1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
The 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 46th season of NASCAR professional stock car racing in the United States and the 23rd modern-era Cup series. The season 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. It was also the 7th and final NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship for Dale Earnhardt before his death 7 years later in 2001, this was also the final season for 18-time Winston Cup winner Harry Gant.
| 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series | |||
| Previous: | 1993 | Next: | 1995 |
One of the highlights of the season occurred on August 6, when the series made a highly publicized first visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Inaugural Brickyard 400. This season also marked the end of the second of two tire wars, as Hoosier left NASCAR after the season-ending Atlanta race, leaving Goodyear as the series' exclusive tire distributor.[1]
The season was marred with tragedy, as Neil Bonnett and Rodney Orr were killed in separate practice crashes prior to the Daytona 500.
Teams and drivers
Complete schedule
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Schedule
Races
Busch Clash
The Busch Clash was held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew for the pole. Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 26-Brett Bodine
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 6-Mark Martin
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 33-Harry Gant
- Two days earlier, during practice, Neil Bonnett died of massive head injuries after his car had a tire failure in turn 3 and hit the wall head-on.
- The day after this race, Rodney Orr died of massive head and chest injuries after his car lifted at over 175 mph and slammed into the outside retaining wall and catch fence, with the caution light piercing through the roof.
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
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 14-John Andretti
- 97-Chad Little
- 54-Robert Pressley
- 27-Jimmy Spencer
Race two: top ten results
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 was held in Daytona International Speedway. Loy Allen Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 77-Greg Sacks
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 25-Ken Schrader
- Sterling Marlin becomes the 5th driver to score his first career win in the Daytona 500.
- First career win in 279 starts for Sterling Marlin after finishing 2nd 8 times, tying Bill Elliott for most 2nd place finishes before 1st career win.
- This was the first points Cup race when cars were mandated to have roof flaps after Rusty Wallace had violently flipped at both Daytona & Talladega in 1993.
Goodwrench 500
The Goodwrench 500 was held February 27 at North Carolina Speedway. The No. 7 of Geoffrey 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
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 6-Mark Martin
- 1-Rick Mast
- 26-Brett Bodine
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 18-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
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.
- Terry Labonte started 37th (last) as he withdrew his time & took a champions provisional to allow Ricky Rudd to qualify on his time as Rudd's time would not have been fast enough and his new team had no owners points from the previous season and he would not have been eligible for a provisional. Rudd would finish 2 laps down in 18th.
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
- First career top 5 for Jeff Burton.
TranSouth Financial 400
The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 27 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 18-Dale Jarrett
- 15-Lake Speed
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
- 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
- 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 lap down
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-Geoffrey 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 among the top ten cars.
- Dave Marcis' Final Top 10 Finish.
- Final time in his career that Dale Earnhardt would win back-to-back races.
First Union 400
The First Union 400 was held April 17 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.
Top ten results
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine, 1 lap down
- 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
- 25-Ken Schrader, 2 laps down
- 1-Rick Mast, 3 laps down
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 1989 Talladega DieHard 500 and his 1st victory for Hendrick Motorsports.
Hanes 500
The Hanes 500 was held April 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 6-Mark Martin
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 12-Chuck Bown
- 1-Rick Mast, 1 lap down
- 11-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down
- 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 lap down
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
The Winston Select 500 was held May 1 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 27-Jimmy Spencer
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 77-Greg Sacks
- 15-Lake Speed
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 29-Steve Grissom
Failed to qualify (or "Flipping burgers" on ESPN): 31-Ward Burton, 9-Rich Bickle, 80-Jimmy Horton, 89-Jim Sauter, 0-Delma Cowart, 53-Ritchie Petty, 02-Ronnie Sanders
- During the race, a scary crash occurred just after halfway when Mark Martin's #6 car, without brakes, hit the inside retaining wall and crashed through two guardrails, through a catchfence and into a third guardrail. He was only slightly injured.
- After the race, Earnhardt dedicated his win to fallen Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, who died earlier in the day at the San Marino Grand Prix.
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 Krebs in which Krebs #9 car went up and over an embankment and flipped over several times.
Top ten results
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 33-Harry Gant
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
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 18-Dale Jarrett
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
- 75-Todd Bodine, 2 laps down
- 3-Dale Earnhardt, 3 laps down
- 30-Michael Waltrip, 3 laps down
Failed to qualify: 55-Jimmy Hensley, 71-Dave Marcis, 44-Bobby Hillin Jr., 89-Jim Sauter
- This 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.
Budweiser 500
The Budweiser 500 was held June 5 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 17-Darrell Waltrip, 1 lap down
- 30-Michael Waltrip, 1 lap down
- 4-Sterling Marlin, 2 laps down
- 23-Hut Stricklin, 2 laps down
- 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 3 laps down
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.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 26-Brett Bodine
- 1-Rick Mast
- 11-Bill Elliott
Failed to qualify: 47-Billy Standridge, 59-Andy Belmont
- On leaders lap 58 Chuck Bown was injured in a crash with Sterling Marlin and was out for the season.
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.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 41-Joe Nemechek
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
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.
- Tim Steele replaced the injured Chuck Bown in the No. 12 for Bobby Allison Motorsports. However he would fall out of the race after completing 61 of 200 laps due to a crash and finished 39th.
Pepsi 400
The Pepsi 400 was held July 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.
Top ten results
- 27-Jimmy Spencer
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 6-Mark Martin
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 15-Lake Speed
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
- Jimmy Spencer passed Ernie Irvan on the last lap (the only lap he led) to score his first Winston Cup win.
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.
Top ten results
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 16-Ted Musgrave
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 1-Rick Mast
- 4-Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: 19-Loy Allen Jr., 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 54-Robert Pressley, 62-Joe Bessey, 38-Jamie Aube
- Ricky Rudd scored the first win for his own team, Rudd Performance Motorsports.
Miller Genuine Draft 500
The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 17 at Pocono Raceway. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 31-Ward Burton
- 41-Joe Nemechek
- 8-Jeff Burton
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 24-Jeff Gordon, 1 lap down
- 2-Rusty Wallace, 1 lap down
- 18-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 55-Jimmy Hensley, 32-Dick Trickle, 99-Phil Parsons, 65-Jerry O'Neil
- This was Geoffrey Bodine's 1st points race victory as an owner/driver. He had won The Winston Select non-points race back in May.
DieHard 500
The DieHard 500 was held July 24 at Talladega Superspeedway. The No. 3 of Dale Earnhardt won the pole.
Top ten results
- 27-Jimmy Spencer
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 6-Mark Martin
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 43-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
- 44-Kenny Wallace
- 5-Terry Labonte
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."[2]
Brickyard 400
The Inaugural Brickyard 400 was held August 6 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rick Mast won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 26-Brett Bodine
- 11-Bill Elliot
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 21-Morgan Shepard
- Ernie Irvan was holding off Jeff Gordon up until 5 to go when his right front tire cut down and Gordon took the lead, Irvan would finish 1 lap down in 17th as a result.
- "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.
Top ten results
- 6-Mark Martin
- 28-Ernie Irvan
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 41-Joe Nemechek
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 33-Harry Gant
Failed to qualify: 00-Scott Gaylord, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 90-Mike Wallace, 50-Brian Bonner
- 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.
- Unbeknownst to all, this would be Ernie Irvan's last race until late 1995.
GM Goodwrench Dealer 400
The GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 was held August 21 at Michigan International Speedway. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 6-Mark Martin
- 1-Rick Mast
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 22-Bobby Labonte
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 11-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down
- 5-Terry Labonte, 1 lap down
- 17-Darrell Waltrip, 1 lap down
- 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
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
- 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.
Goody's 500
The Goody's 500 was held August 27 at Bristol International Raceway. Harry Gant won the final pole of his career.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 30-Michael Waltrip
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
- 1-Rick Mast, 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 95-Jeff Green, 27-Jimmy Spencer, 71-Dave Marcis, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 55-Jimmy Hensley, 14-Phil Parsons
- Kenny Wallace began his duties driving in substitution for the injured Ernie Irvan, a role that lasted the rest of the season.
Mountain Dew Southern 500
The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held on September 4 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 7 of Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 4-Sterling Marlin
- 24-Jeff Gordon, 1 lap down
- 2-Rusty Wallace, 1 lap down
- 8-Jeff Burton, 1 lap down
- 18-Dale Jarrett, 2 laps down
- 5-Terry Labonte, 2 laps down
Failed to qualify: 61-Rick Carelli, 57-Bob Schacht
- Final win for Junior Johnson's legendary race team.
- 40th career Winston Cup Series win for Bill Elliott. This would be Bill's first win since the season finale at Atlanta in November 1992, breaking a 53 race winless streak. This would also be Bill's last win until November 2001 at Homestead, 7 years, and 226 races later. As of 2020, the 226 race winless streak is the longest drought in NASCAR history.
