The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 45th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 22nd modern-era Cup season. The season began on February 7 and ended on November 14. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won the title, the sixth of his career.

1993 was marked by the deaths of two Winston Cup drivers, though neither were on-track in any form. 1992 Champion Alan Kulwicki was killed on April 1 in a plane crash near Blountville, Tennessee. He was travelling to Bristol International Raceway in a corporate jet belonging to his sponsor, Hooters. Davey Allison died on July 13, a day after a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway left him with a severe head trauma. The accidents robbed the sport of two of its brightest young stars and denied Kulwicki the chance to defend his 1992 title.

The season also saw the introduction of electronic scoring, giving instantaneous interval numbers.

This was the first season without NASCAR legend Richard Petty since 1957.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Schedule

• Race scheduled for March 14, but postponed due to the 1993 Storm of the Century.

Races

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an invitational event for all pole winners of the previous season, was held February 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Ernie Irvan drew the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 4-Ernie Irvan
4. 6-Mark Martin
5. 5-Ricky Rudd
6. 28-Davey Allison
7. 42-Kyle Petty
8. 8-Sterling Marlin
9. 11-Bill Elliott
10. 7-Alan Kulwicki

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett won the poles for both races, respectively.

Race one: top ten results

1. 24-Jeff Gordon
2. 11-Bill Elliott
3. 42-Kyle Petty
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 90-Bobby Hillin Jr.
6. 28-Davey Allison
7. 83-Lake Speed
8. 44-Rick Wilson
9. 9-Chad Little
10. 14-Terry Labonte

Race two: top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 15-Geoff Bodine
3. 18-Dale Jarrett
4. 4-Ernie Irvan
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 5-Ricky Rudd
7. 8-Sterling Marlin
8. 41-Phil Parsons
9. 27-Hut Stricklin
10. 26-Brett Bodine

• With the win, Jeff Gordon became the first rookie ever to win a qualifying race, only to be matched by Denny Hamlin in 2006. In the second race, defending Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. (entering his first and only NASCAR race) wrecked on lap 10, but still managed to qualify for the Daytona 500 based on speed.

Daytona 500 by STP

The 1993 Daytona 500 by STP was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Kyle Petty's #42 car won the pole, putting a Petty on the Daytona 500 pole for the first time since 1966, and only the second time ever. Kyle was also the first North Carolina driver to win the 500 pole since Benny Parsons in 1982. His father Richard waved the green flag in the first Winston Cup race held since his retirement.

Top ten results

1. 18-Dale Jarrett
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 15-Geoff Bodine
4. 27-Hut Stricklin
5. 24-Jeff Gordon*
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 21-Morgan Shepherd
8. 25-Ken Schrader
9. 8-Sterling Marlin
10. 16-Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Failed to qualify: 85-Dorsey Schroeder, 48-James Hylton, 45-Rich Bickle, 29-Kerry Teague, 0-Delma Cowart, 77-Mike Potter, 73-Stanley Smith, 99-Brad Teague, 31-Steve Kinser, 51-Jeff Purvis, 50-A. J. Foyt, 23-Eddie Bierschwale, and 95-Ken Ragan

• The race was marked by a grinding crash involving Rusty Wallace who was spun out by Michael Waltrip on the backstretch and sent Wallace on a series of horrific barrel rolls in the grass. He was uninjured although.
• Jeff Gordon made his first Daytona 500 start on his first Winston Cup full season. He became the first rookie ever to win one of the qualifying races. He also led the 1st lap and finished 5th, which is considered one of the most successful Daytona 500 debuts ever.
• The "Dale and Dale Show" commenced as Jarrett passed Earnhardt in the tri-oval as they took the white flag. As the leaders exited Turn 2, the CBS Sports producers came on the headsets of Ken Squier, Neil Bonnett, and Ned Jarrett, telling Ned to "call his son home", leading to an emotional finish.
• This Daytona 500 was the first not to feature Richard Petty as a driver in the starting lineup since 1965.
• Last career pole for Kyle Petty.
• This was Jeff Gordon's first Top 5 and Top 10 finish.

