1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season
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The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Season was the 47th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 24th modern-era Cup series season. began on February 12 and concluded November 12. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his first career championship.

The 1995 Winston Cup Champion Jeff Gordon
Dale Earnhardt finished second behind Gordon by 34 points
Sterling Marlin finished third in the championship

Overview

The major story heading into the 1995 season was Dale Earnhardt's attempt to make history. After winning his seventh Winston Cup Championship in 1994, Earnhardt tied Richard Petty's record for Cup Championships. Going into the 1995 season, Earnhardt had won four of the last five Winston Cup points titles, and was considered the favorite to win his eighth in 1995.

As the season progressed, the race for the series championship became a battle between Earnhardt, Sterling Marlin and Jeff Gordon. The majority of the spotlight soon shifted on the 24-year-old Gordon. Gordon, who had won two of 1994’s biggest races (Coca Cola 600 and the Inaugural Brickyard 400), visited victory lane in three of the first six races of 1995. Gordon would become the most consistent driver of the season. During one stretch of the season, he rattled off 14 straight top ten finishes, winning four times during that stretch. Despite a late season challenge by Earnhardt, Gordon would win the season’s championship by 34 points. In doing so, he became the youngest Winston Cup Champion of the modern era (post 1971). Gordon made light of this at the season ending banquet, toasting Earnhardt with a glass of milk instead of champagne.

However, there were several other major stories in 1995.

1995 changes

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief
Chevrolet A.G. Dillard Motorsports 31 Ward Burton 21 Philippe Lopez
Greg Sacks 4
Jimmy Hensley 3
Gary Bradberry (R) 2
DarWal Inc. 17 Darrell Waltrip Pete Peterson
Diamond Ridge Motorsports 29 Steve Grissom Bryant Frazier
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Terry Labonte Gary DeHart
24 Jeff Gordon Ray Evernham
25 Ken Schrader Ken Howes
Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Bobby Labonte Jimmy Makar
Larry Hedrick Motorsports 41 Ricky Craven (R) Rick Ren
Leo Jackson Motorsports 33 Robert Pressley (R) Charley Pressley
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Bob Marcis
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Sterling Marlin Tony Glover
NEMCO Motorsports 87 Joe Nemechek Mike Boerschinger
Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Andy Petree
Ford Elliott-Hardy Racing 94 Bill Elliott Mike Beam
Bobby Allison Motorsports 12 Derrike Cope Jimmy Fennig
Bud Moore Engineering 15 Dick Trickle Donnie Wingo
Butch Mock Motorsports 75 Todd Bodine Troy Selberg
Cale Yarborough Motorsports 98 Jeremy Mayfield Tony Furr
Donlavey Racing 90 Mike Wallace Junie Donlavey
Geoff Bodine Racing 7 Geoff Bodine Paul Andrews
Jasper Motorsports 77 Davy Jones (R) 11 Paul Wise
Bobby Hillin, Jr. 20
Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Brett Bodine Dean Combs
27 Loy Allen, Jr. 6 Mike Hill
Jeff Purvis 1
Elton Sawyer 22
Jimmy Horton 1
Greg Sacks 1
King Racing 26 Steve Kinser (R) 7 Richard Broome
Hut Stricklin 24
Kranefuss-Haas Racing 37 John Andretti Tim Brewer
Melling Racing 9 Lake Speed Peter Sospenzo
Penske Racing South 2 Rusty Wallace Robin Pemberton
Precision Products Racing 1 Rick Mast Kevin Hamlin
Robert Yates Racing 28 Dale Jarrett Larry McReynolds
Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Steve Hmiel
16 Ted Musgrave Howard Comstock
Rudd Performance Motorsports 10 Ricky Rudd Bill Ingle
Travis Carter Enterprises 23 Jimmy Spencer Cecil Gordon
Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Jeff Burton Donnie Richeson
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Morgan Shepherd Eddie Wood
Pontiac Bahari Racing 30 Michael Waltrip Doug Hewitt
Bill Davis Racing 22 Randy LaJoie (R) 14 Chris Hussey
Jimmy Hensley 6
Wally Dallenbach, Jr. 1
Ward Burton 10
Dick Brooks Racing 40 Greg Sacks 14 Jeff Hammond
Andy Hillenburg 1
Rich Bickle 10
Randy LaJoie (R) 1
Butch Leitzinger 1
Shane Hall 4
Petty Enterprises 43 Bobby Hamilton Robbie Loomis
Team SABCO 42 Kyle Petty Keith Simmons

