1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season
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The 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Season, the 46th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 23rd modern-era Cup series, began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 13. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing was crowned champion at season's end, winning consecutive Winston Cups for the third time in his career and tying Richard Petty for the record of most top-level NASCAR championships with seven. One of the highlights of the season occurred on August 6. The series made a highly publicized first visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Inaugural Brickyard 400.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Dale Earnhardt tied Richard Petty's seven championships.

Mark Martin finished second to Earnhardt for the second time in five years, 444 points behind.

Rusty Wallace finished third in the championship.

Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race driver	Crew chief
Chevrolet	Active Motorsports	32	Dick Trickle	Mike Hillman
	A.G. Dillard Motorsports	31	Ward Burton (R)	Philippe Lopez
	Darrell Waltrip Motorsports	17	Darrell Waltrip	Pete Peterson
	Diamond Ridge Motorsports	29	Steve Grissom (R)	Bryant Frazier
	Hagan Racing	14	John Andretti 19 (R)
	Hagan Racing	14	Phil Parsons 1
	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Terry Labonte	Gary DeHart
		24	Jeff Gordon	Ray Evernham
		25	Ken Schrader	Ken Howes
	Joe Gibbs Racing	18	Dale Jarrett	Jimmy Makar
	Larry Hedrick Motorsports	41	Joe Nemechek (R)	Doug Richert
	Leo Jackson Motorsports	33	Harry Gant	Charley Pressley
	Marcis Auto Racing	71	Dave Marcis	Bob Marcis
	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	4	Sterling Marlin	Tony Glover
	Richard Childress Racing	3	Dale Earnhardt	Andy Petree
Ford	Bobby Allison Motorsports	12	Chuck Bown 13	Jimmy Fennig
			Tim Steele 6
			Derrike Cope 11
	Bud Moore Engineering	15	Lake Speed	Donnie Wingo
	Butch Mock Motorsports	75	Todd Bodine	Butch Mock
	Cale Yarborough Motorsports	98	Derrike Cope 16
	Cale Yarborough Motorsports	98	Jeremy Mayfield (R) 15
	Geoff Bodine Racing	7	Geoff Bodine	Paul Andrews
	Junior Johnson & Associates	11	Bill Elliott	Mike Beam
		27	Jimmy Spencer 30	Mike Hill
		27	Tommy Kendall 1	Mike Hill
	King Racing	26	Brett Bodine	Donnie Richeson
	Means Racing	52	Brad Teague 18
			Mike Skinner 3
			Kirk Shelmerdine 1
			Scott Gaylord 1
			Bob Keselowski 1
			Gary Bradberry 1
		53	Kirk Shelmerdine 1
			Brad Teague 1
	Petty Brothers Racing		Ritchie Petty 4
	Melling Racing	9	Joe Ruttman 1	Peter Sospenzo
			Rich Bickle 12
			Phil Parsons 5
	Penske Racing	2	Rusty Wallace	Buddy Parrott
	Precision Products Racing	1	Rick Mast	Kevin Hamlin
	Robert Yates Racing	28	Ernie Irvan 21	Larry McReynolds
	Robert Yates Racing	28	Kenny Wallace 9	Larry McReynolds
	Roush Racing	6	Mark Martin	Steve Hmiel
	Roush Racing	16	Ted Musgrave	Robin Pemberton
	Rudd Performance Motorsports	10	Ricky Rudd	Bill Ingle
	Smokin' Joe's Racing	23	Hut Stricklin	Travis Carter
	Stavola Brothers Racing	8	Jeff Burton (R)	Buddy Barnes
	Tri-Star Motorsports	19	Loy Allen Jr. (R)	Dennis Conner
	U.S. Racing	77	Greg Sacks	Tony Furr
	Wood Brothers Racing	21	Morgan Shepherd	Eddie Wood
Pontiac	Bahari Racing	30	Michael Waltrip	Doug Hewitt
	Bill Davis Racing	22	Bobby Labonte	Chris Hussey
	Petty Enterprises	43	Wally Dallenbach Jr. 20	Robbie Loomis
	Petty Enterprises	43	John Andretti 10 (R)	Robbie Loomis
	SABCO Racing	40	Bobby Hamilton	Jeff Hammond
	SABCO Racing	42	Kyle Petty	Jim Long

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash was held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew for the pole. In Daytona 500 practice Neil Bonnett had a tire failure in turn 3 and hit the wall head-on. Bonnett died of massive head injuries.

