# 2000 Pontiac Excitement 400

The 2000 Pontiac Excitement 400 was the 11th stock car race of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 46th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, May 6, 2000, in Richmond, Virginia, at Richmond International Raceway, a 0.75 miles (1.21 km) D-shaped oval. The race took the scheduled 400 laps to complete. At race's end, Dale Earnhardt Jr., driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., would hold onto the lead after making a four-tire call on the final round of pit stops to win his second career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his second and final win of the season. To fill out the podium, Terry Labonte of Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Jarrett of Robert Yates Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

## Background

Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is a 3/4-mile (1.2 km), D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series. Known as "America's premier short track", it formerly hosted a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, an IndyCar Series race, and two USAC sprint car races.

### 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 | Burger King, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas |
| 14 | Rick Mast | 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 | Mike Bliss (R) | 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 |
| 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 | Geoff Bodine | 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 | 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 Bros. Coffee |
| 91 | Todd Bodine | LJ Racing | Chevrolet | Little Joe's Autos |
| 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 |
| Official entry list |||||

## Practice
### First practice

The first practice session was held on Friday, May 5, at 12:30 PM EST, and would last for one hour and 25 minutes. Steve Park of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.753 and an average speed of 124.120 mph (199.752 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 21.753 | 124.120 |
| 2 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 21.797 | 123.870 |
| 3 | 55 | Kenny Wallace | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 21.805 | 123.824 |
| Full first practice results |||||||

### Second practice

The second practice session was held on Friday, May 5, at 3:00 PM EST, and would last for one hour and 30 minutes. Ricky Rudd of Robert Yates Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.751 and an average speed of 124.132 mph (199.771 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 21.751 | 124.132 |
| 2 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 21.786 | 123.932 |
| 3 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 21.834 | 123.660 |
| Full second practice results |||||||

### Third practice

The third practice session was held on Saturday, May 6, at 11:30 AM EST, and would last for one hour. Kyle Petty of Petty Enterprises would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 22.193 and an average speed of 121.659 mph (195.791 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 44 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 22.193 | 121.659 |
| 2 | 14 | Rick Mast | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Pontiac | 22.323 | 120.951 |
| 3 | 91 | Todd Bodine | LJ Racing | Chevrolet | 22.339 | 120.864 |
| Full third practice results |||||||

### Fourth and final practice

The fourth and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, May 6 after second-round qualifying, and lasted until 3:00 PM EST. Todd Bodine of LJ Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 22.224 and an average speed of 121.490 mph (195.519 km/h).
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 91 | Todd Bodine | LJ Racing | Chevrolet | 22.224 | 121.490 |
| 2 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.234 | 121.435 |
| 3 | 16 | Kevin Lepage | Roush Racing | Ford | 22.293 | 121.114 |
| Full Happy Hour practice results |||||||

## Qualifying

Qualifying was split into two rounds. The first round was held on Friday, May 5, at 5:30 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, May 6, at 1:45 PM 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 are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is 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 will be awarded a provisional.
Rusty Wallace of Penske-Kranefuss Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 21.645 and an average speed of 124.740 miles per hour (200.750 km/h).
Four drivers would fail to qualify: Rick Mast, Darrell Waltrip, Dave Marcis, and Ed Berrier.

### Full qualifying results

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 21.645 | 124.740 |
| 2 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 21.687 | 124.499 |
| 3 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 21.688 | 124.493 |
| 4 | 60 | Geoff Bodine | Joe Bessey Racing | Chevrolet | 21.746 | 124.161 |
| 5 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 21.776 | 123.990 |
| 6 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 21.782 | 123.956 |
| 7 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 21.799 | 123.859 |
| 8 | 75 | Wally Dallenbach Jr. | Galaxy Motorsports | Ford | 21.820 | 123.740 |
| 9 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 21.825 | 123.711 |
| 10 | 94 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott Racing | Ford | 21.838 | 123.638 |
| 11 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 21.861 | 123.508 |
| 12 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 21.863 | 123.496 |
| 13 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 21.869 | 123.462 |
| 14 | 50 | Ricky Craven | Midwest Transit Racing | Chevrolet | 21.888 | 123.355 |
| 15 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 21.903 | 123.271 |
| 16 | 55 | Kenny Wallace | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 21.905 | 123.260 |
| 17 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 21.912 | 123.220 |
| 18 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 21.917 | 123.192 |
| 19 | 9 | Stacy Compton (R) | Melling Racing | Ford | 21.918 | 123.186 |
| 20 | 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 21.921 | 123.170 |
| 21 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 21.930 | 123.119 |
| 22 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 21.936 | 123.085 |
| 23 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Tyler Jet Motorsports | Pontiac | 21.949 | 123.012 |
| 24 | 4 | Bobby Hamilton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 21.952 | 122.996 |
| 25 | 42 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 21.986 | 122.805 |
| 26 | 97 | Chad Little | Roush Racing | Ford | 21.990 | 122.783 |
| 27 | 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 22.001 | 122.722 |
| 28 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 22.005 | 122.699 |
| 29 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 22.012 | 122.660 |
| 30 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.030 | 122.560 |
| 31 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 22.031 | 122.555 |
| 32 | 93 | Dave Blaney (R) | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 22.033 | 122.543 |
| 33 | 91 | Todd Bodine | LJ Racing | Chevrolet | 22.037 | 122.521 |
| 34 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 22.060 | 122.393 |
| 35 | 32 | Scott Pruett (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 22.077 | 122.299 |
| 36 | 13 | Robby Gordon | Team Menard | Ford | 22.079 | 122.288 |
| Provisionals |||||||
| 37 | 17 | Matt Kenseth (R) | Roush Racing | Ford | 22.204 | 121.600 |
| 38 | 7 | Michael Waltrip | Mattei Motorsports | Chevrolet | 1:43.167 | 26.171 |
| 39 | 16 | Kevin Lepage | Roush Racing | Ford | 22.277 | 121.201 |
| 40 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.080 | 122.283 |
| 41 | 44 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 22.232 | 121.447 |
| 42 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 22.191 | 121.671 |
| 43 | 27 | Mike Bliss (R) | Eel River Racing | Pontiac | 22.114 | 122.095 |
| Failed to qualify |||||||
| 44 | 14 | Rick Mast | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Pontiac | 22.162 | 121.830 |
| 45 | 66 | Darrell Waltrip | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 22.250 | 121.348 |
| 46 | 71 | Dave Marcis | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | 22.281 | 121.179 |
| 47 | 90 | Ed Berrier (R) | Donlavey Racing | Ford | 22.288 | 121.141 |
| Official qualifying results |||||||

