The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series 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.
Teams and drivers List of full-time teams at the start of 1998.
TeamCar(s)Driver(s)Listed owner(s)Crew chief Akins-Sutton Motorsports Ford Taurus38 Elton Sawyer Bob Sutton Eddie Pardue BACE Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo33 Tim Fedewa Barbara Baumgardner Bryan Smith74 Randy LaJoie Bill Baumgardner Billy Manciewicz Bobby Hillin Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Robert Hayes Nick Short Brewco Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo37 Mark Green Clarence Brewer Kenneth Campbell Buckshot Racing Pontiac Grand Prix00 Buckshot Jones Billy Jones Ricky Pearson CAA Performance Group Pontiac Grand Prix96 Mike Stefanik Mike Curb John Birosh DAJ Racing Ford Thunderbird32 Jason Jarrett (R) Horace Isenhower Rick Bowman Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Monte Carlo3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Tony Eury Sr. Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo29 Hermie Sadler Gary Bechtel Bob Gulbranson66 Elliott Sadler Sandy Jones Excel Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo56 Jeff Krogh Molly Krogh Jimmy Elledge80 Mark Krogh Robert Krogh Dan Glauz Hensley Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo63 Tracy Leslie Hubert Hensley Jeff Hensley Innovative Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo47 Andy Santerre (R) George DeBidart Kevin Caldwell J&J Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo99 Glenn Allen Jr. Bill Papke John Monsam Joe Bessey Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo6 Joe Bessey Nancy Bessey Harold Holly Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac Grand Prix44 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Bryant FrazierTony Stewart Keystone Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo20 Blaise Alexander (R) Alex Crestinger Alex Crestinger Lone Star Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo88 Kevin Schwantz (R) Kevin Schwantz C. R. Miller Mark III Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo78 Hank Parker Jr. (R) Dan Browder Neil Browder Martin Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo92 Derrike Cope/David Green Mac Martin Tim Weiss Michael Waltrip Racing Ford Taurus14 Patty Moise Buffy Waltrip Ronnie Silver21 Michael Waltrip Unknown NorthStar Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo89 Stanton Barrett Meredith Ruark Mike Yoder Parker Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo72 Mike Dillon Ron Parker Dean Johnson Phil Parsons Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo10 Phil Parsons Marcia Parsons Gene Nead Phoenix Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo4 Jeff Purvis James Finch Johnny Allen Progressive Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo57 Jason Keller Steve DeSouza Jamie Jones PRW Racing Ford Taurus77 Ed Berrier Tony Hall Jimmy Means Reiser Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo17 Matt Kenseth Robbie Reiser Robbie Reiser Roush Racing Ford Taurus9 Jeff Burton Jack Roush Tommy Morgan60 Mark Martin Bobby Leslie Shoemaker Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo64 Dick Trickle Dennis Shoemaker Bryan Schaffer Specialty Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo40 Kevin Lepage Doug Taylor Doug Taylor ST Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo59 Robert Pressley Tad Geschickter Steve Plattenberger Stegall Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo85 Shane Hall Don Stegall John Finley Team 34 Chevrolet Monte Carlo30 Mike Cope (R) Jeffrey Welliver Donnie Richeson34 Mike McLaughlin Frank Cicci Gary Cogswell Pontiac Grand Prix36 Matt Hutter (R) Scott Welliver Clyde McLeod Team Amick Chevrolet Monte Carlo35 Lyndon Amick Bill Amick Buddy Barnes Washington-Erving Motorsports Ford Taurus50 Jimmy Foster Joe Washington Darrell Bryant
Races
NAPA Auto Parts 300
The NAPA Auto Parts 300 was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
87-Joe Nemechek 4-Jeff Purvis 60-Mark Martin 00-Buckshot Jones 74-Randy LaJoie 17-Matt Kenseth 21-Michael Waltrip 88-Kevin Schwantz 12-Jimmy Spencer 10-Phil Parsons
Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Patty Moise (#14), Larry Pearson (#55), Ron Barfield Jr. (#2), Jimmy Foster (#50), Derrike Cope (#92), Blaise Alexander (#20), Doug Reid III (#97), Dale Shaw (#48), Lance Hooper (#23), Chris Diamond (#68), Mark Day (#16)
Larry Pearson replaced Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte in the No. 32 in the race, after failing to qualify his No. 55. Dale Jarrett and the No. 32 team were about to be DNQ for this event so the team decided to put Bobby Labonte in the car so he could get the car into the race with a past champions provisional. In doing so, they inadvertly bumped Larry Pearson and his No. 55 from the field. Perhaps they felt bad about it and realized they could get the same provisional with Pearson, so the team made a deal for Pearson to drive the No. 32 in the race instead of Labonte.