Top ten results

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 19 at Daytona International Speedway.

Race one: top ten results

Race two: top ten results

Daytona 500

Main article: 1994 Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 was held in Daytona International Speedway. Loy Allen Jr won the pole.

Top ten results

Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held February 27 at North Carolina Speedway. The No. 7 of Geoff Bodine was on the pole.

Top ten results

2-Rusty Wallace
4-Sterling Marlin
1-Rick Mast
6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
28-Ernie Irvan, 1 lap down
26-Brett Bodine, 1 lap down
3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 lap down
42-Kyle Petty, 2 laps down
25-Ken Schrader, 3 laps down
30-Michael Waltrip, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 31-Ward Burton, 48-James Hylton, 99-Danny Sullivan, 61-Rick Carelli, 95-Jeremy Mayfield, 48-Jerry Hill, 02-T. W. Taylor

Jerry Hill may have made a second attempt for James Hylton's entry.

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 6 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 16 of Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 19-Loy Allen Jr., 45-Rich Bickle, 71-Dave Marcis, 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 23-Hut Stricklin, 47-Billy Standridge, 61-Rick Carelli, 02-T.W. Taylor, ??-Mike Wallace

Dave Marcis served as a broadcaster for TBS Sports after failing to qualify.

Purolator 500

The Purolator 500 was held March 13 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 19 of Loy Allen Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

28-Ernie Irvan
21-Morgan Shepherd
17-Darrell Waltrip
8-Jeff Burton
6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
15-Lake Speed, 1 lap down
77-Greg Sacks, 1 lap down
24-Jeff Gordon, 2 laps down
10-Ricky Rudd, 2 laps down
27-Jimmy Spencer, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 20-Buddy Baker, 61-Rick Carelli, 47-Billy Standridge, 89-Jim Sauter, 80-Jimmy Horton, 99-Danny Sullivan, 95-Jeremy Mayfield

TranSouth Financial 400

The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 27 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 19-Loy Allen Jr., 61-Rick Carelli, 47-Billy Standridge, 02-Curtis Markham, 57-Bob Schacht, 84-Norm Benning, 36-H.B. Bailey, 59-Andy Belmont

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held April 10 at Bristol International Raceway. The No. 12 of Chuck Bown won the pole.

Top ten results

3-Dale Earnhardt
25-Ken Schrader
15-Lake Speed
7-Geoff Bodine, 1 lap down
30-Michael Waltrip, 3 laps down
22-Bobby Labonte, 4 laps down
2-Rusty Wallace, 6 laps down
4-Sterling Marlin, 9 laps down
40-Bobby Hamilton, 12 laps down
71-Dave Marcis, 14 laps down

Failed to qualify (or "watching on TV" as said on ESPN: 14-John Andretti, 55-Jimmy Hensley, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 95-Jeremy Mayfield, 52-Brad Teague

Several accidents (including one during green flag pit stops) caused the big gaps amongst the top ten cars.

