2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

American motorsport season February 2025 November 2025 NASCAR Winston Cup Series NASCAR Winston Cup Series 2000 Champions | Seasons thumb|Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Winston Cup Series champion thumb|Dale Earnhardt came in second behind Labonte by 265 points. thumb|Jeff Burton finished third in the championship. thumb|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.http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2000/data/standings_manufacturer.html Standings: 2000 Manufacturer Standings NASCAR; Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network 2009-09-23 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 Complete schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberRace driverCrew 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 1-19, 22-34 Gary DeHart Todd Bodine 1 20 Ron Hornaday Jr. 1 21 24 Jeff Gordon Robbie Loomis 25 Jerry Nadeau Tony FurrJoe Bessey Racing 60 Geoff Bodine 16 1, 11-25 Jim Long Ted Musgrave 5 2-6 Dick Trickle 4 7, 9-10, 29 Rich Bickle 5 8, 28, 30-32 Joe Bessey 2 26-27 Hermie Sadler 2 33-34Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis 30 1-15, 17-20, 23-33 Bob Marcis R. K. Smith 2 16, 21 Kerry Earnhardt 1 22 Dick Trickle 1 34 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 1-22, 25-34 Mike Ford David Green 2 23-24 Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett Bodine Mike HillmanDonlavey Racing 90 Ed Berrier 18 1-15, 17-19 Craig Huartson Brian Simo 2 16, 21 Hut Stricklin 14 20, 22-34 Galaxy Motorsports 75 Wally Dallenbach Jr. Newt MooreHaas-Carter Motorsports 26 Jimmy Spencer Donnie Wingo 66 Darrell Waltrip Larry Carter Jasper Motorsports 77 Robert Pressley Ryan PembertonMelling Racing 9 Stacy Compton 33 1-22, 24-34 (R)Chad KnausJerry Pitts Bobby Hillin Jr. 1 23 Penske-Kranefuss Racing 2 Rusty Wallace Robin Pemberton 12 Jeremy Mayfield 32 1-19, 22-34 Peter Sospenzo Kyle Petty 1 20 Tom Hubert 1 21 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 1-26, 30Jeff Hammond Kurt Busch 7 27-29, 31-34 99 Jeff Burton Frank Stoddard Wood Brothers Racing 21 Elliott Sadler Eddie Wood Pontiac A. J. Foyt Racing 14 Mike Bliss (R) 4 1-4 Philippe Lopez 25 10-34Terry Wooden 4 5-8Waddell Wilson 1 9 Dick Trickle 2 5-6 Rick Mast 28 7-34 Bill Davis Racing 22 Ward Burton Tommy Baldwin Jr. 93 Dave Blaney (R) Doug RandolphEel River Racing 27 Jeff Fuller (R) 7 1-7Barry Dodson Mike Bliss (R) 27 8-34 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 1-11, 13-17, 19-23Bobby LeslieChris Hussey Steve Grissom 13 12, 18, 24-34 Tyler Jet Motorsports 10 Johnny Benson James Ince Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberRace driverCrew chiefRounds Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 35 Geoff Bodine Chris Carrier 1 34 Bill Baird Motorsports 52 Bill Baird 2 15, 20 Bobby Hamilton Racing 57 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 1 33 Coulter Racing61 Rich Bickle 1 20 Xpress Motorsports Tim Sauter 1 34 Gerhart Racing89 Bobby Gerhart 1 1 AC Motorsports Austin Cameron 1 3 Jim & Judie Motorsports 65 Dan Pardus 1 1 JKR Motorsports34 David Green 1 1 Cicci-Welliver Racing Todd Bodine 1 21Larry Hedrick Motorsports41 Rick MastPhilippe Lopez 6 1-6 Gary Bradberry 3 7-9LJ Racing91 Andy Hillenburg 1 1 Todd Bodine 3 4, 7, 11 Larry Gunselman 1 29 Blaise Alexander 2 30, 34Marcis Auto Racing72 Jim Sauter Bob Marcis 1 1 Dwayne Leik 2 10, 15 Midwest Transit Racing 50 Ricky Craven Greg Connors 26 1-6, 8-9, 11-12, 14, 17-18, 20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-34 NEMCO Motorsports 87 Ron Fellows Brian Pattie 1 21 Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning 3 1, 33-34 Petty-Huggins Motorsports 96 Greg Sacks 1 1 Team SABCO 42 Kenny Irwin Jr. Tony Glover17 1-1701 Ted Musgrave 14 19-20, 22-33 P. J. Jones 1 21 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 1 34Ford Evernham Motorsports 19 Casey Atwood Chad Knaus 2 25, 28 Patrick Donahue 1 33 3 25, 28, 33 Fenley-Moore Motorsports 15 Derrike Cope Joey Knuckles 4 1, 3-5 Ted Musgrave 2 9, 12 Haas-Carter Motorsports 46 Todd Bodine 1 34 Hover Motorsports 80 Morgan Shepherd 1 34 MacPherson Motorsports 98 Jeff Fuller Vic Kangas 1 29 Geoff Bodine 1 33 Mansion