1998 NASCAR Busch Series

The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series Season began on Saturday February 14 and ended on Sunday November 15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was crowned champion at season's end.

See also: 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

1998 Team chart
List of full-time teams at the start of 1998.

NAPA Auto Parts 300
The NAPA Auto Parts 300 was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Joe Nemechek
 * 2) Jeff Purvis
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Buckshot Jones
 * 5) Randy LaJoie
 * 6) Matt Kenseth
 * 7) Michael Waltrip
 * 8) Kevin Schwantz
 * 9) Jimmy Spencer
 * 10) Phil Parsons

Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Patty Moise (#14), Larry Pearson (#55), Ron Barfield (#2), Jimmy Foster (#50), Derrike Cope (#92), Blaise Alexander (#20), Doug Reid (#7), Dale Shaw (#48), Lance Hooper (#23), Chris Diamond (#68), Mark Day (#16)


 * Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a blowover with Dick Trickle after Trickle turned him

GM Goodwrench Service Plus 200
The GM Goodwrench Service Plus 200 was held February 21 at North Carolina Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Matt Kenseth
 * 2) Tony Stewart
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Jeff Burton
 * 5) Mike McLaughlin
 * 6) Elliott Sadler
 * 7) Randy LaJoie
 * 8) Mike Dillon
 * 9) Mark Green
 * 10) Jason Keller

Failed to qualify: Patty Moise (#14), Jimmy Foster (#50), Dale Shaw (#48), Lance Hooper (#23), Ed Berrier (#77), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Kevin Cywinski, Stanton Barrett, Bobby Hillin, Jr. (#8), Rick Fuller, Michael Ritch

Sam's Town Las Vegas 300
The Sam's Town Las Vegas 300 was held February 28 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jimmy Spencer
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 3) Joe Nemechek
 * 4) Jeff Burton
 * 5) Dale Jarrett
 * 6) Mark Martin
 * 7) Mike Dillon
 * 8) Buckshot Jones
 * 9) Hermie Sadler
 * 10) Ed Berrier

Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Ron Barfield, Chris Diamond (#68), Bobby Hillin, Jr. (#8), Rick Fuller, Dale Fischlein, Brendan Gaughan (#62)

BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320
The BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320 was held March 15 at Nashville Speedway USA. Casey Atwood won the pole, becoming the youngest pole winner in NASCAR Busch Series history.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Mike McLaughlin
 * 2) Casey Atwood
 * 3) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 4) Randy LaJoie
 * 5) Jason Keller
 * 6) Joe Nemechek
 * 7) Sterling Marlin
 * 8) Tim Fedewa
 * 9) Dick Trickle
 * 10) Elton Sawyer

Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Chris Diamond (#68), Mark Day (#16), Brad Loney (#45), Mike Stefanik (#96), Jeff Krogh (#56), Mark Krogh (#80), Derek Gilcrest (#12)

Diamond Hill Plywood 200
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Bobby Labonte
 * 2) Jeff Burton
 * 3) Dick Trickle
 * 4) Matt Kenseth
 * 5) Elliott Sadler
 * 6) Mike Dillon
 * 7) Hermie Sadler
 * 8) Mike McLaughlin
 * 9) Robert Pressley
 * 10) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Failed to qualify: Ron Barfield, Jeff Fuller, Patty Moise (#14), Jimmy Foster (#50), Dave Blaney (#93), Mike Stefanik (#96)

Moore's Snacks 250
The Moore's Snacks 250 was held March 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Elliott Sadler
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 3) Matt Kenseth
 * 4) Elton Sawyer
 * 5) Jason Keller
 * 6) Mike McLaughlin
 * 7) Phil Parsons
 * 8) Stanton Barrett
 * 9) Glenn Allen, Jr.
 * 10) Patty Moise

Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Derrike Cope

Coca Cola 300
The Coca Cola 300 was held April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Elliott Sadler
 * 3) Joe Nemechek
 * 4) Phil Parsons
 * 5) Jeff Krogh
 * 6) Randy LaJoie
 * 7) Mark Green
 * 8) Matt Kenseth
 * 9) Jeff Green
 * 10) Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#53), Dick Trickle (#64), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Mark Day (#16), Bobby Hillin, Jr. (#8), Tom Lorenz (#62), Ted Smokstad (#48), Jeff Fuller (#78)


 * This was Dale Earnhardt Jr's first career Busch Series win.

