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2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Winston Cup Series champion
Dale Earnhardt came in second behind Labonte by 265 points.
Jeff Burton finished third in the championship.
Matt Kenseth, (pictured in 2007) was the NASCAR Rookie of the Year.

The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 52nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States, and was the 29th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 13 and ended on November 20. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte was crowned champion at season's end. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Ford as they captured 14 wins and 234 points to better Pontiac's 11 wins and 213 points. Chevrolet finished third with nine wins and 199 points.[1]

The season was marred by tragedy when Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin Jr. were killed in separate accidents at New Hampshire International Raceway.

This was the final season for three-time Winston Cup Champion Darrell Waltrip. Also, this would unexpectedly be the final full-time season for seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, who was killed the following year in the season-opening Daytona 500.

The 2000 season also marked the final one for various networks that carried NASCAR racing. Because of the new television deal struck on December 15, 1999, it would be the last year for a multitude of these long-time broadcasters. NASCAR on CBS broadcast the final races of its twenty-two-season partnership, ending with the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. NASCAR on TNN and NASCAR on TBS ended their time in the Winston Cup Series; the former's run of ten seasons came to an end at the Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix, while the latter's abruptly ceased at eighteen seasons following the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (TBS had initially won rights for the new deal, but was replaced by TNT). NASCAR on ESPN, alongside its affiliated programming with ESPN on ABC, ended its initial run of covering NASCAR's top series (both networks returned during the 2007 season); ESPN's first run of twenty seasons concluded with the NAPA 500 at Atlanta, while ABC's then twenty-five nonconsecutive seasons with the sport ended with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.

Teams and drivers

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Complete schedule

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Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief
Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 33 Joe Nemechek Danny Gill
55 Kenny Wallace Jimmy Elledge
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 1 Steve Park Paul Andrews
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) Tony Eury
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Terry Labonte 32 Gary DeHart
Todd Bodine 1
Ron Hornaday Jr. 1
24 Jeff Gordon Robbie Loomis
25 Jerry Nadeau Tony Furr
Joe Bessey Racing 60 Geoff Bodine 16 Jim Long
Ted Musgrave 5
Dick Trickle 4
Rich Bickle 5
Joe Bessey 2
Hermie Sadler 2
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis 30 Bob Marcis
R. K. Smith 2
Kerry Earnhardt 1
Dick Trickle 1
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Bobby Hamilton David Ifft
Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kevin Hamlin
31 Mike Skinner Larry McReynolds
Team SABCO 40 Sterling Marlin Scott Eggleston
Mattei Motorsports 7 Michael Waltrip Bobby Kennedy
Ford Bill Elliott Racing 94 Bill Elliott 32 Mike Ford
David Green 2
Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett Bodine Mike Hillman
Donlavey Racing 90 Ed Berrier 18 Craig Huartson
Brian Simo 2
Hut Stricklin 14
Galaxy Motorsports 75 Wally Dallenbach Jr. Newt Moore
Haas-Carter Motorsports 26 Jimmy Spencer Donnie Wingo
66 Darrell Waltrip Larry Carter
Jasper Motorsports 77 Robert Pressley Ryan Pemberton
Melling Racing 9 Stacy Compton 33 (R) Chad Knaus
Jerry Pitts
Bobby Hillin Jr. 1
Penske-Kranefuss Racing 2 Rusty Wallace Robin Pemberton
12 Jeremy Mayfield 32 Peter Sospenzo
Kyle Petty 1
Tom Hubert 1
PPI Motorsports 32 Scott Pruett (R) Scott Houston
Robert Yates Racing 28 Ricky Rudd Michael McSwain
88 Dale Jarrett Todd Parrott
Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Jimmy Fennig
16 Kevin Lepage Pat Tryson
17 Matt Kenseth (R) Robbie Reiser
97 Chad Little 27 Jeff Hammond
Kurt Busch 7
99 Jeff Burton Frank Stoddard
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Elliott Sadler Eddie Wood
Pontiac A. J. Foyt Racing 14 Mike Bliss (R) 4 Philippe Lopez 25
Terry Wooden 4
Waddell Wilson 1
Dick Trickle 2
Rick Mast 28
Bill Davis Racing 22 Ward Burton Tommy Baldwin Jr.
93 Dave Blaney (R) Doug Randolph
Eel River Racing 27 Jeff Fuller (R) 7 Barry Dodson
Mike Bliss (R) 27
Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Bobby Labonte Jimmy Makar
20 Tony Stewart Greg Zipadelli
MB2 Motorsports 36 Ken Schrader Sammy Johns
Petty Enterprises 43 John Andretti Greg Steadman
44 Kyle Petty 21 Bobby Leslie
Chris Hussey
Steve Grissom 13
Tyler Jet Motorsports 10 Johnny Benson James Ince

Limited schedule

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Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief Rounds
Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 35 Geoff Bodine Chris Carrier 1
Bill Baird Motorsports 52 Bill Baird 2
Bobby Hamilton Racing 57 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 1
Coulter Racing 61 Rich Bickle 1
Xpress Motorsports Tim Sauter 1
Gerhart Racing 89 Bobby Gerhart 1
AC Motorsports Austin Cameron 1
Jim & Judie Motorsports 65 Dan Pardus 1
JKR Motorsports 34 David Green 1
Cicci-Welliver Racing Todd Bodine 1
Larry Hedrick Motorsports 41 Rick Mast Philippe Lopez 6
Gary Bradberry 3
LJ Racing 91 Andy Hillenburg 1
Todd Bodine 3
Larry Gunselman 1
Blaise Alexander 2
Marcis Auto Racing 72 Jim Sauter Bob Marcis 1
Dwayne Leik 2
Midwest Transit Racing 50 Ricky Craven Greg Connors 26
NEMCO Motorsports 87 Ron Fellows Brian Pattie 1
Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning 3
Petty-Huggins Motorsports 96 Greg Sacks 1
Team SABCO 42 Kenny Irwin Jr. Tony Glover 17
01 Ted Musgrave 14
P. J. Jones 1
Bobby Hamilton Jr. 1
Ford Evernham Motorsports 19 Casey Atwood Chad Knaus 2
Patrick Donahue 1 		3
Fenley-Moore Motorsports 15 Derrike Cope Joey Knuckles 4
Ted Musgrave 2
Haas-Carter Motorsports 46 Todd Bodine 1
Hover Motorsports 80 Morgan Shepherd 1
MacPherson Motorsports 98 Jeff Fuller Vic Kangas 1
Geoff Bodine 1
Mansion Motorsports 85 Carl Long Keith Montgomery 10
Darrell Waltrip 1
Penske-Kranefuss Racing 02 Ryan Newman Matt Borland 1
PPI Motorsports 96 Andy Houston Joe Garone 5
Sadler Brothers Racing 95 David Keith 2
Spencer Motor Ventures 23 Boris Said Richard Broome 3
TriStar Motorsports 48 Stanton Barrett 1
Team Menard 13 Robby Gordon Mark Tudor 23
P. J. Jones 1
Pontiac A. J. Foyt Racing 41 Larry Foyt 1
Bill Davis Racing 23 Scott Wimmer 1
Buckshot Racing 00 Buckshot Jones 1
Chevrolet
Pontiac 		Petty Enterprises 45 Adam Petty Chris Hussey 1
Kyle Petty 2