Motorsports 85 Carl Long Keith Montgomery 10 1, 13, 19, 22-23, 27-29, 31, 34 Darrell Waltrip 1 12 Penske-Kranefuss Racing 02 Ryan Newman Matt Borland 1 32 PPI Motorsports 96 Andy Houston Joe Garone 5 22, 29, 31-33 Sadler Brothers Racing 95 David Keith 2 20, 22 Spencer Motor Ventures 23 Boris Said Richard Broome 3 16-17, 21 TriStar Motorsports 48 Stanton Barrett 1 1 Team Menard 13 Robby Gordon Mark Tudor 23 1-11, 14, 16-17, 20-23, 25, 29, 31-32, 34 P. J. Jones 1 12 Pontiac A. J. Foyt Racing 41 Larry Foyt 1 34 Bill Davis Racing 23 Scott Wimmer 1 34 Buckshot Racing 00 Buckshot Jones 1 34 Chevrolet Pontiac Petty Enterprises 45 Adam Petty Chris Hussey 1 7 Kyle Petty 2 28, 33 Schedule No. Race title TrackLocation DateBud Shootout QualifierDaytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FloridaFebruary 13Bud ShootoutGatorade 125sFebruary 171Daytona 500February 202Dura Lube/Kmart 400Rockingham SpeedwayRockingham, North CarolinaFebruary 273CarsDirect.com 400Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas, NevadaMarch 54Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHampton, GeorgiaMarch 125Mall.com 400Darlington RacewayDarlington, South CarolinaMarch 196Food City 500Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TennesseeMarch 267DirecTV 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, TexasApril 28Goody's Body Pain 500Martinsville SpeedwayRidgeway, VirginiaApril 99DieHard 500Talladega SuperspeedwayLincoln, AlabamaApril 1610NAPA Auto Parts 500California SpeedwayFontana, CaliforniaApril 3011Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International RacewayRichmond, VirginiaMay 6No Bull 25 ShootoutCharlotte Motor SpeedwayConcord, North CarolinaMay 19Winston OpenMay 20No Bull SprintThe Winston12Coca-Cola 600May 2813MBNA Platinum 400Dover Downs International SpeedwayDover, DelawareJune 414Kmart 400Michigan SpeedwayCambridge Township, MichiganJune 1115Pocono 500Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PennsylvaniaJune 1916Save Mart/Kragen 350Sears Point RacewaySonoma, CaliforniaJune 2517Pepsi 400Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FloridaJuly 118thatlook.com 300New Hampshire International SpeedwayLoudon, New HampshireJuly 919Pennsylvania 500Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PennsylvaniaJuly 2320Brickyard 400Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, IndianaAugust 521Global Crossing @ The GlenWatkins Glen InternationalWatkins Glen, New YorkAugust 1322Pepsi 400 presented by MeijerMichigan SpeedwayCambridge Township, MichiganAugust 2023goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTelBristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TennesseeAugust 2624Pepsi Southern 500 presented by KmartDarlington RacewayDarlington, South CarolinaSeptember 325Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400Richmond International RacewayRichmond, VirginiaSeptember 926Dura Lube 300 sponsored by KmartNew Hampshire International SpeedwayLoudon, New HampshireSeptember 1727MBNA.com 400Dover Downs International SpeedwayDover, DelawareSeptember 2428NAPA Autocare 500Martinsville SpeedwayRidgeway, VirginiaOctober 129UAW-GM Quality 500Charlotte Motor SpeedwayConcord, North CarolinaOctober 830Winston 500 presented by UPSTalladega SuperspeedwayLincoln, AlabamaOctober 1531Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400Rockingham SpeedwayRockingham, North CarolinaOctober 2232Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500kPhoenix International RacewayAvondale, ArizonaNovember 533Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto PartsHomestead–Miami SpeedwayHomestead, FloridaNovember 1234NAPA 500Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHampton, GeorgiaNovember 20 Results No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverManufacturer Winning manufacturerBud Shootout QualifierRicky CravenDale JarrettDale JarrettFordBud ShootoutMark MartinSterling MarlinDale JarrettFordGatorade 125#1Dale JarrettBill ElliottBill ElliottFordGatorade 125#2Ricky RuddRicky RuddRicky RuddFord1Daytona 500Dale JarrettDale JarrettDale JarrettFord2Dura Lube/Kmart 400Rusty WallaceBobby LabonteBobby LabontePontiac3CarsDirect.com 400Ricky RuddJeff BurtonJeff BurtonFord4Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500Dale