The 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 48th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 25th modern-era NASCAR Cup series. The season had been started on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway, and ended on November 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The season would be remembered for Terry Labonte pulling off a massive upset and winning his second Winston Cup Championship over teammate Jeff Gordon.

Terry Labonte.
The 1996 Winston Cup Champion Terry Labonte
Labonte's teammate Jeff Gordon finished second by 37 points.
Dale Jarrett finished third in the Winston Cup standings.

Pontiac’s struggles in 1995 carried over to 1996, scoring just one win in the Dura Lube 500 with Bobby Hamilton. Hamilton was also the only Pontiac driver to finish in the top ten in points standings, placing ninth.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief
Chevrolet Darrell Waltrip Motorsports 17 Darrell Waltrip Pete Peterson
Diamond Ridge Motorsports 29 Steve Grissom 14 Bill Ingle
Greg Sacks 6
Butch Leitzinger 1
Chad Little 5
Jeff Green 2
Robert Pressley 3
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Terry Labonte Gary DeHart
24 Jeff Gordon Ray Evernham
25 Ken Schrader Phil Hammer
Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Bobby Labonte Jimmy Makar
Larry Hedrick Motorsports 41 Ricky Craven Charley Pressley
Leo Jackson Motorsports 33 Robert Pressley 27 Andy Petree
Greg Sacks 1
Todd Bodine 3
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Terry Fisher
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Sterling Marlin Tony Glover
NEMCO Motorsports 87 Joe Nemechek Jeff Buice
Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt David Smith
Ford Elliott-Hardy Racing
Bill Elliott Racing		 94 Bill Elliott 24 Mike Beam
Tommy Kendall 1
Todd Bodine 4
Dorsey Schroeder 1
Bobby Hillin Jr. 1
Bobby Allison Motorsports 12 Derrike Cope Jimmy Fennig
Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett Bodine Donnie Richeson
Bud Moore Engineering 15 Wally Dallenbach Jr. Jimmy Means
Butch Mock Motorsports 75 Morgan Shepherd Troy Selberg
Cale Yarborough Motorsports 98 Jeremy Mayfield 23 Tony Furr
John Andretti 8
Donlavey Racing 90 Mike Wallace 12 Bob Johnson
Dick Trickle 19
FILMAR Racing 81 Kenny Wallace Gil Martin
Geoff Bodine Racing 7 Geoff Bodine Paul Andrews
Dave Rezendes 1
Jasper Motorsports 77 Bobby Hillin Jr. Michael McSwain
Kranefuss-Haas Racing 37 John Andretti 23 Tim Brewer
Jeremy Mayfield 8
Melling Racing 9 Lake Speed Jim Long
Penske Racing South 2 Rusty Wallace Robin Pemberton
Robert Yates Racing 28 Ernie Irvan Larry McReynolds
88 Dale Jarrett Todd Parrott
Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Steve Hmiel

Jimmy Fennig

16 Ted Musgrave Howard Comstock
99 Jeff Burton Buddy Parrott
Rudd Performance Motorsports 10 Ricky Rudd Richard Broome
Travis Carter Enterprises 23 Jimmy Spencer Donnie Wingo
Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Hut Stricklin Phillipe Lopez
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Michael Waltrip Leonard Wood
Pontiac Bahari Racing 30 Johnny Benson (R) Doug Hewitt
Bill Davis Racing 22 Ward Burton Chris Hussey
Petty Enterprises 43 Bobby Hamilton Robbie Loomis
Precision Products Racing 1 Rick Mast Kevin Hamlin
Team SABCO 42 Kyle Petty 29 William Woodruff
Jim Sauter 2

Limited schedule

Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief Round(s)
Chevrolet Active Motorsports 32 Jimmy Hensley 1
Balough Racing 57 Jim Bown 1
Barkdoll Racing 73 Tracy Leslie 1
Phil Barkdoll 1
Bradberry Racing 93 Gary Bradberry 1
Byers Racing 82 Terry Byers 1
Cicci-Welliver Racing 34 Mike McLaughlin 1
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 14 Jeff Green 2
Ron Hornaday Jr. 1
Robby Gordon Dave Charpentier 1
JTC Racing 45 Chad Little 1
Marcis Auto Racing 72 Jim Sauter 1
Miles Motorsports 02 Robbie Faggart 6
Randy Baker 1
Monroe Motorsports 46 Stacy Compton (R) 4
Phoenix Racing 44 Jeff Purvis Marc Reno 5
Richard Childress Racing 31 Mike Skinner 5
Sadler Racing 26 Hermie Sadler 2
Team SABCO 40 Greg Sacks Tony Glover 1
Robby Gordon 2
Ford A. J. Foyt Enterprises 50 A. J. Foyt 1
Berrier Racing 60 Ed Berrier 2
Bill Elliott Racing 91 Ron Barfield Jr. 1
Campbell Racing 49 Mark Gibson 1
Eric Smith 2
David Blair Motorsports 27 Elton Sawyer Mike Hill 11
Jason Keller 1
Todd Bodine 3
Ron Barfield Jr. 1
Geoff Bodine Racing 07 Geoff Bodine 1
H. L. Waters Racing 0 Delma Cowart 4
Hover Motorsports 80 Joe Ruttman 1
O'Neil Racing 65 Steve Seligman 3
Ranier-Walsh Racing 20 Elton Sawyer 1
Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Chuck Bown 6
Gary Bradberry 13
Schnell Motorsports 63 Dick Trickle 2
Ed Berrier 1
Mike Wallace 1
Seligman Racing 57 Steve Seligman 3
Triad Motorsports 78 Randy MacDonald (R) 12
Billy Standridge 4
TriStar Motorsports 19 Loy Allen Jr. Peter Sospenzo 11
Dick Trickle 10
Mike Wallace 1
Pontiac Hendrick Motorsports 52 Jack Sprague 2
Mark Rypien Motorsports 97 Chad Little Harold Holly 7
Team SABCO 40 Jay Sauter Brad Noffsinger 2
Greg Sacks Tony Glover 1
T.R.I.X. Racing 79 Norm Benning 1

Schedule

No. Race Title Track Date
Busch Clash Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 11
Gatorade Twin 125s February 15
1 Daytona 500 February 18
2 Goodwrench Service 400 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham February 25
3 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond March 3
4 Purolator 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton March 10
5 TranSouth Financial 400 Darlington Raceway, Darlington March 24
6 Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol March 31
7 First Union 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro April 14
8 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 21
9 Winston Select 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega April 28
10 Save Mart Supermarkets 300 Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma May 5
Winston Open Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord May 20
The Winston Select
11 Coca-Cola 600 May 26
12 Miller 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover June 2
13 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond June 16
14 Miller 400 Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn June 23
15 Pepsi 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 6
16 Jiffy Lube 300 New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon July 14
17 Miller 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond July 21
18 DieHard 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega July 28
19 Brickyard 400 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway August 3
20 The Bud at The Glen Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen August 11
21 GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn August 18
22 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol August 24
23 Mountain Dew Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington September 1
24 Miller 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond September 7
25 MBNA 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 15
26 Hanes 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway September 22
27 Tyson Holly Farms 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro September 29
28 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord October 6
29 AC Delco 400 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham October 20
30 Dura Lube 500 Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix October 27
31 NAPA 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton November 10
NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka November 24

