1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on February 12 and concluded November 12. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his first career championship.

Overwiew
The major story heading in to the 1995 season was Dale Earnhardt's attempt to make history. After winning his seventh Winston Cup Championship in 1994, Earnhardt tied Richard Petty's record for Cup Championships. Going in to the 1995 season, Earnhardt had won four of the last five Winston Cup points titles, and was considered the favorite to win his eighth in 1995.

As the season progressed, the race for the series championship became a battle between Earnhardt, Sterling Marlin, and Jeff Gordon. The majority of the spotlight soon shifted on the 24-year-old Gordon. Gordon, who had won two of 1994’s biggest races (Coca Cola 600 and the Inaugural Brickyard 400), visited victory lane in three of the first six races of 1995. Gordon would become the most consistent driver of the season. During one strech of the season, he rattled off 14 straight top ten finishes, winning four times during that stretch. Despite a late season challenge by Earnhardt, Gordon would win the season’s championship by 34 points. In doing so, he became the youngest Winston Cup Champion of the modern era (post 1971). Gordon made light of this at the season ending banquet, toasting Earnhardt with a glass of milk instead of champagne.

However, there were several other major stories in 1995.
 * 1995 marked the return of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, replacing the Lumina which had been Chevrolet's official car in NASCAR since the 1989 Winston 500. The Monte Carlo would prove to be the dominant car in 1995, winning 21 of the season's 31 races. After winning the season's first seven races, NASCAR gave advantages to the other two makes: Ford and Pontiac.
 * In contrast to its GM counterpart, Pontiac continued to struggle. The manufacturer won only twice in 1995, and did not have a single driver in the top ten in points (12th place Michael Waltrip was the highest).
 * Goodyear was the sole tire supplier in 1995, after winning the "tire war" against Hoosier. Despite two wins in 1994 with driver/owner Geoff Bodine, Hoosier decided to leave NASCAR after the 1994 season. Its reasoning, according to Hoosier president Bob Newton, was "to concentrate our efforts in short track racing, which remains our bread and butter."

1995 changes

 * Robert Yates Racing: After a practice crash at Michigan International Speedway in August 1994, Ernie Irvan was forced to miss the rest of the 1994 season. While Irvan was making great process in his recovery, it was becoming clear that he would have to sit out the 1995 season. Thus, RYR began to search for a new driver to take over the #28 Texaco/Havoline Ford. After securing a buyout from his contract at Joe Gibbs Racing, it was announced that Dale Jarrett would be the driver for 1995.
 * Joe Gibbs Racing: After the departure of Dale Jarrett, Joe Gibbs Racing was forced to find a new driver for the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevy. With encouragement from General Motors, JGR signed Bobby Labonte, who had left Bill Davis Racing after sponsor Maxwell House left the team.
 * Elliott-Hardy Racing: After struggling the last two years driving for Junior Johnson, Bill Elliott formed his own team for 1995, sharing ownership with Georgia businessman Charles Hardy. Elliott would reunite with brothers Ernie and Dan, with whom he had great success during his time at Melling Racing. He brought McDonald's, who had sponsored Johnson's second car in 1994, to sponsor his car. Elliott selected 94 as the number for his Ford. This number had been used by Bill's nephew Casey Elliott, before Casey was diagnosed with cancer (Casey would ultimately lose his battle with the disease in 1996).
 * Junior Johnson: For 1995, Johnson was forced to look for new drivers and sponsors for both of his cars. For the #11 team, Johnson replaced driver Elliott and sponsor Budweiser (who had gone to Hendrick Motorsports to sponsor Ken Schrader) with Brett Bodine and Lowe's, respectively. For the #27 car, sophomore Loy Allen Jr. took over for Jimmy Spencer, and Hooters replaced McDonald's as primary sponsor. Before the April Bristol race, Allen left the team. Various drivers drove the #27 for the rest of 1995; the majority of starts going to veteran Busch Series driver Elton Sawyer.
 * King Racing: Bodine would be replaced by sprint car legend Steve Kinser. Kinser, who had won 14 World of Outlaws championships, had limted experience in a stock car; his only experience had been in the IROC series. After failing to qualify for races at Bristol and North Wilkesboro, Kinser and the team amicably split. Kinser returned to the WoO series, while Hut Stricklin was hired to replace him in the 26 car.
 * Larry Hedrick Motorsports: LHM was left without a driver and sponsor for 1995. Former Busch Grand National Series Champion Joe Nemechek left to start his own team, while sponsor Meineke Mufflers joined Diamond Ridge Motorsports and driver Steve Grissom. Rookie Ricky Craven would drive the #41 Chevy, which would carry the colors of Kodiak. Craven won the RotY award in 1995.
 * Diamond Ridge Motorsports: After having no primary sponsorship for the majority of the 1994 season, Meineke was picked as the sponsor of the #29 Chevy.
 * NEMCO Motorsports: As he had done en route to the 1992 Busch Grand National Series Championship, Joe Nemechek formed his own team in 1995. Burger King would be on board as his primary sponsor.
 * Leo Jackson Motorsports: Harry Gant called it a career after the 1994 season. BGN series regular Robert Pressley would replace Gant in the Skoal Bandit, and would also compete for Rookie of the Year for 1995.
 * Bill Davis Racing: BDR found itself in a similar position to many teams, needing to replace driver Bobby Labonte and sponsor Maxwell House. With MBNA on the hood, BDR hoped to find success with driver Randy Lajoie. However, the combo experienced lackluster results, and Lajoie was fired in July. After going through several drivers, Davis settled on Ward Burton, who had been let go from the Alan Dillard Jr. owned team earlier in the year. Burton shocked the stock car world by winning his first career Cup Series race at the North Carolina Motor Spedway in October. Lajoie would also find success, winning the Busch Grand National Title in 1996 and 1997.
 * Melling Racing: After running part-time for the last three seasons, Melling returned to full-time competition in 1995. Mississippian Lake Speed was hired to be driver and general manager of the team, and SPAM provided sponsorship.
 * Bud Moore: After Lake Speed left the team at the end of 1994, Bud Moore hired short track legend (and Sportscenter favorite) Dick Trickle to drive the #15 Quality Care Ford.
 * Travis Carter Motorsports: After struggling during the 1994 season, the team parted ways with driver Hut Stricklin. He would be replaced by Jimmy Spencer, who had won two races driving for Junior Johnson in 1994.
 * Petty Enterprises: John Andretti, who had replaced Wally Dallenbach Jr. midway thorugh 1994, did not return in 1995. Replacing Andretti would be Tennessee driver Bobby Hamilton.
 * SABCO Racing: After Hamilton left for Petty Enterprises, owner Felix Sabates hired Greg Sacks to drive the #40 Kendall Oil Pontiac. After a dismal 14-race stint, Sacks was let go. Several drivers took the reins of the #40, with most of the duties going to Rich Bickle. Sabates' other car, the #42 driven by Kyle Petty, had new colors for 1995. Coors Light replaced Mello Yello as primary sponsor.
 * Jasper Motorsports: Owner D. K. Ulrich hired veteran open wheel driver Davy Jones to pilot the #77 US Air Ford. Bobby Hillin Jr. replaced Jones beginning at the June Dover race.
 * Kranefuss-Haas Racing: After racing part-time in 1994, the team co-owned by Michael Kranefuss and Carl Haas went full-time in 1995. Former CART driver John Andretti was selected to driver the #37 KMart–Little Caesars Ford.
 * Hendrick Motorsports: The only change among the three Hendrick teams was the arrival of Budweiser as primary sponsor of Ken Schrader's #25 Chevy, replacing Kodiak.