JarrettMike SkinnerDale EarnhardtChevrolet5Mall.com 400Jeff GordonWard BurtonWard BurtonPontiac6Food City 500Steve ParkJeff GordonRusty WallaceFord7DirecTV 500Terry LabonteDale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet8Goody's Body Pain 500Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceMark MartinFord9DieHard 500Jeremy MayfieldMark MartinJeff GordonChevrolet10NAPA Auto Parts 500Mike SkinnerMatt KensethJeremy MayfieldFord11Pontiac Excitement 400Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceDale Earnhardt Jr.ChevroletNo Bull 25 Race 1Ricky CravenJerry NadeauJerry NadeauChevroletNo Bull 25 Race 2Mike SkinnerSteve ParkJimmy SpencerFordWinston OpenJerry NadeauJerry NadeauSteve ParkChevroletNo Bull SprintMike SkinnerMike SkinnerJerry NadeauChevroletThe WinstonBill ElliottBill ElliottDale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet12Coca-Cola 600Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt Jr.Matt KensethFord13MBNA Platinum 400Rusty WallaceTony StewartTony StewartPontiac14Kmart 400Bobby LabonteJeremy MayfieldTony StewartPontiac15Pocono 500Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceJeremy MayfieldFord16Save Mart/Kragen 350Rusty WallaceJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet17Pepsi 400Dale JarrettDale JarrettJeff BurtonFord18thatlook.com 300Rusty WallaceTony StewartTony StewartPontiac19Pennsylvania 500Tony StewartDale JarrettRusty WallaceFord20Brickyard 400Ricky RuddRusty WallaceBobby LabontePontiac21Global Crossing @ The GlenBobby LabonteSteve ParkSteve ParkChevrolet22Pepsi 400 presented by MeijerDale Earnhardt Jr.Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceFord23goracing.com 500Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceRusty WallaceFord24Pepsi Southern 500Jeremy MayfieldJeremy MayfieldBobby LabontePontiac25Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400Jeff BurtonJeff BurtonJeff GordonChevrolet26Dura Lube 300 sponsored by KmartBobby LabonteJeff BurtonJeff BurtonFord27MBNA.com 400Jeremy MayfieldTony StewartTony StewartPontiac28NAPA Autocare 500Tony StewartJeff BurtonTony StewartPontiac29UAW-GM Quality 500Jeff GordonRicky RuddBobby LabontePontiac30Winston 500 Joe NemechekBill ElliottDale EarnhardtChevrolet31Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400Jeremy MayfieldJeremy MayfieldDale JarrettFord32Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500kRusty WallaceJeff BurtonJeff BurtonFord33Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto PartsSteve ParkTony StewartTony StewartPontiac34NAPA 500Jeff GordonJerry NadeauJerry NadeauChevrolet Bud Shootout 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 #88 - Dale Jarrett #24 - Jeff Gordon #40 - Sterling Marlin #20 - Tony Stewart #16 - Kevin Lepage #36 - Ken Schrader #2 - Rusty Wallace #33 - Joe Nemechek #42 - Kenny Irwin Jr. #22 - Ward Burton 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. 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 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 #94 - Bill Elliott* #88 - Dale Jarrett #2 - Rusty Wallace #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #24 - Jeff Gordon #18 - Bobby Labonte #32 - Scott Pruett #13 - Robby Gordon #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 #28 - Ricky Rudd #31 - Mike Skinner #22 - Ward Burton #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #7 - Michael Waltrip #15 - Derrike Cope #99 - Jeff Burton #33 - Joe Nemechek #42 - Kenny Irwin Jr. #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 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 #88 - Dale Jarrett* #99 - Jeff Burton #94 - Bill Elliott #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #18 - Bobby Labonte #5 - Terry Labonte #22 - Ward Burton #36 - Ken Schrader #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 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 #18 - Bobby Labonte #3 - Dale Earnhardt #22 - Ward Burton #20 - Tony Stewart #88 - Dale Jarrett 1 lap down #28 - Ricky Rudd 1 lap down #12 - Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down #6 - Mark Martin 1 lap down #1 - Steve Park 1 lap down #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down Failed to qualify: Ricky Craven (#50), Scott Pruett (#32), Dave Blaney (#93), Mike Bliss (#14) CarsDirect.com 400 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 #99 - Jeff Burton* #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #94 - Bill Elliott #18 - Bobby Labonte #10 - Johnny Benson #88 - Dale Jarrett #3 - Dale Earnhardt #33 - Joe Nemechek #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 The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. Top ten results #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #18 - Bobby Labonte #6 - Mark Martin #1 - Steve Park #33 - Joe Nemechek #97 - Chad Little #91 - Todd Bodine #22 - Ward Burton 1 lap down #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down #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 2000 Mall.com 400 The Mall.com 400 was held March 19 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top ten results #22 - Ward Burton* #88 - Dale Jarrett #3 - Dale Earnhardt #20 - Tony Stewart #99 - Jeff Burton #17 - Matt Kenseth #4 - Bobby Hamilton #24 - Jeff Gordon #6 - Mark Martin #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 2000 Food City 500 The Food City 500 was held March 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Park won the pole. Top ten results #2 - Rusty Wallace* #10 - Johnny Benson #22 - Ward Burton #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #5 - Terry Labonte #18 - Bobby Labonte #1 - Steve Park #24 - Jeff Gordon #99 - Jeff Burton #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 2000 DirecTV 500 The DirecTV 500 was held April 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole. Top ten results #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.* #99 - Jeff Burton #18 - Bobby Labonte #2 - Rusty Wallace #16 - Kevin Lepage #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #3 - Dale Earnhardt #5 - Terry Labonte #20 - Tony Stewart #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 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 #6 - Mark Martin #99 - Jeff Burton #7 - Michael Waltrip #24 - Jeff Gordon #88 - Dale Jarrett #20 - Tony Stewart #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #94 - Bill Elliott #3 - Dale Earnhardt #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 The DieHard 500 was held April 16 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results #24 - Jeff Gordon* #31 - Mike Skinner #3 - Dale Earnhardt #42 - Kenny Irwin Jr. #26 - Jimmy Spencer #6 - Mark Martin #5 - Terry Labonte #40 - Sterling Marlin #44 - Kyle Petty #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 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 #12 - Jeremy Mayfield* #18 - Bobby Labonte* #17 - Matt Kenseth #28 - Ricky Rudd #99 - Jeff Burton #22 - Ward Burton #31 - Mike Skinner #2 - Rusty Wallace #88 - Dale Jarrett #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 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 The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held May 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.* #5 - Terry Labonte #88 - Dale Jarrett #28 - Ricky Rudd #2 - Rusty Wallace #22 - Ward Burton #99 - Jeff Burton #20 - Tony Stewart #94 - Bill Elliott #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 Geoff 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 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 #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 - Dale Jarrett #3 - Dale Earnhardt #25 - Jerry Nadeau #99 - Jeff Burton #5 - Terry Labonte #2 - Rusty Wallace #94 - Bill Elliott #18 - Bobby Labonte #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 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 #17 - Matt Kenseth* #18 - Bobby Labonte #3 - Dale Earnhardt #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 - Dale Jarrett #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #31 - Mike Skinner #2 - Rusty Wallace #1 - Steve Park #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 The MBNA Platinum 400 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results #20 - Tony Stewart* #17 - Matt Kenseth #18 - Bobby Labonte #88 - Dale Jarrett #28 - Ricky Rudd #3 - Dale Earnhardt 1 lap down #33 - Joe Nemechek 2 laps down #22 - Ward Burton 2 laps down #31 - Mike Skinner 2 laps down #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, making