Schedule

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No. Race title Track Date
Bud Shootout Qualifier Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 13
Bud Shootout
Gatorade 125s February 17
1 Daytona 500 February 20
2 Dura Lube/Kmart 400 North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham February 27
3 CarsDirect.com 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas March 5
4 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton March 12
5 Mall.com 400 Darlington Raceway, Darlington March 19
6 Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol March 26
7 DirecTV 500 Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth April 2
8 Goody's Body Pain 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 9
9 DieHard 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega April 16
10 NAPA Auto Parts 500 California Speedway, Fontana April 30
11 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond May 6
No Bull 25 Shootout Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord May 19
Winston Open May 20
No Bull Sprint
The Winston
12 Coca-Cola 600 May 28
13 MBNA Platinum 400 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover June 4
14 Kmart 400 Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn June 11
15 Pocono 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond June 19
16 Save Mart/Kragen 350 Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma June 25
17 Pepsi 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 1
18 thatlook.com 300 New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon July 9
19 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond July 23
20 Brickyard 400 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway August 5
21 Global Crossing @ The Glen Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen August 13
22 Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn August 20
23 goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTel Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol August 26
24 Pepsi Southern 500 presented by Kmart Darlington Raceway, Darlington September 3
25 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond September 9
26 Dura Lube 300 sponsored by Kmart New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon September 17
27 MBNA.com 400 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 24
28 NAPA Autocare 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway October 1
29 UAW-GM Quality 500 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord October 8
30 Winston 500 presented by UPS Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega October 15
31 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham October 22
32 Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500k Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix November 5
33 Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto Parts Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead November 12
34 NAPA 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton November 20

Results

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No. Race Pole position Most laps led Winning driver Manufacturer
Bud Shootout Qualifier Ricky Craven Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
Bud Shootout Mark Martin Sterling Marlin Dale Jarrett Ford
Gatorade 125#1 Dale Jarrett Bill Elliott Bill Elliott Ford
Gatorade 125#2 Ricky Rudd Ricky Rudd Ricky Rudd Ford
1 Daytona 500 Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
2 Dura Lube/Kmart 400 Rusty Wallace Bobby Labonte Bobby Labonte Pontiac
3 CarsDirect.com 400 Ricky Rudd Jeff Burton Jeff Burton Ford
4 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 Dale Jarrett Mike Skinner Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
5 Mall.com 400 Jeff Gordon Ward Burton Ward Burton Pontiac
6 Food City 500 Steve Park Jeff Gordon Rusty Wallace Ford
7 DirecTV 500 Terry Labonte Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
8 Goody's Body Pain 500 Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Mark Martin Ford
9 DieHard 500 Jeremy Mayfield Mark Martin Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
10 NAPA Auto Parts 500 Mike Skinner Matt Kenseth Jeremy Mayfield Ford
11 Pontiac Excitement 400 Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
No Bull 25 Race 1 Ricky Craven Jerry Nadeau Jerry Nadeau Chevrolet
No Bull 25 Race 2 Mike Skinner Steve Park Jimmy Spencer Ford
Winston Open Jerry Nadeau Jerry Nadeau Steve Park Chevrolet
No Bull Sprint Mike Skinner Mike Skinner Jerry Nadeau Chevrolet
The Winston Bill Elliott Bill Elliott Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
12 Coca-Cola 600 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Matt Kenseth Ford
13 MBNA Platinum 400 Rusty Wallace Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
14 Kmart 400 Bobby Labonte Jeremy Mayfield Tony Stewart Pontiac
15 Pocono 500 Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Jeremy Mayfield Ford
16 Save Mart/Kragen 350 Rusty Wallace Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
17 Pepsi 400 Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Jeff Burton Ford
18 thatlook.com 300 Rusty Wallace Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
19 Pennsylvania 500 Tony Stewart Dale Jarrett Rusty Wallace Ford
20 Brickyard 400 Ricky Rudd Rusty Wallace Bobby Labonte Pontiac
21 Global Crossing @ The Glen Bobby Labonte Steve Park Steve Park Chevrolet
22 Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Ford
23 goracing.com 500 Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Ford
24 Pepsi Southern 500 Jeremy Mayfield Jeremy Mayfield Bobby Labonte Pontiac
25 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 Jeff Burton Jeff Burton Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
26 Dura Lube 300 sponsored by Kmart Bobby Labonte Jeff Burton Jeff Burton Ford
27 MBNA.com 400 Jeremy Mayfield Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
28 NAPA Autocare 500 Tony Stewart Jeff Burton Tony Stewart Pontiac
29 UAW-GM Quality 500 Jeff Gordon Ricky Rudd Bobby Labonte Pontiac
30 Winston 500 Joe Nemechek Bill Elliott Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
31 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Jeremy Mayfield Jeremy Mayfield Dale Jarrett Ford
32 Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500k Rusty Wallace Jeff Burton Jeff Burton Ford
33 Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto Parts Steve Park Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
34 NAPA 500 Jeff Gordon Jerry Nadeau Jerry Nadeau Chevrolet

Bud Shootout

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The Bud Shootout, an exhibition race for all Pole Award winners from the previous season, was held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Mark Martin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top 10 results

  1. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  2. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  3. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  4. #20 - Tony Stewart
  5. #16 - Kevin Lepage
  6. #36 - Ken Schrader
  7. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  8. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  9. #42 - Kenny Irwin Jr.
  10. #22 - Ward Burton

Gatorade 125s

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The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd were the polesitters for races 1 and 2, respectively. The Gatorade Twin 125s were broadcast tape-delayed on February 19 on CBS after the NASCAR Busch Series race.

Race one top 10 results

  1. #94 - Bill Elliott*
  2. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  3. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  4. #20 - Tony Stewart
  5. #6 - Mark Martin
  6. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  7. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  8. #32 - Scott Pruett
  9. #13 - Robby Gordon
  10. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  • This would be the 1st checkered flag of any kind for Bill Elliott since his 40th career win in the 1994 Southern 500 at Darlington.

Race two top 10 results

  1. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  2. #31 - Mike Skinner
  3. #22 - Ward Burton
  4. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. #7 - Michael Waltrip
  6. #15 - Derrike Cope
  7. #99 - Jeff Burton
  8. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  9. #42 - Kenny Irwin Jr.
  10. #25 - Jerry Nadeau
  • Dale Earnhardt finished 11th in duel 2, making this the first time since 1989 that Earnhardt failed to win one of the Daytona 500 duel races. He would have some very negative comments about the new aerodynamics package following this race, and after the finish of the Daytona 500.

42nd Daytona 500

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Main article: 2000 Daytona 500

The 2000 Daytona 500 was held February 20 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was televised by CBS.

Top ten results

  1. #88 - Dale Jarrett*
  2. #99 - Jeff Burton
  3. #94 - Bill Elliott
  4. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  5. #6 - Mark Martin
  6. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  7. #5 - Terry Labonte
  8. #22 - Ward Burton
  9. #36 - Ken Schrader
  10. #17 - Matt Kenseth*

Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (#60), Norm Benning (#84), Jim Sauter (#72), Dan Pardus (#65), Carl Long (#85), Stanton Barrett (#48), Bobby Gerhart (#89), Greg Sacks (#96), Brett Bodine (#11), Dave Marcis (#71), Andy Hillenburg (#91), Jeff Fuller (#27), Ricky Craven (#50), David Green (#34)

  • Dale Jarrett won the Winston No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus.
  • As of 2022, Dale Jarrett is the last driver to win the Daytona 500 from the pole.
  • This would be the 1st time since 1989 that Dale Earnhardt failed to win any NASCAR race in Daytona Speedweeks. This would also be the first time in his career that he failed to finish in the top-10 in all of the races during Speedweeks. He didn't race in the Bud Shootout, he finished 11th in the 1st race of the Gatorade Twin 125s, and he would finish 21st in this race.
  • This race was the start of major controversy due to the new aerodynamics package NASCAR officials made for both the Daytona and Talladega races this year. This resulted in what is often considered to be one of the worst Daytona 500s in history, as the race only saw 9 lead changes, and the majority of the race was single file racing, almost 2 full car lengths apart per car. The entire 2000 Speedweeks saw a total of just 14 lead changes. Dale Earnhardt would be very vocal about the negativity of the aerodynamics package following this race.
  • This was the last Daytona 500 to be televised by CBS, and thus the last 500 broadcasts for Buddy Baker and Ned Jarrett.
  • Dave Marcis failed to qualify, ending his streak of 32 consecutive Daytona 500 starts, dating back to 1968.
  • Driving a solid-white Pontiac for Tyler Jet Motorsports with last-minute sponsorship from Lycos, Inc., Johnny Benson was in the lead with less than 10 laps to go and looked to be en route to his first Cup Series victory. After a late caution flag and restart, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Burton both passed him with four laps to go. Jarrett would wind up winning the race under caution, and Benson finished 12th.

Dura Lube/Kmart 400

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Main article: 2000 Dura Lube/Kmart 400

The Dura Lube/Kmart 400 was held February 27 at North Carolina Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #22 - Ward Burton
  4. #20 - Tony Stewart
  5. #88 - Dale Jarrett 1 lap down
  6. #28 - Ricky Rudd 1 lap down
  7. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down
  8. #6 - Mark Martin 1 lap down
  9. #1 - Steve Park 1 lap down
  10. #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Ricky Craven (#50), Scott Pruett (#32), Dave Blaney (#93), Mike Bliss (#14)

CarsDirect.com 400

[edit]
Main article: 2000 CarsDirect.com 400

The CarsDirect.com 400 was held March 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. #99 - Jeff Burton*
  2. #20 - Tony Stewart
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #94 - Bill Elliott
  5. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  6. #10 - Johnny Benson
  7. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  8. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  9. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  10. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#41), Mike Bliss (#14), Ed Berrier (#90), Brett Bodine (#11), Dave Marcis (#71), Austin Cameron (#89)

  • Jeff Burton had also won the No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus.
  • The race was shortened to 148 laps due to rain.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500

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The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #3 - Dale Earnhardt*
  2. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #1 - Steve Park
  5. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  6. #97 - Chad Little
  7. #91 - Todd Bodine
  8. #22 - Ward Burton 1 lap down
  9. #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down
  10. #94 - Bill Elliott 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Ed Berrier (#90), Johnny Benson (#10), Mike Bliss (#14), Robby Gordon (#13)

  • The race was highlighted with a photo finish by Dale Earnhardt over Bobby Labonte at a margin of 0.010 seconds.
  • This was Earnhardt's 75th career NASCAR Winston Cup win and his final win at a non-restrictor plate track. Earnhardt also became the third driver to win on both configurations of Atlanta Motor Speedway, the others being Bobby Labonte and Jeff Gordon.
  • As of today, with this win in the year 2000, Dale Earnhardt would be 1st and only driver in NASCAR history to score at least 1 win in 4 consecutive decades. He scored his 1st career win in 1979 at Bristol, and then followed it up with 38 wins in the 1980s, and 35 wins in the 1990s.
  • Mike Skinner led a race-high 191 laps and looked as if he would capture his first Winston Cup points win when an engine failure dropped him out of the race while leading with 20 laps to go. Skinner would finish 30th.

Mall.com 400

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Mall.com 400

The Mall.com 400 was held March 19 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #22 - Ward Burton*
  2. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #20 - Tony Stewart
  5. #99 - Jeff Burton
  6. #17 - Matt Kenseth
  7. #4 - Bobby Hamilton
  8. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  9. #6 - Mark Martin
  10. #16 - Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#15), Ricky Craven (#50), Scott Pruett (#32), Wally Dallenbach Jr. (#75), Ed Berrier (#90)

  • This was Pontiac's first win at Darlington since 1963 by Joe Weatherly.
  • This was Ward Burton's first Cup victory in 131 races, dating back to his first career victory at Rockingham in October 1995.
  • This win marked the first time that Ward and Jeff Burton each won a race in the same season.

Food City 500

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held March 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Park won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #2 - Rusty Wallace*
  2. #10 - Johnny Benson
  3. #22 - Ward Burton
  4. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  5. #5 - Terry Labonte
  6. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  7. #1 - Steve Park
  8. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  9. #99 - Jeff Burton
  10. #40 - Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Ricky Craven (#50), Ed Berrier (#90), Scott Pruett (#32)

  • On lap 390, Jeff Gordon ran over one of Steve Park's old right-side tires that had been left on pit road, ending his chances to win. This incident led to the rule change that pit crews have to bring the right-side tires back to the pit wall during a pit stop.
  • Rusty Wallace became the 10th driver to win 50+ NASCAR races, and the first to do so since Dale Earnhardt in 1991.

DirecTV 500

[edit]
Main article: 2000 DirecTV 500

The DirecTV 500 was held April 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.*
  2. #99 - Jeff Burton
  3. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  4. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  5. #16 - Kevin Lepage
  6. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  7. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  8. #5 - Terry Labonte
  9. #20 - Tony Stewart
  10. #28 - Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Robby Gordon (#13), Dave Marcis (#71), Wally Dallenbach Jr. (#75), Kyle Petty (#44), Todd Bodine (#91)

  • 19-year-old Adam Petty made his only career Cup Series start in this race, becoming the first fourth-generation athlete in professional sports history. Adam qualified 33rd and finished 40th with a blown engine. His great-grandfather, NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty, lived to see Adam race in NASCAR's top level. Lee would die just three days later on April 5, at the age of 86.
  • This was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s first career Cup Series victory, coming in his 12th Cup Series start.
  • Kyle Petty later relieved an injured Elliott Sadler, who suffered shoulder bruising after a cut tire on lap 119. The tire tore through the car's fender and the tire hit his shoulder several times.

Goody's Body Pain 500

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Goody's Body Pain 500

The Goody's Body Pain 500 was held April 9 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #6 - Mark Martin
  2. #99 - Jeff Burton
  3. #7 - Michael Waltrip
  4. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  5. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  6. #20 - Tony Stewart
  7. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  8. #94 - Bill Elliott
  9. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  10. #2 - Rusty Wallace*

Failed to qualify: Wally Dallenbach Jr. (#75), Rick Mast (#14), Dave Marcis (#71), Ed Berrier (#90)

  • This race had 17 cautions for 116 laps, season highs for the 2000 season.
  • Rusty Wallace dominated, leading 343 of the race's 500 laps, but with 64 laps to go, eventual winner Mark Martin passed Wallace and led until the finish.
  • This race was dedicated to the memory of Lee Petty, who died on April 5 due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was 86 years old.

