1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 50th season of

1. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
2. 9- Lake Speed
3. 3- Dale Earnhardt
4. 40- Sterling Marlin
5. 11- Brett Bodine
6. 97- Chad Little
7. 75- Rick Mast
8. 29-
   Jeff Green
9. 98- Greg Sacks
10. 17- Darrell Waltrip

Bud Shootout

The

1. 2- Rusty Wallace
2. 81- Kenny Wallace
3. 94- Bill Elliott
4. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
5. 33- Ken Schrader
6. 7- Geoff Bodine
7. 36- Ernie Irvan
8. 6-
   Mark Martin
9. 43- John Andretti
10. 35- Todd Bodine

Gatorade 125s

Race One: Top Ten Results

The

1. 40-Sterling Marlin
2. 88-Dale Jarrett
3. 18-Bobby Labonte
4. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
5. 22-Ward Burton
6. 30-Derrike Cope
7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
8. 6-
   Mark Martin
9. 43-John Andretti
10. 94-Bill Elliott

• 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

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 21-Michael Waltrip
3. 31-
   Mike Skinner
4. 36-Ernie Irvan
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 99-Jeff Burton
7. 9-Lake Speed
8. 95-Andy Hillenburg
9. 91-Kevin Lepage
10. 4-Bobby Hamilton

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. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 18-Bobby Labonte
3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
4. 33-Ken Schrader
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 36-Ernie Irvan
7. 97-Chad Little
8. 31-
   Mike Skinner
9. 21-Michael Waltrip
10. 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 07-

• 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.
• Dale dedicated the win to his late friend and colleague, Neil Bonnett, who died after a crash while practicing for the 1994 race.
• "20 years of trying, 20 years of frustration. Dale Earnhardt will come to the caution flag to win the Daytona 500! Finally!" - Mike Joy talking as Earnhardt came to the white flag and the caution flag, giving him his first (and only) Daytona 500 victory.

GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400

The

Top Ten Results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 2-Rusty Wallace
3. 6-
   Mark Martin
4. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
5. 7-Geoff Bodine
6. 94-Bill Elliott
7. 88-Dale Jarrett
8. 5-Terry Labonte
9. 4-Bobby Hamilton
10. 50-Ricky Craven

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

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 99-Jeff Burton
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 26-
   Johnny Benson
5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
6. 16-Ted Musgrave
7. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
9. 94-Bill Elliott
10. 97-Chad Little

Failed to qualify: 1-

• Mark Martin's win in this inaugural Las Vegas 400 was the first for the Ford Taurus.
• Dale Earnhardt, finishing 8th, would be the only driver to finish in the Top 10 that was not driving a Ford Taurus.

Primestar 500

The

1. 18-Bobby Labonte
2. 88-Dale Jarrett
3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
4. 2-Rusty Wallace
5. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
6. 90-Dick Trickle
7. 81-Kenny Wallace
8. 99-Jeff Burton
9. 26-
   Johnny Benson
10. 35-Todd Bodine

Failed to qualify: 05-

• 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.
• After Sterling Marlin unexpectedly failed to qualify, Coors Light decals were placed on the No. 91 of Kevin Lepage for the race.

TranSouth Financial 400

The

1. 88-Dale Jarrett
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
5. 99-Jeff Burton
6. 5-Terry Labonte
7. 6-
   Mark Martin
8. 26-
   Johnny Benson
9. 81-Kenny Wallace
10. 16-Ted Musgrave

• Before this race,
  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.
• Roush Racing
  .

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

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 5-Terry Labonte
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 26-
   Johnny Benson
6. 33-Ken Schrader
7. 6-
   Mark Martin
8. 16-Ted Musgrave
9. 21-Michael Waltrip
10. 50-Randy LaJoie

Failed to qualify: 29-

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 97-Chad Little
3. 77-Robert Pressley
4. 42-Joe Nemechek
5. 26-
   Johnny Benson
6. 5-Terry Labonte
7. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
8. 18-Bobby Labonte
9. 21-Michael Waltrip
10. 41-Steve Grissom

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

• The green flag was waved by
  Strictly Stock
  race in 1949.
• On lap 2, there was a multi-car pileup in turn 1 that involved at least 9 cars, including Dale Earnhardt, Ted Musgrave, Darrell Waltrip, John Andretti, Rick Mast, Kenny Wallace, Kevin Lepage, Hut Stricklin and Jeff Gordon. Andretti's car caught fire when his fuel pump broke. This was very similar to the start of the previous year's race.
• Journeyman
  Xfinity Series
  .
• Mike Dillon, car owner Richard Childress
  ' son-in-law, drove the car at California to a 35th-place finish.

