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55th season of NASCAR stock-car racing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 55th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 32nd modern-era Cup Series season. The season began on February 8 at the Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and ended on November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 400. Despite only winning one race throughout the whole season, Matt Kenseth, driving the No.17 Ford for Roush Racing, was strongly consistent following the lone win, and was crowned the Winston Cup champion. His only win came in the third race of the 36 race season. Chevrolet took home the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship after capturing 19 wins and 264 points over second-place finisher Dodge, who had nine wins and 203 points. Ford finished the year third with seven wins and 200 points, and Pontiac finished fourth with one win and 125 points.[1]
This was the final year for Winston being the title sponsor of the Cup Series. Winston had been the title sponsor for NASCAR since 1971. After 33 years, Winston decided not to renew its sponsorship. NASCAR went to work to find a sponsor immediately, and on June 19, 2003, NASCAR announced that the telecommunications firm Nextel would be the new title sponsor of the Cup Series starting in 2004. This was also the final season for Unocal 76 Brand as the official fuel for NASCAR. Unocal had been the official fuel since the sport's inception in 1948. Sunoco would replace Unocal 76 as the official fuel of NASCAR. This was also the last full-time season for Pontiac. Pontiac had been with NASCAR on 2 different occasions. The first was from 1949 to 1964, then they returned in 1981 and continued full-time until the end of 2003, though a few teams ran Pontiacs on a limited basis in 2004, and they continued running in the Busch Series through 2005 and ARCA as late as 2007. Pontiac folded entirely in 2009 when parent company General Motors shuttered it during their chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring.
Also, 2003 marks the first Cup Series season without Bobby Hamilton since 1988 (but would return part-time in 2005). This was also the last season without Carl Edwards until 2017 and Kasey Kahne until 2019, and also was the last season before Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and J.J. Yeley join as NASCAR drivers, (They ran part time in 2004, before joining full-time in 2005 for Busch and 2006 for Truex and Yeley)
In addition, NASCAR instituted a new points system after this season entitled the Chase for the Cup, in which after 26 races, all the points standings in the top ten as well as any position within 400 points of the lead, would be reset, so the drivers in those positions would be eligible for the championship. This was done primarily because of the huge lead Kenseth accumulated during 2003 despite winning one race.
The Budweiser Shootout was held February 8 at Daytona International Speedway. It was won by No. 8 of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The race featured drivers who have won a pole in the previous season or have won the event before. 2003 marked changes to the race's format, for the first time the race ran at night. The 70-lap event was now split into two segments. After the first 20-lap segment a 10-minute intermission took place allowing drivers to make pit stops and repair their cars. The second segment featured a 50-lap race to the finish with cars restarting double file on all restarts. Drivers were also required to make at least one pit stop under the green flag.
Top ten results:
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Make | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. |
| 2 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | |
| 3 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | Roush Racing |
| 4 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing |
| 5 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | |
| 6 | 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | |
| 7 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 8 | 21 | Ricky Rudd | Ford | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 9 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 10 | 32 | Ricky Craven | Pontiac | PPI Motorsports |
The Gatorade 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 were held on February 12 at Daytona International Speedway.
| Race one | Race two | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top ten results | |||||
| pos. | No. | driver | pos. | No. | driver |
| 1 | 31 | Robby Gordon | 1 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| 2 | 30 | Jeff Green | 2 | 15 | Michael Waltrip |
| 3 | 21 | Ricky Rudd | 3 | 54 | Todd Bodine |
| 4 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | 4 | 2 | Rusty Wallace |
| 5 | 99 | Jeff Burton | 5 | 20 | Tony Stewart |
| 6 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | 6 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 7 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | 7 | 43 | John Andretti |
| 8 | 25 | Joe Nemechek | 8 | 9 | Bill Elliott |
| 9 | 22 | Ward Burton | 9 | 38 | Elliott Sadler |
| 10 | 42 | Jamie McMurray | 10 | 09 | Mike Wallace |
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (No. 14), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Hermie Sadler (No. 02), David Green (No. 60), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 90), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Mike Harmon (No. 78)
The Subway 400 was held on February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Dave Blaney was the pole winner.
