first, and to date, only NASCAR season to have back-to-back points paying restrictor plate races, with the Pepsi 400 being run after the Winston 500. This race was originally scheduled to be broadcast by CBS, but TNN broadcast the race due to prior commitments by CBS (due to the race's rescheduling). Ernie Irvan started the race in the No. 36, but was replaced at the first caution by Ricky Craven. This was Jeff Gordon's 40th Winston Cup Career win. The 11th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. This was the first time since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 that a driver won 11 races in a season. As of 2020, this is the last time that a driver won 11 races in a season. This race was Dan Pardus' only career Cup Series start. Dura Lube/Kmart 500 The Dura Lube/Kmart 500* was run on October 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. The No. 33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN. Top Ten Results 2-Rusty Wallace 6-Mark Martin 3-Dale Earnhardt 99-Jeff Burton 13-Ted Musgrave 43-John Andretti 24-Jeff Gordon 81-Kenny Wallace 26-Johnny Benson 5-Terry Labonte Failed to qualify: 21-Michael Waltrip, 45-Jeff Ward, 71-Dave Marcis This race was shortened to 257 laps due to rain. This race ended a string of 17 straight top 5 finishes for Jeff Gordon, which is a NASCAR record. AC Delco 400 The AC Delco 400 was run on November 1 in Rockingham, North Carolina. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN. Top Ten Results 24-Jeff Gordon 88-Dale Jarrett 2-Rusty Wallace 6-Mark Martin 99-Jeff Burton 4-Bobby Hamilton 22-Ward Burton 5-Terry Labonte 3-Dale Earnhardt 10-Ricky Rudd Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 80-Andy Hillenburg, 96-Steve Grissom Jeff Gordon clinched the 1998 Winston Cup Series championship by finishing 40th or better. The 12th win of 1998 for Jeff Gordon. This was the first time since Darrell Waltrip in 1982 that a driver won 12 races in a season. NAPA 500 The NAPA 500 was run on November 8 in Hampton, Georgia. Kenny Irwin Jr. won his 1st career pole. Twice during the race, the red flag was displayed, both times for rain. By the time the race was again red-flagged, midnight was approaching, and track officials felt obliged to get the fans home at a decent hour. So the race was called at 221 of the scheduled 325 laps. The race was broadcast on