Galaxy Food Centers 300
The final Galaxy Food Centers 300 was held April 11 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Robert Pressley won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Ed Berrier
 * 2) Hermie Sadler
 * 3) Tim Fedewa
 * 4) Mike Dillon
 * 5) Matt Kenseth
 * 6) Robert Pressley
 * 7) Mike Cope
 * 8) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 9) Shane Hall
 * 10) Jason Keller

Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Kevin Lepage (#40), Blaise Alexander (#20), Patty Moise (#14), Chris Diamond (#68), Johnny Chapman (#21), Johnny Rumley (#96), Shane Jenkins (#49), Randy Porter (#48), Eddie Beahr (#39)

Touchstone Energy 300
The Touchstone Energy 300 was held April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. During that race, Dave Blaney got spun around and flipped onto its side and slammed the wall with his roof. He survived that accident.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Joe Nemechek
 * 2) Phil Parsons
 * 3) Mike McLaughlin
 * 4) Buckshot Jones
 * 5) Dick Trickle
 * 6) Glenn Allen, Jr.
 * 7) Loy Allen Jr.
 * 8) Matt Kenseth
 * 9) Matt Hutter
 * 10) Elton Sawyer

Failed to qualify: Patty Moise (#14), Doug Reid (#7), Robert Pressley (#59), Mark Day (#16), Rick Wilson (#50)

Gumout Long Life Formula 200
The Gumout Long Life Formula 200 was held May 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Joe Bessey won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Buckshot Jones
 * 2) Tony Stewart
 * 3) Kevin Lepage
 * 4) Jeff Purvis
 * 5) Randy LaJoie
 * 6) Glenn Allen, Jr.
 * 7) Mike McLaughlin
 * 8) Kevin Grubb
 * 9) Robert Pressley
 * 10) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Failed to qualify: Mike Olsen (#61), Joey McCarthy (#41), Tom Bolles (#76), Brian Simo (#03)

First Union 200
The First Union 200 was held May 17 at Nazareth Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Tim Fedewa
 * 2) Jeff Purvis
 * 3) Mike McLaughlin
 * 4) Matt Kenseth
 * 5) Joe Bessey
 * 6) Ed Berrier
 * 7) Jason Keller
 * 8) Elliott Sadler
 * 9) Glenn Allen, Jr.
 * 10) Ted Christopher

Failed to qualify: none

CarQuest Auto Parts 300
The CarQuest Auto Parts 300 was held May 23 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Mark Martin
 * 2) Joe Nemechek
 * 3) Jimmy Spencer
 * 4) Michael Waltrip
 * 5) Matt Kenseth
 * 6) Bobby Labonte
 * 7) Mike McLaughlin
 * 8) Elton Sawyer
 * 9) Bobby Hillin, Jr.
 * 10) Hermie Sadler

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#92), Loy Allen Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Matt Hutter (#36), Blaise Alexander (#20), Mike Cope (#30), Kenny Irwin Jr. (#48), Kelly Denton (#75), Mark Krogh (#80), Andy Santerre (#47), Gary Laton (#46)

MBNA Platinum 200
The MBNA Platinum 200 was held May 30 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Bobby Hillin, Jr.
 * 3) Tony Stewart
 * 4) Dale Jarrett
 * 5) Mike McLaughlin
 * 6) Robert Pressley
 * 7) Phil Parsons
 * 8) Elton Sawyer
 * 9) Jason Keller
 * 10) Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: Bryan Wall, Hal Browning

Hardee's 250
The Hardee's 250 was held June 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Wayne Grubb won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 3) Matt Kenseth
 * 4) Wayne Grubb
 * 5) Mark Martin
 * 6) Jason Keller
 * 7) Kevin Lepage
 * 8) Dick Trickle
 * 9) Kevin Grubb
 * 10) Robert Pressley

