2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season began on February 11 and ended on November 23. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was crowned series champion. The season was marked by tragedy, and by safety upgrades as well. It also was the first year of a television contract that had FOX and NBC/TNT broadcasting all the races during the season. The Dodge manufacturer returned to the sport for the first time since 1985.

See also: 2001 in NASCAR Busch Series and 2001 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2001 Team Chart

List of full time teams of 2001.

Number	Driver	Make	Sponsor(s)	Team
01	Jason Leffler (R)	Dodge	Cingular Wireless	Chip Ganassi Racing
1	Steve Park	Chevrolet	Pennzoil	Dale Earnhardt Incorporated
2	Rusty Wallace	Ford	Miller Lite	Penske Racing South
3	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet	GM Goodwrench	Richard Childress Racing
4	Kevin Lepage	Chevrolet	Kodak	Morgan-McClure Motorsports
5	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet	Kellogg's	Hendrick Motorsports
6	Mark Martin	Ford	Viagra	Roush Racing
7	Mike Wallace	Ford	Nations Rent	Ultra Motorsports
8	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	Budweiser	Dale Earnhardt Incorporated
9	Bill Elliott	Dodge	Dodge Dealers/UAW	Evernham Motorsports
10	Johnny Benson	Pontiac	Valvoline	MB2 Motorsports
11	Brett Bodine	Ford	Ralphs Supermarkets	Brett Bodine Racing
12	Jeremy Mayfield	Ford	Mobil 1	Penske Racing South
14	Ron Hornaday (R)	Pontiac	Conseco	A.J. Foyt Enterprises
15	Michael Waltrip	Chevrolet	NAPA Auto Parts	Dale Earnhardt Incorporated
17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	DeWALT	Roush Racing
18	Bobby Labonte	Pontiac	Interstate Batteries	Joe Gibbs Racing
19	Casey Atwood (R)	Dodge	Dodge Dealers/UAW	Evernham Motorsports
20	Tony Stewart	Pontiac	The Home Depot	Joe Gibbs Racing
21	Elliott Sadler	Ford	Motorcraft	Wood Brothers Racing
22	Ward Burton	Dodge	Caterpillar	Bill Davis Racing
24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	DuPont	Hendrick Motorsports
25	Jerry Nadeau	Chevrolet	Delphi/UAW	Hendrick Motorsports
26	Jimmy Spencer	Ford	Kmart	Travis Carter Motorsports
27	Kenny Wallace	Pontiac	Duke's Mayonnaise/Sauer's	Eel River Racing
28	Ricky Rudd	Ford	Texaco	Robert Yates Racing
31	Mike Skinner	Chevrolet	Lowe's	Richard Childress Racing
32	Ricky Craven	Ford	Tide	PPI Motorsports
33	Joe Nemechek	Chevrolet	Oakwood Homes	Andy Petree Racing
36	Ken Schrader	Pontiac	M&M's	MB2 Motorsports
40	Sterling Marlin	Dodge	Coors Light	Chip Ganassi Racing
43	John Andretti	Dodge	Cheerios	Petty Enterprises
44	Buckshot Jones	Dodge	Georgia Pacific	Petty Enterprises
45	Kyle Petty	Dodge	Sprint	Petty Enterprises
55	Bobby Hamilton	Chevrolet	Square D	Andy Petree Racing
66	Todd Bodine	Ford	Kmart/Route 66 Jeans	Travis Carter Motorsports
77	Robert Pressley	Ford	Jasper Engines & Transmissions	Jasper Motorsports
88	Dale Jarrett	Ford	UPS	Robert Yates Racing
90	Hut Stricklin	Ford	Hills Bros Coffee	Donlavey Racing
92	Stacy Compton	Dodge	Kodiak/Cougar	Melling Racing
93	Dave Blaney	Dodge	Amoco	Bill Davis Racing
96	Andy Houston (R)	Ford	McDonalds	PPI Motorsports
97	Kurt Busch (R)	Ford	Sharpie/Rubbermaid	Roush Racing
99	Jeff Burton	Ford	Citgo	Roush Racing

Bud Shootout

The Bud Shootout, an invitational event for all recent Bud Pole winners, was held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart won the race.

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Stacy Compton won the poles for both races, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

1. Sterling Marlin
2. Jerry Nadeau
3. Dale Earnhardt
4. Andy Houston
5. Jimmy Spencer
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Jason Leffler
8. Jeff Purvis
9. Michael Waltrip
10. Casey Atwood

Race Two Top Ten Results

1. Mike Skinner
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
3. Jeff Burton
4. Ward Burton
5. Rusty Wallace
6. Ken Schrader
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Ricky Craven
9. Dave Blaney
10. Mark Martin

Daytona 500

The 42nd annual Daytona 500 was held February 18 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole. The race will be forever remembered for the final lap, when coming off of Turn 4, Dale Earnhardt lost control of his car, and collected Ken Schrader in a head-on collision with the wall. Earnhardt was killed instantly on the contact. The race was also marred by a 20-car crash that sent Tony Stewart for a very wild ride on lap 173.