Races

No. Race Pole position Most laps led Winning driver Manufacturer
Busch Clash Rick Mast Sterling Marlin Dale Jarrett Ford
Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Dale Earnhardt Sterling Marlin Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Ernie Irvan Ernie Irvan Ernie Irvan Ford
1 Daytona 500 Dale Earnhardt Terry Labonte Dale Jarrett Ford
2 Goodwrench Service 400 Terry Labonte Terry Labonte Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
3 Pontiac Excitement 400 Terry Labonte Bobby Hamilton Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
4 Purolator 500 Johnny Benson Jr. Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
5 TranSouth Financial 400 Ward Burton Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
6 Food City 500 Mark Martin Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
7 First Union 400 Terry Labonte Terry Labonte Terry Labonte Chevrolet
8 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Ricky Craven Jeff Gordon Rusty Wallace Ford
9 Winston Select 500 Ernie Irvan Sterling Marlin Sterling Marlin Chevrolet
10 Save Mart Supermarkets 300 Terry Labonte Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Ford
Winston Open Lake Speed Lake Speed Jimmy Spencer Ford
The Winston Select Jeff Gordon Terry Labonte Michael Waltrip Ford
11 Coca-Cola 600 Jeff Gordon Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
12 Miller 500 Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
13 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
14 Miller 400 Bobby Hamilton Sterling Marlin Rusty Wallace Ford
15 Pepsi 400 Jeff Gordon Sterling Marlin Sterling Marlin Chevrolet
16 Jiffy Lube 300 Ricky Craven Jeff Gordon Ernie Irvan Ford
17 Miller 500 Mark Martin Mark Martin Rusty Wallace Ford
18 DieHard 500 Jeremy Mayfield Dale Earnhardt Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
19 Brickyard 400 Jeff Gordon Johnny Benson Jr. Dale Jarrett Ford
20 The Bud at The Glen Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt Geoff Bodine Ford
21 GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 Jeff Burton Mark Martin Dale Jarrett Ford
22 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Mark Martin Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Ford
23 Mountain Dew Southern 500 Dale Jarrett Hut Stricklin Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
24 Miller 400 Mark Martin Jeff Gordon Ernie Irvan Ford
25 MBNA 500 Bobby Labonte Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
26 Hanes 500 Bobby Hamilton Bobby Hamilton Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
27 Tyson Holly Farms 400 Ted Musgrave Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
28 UAW-GM Quality 500 Bobby Labonte Terry Labonte Terry Labonte Chevrolet
29 AC Delco 400 Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ricky Rudd Ford
30 Dura Lube 500 Bobby Labonte Mark Martin Bobby Hamilton Pontiac
31 NAPA 500 Bobby Labonte Bobby Labonte Bobby Labonte Chevrolet

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash is the exhibition race that honors the drivers who won a pole in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series the previous year. Dale Jarrett won his first Busch Clash. Rick Mast won the random draw for the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 4-Sterling Marlin
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 25-Ken Schrader
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 94-Bill Elliott
  9. 24-Jeff Gordon
  10. 16-Ted Musgrave

Gatorade Twin 125s

The Gatorade Twin 125s, qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held on February 15.

Race one top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 4-Sterling Marlin
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 15-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  6. 21-Michael Waltrip
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 6-Mark Martin
  9. 90-Mike Wallace
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  • Marlin passed Earnhardt on the opening lap but Earnhardt repassed and led the last 22 laps.
  • Bobby Labonte flipped over on the backstretch after being tagged by Brett Bodine.

Race two top ten results

  1. 28-Ernie Irvan
  2. 25-Ken Schrader
  3. 37-John Andretti
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd
  6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  7. 98-Jeremy Mayfield
  8. 99-Jeff Burton
  9. 27-Elton Sawyer
  10. 16-Ted Musgrave
  • Irvan led wire-to-wire with Schrader alongside in the final lap.

Daytona 500

Top ten results:

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 25-Ken Schrader
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 15-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  7. 16-Ted Musgrave
  8. 94-Bill Elliott
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 21-Michael Waltrip
  • This was Dale Jarrett's second career Daytona 500 victory. He also won the 1996 Busch Clash. Both of those victories saw Dale Earnhardt finish second to Jarrett.
  • When the white flag was displayed, play-by-play analyst Ken Squier gave the privileges to color analyst Ned Jarrett so he can call the final lap solo and lead his son on to the victory, as he did in 1993.

Goodwrench Service 400

The Goodwrench Service 400 was held on February 25 at North Carolina Speedway. The #5 of Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 41-Ricky Craven
  4. 10-Ricky Rudd
  5. 29-Steve Grissom
  6. 4-Sterling Marlin
  7. 81-Kenny Wallace
  8. 12-Derrike Cope, 1 lap down
  9. 87-Joe Nemechek, 1 lap down
  10. 1-Rick Mast, 2 laps down

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was run on March 3 at Richmond International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 16-Ted Musgrave
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  7. 2-Rusty Wallace
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 94-Bill Elliott
  • Failed to qualify: 78-Randy MacDonald, 02-Robbie Faggart, 19-Dick Trickle
  • Coming into this race, Terry Labonte had led the most laps at Daytona and Rockingham but was 30th in the points standings, while Jeff Gordon was 43rd. After this race they were 17th and 27th, respectively.

Purolator 500

The Purolator 500 was run on March 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 30 of Johnny Benson won the pole, but crashed in Happy Hour, forcing him to a backup car (and to the back of the field for the start).

Top ten results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 98-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 25-Ken Schrader
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer, 1 lap down
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip, 1 lap down
  10. 94-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down
  • Failed to qualify: 65-Steve Seligman, 78-Randy MacDonald, 99-Jeff Burton
  • Jeff Burton failing to qualify sparked a lot of controversy, as he was 2nd in the points standings going into this race. Provisionals for the first 4 races defaulted from 1995 driver and owner points, and he missed the field due to the 99 car being a new team. As a result, he fell from 2nd to 14th in the standings and never found his way back into the top 10 in points the rest of the season.
  • This race would be the last victory for Dale Earnhardt until the 1998 Daytona 500.

