The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 52nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States, and was the 29th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 13 and ended on November 20. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte was crowned champion at season's end. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Ford as they captured 14 wins and 234 points to better Pontiac's 11 wins and 213 points. Chevrolet finished third with nine wins and 199 points. The season was marred by tragedy when Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin Jr. were killed in separate accidents at New Hampshire International Raceway. This was the final season for three-time Winston Cup Champion Darrell Waltrip. Also, this was unexpectedly the final full-time season for seven-time Winston Cup champion, and one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history, Dale Earnhardt, who was killed the following year in the season-opening 2001 Daytona 500. The 2000 season also marked the final one for various networks that carried NASCAR racing. Because of the new television deal struck on December 15, 1999, it would be the last year for a multitude of these long-time broadcasters. NASCAR on CBS broadcast the final races of its twenty-two-season partnership, ending with the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. NASCAR on TNN and NASCAR on TBS ended their time in the Winston Cup Series; the former's run of ten seasons came to an end at the Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix, while the latter's abruptly ceased at eighteen seasons following the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (TBS had initially won rights for the new deal, but was replaced by TNT). NASCAR on ESPN, alongside its affiliated programming with ESPN on ABC, ended its initial run of covering NASCAR's top series (both networks returned during the 2007 season); ESPN's first run of twenty seasons concluded with the NAPA 500 at Atlanta, while ABC's then twenty-five nonconsecutive seasons with the sport ended with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. This was the last season without Jimmie Johnson until 2021, Jason Leffler until 2014 (due to his death shortly after his last Cup start at Pocono in June 2013), and the last without Kevin Harvick until 2024. Also, 2000 marked the first season since 1986 without Ernie Irvan.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Schedule

Results

Bud Shootout

The Bud Shootout, an exhibition race for all Pole Award winners from the previous season, was held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Mark Martin drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS. Top 10 results Notes:

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd were the polesitters for races 1 and 2, respectively. The Gatorade Twin 125s were broadcast tape-delayed on February 19 on CBS after the NASCAR Busch Series race. Race one top 10 results Race two top 10 results

42nd Daytona 500

The 2000 Daytona 500 was held February 20 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was televised by CBS. Failed to qualify: 60 –Geoff Bodine, 84-Norm Benning, 72–Jim Sauter, 65–Dan Pardus, 85 –Carl Long, 48–Stanton Barrett, 89-Bobby Gerhart, 96–Greg Sacks, 11 –Brett Bodine, 71-Dave Marcis, 91 –Andy Hillenburg, 27 –Jeff Fuller*, 50 –Ricky Craven, and 34 –David Green

Dura Lube/Kmart 400

The Dura Lube/Kmart 400 was held February 27 at North Carolina Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Ricky Craven (No. 50), Scott Pruett (No. 32), Dave Blaney (No. 93), Mike Bliss (No. 14)

CarsDirect.com 400

The CarsDirect.com 400 was held March 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. Top 10 results Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (No. 41), Mike Bliss (No. 14), Ed Berrier (No. 90), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Austin Cameron (No. 89)

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500

The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (No. 71), Ed Berrier (No. 90), Johnny Benson (No. 10), Mike Bliss (No. 14), Robby Gordon (No. 13)

Mall.com 400

The Mall.com 400 was held March 19 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 15), Ricky Craven (No. 50), Scott Pruett (No. 32), Wally Dallenbach Jr. (No. 75), Ed Berrier (No. 90)

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held March 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Park won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (No. 71), Ricky Craven (No. 50), Ed Berrier (No. 90), Scott Pruett (No. 32)

DirecTV 500

The DirecTV 500 was held April 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Robby Gordon (No. 13), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Wally Dallenbach Jr. (No. 75), Kyle Petty (No. 44), Todd Bodine (No. 91)

Goody's Body Pain 500

The Goody's Body Pain 500 was held April 9 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Wally Dallenbach Jr. (No. 75), Rick Mast (No. 14), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Ed Berrier (No. 90)

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was held April 16 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 11), Kevin Lepage (No. 16), Gary Bradberry* (No. 41), Rick Mast (No. 14), Elliott Sadler (No. 21)

NAPA Auto Parts 500

The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held April 30 at California Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (No. 71), Ed Berrier (No. 90), Dwayne Leik (No. 72)

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held May 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (No. 14), Darrell Waltrip (No. 66), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Ed Berrier (No. 90)

The Winston

The Winston, the all-star race for all past champions and recent winners, was held May 20 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Top ten results

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave (No. 15), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Ed Berrier (No. 90), Darrell Waltrip (No. 66), Dave Marcis (No. 71)

MBNA Platinum 400

The MBNA Platinum 400 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty* (No. 44), Carl Long (No. 85)