Busch Clash
The 1995 Busch Clash, kicked off the season on February 12, at Daytona International Speedway. Geoffrey Bodine drew the pole. As an exhibition race, no points are awarded. The race was between 1994 Winston Cup pole winners. Also, in a first for the event, the driver who collected the most poles in the 1994 Busch Season was also invited. This honor went to David Green, who drove a Busch sponsored Lumina.

Dale Earnhardt got the season off to a dominating start, leading 18 of 20 laps to collect his 6th Clash win. Aside from that, the most noteworthy event happened on the first lap, when Loy Allen Jr. made contact with Greg Sacks in turn 3, sending Sacks into the wall. Sacks also collected Mark Martin, ending Martin's day. Sterling Marlin finished second, Bill Elliot was third. Jeff Gordon and Todd Bodine rounded out the top five.

Gatorade 125s
The Gatorade 125s, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held on Thursday, February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The lineups for the 125s were determined by qualifying the previous Sunday. The first race would consist of drivers who qualified in odd-numbered positions (1st fastest, 3rd fastest, 5th fastest, etc.), while the second race would be formed from even-numbered qualifiers. As the fastest driver, Dale Jarrett would start from the pole in the first race, and second fastest driver Dale Earnhardt would lead the field in the second race.

Sterling Marlin would dominate the first race, leading 44 of 50 laps. His victory would ensure the 1994 Daytona 500 winner the 3rd starting spot on Sunday. Good finishes for Dave Marcis (10th), Joe Nemechek (12th), and Joe Ruttman (14th) assured them a starting spot in the 500.

In race 2, Earnhardt made it two-for-two for his Speedweeks, edging out Jeff Gordon for the victory. The race also contained two crashes. The first, on lap 15, collected Jimmy Spencer, Billy Standridge, and Loy Allen Jr. Allen was forced to fall back on his qualifying time, while Spencer and Standridge went home. The second crash occurred on lap 42, and involved Chad Little, Phil Barkdoll, Phil Parsons, and Jim Sauter. Fortunately for Parsons, his qualifying time was good enough to get him into the 500. Little, Barkdoll, and Sauter had to watch the 500 on TV.