TranSouth Financial 400

The TranSouth Financial 400 was run on March 24 at Darlington Raceway. Ward Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 41-Ricky Craven
  4. 2-Rusty Wallace
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 16-Ted Musgrave
  8. 75-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
  10. 99-Jeff Burton, 1 lap down

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was run on March 31 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was shortened to 342 laps due to rain.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 88-Dale Jarrett
  7. 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 lap down
  8. 19-Dick Trickle, 1 lap down
  9. 41-Ricky Craven, 1 lap down
  10. 21-Michael Waltrip, 2 laps down

First Union 400

The First Union 400 was run on April 14 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 5-Terry Labonte
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 33-Robert Pressley
  5. 4-Sterling Marlin
  6. 28-Ernie Irvan, 1 lap down
  7. 41-Ricky Craven, 1 lap down
  8. 43-Bobby Hamilton, 2 laps down
  9. 25-Ken Schrader, 2 laps down
  10. 18-Bobby Labonte, 2 laps down
  • Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Randy MacDonald, 90-Mike Wallace, 22-Ward Burton, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  • This was the first race run at North Wilkesboro following the passing of track president Enoch Staley, which threw the track's NASCAR future into doubt.
  • Terry Labonte tied Richard Petty's record streak of 513 consecutive Winston Cup Series starts. Labonte's car carried a special silver "Ironman" paint scheme for this race and the following weekend at Martinsville.

Goody's Headache Powder 500

The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was run on April 21 at Martinsville Speedway. The #41 of Ricky Craven won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 28-Ernie Irvan
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 98-Jeremy Mayfield
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 43-Bobby Hamilton, 1 lap down
  7. 25-Ken Schrader, 2 laps down
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte, 2 laps down
  9. 16-Ted Musgrave, 2 laps down
  10. 4-Sterling Marlin, 2 laps down

Winston Select 500

The Winston Select 500 was run on April 28 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. 4-Sterling Marlin
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 21-Michael Waltrip
  6. 29-Steve Grissom
  7. 33-Robert Pressley
  8. 16-Ted Musgrave
  9. 37-John Andretti
  10. 30-Johnny Benson
  • Failed to qualify: 73-Phil Barkdoll, 65-Steve Seligman, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 0-Delma Cowart, 97-Chad Little
  • Controversy developed before the race; after winning the pole, Ernie Irvan's Ford was taken to a flatbed-mounted chassis dynamometer and "driven" by Gary Nelson to check horsepower; the engine was over-revved and subsequently damaged beyond repair. Sterling Marlin's Chevrolet was supposed to be tested as well but the chassis dyno failed to produce a horsepower figure and the test was scrapped. Several reporters in the garage area questioned Nelson on the test and crew chief Larry McReynolds got into a heated dispute with Nelson over the test. Irvan struggled in the race and reacted after the Ricky Craven crash where he was buried in midpack, "It's all a result of what happened on Friday when (NASCAR) blew our motor up."
  • Two major accidents marred the race: Bill Elliott suffered a broken femur after going airborne and landing driver side-first in a single-car crash on lap 77. Then, "The Big One" hit on lap 130, collecting 14 cars and sending the #41 of Ricky Craven flying into the catch fence and nearly over it. The race was red-flagged for clean-up on lap 131 because Craven's car had completely destroyed the catch fence in turn two. Bob Jenkins, ESPN's lap-by-lap announcer, was so shocked by the crash that he said "Oh shit!" over the raw satellite feed when Craven's car was flipping. Craven sustained compression fractures in his back and a concussion, injuries that derailed what had been a successful 1996 campaign. Fourth in points going into the race, Craven fell to twentieth by season’s end.
  • Sterling Marlin won by passing the entire field on three separate occasions after pit stops.

Save Mart Supermarkets 300

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was run on May 5 at Sears Point Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 15-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 24-Jeff Gordon
  7. 10-Ricky Rudd
  8. 25-Ken Schrader
  9. 18-Bobby Labonte
  10. 22-Ward Burton

The Winston Select

The Winston is the 2nd exhibition race run each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jimmy Spencer won the Winston Select Open, while Lake Speed, Hut Stricklin, Jeff Burton and Michael Waltrip transferred into the race by finishing in the top 5. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 21-Michael Waltrip
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd
  7. 28-Ernie Irvan
  8. 24-Jeff Gordon
  9. 88-Dale Jarrett
  10. 4-Sterling Marlin
  • Harry Gant came out of retirement for this race to sub for Bill Elliott who was recovering from the injuries he suffered at Talladega in April.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was run on May 26 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon
  5. 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
  6. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  7. 6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
  8. 21-Michael Waltrip, 1 lap down
  9. 28-Ernie Irvan, 2 laps down
  10. 7-Geoff Bodine, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 78-Randy MacDonald, 63-Ed Berrier, 26-Hermie Sadler, 49-Mark Gibson, 02-Robbie Faggart, 0-Delma Cowart, 57-Steve Seligman

  • Johnny Benson was knocked unconscious briefly when his Pontiac hit the turn two wall then slid into the path of Ricky Craven, who blasted through the rear deck of his car at full speed.

Miller 500 (Dover)

The Miller 500 was run on June 2 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 lap down
  6. 23-Jimmy Spencer, 1 lap down
  7. 2-Rusty Wallace, 1 lap down
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
  9. 99-Jeff Burton, 1 lap down
  10. 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
  • No DNQ

UAW-GM Teamwork 500

The UAW-GM Teamwork 500 was run on June 16 at Pocono Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 10-Ricky Rudd
  3. 7-Geoff Bodine
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  7. 5-Terry Labonte
  8. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  9. 99-Jeff Burton
  10. 94-Todd Bodine*

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis

  • Todd Bodine was subbing for Bill Elliott, who was still recovering from his broken femur at Talladega.
  • It was the first race at Pocono since the track was repaved; the lead changed two to three times a lap on some ten separate laps during the race's first half, primarily between Gordon, Hut Stricklin, and Derrike Cope.

Miller 400 (Michigan)

The Miller 400 was run on June 23 at Michigan Speedway. The #43 of Bobby Hamilton won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 4-Sterling Marlin
  4. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  5. 28-Ernie Irvan
  6. 24-Jeff Gordon
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 16-Ted Musgrave
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 88-Dale Jarrett
  • No DNQ

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was run on July 6 at Daytona International Speedway. Jeff Gordon started on the pole. The race was shortened to 117 laps due to rain.

Top ten results

  1. 4-Sterling Marlin
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 28-Ernie Irvan
  6. 88-Dale Jarrett
  7. 21-Michael Waltrip
  8. 25-Ken Schrader
  9. 11-Brett Bodine
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: 57-Steve Seligman

  • Bill Elliott returned in this race from his broken femur suffered back at Talladega.
  • Morning rain delayed the start for 3 hours. After only 117 of 160 laps, the race was red-flagged and ended for rain once again.

Jiffy Lube 300

The Jiffy Lube 300 was run on July 14 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The #41 of Ricky Craven won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 28-Ernie Irvan
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 10-Ricky Rudd
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 33-Robert Pressley
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 2-Rusty Wallace
  8. 25-Ken Schrader
  9. 30-Johnny Benson
  10. 21-Michael Waltrip

Miller 500 (Pocono)

The Miller 500 was run on July 21 at Pocono Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 10-Ricky Rudd
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 30-Johnny Benson
  6. 4-Sterling Marlin
  7. 24-Jeff Gordon
  8. 9-Lake Speed
  9. 6-Mark Martin
  10. 12-Derrike Cope
  • No DNQ

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was run on July 28 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #98 of Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. The race was shortened to 129 laps due to darkness.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  6. 7-Geoff Bodine
  7. 99-Jeff Burton
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  10. 2-Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: 97-Chad Little

  • The race started late due to rain delays, and was marred by "The Big One" on lap 117 that injured Dale Earnhardt after he, Ernie Irvan and Sterling Marlin got together, sending Earnhardt and Marlin head-on into the tri-oval wall at approximately 200 miles per hour. Earnhardt flipped onto his roof and collected 11 other cars. Earnhardt took a hit to the roof from Robert Pressley's #33 and another big hit from Derrike Cope's #12. Earnhardt suffered a broken collarbone and sternum in the crash. Marlin suffered several contusions from the hard impact. Due to darkness caused by the rain delay and red flag, the race was shortened to 129 laps.
  • CBS moved away from its live coverage of the race during the rain delay in order to show the final round of the Senior PGA Tour Ameritech Senior Open. The race aired flag to flag on tape delay the following week (August 4). This is the most recent time a NASCAR points race was televised on tape delay.
  • The final time that Talladega's second race was run in July, which was run since the inaugural running. For the 1997 schedule, the race was moved to October where temperatures would be cooler and the weather more suitable. Today, the race remains in the October slot on the schedule.

Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was run on August 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The #24 of Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 28-Ernie Irvan
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd
  7. 2-Rusty Wallace
  8. 30-Johnny Benson
  9. 1-Rick Mast
  10. 94-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 91-Ron Barfield Jr., 27-Jason Keller, 78-Randy MacDonald, 46-Stacy Compton, 02-Robbie Faggart, 50-A. J. Foyt, 57-Steve Seligman, 44-Jeff Purvis, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 49-Erik Smith, 63-Mike Wallace

  • Jarrett took the lead for good when he passed his teammate Irvan in the south chute with 7 laps to go. The race ended under caution when Robert Pressley crashed in turn 4 with 2 laps left.
  • Dale Earnhardt had to be relieved by Mike Skinner as a result of the injuries Earnhardt suffered the previous week at Talladega. Skinner took over the car during the first caution and drove the car to a 15th place finish.
  • A violent crash occurred on lap 38 when Kyle Petty blew his right front tire and hit the turn 4 wall. Petty drifted into the path of Sterling Marlin, who hit Petty on the driver's side. Petty's car bounced into the wall again, just in front of Mark Martin who barely managed to get by, then sped across the track and hard into the inside barrier. Petty escaped with minor injuries.
  • During the weekend, a fight erupted in the garage area between Ernie Irvan and Sterling Marlin and some crewmen from Morgan-McClure Motorsports over the crash at Talladega the previous weekend. Some of Marlin's crew had posted signs in the garage area deriding Irvan and mocking his eyesight.

The Bud at The Glen

The Bud at The Glen was run on August 11 at Watkins Glen International. Dale Earnhardt won the pole with a new track record of 120.733 mph while driving with the injuries suffered 2 weeks earlier. When asked what he thought of the lap, he was quoted as saying "It hurt so good." 1994 NASCAR Busch Series Champion David Green was standing by to relieve Earnhardt during the race, but Earnhardt decided to drive the full race eventually finishing 6th.

Top ten results

  1. 7-Geoff Bodine
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon
  5. 18-Bobby Labonte
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 21-Michael Waltrip
  8. 87-Joe Nemechek
  9. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  10. 15-Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Failed to qualify: 34-Mike McLaughlin

  • Geoff Bodine from nearby Chemung broke a 55-race winless streak, dating back to October 2 in the 1994 Tyson Holly Farms 400. It was an emotional and very popular victory for Bodine, following a 2-year struggle with his competitiveness and his personal life.
  • This was the last win for Geoff Bodine.
  • This was the last pole position for Dale Earnhardt.
  • Geoff Bodine had won by short pitting - stopping before he needed fuel and tires so that he could stay out and improve track position when everyone else went to the pits.
  • As of 2022, this is the last time that car number 7 went to victory lane.
  • In addition to David Green; Dorsey Schroeder replaced an injured Bill Elliott in Elliott's #94 car (Elliott would serve as a guest commentator on ESPN's coverage until lap 54) and Todd Bodine, the youngest brother of eventual race winner Geoff, ended up relieving Kyle Petty after Petty was unable to continue due to the effects of his own injuries from the Brickyard 400 a week prior.

GM Goodwrench Dealer 400

The GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 was run on August 18 at Michigan Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 30-Johnny Benson
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd
  9. 99-Jeff Burton
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: 14-Ron Hornaday Jr., 27-Elton Sawyer

Goody's Headache Powder 500 (Bristol)

The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was run on August 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 21-Michael Waltrip
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  8. 22-Ward Burton
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 43-Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: 77-Bobby Hillin Jr.

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was run on September 1 at Darlington Raceway. Dale Jarrett won the pole and had the chance to win the Winston Million if he won the race. Jarrett lost his chance at the bonus after hitting oil early in the race.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 8-Hut Stricklin
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
  5. 37-John Andretti, 1 lap down
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte, 1 lap down
  7. 28-Ernie Irvan, 1 lap down
  8. 4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
  9. 94-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down
  10. 9-Lake Speed, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 78-Randy MacDonald, 87-Joe Nemechek, 40-Jay Sauter, 02-Robbie Faggart

  • Hut Stricklin led the most laps in the race and was in position for his first career Winston Cup victory in his 217th start, but Jeff Gordon started to reel him in. After a long battle, Gordon passed Stricklin for the lead on the backstretch on lap 353 and proceeded to win by over 5 seconds.

Miller 400 (Richmond)

The Miller 400 was run on September 7 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 28-Ernie Irvan
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 99-Jeff Burton
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  8. 12-Derrike Cope
  9. 6-Mark Martin
  10. 30-Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: 46-Stacy Compton, 40-Jay Sauter, 95-Gary Bradberry

MBNA 500

The MBNA 500 was run on September 15 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 1-Rick Mast
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 42-Kyle Petty
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 43-Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: 49-Eric Smith

  • On lap 456, a wreck involving the #23 of Jimmy Spencer, the #16 of Ted Musgrave, the #11 of Brett Bodine and the #15 of Wally Dallenbach Jr. occurred on the front straight. Spencer blamed Dallenbach for the wreck, and after the cars rolled to a stop, Spencer got out of his car, ran over to Dallenbach's, and tried to punch Wally through the window net. Spencer had to be restrained by a Winston Cup official.
  • As the cars stopped on pit road after the race a third fight occurred as Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip got into an argument.

Hanes 500

The Hanes 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway. Bobby Hamilton won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  4. 1-Rick Mast
  5. 98-John Andretti
  6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  7. 7-Geoff Bodine
  8. 42-Kyle Petty
  9. 6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
  10. 81-Kenny Wallace, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 12-Derrike Cope, 11-Brett Bodine, 29-Chad Little, 22-Ward Burton, 78-Billy Standridge, 95-Gary Bradberry

  • This is the fastest Martinsville race in NASCAR history, with an average speed of 82.223 mph.