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. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
17-Matt Kenseth 44-Tony Stewart 60-Mark Martin 9-Jeff Burton 34-Mike McLaughlin 66-Elliott Sadler 74-Randy LaJoie 72-Mike Dillon 37-Mark Green 57-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 (#11), Stanton Barrett (#89), Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Rick Fuller (#40), Michael Ritch (#58)
This was Kenseth's first career Busch Series victory.
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. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
12-Jimmy Spencer 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 87-Joe Nemechek 9-Jeff Burton 32-Dale Jarrett 60-Mark Martin 72-Mike Dillon 00-Buckshot Jones 29-Hermie Sadler 77-Ed Berrier
Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Ron Barfield Jr. (#2), Chris Diamond (#68), Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Rick Fuller (#04), Dale Fischlein (#70), Brendan Gaughan (#31)
Randy LaJoie flipped on the final lap of the race.
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. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
34-Mike McLaughlin 28-Casey Atwood 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 74-Randy LaJoie 57-Jason Keller 87-Joe Nemechek 1-Sterling Marlin 33-Tim Fedewa 64-Dick Trickle 38-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), Derrick Gilcrest (#12)
Diamond Hill Plywood 200
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
44-Bobby Labonte 9-Jeff Burton 64-Dick Trickle 17-Matt Kenseth 66-Elliott Sadler 72-Mike Dillon 29-Hermie Sadler 34-Mike McLaughlin 59-Robert Pressley 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Failed to qualify: Ron Barfield Jr. (#2), Jeff Fuller (#7), 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. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
66-Elliott Sadler 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 17-Matt Kenseth 38-Elton Sawyer 57-Jason Keller 34-Mike McLaughlin 10-Phil Parsons 89-Stanton Barrett 99-Glenn Allen Jr. 14-Patty Moise
Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Derrike Cope (#92), Lyndon Amick (#35)-Withdrew, Kevin Schwantz (#88)-Withdrew
Coca-Cola 300
The Coca-Cola 300 was held April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 66-Elliott Sadler 87-Joe Nemechek 10-Phil Parsons 56-Jeff Krogh 74-Randy LaJoie 37-Mark Green 17-Matt Kenseth 2-Jeff Green 9-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Dick Trickle (#64), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Mark Day (#16), Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Tom Lorenz (#62), Ted Smokstad (#48)
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. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
77-Ed Berrier 29-Hermie Sadler 33-Tim Fedewa 72-Mike Dillon 17-Matt Kenseth 59-Robert Pressley 30-Mike Cope 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 85-Shane Hall 57-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)
This would be the first and only NASCAR victory of Berrier's career.
Touchstone Energy 300
The Touchstone Energy 300 was held April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top ten results
87-Joe Nemechek 10-Phil Parsons 34-Mike McLaughlin 00-Buckshot Jones 64-Dick Trickle 99-Glenn Allen Jr. 78-Loy Allen Jr. 17-Matt Kenseth 36-Matt Hutter 38-Elton Sawyer
Failed to qualify: Patty Moise (#14), Doug Reid III (#7), Robert Pressley (#59), Mark Day (#16), Rick Wilson (#50)
During the race, Dave Blaney got spun around and flipped onto its side and slammed the wall with his roof. He walked away with no injuries.
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. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
00-Buckshot Jones 44-Tony Stewart 40-Kevin Lepage 4-Jeff Purvis 74-Randy LaJoie 99-Glenn Allen Jr. 34-Mike McLaughlin 52-Kevin Grubb 59-Robert Pressley 3-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. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
33-Tim Fedewa 4-Jeff Purvis 34-Mike McLaughlin 17-Matt Kenseth 6-Joe Bessey 77-Ed Berrier 57-Jason Keller 66-Elliott Sadler 99-Glenn Allen Jr. 13-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. The race was broadcast on TBS.
Top ten results
60-Mark Martin 87-Joe Nemechek 12-Jimmy Spencer 21-Michael Waltrip 17-Matt Kenseth 44-Bobby Labonte 34-Mike McLaughlin 38-Elton Sawyer 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 29-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. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 44-Tony Stewart 32-Dale Jarrett 34-Mike McLaughlin 59-Robert Pressley 10-Phil Parsons 38-Elton Sawyer 57-Jason Keller 21-Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: Bryan Wall (#73), Hal Browning (#46)
Hardee's 250 The Hardee's 250 was held June 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Wayne Grubb won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN2.
Top ten results
9-Jeff Burton 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 17-Matt Kenseth 83-Wayne Grubb 60-Mark Martin 57-Jason Keller 40-Kevin Lepage 64-Dick Trickle 52-Kevin Grubb 59-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), Derrick Gilcrest (#12)
Lycos.com 250
The inaugural Lycos.com 250 was held June 14 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Matt Kenseth won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
17-Matt Kenseth 10-Phil Parsons 74-Randy LaJoie 38-Elton Sawyer