the 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 The Kmart 400 was held June 11 at Michigan Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. Top ten results #20 - Tony Stewart #3 - Dale Earnhardt #18 - Bobby Labonte #88 - Dale Jarrett #77 - Robert Pressley #22 - Ward Burton #2 - Rusty Wallace #94 - Bill Elliott #43 - John Andretti #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 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 #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #88 - Dale Jarrett #28 - Ricky Rudd #3 - Dale Earnhardt #6 - Mark Martin #20 - Tony Stewart #99 - Jeff Burton #24 - Jeff Gordon #31 - Mike Skinner #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 The Save Mart/Kragen 350 was held June 25 at Sears Point Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results #24 - Jeff Gordon* #40 - Sterling Marlin #6 - Mark Martin #18 - Bobby Labonte #28 - Ricky Rudd #3 - Dale Earnhardt #88 - Dale Jarrett #25 - Jerry Nadeau #13 - Robby Gordon #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 The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. Top ten results #99 - Jeff Burton #88 - Dale Jarrett #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #28 - Ricky Rudd #20 - Tony Stewart #22 - Ward Burton #3 - Dale Earnhardt #31 - Mike Skinner #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 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 #20 - Tony Stewart* #33 - Joe Nemechek #6 - Mark Martin #25 - Jerry Nadeau #24 - Jeff Gordon #3 - Dale Earnhardt #88 - Dale Jarrett #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #18 - Bobby Labonte #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.http://www.nascar.com/news/2000/0706/1001795.html NASCAR Online: News www.nascar.com 11 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20000823005145/http://www.nascar.com/news/2000/0706/1001795.html 23 August 2000 dead 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 The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 23 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole. Top ten results #2 - Rusty Wallace #99 - Jeff Burton #24 - Jeff Gordon #88 - Dale Jarrett #17 - Matt Kenseth #18 - Bobby Labonte #31 - Mike Skinner #14 - Rick Mast #26 - Jimmy Spencer #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 2000 Brickyard 400 The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. Top ten results #18 - Bobby Labonte #2 - Rusty Wallace* #94 - Bill Elliott #25 - Jerry Nadeau #20 - Tony Stewart #99 - Jeff Burton #88 - Dale Jarrett #3 - Dale Earnhardt #31 - Mike Skinner #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. This race was held on what would have been the 31st birthday of Kenny Irwin Jr.; who was killed earlier in the season in a practice crash in New Hampshire, with the race being dedicated to his memory. Global Crossing @ The Glen 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 - Steve Park* #6 - Mark Martin #99 - Jeff Burton #13 - Robby Gordon #18 - Bobby Labonte #20 - Tony Stewart* #88 - Dale Jarrett #33 - Joe Nemechek #75 - Wally Dallenbach Jr. #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 The Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer was held August 20 at Michigan Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. Top ten results #2 - Rusty Wallace #28 - Ricky Rudd #18 - Bobby Labonte #88 - Dale Jarrett #10 - Johnny Benson #3 - Dale Earnhardt #26 - Jimmy Spencer #17 - Matt Kenseth #22 - Ward Burton #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.Kerry Earnhardt website https://web.archive.org/web/20111002003547/http://www.kerryearnhardtonline.com/subs/kerry.html 2011-10-02 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 The goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTel was held August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results #2 - Rusty Wallace #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #3 - Dale Earnhardt #1 - Steve Park #99 - Jeff Burton #21 - Elliott Sadler #40 - Sterling Marlin #88 - Dale Jarrett #28 - Ricky Rudd Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss (#27), Hut Stricklin (#90), Carl Long (#85), Ricky Craven (#50) Pepsi Southern 500 presented by Kmart 