1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 8 and ended on Sunday November 8. Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon was crowned champion for the third time in four years. It was NASCAR's 50th Anniversary season.

See Also: 1998 in NASCAR Busch Series

1998 Team Chart

Bud Shootout

The Bud Shootout, a race for pole winners from the previous season and drivers who have won the event before, was run on February 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mark Martin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top Ten Results

# Rusty Wallace
# Kenny Wallace
# Bill Elliott
# Jimmy Spencer
# Ken Schrader
# Geoffrey Bodine
# Ernie Irvan
# Mark Martin
# John Andretti
# Todd Bodine

=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 polesitters, for both races, respectively. The races were broadcast tape delayed on CBS prior to the Daytona 500.

# 40-Sterling Marlin
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 23-Jimmy Spencer
# 22-Ward Burton
# 30-Derrike Cope
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 6-Mark Martin
# 43-John Andretti
# 94-Bill Elliott

*Ken Schrader was injured in a crash on the last lap of Race #1. The #96 Caterpillar Chevrolet of David Green got into the rear of Schrader's #33 Skoal Chevrolet in Turn 1. It put Schrader head on into the wall. Schrader's car also caught Johnny Benson in the #26 Cheerios 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

# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 21-Michael Waltrip
# 31-Mike Skinner
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 9-Lake Speed
# 95-Andy Hillenburg
# 91-Kevin Lepage
# 4-Bobby Hamilton

Daytona 500

The Daytona was run on February 15 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bobby Labonte won the pole. 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.

Top Ten Results

# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 33-Ken Schrader
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 97-Chad Little
# 31-Mike Skinner
# 21-Michael Waltrip
# 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 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, 07-Dan Pardus

GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400

The GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400 was run on February 22 in Rockingham, North Carolina. The #75 of Rick Mast won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 6-Mark Martin
# 23-Jimmy Spencer
# 7-Geoffrey Bodine
# 94-Bill Elliott
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 4-Bobby Hamilton
# 50-Ricky Craven

Failed to qualify: 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 91-Kevin Lepage, 05-Morgan Shepherd

Las Vegas 400

The inaugural Las Vegas 400 was run on March 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The #88 of Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top Ten Results

# 6-Mark Martin
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 16-Ted Musgrave
# 23-Jimmy Spencer
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 94-Bill Elliott
# 97-Chad Little

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 in Hampton, Georgia, but was run on March 9 due to rain. The #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 #1 until Indianapolis in August. Phil Parsons was tapped to replace Park on a temporary basis. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top Ten Results

# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
# 90-Dick Trickle
# 81-Kenny Wallace
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 35-Todd Bodine

Failed to qualify: 1-Steve Park/Phil Parsons, 29-Jeff Green, 40-Sterling Marlin*, 71-Dave Marcis, 95-Andy Hillenburg, 97-Chad Little, 05-Morgan Shepherd

After Sterling Marlin unexpectedly failed to qualify, Coors Light decals were placed on the #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. 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 #50 Budweiser 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

# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 6-Mark Martin
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 81-Kenny Wallace
# 16-Ted Musgrave

Failed to qualify:

1-Ron Hornaday, 8-Hut Stricklin, 46-Wally Dallenbach, Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 05-Morgan Shepherd

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was run on March 29 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. The #2 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top Ten Results

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 33-Ken Schrader
# 6-Mark Martin
# 16-Ted Musgrave
# 21-Michael Waltrip
# 50-Randy LaJoie

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 #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 of his #98 Thorn Apple Valley Ford. He would not race for the rest of the year at all. After this crash, Sacks only raced sparingly in the ARCA Re/Max Series and the Nextel Cup Series. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top Ten Results

# 6-Mark Martin
# 97-Chad Little
# 77-Robert Pressley
# 42-Joe Nemechek
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 23-Jimmy Spencer
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 21-Michael Waltrip
# 41-Steve Grissom

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

*Mike Skinner was 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' nephew, drove the car at California to a 35th place finish.

Goody's Headache Powder 500

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

# 4-Bobby Hamilton
# 16-Ted Musgrave
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 50-Randy LaJoie
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 33-Ken Schrader

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

*Rich Bickle was tapped to drive the #98 Thorn Apple Valley 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.