1. 4-Bobby Hamilton
2. 16-Ted Musgrave
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 50-Randy LaJoie
6. 2-Rusty Wallace
7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
8. 24-Jeff Gordon
9. 36-Ernie Irvan
10. 33-Ken Schrader

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

• Bobby Hamilton led 378 of the race's 500 laps on his way to a dominant victory, it was his penultimate Cup series victory.
• Rich Bickle was tapped to drive the No. 98 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.
• Last win for
  Morgan McClure Motorsports
  .
• Randy LaJoie's fifth-place finish stands as his lone top five in the Cup Series.

DieHard 500

The

1. 18-Bobby Labonte
2. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 5-Terry Labonte
5. 24-Jeff Gordon
6. 36-Ernie Irvan
7. 81-Kenny Wallace
8. 22-Ward Burton
9. 40-Sterling Marlin
10. 50-Randy LaJoie

Failed to qualify: 07-

• The race was marred by "The Big One" on lap 141, collecting Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and 18 other cars.
• The No. 60
  Roush Racing Ford that was entered for Matt Kenseth
  .
• This was the only DNQ of Matt Kenseth's Cup Series career.
• After Geoff Bodine failed to qualify, Billy Standridge received sponsorship from Philips.
• Bobby Labonte's victory made him the first Pontiac driver to win multiple races since Rusty Wallace in 1993.

California 500 presented by NAPA

The

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
3. 5-Terry Labonte
4. 24-Jeff Gordon
5. 1-Darrell Waltrip
6. 97-Chad Little
7. 7-Geoff Bodine
8. 26-
   Johnny Benson
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 99-Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 19-Tony Raines, 71-Dave Marcis, 98-Rich Bickle

• On lap 86, a major accident occurred in turn 1 that caused a red flag. It started when Dale Jarrett, running 13th, blew his engine going into in turn 1 and laid down some oil. Kyle Petty spun in the oil and drifted into the oncoming Bill Elliott. Both cars slammed hard into the outside wall, with Elliott's car going airborne and erupting in flames. Dale Earnhardt also spun and clipped the front of Mike Dillon's car. It was the second week in a row in which Elliott was involved in a fiery crash.
• Darrell Waltrip's 5th place finish was his final career top-5.
• Only career race that Mike Dillon started, driving the #31 for father-in-law Richard Childress. The only other Cup Series race Dillon - father of future Cup Series drivers Austin and Ty Dillon - participated in was the previous year's Southern 500 as a relief driver for Dale Earnhardt after Earnhardt blacked out for unknown reasons early in that race.

The Winston

The Winston, a non-points race with seventy laps in three segments, was run on May 16 in

Top Ten Results

1. 6-Mark Martin
2. 18-Bobby Labonte
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 40-Sterling Marlin
7. 94-Bill Elliott
8. 7-Geoff Bodine
9. 4-Bobby Hamilton
10. 98-Rich Bickle

• 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 Coca-Cola 600 was run on May 24 in

Top Ten Results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 2-Rusty Wallace
3. 18-Bobby Labonte
4. 6-Mark Martin
5. 88-Dale Jarrett
6. 42-Joe Nemechek
7. 43-John Andretti
8. 99-Jeff Burton
9. 26-
   Johnny Benson
10. 33-Ken Schrader

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

• Bill Elliott had Jeff Green relieve him midway through the race after his hard accidents at Talladega and California.
• After Morgan Shepherd failed to qualify for the race, First Union put their colors on the No. 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
  Busch Grand National
  team at the time). Sadler blew an engine and finished 42nd after starting 31st.

