2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season began on February 11 and ended on November 23. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was crowned series champion. The season was marked by tragedy, and by safety upgrades as well. It also was the first year of a television contract that had FOX and NBC/TNT broadcasting all the races during the season. The Dodge manufacturer returned to the sport for the first time since 1985.

2001 Team Chart

List of teams of 2001.

* *After Earnhardt's death during the Daytona 500, Kevin Harvick (R) took over and the car was renumbered from #3 to #29

* *Both Ryan Newman and Jeff Green ran limited schedules.

Budweiser Shootout

The Budweiser Shootout, an invitational event for all recent Bud Pole winners, was held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew the pole.

Top Ten Results

# Tony Stewart
# Dale Earnhardt
# Rusty Wallace
# Dale Jarrett
# Jeff Burton
# Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
# Bobby Labonte
# Mark Martin
# Ricky Rudd
# Mike Skinner

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Stacy Compton won the poles for both races, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

#Sterling Marlin
#Jerry Nadeau
#Dale Earnhardt
#Andy Houston
#Jimmy Spencer
#Jeff Gordon
#Jason Leffler
#Jeff Purvis
#Michael Waltrip
#Casey Atwood

Race Two Top Ten Results

#Mike Skinner
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Jeff Burton
#Ward Burton
#Rusty Wallace
#Ken Schrader
#Matt Kenseth
#Ricky Craven
#Dave Blaney
#Mark Martin

Daytona 500

Dura Lube 400

The Dura Lube 400 started on February 25 but finished on February 26 due to a rain delay, making it a two-day race. Jeff Gordon won the pole. This race was won by DEI driver Steve Park, in an emotional victory for Park.

Top Ten Results

#Steve Park
#Bobby Labonte
#Jeff Gordon
#Tony Stewart
#Ricky Craven
#Johnny Benson
#Rusty Wallace
#Sterling Marlin
#Dave Blaney
#Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Kyle Petty (#45)

UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400

The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held March 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Gordon
#Dale Jarrett
#Sterling Marlin
#Johnny Benson
#Todd Bodine
#Mark Martin
#Steve Park
#Kevin Harvick
#Ron Hornaday
#Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Brendan Gaughan (#62), Andy Houston (#96), Rick Mast (#50)

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500

The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 was held March 11 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This race is remembered for the exciting finish between Busch Series driver Kevin Harvick, who replaced the late Dale Earnhardt, and 3-time champion Jeff Gordon. Harvick would outduel the champion to the checkers by mere inches in, fittingly, his third start.

Top Ten Results

#Kevin Harvick
#Jeff Gordon
#Jerry Nadeau
#Dale Jarrett
#Terry Labonte
#Ricky Rudd
#Johnny Benson
#Ken Schrader
#Mike Skinner
#Kurt Busch

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#50), Carl Long (#85), Casey Atwood (#19)

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400

The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held March 18 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Dale Jarrett
#Steve Park
#Jeremy Mayfield
#Jimmy Spencer
#Sterling Marlin
#John Andretti
#Johnny Benson
#Ricky Rudd
#Bobby Hamilton
#Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Rick Mast (#50), Dave Marcis (#71)

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held March 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Elliott Sadler*
#John Andretti
#Jeremy Mayfield
#Jeff Gordon
#Ward Burton
#Terry Labonte
#Rusty Wallace
#Bobby Hamilton
#Steve Park
#Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Hut Stricklin (#90), Jason Leffler (#01), Carl Long (#85)
*This was Elliott Sadler's first career win.

Harrah's 500

The Harrah's 500 was held April 1 at Texas Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Dale Jarrett
#Steve Park
#Johnny Benson
#Kurt Busch
#Jeff Gordon
#Dave Blaney
#Kevin Harvick
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Mark Martin
#Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Rick Mast (#50)

Virginia 500

The Virginia 500 was held April 8 at Martinsville Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Dale Jarrett
#Ricky Rudd
#Jeff Burton
#Bobby Hamilton
#Sterling Marlin
#Matt Kenseth
#Tony Stewart
#Bobby Labonte
#Jimmy Spencer
#Jerry Nadeau

Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was held April 22 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stacy Compton won the pole. The race was caution-free.

Top Ten Results

#Bobby Hamilton*
#Tony Stewart
#Kurt Busch
#Mark Martin
#Bobby Labonte
#Joe Nemechek
#Johnny Benson
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Mike Wallace
#Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Kenny Wallace (#27), Kyle Petty (#45), Rick Mast (#50), Hut Stricklin (#90), Andy Hillenburg (#49)

* This is Bobby Hamilton's fourth and last win in in the cup series.

NAPA Auto Parts 500

The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held April 29 at California Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Rusty Wallace
#Jeff Gordon
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Tony Stewart
#Jeremy Mayfield
#Ricky Rudd
#Jeremy Spencer
#Jerry Nadeau
#Sterling Marlin
#Robert Pressley

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#4), Buckshot Jones (#44), Shawna Robinson (#84)

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held May 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Tony Stewart
#Jeff Gordon
#Rusty Wallace
#Steve Park
#Ricky Rudd
#Johnny Benson
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Matt Kenseth
#Ken Schrader
#Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: Buckshot Jones (#44), Hermie Sadler (#13), Hut Stricklin (#90)

The Winston

The Winston, an all-star race for previous race winners, was held May 19 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the rain-delayed race in a backup car. NASCAR, in an unprecedented decision, allowed teams to run backup cars after many of the primary cars were damaged in a first lap, rain-caused wreck.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Burton
#Kevin Harvick
#Tony Stewart
#Mark Martin
#Bobby Labonte
#Jimmy Spencer
#Ricky Rudd
#Dale Jarrett
#Ward Burton
#Jeremy Mayfield

Failed to qualify: John Andretti (#43), Kyle Petty (#45), Derrike Cope (#37), Mike Wallace (#7), Jeff Fultz (#54), Carl Long (#85)

MBNA Platinum 400

The MBNA Platinum 400 was held June 3 at Dover International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole due to a rainout.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Gordon
#Steve Park
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Ricky Craven
#Dale Jarrett
#Sterling Marlin
#Tony Stewart
#Kevin Harvick
#Mark Martin
#Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#50), Jeff Green (#30), Kyle Petty (#45), Lance Hooper (#47), Dave Marcis (#71)

Kmart 400

The Kmart 400 was held June 10 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Gordon
#Ricky Rudd
#Sterling Marlin
#Jeremy Mayfield
#Ryan Newman
#Hut Stricklin
#Jeff Burton
#Dave Blaney
#Bill Elliott
#Kevin Harvick

Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (#7), Rick Mast (#50), Andy Houston (#96), Stacy Compton (#92), Kenny Wallace (#27)

Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was held June 17 at Pocono Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Ricky Rudd
#Jeff Gordon
#Dale Jarrett
#Sterling Marlin
#Mark Martin
#Matt Kenseth
#Tony Stewart
#Bobby Labonte
#Ken Schrader
#Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Kenny Wallace (#27)

Dodge/Save Mart 350

The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held June 24 at Sears Point Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Tony Stewart
#Robby Gordon
#Jeff Gordon
#Ricky Rudd
#Rusty Wallace
#Ward Burton
#Bobby Labonte
#Jeff Burton
#Bill Elliott
#Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Kenny Wallace (#27), Anthony Lazzaro (#68), Jason Leffler (#04)

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. This was the first Cup race at Daytona since the death of Dale Earnhardt.

Top Ten Results

#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Michael Waltrip
#Elliott Sadler
#Ward Burton
#Bobby Labonte
#Jerry Nadeau
#Rusty Wallace
#Jeff Burton
#Brett Bodine
#Mike Wallace

Failed to qualify: Buckshot Jones (#44), Ron Hornaday (#14), Hut Stricklin (#90), Mike Bliss (#27), Andy Hillenburg (#49)

Tropicana 400

The inaugural Tropicana 400 was held July 15 at Chicagoland Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Kevin Harvick
#Robert Pressley
#Ricky Rudd
#Dale Jarrett
#Jimmy Spencer
#Mark Martin
#Matt Kenseth
#Kurt Busch
#Sterling Marlin
#Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Dave Marcis (#71), Mike Bliss (#27), Shawna Robinson (#84)

Kmart 500

The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 22 at Pocono Raceway. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Bobby Labonte
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Tony Stewart
#Bill Elliott
#Johnny Benson
#Rusty Wallace
#Mark Martin
#Jeff Gordon
#Robert Pressley
#Ricky Craven

Failed to qualify: Andy Hillenburg (#49), Carl Long (#85)

Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jimmy Spencer won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Gordon
#Sterling Marlin
#Johnny Benson
#Rusty Wallace
#Kurt Busch
#Ward Burton
#Steve Park
#Bill Elliott
#Ricky Craven
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#4), Derrike Cope (#37), Mike Wallace (#7), Hermie Sadler (#13), Ed Berrier (#95), David Keith (#57), Rick Mast (#27), Dave Marcis (#71), Kyle Petty (#45), Shawna Robinson (#84), Andy Hillenburg (#49)

Global Crossing at the Glen

The Global Crossing at the Glen was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Gordon
#Jeff Burton
#Jeremy Mayfield
#Ricky Rudd
#Todd Bodine
#Jerry Nadeau
#Kevin Harvick
#Boris Said
#Bobby Labonte
#Steve Park

Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (#7), Wally Dallenbach, Jr. (#44)

Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer

The Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole. The race was shortened to 162 laps due to rain, and the race also marked Dodge's first trip to victory lane since its return to NASCAR.

Top Ten Results

#Sterling Marlin
#Ricky Craven
#Bill Elliott
#Matt Kenseth
#Johnny Benson
#Dave Blaney
#Jeff Gordon
#Mark Martin
#Steve Park
#Casey Atwood

Failed to qualify: David Keith (#57), Buckshot Jones (#44)

Sharpie 500

The Sharpie 500 was held August 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Tony Stewart
#Kevin Harvick
#Jeff Gordon
#Ricky Rudd
#Rusty Wallace
#Dale Jarrett
#Steve Park
#Bobby Labonte
#Sterling Marlin
#Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (#92), Kyle Petty (#45), Hermie Sadler (#13), Dave Marcis (#71), Hut Stricklin (#90), Carl Long (#85)

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 2 at Darlington Raceway. Kurt Busch won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Ward Burton
#Jeff Gordon
#Bobby Labonte
#Tony Stewart
#Bill Elliott
#Jeff Burton
#Ricky Rudd
#Kevin Harvick
#Jerry Nadeau
#Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Dave Marcis (#71)

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held September 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Ricky Rudd
#Kevin Harvick
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Dale Jarrett
#Rusty Wallace
#Bobby Labonte
#Tony Stewart
#Jimmy Spencer
#Jeff Burton
#Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Hermie Sadler (#13), Hut Stricklin (#90), Carl Long (#85)

MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400

The MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400 was held September 23 at Dover International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the first race to be held after the September 11th attacks. Most cars sported patriotic decals and tributes.

Top Ten Results

#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Jerry Nadeau
#Ricky Rudd
#Jeff Gordon
#Tony Stewart
#Kevin Harvick
#Joe Nemechek
#Sterling Marlin
#Casey Atwood
#Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#27), Jason Leffler (#01), Lance Hooper (#47), Dave Marcis (#71)

Protection One 400

The inaugural Protection One 400 was held September 30 at Kansas Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Gordon
#Ryan Newman
#Ricky Rudd
#Rusty Wallace
#Sterling Marlin
#Mark Martin
#Robert Pressley
#Tony Stewart
#Kurt Busch
#Dave Blaney

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#27), Kyle Petty (#45), Ron Hornaday (#14)

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 7 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmy Spencer won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Sterling Marlin
#Tony Stewart
#Ward Burton
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Jeff Burton
#Dale Jarrett
#Rusty Wallace
#Kevin Harvick
#Mark Martin
#Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Derrike Cope (#57), Jeff Green (#30), Robby Gordon (#31), Buckshot Jones (#44), Frank Kimmel (#46)

Old Dominion 500

The Old Dominion 500 was scheduled for October 14 at Martinsville Speedway, but was held October 15 due to rain. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Ricky Craven
#Dale Jarrett
#Ward Burton
#Bobby Labonte
#Jeff Burton
#Johnny Benson
#Mark Martin
#Mike Wallace
#Jeff Gordon
#Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (#85), Kyle Petty (#45), Frank Kimmel (#46)

EA Sports 500

The EA Sports 500 was held October 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stacy Compton won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Tony Stewart
#Jeff Burton
#Matt Kenseth
#Bobby Hamilton
#Kenny Wallace
#Jeff Gordon
#Joe Nemechek
#Mark Martin
#Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#91), Dave Marcis (#71)

Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil

The Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil was held October 28 at Phoenix International Raceway. Casey Atwood won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Jeff Burton
#Mike Wallace
#Ricky Rudd
#Matt Kenseth
#Tony Stewart
#Jeff Gordon
#Robby Gordon
#Ricky Craven
#Dale Jarrett
#Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: Rick Bogart (#70)

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400

The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held November 4 at North Carolina Speedway. Kenny Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

#Joe Nemechek
#Kenny Wallace
#Johnny Benson
#Dale Jarrett
#Jerry Nadeau
#Ward Burton
#Tony Stewart
#Ricky Rudd
#Bobby Labonte
#Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#90)

Pennzoil Freedom 400

The Pennzoil Freedom 400 was held November 11 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole. Casey Atwood nearly won the race, until a late race pass by Bill Elliott.

Top Ten Results

#Bill Elliott
#Michael Waltrip
#Casey Atwood
#Jeff Burton
#Sterling Marlin
#Dave Blaney
#Kevin Harvick
#Bobby Labonte
#Jeff Green
#Jason Leffler

Failed to qualify: Rich Bickle (#49), Derrike Cope (#57), Ron Hornaday (#14), Hermie Sadler (#13), Carl Long (#85)

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was held November 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. Jeff Gordon clinched the 2001 Winston Cup with his 6th place finish.

Top Ten Results

#Bobby Labonte
#Sterling Marlin
#Kevin Harvick
#Jerry Nadeau
#Ward Burton
#Jeff Gordon
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
#Dale Jarrett
#Tony Stewart
#Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Mark Green (#41), Robby Gordon (#31), Jason Leffler (#01), Kurt Busch (#97), Rick Mast (#90), Ron Hornaday (#14), Dave Marcis (#71), Frank Kimmel (#46)

New Hampshire 300

The New Hampshire 300 was scheduled for September 16 but was moved to November 23 (the Friday after Thanksgiving due to the September 11 terrorist attacks). The starting order was set according to owner's points as of September 10. The win was Robby Gordon's first career victory.

Top Ten Results

#Robby Gordon
#Sterling Marlin
#Bobby Labonte
#Matt Kenseth
#Tony Stewart
#Jerry Nadeau
#Robert Pressley
#Brett Bodine
#Mark Martin
#Dale Jarrett

Final Points Standings

#Jeff Gordon - 5112
#Tony Stewart - 4763
#Sterling Marlin - 4741
#Ricky Rudd - 4706
#Dale Jarrett - 4612
#Bobby Labonte - 4561
#Rusty Wallace - 4481
#Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 4460
#Kevin Harvick - 4406
#Jeff Burton - 4394
#Johnny Benson - 4152
#Mark Martin - 4095
#Matt Kenseth - 3982
#Ward Burton - 3846
#Bill Elliott - 3824
#Jimmy Spencer - 3782
#Jerry Nadeau - 3675
#Bobby Hamilton - 3575
#Ken Schrader - 3480
#Elliott Sadler - 3471
#Ricky Craven - 3379
#Dave Blaney - 3303
#Terry Labonte - 3280
#Michael Waltrip -3159
#Robert Pressley - 3156
#Casey Atwood - 3132
#Kurt Busch - 3081
#Joe Nemechek - 2994
#Todd Bodine - 2960
#Brett Bodine - 2948
#John Andretti - 2943
#Steve Park - 2854
#Stacy Compton - 2752
#Mike Wallace - 2693
#Jeremy Mayfield - 2651
#Kevin Lepage - 2461
#Jason Leffler - 2413
#Ron Hornaday - 2305
#Kenny Wallace - 2054
#Mike Skinner - 2029
#Buckshot Jones - 1939
#Hut Stricklin - 1770
#Kyle Petty - 1673
#Robby Gordon - 1552
#Rick Mast - 1187
#Andy Houston - 1123
#Bobby Hamilton, Jr. - 748
#Jeff Green - 539
#Ryan Newman - 497
#Boris Said - 272

Rookie of the Year

Kevin Harvick emerged as the victor of the Rookie of the Year battle despite not declaring for the award until the second race of the season, as he replaced Dale Earnhardt following his fatal crash. Harvick won two races and finished ninth in season points. Kurt Busch finished second, despite only having one year of experience in a major NASCAR series. Third-place finisher Casey Atwood was pre-season favorite, but was held back due to a rough start and only finished 26th in points. Jason Leffler had a sub-par season that cost him his job with Chip Ganassi Racing, and Ron Hornaday was a disappointment after years of success in the Busch and Truck series. The last-place driver was Andy Houston, another pre-season favorite, had a tough season that resulted in his schedule being reduced.

Trivia

*There were 19 different race winners, a new record for the series.
*There were 15 different pole winners.
*Five of the race winners won a Cup race for the first time: Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler, Ricky Craven, and Robby Gordon.
*Mark Martin finished a season without a race win for the first time since 1996, and for the second time since 1989.
*Bill Elliott won in the series for the first time since 1994, Sterling Marlin for the first time since 1996, and Ricky Rudd for the first time since 1998.
*Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the first Cup race at Daytona since the death of his father. He also won the first NASCAR race after 9/11.

External links

* [http://racing-reference.info/raceyear?yr=2001&series=W Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 2001]