.
Dick Trickle was relieved during the race by Busch North and Featherlite Modified driver Ted Christopher. According to the ESPN telecast, this was because of Trickle's apparent lack of skill and confidence in his road racing abilities. Christopher ran very well in the race before the engine blew late in the race, leaving Trickle (who got the drivers' points because he started the race) with a 41st-place finish.
Tom Hubert was hired by Elliott-Marino Racing to drive the No. 13 Ford. Hubert qualified 20th and drove up to 11th before having a slight off-course excursion. The big hit came on the restart after the 2nd caution when the No. 33 of Ken Schrader ran up on the left rear of Hubert. This peeled a good chunk of the left side sheetmetal off the car and spun it out. The No. 23 and the No. 12 of Jeremy Mayfield also spun in this incident. Mayfield got stuck in the gravel, prompting the third full course caution of the race.
Mike Skinner had his best career finish (in this case, 3rd) for the second consecutive week. This finish was achieved through a pit strategy that resulted in him attempting to go all the way on fuel from the last full course caution, a distance of 39 laps (95.55 miles). After all the leaders had pitted, Skinner had a 25-second lead over Jeff Gordon. Skinner had to conserve fuel in order to make the finish, so he drove much slower than he would have. Gordon, along with Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace ran Skinner down with 3 laps to go. Gordon and Martin were able to pass Skinner, but Wallace was not able to.
This race was the 4th consecutive race that Mark Martin finished 2nd, and 3rd straight 2nd-place finish to winner Jeff Gordon, losing 30 points to him in the standings over the 3 races.
This was the last Cup race sponsored by a beer company.
Ron Fellows was the first road ringer to qualify on the front row since Dan Gurney in 1970 at Riverside Raceway. In honor of his achievement, as well as the Canadian fans who watched the race, NASCAR, during pre-race ceremonies, had a singer recite the Canadian National Anthem along with the Star-Spangled Banner.
This race was held the day after Mark Martin's father, stepmother and half-sister were killed in a plane crash in Nevada.

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

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 81-Kenny Wallace, 96-Hut Stricklin

Wally Dallenbach Jr. was hired to drive the No. 50 Chevrolet for the rest of the season, and all of 1999 at this point.
This was Jeff Gordon's 4th consecutive victory, tying the Modern-era record for most consecutive victories. He would become the 7th driver to do so (joining Cale Yarborough in 1976, Darrell Waltrip in 1981, Dale Earnhardt in 1987, Harry Gant in 1991, Bill Elliott in 1992, and Mark Martin in 1993). Future teammate Jimmie Johnson would join the group in 2007. After Johnson in 2007, it has not been done since.

Goody's Headache Powder 500 (Bristol)

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

Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 85-Ken Bouchard

Mark Martin prevented Jeff Gordon from scoring the elusive 5th straight win, a feat that has never been done in NASCAR's modern era.
Ted Musgrave subbed for Jimmy Spencer in the No. 23 Ford for Travis Carter Enterprises. Spencer was still recovering from the concussion that he suffered at the Brickyard 400.

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

Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 07-Dan Pardus, 30-Derrike Cope, 79-Ken Bouchard

This race marked the beginning of "Tiregate." Jeff Gordon won both Michigan on August 16 and New Hampshire on August 30 after making a two-tire final pit stop and pulling away from the pack. Jack Roush, owner of the 6, 16, 26, 97, and 99 cars driven by Mark Martin, Ted Musgrave/Kevin Lepage, Johnny Benson, Chad Little, and Jeff Burton, respectively, accused Gordon and his team of cheating by applying chemical solvents to their tires. NASCAR officials began an investigation by sealing off Gordon's pit stall and confiscating several sets of tires for testing. Gordon and his team were later acquitted of any wrongdoing prior to the start of the Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 at Richmond.
American Equipment Racing owned by Buz McCall, surprised the racing world by bringing road racer Ron Fellows to drive the #96 CAT car at an oval track rather than a road course. It was Ron Fellows' only Winston Cup start on an oval track. Ron Fellows would qualify 42nd in the #96 CAT car, and finish a heartbreaking 36th-place finish.