Limited schedule

Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief Round(s)
Chevrolet Active Motorsports 32 Mike Chase (R) Doug Williams 1
Jimmy Hensley 4
Chuck Bown 11
Greg Sacks 8
Ed Berrier 2
Michael Ritch 1
Canaska Racing 68 Ron Fellows 1
Hendrick Motorsports 58 Jeff Purvis 1
59 Jack Sprague 1
JTC Racing 45 Ron Hornaday, Jr. 1
O'Neil Racing 65 Steve Seligman 5
Parker Racing 72 Tracy Leslie 1
Phoenix Racing 44 Jeff Purvis Marc Reno 11
51 Kerry Teague 1
Marcis Auto Racing 72 Jim Sauter 11
Russell Racing 70 Alan Russell 1
Skillen Racing 14 Richard Brickhouse 1
Waters Racing 79 Doug French 2
Bradberry Racing 93 Gary Bradberry (R) 3
88 1
Ford Robert Yates Racing Ernie Irvan Todd Parrott 4
A. J. Foyt Enterprises 50 A. J. Foyt 2
Barkdoll Racing 73 Phil Barkdoll 1
Bill Strait Motorsports 68 Bob Strait 1
Byers Racing 82 Terry Byers (R) 2
CPR Motorsports 99 Shawna Robinson 1
Cunningham Racing 67 Ken Bouchard 2
FILMAR Racing 81 Kenny Wallace Gil Martin 20
H.L. Waters Racing 0 Delma Cowart 6
Hover Motorsports 80 Joe Ruttman 2
H.S. Die Racing Team 02 Tim Steele 1
Mark Rypien Motorsports 97 Chad Little Gary Cogswell 5
Petty Brothers Racing 53 Ritchie Petty 2
Means Racing 52 Gary Bradberry (R) 4
Brad Teague 3
Randy MacDonald 1
62 Ronnie Sanders 1
Moroso Racing 20 Bobby Hillin, Jr. 2
Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning 1
Phoenix Air Racing 61 David Murry 1
RaDiUs Motorsports 66 Ben Hess Sandy Jones 4
Butch Miller 1
Billy Standridge 4
Terry Fisher 1
67 Billy Standridge 1
Johnny Chapman 1
76 1
Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Doug Heveron 1
Jimmy Hensley 1
Loy Allen, Jr. 2
Smith Racing 49 Eric Smith 5
Standridge Motorsports 47 Billy Standridge 8
Triad Motorsports 78 Jay Hedgecock Tex Powell 6
Pancho Carter 3
Hut Stricklin 1
TriStar Motorsports 19 Phil Parsons 4
Loy Allen, Jr. 11
Ultra Motorsports 08 Mike Bliss 1
Pontiac Hagan Racing 14 Randy MacDonald 2
Hylton Motorsports 48 James Hylton 2
Virtue Racing 99 Danny Sullivan 1

Busch Clash

The 1995 Busch Clash, kicked off the season on February 12, at Daytona International Speedway. Geoffrey Bodine drew the pole. As an exhibition race, no points are awarded. The race was between 1994 Winston Cup pole winners. Also, in a first for the event, the driver who collected the most poles in the 1994 Busch Season was also invited. This honor went to David Green.

Dale Earnhardt got the season off to a dominating start, leading 18 of 20 laps to collect his 6th Clash win. Aside from that, the most noteworthy event happened on the first lap, when Loy Allen Jr. made contact with Greg Sacks in turn 3, sending Sacks into the wall. Sacks also collected Mark Martin, ending Martin's day. Sterling Marlin finished second, Bill Elliot was third. Jeff Gordon and Todd Bodine rounded out the top five.

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held on Thursday, February 16, at Daytona International Speedway. The lineups for the 125s were determined by qualifying the previous Sunday. The first race would consist of drivers who qualified in odd-numbered positions (1st fastest, 3rd fastest, 5th fastest, etc.), while the second race would be formed from even-numbered qualifiers. As the fastest driver, Dale Jarrett would start from the pole in the first race, and second-fastest driver Dale Earnhardt would lead the field in the second race.

Sterling Marlin would dominate the first race, leading 44 of 50 laps. His victory would ensure the 1994 Daytona 500 winner the 3rd starting spot on Sunday. Good finishes for Dave Marcis (10th), Joe Nemechek (12th), and Joe Ruttman (14th) assured them spots in the 500.

In race 2, Earnhardt made it two-for-two for his Speedweeks, edging out Jeff Gordon for the victory. The race also contained two crashes. The first, on lap 15, collected Jimmy Spencer, Billy Standridge, and Loy Allen Jr. Allen was forced to fall back on his qualifying time, while Spencer and Standridge went home. The second crash occurred on lap 42, and involved Chad Little, Phil Barkdoll, Phil Parsons, and Jim Sauter. Fortunately for Parsons, his qualifying time was good enough to get him into the 500. Little, Barkdoll, and Sauter weren't so lucky, and all three were forced to watch the 500 on TV.

Daytona 500

Main article: 1995 Daytona 500

The 1995 Daytona 500 was held February 19 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won his first career Winston Cup pole. This was Sterling Marlin's second Winston Cup win, both of which were in the Daytona 500. Marlin also joined Richard Petty (in 1974) and Cale Yarborough (in 1984) as the only drivers who have won back to back Daytona 500's; this has not been done since.

Top ten results

  1. 4-Sterling Marlin
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 16-Ted Musgrave
  5. 28-Dale Jarrett
  6. 30-Michael Waltrip
  7. 29-Steve Grissom
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 25-Ken Schrader
  10. 21-Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: 20-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 40-Greg Sacks, 14-Randy MacDonald, 95-Doug Heveron, 82-Terry Byers, 52-Gary Bradberry, 62-Ronnie Sanders, 81-Kenny Wallace, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 99-Shawna Robinson, 72-Jim Sauter, 51-Kerry Teague, 97-Chad Little, 68-Bob Strait, 23-Jimmy Spencer, 0-Delma Cowart, 47-Billy Standridge, 67-Ken Bouchard, 48-James Hylton, 53-Ritchie Petty, 32-Mike Chase, 65-Steve Seligman

Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held February 26 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 10-Ricky Rudd
  5. 28-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
  6. 29-Steve Grissom, 1 lap down
  7. 6-Mark Martin, 2 laps down
  8. 12-Derrike Cope, 3 laps down
  9. 31-Ward Burton, 3 laps down
  10. 42-Kyle Petty, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify (in order of speeds): 66-Ben Hess, 52-Gary Bradberry, 48-James Hylton, 47-Billy Standridge, 19-Phil Parsons

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 5-Terry Labonte
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 25-Ken Schrader
  5. 4-Sterling Marlin
  6. 12-Derrike Cope
  7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  8. 6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
  9. 43-Bobby Hamilton, 1 lap down
  10. 37-John Andretti, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 32-Jimmy Hensley, 81-Kenny Wallace, 47-Billy Standridge, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 29-Steve Grissom, 52-Gary Bradberry, 66-Ben Hess, 49-Eric Smith, 77-Davy Jones

Purolator 500

The Purolator 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 28-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
  6. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
  7. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
  9. 6-Mark Martin, 2 laps down
  10. 2-Rusty Wallace, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 31-Ward Burton, 52-Gary Bradberry, 27-Loy Allen Jr., 67-Ken Bouchard, 76-Johnny Chapman, 66-Ben Hess, 81-Kenny Wallace, 78-Pancho Carter

TranSouth Financial 400

The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 26 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 4-Sterling Marlin
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 16-Ted Musgrave
  4. 75-Todd Bodine
  5. 12-Derrike Cope
  6. 29-Steve Grissom
  7. 30-Michael Waltrip
  8. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  9. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  10. 37-John Andretti, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 81-Kenny Wallace, 52-Brad Teague, 19-Phil Parsons