Failed to qualify: Dale Jarrett (#32), Jeff Krogh (#56), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Blaise Alexander (#20), Ted Christopher (#13), Derrike Cope (#92), Patty Moise (#14), Joey McCarthy (#41), Mike Laughlin, Jr. (#45), Mike Olsen (#61), Derek Gilcrest (#12)

Lycos.com 250
The inaugural Lycos.com 250 was held June 14 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Matt Kenseth
 * 2) Phil Parsons
 * 3) Randy LaJoie
 * 4) Elton Sawyer
 * 5) Jeff Purvis
 * 6) Curtis Markham
 * 7) Mark Green
 * 8) Ron Hornaday
 * 9) Mike Cope
 * 10) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Failed to qualify: none

Lysol 200
The Lysol 200 was held June 28 at Watkins Glen International. Boris Said won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Ron Fellows
 * 2) Mike McLaughlin
 * 3) Ashton Lewis
 * 4) David Green
 * 5) Mike Dillon
 * 6) Jack Sprague
 * 7) Tim Fedewa
 * 8) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 9) Ricky Craven
 * 10) Jason Keller

Failed to qualify: Mark Krogh (#80), John Preston (#55), Rick Bell (#78), Kat Teasdale (#54), Patty Moise (#14), Dale Quarterley (#32N)

DieHard 250
The DieHard 250 was held July 5 at The Milwaukee Mile. Jeff Purvis won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Elton Sawyer
 * 3) Jeff Purvis
 * 4) David Green
 * 5) Matt Kenseth
 * 6) Mike McLaughlin
 * 7) Buckshot Jones
 * 8) Tim Fedewa
 * 9) Joe Bessey
 * 10) Randy LaJoie

Failed to qualify: none

Myrtle Beach 250
The Myrtle Beach 250 was held July 11 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Tim Fedewa won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Randy LaJoie
 * 2) David Green
 * 3) Mike McLaughlin
 * 4) Lyndon Amick
 * 5) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 6) Tim Fedewa
 * 7) Joe Bessey
 * 8) Matt Kenseth
 * 9) Mark Green
 * 10) Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: Bobby Hillin, Jr. (#8), Kevin Prince (#90), Johnny Chapman (#73), Blaise Alexander (#20), Patty Moise (#14), Jimmy Foster (#50), Mark Krogh (#80), Eddie Beahr (#39)

Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300
The Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 was held July 19 at California Speedway. Robert Pressley won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Kevin Lepage
 * 3) Matt Kenseth
 * 4) Phil Parsons
 * 5) David Green
 * 6) Jeff Purvis
 * 7) Elliott Sadler
 * 8) Mark Krogh
 * 9) Joe Bessey
 * 10) Mike Dillon

Failed to qualify: none

Lycos.com 300 Presented by Vallydale Foods
The Lycos.com 300 Presented by Vallydale Foods was held July 25 at South Boston Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Matt Kenseth
 * 2) Randy LaJoie
 * 3) Mike McLaughlin
 * 4) David Green
 * 5) Todd Bodine
 * 6) Curtis Markham
 * 7) Elliott Sadler
 * 8) Shane Hall
 * 9) Lyndon Amick
 * 10) Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Kevin Prince (#90), Ashton Lewis (#89), Mark Krogh (#80), Jeff Krogh (#56), Jim Bown (#78), Toby Robertson (#12), Patty Moise (#14), Kelly Denton (#75), Johnny Chapman (#73), Casey Atwood (#27)

Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held July 31 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Buckshot Jones won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Elliott Sadler
 * 3) Buckshot Jones
 * 4) Randy LaJoie
 * 5) David Green
 * 6) Matt Kenseth
 * 7) Mike Bliss
 * 8) Elton Sawyer
 * 9) Mike Wallace
 * 10) Bobby Hillin, Jr.