First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 17 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify (or "seeing Granny" as said on ESPN): 29-Steve Grissom, 31-Ward Burton, 9-Rich Bickle, 41-Joe Nemechek, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 55-Jimmy Hensley, 90-Mike Wallace, 02-Curtis Markham, 52-Mike Skinner, 62-Freddie Query

This was Terry Labonte's first win since the DieHard 500 in 1989

Hanes 500

The Hanes 500 was held April 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify (or "gone hunting" on ESPN): 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 90-Mike Wallace, 71-Dave Marcis, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 02-Curtis Markham, 89-Jim Bown, 52-Mike Skinner, 33-Harry Gant

Winston Select 500

Main article: 1994 Winston Select 500

Save Mart Supermarkets 300

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 15 at Sears Point International Raceway. Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was marred by a violent crash between Derrick Cope and John Krebbs in which Krebbs #9 car went up and over an embankment and flipped over several times.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify (or "crushin' grapes", as referred to on ESPN): 52-Scott Gaylord, 55-Jimmy Hensley, 32-Dick Trickle, 48w-Jack Sellers, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 86w-Rich Woodland Jr.

Coca-Cola 600

Main article: 1994 Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

It was Jeff Gordon's first Winston Cup victory. The 22-year-old driver benefited from all the wrecks that day to score his first win. The rising young star cried in Victory Lane.
John Andretti, who finished 10th in the Indianapolis 500 earlier that day, finished the 600 in 36th. He became the first driver to run both races in the same day.

Failed to qualify: 55-Jimmy Hensley, 71-Dave Marcis, 44-Bobby Hillin Jr., 89-Jim Sauter

Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was held June 5 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 84-Norm Benning, 59-Andy Belmont

UAW-GM Teamwork 500

The UAW-GM Teamwork 500 was held June 12 at Pocono Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Chuck Bown was injured in a crash with Sterling Marlin and was out for the season.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 47-Billy Standridge, 59-Andy Belmont

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 19 at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 19 of Loy Allen Jr. was on the pole. Tim Steele replaced the injured Chuck Bown in the No. 12 for Bobby Allison Motorsports.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 90-Mike Wallace, 80-Jimmy Horton, 52-Brad Teague, 34-Bob Brevak, 47-Billy Standridge, 32-Dick Trickle, 36-H.B. Bailey, 61-Rick Carelli, 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole. Jimmy Spencer passed Ernie Irvan on the last lap (the only lap he led) to score his first Winston Cup win.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify ("flippin' burgers" as on ESPN): 52-Brad Teague, 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 80-Joe Ruttman, 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 47-Billy Standridge, 0-Delma Cowart

Slick 50 300

The Slick 50 300 was held July 10 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The No. 28 of Ernie Irvan was on the pole. Ricky Rudd scored the first win for his own team, Rudd Performance Motorsports.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 19-Loy Allen Jr., 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 54-Robert Pressley, 62-Joe Bessey, 38-Jamie Aube

Miller Genuine Draft 500

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 17 at Pocono Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 55-Jimmy Hensley, 32-Dick Trickle, 99-Phil Parsons, 65-Jerry O'Neil

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was held July 24 at Talladega Superspeedway. The No. 3 of Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 45-Rich Bickle, 32-Dick Trickle, 53-Ritchie Petty, 02-Derrike Cope, 31-Ward Burton, 95-Ben Hess, 47-Billy Standridge, 80-Joe Ruttman, 0-Delma Cowart, 89-Ronnie Sanders

Buzz Aldrin, one of the first humans to walk on the moon, served as the grand marshal for this race. Instead of the traditional command to start engines, he said "Drivers, energize your groundcraft."^[1]

Brickyard 400

Main article: 1994 Brickyard 400

Ernie Irvan was holding off Jeff Gordon up until 5 to go when his right front tire cut down and Gordon took the lead.
"Years from today when 79 stock car races have been run here we'll remember the name Jeff Gordon! Winner of the inaugural Brickyard 400!"-Bob Jenkins talking as Jeff Gordon crossed the start/finish line to win the race.

