2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season
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Champions \| Seasons

The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season began on February 11, 2001, at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 23, 2001, at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was declared as the series champion for the 4th time in seven years. The season was marred by a two-car collision at the end of the season-opening Daytona 500, which claimed the life of seven-time Series champion Dale Earnhardt. The accident resulted in safety upgrades being instituted. It also was the first year to have a unified television contract with FOX/FX and NBC Sports/TNT broadcasting the season's races; previous seasons saw each racetrack negotiate their own TV coverage, creating a patchwork of broadcast companies covering races throughout the season. Dodge returned to the sport for the first time since 1985. Chevrolet captured the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship with 16 wins and 248 points.^[1]

1 Teams and drivers
- 1.1 Complete schedule
- 1.2 Limited schedule
2 Budweiser Shootout
3 Gatorade 125s
4 43rd Daytona 500
5 Dura Lube 400
6 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400
7 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500
8 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
9 Food City 500
10 Harrah's 500
11 Virginia 500
12 Talladega 500
13 NAPA Auto Parts 500
14 Pontiac Excitement 400
15 The Winston
16 Coca-Cola 600
17 MBNA Platinum 400
18 Kmart 400
19 Pocono 500
20 Dodge/Save Mart 350
21 Pepsi 400
22 Tropicana 400
23 New England 300
24 Pennsylvania 500
25 Brickyard 400
26 Global Crossing at the Glen
27 Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer
28 Sharpie 500
29 Mountain Dew Southern 500
30 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400
31 MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400
32 Protection One 400
33 UAW-GM Quality 500
34 Old Dominion 500
35 EA Sports 500
36 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil
37 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400
38 Pennzoil Freedom 400
39 NAPA 500
40 New Hampshire 300
41 Final points standings
42 Rookie of the Year
43 Facts
44 See also
45 References
46 External links

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Car(s)	Team	No.	Driver(s)	Crew Chief
Chevrolet	Andy Petree Racing	33	Joe Nemechek 31	Chris Carrier
			Bobby Hamilton, Jr. 3
			Wally Dallenbach, Jr. 1
			Scott Pruett 1
		55	Bobby Hamilton	Jimmy Elledge
	Dale Earnhardt, Inc.	1	Steve Park 24	Paul Andrews
		1	Kenny Wallace 12	Paul Andrews
		8	Dale Earnhardt, Jr.	Tony Eury, Sr.
		15	Michael Waltrip	Scott Eggleston
	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Terry Labonte	Gary DeHart
		24	Jeff Gordon	Robbie Loomis
		25	Jerry Nadeau	Tony Furr
	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	4	Robby Gordon 5	David Ifft
			Kevin Lepage 23
			Bobby Hamilton, Jr. 7
			Rich Bickle 1
	Richard Childress Racing	31	Mike Skinner 23	Royce McGee
			Robby Gordon 12
			Jeff Green 1
Dodge	Bill Davis Racing	22	Ward Burton	Tommy Baldwin, Jr.
	Bill Davis Racing	93	Dave Blaney	Doug Randolph
	Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates	40	Sterling Marlin	Lee McCall
		01	Jason Leffler (R) 34	Kevin Cram
			Scott Pruett 1
			Dorsey Schroeder 1
	Evernham Motorsports	9	Bill Elliott	Mike Ford
	Evernham Motorsports	19	Casey Atwood (R)	Patrick Donahue
	Melling Racing	92	Stacy Compton	Chad Knaus
	Petty Enterprises	43	John Andretti	Greg Steadman
		44	Buckshot Jones 35	Mark Tutor
		44	Wally Dallenbach, Jr. 1	Mark Tutor
		45	Kyle Petty	Chris Hussey
Ford	Brett Bodine Racing	11	Brett Bodine	Mike Hillman
	Donlavey Racing	90	Hut Stricklin 27	Bobby King
			Brian Simo 2
			Rick Mast 5
	Haas-Carter Motorsports	26	Jimmy Spencer	Donnie Wingo
	Haas-Carter Motorsports	66	Todd Bodine	Larry Carter
	Jasper Motorsports	77	Robert Pressley 34	Ryan Pemberton
	Jasper Motorsports	77	Boris Said 2	Ryan Pemberton
	Penske Racing	2	Rusty Wallace	Robin Pemberton
		12	Jeremy Mayfield 28	Peter Sospenzo
		12	Mike Wallace 8	Peter Sospenzo
	PPI Motorsports	32	Ricky Craven	Mike Beam
	Robert Yates Racing	28	Ricky Rudd	Michael McSwain
	Robert Yates Racing	88	Dale Jarrett	Todd Parrott
	Roush Racing	6	Mark Martin	Jimmy Fennig
		17	Matt Kenseth	Robbie Reiser
		97	Kurt Busch (R)	Matt Chambers
		99	Jeff Burton	Frank Stoddard
	Ultra Motorsports	7	Mike Wallace 25	Jim Long
			Ted Musgrave 1
			Robby Gordon 2
			Kevin Lepage 8
	Wood Brothers Racing	21	Elliott Sadler	Pat Tryson
Pontiac	A. J. Foyt Racing	14	Ron Hornaday, Jr. (R)	Phillipe Lopez
	Joe Gibbs Racing	18	Bobby Labonte	Jimmy Makar
	Joe Gibbs Racing	20	Tony Stewart	Greg Zipadelli
	MBV Motorsports	10	Johnny Benson, Jr.	James Ince
	MBV Motorsports	36	Ken Schrader	Sammy Johns

Limited schedule

Car(s)	Team	No.	Driver(s)	Crew Chief	Rounds
Chevrolet	BAM Racing	49	Rich Bickle		1
	Bill McAnally Racing	62	Brendan Gaughan		1
	Dark Horse Motorsports	47	Lance Hooper		1
	Hendrick Motorsports	48	Jimmie Johnson	Ken Howes	3
	Marcis Auto Racing	71	Dave Marcis	Bob Marcis	13
		71	Dick Trickle		1
		72	Dwayne Leik		1
	Midwest Transit Racing	50	Rick Mast	Greg Connors	16
	Midwest Transit Racing	50	Rich Bickle	Greg Connors	1
	NEMCO Motorsports	87	Ron Fellows		2
	Norm Benning Racing	84	Norm Benning		1
	Richard Childress Racing	3	Dale Earnhardt	Kevin Hamlin	1
		29	Kevin Harvick (R)	Kevin Hamlin	35
		30	Jeff Green	Todd Berrier	9
	TWC Motorsports	68	Anthony Lazzaro		2
	SCORE Motorsports	13	Hermie Sadler	Jim Long	10
Dodge	Bill Davis Racing	23	Hut Stricklin	Tommy Baldwin, Jr.	1
	Bogart Racing	70	Rick Bogart		1
	Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates	04	Jason Leffler (R)	Kevin Cram	1
	Mansion Motorsports	85	Carl Long		9
Ford	Mansion Motorsports	85	Carl Long		3
	Brett Bodine Racing	09	Geoffrey Bodine		2
	Dark Horse Motorsports	47	Lance Hooper		2
	Donlavey Racing	91	Rick Mast	Junie Donlavey	1
	Hover Motorsports	80	Morgan Shepherd		1
	Larry Clement Racing	46	Frank Kimmel		3
	Michael Kranefuss Racing	84	Shawna Robinson		4
	Penske Racing	02	Ryan Newman (R)	Matt Borland	7
	Phoenix Racing	51	Jeff Purvis		4
	PPI Motorsports	96	Andy Houston (R)	Joe Garone	25
	Sadler Brothers Racing	95	Ed Berrier		1
	Shepherd Racing Ventures	89	Morgan Shepherd		1
	Team CLR	57	David Keith		2
	Team CLR	57	Derrike Cope		3
Pontiac	A. J. Foyt Racing	41	Mark Green	Phillipe Lopez	1
	BAM Racing	49	Andy Hillenburg		4
	Eel River Racing	27	Kenny Wallace	Barry Dodson	16
			Mike Bliss		3
			Rick Mast		9
	Qwest Motor Racing	37	Derrike Cope	Joey Knuckles	3

Budweiser Shootout

The Budweiser Shootout, an invitational event for all recent Bud Pole winners, was held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew the pole. This was the first race broadcast on FOX.

Top Ten Results

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Stacy Compton started on pole for both races, respectively. The qualifying races were broadcast live for the first time; races prior to 2001 were broadcast on tape delay.

Race One Top Ten Results

Race Two Top Ten Results

43rd Daytona 500

The 43rd Daytona 500 was held February 18, 2001 at Daytona International Speedway.

Top 10 Results

Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (#71), Todd Bodine (#66), Hut Stricklin (#90), Rick Mast (#50), Derrike Cope (#37), Norm Benning (#84), Carl Long (#85), Morgan Shepherd (#80), Dwayne Leik (#72)

In turn 4 on the final lap, Dale Earnhardt crashed and died as a result of his injuries. He finished 12th despite not having crossed the finish line, same thing for Ken Schrader, who was also involved in the crash and finished 13th. ^[2]
This was the first race that featured cars from Chrysler Motors (in this case, the Dodge manufacturing family) since 1985.^[3]
Bill Elliott won the Daytona 500 pole for the fourth time in his career and the first time driving a Dodge.
Michael Waltrip won the race after 463 career starts (462 without a win).
Stacy Compton, the outside polesitter, scored his only Top 10 finish in his career in this race.
This was rookie Andy Houston's first and only start in the "Great American Race."

Dura Lube 400

The Dura Lube 400 started on February 25 but ended on February 26 due to a rain delay, making it a two-day race at the North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Kyle Petty (#45)

This race was won by DEI driver Steve Park in an emotional victory just one week after Earnhardt's death. It was his last career victory.
Richard Childress placed Busch Grand National driver Kevin Harvick into the car formerly driven by Earnhardt, changed the car's number from #3 to #29, and changed the paint scheme from primarily black to primarily white.
- Because of this, this was Harvick's first start in the Cup Series.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. suffered a crash on the first lap of the race, in which his car hit the outside wall in an eerily similar fashion to his father's fatal crash a week earlier, but Earnhardt, Jr. was not seriously hurt.

UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400

The UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 was held March 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Brendan Gaughan (#62), Andy Houston (#96), Rick Mast (#50)

Jeff Gordon won the No Bull $5 Million Bonus.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500

The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 was held March 11 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#50), Carl Long (#85), Casey Atwood (#19)

This race is best remembered for the exciting finish between rookie Kevin Harvick and three-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon. Harvick would outduel the champion in a spectacular finish, winning by only .006 seconds, being the second closest finish in NASCAR history at the time. Harvick performed a burnout on the frontstretch with three fingers aloft. It was his first victory in only his third start in the Cup Series, a then-record for fewest starts to first win in the Modern Era of Cup racing.

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400

The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held March 18 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon started on pole after qualifying was rained out.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Rick Mast (#50), Dave Marcis (#71)

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held March 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Hut Stricklin (#90), Jason Leffler (#01), Carl Long (#85)

This was Elliott Sadler's first career win, and the first for the Wood Brothers Racing team since 1993 with Morgan Shepherd.
It was also the first time cars #21 and #43 took the top two finishing positions since 1977, but the first time since the 1976 Southern 500 that the #21 finished on top when David Pearson beat Richard Petty. As of 2014 it is the most recent time those two cars have finished in the top two spots.^[4]

Harrah's 500

The Harrah's 500 was held April 1 at Texas Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Rick Mast (#50)

Virginia 500

The Virginia 500 was held April 8 at Martinsville Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Jason Leffler (#01), Hermie Sadler (#13), Hut Stricklin (#90)

Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was held April 22 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stacy Compton won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kenny Wallace (#27), Kyle Petty (#45), Rick Mast (#50), Hut Stricklin (#90), Andy Hillenburg (#49)

This was Bobby Hamilton's fourth and last win in the Cup Series.
This was the first win for Andy Petree Racing
This was the second caution-free race in the history of Talladega Superspeedway, but the aerodynamics package was vastly different than the first caution-free race, which in turn made the average speed (184.003 mph) slower than the track record.
Stacy Compton won his first Cup Series pole for this race.

NAPA Auto Parts 500

The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held April 29 at California Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#4), Buckshot Jones (#44), Shawna Robinson (#84)

This race was on the same day as what would have been Dale Earnhardt's 50th birthday.

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held May 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Buckshot Jones (#44), Hermie Sadler (#13), Hut Stricklin (#90)

The Winston

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole; this was the first career pole on his 2nd start at Lowes on a limited schedule.

Top 10 Results

Failed to qualify: John Andretti (#43), Kyle Petty (#45), Derrike Cope (#37), Mike Wallace (#7), Jeff Fultz (#54), Carl Long (#85)

Stewart successfully performed the "Double Duty", also running the Indianapolis 500 the same day; Joe Gibbs Racing had Mike McLaughlin on standby if Stewart did not arrive on time. Stewart arrived less than half an hour before the start of the race. If Stewart did not arrive for the start of the Coca-Cola 600, McLaughlin would have been given credit for the start under NASCAR rules. Stewart had to start at the end of the field (43rd place) due to missing the mandatory drivers' meeting that is held 2 hours before any race.^[5]
Dale Jarrett overcame a rib injury during Qualifying to finish 8th. As a precaution, Jeff Green was on standby.
Even though Ryan Newman won the pole, he finished 43rd after crashing while leading on lap 10.

MBNA Platinum 400

The MBNA Platinum 400 was held June 3 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole due to a rainout.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#50), Jeff Green (#30), Kyle Petty (#45), Lance Hooper (#47), Dave Marcis (#71)

Gordon led 381 of the 400 laps.

Kmart 400

The Kmart 400 was held June 10 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (#7), Rick Mast (#50), Andy Houston (#96), Stacy Compton (#92), Kenny Wallace (#27)

This race was the Winston Cup Series debut of Shawna Robinson, the first woman to successfully attempt a Cup Series race since Patty Moise in 1989.

This was Rick Hendrick's 100th career win in the Cup Series as an owner.

Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was held June 17 at Pocono Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Kenny Wallace (#27)

This was Rudd's first win since 1998.

Dodge/Save Mart 350

The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held June 24 at Sears Point Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Kenny Wallace (#27), Anthony Lazzaro (#68), Jason Leffler (#04)

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. In the first race at Daytona since the death of Dale Earnhardt, son Dale Earnhardt Jr. led a whopping 116 of the race's 160 laps on his way to an emotional victory in what is arguably one of the more memorable races in NASCAR history (See race notes below).

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Buckshot Jones (#44), Ron Hornaday (#14), Hut Stricklin (#90), Mike Bliss (#27), Andy Hillenburg (#49)

- This was the first Cup race at Daytona since the death of Dale Earnhardt.
- This was also the first Cup Series race on NBC under the 2001-2006 contract.
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s win, coupled with Michael Waltrip pushing him to the victory (the reverse of the finish in Daytona 500) made for an emotional moment. Earnhardt Jr, Waltrip, and their crews, as well as Chocolate Myers, a longtime crew member for Dale Earnhardt, Sr., all celebrated in the infield grass on the frontstretch. Earnhardt, Jr. and Waltrip shared a hug on top of Waltrip's #15 car (Earnhardt, Sr. used to celebrate by standing on his roof).

Tropicana 400

The inaugural Tropicana 400 was held July 15 at Chicagoland Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Dave Marcis (#71), Mike Bliss (#27), Shawna Robinson (#84)

New England 300

The New England 300 was held July 22 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss (#27)

Pennsylvania 500

The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 29 at Pocono Raceway. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Hillenburg (#49), Carl Long (#85)

Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jimmy Spencer won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#4), Derrike Cope (#37), Mike Wallace (#7), Hermie Sadler (#13), Ed Berrier (#95), David Keith (#57), Rick Mast (#27), Dave Marcis (#71), Kyle Petty (#45), Shawna Robinson (#84), Andy Hillenburg (#49)

With the win, Jeff Gordon became the first three time winner of the Brickyard 400
Many came from the back to the front for finishing. Jeff Gordon started 27th, Johnny Benson started 26th, Rusty Wallace started 37th, Kurt Busch started 34th, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. started 36th.

Global Crossing at the Glen

The Global Crossing at the Glen was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (#7), Wally Dallenbach, Jr. (#44)

Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer

The Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole. The race was shortened to 162 laps due to rain.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: David Keith (#57), Buckshot Jones (#44)

- This race also marked Dodge's first trip to victory lane since its return to NASCAR. Dodge's last prior win was with Neil Bonnett at Ontario in 1979.

Sharpie 500

The Sharpie 500 was held August 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (#92), Kyle Petty (#45), Hermie Sadler (#13), Dave Marcis (#71), Hut Stricklin (#90), Carl Long (#85)

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 2 at Darlington Raceway. Kurt Busch won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Dave Marcis (#71)

Steve Park did not race because of a bizarre accident in the South Carolina 200 (the Busch Grand National Series race) the day before that left him sidelined until early 2002.

This race ended under caution as a multi car accident brought out the yellow flag coming to the final lap.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held September 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Andy Houston (#96), Hermie Sadler (#13), Hut Stricklin (#90), Carl Long (#85)

This race is remembered for Kevin Harvick almost spinning Ricky Rudd off turn 2 and Rudd saving his car from wrecking and coming back to win after bumping Harvick.

MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400

The MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400 was held September 23 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the first race to be held after the September 11th attacks. Most cars sported patriotic decals and tributes.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#27), Jason Leffler (#01), Lance Hooper (#47), Dave Marcis (#71)

Protection One 400

The inaugural Protection One 400 was held September 30 at Kansas Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#27), Kyle Petty (#45), Ron Hornaday (#14)

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 7 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmy Spencer won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Derrike Cope (#57), Jeff Green (#30), Robby Gordon (#31), Buckshot Jones (#44), Frank Kimmel (#46)

This was Jimmie Johnson's first career Cup Series start. Johnson started an excellent 15th position, but was finished only 39th due to an accident.
The race was to have been shown on NBC, but due to George Bush announcing the War on Terror, NBC News needed to cover this and as a result the race was shown on TNT who covered the entire race.

Old Dominion 500

The Old Dominion 500 was scheduled for October 14 at Martinsville Speedway, but was held October 15 due to rain. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (#85), Kyle Petty (#45), Frank Kimmel (#46)

This was Ricky Craven's first career Cup Series victory

EA Sports 500

The EA Sports 500 was held on October 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stacy Compton won the pole. This race would be remembered for the last lap. After Dale Earnhardt, Jr. passed Bobby Labonte for the lead, Labonte tried to block Bobby Hamilton, going up high in turn 2. Labonte got loose, making contact with Johnny Benson, causing Labonte to flip over and slide down the back straightaway on his roof, with an additional 14 cars being collected in the wreck. While that happened, Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart and Jeff Burton raced back to the start/finish line. Entering the tri-oval, Earnhardt, Jr. sailed away by three car lengths to take his third win of the season while Stewart and Burton battled for the runner-up spot.

Although he kept the win, Earnhardt, Jr. was docked 25 points after his car failed post race inspection, due to a shortened rear spoiler.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#91), Dave Marcis (#71)

Earnhardt, Jr. had also won the No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus for the first time, one year after his father did it in the same race.

Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil

The Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil was held October 28 at Phoenix International Raceway. Casey Atwood won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Bogart (#70)

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400

The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held November 4 at North Carolina Speedway. Kenny Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (#90)

Pennzoil Freedom 400

The Pennzoil Freedom 400 was held November 11 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole. Casey Atwood nearly won the race, until a late race pass by Bill Elliott.

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Rich Bickle (#49), Derrike Cope (#57), Ron Hornaday (#14), Hermie Sadler (#13), Carl Long (#85)

This was Bill Elliott's first Winston Cup win since 1994.
A pit road incident occurred on lap 112 when Ward Burton and Casey Atwood made contact, causing Ward to go into Ricky Rudd's pit stall, Seriously injuring 2 Crew Members.