Failed to qualify: none
The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held on March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte was the pole winner.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Greg Biffle (No. 16), Brandon Ash (No. 02)
The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held on March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman sat on the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Bobby Hamilton Jr. (No. 35), Jeff Fultz (No. 57)
The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 16 at Darlington Raceway. Elliott Sadler sat on the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Food City 500 was held on March 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman was the pole winner for this race.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Larry Foyt (No. 14)
The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held at Texas Motor Speedway on March 30, 2003. Texas native Bobby Labonte was the pole sitter for this race.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), David Starr (No. 75)
The Aaron's 499 was held at Talladega Superspeedway on April 6, 2003. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 11), Larry Foyt (No. 14), David Green (No. 60) (Note: Phoenix Racing's Mike Wallace had originally failed to qualify, but Green's car was found too low and his time was disallowed.)
The Virginia 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on April 13, 2003. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
The Auto Club 500 was held at California Speedway on April 27, 2003. Steve Park won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), Hideo Fukuyama (No. 66)
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held at Richmond International Raceway on May 3, 2003. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race was shortened with only 7 laps to go, due to rain.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Hideo Fukuyama (No. 66)
Top ten results
The Coca-Cola 600 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 25, 2003. Ryan Newman won the pole. The race was shortened to 276 laps due to inclement weather.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Derrike Cope (No. 37)
The MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on June 1, 2003. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 37), Hermie Sadler (No. 02)
The Pocono 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on June 8, 2003. Jimmie Johnson won the pole. This broke a 27-race winless streak for Stewart.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 37), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89)
The Sirius 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 2003. Bobby Labonte was the pole sitter.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Mike Skinner (No. 4), Larry Foyt (No. 14)
The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held at Infineon Raceway on June 22, 2003. Boris Said was the pole sitter.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: P. J. Jones (No. 14), Brandon Ash (No. 02), Paul Menard (No. 33), Jim Inglebright (No. 00)
The Pepsi 400 was held at Daytona International Speedway on July 5, 2003. Steve Park won the pole.
Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), Tony Raines (No. 74), Shane Hmiel (No. 43), Christian Fittipaldi (No. 44)
The Tropicana 400 was held at Chicagoland Speedway on July 13, 2003. Tony Stewart sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Jason Keller (No. 81)
The New England 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 20, 2003. Matt Kenseth won the pole.
Failed to qualify: Tim Sauter (No. 71), David Reutimann (No. 04), Carl Long (No. 46), Larry Foyt (No. 50)
The Pennsylvania 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2003. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 4)
The Brickyard 400 was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 3, 2003. Kevin Harvick won the pole and the race.
Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 11), Ken Schrader (No. 49), Billy Bigley (No. 79), Ted Musgrave (No. 07), Robert Pressley (No. 4), Jim Sauter (No. 71), Christian Fittipaldi (No. 43), David Reutimann (No. 04), Hermie Sadler (No. 02)
NOTE: This marked the first time that Ken Schrader failed to qualify for a race. Until this weekend, he had made 579 consecutive starts.
The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was held at Watkins Glen International on August 10, 2003. Jeff Gordon was the pole sitter.
Failed to qualify: Ken Schrader (No. 49), Joe Varde (No. 35), Scott Maxwell (No. 43), Larry Foyt (No. 50)
The GFS Marketplace 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2003. Bobby Labonte won the pole.
Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (No. 4)
The Sharpie 500 was held at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 23, 2003. Jeff Gordon sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Billy Bigley (No. 79), Derrike Cope (No. 37)
The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2003. This would be the last time until 2015 that the race was held on this date (See notes below). Ryan Newman sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (No. 50)
The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 was held at Richmond International Raceway on September 6, 2003. Mike Skinner sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (No. 50), Billy Bigley (No. 79)
The Sylvania 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 14, 2003. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. This was the final race for Bill France Jr. as the CEO of NASCAR.