Tyson Holly Farms 400

The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 1-Rick Mast
  7. 10-Ricky Rudd
  8. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  9. 6-Mark Martin
  10. 2-Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: 22-Ward Burton, 90-Dick Trickle, 95-Gary Bradberry

  • This was the final NASCAR race at North Wilkesboro Speedway until 2023, which closed down after the race. It was the only track other than Martinsville that NASCAR had been running at since NASCAR's first full season in 1949.
  • 10th and final win of 1996 for Jeff Gordon.
  • Jeff Gordon became the 1st driver since Rusty Wallace in 1993 to score 10 victories in a single season.
  • This was the final race until New Hampshire in September 2007 that had every car running at the finish.
  • Only 37 cars started this race. It was the last Cup Series race in which fewer than 40 cars started until the 2016 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, the second race after NASCAR reduced field sizes in the Cup Series from 43 to 40. A total of 39 cars entered that race.[1]

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was run on October 6 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #18 of Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 5-Terry Labonte
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 4-Sterling Marlin
  5. 41-Ricky Craven
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 2-Rusty Wallace
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 94-Bill Elliott
  • Ernie Irvan escaped serious injury in a savage melee when he spun in turn two, clipped Robby Gordon, then slid into the path of John Andretti, who annihilated the nose of Irvan's Ford while Gordon hit the inside concrete wall and dislodged it.
  • With Terry Labonte winning the race, and Jeff Gordon finishing 31st, Gordon went from a 111 point lead to a 1 point lead over Labonte.
  • Final time in his career that Terry Labonte won multiple races in a season.

Failed to qualify: 87-Joe Nemechek, 95-Gary Bradberry, 71-Dave Marcis, 02-Robbie Faggart, 0-Delma Cowart

AC Delco 400

The AC Delco 400 was run on October 20 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 10-Ricky Rudd
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 2-Rusty Wallace
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 23-Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: 60-Ed Berrier, 79-Norm Benning, 82-Terry Byers

  • Terry Labonte finished 3rd, and Jeff Gordon would finish 12th. Labonte gained 33 points on Gordon in this race. With that points gain, Labonte would become the new point leader by 32 points over Gordon, and he would hold on to the point lead for the rest of the season.

Dura Lube 500

The Dura Lube 500 was run on October 27 at Phoenix International Raceway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 16-Ted Musgrave
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 7-Geoff Bodine
  7. 28-Ernie Irvan
  8. 88-Dale Jarrett
  9. 18-Bobby Labonte
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip

Failed to qualify: 20-Mark Krogh, 00-Scott Gaylord, 35-Larry Gunselman, 38-Rich Woodland, 03-Joe Bean, 02-Bill McAnnally

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was run on November 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 5-Terry Labonte
  6. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 10-Ricky Rudd
  9. 99-Jeff Burton
  10. 2-Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: 12-Derrike Cope, 37-Jeremy Mayfield, 90-Dick Trickle, 81-Kenny Wallace, 27-Ron Barfield Jr., 42-Kyle Petty

  • This race was most remembered by both of the Labonte brothers having reasons to celebrate. Bobby would win the race, and Terry would win the series championship, and together, both brothers would take a victory lap around the race track. As of 2022, this would be the only time in NASCAR history that in the season finale, one brother would win the race, and the other brother would win the championship.
  • This was Terry Labonte's second championship. His first one came 12 years earlier in 1984, making this the longest time span between 1st and 2nd championships for any driver in NASCAR history.
  • All 3 championship contenders (Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Jarrett) started the race in the top 5 (Gordon 2nd, Labonte 3rd, and Jarrett 5th), and they all finished in the top 5 (Jarrett 2nd, Gordon 3rd, and Labonte 5th). Labonte won the title by 37 points over Gordon, and 89 points over Jarrett.
  • Terry Labonte's 2 wins gave him the championship over Jeff Gordon's 10 wins. Even though Gordon scored the most wins of 1996, he lacked consistency in the final stretch of the season. Labonte's consistency in the last 4 races of the season was better than Gordon's. Labonte won the title by 37 points. This would be the 3rd and final time in Bob Latford's Winston Cup points system that a driver winning 10 or more races in a season failed to win the championship due to lack of consistency. The 1st time was in 1985 when Bill Elliott won 11 races but lost the title to Darrell Waltrip, who had 3 wins, due to lack of consistency in the final stretch of the season. Waltrip won the title by 101 points. The 2nd time was in 1993 when Rusty Wallace won 10 races, but lost the title to Dale Earnhardt, who had 6 wins, also due to lack of consistency in the final stretch of the season. Earnhardt won the title by 80 points.
  • Terry Labonte would join the late Alan Kulwicki and win the championship by winning only 2 races in a season. Only Matt Kenseth, who won one race in 2003, has won fewer races while winning a championship.
  • Ross Perot Jr. was the grand marshal for this race.
  • Bobby Labonte's victory was also the last victory for Joe Gibbs Racing fielding Chevrolets until 2003, as the following season would see the team switch to the Pontiac Grand Prix.

NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special

The NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special was a non-points exhibition race ran on November 23 at Suzuka Circuit - East Circuit. Rusty Wallace won the pole. This was the first ever NASCAR race in Japan.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 15-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  6. 30-Johnny Benson
  7. 77-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  8. 31-Mike Skinner
  9. 61-Rick Carelli
  10. 38-Butch Gilliland
  • NASCAR legend Elmo Langley was intended to drive the pace car for this race, but suffered a massive heart attack 2 days prior in the pace car when trying to get familiar with the course. Langley was 68 when he died in a nearby hospital.