Top Ten Results

1. Michael Waltrip
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
3. Rusty Wallace
4. Ricky Rudd
5. Bill Elliott
6. Mike Wallace
7. Sterling Marlin
8. Bobby Hamilton
9. Jeremy Mayfield
10. Stacy Compton

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)

Dura Lube 400

The Dura Lube 400 was scheduled for February 25 but was held February 26 due to a rain delay. Jeff Gordon won the pole.This race was won by DEI driver Steve Park, in an emotional victory for Park.

Top Ten Results

1. Steve Park
2. Bobby Labonte
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Tony Stewart
5. Ricky Craven
6. Johnny Benson
7. Rusty Wallace
8. Sterling Marlin
9. Dave Blaney
10. Dale Jarrett

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

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

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Dale Jarrett
3. Sterling Marlin
4. Johnny Benson
5. Todd Bodine
6. Mark Martin
7. Steve Park
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Ron Hornaday
10. Jimmy Spencer

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

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

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jerry Nadeau
4. Dale Jarrett
5. Terry Labonte
6. Ricky Rudd
7. Johnny Benson
8. Ken Schrader
9. Mike Skinner
10. Kurt Busch

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

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400

The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held March 18 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. Dale Jarrett
2. Steve Park
3. Jeremy Mayfield
4. Jimmy Spencer
5. Sterling Marlin
6. John Andretti
7. Johnny Benson
8. Ricky Rudd
9. Bobby Hamilton
10. Rusty Wallace

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

1. Elliott Sadler
2. John Andretti
3. Jeremy Mayfield
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Ward Burton
6. Terry Labonte
7. Rusty Wallace
8. Bobby Hamilton
9. Steve Park
10. Ricky Rudd

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

Harrah's 500

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

Top Ten Results

1. Dale Jarrett
2. Steve Park
3. Johnny Benson
4. Kurt Busch
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Dave Blaney
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
9. Mark Martin
10. Ken Schrader

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

1. Dale Jarrett
2. Ricky Rudd
3. Jeff Burton
4. Bobby Hamilton
5. Sterling Marlin
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Tony Stewart
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Jimmy Spencer
10. Jerry Nadeau

Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was held April 22 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stacy Compton won the pole. The race was caution-free.

Top Ten Results

1. Bobby Hamilton
2. Tony Stewart
3. Kurt Busch
4. Mark Martin
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Joe Nemechek
7. Johnny Benson
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
9. Mike Wallace
10. Jeff Burton

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

NAPA Auto Parts 500

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

Top Ten Results

1. Rusty Wallace
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
4. Tony Stewart
5. Jeremy Mayfield
6. Ricky Rudd
7. Jeremy Spencer
8. Jerry Nadeau
9. Sterling Marlin
10. Robert Pressley

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

Pontiac Excitement 400

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

Top Ten Results

1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Rusty Wallace
4. Steve Park
5. Ricky Rudd
6. Johnny Benson
7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Ken Schrader
10. Bobby Labonte

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

The Winston

The Winston, an all-star rae for previous race winners, was held May 19 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the race.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. Jeff Burton
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Tony Stewart
4. Mark Martin
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Jimmy Spencer
7. Ricky Rudd
8. Dale Jarrett
9. Ward Burton
10. Jeremy Mayfield

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

MBNA Platinum 400

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

Top Ten Results

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Steve Park
3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
4. Ricky Craven
5. Dale Jarrett
6. Sterling Marlin
7. Tony Stewart
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Mark Martin
10. Ricky Rudd

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

Kmart 400

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

Top Ten Results

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Ricky Rudd
3. Sterling Marlin
4. Jeremy Mayfield
5. Ryan Newman
6. Hut Stricklin
7. Jeff Burton
8. Dave Blaney
9. Bill Elliott
10. Kevin Harvick

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

Pocono 500

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

Top Ten Results

1. Ricky Rudd
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Dale Jarrett
4. Sterling Marlin
5. Mark Martin
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Tony Stewart
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Ken Schrader
10. Jeff Burton

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

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

1. Tony Stewart
2. Robby Gordon
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Ricky Rudd
5. Rusty Wallace
6. Ward Burton
7. Bobby Labonte
8. Jeff Burton
9. Bill Elliott
10. Mark Martin

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.