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

This race was part of the Winston No Bull 5 program. Jeff Gordon won the last such race, making him eligible to win a million dollars in this race if he pulled off a win.
This was Jeff Gordon's 7th win in the last 9 races. This would be also Gordon's last win until late October.
This was the fourth straight year in which Jeff Gordon would win the Southern 500. Not only is Jeff Gordon the only driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight Southern 500 races, but he also the only driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight races in one NASCAR Crown Jewel event. The 5 crown jewel events are Daytona 500, World 600, Brickyard 400, Southern 500, and Winston 500. His future teammate Jimmie Johnson however, would almost accomplish that feat in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. He would win 3 straight in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He would come so close on winning 4 straight Coca-Cola 600 races in 2006, but he would finish 2nd to another future teammate, Kasey Kahne.
This was the 3rd consecutive year that Jeff Gordon won 10+ races in a season, a NASCAR modern era record. Gordon passed Darrell Waltrip for this feat after Darrell won 12 races each in back to back seasons of 1981 and 1982. Richard Petty holds the record for scoring 10 or more wins in 5 consecutive seasons. He scored 27 wins in 1967, 16 wins in 1968, 10 wins in 1969, 18 wins in 1970, & 21 wins in 1971, scoring a combined total of 92 wins.
This would be the last time until Gordon's future teammate Jimmie Johnson in 2007 that a driver would win 10 races in a season. After Johnson in 2007, it would not be done again until Kyle Larson in 2021 won 10 races en route to his First Championship.

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.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Ken Bouchard, 98-Rich Bickle

Jeff Burton would edge Jeff Gordon in an exciting side by side finish to take the win.
Ken Schrader's final top 5 finish.
Robert Pressley suffered a broken scapula in a crash early on, and would be forced to sit out the next two races.

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

Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis, 96-Morgan Shepherd

Matt Kenseth made his Winston Cup debut in relief of Bill Elliott. Elliott decided to skip the race to mourn the death of his father, George.
Matt Kenseth became the 3rd highest finisher in his Winston Cup debut, finishing 6th. Only 2 drivers have finished in the top 5 in their Cup Series debuts, and that was Terry Labonte, who finished 4th in the 1978 Southern 500 at Darlington, and Rusty Wallace, who finished 2nd in the fall Atlanta race in 1980.
Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte both made their 600th career Winston Cup starts in this race.

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

This race was run in oppressive heat and humidity. Multiple drivers required relief during the event. Jerry Nadeau was actually forced to pull off the track at one point because he needed relief, and there was no one available that could relieve him.
Ricky Rudd's cooler box broke literally on lap one of the race. This resulted in Rudd being broiled inside of the car. Hut Stricklin was on standby to relieve Rudd, but Rudd never got out of the car. In Victory Lane, Rudd had to be pulled out of the car and given first aid by paramedics. Dr. Jerry Punch, who conducted the Victory Lane interview, helped out the paramedics.
20th career win for Ricky Rudd. With this win, Ricky Rudd's winning streak would stay alive, making this the 16th straight season that he has won at least one race, 3rd all-time. Richard Petty leads the category by winning at least one race in 18 straight seasons (1960-1977, 185 wins), the most in NASCAR history. This would be Rudd's last win until Pocono in June 2001, 2+1⁄2 years and 89 races later.
This was the final victory for Cup Series team Rudd Performance Motorsports.
This was Rich Bickle's best career finish. Bickle broke down in tears during a post-race interview on ESPN.^[1]
Last career pole for Ernie Irvan.

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

Failed to qualify: 19-Tony Raines, 46-Jeff Green, 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 85-Randy MacDonald

This race was red-flagged for nearly 2 hours due to a sewer main behind the backstretch breaking. As a result, raw sewage water streamed across the backstretch from underneath the outside wall.

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

Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 41-Rick Wilson, 54-Bobby Gerhart, 75-Rick Mast, 78-Gary Bradberry, 98-Rich Bickle

Winston No Bull 5 race: Dale Jarrett won an extra million dollars because he won this race and finished in the top 5 in the Southern 500.
Ernie Irvan was injured in a crash on lap 135 when he spun and hit the wall. The No. 90 of Dick Trickle hit Irvan's No. 36 when it came back across the track. Irvan started the race at Daytona for points, but then sat out the remaining 3 races.