DieHard 500

[edit]

The DieHard 500 was held April 16 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #24 - Jeff Gordon*
  2. #31 - Mike Skinner
  3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #42 - Kenny Irwin Jr.
  5. #26 - Jimmy Spencer
  6. #6 - Mark Martin
  7. #5 - Terry Labonte
  8. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  9. #44 - Kyle Petty
  10. #22 - Ward Burton

Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (#11), Kevin Lepage (#16), Gary Bradberry* (#41), Rick Mast (#14), Elliott Sadler (#21)

  • Gordon became the 11th driver, and the second driver of 2000, to win 50+ NASCAR races, joining Rusty Wallace who won three weeks prior to Bristol.
  • This event marked the last race attempted by Larry Hedrick Motorsports, which failed to qualify with Gary Bradberry.
  • Bud Moore Engineering made its final career start in this race, with Ted Musgrave finishing 35th after crashing out during the big one. The team would fold after failing to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte the following month, Moore originally planned to attempt to bring the #15 car to qualify for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July, but later withdrew.

NAPA Auto Parts 500

[edit]
Main article: 2000 NAPA Auto Parts 500

The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held April 30 at California Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield*
  2. #18 - Bobby Labonte*
  3. #17 - Matt Kenseth
  4. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  5. #99 - Jeff Burton
  6. #22 - Ward Burton
  7. #31 - Mike Skinner
  8. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  9. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  10. #20 - Tony Stewart

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Ed Berrier (#90), Dwayne Leik (#72)

  • Jeremy Mayfield was fined 151 points and crew chief Peter Sospenzo was fined and suspended after this race for a rules infraction related to the DieHard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR delayed the penalty in order to research the motive behind the infraction.
  • Bobby Labonte took the points to lead after gaining it at Darlington and losing it at Talladega. He would keep it for the remainder of 2000.
  • Mayfield's victory made him the 10th different winner in the first 10 races of the season, a record that still stands to this day.

Pontiac Excitement 400

[edit]

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held May 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.*
  2. #5 - Terry Labonte
  3. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  4. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  5. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  6. #22 - Ward Burton
  7. #99 - Jeff Burton
  8. #20 - Tony Stewart
  9. #94 - Bill Elliott
  10. #3 - Dale Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#14), Darrell Waltrip (#66), Dave Marcis (#71), Ed Berrier (#90)

  • Earnhardt Jr.'s victory made him the first repeat winner of 2000.
  • This was Darrell Waltrip's first DNQ this season, having exhausted his past champion's provisionals.
  • This race saw Geoffrey Bodine make his first Cup Series start since his horrific crash in the Truck Series race at Daytona in February. Bodine started an impressive 4th and finished 13th.

The Winston

[edit]
Main article: 2000 The Winston

The Winston, the all-star race for all past champions and recent winners, was held May 20 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Top ten results

  1. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #25 - Jerry Nadeau
  5. #99 - Jeff Burton
  6. #5 - Terry Labonte
  7. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  8. #94 - Bill Elliott
  9. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  10. #22 - Ward Burton
  • Earnhardt Jr. became the first driver to win an All-Star Race in his rookie season.
  • This was the 16th and final All-Star race to feature Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt. They are also the only two drivers in NASCAR history to compete in the first 16 races of the Winston.

Coca-Cola 600

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #17 - Matt Kenseth*
  2. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  6. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  7. #31 - Mike Skinner
  8. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  9. #1 - Steve Park
  10. #24 - Jeff Gordon

Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave (#15), Steve Grissom (#44), Ed Berrier (#90), Darrell Waltrip (#66), Dave Marcis (#71)

  • Carl Long originally qualified for the event, but gave up his spot for Darrell Waltrip to compete in his final Coca-Cola 600. Waltrip would drive the #85 Ford, finishing 14 laps down in 36th.
  • The race was stopped on lap 254 by a 51-minute red flag due to rain.
  • This was Kenseth's first career Cup Series victory, the first rookie ever to win the Coca-Cola 600.
  • This would be the first time in NASCAR history that two rookies won in the same season, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. had won two races prior to Kenseth winning.
  • Robby Gordon was competing in the Indianapolis 500, where the start was rain-delayed by three hours. P. J. Jones started in place of Gordon in the #13 Ford. After finishing 6th at Indy, Gordon decided to fly to Charlotte anyway, arriving during the red flag at lap 254 and drove the remainder of this race. The car finished 35th, 11 laps behind the leader.
  • John Andretti, who was dealing with rib injuries suffered in a crash in The Winston, started the race in the #43 Pontiac. Andretti drove until lap 81 when he was relieved by Tim Fedewa. The car would finish 7 laps down in 31st.

MBNA Platinum 400

[edit]

The MBNA Platinum 400 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #20 - Tony Stewart*
  2. #17 - Matt Kenseth
  3. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  4. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  5. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  6. #3 - Dale Earnhardt 1 lap down
  7. #33 - Joe Nemechek 2 laps down
  8. #22 - Ward Burton 2 laps down
  9. #31 - Mike Skinner 2 laps down
  10. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty* (#44), Carl Long (#85)

  • Stewart led 242 of 400 laps and moved up to 9th place in points.
  • Kyle Petty actually ran this race for John Andretti, makingthe driver swap at the first caution. This was Kyle's first race since the death of his son Adam. The car would finish 13th, 2 laps down to the winner.

Kmart 400

[edit]

The Kmart 400 was held June 11 at Michigan Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #20 - Tony Stewart
  2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  4. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  5. #77 - Robert Pressley
  6. #22 - Ward Burton
  7. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  8. #94 - Bill Elliott
  9. #43 - John Andretti
  10. #40 - Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: Darrell Waltrip (#66), Ricky Craven (#50), Dave Marcis (#71)

  • Elliott Sadler went for a wild ride in practice, flipping 12 times after blowing a tire on the front stretch. He was not injured.
  • The race was shortened to 194 laps due to darkness caused by two rain delays. Due to the rain delay, race coverage was moved from CBS to TNN but retained the CBS announcer team and graphics.

Pocono 500

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was scheduled for June 18 but was held June 19 at Pocono Raceway due to rain. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  2. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  3. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  4. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  5. #6 - Mark Martin
  6. #20 - Tony Stewart
  7. #99 - Jeff Burton
  8. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  9. #31 - Mike Skinner
  10. #2 - Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: Darrell Waltrip (#66), Dwayne Leik (#72), Bill Baird (#52)

  • This race is remembered for Mayfield moving Dale Earnhardt out of the way on the final turn of the final lap to take the win.

Save Mart/Kragen 350

[edit]

The Save Mart/Kragen 350 was held June 25 at Sears Point Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #24 - Jeff Gordon*
  2. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  5. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  6. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  7. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  8. #25 - Jerry Nadeau
  9. #13 - Robby Gordon
  10. #20 - Tony Stewart

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#14), Geoff Bodine (#60), R. K. Smith (#71)

  • This was Gordon's 6th consecutive road course victory, a record that still stands today.

Pepsi 400

[edit]

The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #99 - Jeff Burton
  2. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  3. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  4. #6 - Mark Martin
  5. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  6. #20 - Tony Stewart
  7. #22 - Ward Burton
  8. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  9. #31 - Mike Skinner
  10. #24 - Jeff Gordon

Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (#11), Dave Marcis (#71), Robby Gordon (#13)

  • Kenny Irwin Jr. made his final career Cup Series start in this race, finishing 22nd.
  • Last Winston Cup race to be televised on CBS. CBS had been with NASCAR since the 1979 Daytona 500.

thatlook.com 300

[edit]

The thatlook.com 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The weekend was marked by tragedy as Kenny Irwin Jr. was killed in a Turn 3 practice crash on July 7.