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held April 2 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd
  6. 28-Dale Jarrett
  7. 5-Terry Labonte, 1 lap down
  8. 6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
  9. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  10. 33-Robert Pressley, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 87-Joe Nemechek, 26-Steve Kinser, 47-Billy Standridge, 78-Hut Stricklin, 66-Butch Miller, 52-Brad Teague, 27-Loy Allen Jr., 90-Mike Wallace

First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 9 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace
  5. 29-Steve Grissom
  6. 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 lap down
  7. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  8. 1-Rick Mast, 1 lap down
  9. 11-Brett Bodine, 1 lap down
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 81-Kenny Wallace, 32-Chuck Bown, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 77-Davy Jones, 47-Billy Standridge, 27-Jeff Purvis, 26-Steve Kinser, 52-Randy MacDonald

Hanes 500

The Hanes 500 was held April 23 at Martinsville Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 16-Ted Musgrave
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 25-Ken Schrader
  7. 28-Dale Jarrett
  8. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  9. 42-Kyle Petty, 1 lap down
  10. 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 75-Todd Bodine, 23-Jimmy Spencer, 32-Chuck Bown, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 8-Jeff Burton, 22-Randy LaJoie, 77-Davy Jones

Winston Select 500

The Winston Select 500 was held April 30 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #5 of Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 18-Bobby Labonte
  6. 94-Bill Elliott
  7. 7-Geoff Bodine
  8. 75-Todd Bodine
  9. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  10. 19-Loy Allen Jr.

Failed to qualify: 53-Ritchie Petty, 47-Billy Standridge, 87-Joe Nemechek, 65-Steve Seligman, 0-Delma Cowart

Save Mart Supermarkets 300

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 7 at Sears Point International Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 10-Ricky Rudd
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 16-Ted Musgrave
  7. 4-Sterling Marlin
  8. 75-Todd Bodine
  9. 25-Ken Schrader
  10. 30-Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: 40-Greg Sacks, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 27-Elton Sawyer, 00w-Scott Gaylord, 64-Garrett Evans, 22w-St. James Davis, 19-Ernie Cope

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #24 of Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 30-Michael Waltrip
  4. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 lap down
  7. 26-Hut Stricklin, 1 lap down
  8. 9-Lake Speed, 2 laps down
  9. 43-Bobby Hamilton, 2 laps down
  10. 41-Ricky Craven, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 40-Greg Sacks, 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 95-Jimmy Hensley, 77-Davy Jones, 44-Jeff Purvis, 67-Johnny Chapman

Miller Genuine Draft 500

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 42-Kyle Petty
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 16-Ted Musgrave
  4. 26-Hut Stricklin
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 24-Jeff Gordon, 1 lap down
  7. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  8. 30-Michael Waltrip, 1 lap down
  9. 2-Rusty Wallace, 1 lap down
  10. 87-Joe Nemechek, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 79-Doug French, 19-Loy Allen Jr.

UAW-GM Teamwork 500

The UAW-GM Teamwork 500 was held June 11 at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 5-Terry Labonte
  2. 16-Ted Musgrave
  3. 25-Ken Schrader
  4. 4-Sterling Marlin
  5. 26-Hut Stricklin
  6. 94-Bill Elliott
  7. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 30-Michael Waltrip
  10. 11-Brett Bodine

Failed to qualify: 79-Doug French

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 18 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 37-John Andretti
  5. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 28-Dale Jarrett
  7. 4-Sterling Marlin
  8. 6-Mark Martin
  9. 5-Terry Labonte
  10. 16-Ted Musgrave

Failed to qualify: 88-Gary Bradberry, 40-Greg Sacks

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 4-Sterling Marlin
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 16-Ted Musgrave
  6. 25-Ken Schrader
  7. 42-Kyle Petty
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd
  9. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  10. 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 81-Kenny Wallace, 0-Delma Cowart, 65-Steve Seligman

Slick 50 300

The Slick 50 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 12-Derrike Cope
  8. 16-Ted Musgrave
  9. 4-Sterling Marlin
  10. 25-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 49-Eric Smith