GM Goodwrench 500

The GM Goodwrench 500 was held on February 28 at North Carolina Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 4-Ernie Irvan
4. 7-Alan Kulwicki
5. 6-Mark Martin
6. 18-Dale Jarrett
7. 55-Ted Musgrave
8. 41-Phil Parsons
9. 15-Geoff Bodine, 1 lap down
10. 14-Terry Labonte, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 49-Stanley Smith

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 7 at Richmond International Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 28-Davey Allison
2. 2-Rusty Wallace
3. 7-Alan Kulwicki
4. 18-Dale Jarrett
5. 42-Kyle Petty
6. 24-Jeff Gordon
7. 6-Mark Martin
8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
9. 33-Harry Gant
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 45-Rich Bickle

• This would be Davey Allison's final Winston Cup win.
• Last career Top 5 for Alan Kulwicki.

Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was scheduled for March 14 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. However, it was postponed and moved to March 20 in the aftermath of the 1993 Storm of the Century. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 21-Morgan Shepherd
2. 4-Ernie Irvan
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 24-Jeff Gordon, 1 lap down
5. 5-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
6. 15-Geoff Bodine, 1 lap down
7. 42-Kyle Petty, 1 lap down
8. 26-Brett Bodine, 1 lap down
9. 11-Bill Elliott, 2 laps down
10. 12-Jimmy Spencer, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 45-Rich Bickle, 84-Rick Crawford, 48-James Hylton, 61-Rick Carelli

• Jeff Gordon appeared headed to his first Winston Cup win until during the last pit stop he went past his pit box line and had to back up losing too much time, then scraping the wall trying to stay ahead of Rusty Wallace. Morgan Shepherd passed him and won the event, his final victory as of 2024, his fourth career NASCAR Cup victory overall, and his third at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
• This was the last time until the 2018 Martinsville spring race that a race in the NASCAR's premier series was postponed due to snow.
• This race was originally scheduled to air on ABC; however by the time the race was rescheduled, ABC was unable to carry the race due to scheduling conflicts, resulting in the broadcast airing on TNN instead.

TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was held March 28 at Darlington Raceway. Qualifying was rained out and the starting grid was lined up based on points. Dale Earnhardt started from the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 18-Dale Jarrett
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 2-Rusty Wallace, 1 lap down
6. 7-Alan Kulwicki, 1 lap down
7. 42-Kyle Petty, 1 lap down
8. 15-Geoff Bodine, 1 lap down
9. 14-Terry Labonte, 1 lap down
10. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 62-John McFadden

• This was the last time the spring race was 500 miles until the track went to one race a year for the top division of NASCAR in 2005. The 400 mile spring race would return in 2021
• This was Alan Kulwicki's final NASCAR race, as four days later, he was fatally injured in a plane crash.

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held April 4 at Bristol International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 42-Kyle Petty
4. 12-Jimmy Spencer
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
7. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
8. 6-Mark Martin, 2 laps down
9. 26-Brett Bodine, 3 laps down
10. 1-Rick Mast, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 48-James Hylton

Withdrawn: 7-Alan Kulwicki

• On the evening of April 1st, defending Cup champion Alan Kulwicki and three Hooters executives were killed in a plane crash on their way to this race.
• After being spun out by Bobby Hillin Jr., Dale Jarrett threw his helmet at the #90 car during the caution period that ran from lap 210 to 216.
• After taking the checkered flag, Rusty Wallace made a Polish Victory Lap in memory of the deceased Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki who made it famous.
• In what would have been the big story prior to the loss of Alan Kulwicki; this race marked the first day race at Bristol since switching from asphalt to its present concrete surface.

First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Brett Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 42-Kyle Petty
3. 25-Ken Schrader
4. 28-Davey Allison
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 14-Terry Labonte
7. 5-Ricky Rudd
8. 21-Morgan Shepherd
9. 8-Sterling Marlin
10. 11-Bill Elliott, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 49-Stanley Smith

• Jimmy Hensley was named the interim substitute driver for the #7 car, filling the seat formerly held by the late Alan Kulwicki. Sponsor Hooters pulled out of the team, but Bojangles stepped in to sponsor the car, promoting the Easter Seals charity on the car's hood.
• The biggest news story of the week leading up to the race was the official announcement of the inaugural Brickyard 400, scheduled for August 6, 1994.

Hanes 500

The Hanes 500 was held April 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 28-Davey Allison
3. 18-Dale Jarrett
4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
5. 42-Kyle Petty, 1 lap down
6. 15-Geoff Bodine, 3 laps down
7. 26-Brett Bodine, 3 laps down
8. 24-Jeff Gordon, 3 laps down
9. 14-Terry Labonte, 3 laps down
10. 6-Mark Martin, 4 laps down

Failed to qualify: 52-Jimmy Means, 9-P. J. Jones

• This was Rusty Wallace's 3rd consecutive victory.

Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held May 2 at Talladega Superspeedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 4-Ernie Irvan
2. 12-Jimmy Spencer
3. 18-Dale Jarrett
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 20-Joe Ruttman
6. 2-Rusty Wallace
7. 28-Davey Allison
8. 98-Derrike Cope
9. 7-Jimmy Hensley
10. 30-Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: 9-P. J. Jones, 48-James Hylton, 0-Delma Cowart, 31-Steve Kinser, 62-Ben Hess, 71-Dave Marcis, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 65-Jerry O'Neil, 49-Stanley Smith

• On the final lap approaching the checkered flag, Rusty Wallace was spun and flipped end over end. He was tapped in the left rear by Dale Earnhardt, who proceeded to check on him while on his cooldown lap.
• This race would be the last victory for Ernie Irvan behind the wheel of the #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports Kodak Film Chevrolet Lumina before his departure later that season.

Save Mart Supermarkets 300K

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300K was held May 16 at Sears Point Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 15-Geoff Bodine
2. 4-Ernie Irvan
3. 5-Ricky Rudd
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 42-Kyle Petty
6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
7. 16-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
8. 44-Rick Wilson
9. 14-Terry Labonte
10. 27-Hut Stricklin

Failed to qualify: 51-Rick Scribner, 09-R. K. Smith, 48-Jack Sellers

• This was the last win for the famous Bud Moore team.
• Geoff Bodine celebrated the win at the same time as he was finalizing a deal to purchase the assets to the late Alan Kulwicki's #7 team.

The Winston Open

The Winston Open, a 50 lap last chance race to qualify for The Winston, was held on May 22, 1993, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The top four finishers would qualify for The Winston later that night.

Top five results

1. 8-Sterling Marlin
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 26-Brett Bodine
4. 30-Michael Waltrip
5. 1-Rick Mast

• Jeff Gordon was dominating the race leading the first 22 laps until he crashed out of the race on the 23rd lap.

The Winston

The 1993 edition of The Winston, took place on May 22, 1993. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Criteria to qualify

• All active 1992 and 1993 race winning drivers.
• All active 1992 and 1993 race winning car owners.
• All active former Winston Cup Champions.
• Top 4 finishers from The Winston Open

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 4-Ernie Irvan
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 15-Geoff Bodine
6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
7. 8-Sterling Marlin
8. 2-Rusty Wallace
9. 28-Davey Allison
10. 26-Brett Bodine

• Dale Earnhardt becomes the first three time winner of this race. He only led the race's final two laps.
• Richard Childress Racing also becomes the first team to win this race three times.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 30 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 18-Dale Jarrett
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 4-Ernie Irvan
6. 11-Bill Elliott
7. 12-Jimmy Spencer
8. 22-Bobby Labonte
9. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
10. 15-Geoff Bodine, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 85-Ken Bouchard, 48-James Hylton, 84-Rick Crawford, 38-Bobby Hamilton, 65-Jerry O'Neil, 49-Stanley Smith, 64-Johnny Chapman

• For the first time, the race was moved to a late afternoon start, and ended under the lights. The race was no longer to be held at the same time as the Indianapolis 500.
• Dale Earnhardt overcame two penalties (one for speeding on pit road, the other for wrecking Greg Sacks on a restart) to win his third Coca-Cola 600.
• First career top 10 for Bobby Labonte.

Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was held June 6 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole, but totaled his car in final practice, being forced to go to a back-up car and having to start last.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 18-Dale Jarrett
3. 28-Davey Allison
4. 6-Mark Martin
5. 25-Ken Schrader
6. 1-Rick Mast
7. 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
8. 12-Jimmy Spencer, 1 lap down
9. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 2 laps down
10. 38-Bobby Hamilton, 5 laps down

Failed to qualify: 80-Jimmy Horton, 56-Jerry Hill, 85-Ken Bouchard

Champion Spark Plug 500

The Champion Spark Plug 500 was held June 13 at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 42-Kyle Petty
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 33-Harry Gant
4. 12-Jimmy Spencer
5. 55-Ted Musgrave
6. 28-Davey Allison
7. 21-Morgan Shepherd
8. 8-Sterling Marlin
9. 5-Ricky Rudd
10. 11-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 80-Jimmy Horton

• During the race, a fan later identified as Chad Blaine Kohl, darted onto the track as Kyle Petty and Davey Allison were battling for the lead; narrowly avoiding being hit. Kohl would eventually be charged with arson, risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.^[1]
• During a round of Green Flag pitstops on lap 60, Ricky Rudd finally led his first lap of the season.^[2]
• Trevor Boys finished 39th in this, the final race he would successfully qualify for.

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Brett Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 5-Ricky Rudd
2. 24-Jeff Gordon
3. 4-Ernie Irvan
4. 18-Dale Jarrett
5. 2-Rusty Wallace
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 21-Morgan Shepherd
8. 8-Sterling Marlin
9. 11-Bill Elliott
10. 33-Harry Gant

Failed to qualify: 48-Trevor Boys, 81-Jeff Davis

• Mark Martin ran out of fuel after 191 laps of 200, handing Ricky Rudd the lead, he would not run out of fuel and win.
• This was Rudd's final victory for Hendrick Motorsports as he would leave the team at seasons end to form his own team with Tide sponsorship following him in following season.

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 3 at Daytona International Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole after Ken Schrader who had originally set the fastest time failed post-qualifying inspection due to an illegal carburetor designed to bypass the restrictor plate. Schrader was forced to start in last place.^[3]

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 8-Sterling Marlin
3. 25-Ken Schrader
4. 5-Ricky Rudd
5. 24-Jeff Gordon
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 4-Ernie Irvan
8. 18-Dale Jarrett
9. 14-Terry Labonte
10. 55-Ted Musgrave

Failed to qualify: 45-Rich Bickle, 62-Clay Young, 29-Kerry Teague, 0-Delma Cowart, 31-Stan Fox, 49-Stanley Smith, 35-Bill Venturini, 65-Jerry O'Neil, 48-James Hylton, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 79-Andy Belmont, 77-Mike Potter, 86-Mark Thompson, 82-Mark Stahl, 83-Lake Speed, 85-Ken Bouchard, 89-Jim Sauter, 95-Jeremy Mayfield, 23-Eddie Bierschwale, 99-Brad Teague

• This was Sterling Marlin's 9th 2nd place finish. He would finally break through with a victory in 1994.

Slick 50 300

The inaugural Slick 50 300 was held on July 11 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 28-Davey Allison
4. 18-Dale Jarrett
5. 5-Ricky Rudd
6. 8-Sterling Marlin
7. 24-Jeff Gordon
8. 42-Kyle Petty, 1 lap down
9. 11-Bill Elliott, 1 lap down
10. 22-Bobby Labonte, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 62-Clay Young

• Rusty Wallace's victory would be all the more impressive considering he started 33rd.
• This was the last race for Davey Allison, who would die from injuries suffered in a helicopter accident two days later.
• Jeff Burton and Joe Nemechek made their Winston Cup debuts in this race. Both would fall out before the halfway point (Burton - starting 6th - would finish 37th after crashing out, Nemechek - who began the race in 15th place - would finish 36th after the rocker arm of his engine broke).