Kmart 400

The Kmart 400 was held June 11 at Michigan Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Darrell Waltrip (No. 66), Ricky Craven (No. 50), Dave Marcis (No. 71)

Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was scheduled for June 18 but was held June 19 at Pocono Raceway due to rain. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Darrell Waltrip (No. 66), Dwayne Leik (No. 72), Bill Baird (No. 52)

Save Mart/Kragen 350

The Save Mart/Kragen 350 was held June 25 at Sears Point Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Rick Mast (No. 14), Geoff Bodine (No. 60), R. K. Smith (No. 71)

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the final Winston Cup race that was televised on CBS. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 11), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Robby Gordon (No. 13)

thatlook.com 300

The thatlook.com 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Dave Marcis (No. 71) Withdrawn: Kenny Irwin Jr. (No. 42)

Pennsylvania 500

The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 23 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (No. 60), Carl Long (No. 85)

Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held August 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: David Keith (No. 95), Rich Bickle (No. 61), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Robby Gordon (No. 13), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Bill Baird (No. 52)

Global Crossing @ The Glen

The Global Crossing @ The Glen was held August 13 at Watkins Glen International. Due to qualifying being rained out, the starting lineup was set by owner's points, so Bobby Labonte was awarded pole position. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Boris Said (No. 23), Scott Pruett (No. 32), R. K. Smith (No. 71), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Brian Simo (No. 90)

Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer

The Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer was held August 20 at Michigan Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (No. 60), Darrell Waltrip (No. 66), Stacy Compton (No. 9), Kyle Petty (No. 44), David Keith (No. 95), Carl Long (No. 85)

goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTel

The goracing.com 500 presented by SkyTel was held August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss (No. 27), Hut Stricklin (No. 90), Carl Long (No. 85), Ricky Craven (No. 50)

Pepsi Southern 500 presented by Kmart

The Pepsi Southern 500 presented by Kmart was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (No. 9)

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Mike Bliss (No. 27), Robby Gordon (No. 13), Darrell Waltrip (No. 66), Dave Marcis (No. 71)

Dura Lube 300 sponsored by Kmart

The Dura Lube 300 sponsored by Kmart was held September 17 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Steve Grissom (No. 44), Dave Marcis (No. 71)

MBNA.com 400

The MBNA.com 400 was held September 24 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Hut Stricklin (No. 90), Joe Bessey (No. 60)

NAPA Autocare 500

The NAPA Autocare 500 was held October 1 at Martinsville Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (No. 32), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Carl Long (No. 85), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Rich Bickle (No. 60)

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (No. 32), Ricky Craven (No. 50), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Carl Long (No. 85), Stacy Compton (No. 9), Dave Marcis (No. 71)

Winston 500 presented by UPS

The Winston 500 was held on October 15 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. Bill Elliott led the most laps. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Wally Dallenbach Jr. (No. 75), Blaise Alexander (No. 91), Hut Stricklin (No. 90)

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400

The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave (No. 01), Rich Bickle (No. 60), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Hut Stricklin (No. 90), Stacy Compton (No. 9)

Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500

The Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 was held November 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (No. 9), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Robby Gordon (No. 13), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Hut Stricklin (No. 90)

Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto Parts

The Pennzoil 400 presented by Discount Auto Parts was held November 12 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Steve Park won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (No. 45), Hut Stricklin (No. 90), Ricky Craven (No. 50), Dave Marcis (No. 71), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Norm Benning (No. 84), Hermie Sadler (No. 60), Ted Musgrave (No. 01)

NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was scheduled for November 19, but was held on November 20 due to a rain delay at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (No. 9), Hermie Sadler* (No. 60), Hut Stricklin (No. 90), Dick Trickle (No. 71), Blaise Alexander (No. 91), Morgan Shepherd (No. 80), Tim Sauter (No. 61), Larry Foyt (No. 41), Kevin Lepage (No. 16), Carl Long (No. 85), Mike Bliss (No. 27), Steve Grissom (No. 44), Norm Benning (No. 84)

Drivers' championship

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings.

• – Most laps led.

Rookie of the Year

In the preseason, the two favorites for the award were Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. While Earnhardt had the name, the popularity, and the two wins, Kenseth had more consistency and was able to claim the title by a narrow margin. The third-place finisher was Dave Blaney, who had finished 31st in points. Scott Pruett and Stacy Compton showed promise in the beginning of the year, but eventually lost momentum and bottomed out at the end of the year. Mike Bliss started the year with A. J. Foyt Racing, was released after 4 races, then finished the season with Eel River Racing. Ed Berrier and Jeff Fuller finished towards the bottom, mainly due to being released from their rides during the season.