Miller Genuine Draft 500

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 16 at Pocono Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 28-Dale Jarrett
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 10-Ricky Rudd
  4. 16-Ted Musgrave
  5. 94-Bill Elliott
  6. 7-Geoff Bodine
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 98-Jeremy Mayfield
  9. 87-Joe Nemechek
  10. 15-Dick Trickle

Failed to qualify: 14-Randy MacDonald, 82-Terry Byers

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was held July 23 at Talladega Superspeedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. The race was most remembered for Ken Schrader's wild end-over-end tumble in "The Big One" on lap 139, which collected 13 other cars. He was not injured, though.

Top ten results

  1. 4-Sterling Marlin
  2. 28-Dale Jarrett
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  5. 94-Bill Elliott
  6. 42-Kyle Petty
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 24-Jeff Gordon
  9. 30-Michael Waltrip
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 22-Jimmy Hensley, 0-Delma Cowart, 65-Steve Seligman

Brickyard 400

Main article: 1995 Brickyard 400

The Second Brickyard 400 was held Saturday, August 5, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The popular event returned for a second year, after the tremendous success of the first running. The weekend was expanded by the addition of practice on Wednesday afternoon.

Pole qualifying

Defending champion Jeff Gordon won the pole position on Thursday, August 3, with a track record speed of 172.536 mph. A hot day saw most speeds down, and Gordon was the only driver to break the existing track record. Bobby Hamilton put the fans on their feet when he put the popular Petty #43 STP Pontiac on the outside of the front row with a run of 172.222 mph.

Second round qualifying

On Friday, August 4, the remnants of Hurricane Erin overtook the midwest, and rain settled in for two days. Friday morning practice was lost, and second round qualifying was also rained out. As a result, all cars reverted to their time trials speed from the first round, and the field was filled accordingly. Without a chance in second round qualifying, A. J. Foyt notably failed to qualify, the first time he failed to qualify in a race he attempted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1958. The field managed a brief "happy hour" practice late Friday evening, and rain began to fall again.

Race recap

On Saturday, August 5, steady rain fell all morning, and threatened to wash out the day. The forecast was marginal for Sunday as well, threatening to washout the whole weekend. Many fans left the grounds as local media speculated (and some erroneously reported) that the race would be postponed. In an unexpected turn of events, at approximately 3:30 p.m. EST (4:30 p.m. EDT), the skies suddenly cleared, and track drying efforts began in earnest. The teams scrambled to get their cars prepared, and the field hastily lined up in the garage area. The Chevrolet C/K pace truck led them on to the track and the race began with many fans still scurrying to their seats. Many of the pit crews were also scrambling to get their equipment set up in the pit area. Some fans driving home on the interstate reportedly turned around and drove back to the track when the radio reported the race was starting.

The green flag dropped at 4:25 p.m. EST (5:25 p.m. EDT) with live coverage only on the radio. ABC-TV had signed off before the race began, and it was aired instead tape delay on Sunday morning on ESPN. It stands as one of the last NASCAR races not aired live on television.

Dale Earnhardt beat Rusty Wallace to the finish line, in a race slowed by only one caution for 4 laps. Jeff Burton spun off turn two right in front of eventual winner Earnhardt with 27 laps to go. The race was completed at 7:03 p.m. EST (8:03 p.m. EDT), shortly before sunset.

Top ten results

Pos SP No. Driver Car name Car make Entrant Laps Status
113 3Dale EarnhardtGM GoodwrenchChevroletRichard Childress Racing160Running
224 2Rusty WallaceMiller Genuine DraftFordPenske Racing160Running
32628Dale JarrettTexaco/HavolineFordRobert Yates Racing160Running
4 411Bill ElliottBudweiserFordJunior Johnson160Running
514 6Mark MartinValvolineFordRoush Racing160Running
6 124Jeff GordonDuPontChevroletHendrick Motorsports160Running
7 3 4Sterling MarlinKodakChevroletMorgan-McClure Motorsports160Running
8 9 1Rick MastSkoal ClassicFordRichard Jackson160Running
9 518Bobby LabonteInterstate BatteriesChevroletJoe Gibbs Racing160Running
103321Morgan ShepherdCitgoFordWood Brothers Racing160Running