Miller Genuine Draft 500

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 18 at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 2-Rusty Wallace
3. 11-Bill Elliott
4. 21-Morgan Shepherd
5. 26-Brett Bodine
6. 25-Ken Schrader
7. 8-Sterling Marlin
8. 18-Dale Jarrett
9. 33-Harry Gant
10. 17-Darrell Waltrip

Failed to qualify: 52-Jimmy Means, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 56-Jerry Hill, 57-Bob Schacht

• This was the first race after the death of Davey Allison. Out of respect, his team Robert Yates Racing did not enter the event with a replacement driver.

• Bill Elliott, after having a disastrous 1993 to this point, gets his first top five finish of 1993.
• After getting the victory, Dale Earnhardt would do a polish victory lap with a Davey Allison flag.
• In his victory lane interview, Earnhardt said of Davey: "I'd run second to him in a heartbeat if it'd bring him back."

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was held July 25 at Talladega Superspeedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 4-Ernie Irvan
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 42-Kyle Petty
5. 18-Dale Jarrett
6. 68-Greg Sacks
7. 21-Morgan Shepherd
8. 33-Harry Gant
9. 26-Brett Bodine
10. 16-Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Failed to qualify: 45-Rich Bickle, 38-Bobby Hamilton, 46-Buddy Baker, 62-Clay Young, 29-Kerry Teague

• This race marked the first time the Robert Yates Racing #28 Havoline-Texaco car was entered following the death of Davey Allison, with Robby Gordon serving as a substitute driver. During the pre-race ceremonies; the invocation by the Rev. Hal Marchman was preceded by the reading of a poem by Davey Allison's widow Liz, while CBS ran a montage of Allison's life and career mixed with footage of Davey Allison's uncle Donnie driving the car around the track as the song "The Fans" by the group Alabama played in the background.
• The race was marked by two major accidents: Stanley Smith suffered near-fatal head injuries in a lap 69 accident while Jimmy Horton flew over the wall in-between turns 1 and 2 and landed on an access road outside the track in the same crash. Later in the race, on lap 132, Neil Bonnett flew into the catch fence similar to the Bobby Allison crash in 1987 and just like the Allison crash required a lengthy red flag to repair the fence. That resulted in the introduction of roof flaps in 1994.
• The margin of victory was 5 one-thousandths of a second (.005), setting a new record.
• Race winner Dale Earnhardt who took his second consecutive victory again just like the previous race made a Polish Victory Lap with the #28 flag of Davey Allison on his memory, who died 12 days before.

Budweiser at The Glen

The Budweiser at The Glen was held August 8 at Watkins Glen International. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 6-Mark Martin
2. 16-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
3. 12-Jimmy Spencer
4. 11-Bill Elliott
5. 25-Ken Schrader
6. 8-Sterling Marlin
7. 22-Bobby Labonte
8. 9-P. J. Jones
9. 40-Kenny Wallace
10. 33-Harry Gant

Failed to qualify: 77-Davy Jones, 71-Dave Marcis, 81-Jeff Davis, 29-Kerry Teague, 65-Jerry O'Neil

• Mark Martin won the pole and had the all-dominating car in the race. However, problems in the pits at one point put him out of the top 20 in the race. Martin raced up through the field and inherited the lead with 5 laps to go when the two leaders, Kyle Petty and Dale Earnhardt, crashed in the esses.
• This was Martin's first victory from the pole in his twenty-first attempt.
• This was the second race in a row where the red flag stopped the race for an accident. This time it was due to Rick Mast's crash in turn 6 on lap 9, which required a lengthy guardrail repair. Mast was uninjured.^[4]

Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 6-Mark Martin
2. 21-Morgan Shepherd
3. 24-Jeff Gordon
4. 18-Dale Jarrett
5. 55-Ted Musgrave
6. 2-Rusty Wallace
7. 28-Lake Speed
8. 22-Bobby Labonte
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 11-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 37-Loy Allen Jr., 48-James Hylton, 95-Jeremy Mayfield, 53-Richie Petty, 85-Ken Bouchard, 76-Ron Hornaday Jr., 62-Clay Young, 29-John Krebs, 81-Jeff Davis, 02-T. W. Taylor, 48-Andy Genzman

• Andy Genzman may have made a second attempt in the James Hylton car.
• This was Mark Martin's second consecutive victory.
• This was the last time this race was sponsored by Champion Spark Plugs, a sponsorship that dates back to 1975.