Top ten results

  1. #20 - Tony Stewart*
  2. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #25 - Jerry Nadeau
  5. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  6. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  7. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  8. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  9. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  10. #28 - Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71)

Withdrawn: Kenny Irwin Jr. (#42)

  • The race was shortened to 273 laps due to rain.
  • Race winner Tony Stewart would give the race trophy to Irwin's parents.
  • Irwin's death happened on the same day it was announced that Chip Ganassi had purchased majority interest in the Felix Sabates team.[2]
  • Kenny Irwin's teammate on the SABCO team, Sterling Marlin, declined to run in qualifying following Irwin's death; choosing to use a provisional to enter the race. He finished 1 lap down to the leader in 25th.
  • Felix Sabates would change the car number of the #42 team to #01 for the remainder of the season. Ted Musgrave, P. J. Jones, and Bobby Hamilton Jr. would finish the season driving for the team.

Pennsylvania 500

[edit]

The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 23 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  2. #99 - Jeff Burton
  3. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  4. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  5. #17 - Matt Kenseth
  6. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  7. #31 - Mike Skinner
  8. #14 - Rick Mast
  9. #26 - Jimmy Spencer
  10. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield

Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (#60), Carl Long (#85)

  • Jeremy Mayfield was less than a lap away from the Pocono sweep when a cut tire sent him from the lead to 10th place.
  • Terry Labonte had Rich Bickle relieve him at the first caution period, who drove to an 11th-place finish, on the lead lap.

Brickyard 400

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  2. #2 - Rusty Wallace*
  3. #94 - Bill Elliott
  4. #25 - Jerry Nadeau
  5. #20 - Tony Stewart
  6. #99 - Jeff Burton
  7. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  8. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  9. #31 - Mike Skinner
  10. #32 - Scott Pruett

Failed to qualify: David Keith (#95), Rich Bickle (#61), Dave Marcis (#71), Robby Gordon (#13), Steve Grissom (#44), Bill Baird (#52)

  • Rusty Wallace led a dominating 110 laps of the race's 160, but Bobby Labonte caught and passed Wallace to lead the last 15 laps and win the race.
  • This race has the record for the fastest Brickyard 400, with only 2 cautions and an average speed of 155.912 mph.
  • Terry Labonte was forced to miss this and the next race due to inner ear injuries suffered at Pocono, ending his streak of consecutive Cup Series starts at 655. This record would be broken by Ricky Rudd in 2002.
  • Todd Bodine drove Labonte's #5 Chevy for this race, finishing 1 lap down in 15th.
  • The race was ABC's last broadcast of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series until the 2007 fall Richmond race (in which the series was renamed to NASCAR Nextel Cup Series) as part of the ESPN group of networks.

Global Crossing @ The Glen

[edit]

The Global Crossing @ The Glen was held August 13 at Watkins Glen International. Due to qualifying being rained out, the starting lineup was set by owner's points, so Bobby Labonte was awarded pole position.

Top ten results

  1. #1 - Steve Park*
  2. #6 - Mark Martin
  3. #99 - Jeff Burton
  4. #13 - Robby Gordon
  5. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  6. #20 - Tony Stewart*
  7. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  8. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  9. #75 - Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  10. #17 - Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: Boris Said (#23), Scott Pruett (#32), R. K. Smith (#71), Brett Bodine (#11), Brian Simo (#90)

  • This was Park's first career Winston Cup victory.
  • Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart collided with each other on lap 2, causing him to hit the guardrail. Gordon finished 23rd, ending his streak of consecutive road course victories.
  • Ron Hornaday Jr. drove Terry Labonte's #5 car for this race.

Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer

[edit]

The Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer was held August 20 at Michigan Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  2. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  3. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  4. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  5. #10 - Johnny Benson
  6. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  7. #26 - Jimmy Spencer
  8. #17 - Matt Kenseth
  9. #22 - Ward Burton
  10. #99 - Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (#60), Darrell Waltrip (#66), Stacy Compton (#9), Kyle Petty (#44), David Keith (#95), Carl Long (#85)

  • Kerry Earnhardt make his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut in this race, driving the #71 Chevy for Dave Marcis. The presence of Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kerry made this the only time in NASCAR's modern era, and only the second time in NASCAR's history altogether that a father would race against two of his sons. Lee Petty had previously accomplished that feat with sons Richard and Maurice back in 1960.[3] While Dale Sr. would finish a strong sixth position, both of his sons had troubles during the race. Dale Jr. blew an engine en route to a 31st-place finish, while Kerry fell victim to an early accident and finished last.

goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTel

[edit]

The goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTel was held August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  2. #20 - Tony Stewart
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  5. #1 - Steve Park
  6. #99 - Jeff Burton
  7. #21 - Elliott Sadler
  8. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  9. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  10. #28 - Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss (#27), Hut Stricklin (#90), Carl Long (#85), Ricky Craven (#50)

Pepsi Southern 500 presented by Kmart

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Pepsi Southern 500

The Pepsi Southern 500 presented by Kmart was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #18 - Bobby Labonte*
  2. #99 - Jeff Burton
  3. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  5. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  6. #22 - Ward Burton
  7. #16 - Kevin Lepage
  8. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  9. #20 - Tony Stewart
  10. #1 - Steve Park

Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (#9)

  • The race was shortened to 328 laps due to thunderstorms. Due to the rain delay, race coverage was moved from ESPN to ESPN2 but retained ESPN's announcer team and graphics.
  • Bobby Labonte won the race from the 37th starting position. the worst starting spot to victory since Jeff Gordon at Talladega when he started 36th.
  • Darrell Waltrip made his 800th career Cup Series start in this race, becoming the 3rd driver to accomplish this feat.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400

[edit]

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #24 - Jeff Gordon*
  2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #1 - Steve Park
  5. #99 - Jeff Burton
  6. #20 - Tony Stewart
  7. #10 - Johnny Benson
  8. #22 - Ward Burton
  9. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  10. #25 - Jerry Nadeau

Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss (#27), Robby Gordon (#13), Darrell Waltrip (#66), Dave Marcis (#71)

  • Gordon's victory denied Earnhardt a million-dollar bonus as being eligible for the No Bull 5 program in this event.
  • Casey Atwood, along with Ray Evernham's new team Evernham Motorsports, made their NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut in the #19 Ford (the team switched to Dodge in 2001 due to the team being a huge part of Dodge's return into NASCAR). Atwood finished his debut in 19th place, two laps down.
  • This would be the final time that Darrell Waltrip failed to qualify for a Winston Cup race.

Dura Lube 300 sponsored by Kmart

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Dura Lube 300

The Dura Lube 300 sponsored by Kmart was held September 17 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #99 - Jeff Burton*
  2. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  3. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  4. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  5. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  6. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  7. #43 - John Andretti
  8. #6 - Mark Martin
  9. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  10. #36 - Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Steve Grissom (#44), Dave Marcis (#71)

  • This race is the only non-superspeedway Cup race to run restrictor plates race since the adoption of the current 358 cubic inch formula. After the deaths of Adam Petty in May and Kenny Irwin Jr. in July, NASCAR decided to run restrictor plates as both accidents were caused by stuck throttles. Adding restrictor plates did have the desired result of slowing down the cars drastically, but also restricted passing so much that Jeff Burton led all 300 laps. This lack of passing was so uncompetitive that restrictor plates were gone for the very next Cup race. Replacing the plates was an engine kill switch, which was located on the steering wheel, and it allowed drivers to halt the car if their throttle was stuck.
  • Jeff Burton led all 300 laps. As of 2020, this was the last time that a driver led every single lap in a NASCAR points race. The closest a driver came to accomplishing this feat was in 2016 when Martin Truex Jr. led 392 of 400 laps and won the Coca-Cola 600.