The Bud At The Glen

The Bud At The Glen was held August 14 at Watkins Glen International. Mark Martin won the pole. Derrike Cope made his debut in the No. 12 Ford after Tim Steele was fired after failing to qualify (by quite a lot of time) for the previous Saturday's Brickyard 400.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 00-Scott Gaylord, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 90-Mike Wallace, 50-Brian Bonner

GM Goodwrench Dealer 400

The GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 was held August 21 at Michigan International Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. During the weekend for this race, Ernie Irvan wrecked his No. 28 in Turn 2 for a practice run, and suffered near-fatal head, chest, and lung injuries. The team withdrew from the race. Other changes included John Andretti replacing Wally Dallenbach Jr. in the No. 43 Pontiac at Petty Enterprises and started on the front row for the first time since Richard Petty did in 1992 at Daytona.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 40-Bobby Hamilton, 23-Hut Stricklin, 55-Jimmy Hensley, 54-Robert Pressley, 59-Andy Belmont, 82-Laura Lane, 52-Brad Teague, 34-Bob Brevak

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held August 27 at Bristol International Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole. Kenny Wallace began his duties driving in substitution for the injured Ernie Irvan, a role that lasted the rest of the season.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 95-Jeff Green, 27-Jimmy Spencer, 71-Dave Marcis, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 55-Jimmy Hensley, 14-Phil Parsons

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 4 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 7 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 61-Rick Carelli, 57-Bob Schacht

Final win for Junior Johnson's legendary race team.

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held September 10 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 16 of Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 47-Billy Standridge, 51-Dirk Stephens, 80-Joe Ruttman, 9-Phil Parsons, 52-Brad Teague, 01-Billy Ogle, Jr., 8-Jeff Burton

Jeff Burton's time was disallowed after his car failed post-qualifying inspection.

SplitFire Spark Plug 500

The SplitFire Spark Plug 500 was held September 18 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 84-Norm Benning, 79-Doug French, 47-Billy Standridge

Mark Martin was leading with 6 laps to go when he tangled with the lapped car of Ricky Rudd. Rusty Wallace assumed the lead and soon had a blown tire (possibly by running over debris). The race finished under caution and Wallace kept the lead.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held September 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 19-Loy Allen Jr., 55-Tim Fedewa, 98-Jeremy Mayfield

Tyson Holly Farms 400

The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was held October 2 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The No. 27 of Jimmy Spencer won his first career Winston Cup pole.

Top ten results

7-Geoff Bodine
5-Terry Labonte, 1 lap down
1-Rick Mast, 1 lap down
2-Rusty Wallace, 1 lap down
6-Mark Martin, 2 laps down
11-Bill Elliott, 2 laps down
3-Dale Earnhardt, 2 laps down
24-Jeff Gordon, 2 laps down
16-Ted Musgrave, 3 laps down
28-Kenny Wallace, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 90-Mike Wallace, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 55-Tim Fedewa, 52-Brad Teague, 18-Dale Jarrett, 75-Todd Bodine

This is the last time that a driver won a Winston Cup race by a lap or more.

Mello Yello 500

The Mello Yello 500 was held October 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 31 of Ward Burton won the pole. Dale Jarrett won despite failing to qualify the previous week.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 9-Phil Parsons, 67-Ken Bouchard, 55-Butch Miller, 02-Brad Noffsinger, 52-Brad Teague, 78-Pancho Carter, 53-Kirk Shelmerdine, 84-Norm Benning, 95-Ben Hess, 45-Rich Bickle, 0-Delma Cowart

AC Delco 500

The AC Delco 500 was held October 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. Dale Earnhardt clinched his 7th Winston Cup championship by winning the race.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 02-Brad Noffsinger, 52-Brad Teague, 84-Norm Benning

Slick 50 500

The Slick 50 500 was held October 30 at Phoenix International Raceway. Sterling Marlin won the pole.

