The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 53rd season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 30th modern-era Cup series. It began on February 11, 2001, at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 23, 2001, at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was declared as the series champion for the fourth time in seven years. The season was marred by a two-car collision at the end of the season-opening Daytona 500, which claimed the life of seven-time Series champion Dale Earnhardt. The accident resulted in safety upgrades being instituted. It also was the first year to have a unified television contract with Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and Turner Sports/TNT broadcasting the season's races; previous seasons saw each racetrack negotiate their own TV coverage, creating a patchwork of broadcast companies covering races throughout the season. Dodge returned to the sport for the first time since 1985 after DaimlerChrysler spent six years in the CART FedEx Championship Series via Mercedes-Benz brand as an engine supplier. Chevrolet captured the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship with 16 wins and 248 points. Teams and drivers Complete schedule Limited schedule Schedule Races Budweiser Shootout The Budweiser Shootout, an invitational event for all recent Bud Pole winners, was held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew the pole. This was the first race broadcast on Fox. Top 10 Results 20 - Tony Stewart 3 - Dale Earnhardt 2 - Rusty Wallace 88 - Dale Jarrett 99 - Jeff Burton 8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. 18 - Bobby Labonte 6 - Mark Martin 28 - Ricky Rudd 31 - Mike Skinner This was the only time that Dale Earnhardt would finish 2nd in this 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 started on pole for both races, respectively. The qualifying races were broadcast live for the first time; races prior to 2001 were broadcast on tape delay. Race One Top 10 Results 40 - Sterling Marlin 25 - Jerry Nadeau 3 - Dale Earnhardt 96 - Andy Houston 26 - Jimmy Spencer 24 - Jeff Gordon 01 - Jason Leffler 51 - Jeff Purvis 15 - Michael Waltrip 19 - Casey Atwood This would unexpectedly be the final top 5 Speedweeks finish for Dale Earnhardt. Race Two Top 10 Results 31 -