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
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 6-Mark Martin
- 29-Steve Grissom
- 26-Brett Bodine, 1 lap down
- 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
- 17-Darrell Waltrip, 1 lap down
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. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 7-Geoffrey Bodine
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 29-Steve Grissom, 1 lap down
- 15-Lake Speed, 1 lap down
- 21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
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
- 2-Rusty Wallace
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 28-Kenny Wallace
- 18-Dale Jarrett
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
- 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
- 16-Ted Musgrave, 1 lap down
- 17-Darrell Waltrip, 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 19-Loy Allen Jr., 55-Tim Fedewa, 98-Jeremy Mayfield
- 8th and final win of 1994 for Rusty Wallace. This marked back-to-back seasons for Rusty Wallace winning the most races in a season (winning 10 races in 1993), but unfortunately, even though he scored most wins in back-to-back seasons, a major lack of consistency in both years kept him from winning back-to-back Winston Cup Championships.
- Last carrer Top 10 for Harry Gant.
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-Geoffrey 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
- 18-Dale Jarrett
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 25-Ken Schrader
- 15-Lake Speed
- 26-Brett Bodine
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 12-Derrike Cope
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 30-Michael Waltrip, accident
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
- Dale Jarrett won after failing to qualify for the previous race at North Wilkesboro. This would be the first time that a driver failed to qualify for a race, and then go on to win the next race.
- Former NASCAR Winston Cup champion Cale Yarborough served as a commentator for TBS.
AC Delco 500
The AC Delco 500 was held October 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 1-Rick Mast
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 10-Ricky Rudd
- 5-Terry Labonte
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 6-Mark Martin
- 32-Dick Trickle
- 31-Ward Burton, 1 lap down
- 15-Lake Speed, 1 lap down
Failed to qualify: 02-Brad Noffsinger, 52-Brad Teague, 84-Norm Benning
- Dale Earnhardt clinched his 7th and final NASCAR Winston Cup Championship with 2 races to go, tying him with Richard Petty for most championships of all time. In the Bob Latford Winston Cup points system, a driver can clinch the championship with 2 races to go if he has a 370+ point lead over 2nd, and Dale Earnhardt did just that by having a 448 point lead over Rusty Wallace at the end of the race. This would become the 4th and final time in Bob Latford's Winston Cup points system that a driver would clinch the Winston Cup Championship with 2 or more races to go. Earnhardt had already joined Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough when he won the title with 2 races to go in 1987, but as of 2018, the 1994 and 7th championship would make Dale Earnhardt the only driver in NASCAR history to clinch the title twice with 2 races to go. In 1987, his 1st accomplishment, Dale clinched his 3rd championship with 2 races to go by 515 points over Bill Elliott. In 1978, Cale Yarborough clinched his 3rd consecutive Winston Cup Championship with 2 races to go by 396 points over Bobby Allison, but in 1975 however, Richard Petty clinched his 6th championship with 4 races to go because his point lead was 740+ over 2nd. His margin was 827 points over James Hylton. Petty's championship win with 4 races to go is the earliest for a driver to clinch a championship in NASCAR history. Also as of 2018, this feat can never happen again due to several changes in the points system after 2003.
- As of 2019, Dale Earnhardt is the only driver in NASCAR history to win 7 championships under one points system (Richard Petty won 7 titles under 5 points systems, and future 7 time champion Jimmie Johnson won 7 titles under 4 points systems).
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-Geoffrey 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.
- First time in his career that Terry Labonte won 3 races in a season.
- Even though he clinched the championship the week before at Rockingham, Dale Earnhardt would blow an engine at lap 91, causing him to finish 40th.
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
- 6-Mark Martin
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 75-Todd Bodine
- 15-Lake Speed
- 90-Mike Wallace
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- 12-Derrike Cope, 1 lap down
- 5-Terry Labonte, 2 laps down
- 18-Dale Jarrett, 2 laps down
- 30-Michael Waltrip, 2 laps down
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
- Dale Earnhardt would officially win his 7th and final NASCAR Winston Cup championship by 444 points over Mark Martin, the 4th largest point margin in Bob Latford's Winston Cup points system history. The largest point margin in the Winston Cup points system was back in 1975, when Richard Petty won his 6th championship by 722 points over Dave Marcis, the 2nd largest point margin was in 1987, when Earnhardt himself won his 3rd title by 489 points over Bill Elliott, and the 3rd largest point margin was in 1978, when Cale Yarborough won his 3rd consecutive Winston Cup Championship by 474 points over Bobby Allison.