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (No. 50), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Carl Long (No. 46)
The MBNA America 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on September 21, 2003. Qualifying was canceled due to Hurricane Isabel; as a result, Matt Kenseth sat on the pole on owner points. This was the first Cup race for Brian France as the new CEO of NASCAR, having taken over the role from his father Bill France Jr., who stepped down on September 16 due to his ailing health.
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (No. 50), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Billy Bigley (No. 79), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Christian Fittipaldi (No. 44), Tim Sauter (No. 71)
The EA Sports 500 was held September 28, 2003 at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results:
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Make | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. |
| 2 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. |
| 3 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing |
| 5 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 6 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Ford | Roush Racing |
| 7 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 8 | 32 | Ricky Craven | Pontiac | PPI Motorsports |
| 9 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Dodge | Penske Racing |
| 10 | 09 | Mike Wallace | Dodge | Phoenix Racing |
Did not qualify: Jason Leffler (No. 0), Kevin Lepage (No. 4), Steve Park (No. 30), Kyle Petty (No. 45), Mike Bliss (No. 80), Todd Bodine (No. 54)
The Banquet 400 was held at Kansas Speedway on October 5, 2003. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (No. 14), Johnny Sauter (No. 4)
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 11, 2003. Ryan Newman sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Ken Schrader (No. 49), Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Mark Green (No. 14), Jeff Fultz (No. 55)
The Subway 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on October 19, 2003. Jeff Gordon sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Mark Green (No. 14), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89)
The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 26 – October 27, 2003. Ryan Newman sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Jeff Green (No. 43), Buckshot Jones (No. 00), Larry Foyt (No. 14), Mike Wallace (No. 09), Billy Bigley (No. 79), Shelby Howard (No. 27)
The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held Phoenix International Raceway on November 2, 2003. Ryan Newman sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 37), Brandon Ash (No. 02)
The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held at North Carolina Speedway on November 9, 2003. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. Matt Kenseth would clinch the final NASCAR Winston Cup Championship.
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Tim Sauter (No. 71), Rich Bickle (No. 79)
The Ford 400, the final race of the season, and the last race ever under the "Winston Cup" name were held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16, 2003. Jamie McMurray sat on the pole.
Failed to qualify: Ken Schrader (No. 49), Kyle Petty (No. 45), Mike Wallace (No. 09), Derrike Cope (No. 79), Rich Bickle (No. 78)
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings. * – Most laps led.
| Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | TAL | MAR | CAL | RCH | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | CHI | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | TAL | KAN | CLT | MAR | ATL | PHO | CAR | HOM | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Kenseth | 20 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 2* | 7 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 33 | 36 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 43 | 5022 |