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

# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 23-Jimmy Spencer
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 81-Kenny Wallace
# 22-Ward Burton
# 40-Sterling Marlin
# 50Randy LaJoie

Failed to qualify: 7-Geoff Bodine, 8-Hut Stricklin, 29-Jeff Green, 35-Todd Bodine, 60-Matt Kenseth*, 61-Bob Strait, 78-Gary Bradberry, 98-Rich Bickle, 07-Dan Pardus

*The #47 Ford Thunderbird of Billy Standridge ran with the logos of Philips Consumer Products after Geoff Bodine failed to qualify.

*The #60 Peterbilt Ford was a 6th Roush Racing Ford that was entered for Matt Kenseth. Unfortunately, Roush Racing's restrictor-plate program was not very strong in 1998 (especially in qualifying trim).

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

# 6-Mark Martin
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 1-Darrell Waltrip
# 97-Chad Little
# 7-Geoff Bodine
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 99-Jeff Burton

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 the Lowe's Motor Speedway. The #6 of Mark Martin won after the #24 of Jeff Gordon ran out of gas on the last lap after dominating all night. The race was broadcast on TNN.

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

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 6-Mark Martin
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 42-Joe Nemechek
# 43-John Andretti
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 33-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr., 46-Morgan Shepherd, 47-Billy Standridge, 71-Dave Marcis, 85-Randy MacDonald, 95-Andy Hillenburg, 07-Dan Pardus

*After Morgan Shepherd failed to qualify for the race, First Union put their colors on the #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 #92 Ocean Pacific/Tower Clothing 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 in Dover, Delaware. The #2 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 10-Ricky Rudd
# 6-Mark Martin
# 8-Buckshot Jones*
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 5-Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: 13-Jerry Nadeau, 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

# 5-Terry Labonte
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 33-Ken Schrader
# 6-Mark Martin
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
# 40-Sterling Marlin

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

*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 #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.

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

# 6-Mark Martin
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 94-Bill Elliott
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 22-Ward Burton
# 42-Joe Nemechek
# 50-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.*

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

*Wally Dallenbach, Jr. drove the #50 Budweiser Chevrolet in place of Randy LaJoie, who had Busch Grand National obligations at Pikes Peak International Raceway in his #74 Fina 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

# 12-Jeremy Mayfield*
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 6-Mark Martin
# 1-Darrell Waltrip
# 50-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 40-Sterling Marlin
# 23-Jimmy Spencer

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

*This was Jeremy Mayfield's 1st career Winston Cup victory. In order to procure the victory, Mayfield had to overtake the #1 Pennzoil Chevrolet of Darrell Waltrip, Mayfield's idol.

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

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 4-Bobby Hamilton
# 43-John Andretti
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 6-Mark Martin
# 40-Sterling Marlin
# 75-Rick Mast*
# 28-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
# 41-Steve Grissom

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

*During the weekend, Kevin Lepage signed a contract with Roush Racing to replace Ted Musgrave in the #16 Primestar 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 1 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 1a 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 convert|400|ft|m|sing=on 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 causing 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 #9 Cartoon Network Ford to a 24th place finish from 40th on the grid in place of Speed.

Jiffy Lube 300

The Jiffy Lube 300 was run on July 12 in Loudon, New Hampshire. The #50 of Ricky Craven won the pole in his return to the #50 after missing the previous 13 races. Veteran driver Lake Speed 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 in Sonoma, CA. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

# 99-Jeff Burton
# 6-Mark Martin
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 31-Mike Skinner
# 43-John Andretti
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 44-Kyle Petty
# 33-Ken Schrader
# 81-Kenny Wallace

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis

Pennsylvania 500

The Pennsylvania 500 was run on July 26 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The #22 of Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top Ten Results

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 6-Mark Martin
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 33-Ken Schrader
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 21-Michael Waltrip

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 #13 FirstPlus Ford. He immediately signed with Melling Racing to race their #9 Cartoon Network 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 #13 FirstPlus Financial Ford on an interim basis starting at Pocono. Dallenbach finished 25th, 2 laps down. after starting 42nd (with a provisional)

*Morgan Shephard was tapped to drive the #91 LJ Racing Chevrolet starting at Pocono. Shepherd qualified a strong 7th, but broke a rear end gear 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

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 6-Mark Martin
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 31-Mike Skinner
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 43-John Andretti
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 5-Terry Labonte
# 33-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 14-Lance Hooper*, 15-Loy Allen Jr., 19-Robby Gordon, 30-Derrike Cope, 78-Gary Bradberry, 95-Randy MacDonald, 96-Hut Stricklin, 07-Dan Pardus

*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, and to sit out Bristol completely and have Ted Musgrave drive in his place.

*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.

*This was the last race attempted by Precision Products Racing.

*The race also marked the return of Steve Park to Winston Cup action for the first time since his injurious wreck at Atlanta in March.

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

# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 6-Mark Martin*
# 31-Mike Skinner*
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 44-Kyle Petty
# 40-Sterling Marlin
# 43-John Andretti
# 26-Johnny Benson
# 18-Bobby Labonte

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 #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 #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 #13 FirstPlus Financial 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 #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 #23 and the #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 third consecutive race that Mark Martin finished second to Jeff Gordon, losing 30 points to him in the standings over the 3 races.

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

# 24-Jeff Gordon*
# 18-Bobby Labonte
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 6-Mark Martin
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 36-Ernie Irvan
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 50-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.*
# 43-John Andretti
# 97-Chad Little

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

*Wally Dallenbach, Jr. was hired to drive the #50 Budweiser 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 (it is shared by Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Bill Elliott, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson).

Goody's Headache Powder 500

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

# 6-Mark Martin
# 99-Jeff Burton
# 2-Rusty Wallace
# 88-Dale Jarrett
# 24-Jeff Gordon
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 31-Mike Skinner
# 12-Jeremy Mayfield
# 10-Ricky Rudd
# 16-Kevin Lepage

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

*Ted Musgrave subbed for Jimmy Spencer in the #23 Winston 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

# Jeff Gordon*
# Mark Martin
# John Andretti
# Dale Jarrett
# Jeff Burton
# Kenny Wallace
# Bobby Labonte
# Rusty Wallace
# Dale Earnhardt
# Ricky Rudd

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

*This race marked the beginning of "Tiregate." Jeff Gordon won both Michigan on August 16 and New Hampshire on August 30 after making 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.

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

# Jeff Gordon
# Jeff Burton
# Dale Jarrett
# Dale Earnhardt
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Ernie Irvan
# Rusty Wallace
# Sterling Marlin
# Geoff Bodine
# Kenny Wallace

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Hut Stricklin (#96), Morgan Shepherd (#91)

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

# Jeff Burton
# Jeff Gordon
# Mark Martin
# Ken Schrader
# John Andretti
# Bobby Hamilton
# Rusty Wallace
# Mike Skinner
# Jimmy Spencer
# Kenny Irwin, Jr.

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

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

# Mark Martin
# Jeff Gordon
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Bobby Labonte
# Rusty Wallace
# Matt Kenseth
# Dale Jarrett
# Ernie Irvan
# John Andretti
# Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#96), Steve Grissom (#41), Dave Marcis (#71)

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

# Ricky Rudd
# Jeff Gordon
# Mark Martin
# Rich Bickle
# Jeff Burton
# Terry Labonte
# Bill Elliott
# Ernie Irvan
# Johnny Benson
# Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: David Green (#41), Gary Bradberry (#78), Ken Bouchard (#79), Randy MacDonald (#85)

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was run on October 4 in Concord, North Carolina. Derrike Cope won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top Ten Results

# Mark Martin
# Ward Burton
# Jeff Burton
# Bobby Hamilton
# Jeff Gordon
# Kevin Lepage
# Joe Nemechek
# Chad Little
# Geoff Bodine
# Jimmy Spencer

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

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

# Dale Jarrett
# Jeff Gordon
# Terry Labonte
# Jimmy Spencer
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Bobby Labonte
# Mike Skinner
# Chad Little
# Michael Waltrip
# Jeff Burton

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

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. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

# Jeff Gordon
# Bobby Labonte
# Mike Skinner
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Rusty Wallace
# Terry Labonte
# Ward Burton
# Ernie Irvan
# Ken Schrader
# Dale Earnhardt

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

*This was the first NASCAR race at Daytona to be run under the lights.
*This race was originally scheduled to be broadcast by CBS, but TNN broadcasted the race, due to prior commitments by CBS.

