2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 13 and ended on Sunday November 20. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte was crowned champion at season's end. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Ford when they captured 14 wins and 234 points to better Pontiac's 11 wins and 213 points. Chevrolet finished third with 9 wins and 199 points.

2000 Team chart
List of full-time teams at the start of 2000.

Bud Shootout
The Bud Shootout, NASCAR's race for all Pole Award winners from the previous season, was held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Ricky Rudd suffered a spectacular flip at the checkered flag when he was tapped by Sterling Marlin when Marlin ran into Bobby Labonte. Everyone involved walked away uninjured. Mark Martin drew the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Jarrett
 * 2) Jeff Gordon
 * 3) Sterling Marlin
 * 4) Tony Stewart
 * 5) Kevin Lepage
 * 6) Ken Schrader
 * 7) Rusty Wallace
 * 8) Joe Nemechek
 * 9) Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 10) Ward Burton

Gatorade 125s
The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd were the polesitters for races one and two, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results


 * 1) Bill Elliott
 * 2) Dale Jarrett
 * 3) Rusty Wallace
 * 4) Tony Stewart
 * 5) Mark Martin
 * 6) Jeff Gordon
 * 7) Bobby Labonte
 * 8) Scott Pruett
 * 9) Robby Gordon
 * 10) Jeremy Mayfield

Race Two Top Ten Results


 * 1) Ricky Rudd
 * 2) Mike Skinner
 * 3) Ward Burton
 * 4) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 5) Michael Waltrip
 * 6) Derrike Cope
 * 7) Jeff Burton
 * 8) Joe Nemechek
 * 9) Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 10) Jerry Nadeau

Daytona 500
The 2000 Daytona 500 was held February 20 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the last Daytona 500 to be televised by CBS, and thus the last 500 broadcast for Buddy Baker and Ned Jarrett. Due to his failure to qualify, Dave Marcis' streak of making the Daytona 500 for consecutive years that started in 1968 came to an end. Johnny Benson was surprisingly in the lead with less than 10 laps to go and looked as if he might capture his first cup series win in the biggest event of the season when the fords of Dale Jarrett and Jeff Burton ganged up on and passed him with 4 laps to go. Benson would finish 12th spot. Dale Jarrett would wind up winning the race under caution.


 * 1) Dale Jarrett
 * 2) Jeff Burton
 * 3) Bill Elliott
 * 4) Rusty Wallace
 * 5) Mark Martin
 * 6) Bobby Labonte
 * 7) Terry Labonte
 * 8) Ward Burton
 * 9) Ken Schrader
 * 10) Matt Kenseth*

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


 * Dale Jarrett won the Winston No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Bobby Labonte
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) Ward Burton
 * 4) Tony Stewart
 * 5) Dale Jarrett
 * 6) Ricky Rudd
 * 7) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 8) Mark Martin
 * 9) Steve Park
 * 10) Jeff Gordon

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

CarsDirect.com 400
The CarsDirect.com 400 was held March 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. The race was shortened to 148 laps due to rain.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Tony Stewart
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Bill Elliott
 * 5) Bobby Labonte
 * 6) Johnny Benson
 * 7) Dale Jarrett
 * 8) Dale Earnhardt
 * 9) Joe Nemechek
 * 10) 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

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) Bobby Labonte
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Steve Park
 * 5) Joe Nemechek
 * 6) Chad Little
 * 7) Todd Bodine
 * 8) Ward Burton
 * 9) Jeff Gordon
 * 10) Bill Elliott

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


 * This was Dale Earnhardt's 75th career NASCAR Winston Cup win.
 * This made Earnhardt the 3rd driver to win on both configurations of Atlanta Motor Speedway, the others being Bobby Labonte and Jeff Gordon. All three have won on the old 1.522 mile oval and the current 1.54 mile oval

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Ward Burton
 * 2) Dale Jarrett
 * 3) Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) Tony Stewart
 * 5) Jeff Burton
 * 6) Matt Kenseth
 * 7) Bobby Hamilton
 * 8) Jeff Gordon
 * 9) Mark Martin
 * 10) Kevin Lepage