Failed to qualify: Brad Noffsinger (#43), Mark McFarland (#82), Mark Day (#16), Stevie Reeves (#54), Kenneth Nichols (#94)

Pepsi 200 Presented by Devilbiss
The Pepsi 200 Presented by Devilbiss was held August 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Bobby Labonte
 * 3) Matt Kenseth
 * 4) Kevin Lepage
 * 5) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 6) Mark Martin
 * 7) Bobby Hillin, Jr.
 * 8) Elton Sawyer
 * 9) Michael Waltrip
 * 10) Rick Mast

Failed to qualify: Dave Blaney (#93), Dale Fischlein (#70), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Lyndon Amick (#35), Gary Laton

Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held August 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Grissom won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Kevin Lepage
 * 2) Phil Parsons
 * 3) Dale Jarrett
 * 4) Todd Bodine
 * 5) Tim Fedewa
 * 6) Ken Schrader
 * 7) Wayne Grubb
 * 8) Buckshot Jones
 * 9) Nathan Buttke
 * 10) David Green

Failed to qualify: Michael Waltrip (#21), Lyndon Amick (#35), Greg Marlowe (#78), Mark Day (#16)

Dura-Lube 200 Presented by BI-LO
The Dura-Lube 200 Presented by BI-LO was held September 5 at Darlington Raceway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dick Trickle
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 3) Mike McLaughlin
 * 4) Kevin Lepage
 * 5) Todd Bodine
 * 6) Matt Kenseth
 * 7) Dale Jarrett
 * 8) Mark Martin
 * 9) Robert Pressley
 * 10) Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Jeff Green (#92), Kelly Denton (#75), Ron Barfield (#2)

Autolite Platinum 250
The Autolite Platinum 250 was held September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Andy Santerre won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Jeff Burton
 * 3) Jimmy Spencer
 * 4) Matt Kenseth
 * 5) Todd Bodine
 * 6) Jeff Purvis
 * 7) Kevin Lepage
 * 8) Dick Trickle
 * 9) Glenn Allen, Jr.
 * 10) Andy Santerre

Failed to qualify: none

MBNA Gold 200
The MBNA Gold 200 was held September 19 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Grubb won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Matt Kenseth
 * 2) Kevin Grubb
 * 3) Elton Sawyer
 * 4) Mike McLaughlin
 * 5) Todd Bodine
 * 6) Elton Sawyer
 * 7) Jeff Purvis
 * 8) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 9) Ricky Craven
 * 10) Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: none

All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300
The All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 was held October 3 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dave Blaney won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Mike McLaughlin
 * 2) Matt Kenseth
 * 3) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 4) Jimmy Spencer
 * 5) Buckshot Jones
 * 6) Jeff Burton
 * 7) Kevin Lepage
 * 8) Todd Bodine
 * 9) Jeff Purvis
 * 10) Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: none

Carquest Auto Parts 250
The Carquest Auto Parts 250 was held October 17 at Gateway International Raceway. Shane Hall won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 2) Matt Kenseth
 * 3) Jeff Purvis
 * 4) Andy Santerre
 * 5) Tony Stewart
 * 6) Dave Blaney
 * 7) Randy LaJoie
 * 8) Shane Hall
 * 9) Todd Bodine
 * 10) Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Tracy Leslie (#2), Joey McCarthy (#41), Eric Bodine (#1), Melvin Walen (#58), J. D. Gibbs (#42)

AC Delco 200
The AC Delco 200 was held October 31 at North Carolina Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Elliott Sadler
 * 2) Kevin Lepage
 * 3) Hermie Sadler
 * 4) Kevin Grubb
 * 5) Philip Morris
 * 6) Hank Parker Jr.
 * 7) Mike Dillon
 * 8) Bobby Hillin, Jr.
 * 9) Tim Fedewa
 * 10) Curtis Markham

Failed to qualify: Tracy Leslie (#97), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Jeff Green (#92), Mike Wallace (#50), Bryan Wall (#73), Scott Hansen (#09), Lyndon Amick (#35), Matt Hutter (#55), Ted Christopher (#13), Chuck Bown (#51), Jeff Finley (#79), Mark Day (#16)

Stihl 300
The Stihl 300 was originally scheduled for March 1998 but was held November 7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway after it and the Winston Cup Series Primestar 500 were both rained out. Dick Trickle won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Mark Martin
 * 2) Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 3) Tony Stewart
 * 4) Buckshot Jones
 * 5) Kevin Grubb
 * 6) Joe Nemechek
 * 7) Phil Parsons
 * 8) Michael Waltrip
 * 9) Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Tracy Leslie (#97), Lyndon Amick (#35), Hut Stricklin (#92), Gary Bradberry (#86), Curtis Markham (#89), Randy MacDonald (#7), Nathan Buttke (#78), Ken Bouchard (#50), Jeff Finley (#79), Morgan Shepherd

Jiffy Lube Miami 300
The Jiffy Lube Miami 300 was held November 15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Casey Atwood won the pole.