## Race results

| Fin | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
| 1 | 5 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 400 | 31 | running | 180 | $118,850 |
| 2 | 30 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 400 | 27 | running | 175 | $85,925 |
| 3 | 18 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 165 | $78,525 |
| 4 | 6 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 160 | $63,025 |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 400 | 227 | running | 165 | $68,625 |
| 6 | 13 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 400 | 12 | running | 155 | $57,775 |
| 7 | 29 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 146 | $51,900 |
| 8 | 7 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 400 | 69 | running | 147 | $49,350 |
| 9 | 10 | 94 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 138 | $42,450 |
| 10 | 31 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 400 | 19 | running | 139 | $52,800 |
| 11 | 2 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 400 | 0 | running | 130 | $41,050 |
| 12 | 34 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 400 | 0 | running | 127 | $41,525 |
| 13 | 4 | 60 | Geoff Bodine | Joe Bessey Racing | Chevrolet | 400 | 0 | running | 124 | $41,750 |
| 14 | 15 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 400 | 0 | running | 121 | $46,850 |
| 15 | 37 | 17 | Matt Kenseth (R) | Roush Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 118 | $41,660 |
| 16 | 8 | 75 | Wally Dallenbach Jr. | Galaxy Motorsports | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 115 | $30,275 |
| 17 | 22 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 112 | $38,675 |
| 18 | 12 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 400 | 0 | running | 109 | $43,825 |
| 19 | 38 | 7 | Michael Waltrip | Mattei Motorsports | Chevrolet | 400 | 0 | running | 106 | $37,000 |
| 20 | 16 | 55 | Kenny Wallace | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 400 | 0 | running | 103 | $41,575 |
| 21 | 39 | 16 | Kevin Lepage | Roush Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 100 | $37,025 |
| 22 | 19 | 9 | Stacy Compton (R) | Melling Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 97 | $28,900 |
| 23 | 17 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 399 | 0 | running | 94 | $36,000 |
| 24 | 42 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 398 | 1 | running | 96 | $35,775 |
| 25 | 23 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Tyler Jet Motorsports | Pontiac | 398 | 0 | running | 88 | $27,925 |
| 26 | 9 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 396 | 0 | running | 85 | $44,000 |
| 27 | 35 | 32 | Scott Pruett (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 392 | 0 | running | 82 | $24,075 |
| 28 | 41 | 44 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 390 | 0 | running | 79 | $35,050 |
| 29 | 21 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 389 | 0 | running | 76 | $34,825 |
| 30 | 40 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 389 | 0 | running | 73 | $34,700 |
| 31 | 24 | 4 | Bobby Hamilton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 372 | 0 | rear end | 70 | $34,650 |
| 32 | 11 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 362 | 3 | crash | 72 | $41,600 |
| 33 | 3 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 354 | 10 | running | 69 | $31,550 |
| 34 | 32 | 93 | Dave Blaney (R) | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 339 | 0 | running | 61 | $23,500 |
| 35 | 27 | 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 327 | 0 | running | 58 | $23,450 |
| 36 | 20 | 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske-Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 323 | 0 | running | 55 | $31,400 |
| 37 | 36 | 13 | Robby Gordon | Team Menard | Ford | 282 | 0 | brakes | 52 | $23,350 |
| 38 | 28 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 280 | 0 | engine | 49 | $23,300 |
| 39 | 26 | 97 | Chad Little | Roush Racing | Ford | 273 | 1 | crash | 51 | $31,225 |
| 40 | 14 | 50 | Ricky Craven | Midwest Transit Racing | Chevrolet | 239 | 0 | crash | 43 | $23,150 |
| 41 | 43 | 27 | Mike Bliss (R) | Eel River Racing | Pontiac | 170 | 0 | crash | 40 | $23,100 |
| 42 | 25 | 42 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | Team SABCO | Chevrolet | 170 | 0 | crash | 37 | $31,055 |
| 43 | 33 | 91 | Todd Bodine | LJ Racing | Chevrolet | 42 | 0 | crash | 34 | $23,000 |
| Failed to qualify |||||||||||
| 44 | | 14 | Rick Mast | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Pontiac | | | | | |
| 45 | | 66 | Darrell Waltrip | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | | | | | |
| 46 | | 71 | Dave Marcis | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | | | | | |
| 47 | | 90 | Ed Berrier (R) | Donlavey Racing | Ford | | | | | |
| Official race results |||||||||||

## Standings after the race

| | Pos | Driver | Points |
| | 1 | Bobby Labonte | 1,601 |
| 1 | 2 | Ward Burton | 1,598 (−3) |
| 1 | 3 | Mark Martin | 1,568 (−33) |
| | 4 | Jeff Burton | 1,542 (−59) |
| | 5 | Dale Earnhardt | 1,523 (−78) |
| | 6 | Dale Jarrett | 1,470 (−131) |
| 1 | 7 | Rusty Wallace | 1,436 (−165) |
| 1 | 8 | Ricky Rudd | 1,411 (−190) |
| 2 | 9 | Jeff Gordon | 1,400 (−201) |
| 3 | 10 | Terry Labonte | 1,357 (−244) |
| Official driver's standings ||||