Failed to qualify

The Bud At The Glen

The Bud At The Glen was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 22-Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 10-Ricky Rudd
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 37-John Andretti
  8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  9. 7-Geoff Bodine
  10. 41-Ricky Craven

Failed to qualify: 61-David Murry, 90-Mike Wallace, 49-Eric Smith

GM Goodwrench 400

The GM Goodwrench 400 was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 4-Sterling Marlin
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 31-Ward Burton
  7. 41-Ricky Craven
  8. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  9. 94-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down
  10. 26-Hut Stricklin, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 40-Rich Bickle, 72-Tracy Leslie, 02-Tim Steele, 95-Loy Allen Jr.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held August 26 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. This race is likely the most memorable race of the entire 1995 season due to the infamous finish of the event where Dale Earnhardt ran Terry Labonte down from 3 seconds behind in the late stages of the race and tapped him coming off turn 4 on the last lap. This tap got Labonte loose, and then Labonte overcorrected (slightly grazing the #31 Chevrolet of Greg Sacks in the process). This put Labonte head on into the outside wall just beyond the start-finish line, still ahead of Earnhardt to claim the victory.

Top ten results

  1. 5-Terry Labonte
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 28-Dale Jarrett
  4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 24-Jeff Gordon
  7. 4-Sterling Marlin
  8. 90-Mike Wallace
  9. 8-Jeff Burton
  10. 12-Derrike Cope, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 42-Kyle Petty, 95-Joe Ruttman, 81-Kenny Wallace, 32-Jimmy Hensley, 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 75-Todd Bodine, 27-Elton Sawyer

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. The #37 of John Andretti won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 22-Ward Burton
  5. 30-Michael Waltrip
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd
  7. 26-Hut Stricklin
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 9-Lake Speed
  10. 4-Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: 66-Billy Standridge, 52-Brad Teague, 88-Gary Bradberry

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 28-Dale Jarrett
  5. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  6. 24-Jeff Gordon
  7. 37-John Andretti, 1 lap down
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
  9. 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
  10. 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 32-Ed Berrier, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 40-Shane Hall, 29-Steve Grissom, 90-Mike Wallace, 49-Eric Smith

MBNA 500

The MBNA 500 was held September 17 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The #1 of Rick Mast won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 87-Joe Nemechek
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 4-Sterling Marlin
  7. 12-Derrike Cope, 1 lap down
  8. 6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
  9. 18-Bobby Labonte, 2 laps down
  10. 10-Ricky Rudd, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: ??-Billy Standridge, 66-Terry Fisher, 31-Greg Sacks

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held September 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, so point leader Jeff Gordon was awarded with the pole position.

Top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  5. 7-Geoff Bodine
  6. 94-Bill Elliott
  7. 24-Jeff Gordon
  8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  9. 12-Derrike Cope
  10. 28-Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: 31-Jimmy Hensley, 32-Greg Sacks, 40-Rich Bickle, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 81-Kenny Wallace

Tyson Holly Farms 400

The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was held October 1 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The #16 of Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd
  6. 88-Ernie Irvan
  7. 28-Dale Jarrett
  8. 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 lap down
  10. 94-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 75-Todd Bodine, 32-Greg Sacks, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 22-Ward Burton, 8-Jeff Burton, 90-Mike Wallace, 78-Jay Hedgecock

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 10-Ricky Rudd
  5. 28-Dale Jarrett
  6. 4-Sterling Marlin
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 2-Rusty Wallace
  10. 43-Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: 97-Chad Little, 81-Kenny Wallace, 44-Jeff Purvis, 0-Delma Cowart, 66-Billy Standridge

AC Delco 400

The AC Delco 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. The #26 of Hut Stricklin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 22-Ward Burton
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 8-Jeff Burton
  6. 4-Sterling Marlin
  7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 41-Ricky Craven
  9. 87-Joe Nemechek
  10. 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 88-Ernie Irvan, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 78-Jay Hedgecock, 84-Norm Benning, 70-Alan Russell, 14-Richard Brickhouse