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 #18 - Bobby Labonte* #99 - Jeff Burton #3 - Dale Earnhardt #24 - Jeff Gordon #88 - Dale Jarrett #22 - Ward Burton #16 - Kevin Lepage #28 - Ricky Rudd #20 - Tony Stewart #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 The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole. Top ten results #24 - Jeff Gordon* #3 - Dale Earnhardt #6 - Mark Martin #1 - Steve Park #99 - Jeff Burton #20 - Tony Stewart #10 - Johnny Benson #22 - Ward Burton #28 - Ricky Rudd #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 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 #99 - Jeff Burton* #18 - Bobby Labonte #28 - Ricky Rudd #88 - Dale Jarrett #2 - Rusty Wallace #24 - Jeff Gordon #43 - John Andretti #6 - Mark Martin #33 - Joe Nemechek #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 The MBNA.com 400 was held September 24 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results #20 - Tony Stewart #10 - Johnny Benson #28 - Ricky Rudd #1 - Steve Park #18 - Bobby Labonte #6 - Mark Martin #33 - Joe Nemechek #2 - Rusty Wallace #24 - Jeff Gordon #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 The NAPA Autocare 500 was held October 1 at Martinsville Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole. Top ten results #20 - Tony Stewart #3 - Dale Earnhardt #99 - Jeff Burton #28 - Ricky Rudd #24 - Jeff Gordon #88 - Dale Jarrett #26 - Jimmy Spencer #31 - Mike Skinner #40 - Sterling Marlin #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 The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top ten results #18 - Bobby Labonte* #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #28 - Ricky Rudd #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #99 - Jeff Burton #1 - Steve Park #10 - Johnny Benson #17 - Matt Kenseth #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 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 #3 - Dale Earnhardt #55 - Kenny Wallace #33 - Joe Nemechek #24 - Jeff Gordon #5 - Terry Labonte #31 - Mike Skinner* #6 - Mark Martin #2 - Rusty Wallace #27 - Mike Bliss #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 The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results #88 - Dale Jarrett* #24 - Jeff Gordon #28 - Ricky Rudd #99 - Jeff Burton #2 - Rusty Wallace #1 - Steve Park #20 - Tony Stewart #22 - Ward Burton #4 - Bobby Hamilton #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 The Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 was held November 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results #99 - Jeff Burton #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #1 - Steve Park #2 - Rusty Wallace #18 - Bobby Labonte* #6 - Mark Martin #24 - Jeff Gordon #93 - Dave Blaney #3 - Dale Earnhardt #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 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 #20 - Tony Stewart #12 - Jeremy Mayfield #6 - Mark Martin #18 - Bobby Labonte* #26 - Jimmy Spencer #28 - Ricky Rudd #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down #1 - Steve Park 1 lap down #93 - Dave Blaney 2 laps down #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 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 #25 - Jerry Nadeau* #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #22 - Ward Burton #24 - Jeff Gordon #18 - Bobby Labonte* #31 - Mike Skinner #2 - Rusty Wallace #40 - Sterling Marlin #17 - Matt Kenseth 1 lap down #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 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 ROC 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 ROC 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 Mayfield was penalized 151 points for a rules violation at Talladega. 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 14 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 3474 Scott Wimmer 220 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 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 2000 NASCAR Busch Series 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2000 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series 2000 NASCAR Goody's Dash Series References External links Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 2000 Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons