2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tony Stewart, the 2002 Winston Cup Series champion.
Mark Martin, driving the No. 6 car, came in second behind Stewart by 38 points.
Kurt Busch, driving the No. 97 car, finished third in the championship.

The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 54th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 31st modern-era Cup Series season. It began on February 10, 2002, at Daytona International Speedway, and ended on November 17, 2002, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, was declared as the Winston Cup champion. Bill Elliott won the 2002 NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award. He would win it for the 16th and final time in his career. He withdrew from the ballot after receiving the award. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was captured by Ford after winning 14 events and gaining 245 points over second-place finisher Chevrolet, who had 10 wins and 211 points.[1]

This was the final season for the non-common template bodies. The following season would require all manufacturers to use the same roofline. The most significant rule change for 2002 was the implementation of the one-engine rule for race weekends. At a race event, cars would now be required to practice, qualify, and race with the same engine. The rule banned separate "qualifying engines" (and "practice engines"). Unapproved engine changes during the weekend would be met with a grid penalty. Before the start of the race, cars that changed engines would be forced to move to the rear of the field before the green flag. The rule was an effort to reduce costs, and potentially save crews valuable time during the course of a race weekend.[2]

Teams and drivers[]

Complete schedule[]

Make Team No. Driver Crew chief
Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 55 Bobby Hamilton 31 Charley Pressley 11
25
Greg Biffle 4
Ron Hornaday Jr. 1
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 1 Kenny Wallace 4 Paul Andrews 25
10
Steve Park 32
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
15 Michael Waltrip Slugger Labbe
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Terry Labonte
24 Jeff Gordon Robbie Loomis
25 Jerry Nadeau 11 4
Brian Pattie 22
Peter Sospenzo 10
Joe Nemechek 25
48 Jimmie Johnson (R) Chad Knaus
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Mike Skinner
Richard Childress Racing 29 Kevin Harvick 35 Gil Martin
Kenny Wallace 1
30 Jeff Green Todd Berrier
31 Robby Gordon
Dodge Bill Davis Racing 22 Ward Burton Tommy Baldwin Jr. 29
Frank Stoddard 7
23 Hut Stricklin 23
Tom Hubert 1
Kenny Wallace 10
Scott Wimmer 1
Geoff Bodine 1
Chip Ganassi Racing 40 Sterling Marlin 29
Jamie McMurray 6
Mike Bliss 1
41 Jimmy Spencer 35
Scott Pruett 1
Evernham Motorsports 9 Bill Elliott Mike Ford
19 Jeremy Mayfield
Petty Enterprises 43 John Andretti
44 Buckshot Jones 8
Steve Grissom 11
Jerry Nadeau 13
Ted Musgrave 1
Greg Biffle 2
Christian Fittipaldi 1
45 Kyle Petty Steven Lane
Ultra-Evernham Motorsports 7 Casey Atwood 34 4
6
26
Ultra Motorsports Jason Leffler 2
Ford Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett Bodine
Haas-Carter Motorsports 26 Joe Nemechek 7 Donnie Wingo
Frank Kimmel 6
Todd Bodine 21
Geoff Bodine 3
Jasper Motorsports 77 Dave Blaney
Penske Racing 2 Rusty Wallace
12 Ryan Newman (R) Matt Borland
PPI Motorsports 32 Ricky Craven Mike Beam
Robert Yates Racing 28 Ricky Rudd 33
3
88 Dale Jarrett 6
Todd Parrott 30
Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Ben Leslie
17 Matt Kenseth Robbie Reiser
97 Kurt Busch Jimmy Fennig
99 Jeff Burton Frank Stoddard 25
Paul Andrews 10
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Elliott Sadler Pat Tryson
Pontiac A. J. Foyt Racing 14 Stacy Compton 19
Mike Wallace 16
P. J. Jones 1
Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Bobby Labonte Jimmy Makar 33
3
20 Tony Stewart Greg Zipadelli
MB2 Motorsports 10 Johnny Benson 31 James Ince
Joe Nemechek 1
Jerry Nadeau 3
Mike Wallace 1
36 Ken Schrader

Limited schedule[]

Make Team No. Driver Crew Chief Rounds
Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 33 Mike Wallace 4
Kenny Wallace 1
BACE Motorsports 73 Tony Raines 1
74 Chad Little 3
Tony Raines 10
Joe Varde 1
54 Kevin Grubb 1
Ron Hornaday Jr. 3
David Green 1
FitzBradshaw Racing 83 Kerry Earnhardt Bob Temple 3
Ron Hornaday Jr. 1
Haas CNC Racing 60 Jack Sprague Dennis Conner 6
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis 1
Dick Trickle 4
Andy Hillenburg 2
Jay Sauter 2
Jim Sauter 1
Tim Sauter 4
72 Dwayne Leik 1
Michael Waltrip Racing 00 Jerry Nadeau 1
Buckshot Jones 1
98 Kenny Wallace 1
Innovative Motorsports 4
NEMCO Motorsports 87 Ron Fellows 1
Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning (R) 1
Roadrunner Motorsports 0 Jim Inglebright 1
SCORE Motorsports 02 Hermie Sadler (R) 11
Dodge BAM Racing 49 Shawna Robinson (R) 8
Ron Hornaday Jr. 3
Derrike Cope 5
Kevin Lepage 1
Stuart Kirby 1
Stacy Compton 2
Bill Davis Racing 27 Scott Wimmer 7
Evernham Motorsports 91 Dick Trickle 1
Hank Parker Jr. 1
Casey Atwood 1
Chip Ganassi Racing 42 Jimmy Spencer 1
Melling Racing 92 Robert Pressley 2
Stacy Compton 1
Orleans Racing 62 Brendan Gaughan 1
Austin Cameron 2
59 Randy Renfrow 5
Jason Small 1
Carl Long (R) 5
79 Carl Long (R) 1
Ultra Motorsports 07 Ted Musgrave 5
Ware Racing Enterprises 51 Carl Long 5
Morgan Shepherd 2
Brian Rose 1
Jerry Robertson 1
85 Carl Long (R) 4
Ford 1
57 Derrike Cope 1
Ron Hornaday Jr. 2
Stuart Kirby 2
Donlavey Racing 90 Rick Mast 11
Hermie Sadler 3
Gary Bradberry 1
Ed Berrier 1
Lance Hooper 1
Jason Hedlesky 1
GIC Motorsports 93 Mike Harmon 2
Haas-Carter Motorsports 66 Todd Bodine 3
Geoff Bodine 1
Hideo Fukuyama 3
Frank Kimmel 1
Hover Motorsports 80 Kirk Shelmerdine 1
McGlynn Racing Ryan McGlynn 1
Jasper Motorsports 67 Boris Said 3
Kirk Shelmerdine Racing 72 Kirk Shelmerdine 2
27 5
Phoenix Racing 09 Geoff Bodine 8
Shane Lewis 1
Quest Motor Racing 37 Derrike Cope 5
Kevin Lepage 1
1
38 Kevin Lepage 1
Roush Racing 16 Greg Biffle 4
Shepherd Racing Ventures 89 Morgan Shepherd 8
Pontiac Ash Motorsports 46 Brandon Ash 1
Justin Bell 1
A. J. Foyt Racing 50 P. J. Jones 1
Gerhart Racing 59 Bobby Gerhart (R) 2

Schedule[]

No. Race Title Track Date
Budweiser Shootout Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 10
Gatorade 125s February 14
1 Daytona 500 February 17
2 Subway 400 North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham February 24
3 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas March 3
4 MBNA America 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton March 10
5 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Darlington Raceway, Darlington March 17
6 Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol March 24
7 Samsung/RadioShack 500 Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth April 8
8 Virginia 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 14
9 Aaron's 499 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega April 21
10 NAPA Auto Parts 500 California Speedway, Fontana April 28
11 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond May 4–5
No Bull Sprint Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord May 18
Winston Open
The Winston
12 Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 May 26
13 MBNA Platinum 400 Dover International Speedway, Dover June 2
14 Pocono 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond June 9
15 Sirius Satellite Radio 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn June 16
16 Dodge/Save Mart 350 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma June 23
17 Pepsi 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 6
18 Tropicana 400 Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet July 14
19 New England 300 New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon July 21
20 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond July 28
21 Brickyard 400 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway August 4
22 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen August 11
23 Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn August 18
24 Sharpie 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol August 24
25 Mountain Dew Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington September 1
26 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond September 7
27 New Hampshire 300 New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon September 15
28 MBNA All-American Heroes 400 Dover International Speedway, Dover September 22
29 Protection One 400 Kansas Speedway, Kansas City September 29
30 EA Sports 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega October 6
31 UAW-GM Quality 500 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord October 13
32 Old Dominion 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway October 20
33 NAPA 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton October 27
34 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham November 3
35 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix November 10
36 Ford 400 Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead November 17

Races[]

No. Race Pole position Most laps led Winning driver Manufacturer
Budweiser Shootout Kurt Busch Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
Gatorade 125 #1 Jimmie Johnson Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
Gatorade 125 #2 Kevin Harvick Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Chevrolet
1 Daytona 500 Jimmie Johnson Sterling Marlin Ward Burton Dodge
2 Subway 400 Ricky Craven Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth Ford
3 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 Todd Bodine Tony Stewart Sterling Marlin Dodge
4 MBNA America 500 Bill Elliott Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
5 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Ricky Craven Jeff Gordon Sterling Marlin Dodge
6 Food City 500 Jeff Gordon Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kurt Busch Ford
7 Samsung/Radio Shack 500 Bill Elliott Dale Jarrett Matt Kenseth Ford
8 Virginia 500 Jeff Gordon Tony Stewart Bobby Labonte Pontiac
9 Aaron's 499 Jimmie Johnson Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
10 NAPA Auto Parts 500 Ryan Newman Kurt Busch Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet
11 Pontiac Excitement 400 Ward Burton Ward Burton Tony Stewart Pontiac
Winston Open Jeremy Mayfield Jeremy Mayfield Jeremy Mayfield Dodge
No Bull Sprint Ken Schrader Ryan Newman Ryan Newman Ford
The Winston Matt Kenseth Jimmie Johnson Ryan Newman Ford
12 Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Mark Martin Ford
13 MBNA Platinum 400 Matt Kenseth Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet
14 Pocono 500 Sterling Marlin Ricky Rudd Dale Jarrett Ford
15 Sirius Satellite Radio 400 Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Matt Kenseth Ford
16 Dodge/Save Mart 350 Tony Stewart Jeff Gordon Ricky Rudd Ford
17 Pepsi 400 Kevin Harvick Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Chevrolet
18 Tropicana 400 Ryan Newman Ryan Newman Kevin Harvick Chevrolet
19 New England 300 Bill Elliott Matt Kenseth Ward Burton Dodge
20 Pennsylvania 500 Bill Elliott Sterling Marlin Bill Elliott Dodge
21 Brickyard 400 Tony Stewart Bill Elliott Bill Elliott Dodge
22 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen Ricky Rudd Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Pontiac
23 Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kevin Harvick Dale Jarrett Ford
24 Sharpie 500 Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
25 Mountain Dew Southern 500 Sterling Marlin Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
26 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 Jimmie Johnson Ryan Newman Matt Kenseth Ford
27 New Hampshire 300 Ryan Newman Ryan Newman Ryan Newman Ford
28 MBNA All-American Heroes 400 Rusty Wallace Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet
29 Protection One 400 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
30 EA Sports 500 Jimmie Johnson Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
31 UAW-GM Quality 500 Tony Stewart Jamie McMurray Jamie McMurray Dodge
32 Old Dominion 500 Ryan Newman Ward Burton Kurt Busch Ford
33 NAPA 500 Tony Stewart Kurt Busch Kurt Busch Ford
34 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Ryan Newman Mark Martin Johnny Benson Pontiac
35 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil Ryan Newman Kurt Busch Matt Kenseth Ford
36 Ford 400 Kurt Busch Joe Nemechek Kurt Busch Ford

Budweiser Shootout[]

The exhibition Budweiser Shootout race, for drivers that won a pole position in the previous season or previously won the event, was held on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway.

Top ten results

  1. 20- Tony Stewart
  2. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  3. 24- Jeff Gordon
  4. 36- Ken Schrader
  5. 40- Sterling Marlin
  6. 88- Dale Jarrett
  7. 5- Terry Labonte
  8. 18- Bobby Labonte
  9. 1- Kenny Wallace
  10. 66- Todd Bodine

Gatorade Twin 125s[]

The Gatorade 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 were held on February 14 at Daytona International Speedway.

Race one: Top ten results

  1. 24- Jeff Gordon
  2. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  3. 36- Ken Schrader
  4. 21- Ricky Rudd
  5. 5- Terry Labonte
  6. 40- Sterling Marlin
  7. 97- Kurt Busch
  8. 33- Mike Wallace
  9. 22- Ward Burton
  10. 88- Dale Jarrett

Race two: Top ten results

  1. 15- Michael Waltrip
  2. 20- Tony Stewart
  3. 25- Jerry Nadeau
  4. 29- Kevin Harvick
  5. 18- Bobby Labonte
  6. 31- Robby Gordon
  7. 71- Dave Marcis
  8. 43- John Andretti
  9. 1- Kenny Wallace
  10. 4- Mike Skinner

Daytona 500[]

Main article: 2002 Daytona 500

The 2002 Daytona 500 was held on Sunday, February 17. Rookie Jimmie Johnson won the pole, while Ward Burton won the race. This was the first Daytona 500 after the death of Dale Earnhardt.

Top ten results

  1. 22 - Ward Burton
  2. 21 - Elliott Sadler
  3. 09 - Geoff Bodine
  4. 97 - Kurt Busch
  5. 15 - Michael Waltrip
  6. 6 - Mark Martin
  7. 12 - Ryan Newman
  8. 40 - Sterling Marlin
  9. 24 - Jeff Gordon
  10. 10 - Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: #41-Jimmy Spencer, #23-Hut Stricklin, #44-Buckshot Jones, #16-Greg Biffle, #90-Rick Mast, #59-Bobby Gerhart, #02-Hermie Sadler, #85-Carl Long, #84-Norm Benning, #80-Kirk Shelmerdine

  • This race had a bizarre ending. As the field took the restart with 5 laps to go, a multi-car accident involving 5 cars took place at the start/finish line when a driver missed a gear, bringing out the caution flag once again. Headed down the front straightaway going into turn 1, Sterling Marlin went to the inside of Jeff Gordon battling for the lead and when they made contact, Gordon's car was sent spinning. This incident pushed the fender of Marlin's car into his tire. Sterling Marlin would beat Ward Burton back to the caution flag for the lead. As the red flag was thrown to give crews time to clean up the race track to try and ensure a green flag finish, NASCAR reviewed Marlin's move as it appeared he had gone below the yellow line on the inside to pass Jeff Gordon, which is now illegal on NASCAR restrictor-plate tracks. While under the red flag, Marlin got out of his race car and started pulling on his fender, in violation of NASCAR's rule of working on the car under the red flag. This penalty sent Marlin back to the end of the line for the restart, giving Ward Burton the race lead for when they went back to the green flag.
  • Ward Burton won this race in a Dodge, the first 500 win for the manufacturer since Richard Petty won in 1974.
  • On lap 148, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon made contact battling for position in turn 1, triggering an 18-car accident.
  • Even though he replaced Dale Earnhardt after his death and went on to win Rookie of the Year in 2001, this was Kevin Harvick's 1st career Daytona 500 start.
  • As of 2020, this is the only Daytona 500 in NASCAR History that 2 sets of 3 brothers all raced against each other: The Wallace's (Rusty, Mike, & Kenny), and The Bodine's (Geoff, Brett, & Todd). The eldest brother of each set (Rusty and Geoff), finished ahead of the younger brothers. The Wallace's finished 18th (Rusty), 21st (Mike), & 30th (Kenny). The Bodine's finished 3rd (Geoff), 16th (Brett), & 31st (Todd). All 6 drivers saw the checkered flag and finished the race. However, Geoff was the only one to finish on the lead lap.
  • This race would mark the final career start of longtime driver Dave Marcis. Marcis' run was shortened 79 laps into the race due to engine problems. This was also Marcis' 33rd and final Daytona 500 start. As of 2020, Marcis' 33 starts in the Daytona 500 is the most in NASCAR history. Richard Petty and Terry Labonte are tied for 2nd all-time with 32 Daytona 500 starts.
  • First career pole for Jimmie Johnson.

Subway 400[]

The Subway 400 was held on February 24 at North Carolina Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole.

  1. 17- Matt Kenseth
  2. 40- Sterling Marlin
  3. 18- Bobby Labonte
  4. 20- Tony Stewart
  5. 32- Ricky Craven
  6. 99- Jeff Burton
  7. 24- Jeff Gordon
  8. 2- Rusty Wallace
  9. 55- Bobby Hamilton
  10. 1- Kenny Wallace

Failed to qualify: Dick Trickle (No. 71), Randy Renfrow (No. 59), Carl Long (No. 85)

  • With about five laps to go, the caution was brought out for debris. Multiple teams were hoping the race would go back green, but NASCAR decided to end the race under caution, giving Matt Kenseth the victory.
  • Sterling Marlin would take over the points lead, and he would hold the top spot for 25 consecutive weeks. He would lose the lead at Loudon in mid-September. As of 2020, his streak of 25 straight weeks would be the longest in history for a driver to not win a NASCAR championship.

UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400[]

The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held on March 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole in an unsponsored Travis Carter Motorsports entry; the No. 66 got a one-race deal with CSK Auto after qualifying.

Top ten results

  1. 40- Sterling Marlin
  2. 19- Jeremy Mayfield
  3. 6- Mark Martin
  4. 12- Ryan Newman
  5. 20- Tony Stewart
  6. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  7. 88- Dale Jarrett
  8. 9- Bill Elliott
  9. 99- Jeff Burton
  10. 41- Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 57)

  • First career Top 10 finish for Jimmie Johnson.

MBNA America 500[]

The MBNA America 500 was held on March 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 20- Tony Stewart
  2. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  3. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  4. 17- Matt Kenseth
  5. 32- Ricky Craven
  6. 2- Rusty Wallace
  7. 22- Ward Burton
  8. 6- Mark Martin
  9. 40- Sterling Marlin
  10. 12- Ryan Newman

Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 57), Carl Long (No. 85)

  • This would be Tony Stewart's first career 500 mile NASCAR win.
  • An incident in the previous race with a spin by Sterling Marlin led to a new rule change. After 11 years, NASCAR changed pit road speeding penalties; if a driver was caught speeding on the approach to the pit stall, the penalty was no longer 15 seconds; rather, the penalty was a pit pass-through, which also became the penalty for speeding on the pit exit, instead of a stop-and-go. The stop-and-go was used only for repeat violations.
  • First career Top 5 finish for Jimmie Johnson.

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400[]

The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 17 at Darlington Raceway. Ricky Craven won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 40- Sterling Marlin
  2. 21- Elliott Sadler
  3. 29- Kevin Harvick
  4. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. 12- Ryan Newman
  6. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  7. 2- Rusty Wallace
  8. 17- Matt Kenseth
  9. 24- Jeff Gordon
  10. 9- Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: none

  • Marlin had to start at the back after changing an engine in a happy hour. By the halfway point he was already in third place.
  • Tony Stewart was shaken up after a grinding 11-car crash late in the race.
  • This race also marked the return of Steve Park after his injuries suffered in a NASCAR Busch Series event at Darlington in September 2001. Park crashed early.
  • This was Marlin's last career Cup Series victory.

Food City 500[]

Main article: 2002 Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held on March 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 97- Kurt Busch
  2. 41- Jimmy Spencer
  3. 28- Ricky Rudd
  4. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. 18- Bobby Labonte
  6. 17- Matt Kenseth
  7. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  8. 25- Jerry Nadeau
  9. 2- Rusty Wallace
  10. 29- Kevin Harvick

Failed to qualify: none

  • Tony Stewart started the race 13th and led 74 laps, but was replaced by Todd Bodine during a caution due to some pain sustained from the wreck in the Darlington Race the previous week. Todd was able to finish the race in 15th.
  • It was during the week preceding this race that NASCAR announced it would no longer charge provisionals to teams that did not qualify in the top 36, in events in which 43 or fewer teams attempted to qualify.
  • This was Busch's first career victory and was the continuation (Spencer wrecked Busch in the 2001 Phoenix race) of what would later become a very heated rivalry between him and Spencer.
  • Kurt Busch became the 5th driver in NASCAR to score his 1st career Winston Cup win at Bristol, joining Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Ernie Irvan, and Elliott Sadler.
  • After the race, a heated incident occurred on pit road with Robby Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. from an incident earlier in the race when Earnhardt Jr. and Gordon, who was a lap down at the time, got together. At the end of the cool-down lap, Earnhardt Jr. ran into the side of Gordon's car entering pit road before Gordon retaliated by running into the back of him and turning him around in the middle of the pits.

Samsung/Radio Shack 500[]

The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8. Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was postponed from Sunday to Monday due to rain.

Top ten results

  1. 17- Matt Kenseth
  2. 24- Jeff Gordon
  3. 6- Mark Martin
  4. 28- Ricky Rudd
  5. 20- Tony Stewart
  6. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  7. 40- Sterling Marlin
  8. 41- Jimmy Spencer
  9. 9- Bill Elliott
  10. 5- Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 57)

Virginia 500[]

The Virginia 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on April 14, 2002. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 18- Bobby Labonte
  2. 17- Matt Kenseth
  3. 88- Dale Jarrett
  4. 20- Tony Stewart
  5. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  6. 5- Terry Labonte
  7. 28- Ricky Rudd
  8. 6- Mark Martin
  9. 99- Jeff Burton
  10. 97- Kurt Busch
  • Kevin Harvick was banned from competing in the race due to reckless driving in the Advance Auto Parts 250 Truck Series race the day before when he intentionally wrecked driver Coy Gibbs. Kenny Wallace drove the No. 29 in his place.
  • As of 2021, this is the last race without Kevin Harvick.
  • This was Bobby Labonte's 1st and only short track win.

Failed to qualify: Randy Renfrow (No. 59)

Aaron's 499[]

Main article: 2002 Aaron's 499

The Aaron's 499 was held at Talladega Superspeedway on April 21, 2002. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. 15- Michael Waltrip
  3. 97- Kurt Busch
  4. 24- Jeff Gordon
  5. 40- Sterling Marlin
  6. 88- Dale Jarrett
  7. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  8. 2- Rusty Wallace
  9. 99- Jeff Burton
  10. 45- Kyle Petty
  • The "Big One" took out at least 24 cars on lap 164 when Kyle Petty got out of the draft and sent Tony Stewart in the wall and then mayhem erupted. Ironically, it was in the exact same spot where a 30 car pileup happened in the Busch Series race 24 hours earlier.

Failed to qualify: Shawna Robinson (No. 49), Rick Mast (No. 90), Bobby Gerhart (No. 59), Dick Trickle (No. 91)

NAPA Auto Parts 500[]

Main article: 2002 NAPA Auto Parts 500

The NAPA Auto Parts 500 was held at California Speedway on April 28, 2002. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 48- Jimmie Johnson*
  2. 97- Kurt Busch
  3. 28- Ricky Rudd
  4. 9- Bill Elliott
  5. 6- Mark Martin
  6. 88- Dale Jarrett
  7. 40- Sterling Marlin
  8. 2- Rusty Wallace
  9. 77- Dave Blaney
  10. 15- Michael Waltrip
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. was involved in a hard crash when Kevin Harvick cut down a tire and hit Earnhardt's car, sending him head-on into the outside wall. He suffered a severe concussion, but kept the injury a secret for several months and did not miss any races.
  • The win was Jimmie Johnson's first career Winston Cup victory.
  • Greg Biffle made his first NASCAR Winston Cup race, qualifying in an entry for Roush Racing. Greg finished in 13th

Failed to qualify: Brendan Gaughan (No. 62), Chad Little (No. 74), Hermie Sadler (No. 02)

Pontiac Excitement 400[]

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was scheduled to be run at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, but rain ended up stopping the race after 66 laps; the remainder was run on Sunday, May 5, during the daytime. Ward Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 20- Tony Stewart
  2. 12- Ryan Newman
  3. 99- Jeff Burton
  4. 6- Mark Martin
  5. 19- Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 17- Matt Kenseth
  7. 24- Jeff Gordon
  8. 44- Steve Grissom
  9. 32- Ricky Craven
  10. 41- Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: Kevin Grubb (No. 54)

  • Johnny Benson was injured in an accident in the Busch Series race the night before and was replaced by Joe Nemechek and subsequently Jerry Nadeau.
  • This race marked the final career start for Rick Mast.
  • Last career Top 10 finish for Steve Grissom.
  • Last career pole for Ward Burton.
  • Following the death of TLC band member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in a car accident, autopsy photos of the accident were leaked to the media. As a similar controversy had taken place following autopsy photos following Dale Earnhardt's death, the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. drivers (Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Michael Waltrip and Steve Park) painted a single black stripe next to the left headlight decal of their cars as both a tribute to Lopes and an act of protest of the leaked photos.

The Winston[]

Main article: 2002 The Winston

Ryan Newman held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win The Winston. He also won the No Bull 5 Sprint earlier that day.

Coca-Cola Racing Family 600[]

Main article: 2002 Coca-Cola Racing Family 600

The Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 26, 2002. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 6- Mark Martin
  2. 17- Matt Kenseth
  3. 32- Ricky Craven
  4. 28- Ricky Rudd
  5. 24- Jeff Gordon
  6. 20- Tony Stewart
  7. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  8. 15- Michael Waltrip
  9. 9- Bill Elliott
  10. 2- Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: Chad Little (No. 74), Carl Long (No. 85), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Randy Renfrow (No. 59)

  • This was Mark Martin's first win in 73 races since Martinsville back in April 2000. Not only did Martin snap his winless drought, but he also won his first and only Winston No Bull 5 Million Dollar Bonus in his 9th attempt. He became eligible for this race after finishing in the Top 5 at Las Vegas two months prior. He is also the first and only driver not named Jeff or Dale to win the bonus.
  • This would be Roush Racing 4th consecutive win in the Coca-Cola 600, thus becoming the only team in NASCAR history to accomplish this feat.
  • In this race, Ricky Rudd would become NASCAR's new Iron Man by making his 656th consecutive start, passing Terry Labonte. Labonte held the Iron Man record with 655 consecutive starts, and his streak ended when he had to miss the 2000 Brickyard 400 due to injury. Rudd would finish his Iron Man streak at the end of 2005 with 788 consecutive starts, and he would hold that record for exactly 10 years. In late 2015 at Loudon, Jeff Gordon would pass Rudd by making his 789th consecutive start. As of 2022, Jeff Gordon is currently NASCAR's Iron Man with 797 consecutive starts.

MBNA Platinum 400[]

The MBNA Platinum 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on June 2. Matt Kenseth won the pole position.

Top ten results

  1. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  2. 9- Bill Elliott
  3. 99- Jeff Burton
  4. 12- Ryan Newman
  5. 88- Dale Jarrett
  6. 24- Jeff Gordon
  7. 32- Ricky Craven
  8. 31- Robby Gordon
  9. 55- Bobby Hamilton
  10. 21- Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (No. 37), Hermie Sadler (No. 90), Randy Renfrow (No. 59)

Pocono 500[]

The Pocono 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on June 9. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Sterling Marlin started on the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 88- Dale Jarrett
  2. 6- Mark Martin
  3. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  4. 40- Sterling Marlin
  5. 24- Jeff Gordon
  6. 99- Jeff Burton
  7. 20- Tony Stewart
  8. 15- Michael Waltrip
  9. 2- Rusty Wallace
  10. 77- Dave Blaney

Failed to qualify: none

  • This race ended under caution as Ricky Rudd crashed, bringing out the yellow flag before the leaders took the white flag.

Sirius 400[]

The Sirius 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on June 16. Dale Jarrett won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 17- Matt Kenseth
  2. 88- Dale Jarrett
  3. 12- Ryan Newman
  4. 15- Michael Waltrip
  5. 24- Jeff Gordon
  6. 10- Johnny Benson
  7. 2- Rusty Wallace
  8. 28- Ricky Rudd
  9. 6- Mark Martin
  10. 97- Kurt Busch

Failed to qualify: none

Dodge/Save Mart 350[]

The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held at Infineon Raceway on June 23. Tony Stewart won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 28- Ricky Rudd
  2. 20- Tony Stewart
  3. 5- Terry Labonte
  4. 97- Kurt Busch
  5. 30- Jeff Green
  6. 21- Elliott Sadler
  7. 6- Mark Martin
  8. 9- Bill Elliott
  9. 12- Ryan Newman
  10. 43- John Andretti

Failed to qualify: Brandon Ash (No. 46), Stacy Compton (No. 14)

  • Jerry Nadeau nearly won the race when his rear-end gear failed, causing him to stop his No. 44 car with less than 3 laps to go. The lead changed to Ricky Rudd, who held on to win.
  • This was Ricky Rudd's first win at Sonoma since winning the inaugural race in 1989. He almost won the 1991 race but was black-flagged when he spun Davey Allison during the final lap to take the lead.
  • This would be Rudd's 6th career road course win, putting him in a 3 way tie for 2nd all-time with Bobby Allison & Rusty Wallace. As of 2021 those 2 drivers are tied for 4th all-time with 6 victories and Chase Elliott is now 3rd all-time with 6 victories, Tony Stewart is in 2nd with 8 victories, and Jeff Gordon is the all-time winner with 9 victories.
  • This was Rudd's last career Cup series victory.

Pepsi 400[]

The Pepsi 400 was held at Daytona International Speedway on July 6. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 15- Michael Waltrip
  2. 2- Rusty Wallace
  3. 40- Sterling Marlin
  4. 41- Jimmy Spencer
  5. 6- Mark Martin
  6. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  7. 26- Todd Bodine
  8. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  9. 22- Ward Burton
  10. 09- Geoff Bodine

Failed to qualify: Ed Berrier (No. 90), Steve Grissom (No. 44)

  • 2nd career win for Michael Waltrip. With this race, Michael Waltrip won the 2nd straight race at Daytona on FOX with the support of broadcast analyst/older brother Darrell.
  • The Big One occurred with 25 laps remaining when Dale Jarrett got down low and spun back up into traffic, blocking the entire track and collecting 13 other cars. Joe Nemechek went head-on into the wall and Brett Bodine caught fire.
  • This was DEI's second Pepsi 400 win in a row.
  • This race ended under the caution flag.
  • This was Kevin Harvick's first career pole position for a Cup Series race.

Tropicana 400[]

The Tropicana 400 was held at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, 2002. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 29- Kevin Harvick
  2. 24- Jeff Gordon
  3. 20- Tony Stewart
  4. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  5. 12- Ryan Newman
  6. 97- Kurt Busch
  7. 9- Bill Elliott
  8. 31- Robby Gordon
  9. 6- Mark Martin
  10. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 49), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 72), Tony Raines (No. 74), Scott Wimmer (No. 27)

  • One lap after the restart with 70 laps to go, Kevin Harvick steered the car to the apron and made a good pass but he lost it when passing on the apron and spun out into the grass in turn 1 that caused three other cars to lose control and spin out including Jerry Nadeau, Elliott Sadler, and Jimmy Spencer. He took the lead just 46 laps later and had enough gas to win the race for the second straight year and end a 35-race winless streak.

New England 300[]

The New England 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 21. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 22- Ward Burton*
  2. 30- Jeff Green
  3. 88- Dale Jarrett
  4. 2- Rusty Wallace
  5. 12- Ryan Newman
  6. 26- Todd Bodine
  7. 31- Robby Gordon
  8. 97- Kurt Busch
  9. 29- Kevin Harvick
  10. 21- Elliott Sadler
  • This was Ward Burton's final Cup victory.
  • With this win and the Daytona 500 win, 2002 was the only season in Ward Burton's career that he won multiple races in a season.
  • Matt Kenseth dominated the last part of the race, as well as leading the most laps (77), but ended up with a flat tire while leading with 10 laps to go, and unfortunately finished 33rd, the last car one lap down.
  • Brett Bodine led 1 lap. It was the last lap Bodine led in his Cup Series career.

Failed to qualify: none

Pennsylvania 500[]

The Pennsylvania 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on July 28. Bill Elliott swept both qualifying and the race. The race was shortened to 175 laps due to darkness, because of two lengthy red flags – one for rain and one for fence repairs after Steve Park (who barrel-rolled multiple times) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecked on the first lap.

Top ten results

  1. 9- Bill Elliott
  2. 97- Kurt Busch
  3. 40- Sterling Marlin
  4. 88- Dale Jarrett
  5. 12- Ryan Newman
  6. 29- Kevin Harvick
  7. 20- Tony Stewart
  8. 17- Matt Kenseth
  9. 5- Terry Labonte
  10. 28- Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 79)

  • 55th and last career pole for Bill Elliott. Final time in his career as well that Bill Elliott won a race from the pole.
  • With this win, Bill Elliott, at the time, became the first 5-time winner at Pocono Raceway. He would be the only driver to do so until Jeff Gordon accomplished that feat in 2011. Gordon however, would break out of the tie with Elliott one year later when he won a rain shortened race in August 2012, making him the only 6-time winner at Pocono. Until 2020 when Denny Hamlin won the 2nd Pocono race and became the second 6-time winner at the track.

Brickyard 400[]

Main article: 2002 Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 4. Tony Stewart won the pole. This was the first race to feature Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier at Indianapolis that was used to make racing accidents safer.

Top ten results

  1. 9- Bill Elliott
  2. 2- Rusty Wallace
  3. 17- Matt Kenseth
  4. 12- Ryan Newman
  5. 29- Kevin Harvick
  6. 24- Jeff Gordon
  7. 1- Steve Park
  8. 31- Robby Gordon
  9. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  10. 88- Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 49), Derrike Cope (No. 37), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Tony Raines (No. 74), Jim Sauter (No. 71), Stuart Kirby (No. 57), P. J. Jones (No. 50)

  • The SAFER barrier was first tested by Brett Bodine on lap 11 and Kurt Busch, in which Jimmy Spencer spun out Busch on lap 36 in turn 3.
  • Tony Stewart is the only driver to start at the pole in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400.
  • First time since 1992 that Bill Elliott won back-to-back races. This would also be the first time in 2002 that a driver would win back-to-back races. Final time in his career as well that Bill Elliott would win back-to-back races.

Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen[]

The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was held at Watkins Glen International on August 11. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 20- Tony Stewart
  2. 12- Ryan Newman
  3. 31- Robby Gordon
  4. 14- P. J. Jones*
  5. 28- Ricky Rudd
  6. 41- Scott Pruett*
  7. 99- Jeff Burton
  8. 26- Todd Bodine
  9. 15- Michael Waltrip
  10. 6- Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: Austin Cameron (No. 62), Shane Lewis (No. 09), Justin Bell (No. 46), Jimmy Spencer (No. 42)

  • P. J. Jones' first ever top five.
  • Tony Stewart led the most laps with 34. Robby Gordon controlled the race early leading for 21 laps. On the final restart, Tony Stewart appeared to have restarted too early and despite this won the race. A cloud of controversy over the restart tainted the finish of the race. Ryan Newman's team owner Roger Penske protested, but Stewart's win was upheld by officials days later.
  • Scott Pruett picked up his career-best finish at that point in time, substituting for Jimmy Spencer, who DNQ'd in a third Chip Ganassi entry.

Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack[]

The Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack was held at Michigan International Speedway on August 18. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 88- Dale Jarrett
  2. 20- Tony Stewart
  3. 29- Kevin Harvick
  4. 99- Jeff Burton
  5. 6- Mark Martin
  6. 40- Sterling Marlin
  7. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  8. 10- Johnny Benson
  9. 30- Jeff Green
  10. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: Greg Biffle (No. 16)

  • Final time in his career that Dale Jarrett won multiple races in a season.
  • This was the last race Melling Racing competed in, finishing 26th with Stacy Compton who actually led 3 laps on a pit cycle.

Sharpie 500[]

The Sharpie 500 was held at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24- Jeff Gordon
  2. 2- Rusty Wallace
  3. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  4. 29- Kevin Harvick
  5. 17- Matt Kenseth
  6. 97- Kurt Busch
  7. 40- Sterling Marlin
  8. 41- Jimmy Spencer
  9. 18- Bobby Labonte
  10. 14- Mike Wallace

Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Carl Long (No. 51), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Tim Sauter (No. 71)

  • This race is remembered for Jeff Gordon using the "Bump and Run" to get underneath and past Rusty Wallace to end a winless drought that dated back to the end of 2001.
  • The race was also marred with on-track confrontations, including Ward Burton who threw heel pads at Dale Earnhardt Jr. after Earnhardt Jr. wrecked him on lap 405, which caused Burton to be summoned to the Big Red Truck. Robby Gordon was also penalized for two laps after spinning out Jimmie Johnson on a restart.

Mountain Dew Southern 500[]

Main article: 2002 Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held at Darlington Raceway on September 1. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Sterling Marlin started on the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24- Jeff Gordon
  2. 12- Ryan Newman
  3. 9- Bill Elliott
  4. 40- Sterling Marlin
  5. 88- Dale Jarrett
  6. 22- Ward Burton
  7. 97- Kurt Busch
  8. 20- Tony Stewart
  9. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  10. 99- Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 51)

  • With this win, Jeff Gordon would tie Cale Yarborough as a 5-time winner of the Southern 500, the most of all drivers.
  • Jeff Gordon would become the 7th driver in NASCAR history to win 60+ NASCAR races.
  • After the 31 race winless streak that dates back to Kansas in September 2001, Jeff Gordon won the previous weekend at Bristol, and he would back it up in this race, sending a message to all the critics that he is back and on the hunt for yet another championship. This would be the 17th time in his career as well that he has pulled off back-to-back victories.
  • Jeff Gordon became the 2nd driver of 2002 to win back-to-back races, joining Bill Elliott.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400[]

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 was held at Richmond International Raceway on September 7. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 17- Matt Kenseth
  2. 12- Ryan Newman
  3. 30- Jeff Green
  4. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. 26- Todd Bodine
  6. 6- Mark Martin
  7. 28- Ricky Rudd
  8. 22- Ward Burton 1 lap down
  9. 77- Dave Blaney 1 lap down
  10. 19- Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 51)

  • The race was billed as the Looney Tunes Rematch, as 8 Chevrolet drivers drove special paint schemes of the Looney Tunes characters. The drivers were Jeff Green/Daffy Duck, Bobby Hamilton/Marvin the Martian, Jimmie Johnson/Sylvester the Cat and Tweety Bird, Mike Skinner/Yosemite Sam, and Joe Nemechek/Speedy Gonzales. Terry Labonte/Wile E. Coyote and The Roadrunner, Kevin Harvick/Tasmanian Devil, and Robby Gordon/Pepe Le Pew. Jeff Gordon planned to run a Bugs Bunny paint scheme but he crashed the car in practice, leaving Gordon to bring out his back-up car.
  • To the rear, No. 24 Jeff Gordon (back-up car)
  • Greg Biffle drove in place of Bobby Hamilton who suffered injuries in the Craftsman Truck Series race held the Thursday before.
  • There was a charity golf cart race sponsored by Students Against Violence which teamed the drivers with their respective Looney Tunes character, Jeff Green won the race paired with Daffy Duck.[3] Jeff Gordon fell out of his golf cart and suffered a bruised hand but still participated in the race.
  • During the pre-race, the pace car blew an engine and laid oil down turns 3 and 4. On the first few laps, several drivers went sliding and Jeff Burton, Jimmy Spencer, and Sterling Marlin, the points leader and competing in the No Bull wrecked on lap 7. Marlin would suffer several injuries from that wreck but raced until Kansas when a more serious injury occurred.
  • As of 2020, this was the 30th and final race in NASCAR History that 2 sets of 3 brothers (Wallace's: Rusty, Mike, and Kenny & Bodine's: Geoff, Brett, and Todd), all competed against each other, with those 6 drivers being featured in all 30 races. The Wallace's finished 12th (Mike), 14th (Kenny) & 15th (Rusty). The Bodine's finished 5th (Todd), 20th (Brett), & 38th (Geoff). All drivers but Geoff saw the checkered flag and finished the race. Todd would be the only one to finish on the lead lap.

New Hampshire 300[]

The New Hampshire 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 15. Ryan Newman won the pole. The race was shortened to 207 laps due to rain.

Top ten results

  1. 12- Ryan Newman
  2. 97- Kurt Busch
  3. 20- Tony Stewart
  4. 10- Johnny Benson
  5. 18- Bobby Labonte
  6. 32- Ricky Craven
  7. 88- Dale Jarrett
  8. 15- Michael Waltrip
  9. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  10. 17- Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 51)

  • This was Ryan Newman's first career Cup Series points victory
  • Oddly enough, Newman was the second driver to first win the All-Star race before getting their first points race victory (Michael Waltrip was the first).
  • Sterling Marlin would lose the points lead for the first time after leading the standings for 25 consecutive weeks. As of 2020, his streak of 25 straight weeks would be the longest in history for a driver to not win a NASCAR championship.

MBNA All-American Heroes 400[]

The MBNA All-American Heroes 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on September 22. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  2. 6- Mark Martin
  3. 88- Dale Jarrett
  4. 17- Matt Kenseth
  5. 20- Tony Stewart
  6. 99- Jeff Burton
  7. 97- Kurt Busch
  8. 12- Ryan Newman
  9. 32- Ricky Craven 1 lap down
  10. 10- Johnny Benson 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Morgan Shepherd (No. 51)

  • Hideo Fukuyama made his Cup series debut in this race, becoming the first Japanese driver to start a NASCAR points race.[4]
  • Jimmie Johnson swept both Dover races.
  • Johnson with this win also ties Tony Stewart's record for most wins in a season as a rookie in the Cup series.
  • 36th and last career pole for Rusty Wallace.

Protection One 400[]

The Protection One 400 was held at Kansas Speedway on September 29. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 24- Jeff Gordon
  2. 12- Ryan Newman
  3. 2- Rusty Wallace
  4. 25- Joe Nemechek
  5. 9- Bill Elliott
  6. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  7. 17- Matt Kenseth
  8. 20- Tony Stewart
  9. 19- Jeremy Mayfield
  10. 48- Jimmie Johnson 1 lap down
  • Due to a neck injury suffered in a crash, Sterling Marlin did not race again for the rest of the season.
  • Jimmie Johnson took the points lead, the first time that a Rookie driver has led the points standings in NASCAR history.
  • This is the last race without Jamie McMurray on the grid until Atlanta 2019.

Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (No. 11), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 27), Carl Long (No. 51)

EA Sports 500[]

Main article: 2002 EA Sports 500

The EA Sports 500 was held at Talladega Superspeedway on October 6. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Jimmie Johnson started on the pole. The race was caution-free for the third time in five years at Talladega.

Top ten results

  1. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. 20- Tony Stewart
  3. 28- Ricky Rudd
  4. 97- Kurt Busch
  5. 30- Jeff Green
  6. 1- Steve Park
  7. 12- Ryan Newman
  8. 15- Michael Waltrip
  9. 88- Dale Jarrett
  10. 22- Ward Burton

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (No. 51), Geoff Bodine (No. 09), Robert Pressley (No. 92), Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83)

  • Season sweep and 3rd straight Talladega win for Dale Earnhardt Jr. With this win, he joins Buddy Baker as the only 2 drivers in NASCAR history to win 3 straight Talladega races.
  • In a bizarre event, during the pace laps, Mark Martin had a steering problem and crashed into Jimmie Johnson. Martin was black-flagged prior to the race start so NASCAR could verify his steering was working properly, while Johnson did not pit until the conclusion of the first green flag lap. Due to the caution free race, neither driver was able to recover from the incident.
  • Jamie McMurray began driving duties for Sterling Marlin in this race. This was his first career start. He finished in 26th
  • All Hendrick Motorsports engines failed during the race (Jeff Gordon, Joe Nemechek, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte, as well as the Hendrick affiliated cars of Johnny Benson and Ken Schrader)
  • As of 2018, this would be the last time ever that a NASCAR race would go flag to flag green (or caution free). In 2017, NASCAR would make a 3 stages format for every race of the season, and at a certain lap at the end of each stage, they would throw the caution flag, thus making it that a race can no longer go flag to flag green (or caution free).
  • Last Winston No. 5 race.

UAW-GM Quality 500[]

Main article: 2002 UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 13. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Tony Stewart started on the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 40- Jamie McMurray*
  2. 18- Bobby Labonte
  3. 20- Tony Stewart
  4. 24- Jeff Gordon
  5. 2- Rusty Wallace
  6. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  7. 99- Jeff Burton
  8. 12- Ryan Newman
  9. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  10. 77- Dave Blaney

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (No. 59), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 72), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Jack Sprague (No. 60), Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 54)

  • Rain caused the start of the race to be delayed over 3 hours. After the rain stopped, NASCAR decided to start the race under yellow for the first 5 laps as the track continued to dry.
  • The race went green at 3:45 pm Charlotte time (Eastern). Sunset time was 6:51 pm, the race was completed at 7:17, The late finish contributed to a large jump in ratings for the NBC telecast. NASCAR decided to move the fall race at Charlotte from Sunday afternoon to Saturday night for 2003.
  • Jamie McMurray, subbing for an injured Sterling Marlin, won his first race in his second career start, setting a new modern era NASCAR record for quickest win.

Old Dominion 500[]

The Old Dominion 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on October 20. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 97- Kurt Busch
  2. 10- Johnny Benson
  3. 28- Ricky Rudd
  4. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  5. 22- Ward Burton
  6. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  7. 32- Ricky Craven
  8. 88- Dale Jarrett
  9. 2- Rusty Wallace
  10. 6- Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: Brian Rose (No. 51), Carl Long (No. 59), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Ryan McGlynn (No. 80), Kirk Shelmerdine (No. 27)

  • Kurt Busch became the 1st driver since Rusty Wallace in 1986 to score his first 2 career wins on short tracks, and with an ironic twist, Rusty also got his first 2 career wins at Bristol and Martinsville.
  • Last career Top 5 for Ward Burton.

NAPA 500[]

The NAPA 500 was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 27. Qualifying was rained out, so points leader Tony Stewart started on the pole. The race was shortened to 248 laps due to rain.

Top ten results

  1. 97- Kurt Busch
  2. 25- Joe Nemechek
  3. 88- Dale Jarrett
  4. 20- Tony Stewart
  5. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  6. 24- Jeff Gordon
  7. 40- Jamie McMurray
  8. 6- Mark Martin
  9. 17- Matt Kenseth
  10. 12- Ryan Newman

Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (No. 09), Frank Kimmel (No. 66), Scott Wimmer (No. 27), Greg Biffle (No. 16), Buckshot Jones (No. 00), Jack Sprague (No. 60), Kerry Earnhardt (No. 83), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 54)

  • First time, and as of 2020, the only time in Kurt Busch's career that he would win back-to-back races. He became the 3rd and final driver of 2002 to win back-to-back races, joining Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon.

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400[]

The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held at North Carolina Speedway on November 3. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 10- Johnny Benson*
  2. 6- Mark Martin
  3. 97- Kurt Busch
  4. 99- Jeff Burton
  5. 24- Jeff Gordon
  6. 4- Mike Skinner
  7. 18- Bobby Labonte
  8. 17- Matt Kenseth
  9. 32- Ricky Craven
  10. 30- Jeff Green

Failed to qualify: Tony Raines (No. 74), Tim Sauter (No. 71), Carl Long (No. 59), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 54), Hideo Fukuyama (No. 66)

  • This would be Johnny Benson's only Winston Cup Series win.
  • Mark Martin failed post-race inspection after an illegal left front spring was discovered. Martin was penalized 25 driver points, and Jack Roush was penalized 25 owner points.

Checker Auto Parts 500[]

The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held at Phoenix International Raceway on November 10. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 17- Matt Kenseth
  2. 2- Rusty Wallace
  3. 24- Jeff Gordon
  4. 6- Mark Martin
  5. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  6. 97- Kurt Busch
  7. 77- Dave Blaney
  8. 20- Tony Stewart
  9. 88- Dale Jarrett
  10. 21- Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: Ted Musgrave (No. 07), Jack Sprague (No. 60), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Jerry Robertson (No. 51), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89), Jeff Jefferson (No. 37), Lance Hooper (No. 47), Mike Harmon (No. 93)

  • Tony Stewart finished 8th and Mark Martin finished 4th. Stewart had to finish 22nd or better to clinch his first championship the following week at Homestead if Mark Martin led the most laps and won the race.
  • Mark Martin's appeal to regain the 25 points back from his penalty at Rockingham due to the left front spring infraction was denied during qualifying for the following race at Homestead, the season finale. Stewart would officially start the race at Homestead with an 89 point lead over Martin. If the penalty was withdrawn, it would have been a 64 point margin.

Ford 400[]

The Ford 400 was held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17. Kurt Busch won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 97- Kurt Busch
  2. 25- Joe Nemechek
  3. 99- Jeff Burton
  4. 6- Mark Martin
  5. 24- Jeff Gordon
  6. 12- Ryan Newman
  7. 9- Bill Elliott
  8. 48- Jimmie Johnson
  9. 21- Elliott Sadler
  10. 55- Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: David Green (No. 54), Brett Bodine (No. 11), Hermie Sadler (No. 02), Tony Raines (No. 74), Boris Said (No. 67), Carl Long (No. 59), Geoff Bodine (No. 09), Mike Harmon (No. 93)

  • Tony Stewart clinches the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship after finishing in 18th place, the lowest for a driver to clinch the championship in the season finale since 1995 when Jeff Gordon finished 32nd.
  • Tony Stewart would be the last driver to win the championship in the season finale before the Playoffs Era.
  • 2002 would be the last time in NASCAR history that a driver would win the title with less than 5,000 points to his total. 2002 would also be the only the season in the 36 race era (2001-Present) that a driver won the title with less than 5,000 points.
  • As of 2021, Tony Stewart is the only driver in NASCAR history to win the championship after finishing dead last in the 1st race of the season (43rd in the Daytona 500).
  • Although Tony Stewart finished 18th, Mark Martin put up a strong battle for the championship by finishing in 4th place. Unfortunately, with Martin's 4th place run and Stewart's 18th place run, Martin would gain 51 points on Stewart's 89 point lead. He would officially finish 2nd in points for the 4th time in his career, and with that, he would break out of a tie with James Hylton for the most runner-up finishes for a driver to never win a championship. He lost to Stewart by 38 points. His appeal to regain the 25 points back from his penalty at Rockingham due to the left front spring infraction was denied during Friday's qualifying session for this race. Even if he did regain those 25 points back from Rockingham, it still wouldn't have been enough for him to win the title. He would have lost by just 13 points. As of 2021, Mark Martin is considered the greatest of all time to never win a NASCAR Cup Series championship.
  • First time, and as of 2020, the only time in his career, that Kurt Busch would win from the pole.
  • Kurt Busch became the 2nd driver in NASCAR history to win the highest number of races in his first ever winning season with 4. Billy Wade would accomplish it first in 1964, when he became the only driver in NASCAR history to win his first set of career wins back-to-back when he won 4 in a row. Carl Edwards would join Wade and Busch 3 years later in 2005.
  • After 16 straight seasons with at least one victory from 1986 to 2001, Rusty Wallace failed to keep his winning streak alive in 2002. His 16-season winning streak of at least one race came to a total of 54 wins. His best finish in the 2002 season was 2nd place 4 times (Pepsi 400, Brickyard 400, Sharpie 500, and Checker Auto Parts 500). 16 straight seasons with at least 1 win was a NASCAR Modern Era record, a record that was started by Ricky Rudd in 1998. Wallace joined Rudd in 2001, and future champion Jimmie Johnson joined in a 3-way tie in 2017. In 2021, another future champion, Kyle Busch, became the Modern Era record holder after winning in Kansas, marking his 17th consecutive year of winning at least 1 race. Not only is he the Modern Era Record leader with 17 straight seasons, Busch is currently tied for 2nd All-Time with David Pearson (1964-1980). 18 straight seasons is the All-Time Record, which is held by Richard Petty. Petty went on to win 185 races from 1960 to 1977.
  • 10th consecutive Top 10 points finish for Rusty Wallace.
  • Last career Top 10 for Bobby Hamilton.
  • Last career Top 10 points finishes for Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd.
  • First career Top 5 points finish for Jimmie Johnson.
  • First career Top 10 points finish for Ryan Newman.
  • Kyle Petty competed in every race in 2002. This would be the first time he has done so since 1998. He would finish the season 22nd in points.

Final points standings[]

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems
  1. Tony Stewart – 4800
  2. Mark Martin – 4762
  3. Kurt Busch – 4641
  4. Jeff Gordon – 4607
  5. Jimmie Johnson (R) – 4600
  6. Ryan Newman (R) – 4593
  7. Rusty Wallace – 4574
  8. Matt Kenseth – 4432
  9. Dale Jarrett – 4415
  10. Ricky Rudd – 4323
  11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 4270
  12. Jeff Burton – 4259
  13. Bill Elliott – 4158
  14. Michael Waltrip – 3985
  15. Ricky Craven – 3888
  16. Bobby Labonte – 3810
  17. Jeff Green – 3704
  18. Sterling Marlin – 3703
  19. Dave Blaney – 3670
  20. Robby Gordon – 3632
  21. Kevin Harvick – 3501
  22. Kyle Petty – 3501
  23. Elliott Sadler – 3418
  24. Terry Labonte – 3417
  25. Ward Burton – 3362
  26. Jeremy Mayfield – 3309
  27. Jimmy Spencer – 3187
  28. John Andretti – 3161
  29. Johnny Benson  – 3132
  30. Ken Schrader – 2954
  31. Mike Skinner – 2886
  32. Bobby Hamilton – 2832
  33. Steve Park – 2694
  34. Joe Nemechek – 2682
  35. Casey Atwood – 2621
  36. Brett Bodine – 2276
  37. Jerry Nadeau – 2250
  38. Todd Bodine – 1987
  39. Kenny Wallace – 1868
  40. Hut Stricklin – 1781
  41. Mike Wallace – 1551
  42. Stacy Compton – 1557
  43. Geoff Bodine – 803
  44. Steve Grissom - 769
  45. Hermie Sadler (R)  - 688
  46. Jamie McMurray - 679
  47. Rick Mast - 576
  48. Greg Biffle - 570
  49. Buckshot Jones - 559
  50. Ted Musgrave - 452
  51. Tony Raines - 382
  52. Derrike Cope - 361
  53. Shawna Robinson (R)  - 361

Source: ESPN.com

Full Drivers' Championship[]

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.

Pos Driver DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV KAN TAL CLT MAR ATL CAR PHO HOM Points
1 Tony Stewart 43 4 5 1* 36 15 5 3* 29 29 1 6 11 7 16 2 39 3 39 7 12 1* 2 24 8 30 3 5 8 2 3 11 4 14 8 18 4800
2 Mark Martin 6 21 3 8 29 11 3 8 37 5 4 1 41 2 9 7 5 9 16 13 28 10 5 23 11 6 16 2 25 30 16 10 8 2* 4 4 4762
3 Kurt Busch 4 12 20 11 28 1 23 10 3 2* 27 31 12 40 10 4* 31 6 8 2 41 41 39 6 7 19 2 7 31 4 12 1 1* 3 6* 1 4641
4 Jeff Gordon 9 7 17 16 9 31 2 23 4 16 7 5 6 5 5 37 22 2 29 12 6 22 19 1* 1* 40 14 37 1* 42 4 36 6 5 3 5 4607
5 Jimmie Johnson (R) 15 28 6 3 6 7 6 35 7 1 31 7* 1* 3 14 35 8 4 15 15 9 16 7 34 9 13 9 1* 10 37 6 6 22 37 15 8 4600
6 Ryan Newman (R) 7 14 4 10 5 37 40 41 43 14 2 41 4 32 3 9 27 5* 5 5 4 2 31 36 2 2* 1* 8 2 7 8 15 10 23 18 6 4593
7 Rusty Wallace 18 8 11 6 7 9 11 16 8 8 25 10 17 9 7 27 2 25 4 40 2 17 24 2 22 15 19 15 3 13 5 9 17 27 2 14 4574
8 Matt Kenseth 33 1* 14 4 8 6 1 2 30 20 6 2 40 35 1 39 30 14 33 8 3 33 11 5 37 1 10 4 7 14 34 19 9 8 1 40 4432
9 Dale Jarrett 14 42 7 13 40 29 24* 4 6 6 38 19 5 1 2* 15 35 11 3 4 10 37 1 28 5 31 7 3 39 9 14 8 3 12 9 15 4415
10 Ricky Rudd 38 18 13 20 12 3 4 7 14 3 39 4 19 17 8 1 15 19 17 10 18 5 12 39 30 7 12 14 20 3 39 3 32 20 13 19 4323
11 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 29 26 16 2 4 4* 42 5 1* 36 36 35 30 12 22 30 6 10 23 37 22 35 10 3 16 4 11 24 6 1* 9 4 5 34 5 21 4270
12 Jeff Burton 12 6 9 21 11 26 39 9 9 19 3 40 3 6 20 29 33 39 12 16 29 7 4 13 10 39 20 6 29 11 7 17 12 4 12 3 4259
13 Bill Elliott 11 11 8 35 10 21 9 31 19 4 14 9 2 30 11 8 17 7 34 1 1* 21 22 17 3 16 23 18 5 19 35 42 33 39 30 7 4158
14 Michael Waltrip 5 40 22 40 15 30 28 13 2 10 24 8 21 8 4 22 1* 42 20 18 16 9 15 22 24 36 8 12 26 8 11 18 11 19 20 41 3985
15 Ricky Craven 17 5 31 5 41 13 14 30 18 37 9 3 7 14 15 19 23 20 21 17 33 34 17 16 14 21 6 9 38 15 36 7 21 9 34 24 3888
16 Bobby Labonte 34 3 12 37 21 5 30 1 41 34 32 14 16 25 24 13 32 18 13 11 11 23 13 9 15 32 5 41 22 25 2 12 13 7 39 29 3810
17 Jeff Green 19 17 33 41 25 27 16 22 16 11 13 20 38 34 18 5 21 12 2 26 19 12 9 35 12 3 26 13 17 5 29 32 24 10 35 38 3704
18 Sterling Marlin 8* 2 1 9 1 19 7 12 5 7 11 11 13 4 21 43 3 16 14 3* 27 30 6 7 4 43 21 21 33 3703
19 Dave Blaney 25 22 18 17 30 17 15 17 31 9 29 21 29 10 13 20 28 17 35 22 15 18 18 33 29 9 25 11 21 31 10 20 19 17 7 43 3670
20 Robby Gordon 13 24 37 18 34 20 41 34 33 12 37 16 8 19 33 11 29 8 7 25 8 3 21 20 17 28 17 17 13 12 38 23 20 11 27 26 3632
21 Kevin Harvick 36 19 25 39 3 10 25 QL 28 35 40 34 28 39 27 14 11 1 9 6 5 14 3 4 40 18 33 30 11 27 22 31 40 26 17 20 3501
22 Kyle Petty 41 37 30 15 14 12 21 20 10 17 23 13 20 13 12 17 19 24 37 27 25 29 27 15 13 17 39 16 15 16 20 37 14 30 32 31 3501
23 Elliott Sadler 2 31 28 19 2 41 17 28 40 39 21 33 10 15 26 6 12 21 10 21 35 43 27 42 19 34 35 25 18 36 19 34 18 16 10 9 3418
24 Terry Labonte 20 16 38 14 23 16 10 6 20 21 33 12 15 38 31 3 14 13 22 9 13 31 33 30 31 41 30 38 12 38 21 22 25 32 26 28 3417
25 Ward Burton 1 13 21 7 31 25 43 14 15 18 30* 42 37 33 42 40 9 41 1 14 30 20 29 37 6 8 38 43 43 10 33 5* 16 40 19 12 3362
26 Jeremy Mayfield 39 29 2 23 16 14 18 11 36 38 5 39 35 36 36 28 13 34 19 38 39 15 16 25 20 10 24 20 9 20 28 28 27 21 25 33 3309
27 Jimmy Spencer DNQ 20 10 26 37 2 8 21 17 27 10 25 23 21 28 36 4 32 11 32 31 DNQ 34 8 18 42 15 35 24 21 32 24 30 31 23 42 3187
28 John Andretti 37 15 36 36 22 34 22 42 38 24 20 15 32 31 23 10 24 22 25 23 26 11 20 19 42 29 22 29 14 18 23 13 43 18 14 39 3161
29 Johnny Benson 10 23 32 27 33 39 13 19 39 15 20 6 16 43 30 37 25 8 12 34 35 4 10 23 40 18 2 23 1 16 13 3132
30 Ken Schrader 26 35 26 24 35 22 34 36 24 43 15 18 36 16 25 38 25 40 24 20 14 28 14 14 26 26 13 22 28 41 31 26 42 22 37 27 2954
31 Mike Skinner 23 36 34 28 20 23 12 25 23 31 28 24 22 37 30 12 37 23 38 29 36 40 28 29 38 22 43 19 32 28 24 33 26 6 24 36 2886
32 Bobby Hamilton 32 9 43 29 13 28 31 27 22 30 17 23 9 27 37 31 16 15 26 19 23 19 23 11 23 27 25 35 38 29 10 2832
33 Steve Park 39 24 20 24 34 22 34 38 39 23 32 23 34 27 32 43 7 39 41 26 36 11 29 26 30 6 15 16 15 24 21 17 2694
34 Joe Nemechek 40 33 19 25 17 43 25 12 30 43 41 29 18 36 33 41 24 20 38 35 27 21 25 32 23 4 39 40 41 2 28 33 2* 2682
35 Casey Atwood 35 39 41 32 26 18 35 38 26 28 22 17 14 11 39 21 20 28 36 28 38 27 42 18 28 24 34 32 42 34 30 21 38 29 37 2621
36 Brett Bodine 16 30 35 38 38 36 38 26 13 23 19 27 34 24 34 24 38 30 27 33 42 32 38 32 39 20 36 DNQ DNQ 29 26 38 34 36 DNQ DNQ 2276
37 Jerry Nadeau 28 25 15 30 18 8 32 39 32 26 41 28 27 34 37 18 36 24 26 32 21 41 27 28 42 27 24 13 2250
38 Todd Bodine 31 32 29 18 18 26 7 26 6 34 8 26 43 33 5 42 40 34 23 37 30 41 42 22 QL 1987
39 Kenny Wallace 30 10 27 22 32 21 42 29 32 36 25 14 18 27 16 33 25 36 13 11 23 1868
40 Hut Stricklin DNQ 27 24 43 32 35 27 15 11 40 16 22 26 22 17 33 26 36 31 31 17 36 38 1781
41 Mike Wallace 21 38 42 41 38 39 43 40 10 32 12 31 28 19 35 17 27 31 43 28 11 1551
42 Stacy Compton 27 43 39 31 27 38 19 18 27 41 26 37 24 28 35 DNQ 18 35 30 30 22 42 1527
43 Geoffrey Bodine 3 12 19 10 43 34 40 38 DNQ 39 DNQ 32 803
44 Steve Grissom 25 33 8 32 25 26 40 31 28 40 769
45 Hermie Sadler DNQ 32 29 DNQ 18 Wth DNQ 29 DNQ 23 37 41 35 41 DNQ 688
46 Jamie McMurray 26 1* 7 15 40 22 679
47 Rick Mast DNQ 34 40 33 24 33 29 37 DNQ 32 35 576
48 Greg Biffle DNQ 13 DNQ 33 27 33 36 DNQ 25 25 570
49 Buckshot Jones DNQ 41 23 12 19 40 26 33 DNQ 559
50 Ted Musgrave 21 27 29 28 DNQ 16 452
51 Tony Raines 31 DNQ DNQ 43 35 31 41 29 DNQ 43 DNQ 382
52 Shawna Robinson (R) 24 42 34 42 36 DNQ 42 40 361
53 Derrike Cope DNQ DNQ DNQ 38 35 DNQ 37 41 37 38 34 361
54 Frank Kimmel 33 40 35 42 26 43 DNQ 292
55 Morgan Shepherd Wth 40 42 DNQ 43 41 DNQ 40 DNQ DNQ DNQ 202
56 Scott Wimmer DNQ DNQ 40 DNQ 17 DNQ DNQ 42 192
57 Jack Sprague Wth 35 DNQ DNQ 35 DNQ 30 189
58 Ron Hornaday Jr. DNQ DNQ 36 DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ DNQ DNQ 36 Wth 177
59 Boris Said 41 13 DNQ 164
60 P.J. Jones DNQ 4 160
61 Scott Pruett 6 150
62 Kevin Lepage 43 40 36 132
63 Jason Leffler 31 35 128
64 Mike Bliss 14 121
65 Tim Sauter DNQ 37 34 DNQ 113
66 Dick Trickle DNQ 42 42 DNQ 42 111
67 Robert Pressley 22 DNQ 97
68 Tom Hubert 24 91
69 Ron Fellows 25 88
70 Jay Sauter 37 43 86
71 Stuart Kirby 43 DNQ 37 86
72 Hideo Fukuyama 39 43 DNQ 80
73 Kirk Shelmerdine DNQ Wth DNQ 42 41 DNQ DNQ DNQ Wth 77
74 Lance Hooper 31 Wth 70
75 Andy Hillenburg 43 43 68
76 Jim Inglebright 32 67
77 Chad Little DNQ DNQ 33 64
78 Hank Parker Jr. 33 64
79 Carl Long (R) DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ Wth 42 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 39 DNQ DNQ 46
80 Jason Small 41 40
81 Christian Fittipaldi 41 40
82 Dave Marcis 42 37
83 Austin Cameron 42 DNQ 37
84 Joe Varde 42 37
85 Randy Renfrow DNQ DNQ 43 DNQ DNQ 34
86 Gary Bradberry 43 34
87 Jason Hedlesky 43 34
88 Norm Benning DNQ
89 Dwayne Leik DNQ
90 Bobby Gerhart DNQ DNQ
91 Brendan Gaughan DNQ
92 Kevin Grubb DNQ
93 Brandon Ash DNQ
94 Ed Berrier DNQ
95 Jim Sauter DNQ
96 Shane Lewis DNQ
97 Justin Bell DNQ
98 Kerry Earnhardt DNQ DNQ DNQ
99 Brian Rose DNQ
100 Ryan McGlynn DNQ
101 Jerry Robertson DNQ
102 DNQ
103 David Green DNQ
104 Mike Harmon Wth DNQ
105 Dennis Setzer QL
Pos Driver DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV KAN TAL CLT MAR ATL CAR PHO HOM Points

Rookie of the Year[]

Because he had more wins, a teammate/mentor in Jeff Gordon, and the higher position in points, Jimmie Johnson was the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. But in the end, his rival Ryan Newman was named the victor. Newman's one win seemed mild to Johnson's record-tying three victories and even leading the championship standings at one point, but Newman broke the record for pole positions. The rookie points system is separate from the championship system, and only a driver's 15 best finishes counted towards the award. Newman's 15 best finishes were better than Johnson's, despite Johnson having the better run in championship points. Shawna Robinson and Carl Long, the only other racers who declared for the award, did not run enough races to remain eligible.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Standings: 2002 Manufacturer Standings". NASCAR; Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
  2. ^ "Engines will have to last all weekend". The Indianapolis Star. October 15, 2001. p. 32. Retrieved August 22, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  3. ^ "Chevrolet Invites SAVE to Select NASCAR Events to Increase SAVE Awareness". Students Against Violence. Archived from the original on 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  4. ^ Jenkins, Chris (2002-09-19). "Japanese driver gunning for first". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
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