MBNA Platinum 400

The

Top Ten Results

1. 88-Dale Jarrett
2. 99-Jeff Burton
3. 24-Jeff Gordon
4. 18-Bobby Labonte
5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
6. 10-Ricky Rudd
7. 6-
   Mark Martin
8. 8-Buckshot Jones*
9. 36-Ernie Irvan
10. 5-Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: 13-Dennis Setzer, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Morgan Shepherd

• This was
  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

1. 5-Terry Labonte
2. 88-Dale Jarrett
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 33-Ken Schrader
5. 6-
   Mark Martin
6. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
7. 99-Jeff Burton
8. 18-Bobby Labonte
9. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
10. 40-Sterling Marlin

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

• On lap 370, Jeff Gordon was battling for the lead with Rusty Wallace. Gordon passed Wallace off turn 4 to take the lead, but was tapped by Wallace and spun into the outside wall in turn 2, suffering major damage on the front. Many fans cheered as Gordon's car was pushed toward the garage area. Gordon finished 37th, experiencing his 2nd DNF of 1998.
• This would be Jeff Gordon's final finish outside the top 10 in 1998, because after this race, he would spend the next/last 20 races in the top 10. He would go on to score 17 consecutive top 5 finishes and 20 consecutive top 10 finishes, which both stand as All-Time NASCAR records as of 2021. He would go on to score 10 victories in the 20 race stretch.
• This race was notable as it was the first time that
  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.
• This was the first time that the first race of the season at Richmond was held at night during the spring. In previous years, it was an afternoon race in February or March.
• This Was Dale Earnhardts final race with Larry McReynolds as his crew chief after 45 races together and 1 win, Team Owner Richard Childress swapped McReynolds with Mike Skinners Crew Chief Kevin Hamlin, Both drivers saw better performances after swapping

Miller Lite 400

The

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 88-Dale Jarrett
3. 24-Jeff Gordon
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
6. 94-Bill Elliott
7. 18-Bobby Labonte
8. 22-Ward Burton
9. 42-Joe Nemechek
10. 50-Wally Dallenbach Jr.*

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

• This race would begin Jeff Gordon's stretch of 17 consecutive top 5 finishes, and 20 consecutive top 10 finishes, which both stand as All-Time NASCAR records as of 2021.
• Busch Grand National obligations at Pikes Peak International Raceway in his No. 74 Chevrolet
  .

The

Top Ten Results

1. 12-Jeremy Mayfield*
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 6-
   Mark Martin
6. 1-Darrell Waltrip
7. 50-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
9. 40-Sterling Marlin
10. 23-
    Jimmy Spencer

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

• This was
  Winston Cup victory. In order to procure the victory, Mayfield had to overtake the No. 1 Chevrolet of Darrell Waltrip
  , Mayfield's idol.
• Final career top 10 finish for Darrell Waltrip.
• The race was interrupted by a 71-minute red flag for rain.
• Final race for Todd Bodine as ISM Racing's driver; as following his failure to qualify for the 1998 Save Mart/Kragen 350 - the 8th race that ISM Racing failed to qualify for - and with only one Top 10 finish at the Primestar 500 in Atlanta; Bodine was released by the team.

Save Mart/Kragen 350

The

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 4-Bobby Hamilton
3. 43-John Andretti
4. 18-Bobby Labonte
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 6-
   Mark Martin
7. 40-Sterling Marlin
8. 75-Rick Mast*
9. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.
10. 41-Steve Grissom

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

• Due to ESPN's coverage of the final round of the
  Senior PGA Tour NFL Golf Classic running long, ESPN2
  carried the start of the race. ESPN joined the race in progress on lap 3.
• During the weekend,
  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 One 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.
• 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 1 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.
• Winston Cup driver ever to crash on the 400-foot (120 m) 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 caused damage to the wall.
• Winston West regular Butch Gilliland drove the No. 9 Ford
  to a 24th-place finish from 40th on the grid in place of Speed.
• Winston Cup point lead after Jeremy Mayfield
  had troubles in this race. Gordon held on to the lead for the rest of the year.
• This was the first race with the configuration erasing turns 4–6. A short chute was in place where the old hills were, making speeds much faster on the speed charts.
• At the time this race was held no driver who had won at Sears Point went on to win the championship. Race winner Jeff Gordon was the first to win both Sears Point and the championship later that year, earning his 3rd championship in 4 years.

Jiffy Lube 300

The

Top Ten Results

1. 99-Jeff Burton
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 24-Jeff Gordon
4. 2-Rusty Wallace
5. 31-
   Mike Skinner
6. 43-John Andretti
7. 88-Dale Jarrett
8. 44-Kyle Petty
9. 33-Ken Schrader
10. 81-Kenny Wallace

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis

• This was the last career start for Lake Speed, whose aggravated rib and sternum injuries during the race led to his retirement. Speed's original injuries came from a practice crash he suffered in the previous race at Sears Point.

Pennsylvania 500

The

Top Ten Results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 6-
   Mark Martin
3. 99-Jeff Burton
4. 18-Bobby Labonte
5. 88-Dale Jarrett
6. 2-Rusty Wallace
7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
8. 33-Ken Schrader
9. 36-Ernie Irvan
10. 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 No. 13 Ford. He immediately signed with Melling Racing to race their No. 9 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 No. 13 Ford
  on an interim basis starting at Pocono. Dallenbach finished 25th, 2 laps down. after starting 42nd (with a provisional)
• Morgan Shepherd was tapped to drive the No. 91 LJ Racing Chevrolet starting at Pocono. Shepherd qualified a strong 7th, but collided with the turn 1 wall on lap 71 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

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 6-
   Mark Martin
3. 18-Bobby Labonte
4. 31-
   Mike Skinner
5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
6. 36-Ernie Irvan
7. 43-John Andretti
8. 2-Rusty Wallace
9. 5-Terry Labonte
10. 33-Ken Schrader

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

• 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. Spencer, not fully recovered from his concussion at Indy, had to completely sit out the following two races at Michigan with driver Frank Kimmel and Bristol with Ted Musgrave
  filling in respectively.
• 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.
• On lap 77, Ward Burton cut a tire and hit the wall in turn 2, but the race stayed green for the next several laps. As Burton's car came to a stop on the warmup lane inside turn 3, drivers proceeded to make pit stops under green. With the caution still not yet out, leader Dale Jarrett began running out of gas exiting turn 1. After limping slowly around into the pits, Jarrett came to a stop just past the pit lane entrance. Jarrett's crew ran quickly toward the entrance of pit road to retrieve the car. After pushing the car about 1000 feet to the pit box, the team managed to refuel it and change four tires. The misadventure cost Jarrett 4 laps, but he would eventually finish in 16th place, last car on the lead lap.
• This was the last race attempted by
  Busch Grand National
  team during the rest of the 1998 Season.
• The race also marked the return of Steve Park to Winston Cup action for the first time since suffering injuries in a practice crash in March at Atlanta.
• Jeff Gordon had become the first driver to win the Brickyard 400 twice, and he won the No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus. Mark Martin and Bobby Labonte, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, were also No Bull 5 contenders. Dale Jarrett and Rusty Wallace were the other two contenders for the bonus.
• This race ended under the caution flag, as due to a multi-car accident with a couple laps to go, there were not enough laps to clean up the track and restart the race.

The Bud at The Glen

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 6-
   Mark Martin
   *
3. 31-
   Mike Skinner
   *
4. 2-Rusty Wallace
5. 88-Dale Jarrett
6. 44-Kyle Petty
7. 40-Sterling Marlin
8. 43-John Andretti
9. 26-
   Johnny Benson
10. 18-Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: 58-Larry Gunselman**, 59-Brian Cunningham, 71-Dave Marcis

• 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
  Rick Wilson attempted the race in the No. 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 No. 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.
• 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.
• Elliott-Marino Racing to drive the No. 13 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 No. 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 No. 23 and the No. 12 of Jeremy Mayfield
  also spun in this incident. Mayfield got stuck in the gravel, prompting the third full course caution of the race.
• 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 4th consecutive race that
  Mark Martin finished 2nd, and 3rd straight 2nd-place finish to winner Jeff Gordon
  , losing 30 points to him in the standings over the 3 races.
• This was the last Cup race sponsored by a beer company.
• Ron Fellows was the first road ringer to qualify on the front row since Dan Gurney in 1970 at Riverside Raceway. In honor of his achievement, as well as the Canadian fans who watched the race, NASCAR, during pre-race ceremonies, had a singer recite the Canadian National Anthem along with the Star-Spangled Banner.
• This race was held the day after Mark Martin's father, stepmother and half-sister were killed in a plane crash in Nevada.

