The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 47th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 24th modern-era Cup series season. The season began on February 12 in Daytona Beach and concluded on November 12 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his first career championship.

Sterling Marlin finished third in the championship.

Overview

The major story heading into the 1995 season was Dale Earnhardt's attempt to make history. After winning his seventh Winston Cup Championship in 1994, Earnhardt tied Richard Petty's record for Cup Championships. Going into the 1995 season, Earnhardt had won four of the last five Winston Cup points titles, and was considered the favorite to win his eighth in 1995.

As the season progressed, the race for the series championship became a battle between Earnhardt, Sterling Marlin and Jeff Gordon. The majority of the spotlight soon shifted on the 24-year-old Gordon. Gordon, who had won two of 1994’s biggest races (Coca-Cola 600 and the Inaugural Brickyard 400), visited victory lane in three of the first six races of 1995. Gordon would become the most consistent driver of the season. During one stretch of the season, he rattled off 14 straight top ten finishes, winning four times during that stretch. Despite a late season challenge by Earnhardt, Gordon would win the season’s championship by 34 points. In doing so, he became the youngest Winston Cup Champion of the modern era (post 1971). Gordon made light of this at the season ending banquet, toasting Earnhardt with a glass of milk instead of champagne.

However, there were several other major stories in 1995.

1995 saw the Lumina, which had been Chevrolet's official car in NASCAR since the 1989 Winston 500, being replaced by the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo would prove to be the dominant car in 1995, winning 21 of the season's 31 races. After winning each of the season's first seven races, NASCAR gave advantages to the two other makes: Ford and Pontiac.
In contrast to its GM counterpart, Pontiac continued to struggle. The manufacturer won only twice in 1995, and did not have a single driver in the top ten in points (12th place Michael Waltrip was the highest).
Goodyear was the sole tire supplier in 1995, after winning the "tire war" against Hoosier. Despite three wins in 1994 with driver/owner Geoff Bodine, Hoosier decided to leave NASCAR after the 1994 season. Its reasoning, according to Hoosier president Bob Newton, was "to concentrate our efforts in short track racing, which remains our bread and butter."