Daytona 500
The 1995 Daytona 500 was held February 19 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won his first career Winston Cup pole. This was Sterling Marlin's second Winston Cup win, both of which were in the Daytona 500. Sterling also joined Richard Petty (in 1974) and Cale Yarborough (in 1984) as the only drivers who have won back to back Daytona 500's; this has not been done since.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) 6-Mark Martin
 * 4) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 5) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 6) 30-Michael Waltrip
 * 7) 29-Steve Grissom
 * 8) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 9) 25-Ken Schrader
 * 10) 21-Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: 20-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 40-Greg Sacks, 14-Randy MacDonald, 95-Doug Heveron, 82-Terry Byers, 52-Gary Bradberry, 62-Ronnie Sanders, 81-Kenny Wallace, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 99-Shawna Robinson, 72-Jim Sauter, 51-Kerry Teague, 97-Chad Little, 68-Bob Strait, 23-Jimmy Spencer, 0-Delma Cowart, 47-Billy Standridge, 67-Ken Bouchard, 48-James Hylton, 53-Ritchie Petty, 32-Mike Chase

Goodwrench 500
The Goodwrench 500 was held February 26 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 3) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 5) 28-Dale Jarrett, 1 Lap down
 * 6) 29-Steve Grissom, 1 Lap down
 * 7) 6-Mark Martin, 2 Laps down
 * 8) 12-Derrike Cope, 3 Laps down
 * 9) 31-Ward Burton, 3 Laps down
 * 10) 42-Kyle Petty, 3 Laps down

Failed to qualify (in order of speeds): 66-Ben Hess, 52-Gary Bradberry, 48-James Hylton, 47-Billy Standridge, 19-Phil Parsons


 * This was the last 500 mile race at Rockingham.

Pontiac Excitement 400
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 4) 25-Ken Schrader
 * 5) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 6) 12-Derrike Cope
 * 7) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 8) 6-Mark Martin, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 43-Bobby Hamilton, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 37-John Andretti, 1 Lap down

Failed to qualify: 32-Jimmy Hensley, 81-Kenny Wallace, 47-Billy Standridge, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 29-Steve Grissom, 52-Gary Bradberry, 66-Ben Hess, 49-Eric Smith, 77-Davy Jones
 * Steve Grissom entered this race 5th in points after back-to-back Top 10s, but failed to qualify based on points from 1994.

Purolator 500
The Purolator 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 3) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 4) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 5) 28-Dale Jarrett, 1 Lap down
 * 6) 21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 Lap down
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 6-Mark Martin, 2 Laps down
 * 10) 2-Rusty Wallace, 2 Laps down

Failed to qualify: 31-Ward Burton, 52-Gary Bradberry, 27-Loy Allen Jr., 67-Ken Bouchard, 76-Johnny Chapman, 66-Ben Hess, 81-Kenny Wallace, 78-Pancho Carter


 * Before the field even took the green, Mike Wallace got turned into the inside wall on the frontstretch,damaging his car before he even got a chance to race on green.


 * Jeremy Mayfield, Michael Waltrip, and Jeff Purvis were involved in a vicious crash on the backstretch on lap 144. Mayfield got turned head-on into the wall off of turn 2 so hard, the rear tires came off the ground. When he came off the wall, the car was running straight down the backstretch but he had no brakes or steering, and he veered up towards the wall again right in front of Waltrip and Purvis and got t-boned extremely hard.

TranSouth Financial 400
The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 26 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 4) 75-Todd Bodine
 * 5) 12-Derrike Cope
 * 6) 29-Steve Grissom
 * 7) 30-Michael Waltrip
 * 8) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 9) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 10) 37-John Andretti, 1 Lap down

Failed to qualify: 81-Kenny Wallace, 52-Brad Teague, 19-Phil Parsons


 * This was the first race at Darlington after the Lady in Black was freshly paved for the first time in decades. Speeds were high and the cars gripped extremely well in the corners, leading to many drivers driving over their heads. There were many accidents as a result.


 * Jeff Gordon, who led most laps by far, was involved on a crash on lap 201.

Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held April 2 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 3) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 4) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 5) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 6) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 7) 5-Terry Labonte, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 6-Mark Martin, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 33-Robert Pressley, 2 Laps down

Failed to qualify: 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 87-Joe Nemechek, 26-Steve Kinser, 47-Billy Standridge, 78-Hut Stricklin, 66-Butch Miller, 52-Brad Teague, 27-Loy Allen Jr., 90-Mike Wallace

First Union 400
The First Union 400 was held April 9 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 6-Mark Martin
 * 4) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 5) 29-Steve Grissom
 * 6) 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 Lap down
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 1-Rick Mast, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 11-Brett Bodine, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 17-Darrell Waltrip, 2 Laps down

Failed to qualify: 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 81-Kenny Wallace, 32-Chuck Bown, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 77-Davy Jones, 47-Billy Standridge, 27-Jeff Purvis, 26-Steve Kinser, 52-Randy MacDonald
 * Steve Grissom re-entered the Top 10 in points after his DNQ at Richmond.
 * Final NASCAR race for sprint car legend Steve Kinser.