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was held November 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race was scheduled to be the finale to the 2001 season, but as the fall race in New Hampshire had been postponed due to the attacks of September 11, it became the penultimate race instead. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. Jeff Gordon clinched the 2001 Winston Cup championship with his 6th-place finish. Jerry Nadeau nearly won this race, but ran out of gas with half a lap to go, giving way to Bobby Labonte

Top Ten Results

Failed to qualify: Mark Green (#41), Robby Gordon (#31), Jason Leffler (#01), Kurt Busch (#97), Rick Mast (#90), Ron Hornaday (#14), Dave Marcis (#71), Frank Kimmel (#46)

New Hampshire 300

The New Hampshire 300 was scheduled for September 16 but was moved to November 23 (the Friday after Thanksgiving) due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The starting order was set according to owner's points as of September 10.

The win was Robby Gordon's first career victory in the Cup Series and one of only 17 times he raced in 2001 due to having been unexpectedly fired from the Morgan-McClure team after just 5 races. This race was also notable for the battle between Robby and Jeff Gordon (no relation) that led to much bumping between the two and resulting in Jeff Gordon spinning out of the lead, causing the final caution. Jeff was black-flagged for retaliating and after being held a lap by officials, he ended up in 15th place. Robby Gordon held off Sterling Marlin for the win. It would be the #31 team's very first win in NASCAR and his second oval win in his motorsports career (his first coming in an Indy Car race at Phoenix in 1995).

In victory lane Robby, when asked about the incident with Jeff, said that it was an accident and that he was not embarrassed about his win since he saw Jeff Gordon do something similar to win at a previous race. Robby also donated all his prize money to the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Top Ten Results

42 cars were entered for this race instead of the traditional 43, as the Eel River Racing Team had folded. Until the 2014 Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, which also only had 42 cars entered, this was the last time a NASCAR Sprint Cup race had less than 43 cars entered.

Final points standings

24 - Jeff Gordon – 5112
20 - Tony Stewart – 4763
40 - Sterling Marlin – 4741
28 - Ricky Rudd – 4706
88 - Dale Jarrett – 4612
18 - Bobby Labonte – 4561
2 - Rusty Wallace – 4481
8 - Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – 4460
29 - Kevin Harvick (R) – 4406
99 - Jeff Burton – 4394
10 - Johnny Benson Jr. – 4152
6 - Mark Martin – 4095
17 - Matt Kenseth – 3982
22 - Ward Burton – 3846
9 - Bill Elliott – 3824
26 - Jimmy Spencer – 3782
25 - Jerry Nadeau – 3675
55 - Bobby Hamilton – 3575
36 - Ken Schrader – 3480
21 - Elliott Sadler – 3471
32 - Ricky Craven – 3379
93 - Dave Blaney – 3303
5 - Terry Labonte – 3280
15 - Michael Waltrip −3159
77 - Robert Pressley – 3156
19 - Casey Atwood (R) – 3132
97 - Kurt Busch (R) – 3081
33 - Joe Nemechek – 2994
66 - Todd Bodine – 2960
11 - Brett Bodine – 2948
43 - John Andretti – 2943
1 - Steve Park – 2854
92 - Stacy Compton – 2752
7 - Mike Wallace – 2693
12 - Jeremy Mayfield – 2651
4 - Kevin Lepage – 2461
01 - Jason Leffler (R) – 2413
14 - Ron Hornaday Jr. (R) – 2305
1 - Kenny Wallace – 2054
31 - Mike Skinner – 2029
44 - Buckshot Jones – 1939
90 - Hut Stricklin – 1770
45 - Kyle Petty – 1673
31 - Robby Gordon – 1552
50 - Rick Mast – 1187
96 - Andy Houston (R) – 1123
33 - Bobby Hamilton, Jr. – 748
30 - Jeff Green – 539
02 - Ryan Newman – 497
77 - Boris Said – 272