1995 changes

Robert Yates Racing: After a practice crash at Michigan International Speedway in August 1994, Ernie Irvan spent the rest of the 1994 season recuperating from his injuries. While Irvan continued to make great progress in his recovery, it was becoming clear that he would have to sit out the 1995 season. Thus, RYR began to search for a new driver to take over the #28 Ford. After securing a buyout from his contract at Joe Gibbs Racing, it was announced that Dale Jarrett would be the driver for 1995.
Joe Gibbs Racing: After the departure of Dale Jarrett, Joe Gibbs Racing was forced to find a new driver for the #18 Chevy. With encouragement from General Motors, JGR signed Bobby Labonte, who left Bill Davis Racing,
Elliott-Hardy Racing: After struggling the last two years driving for Junior Johnson, Bill Elliott formed his own team for 1995, sharing ownership with Georgia businessman Charles Hardy. Elliott would reunite with brothers Ernie and Dan, with whom he had great success during his time at Melling Racing. Elliott selected 94 as the number for his Ford and McDonald's as his sponsor. The number had been used by Bill's nephew Casey Elliott, before Casey was diagnosed with cancer (Casey would ultimately lose his battle with the disease in 1996).
Junior Johnson: For 1995, Johnson was forced to look for new drivers and sponsors for both of his cars. Budweiser, the long time sponsor of the #11, left to sponsor the #25 at Hendrick Motorsports and Bill Elliott took the sponsor of the #27, McDonald's, to his new team. For the #11 team, Johnson replaced driver Elliott with Brett Bodine and got sponsorship from Lowe's. For the #27 car, sophomore Loy Allen Jr. took over for Jimmy Spencer with sponsorship from Hooters. Before the April Bristol race, Allen left the team. Various drivers drove the #27 for the rest of 1995; the majority of starts went to veteran Busch Series driver Elton Sawyer.
King Racing: Bodine would be replaced by sprint car legend Steve Kinser. Kinser, who had won 14 World of Outlaws championships, had limited exposure to stock car racing; his only experience had been in the IROC series. After failing to qualify for the spring races at Bristol and North Wilkesboro, Kinser and the team mutually split. Kinser returned to the WoO series, while Hut Stricklin was hired to replace him in the 26 car.
Larry Hedrick Motorsports: LHM was left without a driver and sponsor for 1995. Former Busch Grand National Series Champion Joe Nemechek left to start his own team, Rookie Ricky Craven would drive the #41 Chevy. Craven won the Rookie of the Year award in 1995.
Diamond Ridge Motorsports: Former Busch Grand National champ Steve Grissom would return for a second Cup season.
NEMCO Motorsports: As he had done en route to the 1992 Busch Grand National Series Championship, Joe Nemechek formed his own team in 1995.
Leo Jackson Motorsports: Harry Gant called it a career after the 1994 season. BGN series regular Robert Pressley would replace Gant in the Skoal Bandit Chevy, and would also compete for Rookie of the Year for 1995.
Bill Davis Racing: BDR found itself in a similar position to many teams, needing to replace both a driver (Bobby Labonte) and a sponsor. BDR hoped to find success with manufacturer Pontiac with driver Randy LaJoie. However, the combo experienced lackluster results, and LaJoie was fired in July. After going through several drivers, Davis settled on Ward Burton, who had been let go from the Alan Dillard Jr. owned team earlier in the year. Burton shocked the stock car world by winning his first career Cup Series race at the North Carolina Motor Speedway in October. LaJoie would also find success, winning the Busch Grand National Title in 1996 and 1997.
Melling Racing: After running part-time for the last three seasons, Melling returned to full-time competition in 1995. Mississippian Lake Speed was hired to be driver and general manager of the team.
Bud Moore: After Lake Speed left the team at the end of 1994, Bud Moore hired short track legend (and Sportscenter favorite) Dick Trickle to drive the #15 Ford.
Travis Carter Motorsports: After struggling during the 1994 season, the team parted ways with driver Hut Stricklin. He would be replaced by Jimmy Spencer, who had won two races driving for Junior Johnson in 1994.
Petty Enterprises: John Andretti, who had replaced Wally Dallenbach Jr. midway through 1994, did not return in 1995. Replacing Andretti would be Tennessee driver Bobby Hamilton.
SABCO Racing: After Hamilton left for Petty Enterprises, owner Felix Sabates hired Greg Sacks to drive the #40 Pontiac. After a dismal 14-race stint, Sacks was let go. Several drivers took the reins of the #40, with most of the duties going to Rich Bickle. Sabates' other car, the #42 driven by Kyle Petty, had new colors for 1995.
Jasper Motorsports: Owner D. K. Ulrich hired veteran open wheel and sports car driver Davy Jones to pilot the #77 Ford. Bobby Hillin Jr. replaced Jones beginning at the June Dover race.
Kranefuss-Haas Racing: After racing part-time in 1994, the team co-owned by Michael Kranefuss and Carl Haas went full-time in 1995. Former CART driver John Andretti was selected to drive the #37 Ford.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race Driver	Crew Chief
Chevrolet	A. G. Dillard Motorsports	31	Ward Burton 21	Philippe Lopez
			Greg Sacks 4
			Jimmy Hensley 3
			Gary Bradberry (R) 2
	DarWal Inc.	17	Darrell Waltrip	Pete Peterson
	Diamond Ridge Motorsports	29	Steve Grissom	Bryant Frazier
	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Terry Labonte	Gary DeHart
		24	Jeff Gordon	Ray Evernham
		25	Ken Schrader	Ken Howes
	Joe Gibbs Racing	18	Bobby Labonte	Jimmy Makar
	Larry Hedrick Motorsports	41	Ricky Craven (R)	Rick Ren
	Leo Jackson Motorsports	33	Robert Pressley (R)	Charley Pressley
	Marcis Auto Racing	71	Dave Marcis	Bob Marcis
	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	4	Sterling Marlin	Tony Glover
	NEMCO Motorsports	87	Joe Nemechek	Mike Boerschinger
	Richard Childress Racing	3	Dale Earnhardt	Andy Petree
Ford	Elliott-Hardy Racing	94	Bill Elliott	Tony Gibson 20 Mike Beam 11
	Bobby Allison Motorsports	12	Derrike Cope	Jimmy Fennig
	Bud Moore Engineering	15	Dick Trickle	Donnie Wingo
	Butch Mock Motorsports	75	Todd Bodine	Troy Selberg
	Cale Yarborough Motorsports	98	Jeremy Mayfield	Tony Furr
	Donlavey Racing	90	Mike Wallace	Junie Donlavey
	Geoff Bodine Racing	7	Geoff Bodine	Paul Andrews
	Jasper Motorsports	77	Davy Jones (R) 11	Paul Wise
	Jasper Motorsports	77	Bobby Hillin Jr. 20	Paul Wise
	Junior Johnson & Associates	11	Brett Bodine	Dean Combs
		27	Loy Allen Jr. 6	Mike Hill
			Jeff Purvis 1
			Elton Sawyer 22
			Jimmy Horton 1
			Greg Sacks 1
	King Racing	26	Steve Kinser (R) 7	Richard Broome
	King Racing	26	Hut Stricklin 24	Richard Broome
	Kranefuss-Haas Racing	37	John Andretti	Tim Brewer
	Melling Racing	9	Lake Speed	Peter Sospenzo
	Penske Racing South	2	Rusty Wallace	Robin Pemberton
	Precision Products Racing	1	Rick Mast	Kevin Hamlin
	Robert Yates Racing	28	Dale Jarrett	Larry McReynolds
	Roush Racing	6	Mark Martin	Steve Hmiel
	Roush Racing	16	Ted Musgrave	Howard Comstock
	Rudd Performance Motorsports	10	Ricky Rudd	Bill Ingle
	Travis Carter Enterprises	23	Jimmy Spencer	Cecil Gordon
	Stavola Brothers Racing	8	Jeff Burton	Donnie Richeson
	Wood Brothers Racing	21	Morgan Shepherd	Eddie Wood
Pontiac	Bahari Racing	30	Michael Waltrip	Doug Hewitt
	Bill Davis Racing	22	Randy LaJoie (R) 14	Chris Hussey
			Jimmy Hensley 6
			Wally Dallenbach Jr. 1
			Ward Burton 10
	Dick Brooks Racing	40	Greg Sacks 14	Jeff Hammond
			Andy Hillenburg 1
			Rich Bickle 10
			Randy LaJoie (R) 1
			Butch Leitzinger 1
			Shane Hall 4
	Petty Enterprises	43	Bobby Hamilton	Robbie Loomis
	Team SABCO	42	Kyle Petty	Keith Simmons