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

Food City 500 Presented by wrenchhead.com
The Food City 500 was held March 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Park won the pole. Rusty Wallace won his 50th race at this event.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Rusty Wallace
 * 2) Johnny Benson
 * 3) Ward Burton
 * 4) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 5) Terry Labonte
 * 6) Bobby Labonte
 * 7) Steve Park
 * 8) Jeff Gordon
 * 9) Jeff Burton
 * 10) Sterling Marlin

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


 * Around lap 390, Steve Park's crew had left his right side tire on pit road, and Jeff Gordon ran over it, ending his chances to win. The 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.

DirecTV 500
The DirecTV 500 was held April 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole. 19-year-old Adam Petty became the first fourth-generation athlete when he qualified 33rd for this race. He finished 40th after suffering a blown motor in his only Winston Cup race. This was also the first career win of Dale Earnhardt Jr, coming in only his 12th career start in the Cup series.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * 2) Jeff Burton
 * 3) Bobby Labonte
 * 4) Rusty Wallace
 * 5) Kevin Lepage
 * 6) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 7) Dale Earnhardt
 * 8) Terry Labonte
 * 9) Tony Stewart
 * 10) Ricky Rudd

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


 * Kyle Petty later relieved an ill Elliott Sadler, after Adam dropped out of the race.

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) Mark Martin
 * 2) Jeff Burton
 * 3) Michael Waltrip
 * 4) Robby Gordon
 * 5) Dale Earnhardt
 * 6) Tony Stewart
 * 7) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 8) Bill Elliott
 * 9) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 10) Rusty Wallace

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

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Gordon*
 * 2) Mike Skinner
 * 3) Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 5) Jimmy Spencer
 * 6) Mark Martin
 * 7) Terry Labonte
 * 8) Sterling Marlin
 * 9) Kyle Petty
 * 10) Ward Burton

Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (#11), Kevin Lepage (#16), Gary Bradberry (#41), Rick Mast (#14), Elliott Sadler (#21)
 * Jeff Gordon became the youngest driver ever to win over 50 NASCAR races with the win.
 * Gordon also won the race from the 36th starting spot.

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) Jeremy Mayfield*
 * 2) Bobby Labonte
 * 3) Matt Kenseth
 * 4) Ricky Rudd
 * 5) Jeff Burton
 * 6) Ward Burton
 * 7) Mike Skinner
 * 8) Rusty Wallace
 * 9) Dale Jarrett
 * 10) Tony Stewart


 * Jeremy Mayfield was fined 151 points and crew chief Peter Sospenzo was fined and suspended after this race for a rules infraction not related to the running of this event. The fine was a result of actions taken at the previous race, the April 16 DieHard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR delayed the penalty in order to research the motive behind the infraction.

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Ed Berrier (#90), Dwayne Leik (#72)
 * Bobby Labonte took the points lead after gaining it at Darlington and losing it at Talladega. He would keep it for the remainder of 2000.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Terry Labonte
 * 3) Dale Jarrett
 * 4) Ricky Rudd
 * 5) Rusty Wallace
 * 6) Ward Burton
 * 7) Jeff Burton
 * 8) Tony Stewart
 * 9) Bill Elliott
 * 10) Dale Earnhardt

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

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

Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. This was the first career Winston Cup series win for Matt Kenseth.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Matt Kenseth
 * 2) Bobby Labonte
 * 3) Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 5) Dale Jarrett
 * 6) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 7) Mike Skinner
 * 8) Rusty Wallace
 * 9) Steve Park
 * 10) Jeff Gordon

