1994 NASCAR Busch Series

The 1994 NASCAR Busch Series began February 19 and ended October 22. David Green of Labonte Motorsports won the championship. == Teams and drivers == === Complete schedule === === Part-time schedule === Notes: If under "team", the owner's name is listed and in italics, that means the name of the race team that fielded the car is unknown. == Races == === Goody's 300 === The Goody's 300 was held February 19 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 30 of Michael Waltrip won the pole. Top ten results 3–Dale Earnhardt 32–Dale Jarrett 23–Chad Little 14–Terry Labonte 28–Ernie Irvan 4–Sterling Marlin 21–Morgan Shepherd 8–Kenny Wallace 99–Robert Pressley 31–Tom Peck • Michael Waltrip ran well until he lost the right half of his rear spoiler late in the race. • This was Earnhardt's 21st and final win in the Busch Grand National Series, as well as his fifth straight victory in the Goody's 300, a record that still stands today. === Goodwrench 200 === The Goodwrench 200 was held February 26 at North Carolina Speedway. Robert Pressley won the pole. Top ten results 14–Terry Labonte 7–Harry Gant 25–Hermie Sadler 20–Randy LaJoie 99–Robert Pressley 31–Tom Peck 56–Ronald Cooper 60–Mark Martin 59–Dennis Setzer 9–Mike Wallace Notable DNQ's: Larry Pearson === Hardee's 250 === The Hardee's 250 was held March 5 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 44 of David Green won the pole. Top ten results 87–Joe Nemechek 8–Kenny Wallace 7–Harry Gant 38–Elton Sawyer 25–Hermie Sadler 14–Terry Labonte 2–Ricky Craven 60–Mark Martin 55–Tim Fedewa 57–Jason Keller • This was the only time Dale Earnhardt failed to qualify in any of the top two series of NASCAR === Busch Light 300 === The Busch Light 300 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 46 of Shawna Robinson* won the pole. Top ten results 7–Harry Gant 92–Larry Pearson 35–Randy Porter 14–Terry Labonte 72–Tracy Leslie 97–Joe Bessey 20–Randy LaJoie 59–Dennis Setzer 32–Dale Jarrett 3–Dale Earnhardt Notable DNQ's: 25–Hermie Sadler, 38–Elton Sawyer (both bought rides and still competed in the race) Shawna Robinson became the first woman to win a pole in either of NASCAR's major touring series with this pole. However, she crashed on the first lap of the race with Joe Nemechek after Mike Wallace made it three-wide going into turn 3. Both Robinson and Nemechek accused Wallace of claiming that he was going to wreck Robinson, and then doing it just like he said he would. Wallace denied this. No punishment was assessed in the aftermath. Final career NASCAR Busch Grand National Series victory for Harry Gant. === Miller 500 === The Miller 500 was held March 20 at Martinsville Speedway. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 14–Terry Labonte 44–David Green 8–Kenny Wallace 20–Randy LaJoie 75–Doug Heveron 92–Larry Pearson 55–Tim Fedewa 00–Johnny Rumley 43–Rodney Combs 05–Tommy Ellis === Mark III Vans 200 === The Mark III Vans 200 was held March 26 at Darlington Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top ten results 60–Mark Martin 92–Larry Pearson 20–Randy LaJoie 8–Kenny Wallace 7–Harry Gant 3–Dale Earnhardt 30–Michael Waltrip 29–Phil Parsons 55–Tim Fedewa 25–Hermie Sadler === Sundrop 400 === The Sundrop 400 was held April 3 at Hickory Motor Speedway. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 2–Ricky Craven 20–Randy LaJoie 44–David Green 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 6–Tommy Houston 31–Tom Peck 72–Tracy Leslie 00–Johnny Rumley 25–Hermie Sadler 99–Robert Pressley -1 === Goody's 250 === The Goody's 250 was held April 9 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The No. 60 of Mark Martin* won the pole. Top ten results 44–David Green 6–Tommy Houston 17–Jeff Green 32–Dale Jarrett 63–Jim Bown 92–Larry Pearson 7–Harry Gant 82–Derrike Cope 64–Phil Parsons 43–Rodney Combs Mark Martin was leading this race at the white flag under caution and had the race won. Apparently confused by other drivers (Tommy Houston and Tracy Leslie) pulling alongside and waving to him like the race was already over, Martin pulled off the track to go to victory lane approximately 400 feet short of the finish line. This gifted David Green his only victory of 1994. It was the first time in NASCAR history that a winner leading at the yellow flag accidentally gave the race away to another driver, but the second time in NASCAR history that a driver mistakenly thought that the race was over one lap too early, therefore dropping a spot or more in