21-Michael Waltrip 31-Mike Skinner 36-Ernie Irvan 2-Rusty Wallace 99-Jeff Burton 9-Lake Speed 95-Andy Hillenburg 91-Kevin Lepage 4-Bobby Hamilton 40th Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 was run on February 15 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Labonte brothers shared the front row with Bobby Labonte on the pole, and brother Terry Labonte starting second. But the biggest news of the day was Dale Earnhardt's long-awaited victory in the Daytona 500 after 19 frustrating attempts to win the big race. Moreover, his victory snapped a 59-race winless streak dating back to the spring of 1996. The race was broadcast on CBS. Dale dedicated the win to his late friend and colleague, Neil Bonnett, who died after a crash while practicing for the 1994 race. Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt 18-Bobby Labonte 12-Jeremy Mayfield 33-Ken Schrader 2-Rusty Wallace 36-Ernie Irvan 97-Chad Little 31-Mike Skinner 21-Michael Waltrip 94-Bill Elliott Failed to qualify: 07-Dan Pardus, 8-Hut Stricklin, 14-Loy Allen Jr., 26-Johnny Benson, 29-Jeff Green, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 59-Mark Gibson, 78-Gary Bradberry, 79-Norm Benning, 80-Michael Ciochetti, 81-Kenny Wallace, 85-Randy Renfrow, 96-David Green "20 years of trying, 20 years of frustration. Dale Earnhardt will come to the caution flag to win the Daytona 500! Finally!" - Mike Joy talking as Earnhardt came to the white flag and the caution flag, giving him his first (and only) Daytona 500 victory. GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400 The GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400 was run on February 22 in Rockingham, North Carolina. The No. 75 of Rick Mast won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN. Top Ten Results 24-Jeff Gordon 2-Rusty Wallace 6-Mark Martin 23-Jimmy Spencer 7-Geoff Bodine 94-Bill Elliott 88-Dale Jarrett 5-Terry Labonte 4-Bobby Hamilton 50-Ricky Craven Failed to qualify: 05-Morgan Shepherd, 35-Todd Bodine, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry, 91-Kevin Lepage Las Vegas 400 The inaugural Las Vegas 400 was run on March 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The No. 88 of Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC. Top Ten Results 6-Mark Martin 99-Jeff Burton 2-Rusty Wallace 26-Johnny Benson 12-Jeremy Mayfield 16-Ted Musgrave 23-Jimmy Spencer 3-Dale Earnhardt 94-Bill Elliott 97-Chad Little Failed to qualify: 1-Steve Park, 13-Jerry Nadeau, 19-Tony Raines, 35-Todd Bodine, 37-Larry Gunselman, 38-Butch Gilliland, 71-Dave Marcis, 78-Gary Bradberry Mark Martin's win in this inaugural Las Vegas 400 was the first for the Ford Taurus. Dale Earnhardt, finishing 8th, would be the only