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


 * Carl Long, who qualified in the #85 Mansion Motorsports entry, gave up his spot so Darrell Waltrip could compete in his final Coca-Cola 600.
 * The race was stopped on lap 254 by a 51-minute red flag due to rain.
 * Kenseth became the only rookie ever to win the Coca-Cola 600.
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole with a new track qualifying record. Earnhardt led a race-high 175 laps, but a caution flag on lap 360 caused by oil on the track from Jerry Nadeau's blown engine, at which point he was leading by nearly 5 seconds, and a slow pit stop dropped him to 6th on the final restart.
 * Nadeau himself led 115 laps, most of them in the first half (he had led only 14 total laps in his Cup career before this race), and lap 254 when the race was stopped for rain. However, just after the rain delay, various engine problems dropped him from contention.
 * Robby Gordon was competing in the Indianapolis 500, where the start was delayed 3 hours by rain. Gordon finished 6th in that event. P.J. Jones started the 600 in Gordon's #13 Ford. Gordon arrived at Charlotte during the red flag at lap 254 and drove the remainder of this race. The car finished 35th, 11 laps off the pace.
 * John Andretti started the race in the #43 Pontiac. On lap 81, he was replaced by Tim Fedewa. Andretti was suffering from a rib injury he suffered in a crash at the Winston Open.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tony Stewart
 * 2) Matt Kenseth
 * 3) Bobby Labonte
 * 4) Dale Jarrett
 * 5) Ricky Rudd
 * 6) Dale Earnhardt
 * 7) Joe Nemechek
 * 8) Ward Burton
 * 9) Mike Skinner
 * 10) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

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

BIG Kmart 400
The Kmart 400 was held June 11 at Michigan International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was shortened to 194 laps due to darkness that caused by two rain delays.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tony Stewart
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) Bobby Labonte
 * 4) Dale Jarrett
 * 5) Robert Pressley
 * 6) Ward Burton
 * 7) Rusty Wallace
 * 8) Bill Elliott
 * 9) John Andretti
 * 10) Sterling Marlin

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

Elliott Sadler, driver of the #21 car went for a wild ride in practice, flipping 12 times after blowing a tire on the frontstretch. He was not injured.


 * Jeremy Mayfield had the lead shortly before the race was called official, but pitted, hoping the race would resume.

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) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 2) Dale Jarrett
 * 3) Ricky Rudd
 * 4) Dale Earnhardt
 * 5) Mark Martin
 * 6) Tony Stewart
 * 7) Jeff Burton
 * 8) Jeff Gordon
 * 9) Mike Skinner
 * 10) Rusty Wallace

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


 * This race is remembered for Mayfield getting Dale Earnhardt loose on the final lap in the final turn to move him out of the way and take the win by using a patented Earnhardt move.

Save Mart/Kragen 350
The Save Mart/Kragen 350 was held June 25 at Sears Point International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. During qualifying, Ward Burton flipped.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Gordon
 * 2) Sterling Marlin
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Bobby Labonte
 * 5) Ricky Rudd
 * 6) Dale Earnhardt
 * 7) Dale Jarrett
 * 8) Jerry Nadeau
 * 9) Jeff Burton
 * 10) Tony Stewart

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


 * This was the last race that the famous #43 car would have STP as the major sponsorship. At the Pepsi 400 it was changed to Cheerios with STP as associate sponsorship.

Pepsi 400
The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the final Winston Cup Race that was televised on CBS.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Dale Jarrett
 * 3) Rusty Wallace
 * 4) Mark Martin
 * 5) Ricky Rudd
 * 6) Tony Stewart
 * 7) Ward Burton
 * 8) Dale Earnhardt
 * 9) Mike Skinner
 * 10) Jeff Gordon

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

thatlook.com 300
The thatlook.com 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was shortened to 273 laps due to rain. The weekend was marked by tragedy as Kenny Irwin, Jr. was killed in a Turn 3 practice crash on July 7. Race winner Tony Stewart later gave the race trophy to Irwin's parents.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tony Stewart
 * 2) Joe Nemechek
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Jerry Nadeau
 * 5) Jeff Gordon
 * 6) Dale Earnhardt
 * 7) Dale Jarrett
 * 8) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 9) Bobby Labonte
 * 10) Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71)

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Rusty Wallace
 * 2) Jeff Burton
 * 3) Jeff Gordon
 * 4) Dale Jarrett
 * 5) Matt Kenseth
 * 6) Bobby Labonte
 * 7) Mike Skinner
 * 8) Rick Mast
 * 9) Jimmy Spencer
 * 10) Jeremy Mayfield

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


 * Jeremy Mayfield was less than a lap away from the Pocono sweep when a cut tire cost him

Brickyard 400
The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. This would be ABC's last Winston Cup race until they returned with the fall Richmond race in 2007.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Bobby Labonte
 * 2) Rusty Wallace
 * 3) Bill Elliott
 * 4) Jerry Nadeau
 * 5) Tony Stewart
 * 6) Jeff Burton
 * 7) Dale Jarrett
 * 8) Dale Earnhardt
 * 9) Mike Skinner
 * 10) Scott Pruett

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


 * This race has the record for the fastest Brickyard 400, with only 2 cautions and an average speed of 155.912 mph.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Steve Park
 * 2) Mark Martin
 * 3) Jeff Burton
 * 4) Robby Gordon
 * 5) Bobby Labonte
 * 6) Tony Stewart
 * 7) Dale Jarrett
 * 8) Joe Nemechek
 * 9) Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
 * 10) Matt Kenseth

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


 * This was Steve Park's first career Winston Cup victory.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Rusty Wallace
 * 2) Ricky Rudd
 * 3) Bobby Labonte
 * 4) Dale Jarrett
 * 5) Johnny Benson
 * 6) Dale Earnhardt
 * 7) Jimmy Spencer
 * 8) Matt Kenseth
 * 9) Ward Burton
 * 10) Jeff Burton

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


 * This race saw Dale Earnhardt's eldest son, Kerry Earnhardt, make his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Rusty Wallace
 * 2) Tony Stewart
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Dale Earnhardt
 * 5) Steve Park
 * 6) Jeff Burton
 * 7) Elliott Sadler
 * 8) Sterling Marlin
 * 9) Dale Jarrett
 * 10) Ricky Rudd

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


 * Robert Pressley had hit the wall and burst into flames

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Gordon
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Steve Park
 * 5) Jeff Burton
 * 6) Tony Stewart
 * 7) Johnny Benson
 * 8) Ward Burton
 * 9) Ricky Rudd
 * 10) Jerry Nadeau

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

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

This race also has the distinction of being the only Cup race outside of Daytona and Talladega to run a restrictor plate race since the adoption of the current 358 cubic inch formula. After Adam Petty's fatal crash in the Busch Series practice in May, and Kenny Irwin, Jr.'s fatal crash in the Cup Series practice in July, NASCAR decided to run restrictor plates. Adding restrictor plates did have the desired result of slowing down the cars drastically, but at the same time restricted passing so much that Jeff Burton led all 300 laps. This lack of passing was so uncompetitive that, for Cup cars only, the restrictor plates were gone for the very next race.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Bobby Labonte
 * 3) Ricky Rudd
 * 4) Dale Jarrett
 * 5) Rusty Wallace
 * 6) Jeff Gordon
 * 7) John Andretti
 * 8) Mark Martin
 * 9) Joe Nemechek
 * 10) Ken Schrader

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

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tony Stewart
 * 2) Johnny Benson
 * 3) Ricky Rudd
 * 4) Steve Park
 * 5) Bobby Labonte
 * 6) Mark Martin
 * 7) Joe Nemechek
 * 8) Rusty Wallace
 * 9) Rick Mast

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


 * This was Kurt Busch's first race in the Cup series, having replaced Chad Little as driver of the #97 John Deere Ford. Busch's arrival had come at around the time that John Deere would be departing the team at season's end.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tony Stewart
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) Jeff Burton
 * 4) Ricky Rudd
 * 5) Jeff Gordon
 * 6) Dale Jarrett
 * 7) Jimmy Spencer
 * 8) Mike Skinner
 * 9) Sterling Marlin
 * 10) Bobby Labonte

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

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Bobby Labonte
 * 2) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 3) Ricky Rudd
 * 4) Tony Stewart
 * 5) Mark Martin
 * 6) Jeff Burton
 * 7) Steve Park
 * 8) Johnny Benson
 * 9) Matt Kenseth
 * 10) Ward Burton

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

Winston 500 Presented by UPS
The Winston 500 was held October 15 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. Bill Elliott led the most laps. This was Earnhardt's 76th and final career victory before his death in February 2001 at Daytona. This race is remembered for Earnhardt storming to the front in the final 5 laps to take the win picking up 17 spots.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) Kenny Wallace
 * 3) Joe Nemechek
 * 4) Jeff Gordon
 * 5) Terry Labonte
 * 6) Mike Skinner
 * 7) Mark Martin
 * 8) Rusty Wallace
 * 9) Mike Bliss
 * 10) Matt Kenseth

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

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Jarrett
 * 2) Jeff Gordon
 * 3) Ricky Rudd
 * 4) Jeff Burton
 * 5) Rusty Wallace
 * 6) Steve Park
 * 7) Tony Stewart
 * 8) Ward Burton
 * 9) Bobby Hamilton
 * 10) Joe Nemechek

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

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 3) Steve Park
 * 4) Rusty Wallace
 * 5) Bobby Labonte
 * 6) Mark Martin
 * 7) Jeff Gordon
 * 8) Dave Blaney
 * 9) Dale Earnhardt
 * 10) 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, which is now called Spike TV.
 * This was the first win for Jeff Burton that sponsored CITGO for the remainder of the 2000 season and the next three seasons on the new #99 number since the running of the 2000 UAW-GM Quality 500 on October 8th.

Pennzoil 400 Presented by Discount Auto Parts
The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Discount Auto Parts was held November 12 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Steve Park won the pole. Bobby Labonte clinched the championship by finishing 4th with only one race left.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tony Stewart
 * 2) Jeremy Mayfield
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Bobby Labonte
 * 5) Jimmy Spencer
 * 6) Ricky Rudd
 * 7) Jeff Gordon
 * 8) Steve Park
 * 9) Dave Blaney
 * 10) Casey Atwood

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)

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) Jerry Nadeau
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) Ward Burton
 * 4) Jeff Gordon
 * 5) Bobby Labonte
 * 6) Mike Skinner
 * 7) Rusty Wallace
 * 8) Sterling Marlin
 * 9) Matt Kenseth
 * 10) Johnny Benson

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.
 * This race also marked the first and only victory of Jerry Nadeau's career.
 * This was Scott Wimmer's first Cup Series event.
 * This was Darrell Waltrip's final Cup Series event after 29 years.

Final Points Standings

 * 1) Bobby Labonte – 5130
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt – 4865
 * 3) Jeff Burton – 4841
 * 4) Dale Jarrett – 4684
 * 5) Ricky Rudd – 4575
 * 6) Tony Stewart – 4570
 * 7) Rusty Wallace – 4544
 * 8) Mark Martin – 4410
 * 9) Jeff Gordon – 4361
 * 10) Ward Burton – 4152
 * 11) Steve Park – 3934
 * 12) Mike Skinner- 3898
 * 13) Johnny Benson – 3716
 * 14) Matt Kenseth – 3711
 * 15) Joe Nemechek – 3534
 * 16) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – 3516
 * 17) Terry Labonte – 3433
 * 18) Ken Schrader – 3398
 * 19) Sterling Marlin – 3363
 * 20) Jerry Nadeau – 3273
 * 21) Bill Elliott – 3267
 * 22) Jimmy Spencer – 3188
 * 23) John Andretti – 3169
 * 24) Jeremy Mayfield – 3156
 * 25) Robert Pressley – 3055
 * 26) Kenny Wallace – 2874
 * 27) Michael Waltrip – 2797
 * 28) Kevin Lepage – 2795
 * 29) Elliott Sadler – 2762
 * 30) Bobby Hamilton – 2715
 * 31) Dave Blaney – 2656
 * 32) Chad Little – 2634
 * 33) Rick Mast – 2366
 * 34) Wally Dallenbach, Jr. – 2344
 * 35) Brett Bodine – 2145
 * 36) Darrell Waltrip – 1981
 * 37) Scott Pruett – 1929
 * 38) Stacy Compton – 1857
 * 39) Mike Bliss – 1748
 * 40) Ted Musgrave – 1614
 * 41) Kyle Petty – 1441
 * 42) Kenny Irwin, Jr. – 1440
 * 43) Robby Gordon – 1309
 * 44) Ricky Craven – 1175
 * 45) Geoffrey Bodine – 1039
 * 46) Dave Marcis – 723
 * 47) Ed Berrier – 628
 * 48) Kurt Busch – 613
 * 49) Todd Bodine- 456

