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. This is the last season without Tony Stewart until 2017, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. until 2018 respectively. Races. 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. 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. But 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. The race was broadcast on CBS. Dale dedicated the win to his late friend and colleague, Neil Bonnett, who died after a crash while practicing for the 1994 race. 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 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 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. 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. 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 TranSouth Financial 400. The TranSouth Financial 400 was run on March 22  in Darlington, South Carolina. Mark Martin won the pole. 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. The race was broadcast on ESPN. Top Ten Results 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. During this 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. 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 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 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 marred by "The Big One" on lap 141, collecting Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and 18 other cars. 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 California 500 presented by NAPA. The California 500 was run on May 3 in Fontana, California. Jeff Gordon won the pole. For the second week in a row, a multiple car crash involved Bill Elliott's car erupting in flames. The race was broadcast on ESPN. Top Ten Results Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 19-Tony Raines, 71-Dave Marcis, 98-Rich Bickle 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 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. The race was broadcast on TNN. Top Ten Results 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 MBNA Platinum 400. The MBNA Platinum 400 was run on May 31 in 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 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 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 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 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 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. This race was the last career start for Lake Speed, who's aggravated rib and sternum injuries during the race leading to his retirement. Speed's original injuries came from a  practice crash he suffered in the previous race at Sears Point. The race was broadcast on TNN. Top Ten Results Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 91-Morgan Shepherd, 96-Hut Stricklin 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. Jeff Burton would edge Jeff Gordon in  an exciting side by side finish to take the win. Top Ten Results Failed to qualify: 00-Buckshot Jones, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Ken Bouchard, 98-Rich Bickle 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 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 Failed to  qualify: 41-David Green, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Ken Bouchard, 85-Randy MacDonald 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 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 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 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 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 NAPA 500. The NAPA 500 was run on November 8 in Hampton, Georgia. Kenny Irwin Jr. won his 1st career pole. 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. 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 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 Final points standings. Bold - Pole position awarded by time. "Italics" - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led. 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. 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series The