MBNA.com 400

[edit]

The MBNA.com 400 was held September 24 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #20 - Tony Stewart
  2. #10 - Johnny Benson
  3. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  4. #1 - Steve Park
  5. #18 - Bobby Labonte
  6. #6 - Mark Martin
  7. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  8. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  9. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  10. #14 - Rick Mast 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Hut Stricklin (#90), Joe Bessey (#60)

  • Kurt Busch made his Cup Series debut in this race, replacing Chad Little as driver of the #97 Roush Racing Ford. Busch started 10th and finished 18th.
  • This was the last race to air on TNN under "The Nashville Network" name.

NAPA Autocare 500

[edit]

The NAPA Autocare 500 was held October 1 at Martinsville Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #20 - Tony Stewart
  2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #99 - Jeff Burton
  4. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  5. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  6. #88 - Dale Jarrett
  7. #26 - Jimmy Spencer
  8. #31 - Mike Skinner
  9. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  10. #18 - Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (#32), Steve Grissom (#44), Carl Long (#85), Dave Marcis (#71), Rich Bickle (#60)

UAW-GM Quality 500

[edit]

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #18 - Bobby Labonte*
  2. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  3. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  4. #20 - Tony Stewart
  5. #6 - Mark Martin
  6. #99 - Jeff Burton
  7. #1 - Steve Park
  8. #10 - Johnny Benson
  9. #17 - Matt Kenseth
  10. #22 - Ward Burton

Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (#32), Ricky Craven (#50), Steve Grissom (#44), Carl Long (#85), Stacy Compton (#9), Dave Marcis (#71)

  • This was the final race aired on TBS.
  • This was Labonte's fourth and final victory of 2000, giving him a 252-point lead over Jeff Burton.

Winston 500 presented by UPS

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held on October 15 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. Bill Elliott led the most laps.

Top ten results

  1. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. #55 - Kenny Wallace
  3. #33 - Joe Nemechek
  4. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  5. #5 - Terry Labonte
  6. #31 - Mike Skinner*
  7. #6 - Mark Martin
  8. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  9. #27 - Mike Bliss
  10. #17 - Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: Wally Dallenbach Jr. (#75), Blaise Alexander (#91), Hut Stricklin (#90)

  • This would be Earnhardt's 76th and final career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory before his death in the 2001 Daytona 500.
  • In addition, this would be Earnhardt's 100th overall victory in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, with 76 points wins and 24 non-points races throughout his career.
  • This would be the last Cup victory for the RCR #3 until Austin Dillon's victory at the 2017 Coca-Cola 600.
  • This race is strongly remembered for Earnhardt's late-race charge from the back to the front. With 5 laps to go, Earnhardt was battling for the 18th position, but in just 3 laps, he went from the 18th spot to battling for the lead with less than 2 laps to go. He actually ended up taking the lead from both his teammate Mike Skinner, and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the tri-oval, coming to the white flag.
  • This was Dale Earnhardt's first, and only, Winston No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus win.
  • This was Earnhardt's 10th career Talladega win, the most wins at Talladega by a driver as of 2020.
  • This race was the debut of a new aerodynamics package for both Daytona and Talladega restrictor-plate races. This new package was supposed to go into effect starting in the 2001 Daytona 500, but due to the controversy of the 1st 3 plate races earlier in the season, the new rules package took effect immediately in this race. The new package for this race saw a lot of passing and had a total of 49 lead changes among 21 different drivers.
  • This was the last Cup race sponsored by a tobacco product.

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400

[edit]

The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #88 - Dale Jarrett*
  2. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  3. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  4. #99 - Jeff Burton
  5. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  6. #1 - Steve Park
  7. #20 - Tony Stewart
  8. #22 - Ward Burton
  9. #4 - Bobby Hamilton
  10. #33 - Joe Nemechek

Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave (#01), Rich Bickle (#60), Steve Grissom (#44), Hut Stricklin (#90), Stacy Compton (#9)

  • This was Jarrett's first victory since the Daytona 500 back in February.
  • This was the first race to air on TNN under "The National Network" name.

Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500

[edit]

The Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 was held November 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #99 - Jeff Burton
  2. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  3. #1 - Steve Park
  4. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  5. #18 - Bobby Labonte*
  6. #6 - Mark Martin
  7. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  8. #93 - Dave Blaney
  9. #3 - Dale Earnhardt
  10. #88 - Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (#9), Steve Grissom (#44), Robby Gordon (#13), Dave Marcis (#71), Hut Stricklin (#90)

  • It was the last race televised by The Nashville Network (during the broadcast, known as The National Network), which was later called Spike, and is now called Paramount Network.
  • Ryan Newman made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in this race, starting 10th and finishing 41st.
  • Bobby Labonte's 5th-place finish gave him a 218-point lead over Dale Earnhardt. Labonte could mathematically win the championship at Homestead if he finishes at least 5th or better.

Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto Parts

[edit]
Main article: 2000 Pennzoil 400

The Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto Parts was held November 12 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Steve Park won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #20 - Tony Stewart
  2. #12 - Jeremy Mayfield
  3. #6 - Mark Martin
  4. #18 - Bobby Labonte*
  5. #26 - Jimmy Spencer
  6. #28 - Ricky Rudd
  7. #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down
  8. #1 - Steve Park 1 lap down
  9. #93 - Dave Blaney 2 laps down
  10. #19 - Casey Atwood 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Hut Stricklin (#90), Ricky Craven (#50), Dave Marcis (#71), Steve Grissom (#44), Norm Benning (#84), Hermie Sadler (#60), Ted Musgrave (#01)

  • Bobby Labonte clinched the 2000 Winston Cup championship by finishing 4th with only one race left. It was the 2nd straight year that the championship was won at Homestead. He led the standings by 256 points over Jeff Burton going into the season finale at Atlanta.
  • This was Joe Gibbs' first Winston Cup Championship as an owner since he formed his racing team back in 1992.