Top ten results

5-Terry Labonte
6-Mark Martin
4-Sterling Marlin
24-Jeff Gordon, 1 lap down
16-Ted Musgrave, 1 lap down
42-Kyle Petty, 1 lap down
10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
7-Geoff Bodine, 1 lap down
18-Dale Jarrett, 2 laps down
17-Darrell Waltrip, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 51-Jeff Purvis, 02-Brad Noffsinger, 00-Scott Gaylord, 07-Doug George, 81w-Jeff Davis, 90w-Joe Heath, 86w-Rich Woodland Jr., 92w-John Krebs, 22w-St. James Davis, 95w-Lance Wade, 58w-Wayne Jacks

The final 189 laps of the race were all under green-flag conditions, causing the unusual gaps among the lead cars.

Hooters 500

The Hooters 500 was held November 13 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 77 of Greg Sacks won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 55-Tim Fedewa, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 64-Gary Wright, 47-Billy Standridge, 32-Dick Trickle, 45-Rich Bickle, 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Joe Ruttman, 35-Bill Venturini, 53-Brad Teague, 61-Rick Carelli, 34-Bob Brevak, 50-Brian Bonner

Todd Bodine's best career Winston Cup finish.
Mike Wallace's first top 5 finish in Winston Cup.
Jimmy Means' last start in the cup series as an owner, with Gary Bradberry driving.

Final points standings

3-Dale Earnhardt – 4694
6-Mark Martin – 4250
2-Rusty Wallace – 4207
25-Ken Schrader – 4060
10-Ricky Rudd – 4050
21-Morgan Shepherd – 4029
5-Terry Labonte – 3876
24-Jeff Gordon – 3776
17-Darrell Waltrip – 3688
11-Bill Elliott – 3617
15-Lake Speed – 3565
30-Michael Waltrip – 3512
16-Ted Musgrave – 3477
4-Sterling Marlin – 3443
42-Kyle Petty – 3339
18-Dale Jarrett – 3298
7-Geoff Bodine – 3297
1-Rick Mast – 3238
26-Brett Bodine – 3159
75-Todd Bodine – 3048
22-Bobby Labonte – 3038
28-Ernie Irvan – 3026
40-Bobby Hamilton – 2749
8-Jeff Burton – 2726
33-Harry Gant – 2720
23-Hut Stricklin – 2711
41-Joe Nemechek – 2673
29-Steve Grissom – 2660
27-Jimmy Spencer – 2613
12-Derrike Cope – 2612
77-Greg Sacks – 2593
43-John Andretti – 2299
90-Mike Wallace – 2191
32-Dick Trickle – 2019
31-Ward Burton – 1971
71-Dave Marcis – 1910
98-Jeremy Mayfield – 1673
43-Wally Dallenbach, Jr. – 1493
19-Loy Allen Jr. – 1468
28-Kenny Wallace – 1413
55-Jimmy Hensley – 1394
12-Chuck Bown – 1211
9-Rich Bickle – 849
20-Bobby Hillin, Jr. – 749
53-Brad Teague – 548
51-Jeff Purvis – 484
47-Billy Standridge – 404
02-Randy LaJoie – 312
61-Rick Carelli – 283
Phil Parsons – 243

Rookie of the Year

Jeff Burton, driving the No. 8 Ford for Stavola Brothers Racing, was named Rookie of the Year for 1994, posting two top-five finishes. He was followed by fellow Busch Series graduates Steve Grissom and Joe Nemechek, each of whom had three top-ten finishes. Loy Allen Jr., despite three poles, struggled to find consistency and finished far back in the standings, while Jeremy Mayfield and John Andretti bounced around different rides throughout the season. Mike Wallace (who started the year at Atlanta in March) and Jeff's older brother Ward were plagued by qualifying troubles all season long. Billy Standridge and Rich Bickle ran partial schedules and were not a factor.

References

↑ McCarter, Mark (April 29, 2013). "A fan's guide to Talladega Superspeedway from A (for Aaron's) to Z (how to catch some Z's)". The Birmingham News. Retrieved February 21, 2016.

External links

Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 1994

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons

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