Pepsi 400 presented by DeVilbiss

The

1. 24-Jeff Gordon*
2. 18-Bobby Labonte
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 6-
   Mark Martin
5. 99-Jeff Burton
6. 36-Ernie Irvan
7. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
8. 50-Wally Dallenbach Jr.*
9. 43-John Andretti
10. 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 No. 50 Chevrolet for the rest of the season, and all of 1999 at this point.
• This was
  Mark Martin in 1993). Future teammate Jimmie Johnson
  would join the group in 2007. After Johnson in 2007, it has not been done since.

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 99-Jeff Burton
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 88-Dale Jarrett
5. 24-Jeff Gordon
6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
7. 31-
   Mike Skinner
8. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
9. 10-Ricky Rudd
10. 16-Kevin Lepage

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

• Mark Martin prevented Jeff Gordon from scoring the elusive 5th straight win, a feat that has never been done in NASCAR's modern era.
• Jimmy Spencer in the No. 23 Ford for Travis Carter Enterprises. Spencer was still recovering from the concussion that he suffered at the Brickyard 400
  .

1. 24-Jeff Gordon*
2. 6-
   Mark Martin
3. 43-John Andretti
4. 88-Dale Jarrett
5. 99-Jeff Burton
6. 81-Kenny Wallace
7. 18-Bobby Labonte
8. 2-Rusty Wallace
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 10-Ricky Rudd

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

• This race marked the beginning of "Tiregate." Jeff Gordon won both Michigan on August 16 and New Hampshire on August 30 after making a two-tire final pit stop and pulling away from the pack.
  Richmond
  .
• American Equipment Racing owned by Buz McCall, surprised the racing world by bringing road racer Ron Fellows to drive the #96 CAT car at an oval track rather than a road course. It was Ron Fellows' only Winston Cup start on an oval track. Ron Fellows would qualify 42nd in the #96 CAT car, and finish a heartbreaking 36th-place finish.

Pepsi Southern 500

The

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 99-Jeff Burton
3. 88-Dale Jarrett
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down
6. 36-Ernie Irvan 2 laps down
7. 2-Rusty Wallace 2 laps down
8. 40-Sterling Marlin 2 laps down
9. 7-Geoff Bodine 3 laps down
10. 81-Kenny Wallace 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 91-Morgan Shepherd, 96-Hut Stricklin

• This race was part of the
  Winston No Bull 5 program. Jeff Gordon
  won the last such race, making him eligible to win a million dollars in this race if he pulled off a win.
• This was Jeff Gordon's 7th win in the last 9 races. This would be also Gordon's last win until late October.
• This was the fourth straight year in which Jeff Gordon would win the Southern 500. Not only is Jeff Gordon the only driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight Southern 500 races, but he also the only driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight races in one NASCAR Crown Jewel event. The 5 crown jewel events are Daytona 500, World 600, Brickyard 400, Southern 500, and Winston 500. His future teammate Jimmie Johnson however, would almost accomplish that feat in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. He would win 3 straight in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He would come so close on winning 4 straight Coca-Cola 600 races in 2006, but he would finish 2nd to another future teammate, Kasey Kahne.
• This was the 3rd consecutive year that Jeff Gordon won 10+ races in a season, a NASCAR modern era record. Gordon passed Darrell Waltrip for this feat after Darrell won 12 races each in back to back seasons of 1981 and 1982. Richard Petty holds the record for scoring 10 or more wins in 5 consecutive seasons. He scored 27 wins in 1967, 16 wins in 1968, 10 wins in 1969, 18 wins in 1970, & 21 wins in 1971, scoring a combined total of 92 wins.
• This would be the last time until Gordon's future teammate Jimmie Johnson in 2007 that a driver would win 10 races in a season. After Johnson in 2007, it would not be done again until Kyle Larson in 2021 won 10 races en route to his First Championship.

Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400

The

1. 99-Jeff Burton
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 6-
   Mark Martin
4. 33-Ken Schrader*
5. 43-John Andretti
6. 4-Bobby Hamilton
7. 2-Rusty Wallace
8. 31-
   Mike Skinner
9. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
10. 28-Kenny Irwin Jr.

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

• Jeff Burton would edge Jeff Gordon in an exciting side by side finish to take the win.
• Ken Schrader's final top 5 finish.
• Robert Pressley suffered a broken scapula in a crash early on, and would be forced to sit out the next two races.

MBNA Gold 400

The

Top Ten Results

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
4. 18-Bobby Labonte
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 94-Matt Kenseth*
7. 88-Dale Jarrett
8. 36-Ernie Irvan
9. 43-John Andretti
10. 4-Bobby Hamilton 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 71-Dave Marcis, 96-Morgan Shepherd

• Winston Cup debut in relief of Bill Elliott
  . Elliott decided to skip the race to mourn the death of his father, George.
• Matt Kenseth became the 3rd highest finisher in his Winston Cup debut, finishing 6th. Only 2 drivers have finished in the top 5 in their Cup Series debuts, and that was Terry Labonte, who finished 4th in the 1978 Southern 500 at Darlington, and Rusty Wallace, who finished 2nd in the fall Atlanta race in 1980.
• Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte both made their 600th career Winston Cup starts in this race.

NAPA Autocare 500

The

1. 10-Ricky Rudd*
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 6-
   Mark Martin
4. 98-Rich Bickle*
5. 99-Jeff Burton
6. 5-Terry Labonte
7. 94-Bill Elliott
8. 36-Ernie Irvan 1 lap down
9. 26-
   Johnny Benson
   1 lap down
10. 18-Bobby Labonte 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 41-

• This race was run in oppressive heat and humidity. Multiple drivers required relief during the event. Jerry Nadeau was actually forced to pull off the track at one point because he needed relief, and there was no one available that could relieve him.
• Dr. Jerry Punch
  , who conducted the Victory Lane interview, helped out the paramedics.
• 20th career win for Ricky Rudd. With this win, Ricky Rudd's winning streak would stay alive, making this the 16th straight season that he has won at least one race, 3rd all-time. Richard Petty leads the category by winning at least one race in 18 straight seasons (1960-1977, 185 wins), the most in NASCAR history. This would be Rudd's last win until Pocono in June 2001, 2+1⁄2 years and 89 races later.
• This was the final victory for Cup Series team Rudd Performance Motorsports.
• This was Rich Bickle's best career finish. Bickle broke down in tears during a post-race interview on ESPN.^[1]
• Last career pole for Ernie Irvan.

UAW-GM Quality 500

The

Top Ten Results

1. 6-
   Mark Martin
2. 22-Ward Burton
3. 99-Jeff Burton
4. 4-Bobby Hamilton
5. 24-Jeff Gordon
6. 16-Kevin Lepage
7. 42-Joe Nemechek
8. 97-Chad Little
9. 7-Geoff Bodine
10. 23-
    Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: 19-

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

1. 88-Dale Jarrett
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 5-Terry Labonte
4. 23-
   Jimmy Spencer
5. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
6. 18-Bobby Labonte
7. 31-
   Mike Skinner
8. 97-Chad Little
9. 21-Michael Waltrip
10. 99-Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: 07-

• Winston No Bull 5 race: Dale Jarrett won an extra million dollars because he won this race and finished in the top 5 in the Southern 500
  .
• Ernie Irvan was injured in a crash on lap 135 when he spun and hit the wall. The No. 90 of Dick Trickle hit Irvan's No. 36 when it came back across the track. Irvan started the race at Daytona for points, but then sat out the remaining 3 races.