NAPA 500

[edit]
Main article: 2000 NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was scheduled for November 19, but was held on November 20 due to a rain delay at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. #25 - Jerry Nadeau*
  2. #3 - Dale Earnhardt*
  3. #22 - Ward Burton
  4. #24 - Jeff Gordon
  5. #18 - Bobby Labonte*
  6. #31 - Mike Skinner
  7. #2 - Rusty Wallace
  8. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  9. #17 - Matt Kenseth 1 lap down
  10. #10 - Johnny Benson 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (#9), Hermie Sadler* (#60), Hut Stricklin (#90), Dick Trickle (#71), Blaise Alexander (#91), Morgan Shepherd (#80), Tim Sauter (#61), Larry Foyt (#41), Kevin Lepage (#16), Carl Long (#85), Mike Bliss (#27), Steve Grissom (#44), Norm Benning (#84)

  • Because of a deal that gave broadcasting rights to Fox, FX, NBC, and TNT, this was ESPN's last Winston Cup race until the station along with ABC was brought back to NASCAR in 2007. It is remembered for Bob Jenkins making a farewell speech and his fellow commentator Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett almost making him cry as they said goodbye on TV. Jenkins introduced a video from ESPN thanking all the fans, simply stating "Without you, there would have been no magic."
  • This was Ned Jarrett's final Winston Cup race as a full-time color commentator.
  • This was Nadeau's first and only career Cup Series victory.
  • This was the 809th and final career Cup Series start for Darrell Waltrip, who would end his driving career and start his broadcasting career in 2001 for NASCAR on FOX.
  • With his 2nd-place finish in this race, Dale Earnhardt would overtake Jeff Burton to finish 2nd in the championship standings, 265 points behind Bobby Labonte.
  • This was the last race for Galaxy Motorsports after 22 years since the team was established in 1978 under RahMoc Enterprises, it was rumored that the team would return for 2001 with Pizza Hut as the primary sponsor, but the team would shut down before the season began due to lack of finances.
  • Bobby Labonte and runner-Up Dale Earnhardt were the only two drivers to not score a single DNF all season.
  • Scott Wimmer made his Cup Series debut in this race, having initially entered the weekend's ARCA race, but DNQ'd when ARCA qualifying being rained out. The team elected to attempt the Cup race, with Wimmer managing to qualify, and actually led 9 laps, including three under green flag conditions. Wimmer would finish three laps down in 22nd position.
  • This was the last race attempted by Joe Bessey Racing, as the team would shut down after failing to qualify to this race, it was rumored that Joe Bessey had attempted to field the #60 car for 2001 with Hermie Sadler driving the vehicle with TracFone Wireless and World Championship Wrestling as the sponsors, and it was set to qualify for the 2001 Dura Lube 400 at Rockingham, But Bessey would withdrawal the car from qualifying for this race due to financial and funding problems.