- Todd Bodine's best career Winston Cup finish.
- Mike Wallace's first top 5 finish in the Cup Series.
- Jimmy Means' last start in the Cup Series as an owner, with Gary Bradberry driving. Bradberry would finish 52 laps down in 30th.
- Harry Gant's last race in the Cup Series. He would sadly complete only 257 out of 328 laps finishing 33rd due to an oil pan failure.
Final points standings
Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings.
| Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | DAR | BRI | NWS | MAR | TAL | SON | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | DAY | NHA | POC | TAL | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | PHO | ATL | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dale Earnhardt | 7 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 28 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 34 | 5 | 3 | 37 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 2 | 4694 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | 13 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 21 | 13 | 3 | 38 | 8 | 32 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 6 | 35 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 6 | 19 | 16 | 5 | 39 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4250 |
| 3 | Rusty Wallace | 41 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 33 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 33 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 3 | 9 | 42 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 37 | 35 | 17 | 32 | 4207 |
| 4 | Ken Schrader | 10 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 31 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 24 | 39 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 19 | 32 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 32 | 15 | 11 | 4060 |
| 5 | Ricky Rudd | 8 | 11 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 32 | 6 | 12 | 25 | 14 | 6 | 19 | 21 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 11 | 29 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 4050 |
| 6 | Morgan Shepherd | 5 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 32 | 18 | 22 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 28 | 25 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 30 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 4029 |
| 7 | Terry Labonte | 3 | 17 | 9 | 14 | 35 | 24 | 1 | 15 | 32 | 28 | 35 | 26 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 33 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3876 |
| 8 | Jeff Gordon | 4 | 32 | 3 | 8 | 31 | 22 | 15 | 33 | 24 | 37 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 39 | 8 | 31 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 32 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 28 | 29 | 4 | 15 | 3776 |
| 9 | Darrell Waltrip | 28 | 23 | 16 | 3 | 26 | 15 | 28 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 30 | 6 | 30 | 10 | 25 | 23 | 28 | 24 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 23 | 10 | 21 | 3688 |
| 10 | Bill Elliott | 9 | 39 | 12 | 32 | 3 | 30 | 18 | 9 | 19 | 30 | 22 | 31 | 10 | 11 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 28 | 3 | 6 | 33 | 6 | 35 | 38 | 3617 |
| 11 | Lake Speed | 14 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 30 | 7 | 32 | 14 | 12 | 23 | 40 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 25 | 40 | 21 | 9 | 34 | 25 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 3565 |
| 12 | Michael Waltrip | 31 | 10 | 31 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 3 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 37 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 31 | 26 | 33 | 19 | 21 | 10 | 26 | 36 | 10 | 3512 |
| 13 | Ted Musgrave | 38 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 19 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 35 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 32 | 41 | 13 | 19 | 24 | 11 | 39 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 28 | 3477 |
| 14 | Sterling Marlin | 1 | 2 | 19 | 25 | 34 | 8 | 17 | 27 | 8 | 29 | 15 | 8 | 38 | 34 | 28 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 14 | 26 | 34 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 30 | 7 | 31 | 36 | 14 | 3 | 40 | 3443 |
| 15 | Kyle Petty | 39 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 20 | 4 | 26 | 13 | 11 | 26 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 34 | 8 | 27 | 19 | 25 | 37 | 6 | 15 | 12 | 38 | 6 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 36 | 6 | 22 | 3339 |
| 16 | Dale Jarrett | 35 | 18 | 10 | 35 | 4 | 36 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 4 | 29 | 20 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 39 | 40 | 11 | 30 | 26 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 5 | DNQ | 1 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 3298 |
| 17 | Geoffrey Bodine | 11 | 15 | 32 | 38 | 40 | 4 | 7 | 34 | 41 | 2 | 3 | 41 | 19 | 28 | 6 | 31 | 1 | 33 | 39 | 29 | 1 | 23 | 27 | 18 | 5 | 18 | 1 | 32 | 40 | 8 | 34 | 3297 |
| 18 | Rick Mast | 27 | 3 | 7 | 26 | 37 | 29 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 9 | 13 | 29 | 9 | 40 | 20 | 22 | 38 | 3 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 15 | 29 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 42 | 27 | 3238 |
| 19 | Brett Bodine | 32 | 6 | 8 | 31 | 36 | 13 | 23 | 24 | 17 | 13 | 42 | 32 | 8 | 32 | 16 | 12 | 35 | 17 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 14 | 29 | 8 | 26 | 30 | 33 | 6 | 18 | 13 | 36 | 3159 |
| 20 | Todd Bodine | 36 | 34 | 25 | 33 | 22 | 26 | 19 | 6 | 28 | 38 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 31 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 38 | 8 | 26 | 20 | 16 | 33 | DNQ | 38 | 21 | 32 | 3 | 3048 |
| 21 | Bobby Labonte | 16 | 19 | 24 | 15 | 39 | 6 | 26 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 40 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 22 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 5 | 31 | 36 | 24 | 17 | 31 | 15 | 42 | 28 | 16 | 37 | 3038 |
| 22 | Ernie Irvan | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 2 | 30 | 37 | 3 | 17 | 2 | Wth | 3026 | ||||||||||
| 23 | Bobby Hamilton | 12 | 38 | 33 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 33 | 17 | 34 | 27 | 41 | 24 | 40 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 34 | DNQ | 28 | 22 | 34 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 33 | 11 | 24 | 2749 |
| 24 | Jeff Burton | 26 | 20 | 20 | 4 | 20 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 39 | 15 | 29 | 33 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 38 | 4 | 26 | 19 | 25 | 33 | 20 | 8 | DNQ | 37 | 36 | 28 | 25 | 11 | 27 | 31 | 2726 |
| 25 | Harry Gant | 34 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 8 | 37 | 8 | DNQ | 23 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 16 | 35 | 31 | 17 | 38 | 21 | 37 | 10 | 25 | 9 | 41 | 22 | 13 | 8 | 32 | 22 | 31 | 23 | 33 | 2720 |
| 26 | Hut Stricklin | 33 | 26 | DNQ | 17 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 42 | 36 | 22 | 25 | 36 | 30 | DNQ | 35 | 14 | 30 | 32 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 24 | 16 | 2711 |
| 27 | Joe Nemechek | DNQ | 36 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 16 | DNQ | 22 | 42 | 22 | 33 | 14 | 32 | 7 | 39 | 19 | 3 | 35 | 20 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 42 | 28 | 36 | 22 | 34 | 11 | 17 | 25 | 23 | 2673 |
| 28 | Steve Grissom | DNQ | 30 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 12 | DNQ | 14 | 10 | 35 | 39 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 18 | DNQ | 23 | 19 | 34 | 23 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 26 | 30 | 22 | 26 | 2660 |
| 29 | Jimmy Spencer | 37 | 12 | 22 | 10 | 27 | 35 | 32 | 18 | 4 | 26 | 19 | 39 | 37 | 23 | 1 | 32 | 24 | 1 | 43 | 20 | DNQ | 37 | 35 | 39 | 20 | 23 | 16 | 38 | 38 | 20 | 2613 | |
| 30 | Derrike Cope | 21 | 29 | 29 | 34 | 16 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 43 | 18 | 23 | 40 | 37 | 23 | 35 | 19 | DNQ | 27 | 40 | 18 | 16 | 35 | 19 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 8 | 37 | 30 | 7 | 2612 |
| Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | DAR | BRI | NWS | MAR | TAL | SON | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | DAY | NHA | POC | TAL | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | PHO | ATL | Points |
Full Top 50
- 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-Geoffrey 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
A record eight drivers declared intentions to run for Maxx Racing Card Rookie of the Year before the 1994 season: brothers, Ward and Jeff Burton, John Andretti, T.W. Taylor, Joe Nemechek, Steve Grissom, Rick Carelli, and Loy Allen.[3] Taylor and Carelli dropped out early after a series of DNQs, while Billy Standridge joined the rookie of the year race with Johnson-Standridge Racing in March. Mike Wallace and Jeremy Mayfield took part once they secured full-time rides in March as well.[4]
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 Grissom and Nemechek, each of whom had three top-ten finishes. Allen, despite three poles, struggled to find consistency and finished far back in the standings, while Mayfield and Andretti showed promise with different rides throughout the season. Mike Wallace (who started the year at Atlanta in March) and Ward Burton were plagued by qualifying troubles all season long. Standridge ran a partial schedule and was not a factor. Rich Bickle declared to run for the award in 1993, but failed to make enough races so was technically still eligible for the award in 1994. Although, he did not officially declare to run as a rookie for the 1994 season and was deemed ineligible for the award despite making the required amount of races.
References
- Bruce, Kenny (September 29, 2016). "How the tire war was won at North Wilkesboro". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- 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.
- https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19940901-1994-09-01-9409010030-story.html
- https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19940901-1994-09-01-9409010030-story.html