Rookie of the Year
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.

Quotes
In the final season of the broadcasting coverage of CBS, NBC, ABC, TNN, TBS, and ESPN, different broadcasters said different things that are very memorable and others not heard as much. Here are some of the moments the broadcasters had as a last shine for their stations for NASCAR Cup coverage:


 * Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 at Atlanta; Bob Jenkins for ABC as Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt crossed the start/finish line with Earnhardt winning in a photo finish: "Here comes Bobby Labonte making a charge! They come toward the line, who will it be? It is gonna be!..."
 * DirecTV 500 at Texas; Mike Joy for CBS when Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first Cup race: "His grandfather Ralph, former national champion they called him Ironhardt because he gave nothing on the racetrack. His father, 7-time Winston cup champion one dubbed Ironhead, and then The Intimidator and how about this kid...Checkered flag, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is Texas Motor Speedway's second first time winner!"
 * Diehard 500 at Talladega; Bob Jenkins for ABC when Jeff Gordon won his first race of 2000, snapping a 14 race winless streak: "Gordon has the lead as they come down through the tri-oval, and Jeff Gordon is back! He's gonna win the Diehard 500!"
 * Pocono 500 at Pocono; Eli Gold for TNN when Dale Earnhardt got bumped out of the way and Jeremy Mayfield won at Pocono: "He bumps him out of the way! Earnhardt goes high! Mayfield is going to win here at Pocono! Oh my! Dale Earnhardt gets rooted out of the way, Jeremy Mayfield waves out of the window and Mayfield on the final turn on the final lap, pushes Earnhardt aside and grabs the win in the Pocono 500! "
 * Pepsi 400 at Daytona; Mike Joy for CBS as Jeff Burton came down to win the final Cup race CBS televised: "Jeff Burton won his first Winston Cup race on CBS. He comes off turn 4 and he's gonna win the last Winston Cup race on CBS, Jeff Burton over Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, and Mark Martin winning the Pepsi 400!"
 * Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono; Allen Bestwick for TBS when Jeremy Mayfield cut a tire on the final lap, giving Rusty Wallace the win. "Mayfield has a flat tire! Here goes Wallace by! Now the race for the win between Wallace and Burton, Mayfield slows on the final lap!...Rusty Wallace needing to get off the corner and beat Jeff Burton back to the finish line. Here they come, the final sprint down to the checkered flag, Burton tries to draft up inside...Wallace wins it! "
 * Winston 500 at Talladega; Dr. Jerry Punch for ESPN when Dale Earnhardt won his 76th and final career Cup win, and winning his only No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus: "The No Bull 5 contender, Mr. Restrictor Plate! Dale Earnhardt comes down and will take his 10th career victory at Talladega!"
 * NAPA 500 in Atlanta; Bob Jenkins for ESPN as Jerry Nadeau came down to win the season finale, ending the era of ESPN's broadcasting until 2007: "Back in March of '81, Darrell Waltrip took the checkered flag to win the very first race we televised on ESPN...and in November of 2000...Jerry Nadeau wins the final race on ESPN!"