Top Ten Results


 * 1) Jeff Burton
 * 2) Jimmy Spencer
 * 3) Mark Martin
 * 4) Matt Kenseth
 * 5) David Green
 * 6) Dave Blaney
 * 7) Johnny Benson
 * 8) Glenn Allen, Jr.
 * 9) Randy LaJoie
 * 10) Tim Fedewa

Failed to qualify: Chuck Bown, Ted Christopher, Jeff Krogh (#56), Patty Moise (#14), John Preston, Nathan Buttke, Kevin Schwantz (#88), Morgan Shepherd, Philip Morris (#84), Hank Parker Jr. (#53), Lyndon Amick (#35), Freddie Query, Gus Wasson, Mark Krogh (#80)

Final Points Standings

 * 1) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 4469
 * 2) Matt Kenseth - 4421
 * 3) Mike McLaughlin = 4045
 * 4) Randy LaJoie - 3543
 * 5) Elton Sawyer - 3533
 * 6) Phil Parsons - 3525
 * 7) Tim Fedewa - 3515
 * 8) Elliott Sadler - 3470
 * 9) Buckshot Jones - 3453
 * 10) Hermie Sadler - 3340
 * 11) Glenn Allen, Jr. - 3270
 * 12) Mike Dillon - 3250
 * 13) Mark Green - 3075
 * 14) Kevin Lepage - 3052
 * 15) Jeff Purvis - 3019
 * 16) Jason Keller - 2971
 * 17) Ed Berrier - 2772
 * 18) Joe Bessey - 2763
 * 19) Shane Hall - 2763
 * 20) Andy Santerre - 2598
 * 21) Tony Stewart - 2455
 * 22) Dick Trickle - 2441
 * 23) Tracy Leslie - 2338
 * 24) Bobby Hillin, Jr. - 2304
 * 25) Jay Elcon - 2278
 * 26) Jeff Krogh - 2225
 * 27) David Green - 2180
 * 28) Mark Martin - 1976
 * 29) Mark Krogh - 1917
 * 30) Dave Blaney - 1915
 * 31) Jeff Burton - 1883
 * 32) Robert Pressley - 1870
 * 33) Blaise Alexander - 1730
 * 34) Todd Bodine - 1668
 * 35) Michael Waltrip - 1667
 * 36) Kevin Grubb - 1660
 * 37) Wayne Grubb - 1546
 * 38) Patty Moise - 1421
 * 39) Casey Atwood - 1359
 * 40) Joe Nemechek - 1315
 * 41) Mike Cope - 1293
 * 42) Dale Jarrett - 1284
 * 43) Matt Hutter - 1169
 * 44) Jimmy Spencer - 1164
 * 45) Lance Hooper - 1059
 * 46) Lyndon Amick - 1045
 * 47) Ken Schrader - 977
 * 48) Jason Jarrett - 935
 * 49) Jeff Fuller - 899
 * 50) Stanton Barrett - 865
 * 51) Kevin Schwantz - 801

Rookie of the Year
Andy Santerre, being the only full-time candidate for Rookie of the Year, walked away with the title after finishing 20th in points. 2nd-place-finisher Dave Blaney made his Busch Series debut in 1998, posting three sixth-place finishes over a 20-race stretch. He would by followed by Blaise Alexander, then Wayne and Kevin Grubb, both of whom grabbed their first career pole positions during the season. 18-year-old Casey Atwood ran a part-time schedule in an undeclared season but finished 38th in points. The next two competitors were Mike Cope and Matt Hutter, teammates at Cicci-Welliver Racing but released after a lack of performance. Part-time drivers Lance Hooper, Jason Jarrett, and Kevin Schwantz rounded out the rookie class of 1998.