Hanes 500
The Hanes 500 was held April 23 at Martinsville Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 2) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 3) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 4) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 5) 6-Mark Martin
 * 6) 25-Ken Schrader
 * 7) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 8) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 9) 42-Kyle Petty, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 Lap down

Failed to qualify: 75-Todd Bodine, 23-Jimmy Spencer, 32-Chuck Bown, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 8-Jeff Burton, 22-Randy LaJoie, 77-Davy Jones


 * This race was shortened to 356 laps due to a combination of a long red flag for rain, and darkness.

Winston Select 500
The Winston Select 500 was held April 30 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #5 of Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 6-Mark Martin
 * 2) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 4) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 5) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 6) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 7) 7-Geoff Bodine
 * 8) 75-Todd Bodine
 * 9) 23-Jimmy Spencer
 * 10) 19-Loy Allen Jr.

Failed to qualify: 53-Ritchie Petty, 47-Billy Standridge, 87-Joe Nemechek, 65-Steve Seligman, 0-Delma Cowart
 * This was Loy Allen Jr.'s only Top 10 finish in NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing.
 * Dale Earnhardt was leading the race on the white flag, but was passed by Mark Martin on turn 1 and spun around by Morgan Shepherd exiting turn 2. The GM Goodwrench car lifted over a foot but roof flaps prevented the car getting airborne. Earnhardt managed to save the car and drove it to a 21st place finish.
 * Scenes from the early laps of this race were featured in the introduction in the 1996 PC game NASCAR Racing 2. The unsponsored car in the lead was Loy Allen Jr., who finished 10th after leading several laps and driving what was arguably the best race of his Cup career.

Save Mart Supermarkets 300
The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 7 at Sears Point International Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) 6-Mark Martin
 * 3) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 4) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 5) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 6) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 8) 75-Todd Bodine
 * 9) 25-Ken Schrader
 * 10) 30-Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: 40-Greg Sacks, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 27-Elton Sawyer, 00w-Scott Gaylord, 64-Garrett Evans, 22w-St. James Davis, 19-Ernie Cope


 * This was Dale Earnhardt's only career road course victory in Winston Cup competition. Coming to the white flag, Mark Martin hit oil and Earnhardt drove by him, took the lead and held off Martin for the victory (Martin had dominated the race).
 * Dale Jarrett got up on his side in a crash on Lap 62 trying to avoid a wreck between Rusty Wallace and Davy Jones. However, the marshals pushed him back on 4 wheels, and he finished the race in 23rd, on the lead lap.

Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #24 of Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 2) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 3) 30-Michael Waltrip
 * 4) 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 Lap down
 * 5) 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 Lap down
 * 6) 3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 Lap down
 * 7) 26-Hut Stricklin, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 9-Lake Speed, 2 Laps down
 * 9) 43-Bobby Hamilton, 2 Laps down
 * 10) 41-Ricky Craven, 3 Laps down

Failed to qualify: 40-Greg Sacks, 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 95-Jimmy Hensley, 77-Davy Jones, 44-Jeff Purvis, 67-Johnny Chapman


 * Jimmy Hensley relieved Darrell Waltrip during this race because of the injuries that Waltrip suffered the previous Saturday night during The Winston.
 * This was Bobby Labonte's first NASCAR Winston Cup win.

Miller Genuine Draft 500
The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held June 4 at Dover International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 42-Kyle Petty
 * 2) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 3) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 4) 26-Hut Stricklin
 * 5) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 6) 24-Jeff Gordon, 1 Lap down
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 30-Michael Waltrip, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 2-Rusty Wallace, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 87-Joe Nemechek, 1 Lap down

Failed to qualify: 79-Doug French, 19-Loy Allen Jr.


 * This was the first race at Dover after the track surface had been changed from asphalt to concrete.
 * This race was marred by "The Big One," a 20 car crash on Lap 2 coming out of Turn 4. Usually, these occur only during restrictor plate races, but they have been known to occur at Dover.
 * This was Kyle Petty's eighth and most recent NASCAR Winston Cup win. He started 37th and avoided the early carnage to lead 271 of the 500 laps (54.2%).

UAW-GM Teamwork 500
The UAW-GM Teamwork 500 was held June 11 at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 2) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 3) 25-Ken Schrader
 * 4) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 5) 26-Hut Stricklin
 * 6) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 7) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 8) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 9) 30-Michael Waltrip
 * 10) 11-Brett Bodine


 * Terry Labonte made the pass for the win on the final restart with less than 10 laps to go, when teammate Jeff Gordon missed the upshift from 2nd to 3rd gear. The result of that was that the entire line of cars swept to the left and passed Gordon. Gordon ended up finishing 16th, last car on the lead lap.