| 2 | Jimmie Johnson | 3 | 8 | 11 | 32 | 27 | 8 | 8 | 15* | 9 | 16 | 19 | 1 | 38 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 18 | 4 | 27* | 5 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4932 |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 36 | 33 | 2* | 3 | 6* | 16 | 2 | 1 | 3* | 6 | 3 | 41 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 38 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 32 | 9 | 25 | 17 | 5* | 37 | 2 | 18 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 24 | 4815 |
| 4 | Jeff Gordon | 12 | 15 | 37 | 2 | 33 | 9* | 3 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 24* | 36 | 4 | 33 | 30 | 28* | 32 | 10* | 19 | 5 | 5* | 5 | 5 | 1* | 1 | 7 | 22 | 5 | 4785 |
| 5 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 25 | 13 | 19 | 36 | 7 | 15 | 2 | 16 | 29 | 6 | 13 | 27 | 25 | 18 | 3 | 9* | 17 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 13 | 4* | 7 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 34 | 15 | 2 | 4770 |
| 6 | Ryan Newman | 43 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 22 | 1 | 39 | 38 | 42 | 39 | 5 | 1* | 5 | 41 | 5 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 1* | 11 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 23* | 1 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 3 | 5 | 37 | 4711 |
| 7 | Tony Stewart | 7 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 26 | 34 | 25 | 6 | 41* | 41 | 40 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 2* | 22 | 37 | 12* | 11 | 3 | 23 | 12 | 27 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1* | 3 | 2* | 18 | 9 | 7 | 4549 |
| 8 | Bobby Labonte | 41 | 16 | 4 | 1* | 37 | 3 | 37 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 36 | 14 | 30 | 22 | 14 | 37 | 27 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 31 | 11 | 17 | 6 | 41 | 5 | 36 | 8 | 1 | 4377 |
| 9 | Bill Elliott | 32 | 32 | 14 | 39 | 9 | 18 | 43 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 20 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 31 | 17 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 5 | 37 | 4 | 14 | 13 | 2* | 4 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 1* | 8* | 4303 |
| 10 | Terry Labonte | 30 | 27 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 39 | 16 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 25 | 4 | 15 | 20 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 18 | 6 | 33 | 30 | 12 | 15 | 4162 |
| 11 | Kurt Busch | 2 | 2 | 38 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 36 | 1 | 28 | 36 | 39 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 1 | 13 | 24 | 15 | 38 | 6 | 40 | 41 | 39 | 8 | 4* | 17 | 36 | 4150 |
| 12 | Jeff Burton | 11 | 12 | 6 | 33 | 42 | 13 | 20 | 35 | 4 | 19 | 9 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 38 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 27 | 31 | 11 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 42 | 12 | 32 | 13 | 20 | 10 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 4109 |
| 13 | Jamie McMurray (R) | 31 | 5 | 32 | 36 | 22 | 11 | 10 | 27 | 39 | 5 | 22 | 25 | 13 | 32 | 14 | 20 | 37 | 8 | 40 | 28 | 3 | 22 | 36 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 35 | 9 | 3965 |
| 14 | Rusty Wallace | 25 | 6* | 40 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 37 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 28 | 32 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 37 | 38 | 43 | 36 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 29 | 19 | 33 | 23 | 23 | 3950 |
| 15 | Michael Waltrip | 1* | 19 | 3 | 27 | 5 | 25 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 28 | 4 | 16 | 13 | 7 | 42 | 37 | 32 | 26 | 42 | 1 | 39 | 14 | 26 | 38 | 5 | 37 | 41 | 3934 |
| 16 | Robby Gordon | 6 | 29 | 23 | 17 | 28 | 17 | 18 | 10 | 21 | 27 | 4 | 17 | 9 | 28 | 22 | 1* | 40 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 1* | 6 | 35 | 28 | 29 | 21 | 23 | 12 | 25 | 38 | 36 | 21 | 32 | 20 | 30 | 3856 |
| 17 | Mark Martin | 5 | 7 | 43 | 42 | 4 | 29 | 5 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 5 | 29 | 18 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 41 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 36 | 33 | 13 | 28 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 11 | 14 | 39 | 10 | 41 | 33 | 3769 |