Dura Lube 500

The Dura Lube 500 was held October 29 at Phoenix International Raceway. The #94 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 10-Ricky Rudd
  2. 12-Derrike Cope
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 16-Ted Musgrave
  7. 21-Morgan Shepherd
  8. 6-Mark Martin
  9. 1-Rick Mast
  10. 25-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 50-A. J. Foyt, 97-Chad Little, 08-Mike Bliss, 40-Shane Hall, 00w-Scott Gaylord, 58w-Wayne Jacks, 7w-L. J. Pryor, 36w-Rich Woodland, Jr.

NAPA 500

Main article: 1995 NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was held November 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The #17 of Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 4-Sterling Marlin
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 94-Bill Elliott
  5. 22-Ward Burton
  6. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  7. 88-Ernie Irvan, 1 lap down
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 lap down
  9. 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr., 1 lap down
  10. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 66-Billy Standridge, 59-Jack Sprague, 90-Mike Wallace, 40-Shane Hall, 0-Delma Cowart, 49-Eric Smith

Final points standings

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon – 4614
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt – 4580
  3. 4-Sterling Marlin – 4361
  4. 6-Mark Martin – 4320
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace – 4240
  6. 5-Terry Labonte – 4146
  7. 16-Ted Musgrave – 3949
  8. 94-Bill Elliott – 3746
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd – 3734
  10. 18-Bobby Labonte – 3718
  11. 21-Morgan Shepherd – 3618
  12. 30-Michael Waltrip – 3601
  13. 28-Dale Jarrett – 3584
  14. 43-Bobby Hamilton – 3576
  15. 12-Derrike Cope – 3384
  16. 7-Geoff Bodine – 3357
  17. 25-Ken Schrader – 3221
  18. 37-John Andretti – 3140
  19. 17-Darrell Waltrip – 3078
  20. 11-Brett Bodine – 2988
  21. 1-Rick Mast – 2984
  22. 22-Ward Burton – 2926
  23. 9-Lake Speed – 2921
  24. 41-Ricky Craven (R)  – 2883
  25. 15-Dick Trickle – 2875
  26. 23-Jimmy Spencer – 2809
  27. 29-Steve Grissom – 2757
  28. 87-Joe Nemechek – 2742
  29. 33-Robert Pressley (R)  – 2663
  30. 42-Kyle Petty – 2638
  31. 98-Jeremy Mayfield – 2637
  32. 8-Jeff Burton – 2556
  33. 75-Todd Bodine – 2372
  34. 90-Mike Wallace – 2178
  35. 71-Dave Marcis – 2126
  36. 26-Hut Stricklin – 2082
  37. 77-Bobby Hillin, Jr. – 1686
  38. 27-Elton Sawyer – 1499
  39. 32-Greg Sacks – 1349
  40. Randy LaJoie (R)  – 1133
  41. 19-Loy Allen Jr. – 890
  42. Kenny Wallace – 878
  43. Chuck Bown – 618
  44. Jimmy Hensley – 558
  45. Rich Bickle – 538
  46. Davy Jones (R)  – 520
  47. 58-Jeff Purvis – 391
  48. 88-Ernie Irvan – 354
  49. Steve Kinser (R)  – 287
  50. Wally Dallenbach, Jr. – 221

Rookie of the Year

29-year-old Ricky Craven from Newburgh, Maine received the 1995 Rookie of the Year award. Craven took the #41 Chevy owned by Sue and Larry Hedrick to four top-tens and finished 24th in the points. Runner-up was Craven's former Busch Series opponent Robert Pressley, posting one top-ten in the Leo Jackson Motorsports Chevy. The next runner-up, Randy LaJoie, began the year in the 22 car, but struggled and was released midway through the year. Steve Kinser and Davy Jones, a pair of open-wheel veterans who struggled in their transition to stock cars, were both released from their rides before the season reached the one-third point, while Mike Chase was released by his team after failing to qualify for the Daytona 500. Gary Bradberry and Terry Byers filed for Rookie of the Year contention but only ran limited schedules.

External links

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