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

Failed to qualify: 41-Rick Wilson, 75-Rick Mast, 77-Robert Pressley, 78-Gary Bradberry, 90-Dick Trickle

This was the first NASCAR race at Daytona to be run under the lights.
1998 was the first NASCAR season to have back-to-back points paying restrictor plate races. In 2024, this happened again, as the opening two races of the NASCAR season were the Daytona 500 and the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
This race was originally scheduled to be broadcast by CBS, but TNN broadcast the race due to prior commitments by CBS (due to the race's rescheduling).
Ernie Irvan started the race in the No. 36, but was replaced at the first caution by Ricky Craven.
This was Jeff Gordon's 40th Winston Cup Career win.
The 11th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. This was the first time since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 that a driver won 11 races in a season.
As of 2020, this is the last time that a driver won 11 races in a season.
This race was Dan Pardus' only career Cup Series start.

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

Failed to qualify: 21-Michael Waltrip, 45-Jeff Ward, 71-Dave Marcis

This race was shortened to 257 laps due to rain.
This race ended a string of 17 straight top 5 finishes for Jeff Gordon, which is a NASCAR record.

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

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom

Jeff Gordon clinched his second consecutive Winston Cup Series championship and his 3rd in the last 4 seasons, when Rick Mast and Kevin Lepage were officially listed as out of the race as of lap 187. Gordon needed to finish 40th or better to clinch the title, or 41st or better with at least one lap led.
The 12th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. This was the first time since Darrell Waltrip in 1982 that a driver won 12 races in a season.

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was run on November 8 in Hampton, Georgia. Kenny Irwin Jr. won his 1st career pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: 08-Harris DeVane, 75-Rick Mast, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom, 98-Rich Bickle

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.
Todd Bodine's fifth-place finish was the best ever finish for LJ Racing in the Cup Series.
Jeff Gordon's win made him the second driver after Bobby Labonte to win on both of the configurations at Atlanta, after winning only one race on the 1.522 miles when he won in the spring of 1995.
Jeff Gordon's win ensured Chevrolet the 1998 Manufacturers' Championship.
The 13th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. With this win, Jeff Gordon ties a NASCAR modern-era record with Richard Petty for the most wins in a single season. This feat was accomplished first by Petty in 1975. As of 2021, this is the second and last time that a driver won 13 races in a season. Also, as of 2024, Jeff Gordon is the last driver to win more than 10 races in a single season.
With 13 wins, 26 top 5s, and 28 top 10s, including the 17 straight top 5 finishes and 20 straight top 10 finishes, Jeff Gordon scored a total of 5,328 points in 33 races of 1998. This would be the most points scored in Bob Latford Winston Cup points system history.
Mark Martin finishes second in points for the third time in his career, and with that, he would tie James Hylton for the most runner-up finishes for a driver to never win a championship.
This was the 20th consecutive race that Jeff Gordon would finish in the top 10, a NASCAR record.
Last points race without Tony Stewart on the grid until the 2013 Cheez-It 355 at The Glen.

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

Failed to qualify: None

Dale Jarrett was forced to skip the event due to gallbladder surgery that needed to be performed immediately after the NAPA 500 so that he would be ready for Daytona in February. Darrell Waltrip drove the No. 88 in Jarrett's place.

Final points standings

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Pos	Driver	DAY	CAR	LVS	ATL	DAR	BRI	TEX	MAR	TAL	CAL	CLT	DOV	RCH	MCH	POC	SON	NHA	POC	IND	GLN	MCH	BRI	NHA	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	CLT	TAL	DAY	PHO	CAR	ATL	Points
1	Jeff Gordon	16	1	17	19	2	1	31	8	5	4	1	3*	37	3*	2	1*	3	1*	1*	1*	1	5	1	1	2	2	2	5	2	1*	7	1	1*	5328
2	Mark Martin	38	3*	1*	25	7	7	1	29	23	1*	4*	7	5	1	5	6	2	2	2	2	4	1*	2*	40	3	1*	3	1*	34	16	2	4	3	4964
3	Dale Jarrett	34	7	40	2	1	3	11	3	3	41	5	1	2*	2	3	15	7	5	16	5	3	4	4	3	16	7	42	24	1	23	32	2*	2	4619
4	Rusty Wallace	5	2	3	4	3	33*	12	6	12	34	2	18	3	17	42	5	4	6	8	4	23	3	8	7	7	5	28	26	27	5	1*	3	20	4501
5	Jeff Burton	40	18	2	8	5*	4	29	32	43	10	8	2	7	4	4	39	1*	3	36	23	5	2	5	2*	1*	38	5	3	10	13	4	5	4	4415
6	Bobby Labonte	2	33	19	1	23	34	8	15	1	38	3	4	8	7	15	4	11	4	3	10	2	25	7	15	35	4	10	39	6	2	23	15	43	4180
7	Jeremy Mayfield	3	14	5	3	4	12	23*	7	13	2	19	5	6	5	1*	18	30	18	42	31	7	8	20	5	22	3	23	25	5	4	42	29	15	4157
8	Dale Earnhardt	1*	17	8	13	12	22	35	4	36	9	39	25	21	15	8	11	18	7	5	11	18	6	9	4	38	23	22	29	32	10	3	9	13	3928
9	Terry Labonte	13	8	15	12	6	2	6	26	4*	3	41	10	1	19	12	42	14	31	9	40	36	13	39	25	21	18	6	38	3	6	10	8	8	3901
10	Bobby Hamilton	12	9	20	21	35	18	26	1*	30	27	20	17	16	38	20	2	15	20	20	13	20	11	34	23	6	10	14	4	15	21	21	6	6	3786
11	John Andretti	18	13	41	20	13	19	42	18	33	31	7	12	22	20	13	3	6	12	7	8	9	38	3	14	5	9	37	12	21	14	6	34	32	3682
12	Ken Schrader	4	23	21	17	18	6	21	10	29	15	10	15	4	28	43	20	9	8	10	24	14	14	42	13	4	39	13	40	24	9	22	14	7	3675
13	Sterling Marlin	22	25	24	DNQ	14	40	14	36	9	14	15	19	10	18	9	7	35	11	11	7	15	21	17	8	15	16	18*	30	14	18	12	13	42	3530
14	Jimmy Spencer	15	4	7	41	21	14	7	30	2	21	13	24	14	11	10	29	25	19	32	20			13	34	9	27	19	10	4	12	26	30	21	3464
15	Chad Little	7	21	10	DNQ	17	35	2	16	34	6	35	37	13	16	30	23	22	16	28	16	10	23	14	18	12	17	36	8	8	20	20	40	11	3423
16	Ward Burton	25	11	18	24	11	17	15	28	8	12	34	29	19	8	24	40	23	34	34	21	37	37	31	12	28	33	11	2	30	7	14	7	14	3352
17	Michael Waltrip	9	34	14	18	16	9	9	21	21	20	18	14	40	21	14	34	24	10	21	28	22	16	27	17	26	20	20	13	9	31	DNQ	22	22	3340
18	Bill Elliott	10	6	9	11	15	15	13	12	39	43	14	13	25	6	37	12	26	36	12	27	40	19	37	11	40		7	11	19	15	38	12	26	3305
19	Ernie Irvan	6	19	30	15	36	20	43	9	6	13	11	9	29	14	34	36	20	9	6	33	6*	22	28	6	14	8	8	31	37	8				3262
20	Johnny Benson	DNQ	30	4	9	8	5	5	38	41	8	9	41	18	22	36	21	21	33	25	9	34	33	21	21	41	15	9	28	31	26	9	41	23	3160
21	Mike Skinner	8	32	29	42	28	32	33				29	27	30	29	29	17	5	30	4	3	19	7	15	26	8	32	16	21	7*	3	16	21	9	3153
22	Ricky Rudd	42	43	12	23	33	30	27	14	24	11	31	6	11	37	41	28	19	42	31	14	13	9	10	22	34	13	1	37	18	27	27	10	24	3131
23	Ted Musgrave	20	35	6	29	10	8	30	2	42	33	12	22	15	26	17	19	39	15	19	19	39	43		20	25	26	15	27	11	34	5	19	19	3124
24	Darrell Waltrip	33	41	35	40	30	23	36	40	15	5	17	20	32	12	6	13	13	13	13	25	25	27	32	38	18	21	21	22	23	28	31	32	38	2957
25	Brett Bodine	24	16	26	26	22	11	16	13	11	28	22	16	20	33	18	32	28	38	33	34	32	26	30	42	19	22	34	19	13	25	43	31	31	2907
26	Joe Nemechek	26	39	37	35	37	DNQ	4	24	32	22	6	26	12	9	35	25	36	17	24	12	12	31	18	35	37	29	40	7	29	17	18	17	40	2897