Rookie of the Year

Kevin Harvick emerged as the victor of the Rookie of the Year battle^[6] despite not declaring for the award until the second race of the season, as he took over for Dale Earnhardt following his fatal crash. Harvick won 2 races and finished 9th in points. Kurt Busch finished 2nd, despite only having one year of experience in a major NASCAR series. 3rd-place finisher Casey Atwood was pre-season favorite, but was held back due to a rough start and only finished 26th in points. Jason Leffler had a sub-par season that cost him his job with Chip Ganassi Racing, and Ron Hornaday was a disappointment after years of success in the Busch and Truck series. The last-place driver was Andy Houston, another pre-season favorite who had a tough season, suffering from several DNQs and DNFs that resulted in his team closing after the Kansas race.^[7]

Facts

There were 19 different race winners, a new record for the series.
- Five of these race winners won a Winston Cup race for the first time: Michael Waltrip in the Daytona 500, Kevin Harvick in the spring Atlanta race, Elliott Sadler in the spring Bristol race, Ricky Craven in the fall Martinsville race, and Robby Gordon in the season finale at New Hampshire.
There were six first-time pole sitters in the 2001 Cup season: Stacy Compton, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Jason Leffler, Casey Atwood and Jeff Green. Up until Atwood's lead lap finish at Phoenix, the best finish for a first-time pole sitter was Leffler, when he finished 32nd at Kansas. He was on the lead lap with nine to go there, only to wreck. Compton finished 43rd at Talladega, as did Newman at Charlotte. Busch came in 42nd after a crash at Darlington, and Green came in 39th after one in Bristol.
Mark Martin finished a Cup season without a win for the first time since 1996, and for the second time since 1989.
Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, and Ricky Rudd each won a Winston Cup race for the first time since 1994, 1996, and 1998.
Jeff Gordon won his fourth Winston Cup Championship, a feat that only two other drivers — Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt — had accomplished at the time.
No rookies competed in all 36 races during this year; the closest were Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Casey Atwood with 35. Harvick did not compete in the Daytona 500, Atwood did not qualify for the spring Atlanta race, and Busch failed to qualify for the fall race in Atlanta.
This was supposed to be the last season finale to be held at Atlanta. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the fall New Hampshire race in was postponed until the first available date, which came after the Atlanta event.
Dale Earnhardt was given credit for a 57th-place finish in the final points standings after losing his life on the last lap of the season-opening Daytona 500.
2001 was the last full-time Winston Cup season for Ron Hornaday, Jr.; Buckshot Jones, Andy Houston, and Jason Leffler. Hornaday, Jr. went to the Grand National Series in 2002 then in the Trucks again in 2005 and still races them today. Jones was fired after a few races that same year due to poor finishes. Houston went back to the Trucks Series and currently serves as the spotter for Austin Dillon. Leffler attempted to have a full-time ride with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005 but was fired halfway into the season. He went back into Grand National from 2006 to 2011 then the Trucks for 2012. After being unemployed in 2013, he died in a sprint car racing accident.
2001 was also the last year for Amoco, Kodiak, Ralph's, and Nations Rent to serve as sponsors.
2001 was the last year for teams Eel River Racing and Melling Racing.
2001 was the first year for teams Evernham Motorsports and BAM Racing.
Until the 2014 Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, the 2001 New Hampshire 300 was the last race to have 42 starters.

References

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External links

Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 2001

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2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Contents

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Budweiser Shootout

Gatorade 125s

43rd Daytona 500

Dura Lube 400

UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400

Food City 500

Harrah's 500

Virginia 500

Talladega 500

NAPA Auto Parts 500

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Winston

Coca-Cola 600

MBNA Platinum 400

Kmart 400

Pocono 500

Dodge/Save Mart 350

Pepsi 400

Tropicana 400

New England 300

Pennsylvania 500

Brickyard 400

Global Crossing at the Glen

Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer

Sharpie 500

Mountain Dew Southern 500

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400

MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400

Protection One 400

UAW-GM Quality 500

Old Dominion 500

EA Sports 500

Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400

Pennzoil Freedom 400

NAPA 500

New Hampshire 300

Final points standings

Rookie of the Year

Facts

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

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