Miller Genuine Draft 400
The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 18 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 2) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 4) 37-John Andretti
 * 5) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 6) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 8) 6-Mark Martin
 * 9) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 10) 16-Ted Musgrave

Failed to qualify: 88-Gary Bradberry, 40-Greg Sacks


 * Late in the race, the #9 of Lake Speed (who finished 11th) accidentally pinched the #30 of Michael Waltrip (who finished 12th) into the wall. Waltrip took exception to this move and confronted Speed on pit road after the race. He ended up throwing a couple of punches through the driver's side window of Speed's Spam Ford.

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

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 3) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) 6-Mark Martin
 * 5) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 6) 25-Ken Schrader
 * 7) 42-Kyle Petty
 * 8) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 9) 23-Jimmy Spencer
 * 10) 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to Qualify: 81-Kenny Wallace, 0-Delma Cowart, 65-Steve Seligman


 * The race ended on an unusual 1 lap shootout.
 * Benny Parsons, ESPN's announcer, joked about Gordon, who was leading on the final restart saying that he "took shifting lessons" because of Gordon's mistake on the last race at Pocono.

Slick 50 300
The Slick 50 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 3) 6-Mark Martin
 * 4) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 5) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 6) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 7) 12-Derrike Cope
 * 8) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 9) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 10) 25-Ken Schrader

Failed to Qualify: 49-Eric Smith

Miller Genuine Draft 500
The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 16 at Pocono Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 2) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 4) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 5) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 6) 7-Geoff Bodine
 * 7) 6-Mark Martin
 * 8) 98-Jeremy Mayfield
 * 9) 87-Joe Nemechek
 * 10) 15-Dick Trickle

Failed to Qualify: 14-Randy MacDonald, 82-Terry Byers

DieHard 500
The DieHard 500 was held July 23 at Talladega Superspeedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. The race was most remembered for Ken Schrader's wild end-over-end tumble in "the Big One" on lap 139, which collected 13 other cars. He was not injured, though.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 2) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 3) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 5) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 6) 42-Kyle Petty
 * 7) 6-Mark Martin
 * 8) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 9) 30-Michael Waltrip
 * 10) 23-Jimmy Spencer, 1 Lap down

Failed to qualify: 22-Jimmy Hensley, 0-Delma Cowart, 65-Steve Seligman


 * Jeff Gordon was very distraught, even in tears, over Ken Schrader's crash because he tapped him to begin the series of events that led to him flipping through the infield grass. He was afraid he had killed his teammate, but Schrader actually got on Gordon's radio after he got out of the infield care center to tell him that he was ok and not to worry about him.

Brickyard 400
The Second Brickyard 400 was held Saturday August 5 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole on Thursday August 3 with a track record speed of 172.536 mph. Dale Earnhardt beat Rusty Wallace to the finish line, in a race slowed by only one caution for 4 laps. Jeff Burton spun off turn two right in front of eventual winner Earnhardt with 27 laps to go. The start of the race was delayed until approximately 5:15 p.m. due to rain, and the race was completed shortly before sunset.

The remnants of Hurricane Erin overtook the midwest, and rain settled in for two days. Friday morning practice was lost, and second round qualifying was also rained out. As a result, all cars reverted back to their time trials speed from the first round, and the field was filled accordingly. Without a chance in second round qualifying, A. J. Foyt notably failed to qualify, the first time he failed to qualify in a race he attempted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1958. The field managed a brief "happy hour" practice late Friday evening, and rain began to fall again.

On Saturday, steady rain fell all morning, and threatened to wash out the day. The forecast was marginal for Sunday as well, threatening to washout the whole weekend. Many fans left the grounds as local media speculated (and some erroneously reported) that the race would be postponed. In an unexpected turn of events, at approximately 3:30 p.m. EST (4:30 p.m. EDT), the skies suddenly cleared, and track drying efforts began in earnest. The teams scrambled to get their cars prepared, and the field lined up in the garage area. The pace truck led them on to the track and the race began with many fans still scurrying to their seats. Some fans driving home on the interstate reportedly turned around and drove back to the track when the radio reported the race was starting.

ABC-TV had signed off before the race began, and it was aired instead tape delay on Sunday afternoon on ESPN. It stands as one of the last NASCAR races not aired live on television.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 3) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 4) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 5) 6-Mark Martin
 * 6) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 8) 1-Rick Mast
 * 9) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 10) 21-Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: 44-Jeff Purvis, 95-Loy Allen Jr., 66-Billy Standridge, 78-Pancho Carter, 71-Dave Marcis, 65-Steve Seligman, 50-A.J. Foyt, 80-Joe Ruttman, 99-Danny Sullivan


 * Danny Sullivan's entry was withdrawn after his career-ending crash in the Marlboro 500 at Michigan.