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was scheduled to run on July 4 in

Top Ten Results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 18-Bobby Labonte
3. 31-
   Mike Skinner
4. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 5-Terry Labonte
7. 22-Ward Burton
8. 36-Ernie Irvan / Ricky Craven*
9. 33-Ken Schrader
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: 41-

• This was the first NASCAR race at Daytona to be run under the lights.
• 1998 was the first NASCAR season to have back-to-back points paying restrictor plate races. In 2024, this happened again, as the opening two races of the NASCAR season were the Daytona 500 and the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
• This race was originally scheduled to be broadcast by CBS, but TNN broadcast the race due to prior commitments by CBS (due to the race's rescheduling).
• Ernie Irvan started the race in the No. 36, but was replaced at the first caution by Ricky Craven.
• This was Jeff Gordon's 40th Winston Cup Career win.
• The 11th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. This was the first time since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 that a driver won 11 races in a season.
• As of 2020, this is the last time that a driver won 11 races in a season.
• This race was Dan Pardus' only career Cup Series start.

Dura Lube/Kmart 500

The

Top Ten Results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 6-
   Mark Martin
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 13-Ted Musgrave
6. 43-John Andretti
7. 24-Jeff Gordon
8. 81-Kenny Wallace
9. 26-
   Johnny Benson
10. 5-Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: 21-Michael Waltrip, 45-Jeff Ward, 71-Dave Marcis

• This race was shortened to 257 laps due to rain.
• This race ended a string of 17 straight top 5 finishes for Jeff Gordon, which is a NASCAR record.

AC Delco 400

The

Top Ten Results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 88-Dale Jarrett
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 6-
   Mark Martin
5. 99-Jeff Burton
6. 4-Bobby Hamilton
7. 22-Ward Burton
8. 5-Terry Labonte
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 10-Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom

• Winston Cup Series championship and his 3rd in the last 4 seasons, when Rick Mast and Kevin Lepage
  were officially listed as out of the race as of lap 187. Gordon needed to finish 40th or better to clinch the title, or 41st or better with at least one lap led.
• The 12th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. This was the first time since Darrell Waltrip in 1982 that a driver won 12 races in a season.

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was run on November 8 in Hampton, Georgia. Kenny Irwin Jr. won his 1st career pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top Ten Results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 88-Dale Jarrett
3. 6-
   Mark Martin
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 91-Todd Bodine*
6. 4-Bobby Hamilton
7. 33-Ken Schrader
8. 5-Terry Labonte
9. 31-
   Mike Skinner
10. 7-Geoff Bodine

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

• 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.
• Todd Bodine's fifth-place finish was the best ever finish for LJ Racing in the Cup Series.
• Jeff Gordon's win made him the second driver after Bobby Labonte to win on both of the configurations at Atlanta, after winning only one race on the 1.522 miles when he won in the spring of 1995.
• Jeff Gordon's win ensured Chevrolet the 1998 Manufacturers' Championship.
• The 13th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. With this win, Jeff Gordon ties a NASCAR modern-era record with Richard Petty for the most wins in a single season. This feat was accomplished first by Petty in 1975. As of 2021, this is the second and last time that a driver won 13 races in a season. Also, as of 2021, Jeff Gordon is the last driver to win more than 10 races in a single season.
• With 13 wins, 26 top 5s, and 28 top 10s, including the 17 straight top 5 finishes and 20 straight top 10 finishes, Jeff Gordon scored a total of 5,328 points in 33 races of 1998. This would be the most points scored in Bob Latford Winston Cup points system history.
• Mark Martin finishes second in points for the third time in his career, and with that, he would tie James Hylton for the most runner-up finishes for a driver to never win a championship.
• This was the 20th consecutive race that Jeff Gordon would finish in the top 10, a NASCAR record.
• Last points race without Tony Stewart on the grid until the 2013 Cheez-It 355 at The Glen.

NASCAR Thunder Special Motegi - Coca-Cola 500

The

1. 31-
   Mike Skinner
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 12-Jeremy Mayfield
4. 99-Jeff Burton
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 1-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7. 94-Bill Elliott
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
9. 40-Sterling Marlin
10. 21-Michael Waltrip 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: None

• NAPA 500 so that he would be ready for Daytona in February. Darrell Waltrip
  drove the No. 88 in Jarrett's place.

(key) 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

• 1998 NASCAR Busch Series
• 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Sources

• Racing Reference Archived 2006-08-21 at the Wayback Machine

TV schedule provided by

• Race2Win
• The Auto Channel

References