Brickyard 400 test session

A day after the Champion Spark Plug 400, the top 35 teams in the standings were invited to participate in an open test session for the 1994 Brickyard 400. On the way home from Michigan, the teams stopped at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for two days of practice. Retired driver Richard Petty took a few fast laps on the second day, then donated the car to the Speedway museum.

Bud 500

The Bud 500 was held August 28 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 6-Mark Martin
2. 2-Rusty Wallace
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 33-Harry Gant
5. 1-Rick Mast
6. 7-Jimmy Hensley
7. 26-Brett Bodine
8. 15-Geoff Bodine
9. 40-Kenny Wallace*, 1 lap down
10. 30-Michael Waltrip, 2 laps down

• This was Mark Martin's third consecutive victory.
• Dick Trickle relieved Wallace in his car. Wallace had broken his scapula during testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for next year's inaugural running of the Brickyard 400.
• This was Ernie Irvan's final race in the #4 Kodak Chevrolet Lumina for Morgan-McClure Motorsports before leaving to drive the Robert Yates Racing #28 Havoline-Texaco Ford Thunderbird that had been driven by the late Davey Allison. Irvin would finish in 26th, completing only 316 of 500 laps due to engine failure.^[5]

Failed to qualify: 55-Ted Musgrave, 75-Todd Bodine, 9-P. J. Jones, 45-Rich Bickle

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 5 at Darlington Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 6-Mark Martin
2. 26-Brett Bodine
3. 2-Rusty Wallace
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 28-Ernie Irvan, 1 lap down
6. 5-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
7. 33-Harry Gant, 1 lap down
8. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 2 laps down
9. 25-Ken Schrader, 2 laps down
10. 40-Kenny Wallace, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 48-Trevor Boys, 56-Jerry Hill, 29-Jeff McClure

• The race was shortened from 367 laps to 351 laps (15 laps) due to a lengthy rain delay of over 3 hours and the track did not have lights, that would change in time for the race in 2004. As the race came towards the end, the teams were told on a restart with 25 laps to go that there would only be 10 laps remaining due to darkness, and due to this the race ended at approximately 7:30 PM ET.
• Ernie Irvan negotiated out of his contract with Morgan-McClure Motorsports in order to take over the #28 Ford for Robert Yates Racing to finish 5th in his first outing for the team.
• This was Mark Martin's 4th consecutive victory, tying the Modern-era record for most consecutive victories.

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 11-Bill Elliott
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 5-Ricky Rudd
5. 26-Brett Bodine
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
8. 14-Terry Labonte
9. 42-Kyle Petty
10. 24-Jeff Gordon

Failed to qualify: 80-Jimmy Horton, 45-Rich Bickle, 53-Richie Petty, 02-T. W. Taylor

• Rusty Wallace who had not won since the inaugural New Hanpshire race, ends Mark Martin's winning streak at 4. This was Rustys 6th win of the season.