The Bud At The Glen
The Bud At The Glen was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 6-Mark Martin
 * 2) 22-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
 * 3) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 4) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 5) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 6) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 7) 37-John Andretti
 * 8) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 9) 7-Geoff Bodine
 * 10) 41-Ricky Craven

Failed to Qualify: 61-David Murry, 90-Mike Wallace, 49-Eric Smith


 * This was Mark Martin's 3rd consecutive win from the pole at Watkins Glen.


 * Wally Dallenbach, Jr., in a one-off drive for Bill Davis Racing, was leading by almost 10 seconds late in the race with Mark Martin gaining on him by about 1 second a lap when a caution came out for fluid on the track from Joe Nemechek's broken transmission. Martin passed Dallenbach half a lap after the restart to claim the win.

GM Goodwrench 400
The GM Goodwrench 400 was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 2) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 3) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 4) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 5) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 6) 31-Ward Burton
 * 7) 41-Ricky Craven
 * 8) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 9) 94-Bill Elliott, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 26-Hut Stricklin, 1 Lap down

Failed to Qualify: 40-Rich Bickle, 72-Tracy Leslie, 02-Tim Steele, 95-Loy Allen Jr.


 * This was Ward Burton's last race in the #31 Hardees Chevrolet for A.G. Dillard Motorsports.

Goody's 500
The Goody's 500 was held August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. This race is likely the most memorable race of the entire 1995 season due to the infamous finish of the event where Dale Earnhardt ran Terry Labonte down from 3 seconds behind in the late stages of the race and tapped him coming off Turn 4 on the last lap. This tap got Labonte loose, and then Labonte overcorrected (slightly grazing the #31 Hardees/Ferguson Chevrolet of Greg Sacks in the process). This put Labonte head on into the outside wall just beyond the start-finish line, still ahead of Earnhardt to claim the victory.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 4) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 5) 6-Mark Martin
 * 6) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 7) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 8) 90-Mike Wallace
 * 9) 8-Jeff Burton
 * 10) 12-Derrike Cope, 1 Lap down

Failed to qualify: 42-Kyle Petty, 95-Joe Ruttman, 81-Kenny Wallace, 32-Jimmy Hensley, 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 75-Todd Bodine, 27-Elton Sawyer


 * This race started roughly an hour and a half to two hours behind schedule due to persistent rains from Tropical Storm Jerry, which had made landfall to the south earlier in the week. It actually rained off and on during the race once it started, but never hard enough to cause a caution.


 * This was Ward Burton's first race in the #22 MBNA America Pontiac for Bill Davis Racing. However, it was a short debut as Burton crashed out of the race and finished 34th.


 * Dale Earnhardt was sent to the rear of the field after spinning Rusty Wallace coming out of Turn 4 on Lap 32. This resulted in an argument between Wallace and Earnhardt after the race where Wallace threw a water bottle at Earnhardt.


 * Later in the race, Earnhardt ran into the back of Derrike Cope's #12 Mane n' Tail/Straight Arrow Ford on a restart. This significantly damaged the front of Earnhardt's car and forced him to pit road for repairs once the caution flag waved again. This was the reason why Earnhardt had to charge through the field in order to catch Terry Labonte at the end of the race.


 * At one point, the #94 McDonalds Ford of Bill Elliott climbed the wall coming out of Turn 2.


 * The #43 of Bobby Hamilton was given a 5 lap penalty for rough driving for wrecking the #11 Lowe's Ford of Brett Bodine twice within 20 laps.


 * Lake Speed suffered from a slight case of smoke inhalation as a result of a crash on Lap 390 that broke an oil line on his #9 Spam Ford. The broken oil line (and the accompanying substantial oil leak, which was streaming down the left front fender of the car) caused a fire while Speed was trying to get the car back to his pit stall.

Mountain Dew Southern 500
The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. The #37 of John Andretti won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 4) 22-Ward Burton
 * 5) 30-Michael Waltrip
 * 6) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 7) 26-Hut Stricklin
 * 8) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 9) 9-Lake Speed
 * 10) 4-Sterling Marlin

Failed to Qualify: 66-Billy Standridge, 52-Brad Teague, 88-Gary Bradberry

Miller Genuine Draft 400
The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 2) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 3) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 5) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 6) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 7) 37-John Andretti, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 25-Ken Schrader, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 Lap down

Failed to Qualify: 32-Ed Berrier, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 40-Shane Hall, 29-Steve Grissom, 90-Mike Wallace, 49-Eric Smith


 * Steve Grissom failed to qualify for both Richmond Winston Cup races in 1995.