27	Geoff Bodine	31	5	13	22	41	39	32	35	DNQ	7	23	23	28	23	40	35	37	14	37	32	21	30	23	9	13	14	39	9	25	41	34	11	10	2864
28	Kenny Irwin Jr. (R)	19	26	36	5*	39	43	39	19	40	16	DNQ	33	9	13	11	9	33	22	38	37	16	15	11	41	10	40	27	20	43	32	40	33	16	2760
29	Dick Trickle	27	37	16	6	24	13	22	37	20	37	21	21	17	24	27	33	17	29	18	41	38	43	19	33	42	31	33	33	38	DNQ	19	23	12	2678
30	Kyle Petty	11	24	22	36	29	38	17	34	38	42	30	42	24	36	31	26	8	21	14	6	29	12	33	28	39	41	29	18	20	22	36	39	29	2675
31	Kenny Wallace	DNQ	38	43	7	9	42	34	22	7	19	25	40	23	39	39	22	10	35	43	26	DNQ	42	6	10	11	43	43	16	40	35	8	16	34	2615
32	Robert Pressley	32	40	23	27	20	28	3	23	31	17	16	39	41	32	16	30	34	32	29	29	24	40	12	30	43			41	26	DNQ	17	38	28	2388
33	Rick Mast	30	12	11	33	43	25	41	33	18	25	26	11	43	31	38	8	32	37	22	30	26	35	22	36	31	24	41	34	DNQ	DNQ	29	42	DNQ	2296
34	Steve Grissom	28	20	39	16	19	16	10	25	16	30	32	32	39	41	23	10	43	39	23	38	33	DNQ	25	20	17	DNQ		32	36	29		DNQ	DNQ	2215
35	Kevin Lepage (R)	43	DNQ	28	14	34	27	37	42	14	40	36	28	33	40	19	QL					17	10	16	39	36	12	17	6	35	40	13	43	18	2196
36	Jerry Nadeau (R)	21	28	DNQ	32	31	37	DNQ	27	37	26	40		38	35	21	43	27	26	26	15	30	32	29	32	23	36	35	35	42	19	39	24	37	2121
37	Derrike Cope	37	15	31	38	40	26	DNQ		22	39	33	35	34	DNQ	26	38	16	23	DNQ	39	43	36	DNQ	27	24	35	30	14	11	38	33	25	30	2065
38	Wally Dallenbach Jr.	DNQ	DNQ	38	39	DNQ		19	DNQ	26	29				10	7	27		25	40		8	28	43	31	30	25	32	23	39	30	25	36	35	1832
39	Rich Bickle								41	DNQ	DNQ	24	31	27	27	32	31	38	28	39	22	28	18	40	19	DNQ	19	4	17	DNQ	39	11	18	DNQ	1773
40	Jeff Green	DNQ	22	33	DNQ	32	DNQ		17	DNQ				42	30	33		12	24	30		41	17	38	16	20	34	31	DNQ	33	37	28	27	36	1687
41	Steve Park (R)	41	31	DNQ	Wth															35	18	11	34	41	24	27	11	24	36	41	33	24	35	17	1322
42	Todd Bodine	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	10	27	29	DNQ	39	DNQ		28	DNQ	35	DNQ	22	DNQ									32	37	12	15			15	20	5	1322
43	Lake Speed	17	27	32	28	25	31	20	20	25	30	27	36	26	25	25	Wth	41																	1297
44	David Green	DNQ	42	34	30	26	21	18	43	17	18	43	38	QL														DNQ	43			37	26	41	1014
45	Dave Marcis	36	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	28	DNQ	27	DNQ	DNQ	30	36	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	43	41	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	35	DNQ	33	DNQ	26	DNQ	12	21	DNQ	DNQ	27	949
46	Ricky Craven	14	10	27	34													29	41	17	35										QL	30	37	25	907
47	Morgan Shepherd		DNQ		DNQ	DNQ	24		11	35	24	DNQ			43				40	15	43	42	29	26	DNQ		DNQ							39	843
48	Gary Bradberry	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	43	DNQ	DNQ	24	DNQ	DNQ	23	37	34		34			40	DNQ	DNQ		DNQ	DNQ		37	DNQ	28	DNQ	42	DNQ	DNQ	41	28	33	787
49	Randy LaJoie					38	10	25	5	10	36	38	43	31																					768
50	Hut Stricklin	DNQ	29	43	37	DNQ	41	40	31	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ			42	28		42	27	DNQ		DNQ	41		DNQ		30				42				700
51	Dennis Setzer									19												35	39	24	29	29		38							502
52	Buckshot Jones												8	DNQ		DNQ				27		27		DNQ		DNQ	42			16				Wth	458
53	Greg Sacks	39	36	25	31	42	36	38																											400
54	Andy Hillenburg	29			DNQ			DNQ				DNQ						31											DNQ	22	24		DNQ	DNQ	334
55	Billy Standridge	35						DNQ		28		DNQ																		28	43				250
56	Tommy Kendall																16				17														232
57	Matt Kenseth									DNQ																	6								150
58	Mike Bliss																											25				35			146
59	Elliott Sadler											42											24												128
60	Ron Hornaday Jr.					DNQ											14																		121
61	Tom Hubert																41				36														95
62	Mike Wallace	23																																	94
63	Ron Fellows																				42			36											92
64	Butch Gilliland			Wth													24																		91
65	Frank Kimmel																					31													70
66	Mike Dillon										35																								58
67	Robby Gordon																37			DNQ															57
68	Dan Pardus	DNQ								DNQ		DNQ								DNQ				DNQ						DNQ	36				55
69	Mark Gibson	DNQ
70	Norm Benning	DNQ
71	Michael Ciochetti	DNQ
72	Loy Allen Jr.	DNQ																		DNQ											Wth
73	Larry Gunselman			DNQ
74	Tony Raines			DNQ							DNQ				DNQ														DNQ
75	Phil Parsons				DNQ
76	Bob Strait									DNQ
77	Randy MacDonald											DNQ							DNQ	DNQ								DNQ	DNQ
78	Rick Ware																DNQ
79	Chris Raudman																DNQ
80	Jimmy Horton																		DNQ
81	Lance Hooper																			DNQ
82	Brian Cunningham																				DNQ
83	Rick Wilson																				DNQ									DNQ	DNQ
84	Ken Bouchard																						DNQ	Wth		DNQ		DNQ
85	Bobby Gerhart																													DNQ
86	Jeff Ward																															DNQ
87	Harris DeVane																																	DNQ
88	Randy Renfrow	Wth
89	Tim Steele	Wth																	Wth
90	Jerry Glanville													Wth
91	Bob Schacht																			Wth
92	Boris Said																				Wth
93	Randal Ritter																														Wth
94	Phil Barkdoll	QL
Pos	Driver	DAY	CAR	LVS	ATL	DAR	BRI	TEX	MAR	TAL	CAL	CLT	DOV	RCH	MCH	POC	SON	NHA	POC	IND	GLN	MCH	BRI	NHA	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	CLT	TAL	DAY	PHO	CAR	ATL	Points

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.

Sources

Racing Reference Archived 2006-08-21 at the Wayback Machine

TV schedule provided by

References

^ Rich Bickle's Emotional Interview, September 1998.

[test-1] Rich Bickle's Emotional Interview, September 1998.

[1]

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Schedule

Races

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

Goody's Headache Powder 500 (Martinsville)

DieHard 500

California 500 presented by NAPA

The Winston

Coca-Cola 600

MBNA Platinum 400

Pontiac Excitement 400

Miller Lite 400

Pocono 500

Save Mart/Kragen 350

Jiffy Lube 300

Pennsylvania 500

Brickyard 400

The Bud at The Glen

Pepsi 400 presented by DeVilbiss

Goody's Headache Powder 500 (Bristol)

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 Lube/Kmart 500

AC Delco 400

NAPA 500

NASCAR Thunder Special Motegi - Coca-Cola 500

Final points standings

Rookie of the Year

See also

Sources

References