SplitFire Spark Plug 500

The SplitFire Spark Plug 500 was held September 19 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 18-Dale Jarrett
5. 33-Harry Gant
6. 12-Jimmy Spencer
7. 22-Bobby Labonte
8. 14-Terry Labonte
9. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
10. 11-Bill Elliott, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 48-Trevor Boys, 84-Norm Benning, 66-Mike Wallace, 02-T. W. Taylor, 9-P. J. Jones, 77-Mike Potter

• Among other driver changes, Geoff Bodine left Bud Moore Engineering after the previous race to drive for the #7 Ford team, a team that he had just purchased from the family of the late Alan Kulwicki.
• This race was mired with tire issues resulting in cut tires and 16 cautions for 103 of the 500 laps, and the average speed was 100.334 mph. The race took 4 hours and 59 minutes to complete.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held September 26 at Martinsville Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 28-Ernie Irvan
2. 2-Rusty Wallace
3. 12-Jimmy Spencer
4. 5-Ricky Rudd
5. 18-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
6. 26-Brett Bodine, 1 lap down
7. 14-Terry Labonte, 1 lap down
8. 30-Michael Waltrip, 1 lap down
9. 21-Morgan Shepherd, 2 laps down
10. 42-Kyle Petty, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 52-Jimmy Means

• This was Robert Yates Racing's first trip to victory lane since Davey Allison's death and the crew was reported to have had tears in their eyes as they went to victory lane.
• This was the last race with an entry list of less than 40 cars until the 2016 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, where only 39 cars entered. NASCAR limited race fields to a maximum of 40 cars starting with the 2016 season.^[6]

Tyson/Holly Farms 400

The Tyson/Holly Farms 400 was held October 3 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 28-Ernie Irvan
4. 42-Kyle Petty
5. 5-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
6. 33-Harry Gant, 2 laps down
7. 14-Terry Labonte, 2 laps down
8. 1-Rick Mast, 3 laps down
9. 18-Dale Jarrett, 3 laps down
10. 25-Ken Schrader, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 52-Jimmy Means, 48-James Hylton, 68-Greg Sacks, 71-Dave Marcis, 45-Rich Bickle, 37-Loy Allen Jr.

• This was the Billy Hagen team's final top 10 finish.
• In a moment that no one driver wants to remember, Jeff Gordon sweeps last place (34th) at both North Wilkesboro races in 1993.

Mello Yello 500

The Mello Yello 500 was held October 10 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won his first career pole.

Top ten results

1. 28-Ernie Irvan
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 2-Rusty Wallace
5. 24-Jeff Gordon
6. 12-Jimmy Spencer
7. 42-Kyle Petty
8. 5-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
9. 25-Ken Schrader, 2 laps down
10. 11-Bill Elliott, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 47-Billy Standridge, 37-Loy Allen Jr., 35-Bill Venturini, 63-Norm Benning, 99-Brad Teague, 83-Jeff McClure, 02-T. W. Taylor

• Ernie Irvan flat out dominated this race leading 328 of the 334 laps (98.2%).
• This would be the first race in NASCAR history that 2 sets of 3 brothers all competed against each other: The Wallace's (Rusty, Mike, & Kenny), and The Bodine's (Geoff, Brett, & Todd). The eldest brother of each set (Rusty & Geoff) finished ahead of the younger brothers. The Wallace's finished 4th (Rusty), 30th (Mike), & 35th (Kenny). The Bodine's finished 13th (Geoff), 15th (Brett), & 42nd/Last (Todd). All drivers but Todd saw the checkered flag and finished the race. Rusty was the only one to finish on the lead lap.
• This was Rick Wilson's 200th career start. He would finish 32 laps down to the winner in 36th.
• This was the final race Neil Bonnett called on TBS before his death at Daytona in February 1994.

AC Delco 500

The AC Delco 500 was held October 24 at North Carolina Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 11-Bill Elliott
4. 33-Harry Gant
5. 6-Mark Martin, 1 lap down
6. 28-Ernie Irvan, 1 lap down
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip, 1 lap down
8. 25-Ken Schrader, 1 lap down
9. 41-Dick Trickle, 2 laps down
10. 7-Geoff Bodine, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 47-Billy Standridge, 63-Norm Benning, 65-Jerry O'Neil, 05-Ed Ferree

• Last career top 5 for Harry Gant.
• This was the final career start for Jimmy Means. He would complete 467 of 492 laps, finishing in 26th.