Drivers' championship

[edit]
Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Pos Driver DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV MCH POC SON DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO HOM ATL Points
1 Bobby Labonte 6 1* 5 2 13 6 3 12 21 2 26 2 3 3 13 4 12 9 6 1 5 3 15 1 15 2 5 10 1 12 20 5 4 5 5130
2 Dale Earnhardt 21 2 8 1 3 39 7 9 3 17 10 3 6 2 4 6 8 6 25 8 25 6 4 3 2 12 17 2 11 1 17 9 20 2 4865
3 Jeff Burton 2 32 1* 43 5 9 2 2 12 5 7 11 34 11 7 16 1 11 2 6 3 10 6 2 5* 1* 36 3* 6 29 4 1* 11 12 4841
4 Dale Jarrett 1* 5 7 36 2 21 33 5 17 9 3 5 4 4 2 7 2* 7 4* 7 7 4 9 5 31 4 32 6 40 15 1 10 17 15 4684
5 Ricky Rudd 15 6 12 11 17 14 10 22 27 4 4 17 5 12 3 5 5 10 38 21 11 2 10 8 9 3 3 4 3* 11 3 37 6 24 4575
6 Tony Stewart 17 4 2 34 4 42 9 6 34 10 8 14 1* 1 6 10 6 1* 26 5 6 41 2 9 6 23 1* 1 4 27 7 14 1* 38 4570
7 Rusty Wallace 4 11 15 32 16 1 4 10* 41 8 5* 8 14 7 10* 26 3 15 1 2* 34 1* 1* 30 34 5 8 23 21 8 5 4 15 7 4544
8 Mark Martin 5 8 3 3 9 16 11 1 6* 14 32 12 36 40 5 3 4 3 43 43 2 11 3 14 3 8 6 18 5 7 40 6 3 40 4410
9 Jeff Gordon 34 10 28 9 8 8* 25 4 1 11 14 10 32 14 8 1* 10 5 3 33 23 36 23 4 1 6 9 5 39 4 2 7 7 4 4361
10 Ward Burton 8 3 23 8 1* 3 14 11 10 6 6 13 8 6 27 21 7 18 28 28 22 9 11 6 8 30 40 43 10 22 8 12 39 3 4152
11 Steve Park 31 9 43 4 39 7 19 25 32 16 11 9 19 29 15 17 33 28 15 16 1* 33 5 10 4 34 4 11 7 19 6 3 8 21 3934
12 Mike Skinner 16 21 27 30* 14 13 12 19 2 7 33 7 9 20 9 20 9 39 7 9 36 16 14 43 30 24 11 8 20 6 14 11 23 6 3898
13 Johnny Benson 12 14 6 DNQ 24 2 42 16 13 23 25 16 15 24 34 18 13 14 12 25 27 5 13 38 7 11 2 19 8 33 11 16 30 10 3716
14 Matt Kenseth (R) 10 37 14 40 6 12 31 21 18 3* 15 1 2 17 14 32 20 19 5 26 10 8 39 33 32 17 12 34 9 10 25 42 21 9 3711
15 Joe Nemechek 42 30 9 5 41 25 37 17 22 20 23 23 7 18 42 11 11 2 34 18 8 23 27 31 40 9 7 14 14 3 10 24 18 25 3534
16 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) 13 19 10 29 40 38 1* 26 42 12 1 4* 10 13 19 24 35 21 13 13 40 31 21 11 13 31 16 36 19 14 34 27 13 20 3516
17 Terry Labonte 7 17 31 15 11 5 8 23 7 33 2 22 11 26 12 27 41 43 11 20 16 15 25 25 13 17 27 5 38 17 25 17 3433
18 Ken Schrader 9 13 16 23 22 26 18 13 36 24 12 37 23 16 18 15 23 23 19 22 18 19 12 16 17 10 30 16 25 37 18 40 32 26 3398
19 Sterling Marlin 24 15 18 12 21 10 34 24 8 32 29 19 31 10 22 2 25 25 42 30 30 15 8 17 20 22 37 9 31 41 33 15 26 8 3363
20 Jerry Nadeau 35 29 20 42 37 19 43 20 19 13 30 38 42 23 20 8 15 4 27 4 38 12 32 29 10 21 33 12 36 13 27 23 12 1* 3273
21 Bill Elliott 3 25 4 10 19 36 30 8 15 19 9 43 12 8 38 35 38 24 32 3 13 38 12 37 19 15 34 24 16 26 22 11 3267
22 Jimmy Spencer 30 26 30 17 23 18 15 28 5 40 17 25 22 15 36 34 32 41 9 17 31 7 24 32 33 15 34 7 15 38 39 13 5 33 3188
23 John Andretti 22 12 25 18 20 33 32 14 11 25 18 31 13 9 21 43 14 40 41 42 37 27 20 37 11 7 22 13 18 20 23 28 37 19 3169
24 Jeremy Mayfield 11 7 17 28 34 4 6 7 14 1 36 6 37 41* 1 33 43 8 10 INQ 13 35 41* 39 40 35 38 2 42 29* 2 2 41 3156
25 Robert Pressley 20 43 21 33 18 17 26 15 23 21 35 26 26 5 11 37 17 38 14 27 26 32 37 36 37 18 14 33 35 25 12 31 16 13 3055
26 Kenny Wallace 29 24 39 37 35 20 21 42 40 36 20 27 18 31 23 13 19 26 21 29 14 30 26 35 14 43 15 22 37 2 43 19 24 23 2874
27 Michael Waltrip 39 23 33 25 32 11 29 3 31 30 19 18 39 22 43 12 42 35 17 20 17 21 19 40 43 20 24 24 22 34 35 32 34 39 2797
28 Kevin Lepage 36 27 11 38 10 30 5 34 DNQ 22 21 15 21 21 26 41 37 31 23 36 32 18 18 7 22 38 38 29 12 43 36 21 27 DNQ 2795
29 Elliott Sadler 38 28 41 14 12 41 39 29 DNQ 43 24 21 16 27 16 38 18 16 29 34 28 40 7 18 42 13 26 32 16 17 19 30 28 42 2762
30 Bobby Hamilton 43 40 34 13 7 15 16 18 43 18 31 34 27 43 40 16 36 22 39 40 16 14 34 22 38 35 25 35 34 36 9 43 31 16 2715
31 Dave Blaney (R) 27 DNQ 22 20 26 35 22 41 30 38 34 40 25 25 30 29 24 34 18 23 35 24 43 20 18 26 39 30 28 28 42 8 9 18 2656
32 Chad Little 23 18 19 6 15 23 13 27 25 15 39 20 20 32 17 25 16 42 20 19 12 22 30 21 29 33 18 2634
33 Rick Mast 28 33 DNQ 21 30 34 20 DNQ DNQ 39 DNQ 39 43 30 35 DNQ 31 12 8 38 19 29 29 12 28 32 10 26 17 31 13 39 29 35 2366
34 Wally Dallenbach Jr. 40 20 35 39 DNQ 29 DNQ DNQ 16 27 16 28 24 34 39 40 21 27 31 35 9 25 33 19 23 39 21 40 33 DNQ 22 22 35 29 2344
35 Brett Bodine DNQ 35 DNQ 16 27 22 23 36 DNQ 41 38 30 28 36 32 30 DNQ 20 30 39 DNQ 42 28 27 35 42 20 41 32 26 26 20 14 28 2145
36 Darrell Waltrip 32 39 38 31 43 31 24 43 26 29 DNQ 36 33 DNQ DNQ 28 27 33 22 11 20 DNQ 42 42 DNQ 29 31 27 30 35 37 33 36 34 1981
37 Scott Pruett (R) 19 DNQ 42 41 DNQ DNQ 27 32 20 34 27 41 38 19 31 39 40 30 36 10 DNQ 17 38 24 16 41 42 DNQ DNQ 39 30 34 43 32 1929
38 Stacy Compton (R) 26 34 32 35 29 28 36 39 33 28 22 33 30 42 37 31 39 29 35 37 29 DNQ INQ DNQ 24 16 29 39 DNQ 23 DNQ DNQ 38 DNQ 1857
39 Mike Bliss (R) 33 DNQ DNQ DNQ 35 24 35 41 32 35 37 33 22 28 32 24 31 39 28 DNQ 28 DNQ 19 43 28 43 9 21 38 40 DNQ 1748
40 Ted Musgrave 16 26 27 42 43 35 DNQ Wth 16 24 26 17 13 21 14 23 21 29 32 DNQ 25 DNQ 1614
41 Kyle Petty 25 31 29 26 25 24 DNQ 38 9 26 28 DNQ 39 41 19 30 40 32 41 DNQ 22 31 QL DNQ 1441
42 Kenny Irwin Jr. 14 22 24 24 38 40 17 37 4 42 42 24 17 35 25 23 22 Wth 1440
43 Robby Gordon 18 38 13 DNQ 28 32 DNQ 40 37 31 37 QL 28 9 DNQ DNQ 4 34 31 Wth DNQ Wth 38 41 DNQ 27 1309
44 Ricky Craven DNQ DNQ 40 DNQ DNQ 31 29 40 42 DNQ 29 17 41 37 DNQ 26 36 20 DNQ 30 15 18 DNQ 30 1175
45 Geoff Bodine DNQ 13 29 40 38 24 DNQ 34 13 DNQ 12 24 DNQ 25 39 41 41 43 1039
46 Dave Marcis DNQ 41 DNQ DNQ 33 DNQ DNQ DNQ 38 DNQ DNQ DNQ 29 DNQ 29 DNQ DNQ 37 DNQ 31 23 DNQ DNQ 28 DNQ DNQ 40 31 DNQ DNQ 723
47 Ed Berrier (R) 37 36 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 35 DNQ 28 DNQ DNQ DNQ 41 33 28 26 37 33 628
48 Kurt Busch 18 37 13 24 29 19 36 613
49 Todd Bodine 7 DNQ 43 15 42 QL 14 456
50 Hut Stricklin 14 39 DNQ 34 36 28 DNQ 42 42 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 436
51 Dick Trickle 31 27 28 39 37 23 DNQ 423
52 Steve Grissom DNQ 36 DNQ 26 27 DNQ 27 DNQ DNQ 16 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 419
53 Jeff Fuller (R) DNQ 42 36 22 36 37 38 41 390
54 Casey Atwood 19 25 Wth 10 328
55 Andy Houston 35 26 28 36 42 314
56 Rich Bickle 30 DNQ DNQ 21 DNQ 35 231
57 Derrike Cope 41 37 19 DNQ 198
58 P. J. Jones 35 21 158
59 David Green Wth 36 25 143
60 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 33 31 134
61 Ron Hornaday Jr. 15 118
62 Carl Long DNQ QL DNQ DNQ Wth DNQ DNQ 41 DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ 107
63 Gary Bradberry 41 33 DNQ 104
64 Joe Bessey 27 DNQ 82
65 Tom Hubert 33 64
66 Brian Simo 36 DNQ 55
67 Buckshot Jones 37 52
68 Bobby Hillin Jr. 40 43
69 Adam Petty 40 43
70 Ryan Newman 41 40
71 Boris Said 42 Wth DNQ 37
72 Kerry Earnhardt 43 34
73 Ron Fellows 43 34
74 Scott Wimmer 22 0
David Keith DNQ DNQ
Dwayne Leik DNQ DNQ
Blaise Alexander DNQ DNQ
Hermie Sadler DNQ DNQ
R. K. Smith DNQ DNQ
Bill Baird DNQ DNQ
Andy Hillenburg DNQ
Norm Benning DNQ DNQ DNQ
Austin Cameron DNQ
Morgan Shepherd Wth Wth DNQ
Greg Sacks DNQ
Larry Gunselman DNQ
Tim Sauter DNQ
Bobby Gerhart DNQ
Larry Foyt DNQ
Stanton Barrett DNQ
Dan Pardus DNQ
Jim Sauter DNQ
Pos Driver DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV MCH POC SON DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO HOM ATL Points

Rookie of the Year

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In the preseason, the two favorites for the award were Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. While Earnhardt had the name, the popularity, and the two wins, Kenseth had more consistency and was able to claim the title by a narrow margin. The third-place finisher was Dave Blaney, who had finished 31st in points. Scott Pruett and Stacy Compton showed promise in the beginning of the year, but eventually lost momentum and bottomed out at the end of the year. Mike Bliss started the year with A. J. Foyt Racing, was released after 4 races, then finished the season with Eel River Racing. Ed Berrier and Jeff Fuller finished towards the bottom, mainly due to being released from their rides during the season.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Standings: 2000 Manufacturer Standings". NASCAR; Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  2. ^ "NASCAR Online: News". www.nascar.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  3. ^ Kerry Earnhardt website Archived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine
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