Top Ten Results

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2. Michael Waltrip
3. Elliott Sadler
4. Ward Burton
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Jerry Nadeau
7. Rusty Wallace
8. Jeff Burton
9. Brett Bodine
10. Mike Wallace

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

Tropicana 400

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

Top Ten Results

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Robert Pressley
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Dale Jarrett
5. Jimmy Spencer
6. Mark Martin
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Kurt Busch
9. Sterling Marlin
10. Bill Elliott

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

Pennsylvania 500

The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 22 at Pocono Raceway. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. Bobby Labonte
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
3. Tony Stewart
4. Bill Elliott
5. Johnny Benson
6. Rusty Wallace
7. Mark Martin
8. Jeff Gordon
9. Robert Pressley
10. Ricky Craven

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

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Sterling Marlin
3. Johnny Benson
4. Rusty Wallace
5. Kurt Busch
6. Ward Burton
7. Steve Park
8. Bill Elliott
9. Ricky Craven
10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

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)

Global Crossing at the Glen

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

Top Ten Results

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jeff Burton
3. Jeremy Mayfield
4. Ricky Rudd
5. Todd Bodine
6. Jerry Nadeau
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Boris Said
9. Bobby Labonte
10. Steve Park

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 rian, and the race also marked Dodge's first trip to victory lane since its return to NASCAR.

Top Ten Results

1. Sterling Marlin
2. Ricky Craven
3. Bill Elliott
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Johnny Benson
6. Dave Blaney
7. Jeff Gordon
8. Mark Martin
9. Steve Park
10. Casey Atwood

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

Sharpie 500

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

Top Ten Results

1. Tony Stewart
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Ricky Rudd
5. Rusty Wallace
6. Dale Jarrett
7. Steve Park
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Sterling Marlin
10. Terry Labonte

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

1. Ward Burton
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Bobby Labonte
4. Tony Stewart
5. Bill Elliott
6. Jeff Burton
7. Ricky Rudd
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Jerry Nadeau
10. Ken Schrader

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

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

1. Ricky Rudd
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
4. Dale Jarrett
5. Rusty Wallace
6. Bobby Labonte
7. Tony Stewart
8. Jimmy Spencer
9. Jeff Burton
10. Johnny Benson

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

MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400

The MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400 was held September 23 at Dover International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2. Jerry Nadeau
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Tony Stewart
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Joe Nemechek
8. Sterling Marlin
9. Casey Atwood
10. Bobby Hamilton

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

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Ryan Newman
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Rusty Wallace
5. Sterling Marlin
6. Mark Martin
7. Robert Pressley
8. Tony Stewart
9. Kurt Busch
10. Dave Blaney

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

1. Sterling Marlin
2. Tony Stewart
3. Ward Burton
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
5. Jeff Burton
6. Dale Jarrett
7. Rusty Wallace
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Mark Martin
10. Bobby Labonte

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

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

1. Ricky Craven
2. Dale Jarrett
3. Ward Burton
4. Bobby Labonte
5. Jeff Burton
6. Johnny Benson
7. Mark Martin
8. Mike Wallace
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Sterling Marlin

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

EA Sports 500

The EA Sports 500 was held October 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stacy Compton won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jeff Burton
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Bobby Hamilton
6. Kenny Wallace
7. Jeff Gordon
8. Joe Nemechek
9. Mark Martin
10. Kevin Lepage

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

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

1. Jeff Burton
2. Mike Wallace
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Robby Gordon
8. Ricky Craven
9. Dale Jarrett
10. Johnny Benson

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

1. Joe Nemechek
2. Kenny Wallace
3. Johnny Benson
4. Dale Jarrett
5. Jerry Nadeau
6. Ward Burton
7. Tony Stewart
8. Ricky Rudd
9. Bobby Labonte
10. Matt Kenseth

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

1. Bill Elliott
2. Michael Waltrip
3. Casey Atwood
4. Jeff Burton
5. Sterling Marlin
6. Dave Blaney
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Jeff Green
10. Jason Leffler

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

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was held November 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. Jeff Gordon clinched the 2001 Winston Cup with his 6th place finish.

Top Ten Results

1. Bobby Labonte
2. Sterling Marlin
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Jerry Nadeau
5. Ward Burton
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
8. Dale Jarrett
9. Tony Stewart
10. Jeff Burton

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.

Top Ten Results

1. Robby Gordon
2. Sterling Marlin
3. Bobby Labonte
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jerry Nadeau
7. Robert Pressley
8. Brett Bodine
9. Mark Martin
10. Dale Jarrett

Final Points Standings

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

Rookie of the Year

Kevin Harvick emerged as the victor of the Rookie of the Year battle despite not declaring for the award until the second race of the season, as he replaced Dale Earnhardt following his fatal crash. Harvick won two races and finished ninth in season points. Kurt Busch finished second, despite only having one year of experience in a major NASCAR series. Third-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, had a tough season that resulted in his schedule being reduced.

Trivia

• There were 19 different race winners, a new record for the series.
• There were 15 different pole winners.
• Five of the race winners won a Cup race for the first time: Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler, Ricky Craven, and Robby Gordon.
• Mark Martin finished a season without a race win for the first time since 1996, and for the second time since 1989.
• Bill Elliott won in the series for the first time since 1994, Sterling Marlin for the first time since 1996, and Ricky Rudd for the first time since 1998.
• Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won both the first Cup race at Daytona since the death of his father (Pepsi 400) and the first race since the September 11 attacks (MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400).

External links

• Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 2001