MBNA 500
The MBNA 500 was held September 17 at Dover International Speedway. The #1 of Rick Mast won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 3) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 4) 87-Joe Nemechek
 * 5) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 6) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 7) 12-Derrike Cope, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 6-Mark Martin, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 18-Bobby Labonte, 2 Laps down
 * 10) 10-Ricky Rudd, 2 Laps down

Failed to Qualify: 66-Billy Standridge, 67-Terry Fisher, 31-Greg Sacks

Goody's 500
The Goody's 500 was held September 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, so point leader Jeff Gordon was awarded with the pole position.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 3) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 4) 43-Bobby Hamilton
 * 5) 7-Geoff Bodine
 * 6) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 7) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 8) 17-Darrell Waltrip
 * 9) 12-Derrike Cope
 * 10) 28-Dale Jarrett

Failed to Qualify: 31-Jimmy Hensley, 32-Greg Sacks, 40-Rich Bickle, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 81-Kenny Wallace


 * In the middle part of the race, rookie Robert Pressley's brakes were wearing thin. On the backstretch he touched Ted Musgrave, who was running on seven cylinders, and sent him spinning into the pit wall. The back wheels of the Family Channel Ford climbed on top of the pit wall. This essentially ended Musgrave's title hopes, as he never really regained his earlier season form.

Tyson Holly Farms 400
The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was held October 1 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The #16 of Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 6-Mark Martin
 * 2) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 3) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 4) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 5) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 6) 88-Ernie Irvan
 * 7) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 8) 25-Ken Schrader, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 Lap down
 * 10) 94-Bill Elliott, 1 Lap down

Failed to Qualify: 75-Todd Bodine, 32-Greg Sacks, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 22-Ward Burton, 8-Jeff Burton, 90-Mike Wallace, 78-Jay Hedgecock


 * This was Ernie Irvan's first race back in the Winston Cup Series since his near-fatal crash in practice at Michigan in August 1994. This resulted in Robert Yates Racing unveiling the #88 in order to give Irvan a car to re-acclimate himself to racing before going full-time in 1996.


 * All 36 cars starting the race finished the event within ten laps of the winner. (Jimmy Spencer was 36th, 10 laps down.) It was the first race since 1959 that an entire starting field finished the race, with no drivers scoring a DNF.

UAW-GM Quality 500
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 6-Mark Martin
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 3) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 4) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 5) 28-Dale Jarrett
 * 6) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 7) 22-Ward Burton
 * 8) 18-Bobby Labonte
 * 9) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 10) 43-Bobby Hamilton

Failed to Qualify: 97-Chad Little, 81-Kenny Wallace, 44-Jeff Purvis, 0-Delma Cowart, 66-Billy Standridge


 * Dale Earnhardt took the Past Champion's Provisional to get into this race. Within 70 laps, he was 2nd.

AC Delco 400
The AC Delco 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. The #26 of Hut Stricklin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 22-Ward Burton
 * 2) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 3) 6-Mark Martin
 * 4) 5-Terry Labonte
 * 5) 8-Jeff Burton
 * 6) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 7) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 8) 41-Ricky Craven
 * 9) 87-Joe Nemechek
 * 10) 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 88-Ernie Irvan, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 78-Jay Hedgecock, 84-Norm Benning, 70-Alan Russell, 14-Richard Brickhouse


 * This was Ward Burton's first career Winston Cup win, coming in just his seventh race for Bill Davis Racing.


 * This race featured an unusual 10+ lap long caution due to an error by NASCAR officials pertaining to Dale Earnhardt's car. On a green flag pit stop, Earnhardt's crew changed 4 tires like any other stop.  However, one of the lugnuts on the left front tire was not painted red like the rest.  As a result, an official called Earnhardt's car back in the pits to fix the problem that didn't actually exist.  NASCAR then threw the caution in order to essentially put Earnhardt back where he was before the officials' error occurred, which was more or less unprecedented.

Dura Lube 500
The Dura Lube 500 was held October 29 at Phoenix International Raceway. The #94 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 10-Ricky Rudd
 * 2) 12-Derrike Cope
 * 3) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 4) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 5) 24-Jeff Gordon
 * 6) 16-Ted Musgrave
 * 7) 21-Morgan Shepherd
 * 8) 6-Mark Martin
 * 9) 1-Rick Mast
 * 10) 25-Ken Schrader

Failed to Qualify: 50-A.J. Foyt, 97-Chad Little, 08-Mike Bliss, 40-Shane Hall, 00w-Scott Gaylord, 58w-Wayne Jacks, 7w-L.J. Pryor, 36w-Rich Woodland, Jr.


 * This victory gave Ricky Rudd a victory in 13 consecutive seasons, dating back to 1983 (when he earned his 1st career victory at Riverside while driving the #3 Piedmont Airlines Chevrolet for Richard Childress).