Slick 50 500

The Slick 50 500 was held October 31 at Phoenix International Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 6-Mark Martin
2. 28-Ernie Irvan
3. 42-Kyle Petty
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 11-Bill Elliott
6. 5-Ricky Rudd
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
8. 22-Bobby Labonte
9. 30-Michael Waltrip
10. 1-Rick Mast

Failed to qualify: 52-Scott Gaylord, 36-Butch Gilliland, 13-Stan Fox, 48-Jack Sellers, 81-Jeff Davis, 51-Rick Scribner

• This was the final Cup series race Neil Bonnett called on TNN before his death at Daytona in February 1994.

Hooters 500

The Hooters 500 was held November 14 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 2-Rusty Wallace
2. 5-Ricky Rudd
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 11-Bill Elliott
5. 41-Dick Trickle
6. 30-Michael Waltrip
7. 18-Dale Jarrett
8. 55-Ted Musgrave
9. 75-Phil Parsons*
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: 47-Billy Standridge, 95-Jeremy Mayfield, 52-Jimmy Means, 62-Clay Young, 57-Bob Schacht, 72-John Andretti, 63-Norm Benning, 9-P. J. Jones, 84-Rick Crawford, 48-Andy Genzman

• Dale Earnhardt won his sixth Winston Cup championship, needing only to finish in 34th place or better to score enough points to clinch the title; he finished 10th. On lap 117, enough cars had dropped out of the race to mathematically clinch the championship for Earnhardt. Rusty Wallace (the 1989 champion) gave the maximum effort in his 300th career Winston Cup start. Wallace led the most laps and won the race, his tenth win of the 1993 season. But it was not enough as he fell 80 points shy of Earnhardt, and wound up second in the championship to Earnhardt.

• Rusty Wallace became the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win ten or more Cup Series races in a single season. This would be the second time in Bob Latford's 1975 Winston Cup points system history, however, that a driver winning ten or more races in a season failed to win the championship.

• This was Wallace's 31st and final victory driving a Pontiac, as he and Penske South Racing would switch to Ford in 1994. Pontiac left NASCAR at the end of 2003, and GM discontinued the Pontiac division in 2010. Wallace holds the NASCAR record for most wins by a Pontiac driver (the first 31 of his 55 career wins).

• During practice, Dale Earnhardt, Ken Schrader, and Jeff Gordon all had crashes. However, all three were uninjured and qualified for the race.

• This race was a day of remembrance, as mentioned in the television broadcast opening. Exactly a one-year prior, the 1992 race ended up being one of the greatest races of all time - and two of the key fixtures Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison were killed in aviation accidents during the season.

• Neil Bonnett qualified for the race in a backup car (#31) for RCR, and executed one of the first start and park situations in NASCAR. The team arranged that Bonnett would climb out of the #31 car, at the last minute, in the event that Earnhardt's primary #3 car, after pre-race inspection, suffered mechanical failure on the grid or during the pace laps. If Earnhardt quickly hopped in and took the green flag to start the race in the #31 car, by rule, he would be awarded full points for that entry. The car Bonnett qualified was even prepared with Earnhardt's exact chassis set-ups. Earnhardt started his primary car (#3) without incident, and Bonnett pulled off the track to finish last after 3 laps. The team gave the reason of "engine failure". Bonnett's intentional "start and park" also helped maximize Earnhardt's finishing position, as only seven additional cars had to drop out for Earnhardt to mathematically clinch the title. RCR pulled out all the stops in preparation for this race. They brought a truck filled with extra spare parts, including an entire pre-assembled rear end and a framing machine to fix the car in case of a crash. This was also Bonnett's final ever NASCAR race he competed in before his death at Daytona in February 1994.

• Due to fog at the airport, several pit crew members on several teams were late arriving at the track. Darrell Waltrip started the race without his entire pit crew.

• Jeff Gordon secured the rookie of the year award, but in a mild surprise, he did not manage to win a points-paying race during the season nor did he finish in the top-ten in points.

• Todd Bodine, the contracted driver of car 75, was injured in the previous day's Busch Grand National race, so he was replaced for the race by Phil Parsons.

Final points standings

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