the final results (the first was Cale Yarborough in 1984 at Daytona). === Pantry Stores 300 === The final Pantry Stores 300 was held April 30 at Orange County Speedway. The No. 57 of Jason Keller won the pole. Top ten results 25–Hermie Sadler 59–Dennis Setzer 8–Kenny Wallace 74–Johnny Benson Jr. -1 2–Ricky Craven -1 05–Tommy Ellis -1 63–Jim Bown -1 92–Larry Pearson -1 02–Michael Ritch -2 08–Bobby Dotter -3 This was Sadler's last career NASCAR Busch Series victory. According to a 1995 issue of NASCAR Winston Cup Scene, there was a race at Orange County Speedway scheduled for 1995, but it was cancelled before it could be run. === NE Chevy 250 === The NE Chevy 250 was held May 7 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The No. 33 of Bobby Labonte won the pole. Top ten results 82–Derrike Cope 08–Bobby Dotter 52–Ken Schrader 8–Kenny Wallace 23–Chad Little 44–David Green 92–Larry Pearson 59–Dennis Setzer 71–Kevin Lepage -1 34–Mike McLaughlin -2 === Meridian Advantage 200 === The Meridian Advantage 200 was held May 22 at Nazareth Speedway. Kenny Wallace won the pole. Top ten results 2–Ricky Craven 38–Elton Sawyer 9–Mike Wallace 44–David Green 34–Mike McLaughlin 08–Bobby Dotter 55–Tim Fedewa 8–Kenny Wallace 59–Dennis Setzer 72–Tracy Leslie === Champion 300 === The Champion 300 was held May 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 88 of Mike Skinner won the pole. Top ten results 29–Phil Parsons 60–Mark Martin 30–Michael Waltrip 27–Roy Payne 28–Ernie Irvan -1 99–Robert Pressley -1 56–Ronald Cooper -1 14–Terry Labonte -1 34–Mike McLaughlin -1 97–Joe Bessey -1 This was Parsons' last career NASCAR victory. === Goodwrench/Delco 200 === The Goodwrench/Delco 200 was held June 4 at Dover International Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole. Top ten results 9–Mike Wallace* 14–Terry Labonte 60–Mark Martin 64–Jimmy Spencer 2–Ricky Craven 55–Tim Fedewa 99–Robert Pressley 57–Jason Keller 87–Joe Nemechek 72–Tracy Leslie This was Mike Wallace's first career NASCAR Busch Grand National Series victory. === Carolina Pride/Budweiser 250 === The Carolina Pride/Budweiser 250 was held June 11 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. The No. 57 of Jason Keller won the pole. Top ten results 38–Elton Sawyer* 8–Kenny Wallace 2–Ricky Craven 99–Robert Pressley 23–Chad Little 44–David Green 08–Bobby Dotter 63–Jim Bown 43–Rodney Combs 92–Larry Pearson This was Elton Sawyer's first career NASCAR Busch Grand National Series victory. === Fay's 150 === The Fay's 150 was held June 25 at Watkins Glen International. Ricky Craven won the pole. Top ten results 14–Terry Labonte 08–Bobby Dotter* 72–Tracy Leslie 44–David Green 25–Hermie Sadler 99–Robert Pressley 2–Ricky Craven 23–Chad Little 92–Larry Pearson 46–Shawna Robinson Bobby Dotter suffered injuries in a crash during the Goodwrench/Delco 200 at Dover. Dotter started the 150 mile event, but ended up requiring relief from road racer Scott Lagasse. Since Dotter started the race, he got credit for the finish. === Havoline 250 === The Havoline 250 was held July 3 at The Milwaukee Mile. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 9–Mike Wallace 44–David Green 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 33–Bobby Labonte 8–Kenny Wallace 34–Mike McLaughlin 23–Chad Little 38–Elton Sawyer 59–Dennis Setzer 2–Ricky Craven === Ford Credit 300 === The Ford Credit 300 was held July 16 at South Boston Speedway. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 59–Dennis Setzer 25–Hermie Sadler 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 44–David Green 23–Chad Little 99–Robert Pressley 72–Tracy Leslie 9–Nathan Buttke 79–Dave Rezendes 63–Jim Bown === Fram Filter 300K === The Fram Filter 300K was held July 23 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeff Purvis won the pole. Top ten results 52–Ken Schrader 14–Terry Labonte 3–Dale Earnhardt 4–Sterling Marlin 51–Jeff Purvis 23–Chad Little 34–Mike McLaughlin 9–Mike Wallace 25–Hermie Sadler 72–Tracy Leslie === The Pantry 300 === The Pantry 300 was held July 31 at Hickory Motor Speedway. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 59–Dennis Setzer 8–Kenny Wallace 44–David Green 75–Doug Heveron 92–Larry Pearson 25–Hermie Sadler 2–Ricky Craven 23–Chad Little 08–Bobby Dotter 55–Tim Fedewa This was Setzer's last career NASCAR Busch Series victory. === Kroger 200 === The Kroger 200 was held Friday night August 5 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 9–Mike Wallace 6–Tommy Houston 34–Mike McLaughlin 59–Dennis Setzer 23–Chad Little 2–Ricky Craven 44–David Green 8–Kenny Wallace 57–Jason Keller 08–Bobby Dotter After several years of mid-summer races, and various dates ranging from June to August, in 1994 the Kroger 200 was permanently planted as a support race for the new Winston Cup Brickyard 400 at nearby Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With the Brickyard 400 being held on a Saturday, the Kroger 200 was scheduled for Friday night. A huge sell-out crowd for the Kroger 200 saw extra bleachers erected at the oval, with thousands of additional fans in town that weekend for the inaugural stock car race at Indy. === Detroit Gasket 200 === The Detroit Gasket 200 was held August 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Derrike Cope won the pole. Top ten results 33–Bobby Labonte 23–Chad Little 60–Mark Martin 34–Mike McLaughlin 64–Dick Trickle 59–Dennis Setzer 55–Tim Fedewa 25–Hermie Sadler 92–Larry Pearson 57–Jason Keller === Food City 250 === The Food City 250 was held August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harry Gant won the pole. Top ten results 8–Kenny Wallace 52–Ken Schrader 44–David Green 2–Ricky Craven 64–Dick Trickle 57–Jason Keller 72–Tracy Leslie 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 14–Terry Labonte 28–Mark Martin For this race, Mark Martin - instead of driving his normal Roush Racing #60 Winn-Dixie Ford Thunderbird - substituted in the #28 car normally driven by Ernie Irvan following Irvan's severe injuries following a crash practicing for the 1994 GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 in the Winston Cup Series. === Gatorade 200 === The Gatorade 200 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. Randy LaJoie won the pole. Top ten results 60–Mark Martin 32–Dale Jarrett 9–Mike Wallace 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 23–Chad Little 34–Mike McLaughlin 92–Larry Pearson 2–Ricky Craven 38–Elton Sawyer 59–Dennis Setzer === Autolite 250 === The Autolite 250 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Jason Keller won the pole. Top ten results 8–Kenny Wallace 60–Mark Martin 3–Dale Earnhardt 14–Terry Labonte 31–Steve Grissom 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 30–Michael Waltrip 44–David Green 92–Larry Pearson 33–Bobby Labonte === SplitFire 200 === The SplitFire 200 was held September 17 at Dover International Speedway. Harry Gant won the pole. Top ten results 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 7–Harry Gant 2–Ricky Craven 57–Jason Keller 25–Hermie Sadler 20–Randy LaJoie 99–Bobby Hillin Jr. 29–Phil Parsons 14–Terry Labonte 97–Joe Bessey === All Pro 300 === The All Pro 300 was held October 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top ten results 14–Terry Labonte 60–Mark Martin 82–Derrike Cope 23–Chad Little 38–Elton Sawyer 63–Jim Bown 4–Sterling Marlin 2–Ricky Craven 20–Jimmy Hensley 76–Jeff Green This was Dale Earnhardt's last Busch Series race. He dropped out after just five laps due to engine failure. === Advance Auto 500 === The Advance Auto 500 was held October 16 at Martinsville Speedway. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 8–Kenny Wallace 44–David Green 9–Mike Wallace 55–Tim Fedewa 23–Chad Little 14–Terry Labonte 08–Bobby Dotter 2–Ricky Craven 6–Tommy Houston 57–Jason Keller This was the final race at Martinsville Speedway for the Busch Series until 2006. === AC-Delco 200 === The AC-Delco 200 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. David Green won the pole. Top ten results 60–Mark Martin 3–Michael Waltrip 2–Ricky Craven 7–Harry Gant 23–Chad Little 8–Kenny Wallace 9–Mike Wallace 74–Johnny Benson Jr. 20–Randy LaJoie 43–Robert Pressley This was the final time that V6 engines were used in the Busch Series. They would make the switch to V8 power in 1995. == Full Drivers' Championship == (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led. == Rookie of the Year == Grand Rapids, Michigan native Johnny Benson Jr. won the Busch Series Rookie of the Year award in 1994, winning once and finishing sixth in points, followed closely by Dennis Setzer, a two-time winner on the circuit. Kevin Lepage and Stevie Reeves were the only others drivers who attempted the season on a full-time basis that season. == See also == 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 1994–95 NASCAR SuperTruck Series exhibition races 1994 NASCAR Winston Transcontinental Series == References == == External links == Busch Series standings and statistics for 1994