# 2000 Food City 500

The 2000 Food City 500 was the sixth stock car race of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 40th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, March 26, 2000, before an audience of 147,000 in Bristol, Tennessee, at Bristol Motor Raceway, a 0.533 miles (0.858 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack. At race's end, Penske-Kranefuss Racing's Rusty Wallace managed to avoid wrecks and kept his car clean in the late stages of the race to take his 50th career NASCAR Winston Cup Series and his first victory of the season. To fill out the top three, Tyler Jet Motorsports's Johnny Benson Jr. and Bill Davis Racing's Ward Burton finished second and third, respectively.

## Background

The Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.

### Entry list

* (R) denotes rookie driver.
| # | Driver | Team | Make | Sponsor |
| 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Pennzoil |
| 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | Miller Lite |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | GM Goodwrench Service |
| 4 | Bobby Hamilton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | Kodak |
| 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Kellogg's |
| 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | Valvoline / Cummins |
| 7 | Michael Waltrip | Mattei Motorsports | Chevrolet | NationsRent |
| 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Budweiser |
| 9 | Stacy Compton (R) | Melling Racing | Ford | Kodiak |
| 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Tyler Jet Motorsports | Pontiac | Lycos |
| 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | Ralphs Supermarkets |
| 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | Mobil 1 |
| 13 | Robby Gordon | Team Menard | Ford | Menards / Duracell |
| 14 | Dick Trickle | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Pontiac | Conseco |
| 16 | Kevin Lepage | Roush Racing | Ford | Family Click |
| 17 | Matt Kenseth (R) | Roush Racing | Ford | DeWalt |
| 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | Interstate Batteries |
| 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | The Home Depot |
| 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | Citgo |
| 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | Caterpillar |
| 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | DuPont Automotive Finishes |
| 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Michael Holigan |
| 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | Big Kmart |
| 27 | Jeff Fuller | Eel River Racing | Pontiac | Viagra |
| 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | Texaco / Havoline |
| 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Lowe's |
| 32 | Scott Pruett (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | Tide |
| 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | Oakwood Homes |
| 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | M&M's |
| 40 | Sterling Marlin | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | Coors Light |
| 41 | Rick Mast | Larry Hedrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce |
| 42 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | BellSouth |
| 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | STP / Cheerios |
| 44 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | Hot Wheels |
| 50 | Ricky Craven | Midwest Transit Racing | Chevrolet | Midwest Transit |
| 55 | Kenny Wallace | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | Square D |
| 60 | Ted Musgrave | Joe Bessey Racing | Chevrolet | Power Team |
| 66 | Darrell Waltrip | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | Route 66 / Big Kmart |
| 71 | Dave Marcis | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | Realtree |
| 75 | Wally Dallenbach Jr. | Galaxy Motorsports | Ford | Dinner and a Movie / RedCell |
| 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | Jasper Engines & Transmissions |
| 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | Quality Care Service / Ford Credit |
| 90 | Ed Berrier (R) | Donlavey Racing | Ford | Hills Brothers Coffee |
| 93 | Dave Blaney (R) | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | Amoco |
| 94 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott Racing | Ford | McDonald's |
| 97 | Chad Little | Roush Racing | Ford | John Deere |
| 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | Exide Batteries |

## Practice
### First practice

The first practice session was held on Friday, March 24, at 11:00 AM EST. The session would last for one hour and 15 minutes. Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s Steve Park set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.310 and an average speed of 125.330 mph (201.699 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.310 | 125.330 |
| 2 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 15.319 | 125.256 |
| 3 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.328 | 125.183 |
| Full first practice results |||||||

### Second practice

The second practice session was held on Friday, March 24, at 1:15 PM EST. The session would last for 30 minutes. Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s Steve Park set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.243 and an average speed of 125.881 mph (202.586 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.243 | 125.881 |
| 2 | 4 | Bobby Hamilton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.282 | 125.559 |
| 3 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.284 | 125.543 |
| Full second practice results |||||||

### Final practice

The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, March 25, after the 2000 Cheez-It 250. The session would last for one hour. Wood Brothers Racing's Elliott Sadler set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.786 and an average speed of 121.551 mph (195.617 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 15.786 | 121.551 |
| 2 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 15.850 | 121.060 |
| 3 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.853 | 121.037 |
| Full Happy Hour practice results |||||||

## Qualifying

Qualifying was split into two rounds. The first round was held on Friday, March 24, at 3:00 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap. During the first round, the top 25 drivers in the round would be guaranteed a starting spot in the race. If a driver was not able to guarantee a spot in the first round, they had the option to scrub their time from the first round and try and run a faster lap time in a second round qualifying run, held on Saturday, March 25, at 11:30 AM EST. As with the first round, each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap. Positions 26–36 would be decided on time, while positions 37–43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots were awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh was awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champion needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points was awarded a provisional.
Steve Park, driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., managed to win the pole, setting a time of 15.184 and an average speed of 126.370 miles per hour (203.373 km/h) in the first round.
Four drivers failed to qualify.

### Full qualifying results

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.184 | 126.370 |
| 2 | 55 | Kenny Wallace | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 15.242 | 125.889 |
| 3 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.256 | 125.773 |
| 4 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 15.318 | 125.264 |
| 5 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 15.319 | 125.256 |
| 6 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 15.328 | 125.183 |
| 7 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.336 | 125.117 |
| 8 | 4 | Bobby Hamilton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.338 | 125.107 |
| 9 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 15.348 | 125.020 |
| 10 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 15.349 | 125.011 |
| 11 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 15.379 | 124.768 |
| 12 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.384 | 124.727 |
| 13 | 66 | Darrell Waltrip | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 15.386 | 124.711 |
| 14 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 15.388 | 124.695 |
| 15 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.389 | 124.686 |
| 16 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.398 | 124.614 |
| 17 | 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 15.402 | 124.581 |
| 18 | 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 15.402 | 124.581 |
| 19 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 15.407 | 124.541 |
| 20 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 15.412 | 124.500 |
| 21 | 14 | Dick Trickle | A. J. Foyt Racing | Pontiac | 15.412 | 124.500 |
| 22 | 17 | Matt Kenseth (R) | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.421 | 124.428 |
| 23 | 7 | Michael Waltrip | Mattei Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.425 | 124.395 |
| 24 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 15.430 | 124.355 |
| 25 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 15.445 | 124.234 |
| Failed to lock in the first round |||||||
| 26 | 93 | Dave Blaney (R) | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 15.400 | 124.597 |
| 27 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 15.448 | 124.210 |
| 28 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 15.454 | 124.162 |
| 29 | 9 | Stacy Compton (R) | Melling Racing | Ford | 15.463 | 124.090 |
| 30 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 15.470 | 124.034 |
| 31 | 97 | Chad Little | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.480 | 123.953 |
| 32 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 15.481 | 123.945 |
| 33 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Tyler Jet Motorsports | Pontiac | 15.483 | 123.929 |
| 34 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.490 | 123.873 |
| 35 | 44 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 15.493 | 123.849 |
| 36 | 60 | Ted Musgrave | Joe Bessey Racing | Chevrolet | 15.506 | 123.746 |
| Provisionals |||||||
| 37 | 94 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott Racing | Ford | -* | -* |
| 38 | 16 | Kevin Lepage | Roush Racing | Ford | -* | -* |
| 39 | 42 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | -* | -* |
| 40 | 13 | Robby Gordon | Team Menard | Ford | -* | -* |
| 41 | 41 | Rick Mast | Larry Hedrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | -* | -* |
| 42 | 75 | Wally Dallenbach Jr. | Galaxy Motorsports | Ford | -* | -* |
| 43 | 27 | Jeff Fuller | Eel River Racing | Pontiac | -* | -* |
| Failed to qualify |||||||
| 44 | 71 | Dave Marcis | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | 15.613 | 122.898 |
| 45 | 50 | Ricky Craven | Midwest Transit Racing | Chevrolet | 15.665 | 122.490 |
| 46 | 90 | Ed Berrier (R) | Donlavey Racing | Ford | 15.726 | 122.014 |
| 47 | 32 | Scott Pruett (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | - | - |
| Official first round qualifying results |||||||
| Official starting lineup |||||||

## Race results

| Fin | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
| 1 | 6 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 500 | 86 | running | 180 | $87,585 |
| 2 | 33 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Tyler Jet Motorsports | Pontiac | 500 | 0 | running | 170 | $87,535 |
| 3 | 5 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 500 | 14 | running | 170 | $81,135 |
| 4 | 17 | 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 500 | 124 | running | 165 | $49,795 |
| 5 | 7 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 155 | $60,745 |
| 6 | 10 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 500 | 0 | running | 150 | $57,695 |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 500 | 40 | running | 151 | $49,995 |
| 8 | 3 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 500 | 225 | running | 152 | $51,295 |
| 9 | 15 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 500 | 0 | running | 138 | $49,990 |
| 10 | 28 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 134 | $52,540 |
| 11 | 23 | 7 | Michael Waltrip | Mattei Motorsports | Chevrolet | 500 | 1 | running | 135 | $48,820 |
| 12 | 22 | 17 | Matt Kenseth (R) | Roush Racing | Ford | 500 | 0 | running | 127 | $42,165 |
| 13 | 4 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 124 | $40,990 |
| 14 | 27 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 500 | 0 | running | 121 | $40,315 |
| 15 | 8 | 4 | Bobby Hamilton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 118 | $43,165 |
| 16 | 34 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 499 | 0 | running | 115 | $46,290 |
| 17 | 18 | 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 499 | 0 | running | 112 | $33,840 |
| 18 | 30 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 499 | 0 | running | 109 | $40,840 |
| 19 | 16 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 499 | 0 | running | 106 | $39,530 |
| 20 | 2 | 55 | Kenny Wallace | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 499 | 0 | running | 103 | $45,175 |
| 21 | 20 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 499 | 7 | running | 105 | $52,915 |
| 22 | 24 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 498 | 0 | running | 97 | $27,765 |
| 23 | 31 | 97 | Chad Little | Roush Racing | Ford | 497 | 0 | running | 94 | $38,915 |
| 24 | 35 | 44 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 497 | 0 | running | 91 | $38,740 |
| 25 | 14 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 497 | 0 | running | 88 | $38,595 |
| 26 | 25 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 497 | 0 | running | 85 | $30,965 |
| 27 | 21 | 14 | Dick Trickle | A. J. Foyt Racing | Pontiac | 496 | 0 | running | 82 | $27,545 |
| 28 | 29 | 9 | Stacy Compton (R) | Melling Racing | Ford | 496 | 0 | running | 79 | $30,590 |
| 29 | 42 | 75 | Wally Dallenbach Jr. | Galaxy Motorsports | Ford | 493 | 0 | running | 76 | $27,460 |
| 30 | 38 | 16 | Kevin Lepage | Roush Racing | Ford | 492 | 0 | running | 73 | $35,635 |
| 31 | 13 | 66 | Darrell Waltrip | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 475 | 0 | running | 70 | $26,365 |
| 32 | 40 | 13 | Robby Gordon | Team Menard | Ford | 473 | 0 | running | 67 | $26,345 |
| 33 | 32 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 460 | 0 | accident | 64 | $44,325 |
| 34 | 41 | 41 | Rick Mast | Larry Hedrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 459 | 0 | accident | 61 | $26,285 |
| 35 | 26 | 93 | Dave Blaney (R) | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 457 | 0 | accident | 58 | $26,765 |
| 36 | 37 | 94 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott Racing | Ford | 457 | 0 | accident | 55 | $34,245 |
| 37 | 43 | 27 | Jeff Fuller | Eel River Racing | Pontiac | 414 | 1 | accident | 57 | $26,235 |
| 38 | 12 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 401 | 0 | accident | 49 | $26,225 |
| 39 | 11 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 346 | 2 | running | 51 | $45,215 |
| 40 | 39 | 42 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 335 | 0 | running | 43 | $34,175 |
| 41 | 9 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 325 | 0 | running | 40 | $34,150 |
| 42 | 19 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 73 | 0 | engine | 37 | $45,525 |
| 43 | 36 | 60 | Ted Musgrave | Joe Bessey Racing | Chevrolet | 22 | 0 | engine | 34 | $34,111 |
| Failed to qualify |||||||||||
| 44 | | 71 | Dave Marcis | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | | | | | |
| 45 | | 50 | Ricky Craven | Midwest Transit Racing | Chevrolet | | | | | |
| 46 | | 90 | Ed Berrier (R) | Donlavey Racing | Ford | | | | | |
| 47 | | 32 | Scott Pruett (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | | | | | |
| Official race results |||||||||||

## Standings after the race

| | Pos | Driver | Points |
| | 1 | Bobby Labonte | 944 |
| 2 | 2 | Ward Burton | 903 (−41) |
| 1 | 3 | Mark Martin | 900 (−44) |
| 1 | 4 | Dale Jarrett | 826 (−118) |
| 1 | 5 | Dale Earnhardt | 813 (−131) |
| 4 | 6 | Rusty Wallace | 775 (−169) |
| 1 | 7 | Ricky Rudd | 768 (−176) |
| 1 | 8 | Jeff Burton | 759 (−185) |
| 3 | 9 | Terry Labonte | 731 (−213) |
| 3 | 10 | Jeff Gordon | 721 (−223) |
| Official driver's standings ||||

## Media
### Television

The race was aired live on ESPN in the United States. Bob Jenkins, two-time Cup Series champion Ned Jarrett and 1973 Cup Series champion Benny Parsons called the race from the broadcast booth. Jerry Punch, Bill Weber and John Kernan handled pit road for the television side.
ESPN :
| Booth announcers | Booth announcers | Pit reporters |
| Lap-by-lap | Color-commentators | Pit reporters |
| Bob Jenkins | Ned Jarrett Benny Parsons | Jerry Punch Bill Weber John Kernan |