NAPA 500
The NAPA 500 was held November 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The #17 of Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) 3-Dale Earnhardt
 * 2) 4-Sterling Marlin
 * 3) 2-Rusty Wallace
 * 4) 94-Bill Elliott
 * 5) 22-Ward Burton
 * 6) 23-Jimmy Spencer
 * 7) 88-Ernie Irvan, 1 Lap down
 * 8) 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 Lap down
 * 9) 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 1 Lap down
 * 10) 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 Lap down

Failed to Qualify: 40-Shane Hall, 90-Mike Wallace, 68-Jack Sprague, 66-Billy Standridge


 * Dale Earnhardt, knowing that he had to be near perfect to win the championship, went out, won the race and led the most laps by far (268; Bill Elliott was second with 17 laps led). However, it was not enough to overcome Jeff Gordon.


 * Jeff Gordon came into the race only having to finish 41st or better to win the championship. As a result, he took it easy during the race (at one point, the team did a pit stop with Ray Evernham (Gordon's crew chief) serving as a tire changer. Gordon clinched the championship by leading a lap during a round of green flag pit stops. Gordon finished 14 laps down in 32nd, but it was enough to earn the championship.


 * Hendrick Motorsports entered a 4th car just for this race just in case the unforeseen were to hit Gordon's car. If problems were to befall Gordon's car, the car would immediately pull off the track and retire from the race. This was the #58 Chevrolet with "Racing for a Reason" on the quarterpanels. Racing for a Reason referred to finding a cure for leukemia, a disease that owner Rick Hendrick had been diagnosed with. The team had originally hired Jimmy Horton to drive the car in the race. Horton qualified the car in 34th, but was unable to race it due to serious injuries suffered in a terrible crash in the ARCA Bondo Mar-Hyde Series support race the day before the NAPA 500. Jeff Purvis was then hired to sub for Horton in the #58 and drove the car to a 26th place finish, 8 laps down.


 * Final race for King Racing, owned by drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein.

Final Points Standings

 * 1) 24-Jeff Gordon – 4614
 * 2) 3-Dale Earnhardt – 4580
 * 3) 4-Sterling Marlin – 4361
 * 4) 6-Mark Martin – 4320
 * 5) 2-Rusty Wallace – 4240
 * 6) 5-Terry Labonte – 4146
 * 7) 16-Ted Musgrave – 3949
 * 8) 94-Bill Elliott – 3746
 * 9) 10-Ricky Rudd – 3734
 * 10) 18-Bobby Labonte – 3718
 * 11) 21-Morgan Shepherd – 3618
 * 12) 30-Michael Waltrip – 3601
 * 13) 28-Dale Jarrett – 3584
 * 14) 43-Bobby Hamilton – 3576
 * 15) 12-Derrike Cope – 3384
 * 16) 7-Geoff Bodine – 3357
 * 17) 25-Ken Schrader – 3221
 * 18) 37-John Andretti – 3140
 * 19) 17-Darrell Waltrip – 3078
 * 20) 11-Brett Bodine – 2988
 * 21) 1-Rick Mast – 2984
 * 22) 22-Ward Burton – 2926
 * 23) 9-Lake Speed – 2921
 * 24) 41-Ricky Craven – 2883
 * 25) 15-Dick Trickle – 2875
 * 26) 23-Jimmy Spencer – 2809
 * 27) 29-Steve Grissom – 2757
 * 28) 87-Joe Nemechek – 2742
 * 29) 33-Robert Pressley – 2663
 * 30) 42-Kyle Petty – 2638
 * 31) 98-Jeremy Mayfield – 2637
 * 32) 8-Jeff Burton – 2556
 * 33) 75-Todd Bodine – 2372
 * 34) 90-Mike Wallace – 2178
 * 35) 71-Dave Marcis – 2126
 * 36) 26-Hut Stricklin – 2082
 * 37) 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr. – 1686
 * 38) 27-Elton Sawyer – 1499
 * 39) 32-Greg Sacks – 1349
 * 40) Randy LaJoie – 1133
 * 41) 19-Loy Allen Jr. – 890
 * 42) Kenny Wallace – 878
 * 43) Chuck Bown – 618
 * 44) Jimmy Hensley – 558
 * 45) Rich Bickle – 538
 * 46) Davy Jones – 520
 * 47) 58-Jeff Purvis – 391
 * 48) 88-Ernie Irvan – 354
 * 49) Steve Kinser – 287
 * 50) Wally Dallenbach, Jr. – 221

Rookie of the Year
29-year-old Ricky Craven from Newburgh, Maine received the 1995 Rookie of the Year award. Craven took the #41 Kodiak Chevy owned by Sue and Larry Hedrick to four top-tens and finished 24th in the points. Runner-up was Craven's former Busch Series opponent Robert Pressley, posting one top-ten in the Leo Jackson Motorsports Chevy. The next runner-up, Randy LaJoie, began the year in the 22 car, but struggled and was released midway through the year, while Elton Sawyer didn't join the battle until Martinsville. The final two contenders were Steve Kinser and Davy Jones, a pair of open-wheel veterans who struggled in their transition to stock cars.