Results and standings

Drivers' championship

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

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 Pts
1 Terry Labonte 24* 34* 8 2 5 2 1* 24 4 5 3 2 7 2 2 6 16 24 3 2 3 5 26 5 21 2 5 1* 3 3 5 4657
2 Jeff Gordon 42 40 1 3 1* 1* 2 3* 33 6 4 1* 1* 6 3 34* 7 1 37 4 5 2 1 2* 1* 1 1* 31 12 5 3 4620
3 Dale Jarrett 1 2 2 11 15 6 11 29 2 12 1* 36 38 10 6 2 3 2 1 24 1 4 14 4 3 16 3 3 2* 8 2 4568
4 Dale Earnhardt 2 1 31 1* 14 4 3 5 3 4 2 3 32 9 4 12 14 28* 15 6* 17 24 12 20 16 15 2 6 9 12 4 4327
5 Mark Martin 4 32 5 26 6 3 37 21 34 2 7 40 4 7 11 33 9* 3 4 3 2* 3 3 9 5 9 9 2 7 2* 7 4278
6 Ricky Rudd 9 4 9 8 9 14 15 23 28 7 15 8 2 31 33 3 2 37 6 34 8 9 16 12 34 35 7 13 1 14 8 3845
7 Rusty Wallace 16 22 7 36 4 5 33 1 30 1* 34 7 31 1 31 7 1 10 7 33 39 1* 38 6 2 36 10 8 8 40 10 3717
8 Sterling Marlin 40 6 11 13 11 18 5 10 1* 15 6 41 11 3* 1* 29 6 29 39 11 33 18 8 21 17 31 11 4 13 27 15 3682
9 Bobby Hamilton 20 24 6* 16 16 32 8 6 11 17 31 21 5 15 16 20 39 17 31 38 13 10 19 7 10 3* 8 19 28 1 6 3639
10 Ernie Irvan 35 14 38 4 33 16 6 2 31 42 9 4 39 5 5 1 4 4 2 35 4 36 7 1 36 12 36 37 4 7 36 3632
11 Bobby Labonte 17 33 23 31 2 7 10 8 24 9 22 5 41 12 40 31 37 8 24 5 6 32 6 11 4 21 13 40 6 9 1* 3590
12 Ken Schrader 3 29 14 6 28 29 9 7 20 8 5 10 18 16 8 8 15 26 16 25 15 13 4 13 22 30 18 29 23 35 30 3540
13 Jeff Burton 5 13 4 DNQ 10 23 29 22 16 26 18 9 9 17 14 4 35 7 11 21 9 37 31 3 40 11 4 11 5 31 9 3538
14 Michael Waltrip 10 35 36 9 29 10 17 17 5 22 8 11 14 32 7 10 13 42 28 7 25 6 33 14 9 14 12 9 14 16 11 3535
15 Jimmy Spencer 11 27 29 7 32 13 31 19 40 21 17 6 8 4 10 17 24 5 12 19 10 7 23 30 30 19 20 16 10 18 14 3476
16 Ted Musgrave 7 31 3 18 7 25 12 9 8 23 30 13 19 8 13 11 19 36 21 12 23 12 29 15 33 20 19 17 18 4 31 3466
17 Geoff Bodine 34 39 33 23 22 19 19 27 26 40 10 30 3 21 34 15 11 6 20 1 12 39 21 17 11 7 30 20 15 6 26 3218
18 Rick Mast 28 10 19 34 19 12 14 15 15 19 12 35 28 18 20 13 30 41 9 27 16 35 22 19 6 4 6 15 38 38 13 3190
19 Morgan Shepherd 31 37 32 30 8 30 27 20 43 24 29 32 6 11 15 22 17 14 5 9 11 19 24 23 18 6 14 23 29 17 28 3133
20 Ricky Craven 13 3 17 12 3 9 7 12 36 31 37 14 17 29 22 26 20 19 34 36 18 21 42 28 35 26 22 5 22 34 35 3078
21 Johnny Benson (R) 23 20 37 38 24 DNQ 24 25 10 18 38 17 25 37 25 9 5 18 8* 15 7 28 11 10 24 17 17 14 40 32 27 3004
22 Hut Stricklin 22 30 39 25 20 11 16 31 22 13 28 34 29 27 19 23 32 34 18 37 26 20 2* 24 38 25 16 25 11 30 17 2854
23 Lake Speed 14 25 18 41 25 35 35 11 42 16 35 26 34 19 29 24 8 30 13 17 32 16 10 31 13 28 25 12 35 28 19 2834
24 Brett Bodine 32 28 25 24 27 20 23 18 23 20 24 24 40 22 9 16 27 22 22 14 28 14 28 25 27 DNQ 23 28 16 26 21 2814
25 Wally Dallenbach Jr. 6 23 40 20 37 24 28 DNQ 12 3 19 22 12 13 12 18 33 32 17 10 34 25 25 33 29 22 34 33 36 15 40 2786
26 Jeremy Mayfield 19 19 28 5 18 21 20 4 32 32 41 12 15 30 27 36 12 16 25 22 20 17 37 29 15 34 28 43 34 44 DNQ 2721
27 Kyle Petty 18 11 20 22 12 15 30 30 18 30 23 18 20 38 24 28 26 12 38 23 17 18 8 8 31 41 25 29 DNQ 2696
28 Kenny Wallace 21 7 15 37 17 34 18 14 14 27 32 20 37 33 38 19 36 20 33 31 37 15 13 38 20 10 15 30 19 37 DNQ 2694
29 Darrell Waltrip 29 16 27 32 34 26 25 16 21 14 13 39 30 25 26 37 40 9 40 18 22 11 32 22 39 23 27 42 21 10 37 2657
30 Bill Elliott 8 15 10 10 13 28 21 13 41 37 14 21 13 10 14 INQ4 9 16 28 18 21 10 32 21 20 2627
31 John Andretti 38 38 12 21 40 DNQ 34 36 9 11 27 33 16 24 23 40 23 39 19 26 31 38 5 36 14 5 24 39 26 19 24 2621
32 Robert Pressley 30 26 16 27 36 17 4 34 7 34 33 33 23 17 5 25 31 30 30 41 33 27 26 32 32 33 32 37 36 33 2485
33 Ward Burton 26 41 13 15 38 33 DNQ DNQ 27 10 11 16 35 35 41 25 22 33 36 32 35 8 40 37 7 DNQ DNQ 7 17 22 12 2411
34 Joe Nemechek 39 9 34 17 31 31 36 26 13 41 25 25 21 36 18 35 34 15 27 8 27 34 DNQ 39 25 27 26 DNQ 24 25 34 2391
35 Derrike Cope 41 8 22 35 39 22 13 28 29 39 14 23 27 40 42 38 10 27 14 16 24 29 34 8 31 DNQ 37 18 39 43 DNQ 2374
36 Dick Trickle 43 DNQ DNQ 14 35 8 22 DNQ 19 29 20 28 26 39 28 27 18 38 23 39 38 26 36 27 23 13 DNQ 35 31 20 DNQ 2131
37 Bobby Hillin Jr. DNQ 18 26 28 41 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 43 26 29 13 14 32 21 38 35 26 29 19 22 18 32 12 24 35 36 33 39 16 2128
38 Dave Marcis 15 21 35 29 23 DNQ DNQ 35 39 33 40 31 DNQ 26 36 39 28 11 35 28 40 27 30 34 26 29 29 DNQ 30 24 25 2047
39 Steve Grissom 27 5 21 39 26 27 26 DNQ 6 25 16 42 22 34 1188
40 Todd Bodine QL1 36 15 10 20 15 35 21 20 11 32 991
41 Mike Wallace 37 17 24 33 21 DNQ DNQ 32 38 44 39 19 29 799
42 Greg Sacks 27 39 30 29 25 32 30 24 18 710
43 Elton Sawyer 25 DNQ 30 19 30 37 32 DNQ 37 21 DNQ 23 705
44 Chad Little 33 DNQ DNQ 43 DNQ 36 23 20 40 41 DNQ 22 22 627
45 Loy Allen Jr. 36 36 23 28 30 DNQ 21 41 34 39 603
46 Gary Bradberry DNQ 38 35 23 29 30 35 DNQ 37 DNQ DNQ DNQ 27 38 591
47 Mike Skinner 12 36 17 19 13 529
48 Jeff Purvis 12 35 21 40 DNQ 328
49 Jeff Green 36 41 32 26 247
50 Randy MacDonald (R) DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 24 32 31 DNQ DNQ 228
51 Billy Standridge DNQ 27 41 29 198
52 Jim Sauter DNQ 21 31 170
53 Chuck Bown DNQ 40 DNQ DNQ 25 42 168
54 Jack Sprague 23 42 136
55 Dorsey Schroeder 13 129
56 Stacy Compton (R) 33 DNQ DNQ 33 128
57 Robby Gordon 38 42 42 123
58 Butch Leitzinger 20 103
59 Jeff Krogh 35 41 98
60 Tommy Kendall 28 84
61 Lance Hooper DNQ 33 64
62 Larry Gunselman 36 DNQ 55
63 Rich Woodland Jr. 37 DNQ 52
64 Hermie Sadler DNQ 37 52
65 Scott Gaylord 38 DNQ 49
66 Ed Berrier DNQ 39 DNQ 46
67 Randy Baker 41 40
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 Pts
Steve Seligman DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ
Tracy Leslie DNQ
Delma Cowart DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ
Jim Bown DNQ
Joe Ruttman DNQ
Robbie Faggart DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ
Jimmy Hensley DNQ
Phil Barkdoll DNQ
Mark Krogh DNQ DNQ
Joe Bean DNQ DNQ
Wayne Jacks DNQ
Bill McAnally DNQ DNQ
Mark Gibson DNQ
Ron Barfield Jr. QL3 DNQ DNQ
Jason Keller DNQ
A. J. Foyt DNQ
Eric Smith DNQ
Mike McLaughlin DNQ
Ron Hornaday Jr. DNQ
Jay Sauter DNQ DNQ
Norm Benning DNQ
Terry Byers DNQ
Dave Rezendes QL2
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 Pts
1At Rockingham, Geoff Bodine had his younger brother Todd qualify his No. 7 car, as Geoff Bodine had suffered broken ribs from a crash in the previous race, which was the 1996 Daytona 500.
2Geoff Bodine failed to qualify car No. 07 at Sonoma, but his Craftsman Truck driver Dave Rezendes timed in 23rd in the No. 7. Team owner Geoff Bodine drove the qualified entry, his regular car, in the race.
3Ron Barfield Jr. qualified the No. 94 of the injured Bill Elliott at Michigan for Todd Bodine who was competing in the Busch Series' race at Myrtle Beach.
4Bobby Hillin Jr. failed to qualify his regular ride at Bristol, but filled in for Bill Elliott who was still feeling effects from a crash earlier in the year at Talladega.