Dura Lube/Kmart 500

The Dura Lube/Kmart 500 was run on October 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top Ten Results

# Rusty Wallace
# Mark Martin
# Dale Earnhardt
# Jeff Burton
# Ted Musgrave
# John Andretti
# Jeff Gordon
# Kenny Wallace
# Johnny Benson
# Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Michael Waltrip (#21), Jeff Ward (#45)

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

# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Jarrett
# Rusty Wallace
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Burton
# Bobby Hamilton
# Ward Burton
# Terry Labonte
# Dale Earnhardt
# Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Steve Grissom (#96), Andy Hillenburg (#80), Dave Marcis (#71)

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was run on November 8 in Hampton, Georgia. Kenny Irwin, Jr. won the pole. Twice during the race was the red flag 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

# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Jarrett
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Burton
# Todd Bodine
# Bobby Hamilton
# Ken Schrader
# Terry Labonte
# Mike Skinner
# Geoff Bodine

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

NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka-Coca-Cola 400

The NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka exhibition race at the Suzuka Circuit - East Circuit was scheduled for November 15 in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, but was cancelled due to Race planners figuring that it would be too hard for race teams to prepare for both the Suzuka Circuit Road Race and the Twin Ring Motegi oval race with different cars in less than a month. [cite web|title = Jayski's JAPAN TRACK/RACE NEWS/RUMORS |accessyear = 2002|url = http://www.jayski.com/pages/tracks/japan.htm ]

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 one of the first NASCAR races were Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed with one another in the #3 and #1 Coca-ColaChevrolets, respectively. [cite web|title = Wikipedia Twin Ring Motegi page |accessyear = 2006|url = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Ring_Motegi ] The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top Ten Results

# Mike Skinner
# Jeff Gordon
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Jeff Burton
# Rusty Wallace
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Bill Elliott
# Dale Earnhardt
# Sterling Marlin
# Michael Waltrip

Final Points Standings

# Jeff Gordon 5328
# Mark Martin 4964
# Dale Jarrett 4619
# Rusty Wallace 4501
# Jeff Burton 4415
# Bobby Labonte 4180
# Jeremy Mayfield 4157
# Dale Earnhardt 3928
# Terry Labonte 3901
# Bobby Hamilton 3786
# John Andretti 3682
# Ken Schrader 3675
# Sterling Marlin 3530
# Jimmy Spencer 3464
# Chad Little 3423
# Ward Burton 3352
# Michael Waltrip 3340
# Bill Elliott 3305
# Ernie Irvan 3262
# Johnny Benson 3160
# Mike Skinner 3153
# Ricky Rudd 3131
# Ted Musgrave 3124
# Darrell Waltrip 2957
# Brett Bodine 2907
# Joe Nemechek 2897
# Geoff Bodine 2864
# Kenny Irwin, Jr. 2760
# Dick Trickle 2678
# Kyle Petty 2675
# Kenny Wallace 2615
# Robert Pressley 2388
# Rick Mast 2296
# Steve Grissom 2215
# Kevin Lepage 2196
# Jerry Nadeau 2121
# Derrike Cope 2065
# Wally Dallenbach, Jr. 1832
# Rich Bickle 1773
# Jeff Green 1687
# Steve Park 1322
# Todd Bodine 1322
# Lake Speed 1297
# David Green 1014
# Dave Marcis 949
# Ricky Craven 907
# Morgan Shepherd 843
# Gary Bradberry 787
# Randy LaJoie 768
# Hut Stricklin 700

= 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.

References

Most of the information in this article is from [http://www.racing-reference.info/raceyear?yr=1998&series=W Racing Reference]

TV schedule provided by:
* [http://www.angelfire.com/sc/race2win/wcs98.html Race2Win]
* [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/19971209/news008512.html The Auto Channel]