| 18 | Sterling Marlin | 17 | 40 | 8 | 14 | 39 | 6 | 29 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 35 | 6* | 6* | 18 | 19 | 21 | 39 | 10 | 34 | 43 | 19 | 17 | 31 | 22 | 29 | 13 | 39 | 34 | 15 | 43 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 3745 |
| 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | 8 | 41 | 21 | 22 | 30 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 40 | 35 | 25 | 43 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 34 | 38 | 41 | 16 | 28 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 38 | 3 | 12 | 33 | 7 | 43 | 3 | 6 | 3736 |
| 20 | Greg Biffle (R) | 21 | 22 | DNQ | 13 | 12 | 5 | 28 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 30 | 20 | 31 | 37 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 27 | 21 | 30 | 4 | 22 | 10 | 20 | 43 | 7 | 24 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 34 | 15 | 11 | 35 | 3696 |
| 21 | Ward Burton | 38 | 18 | 25 | 18 | 29 | 33 | 12 | 7 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 37 | 8 | 30 | 16 | 30 | 19 | 25 | 19 | 26 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 15 | 39 | 29 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 18 | 13 | 41 | 18 | 32 | 3550 |
| 22 | Elliott Sadler | 23 | 9 | 42 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 41* | 3 | 5 | 23 | 37 | 36 | 33 | 9 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 9 | 27 | 14 | 42 | 15 | 12 | 38 | 9 | 39 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 42 | 43 | 28 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 3525 |
| 23 | Ricky Rudd | 15 | 11 | 19 | 35 | 15 | 4 | 26 | 42 | 11 | 24 | 34 | 33 | 17 | 37 | 43 | 15 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 39 | 38 | 21 | 29 | 33 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 36 | 10 | 23 | 15 | 31 | 17 | 40 | 31 | 3521 |
| 24 | Johnny Benson | 19 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 19 | 32 | 41 | 32 | 36 | 15 | 24 | 5 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 27 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 13 | 27 | 10 | 14 | 40 | 9 | 25 | 21 | 41 | 35 | 16 | 34 | 24 | 21 | 29 | 4 | 3448 |
| 25 | Joe Nemechek | 22 | 23 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 27 | 35 | 21 | 15 | 32 | 1* | 11 | 24 | 38 | 21 | 35 | 38 | 42 | 29 | 7 | 37 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 26 | 3 | 43 | 25 | 37 | 31 | 20 | 10 | 31 | 25 | 17 | 3426 |
| 26 | Dale Jarrett | 10 | 1 | 41 | 21 | 18 | 36 | 13 | 12 | 20 | 37 | 36 | 9 | 39 | 42 | 32 | 42 | 10 | 30 | 7 | 21 | 39 | 7 | 23 | 7 | 34 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 19 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 12 | 29 | 38 | 26 | 3358 |
| 27 | Ricky Craven | 26 | 4 | 36 | 12 | 1 | 15 | 21 | 4 | 27 | 15 | 38 | 38 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 43 | 25 | 21 | 40 | 17 | 28 | 40 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 38 | 40 | 8 | 41 | 19 | 32 | 35 | 38 | 39 | 29 | 3334 |
| 28 | Dave Blaney | 24 | 10 | 34 | 8 | 3 | 38 | 36 | 23 | 31 | 13 | 18 | 14 | 20 | 26 | 38 | 32 | 35 | 31 | 13 | 9 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 14 | 24 | 17 | 43 | 24 | 37 | 37 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 3194 |
| 29 | Jimmy Spencer | 40 | 28 | 17 | 7 | 21 | 12 | 33 | 38 | 19 | 33 | 42 | 4 | 29 | 39 | 29 | 36 | 12 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 8 | 23 | 26 | 22 | 36 | 23 | 15 | 42 | 15 | 26 | 38 | 9 | 40 | 14 | 25 | 3147 | |
| 30 | Kenny Wallace | 16 | 38 | 30 | 26 | 23 | 10 | 23 | 17 | 12 | 22 | 29 | 42 | 23 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 15 | 24 | 38 | 32 | 24 | 34 | 42 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 36 | 28 | 20 | 31 | 32 | 16 | 30 | 25 | 31 | 22 | 3061 |
| 31 | Todd Bodine | 18 | 42 | 20 | 28 | 43 | 40 | 11 | 28 | 37 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 37 | 23 | 13 | 33 | 19 | 8 | 23 | 35 | 43 | 37 | 17 | 42 | 35 | 17 | DNQ | 11 | 29 | 40 | 42 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 2976 |
| 32 | Steve Park | 29 | 21 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 30 | 39 | 20 | 24 | 40 | 43 | 27 | 32 | 35 | 27 | 41 | 39 | 26 | 8 | 25 | 15 | 26 | 5 | 29 | 20 | 31 | 34 | 26 | DNQ | 22 | 36 | 12 | 36 | 39 | 34 | 19 | 2923 |
| 33 | Tony Raines (R) | 33 | 37 | 24 | 24 | 41 | 42 | 42 | 16 | 33 | 31 | 14 | 37 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 31 | DNQ | 22 | 33 | 16 | 25 | 41 | 24 | 20 | 42 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 2772 |
| 34 | Jeff Green | 39 | 31 | 27 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 7 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 40 | 19 | 25 | 33 | 28 | 29 | 16 | 30 | 31 | 20 | 21 | 40 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 27 | 27 | 24 | DNQ | 37 | 19 | 40 | 2656 | ||||
| 35 | Casey Mears (R) | 27 | 30 | 15 | 23 | 34 | 32 | 27 | 40 | 36 | 34 | 28 | 35 | 40 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 25 | 34 | 16 | 35 | 29 | 32 | 41 | 21 | 35 | 41 | 17 | 36 | 37 | 24 | 42 | 17 | 28 | 42 | 33 | 27 | 2638 |
| 36 | Ken Schrader | 42 | 24 | 28 | 38 | 17 | 37 | 24 | 33 | 10 | 30 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 43 | 42 | 33 | 41 | 28 | 36 | 26 | DNQ | DNQ | 8 | 12 | 38 | 25 | 37 | 33 | 21 | 28 | DNQ | 22 | 26 | 27 | 36 | DNQ | 2451 |
| 37 | Kyle Petty | 13 | 35 | 31 | 34 | 26 | 34 | INQ | 11 | 34 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 43 | 27 | 34 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 32 | 34 | 40 | 42 | 16 | 34 | 27 | 34 | 30 | 32 | DNQ | 23 | 40 | 25 | 25 | 35 | 32 | DNQ | 2414 |
| 38 | John Andretti | 34 | 39 | 18 | 29 | 38 | 31 | 19 | 14 | 30 | 8 | 30 | 39 | 34 | 23 | 41 | 33 | 43 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 34 | 15 | 19 | 30 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 30 | 42 | 2379 | |||||||
| 39 | Mike Skinner | 37 | 17 | 39 | 30 | 11 | 41 | 40 | 31 | 35 | 20 | 35 | 20 | 36 | 34 | DNQ | 35 | 22 | 18 | 29 | 18 | 22 | 41 | 27 | 29 | 39 | 21 | 39 | 1960 | |||||||||
| 40 | Jack Sprague (R) | 14 | 34 | 26 | 37 | 40 | 35 | 22 | 34 | 29 | 39 | 26 | 22 | 41 | 22 | 19 | 39 | 31 | 40 | 1284 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | Larry Foyt (R) | DNQ | 36 | 35 | 43 | 32 | DNQ | 30 | DNQ | Wth | 38 | 33 | 34 | 28 | 41 | DNQ | 34 | 41 | DNQ | 29 | 32 | DNQ | 39 | 39 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 43 | DNQ | DNQ | 28 | 28 | 16 | 1228 | |||
| 42 | Mike Wallace | 9 | 30 | 31 | 19 | 31 | 23 | 42 | 37 | 42 | 23 | 12 | 10 | 32 | DNQ | 26 | DNQ | 1189 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 43 | Kevin Lepage | 32 | 30 | 31 | 15 | 27 | DNQ | 21 | 35 | 14 | 23 | 42 | 18 | 877 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | Christian Fittipaldi | 35 | 38 | 35 | 40 | DNQ | 29 | 37 | 24 | DNQ | 40 | 33 | 41 | 43 | 43 | 31 | DNQ | 28 | 34 | 857 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | Jerry Nadeau | 28 | 26 | 22 | 31 | 35 | 28 | 4 | 36 | 41 | 14 | QL | 844 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 46 | Derrike Cope | DNQ | 43 | 29 | 43 | 42 | 43 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 40 | 43 | 35 | 42 | 36 | 34 | DNQ | 39 | Wth | DNQ | 35 | 38 | 37 | 42 | 40 | DNQ | 43 | DNQ | 822 | ||||||||
| 47 | Jason Leffler | 33 | 35 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | DNQ | 30 | 35 | 27 | 764 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 48 | Scott Wimmer | 24 | 24 | DNQ | 32 | 9 | 26 | 12 | 599 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 49 | Brian Vickers | 33 | 43 | 13 | 24 | 34 | 379 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50 | Hermie Sadler | DNQ | DNQ | 43 | 43 | DNQ | DNQ | Wth | 36 | DNQ | DNQ | 41 | 40 | 40 | 39 | DNQ | 30 | 41 | Wth | DNQ | 38 | 373 | ||||||||||||||||
| 51 | Johnny Sauter | 35 | 23 | 25 | 38 | 32 | DNQ | 356 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 52 | Brett Bodine | DNQ | 41 | 31 | 24 | 31 | DNQ | 31 | DNQ | 42 | QL | DNQ | DNQ | Wth | Wth | 308 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 53 | Scott Pruett | 34 | 2 | 236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 54 | Bobby Hamilton Jr. | DNQ | 14 | 27 | 203 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55 | Boris Said | 6 | 39 | 201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56 | Ron Fellows | 7 | 38 | 200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57 | Buckshot Jones | 17 | 40 | DNQ | 160 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 58 | Jason Keller | 32 | DNQ | 26 | 152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 59 | Johnny Miller | 24 | 36 | 146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60 | David Green | DNQ | DNQ | 32 | 35 | 125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 61 | Casey Atwood | 43 | 31 | 113 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 62 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | 20 | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 63 | Hideo Fukuyama (R) | 33 | DNQ | Wth | 43 | 98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 64 | P. J. Jones | DNQ | 24 | 91 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 65 | Mike Bliss | 26 | DNQ | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 66 | Paul Menard | DNQ | 29 | 76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 67 | Jason Jarrett | 29 | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 68 | Ted Musgrave | Wth | DNQ | 31 | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 69 | Morgan Shepherd | DNQ | 43 | 43 | Wth | Wth | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | Wth | DNQ | Wth | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70 | Geoff Bodine | 39 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71 | Stacy Compton | 33 | DNQ | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 72 | Kirk Shelmerdine | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 73 | Mike Harmon | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 74 | Jeff Fultz | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75 | David Starr | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 76 | Kerry Earnhardt | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 77 | Jim Inglebright | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 78 | Brandon Ash | Wth | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 79 | Shane Hmiel | DNQ | Wth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 80 | David Reutimann | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 81 | Carl Long | Wth | DNQ | Wth | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | Tim Sauter | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 83 | Jim Sauter | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 84 | Robert Pressley | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 85 | Billy Bigley | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 86 | Joe Varde | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 87 | Scott Maxwell | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 88 | Mark Green | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 89 | Shelby Howard | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90 | Rich Bickle | Wth | Wth | Wth | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 91 | Norm Benning | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 92 | Kyle Busch | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 93 | Dennis Setzer | QL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | TAL | MAR | CAL | RCH | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | CHI | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | TAL | KAN | CLT | MAR | ATL | PHO | CAR | HOM | Points |
The easy favorite for Rookie of the Year heading was Jamie McMurray, who had won the previous year in just his second start, and he did not disappoint, posting thirteen top-tens and a pole position despite not winning again. Runner-up Greg Biffle finished in the top-25 in the first two races, failed to qualify at Las Vegas, then won the Pepsi 400, while Tony Raines posted just one top ten finish in BACE Motorsports' only full season in Winston Cup. Casey Mears could not finish higher than 15th in his debut season. Former Craftsman Truck Series champion Jack Sprague only lasted eighteen races before being released from his No. 0 ride, while Larry Foyt's best finish in 20 starts was a sixteenth at the season ending race at Homestead. The only other declared candidate, Hideo Fukuyama, dropped out early due to a lack of funding from his BelCar Racing team.
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