Owners' championship

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Pos[2] Car Owner Drivers 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 5 Hendrick Motorsports T. Labonte 24* 34* 8 2 5 2 1* 24 4 5 3 2 7 2 2 6 16 24 3 2 3 5 26 5 21 2 5 1* 3 3 5 4657
2 24 Hendrick Motorsports J. Gordon 42 40 1 3 1* 1* 2 3* 33 6 4 1* 1* 6 3 34* 7 1 37 4 5 2 1 2* 1* 1 1* 31 12 5 3 4620
3 88 Robert Yates Racing Jarrett 1 2 2 11 15 6 11 29 2 12 1* 36 38 10 6 2 3 2 1 24 1 4 14 4 3 16 3 3 2* 8 2 4568
4 3 Richard Childress Racing Earnhardt 2 1 31 1* 14 4 3 5 3 4 2 3 32 9 4 12 14 28* 15 6* 17 24 12 20 16 15 2 6 9 12 4 4327
5 6 Roush Racing Martin 4 32 5 26 6 3 37 21 34 2 7 40 4 7 11 33 9* 3 4 3 2* 3 3 9 5 9 9 2 7 2* 7 4278
6 10 Rudd Performance Motorsports Rudd 9 4 9 8 9 14 15 23 28 7 15 8 2 31 33 3 2 37 6 34 8 9 16 12 34 35 7 13 1 14 8 3845
7 2 Penske Racing South R. Wallace 16 22 7 36 4 5 33 1 30 1* 34 7 31 1 31 7 1 10 7 33 39 1* 38 6 2 36 10 8 8 40 10 3717
8 4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports Marlin 40 6 11 13 11 18 5 10 1* 15 6 41 11 3* 1* 29 6 29 39 11 33 18 8 21 17 31 11 4 13 27 15 3682
9 43 Petty Enterprises Hamiliton 20 24 6* 16 16 32 8 6 11 17 31 21 5 15 16 20 39 17 31 38 13 10 19 7 10 3* 8 19 28 1 6 3639
10 28 Robert Yates Racing Irvan 35 14 38 4 33 16 6 2 31 42 9 4 39 5 5 1 4 4 2 35 4 36 7 1 36 12 36 37 4 7 36 3632
11 18 Joe Gibbs Racing B. Labonte 17 33 23 31 2 7 10 8 24 9 22 5 41 12 40 31 37 8 24 5 6 32 6 11 4 21 13 40 6 9 1* 3590
12 99 Roush Racing J. Burton 5 13 4 DNQ 10 23 29 22 16 26 18 9 9 17 14 4 35 7 11 21 9 37 31 3 40 11 4 11 5 31 9 3575
13 25 Hendrick Motorsports Schrader 3 29 14 6 28 29 9 7 20 8 5 10 18 16 8 8 15 26 16 25 15 13 4 13 22 30 18 29 23 35 30 3540
14 21 Wood Brothers Racing M. Waltrip 10 35 36 9 29 10 17 17 5 22 8 11 14 32 7 10 13 42 28 7 25 6 33 14 9 14 12 9 14 16 11 3535
15 23 Travis Carter Enterprises Spencer 11 27 29 7 32 13 31 19 40 21 17 6 8 4 10 17 24 5 12 19 10 7 23 30 30 19 20 16 10 18 14 3476
16 16 Roush Racing Musgrave 7 31 3 18 7 25 12 9 8 23 30 13 19 8 13 11 19 36 21 12 23 12 29 15 33 20 19 17 18 4 31 3466
17 94 Elliott-Hardy Racing Kendall 28 3347
T. Bodine 36 15 10 20
Elliott 8 15 10 10 13 28 21 13 41 37 14
Bill Elliott Racing 21 13 10 14 9 16 28 18 21 10 32 21 20
Schroeder 13
Hillin Jr. 22
18 7 Geoff Bodine Racing G. Bodine 34 39 33 23 22 19 19 27 26 40 10 30 3 21 34 15 11 6 20 1 12 39 21 17 11 7 30 20 15 6 26 3218
19 1 Precision Products Racing Mast 28 10 19 34 19 12 14 15 15 19 12 35 28 18 20 13 30 41 9 27 16 35 22 19 6 4 6 15 38 38 13 3190
20 75 Butch Mock Motorsports Shepherd 31 37 32 30 8 30 27 20 43 24 29 32 6 11 15 22 17 14 5 9 11 19 24 23 18 6 14 23 29 17 28 3133
21 41 Larry Hedrick Motorsports Craven 13 3 17 12 3 9 7 12 36 31 37 14 17 29 22 26 20 19 34 36 18 21 42 28 35 26 22 5 22 34 35 3078
22 30 Bahari Racing Benson 23 20 37 38 24 DNQ 24 25 10 18 38 17 25 37 25 9 5 18 8* 15 7 28 11 10 24 17 17 14 40 32 27 3047
23 98 Cale Yarborough Motorsports Mayfield 19 19 28 5 18 21 20 4 32 32 41 12 15 30 27 36 12 16 25 22 20 17 37 3016
Andretti 36 14 5 24 39 26 19 24
24 42 Team SABCO Petty 18 11 20 22 12 15 30 30 18 30 23 18 20 38 24 28 26 12 38 23 17 18 8 8 31 41 25 29 DNQ 2885
Jim Sauter 21 31
25 11 Brett Bodine Racing B. Bodine 32 28 25 24 27 20 23 18 23 20 24 24 40 22 9 16 27 22 22 14 28 14 28 25 27 DNQ 23 28 16 26 21 2863
26 8 Stavola Brothers Racing Stricklin 22 30 39 25 20 11 16 31 22 13 28 34 29 27 19 23 32 34 18 37 26 20 2* 24 38 25 16 25 11 30 17 2854
27 9 Melling Racing Speed 14 25 18 41 25 35 35 11 42 16 35 26 34 19 29 24 8 30 13 17 32 16 10 31 13 28 25 12 35 28 19 2834
28 15 Bud Moore Engineering Dallenbach Jr. 6 23 40 20 37 24 28 DNQ 12 3 19 22 12 13 12 18 33 32 17 10 34 25 25 33 29 22 34 33 36 15 40 2823
