The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 50th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 27th modern-era cup series. The season included 33 races and three exhibition races, beginning with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the Driver's Championship, the third of his career, and his third in the last four seasons. Teams and drivers Complete schedule Limited schedule Schedule Races Bud Shootout Qualifier The Bud Shootout Qualifier, a race for the fastest second round qualifier, from each race from the previous season, was run on February 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sterling Marlin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN. Top Ten Results 23- Jimmy Spencer 9- Lake Speed 3- Dale Earnhardt 40- Sterling Marlin 11- Brett Bodine 97- Chad Little 75- Rick Mast 29- Jeff Green 98- Greg Sacks 17- Darrell Waltrip Bud Shootout The Bud Shootout, a race for pole winners from the previous season, was run on February 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mark Martin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS. Top Ten Results 2- Rusty Wallace 81- Kenny Wallace 94- Bill Elliott 23- Jimmy Spencer 33- Ken Schrader 7- Geoff Bodine 36- Ernie Irvan 6- Mark Martin 43- John Andretti 35- Todd Bodine Gatorade 125s Race One: Top Ten Results The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 12 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bobby and Terry Labonte were the pole-sitters, for both races, respectively. The races were broadcast tape delayed on CBS prior to the Daytona 500. 40-Sterling Marlin 88-Dale Jarrett 18-Bobby Labonte 23-Jimmy Spencer 22-Ward Burton 30-Derrike Cope 12-Jeremy Mayfield 6-Mark Martin 43-John Andretti 94-Bill Elliott Ken Schrader was injured in a crash on the last lap of Race 1. The No. 96 Chevrolet of David Green got into the rear of Schrader's No. 33 Chevrolet in Turn 1. It put Schrader head-on into the wall. Schrader's car also caught Johnny Benson in the No. 26 Ford and put Benson in the wall, eliminating his chance to make the Daytona 500. In the crash, Schrader suffered a broken sternum. He raced in the 500 using his car from the Bud Shootout (it was painted differently from the car Schrader was intending to use in the 500) while wearing a bull rider's vest. Race Two: Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt