The 1998 Winston Cup Season
UPstate's version of things going on......from a Jeff Gordon Fan's Perspective!!
This page represents my opinions of some of the races that went on this year.
Congratulations to NASCAR for it's 50th great year!!!. It has been difficult finding Winston Cup images after every race. What I will do is borrow some from other pages and leave a link back as requested!!
Here it is!!! something I thought I'd never see. Dale Earnhardt in victory circle after the DAYTONA 500. To the left is a picture of Dale taking a victory spin on the Daytona 500 logo. It was great race and the teams out congratulating Dale was something I'll never forget!!
Dale and Bobby Labonte racing to the yellow to wrap up lap 199. Lap 200 was finally led by Dale Earnhardt, under the yellow flag.
This is a result of Texas Speedways first lap!!! I tend to agree with a lot of people who asked if they cheered as loud when they say the #3 car in the same predicament after the first lap!!
In the most spectacular crash of the year so far, Dale Earnhardt on his side at Talladega. What is not seen is the car he hit, Bill Elliott. Thankfully, they were not seriously injured. The picture below shows a great view of the wreck and it's enormity.
The result of that wreck. 
This is the 24 car for the 1998 Winston Select. The car was painted with a special paint that changed colors depending on the way you looked at it. The car ran out of gas on the last lap and the car below....driven by Mark Martin won the race.
After sleeping in late for practice for the Coca-Cola 600 Terry Labonte brushed the wall while practicing in Jeff's absence.There were many rumors (including that Terry and /or the team wrecked him on purpose), but this is what the car looked like before "happy hour" and the 24 sticker was put on.
With less than 30 laps to go Gordon took 4 tires while Rusty /Wallace, Bobby Labonte, and Dale Jarrett took 2. The resulting win put Gordon in the points lead.
After Qualifying second for Dover Gordon, Wallace and Jarrett get ready to take the green flag.
Gordon, Martin and Jarrett enter the pits for a late stop. After leading 375 laps Gordon had to stop for a splash of gas and Jarrett won the race. The photos to this race compliments of NASCAR SCRAPBOOK THANKS!!!
Next up Richmond!!! A rather quiet race until Gordon and Wallace started bumping and "rubbing" with 30 to go. Gordon and Wallace, racing for the lead, got together and Gordon spun out, hitting the wall and ending his race. It also dropped him to third in points.The race ended under caution with Terry Labonte bumping Dale Jarrett out of his way for the win. 
Mark Martin at Michigan. Gordon led the most laps but the most important one...the last one. He moved up to second place in the points race. Less than 10 ahead of Martin.
Jeff Gordon's car after qualifying on the pole shows the damage from brushing the wall. Kind of unbelievable that he STILL WON THE POLE!! His fourth pole in 6 Races!!! I believe that Jeff and Ray have "found the car"!!
Here's a the #33 car after a little nudge from the #3 car after only a few laps at Pocono. Earnhardt apologized to Schrader but all Ken said was "That's what he said last time he wrecked me!" Most importantly, in a race marred by an hour red flag for rain, Jeremy Mayfield won his FIRST race and maintained the Winston Cup points lead. Congratulations Jeremy!!!
Get your own Free Home Page