29 81 FILMAR Racing K. Wallace 21 7 15 37 17 34 18 14 14 27 32 20 37 33 38 19 36 20 33 31 37 15 13 38 20 10 15 30 19 37 DNQ 2719
30 33 Leo Jackson Motorsports Sacks 27 2696
Pressley 30 26 16 27 36 17 4 34 7 34 33 33 23 17 5 25 31 30 30 41 33 27 26 32 32 33
Andy Petree Racing 32
T. Bodine 20 11 32
31 17 Darrell Waltrip Motorsports D. Waltrip 29 16 27 32 34 26 25 16 21 14 13 39 30 25 26 37 40 9 40 18 22 11 32 22 39 23 27 42 21 10 37 2657
32 22 Bill Davis Racing W. Burton 26 41 13 15 38 33 DNQ DNQ 27 10 11 16 35 35 41 25 22 33 36 32 35 8 40 37 7 DNQ DNQ 7 17 22 12 2577
33 12 Bobby Allison Motorsports Cope 41 8 22 35 39 22 13 28 29 39 14 23 27 40 42 38 10 27 14 16 24 29 34 8 31 DNQ 37 18 39 43 DNQ 2460
34 87 NEMCO Motorsports Nemechek 39 9 34 17 31 31 36 26 13 41 25 25 21 36 18 35 34 15 27 8 27 34 DNQ 39 25 27 26 DNQ 24 25 34 2453
35 29 Diamond Ridge Motorsports Grissom 27 5 21 39 26 27 26 DNQ 6 25 16 42 22 34 2414
Sacks 39 30 29 25 32 30
Leitzinger 20
Little 23 20 40 41 DNQ
Green 32 26
Pressley 37 36 33
36 37 Kranefuss-Haas Racing Andretti 38 38 12 21 40 DNQ 34 36 9 11 27 33 16 24 23 40 23 39 19 26 31 38 5 2403
Mayfield 29 15 34 28 43 34 44 DNQ
37 77 Jasper Motorsports Hillin Jr. DNQ 18 26 28 41 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 43 26 29 13 14 32 21 38 35 26 29 19 DNQ 18 32 12 24 35 36 33 39 16 2238
38 90 Donlavey Racing M. Wallace 37 17 24 33 21 DNQ DNQ 32 38 44 39 19 2204
Trickle 26 39 28 27 18 38 23 39 38 26 36 27 23 13 DNQ 35 31 20 DNQ
39 71 Marcis Auto Racing Marcis 15 21 35 29 23 DNQ DNQ 35 39 33 40 31 DNQ 26 36 39 28 11 35 28 40 27 30 34 26 29 29 DNQ 30 24 25 2198
40 19 TriStar Motorsports Allen Jr. 36 36 23 28 30 DNQ 21 Wth 41 34 39 1578
Trickle DNQ 14 35 8 22 DNQ 19 29 20 28
M. Wallace 29
41 27 David Blair Motorsports Sawyer 25 DNQ 30 19 30 37 32 DNQ 37 21 DNQ 1074
Keller DNQ
T. Bodine 15 35 21
Barfield Jr. DNQ
42 95 Sadler Brothers Racing C. Bown DNQ 40 DNQ DNQ 25 42 1000
Bradberry 38 35 23 29 30 35 DNQ 37 DNQ DNQ DNQ 27 38
43 78 Triad Motorsports MacDonald DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 24 32 31 DNQ DNQ 802
Standridge DNQ 27 41 29
44 31 Richard Childress Racing Skinner 12 36 17 19 13 529
45 97 Mark Rypien Racing Little 33 DNQ 43 DNQ 36 22 22 400
46 44 Phoenix Racing Purvis 12 35 21 40 DNQ 359
47 40 Team Sabco Sacks 24 18 339
R. Gordon 42 42
Jay Sauter DNQ DNQ
48 02 Miles Motorsports Faggart DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 199
Baker 41
49 46 Monroe Motorsports Compton 33 DNQ DNQ 33 196
50 14 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Green 36 41 178
Hornaday Jr. DNQ
R. Gordon 38
51 52 Hendrick Motorsports Sprague 23 42 136
52 101 Excel Motorsports J. Krogh 35 41 98
53 20 Ranier-Walsh Racing Sawyer 23 94
54 63 Schnell Motorsports Trickle 43 DNQ 90
Berrier DNQ
M. Wallace Wth
55 26 Sadler Racing Sadler DNQ 37 77
56 137 Olson Technology Racing Gunselman 36 DNQ 77
57 60 Berrier Racing Berrier 39 DNQ 74
58 107 Golden West Motorsports Hooper DNQ 33 74
59 100 Oliver Racing Gaylord 38 DNQ 74
60 138 Woodland Racing Woodland Jr. 37 DNQ 71
Pos Car Owner Drivers 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

Rookie of the Year

Johnny Benson was the only rookie to make a full-time run in the 1996 season, making him the 1996 Rookie of the Year. Benson ended the year with one top 5, six top 10s, and one pole. Randy MacDonald and Stacy Compton made attempts at the award as well, but did not run enough times to catch Benson.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pockrass, Bob (February 27, 2016). "Field of 39 cars at Atlanta smallest in nearly 20 years". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ 1997 NASCAR Preview & Press Guide, p.52.
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