Limited schedule

Manufacturer	Team	No.	Race driver	Crew chief	Round(s)
Chevrolet	Active Motorsports	32	Mike Chase (R)	Doug Williams	1
			Jimmy Hensley		4
			Chuck Bown		11
			Greg Sacks		8
			Ed Berrier		2
			Michael Ritch		1
	Canaska Racing	68	Ron Fellows		1
	Hendrick Motorsports	58	Jeff Purvis	Phil Hammer	1
	Hendrick Motorsports	59	Jack Sprague		1
	JTC Racing	45	Ron Hornaday Jr.		1
	O'Neil Racing	65	Steve Seligman		5
	Parker Racing	72	Tracy Leslie		1
	Phoenix Racing	44	Jeff Purvis	Marc Reno	11
	Phoenix Racing	51	Kerry Teague		1
	Marcis Auto Racing	72	Jim Sauter		11
	Russell Racing	70	Alan Russell		1
	Skillen Racing	14	Richard Brickhouse		1
	Waters Racing	79	Doug French		2
	Bradberry Racing	93	Gary Bradberry (R)		3
	Bradberry Racing	88	Gary Bradberry (R)		1
Ford	Robert Yates Racing	88	Ernie Irvan	Todd Parrott	4
	A. J. Foyt Enterprises	50	A. J. Foyt		2
	Barkdoll Racing	73	Phil Barkdoll		1
	Bill Strait Motorsports	68	Bob Strait		1
	Byers Racing	82	Terry Byers (R)		2
	CPR Motorsports	99	Shawna Robinson		1
	Cunningham Racing	67	Ken Bouchard		2
	FILMAR Racing	81	Kenny Wallace	Gil Martin	20
	H. L. Waters Racing	0	Delma Cowart		6
	Hover Motorsports	80	Joe Ruttman		2
	H. S. Die Racing Team	02	Tim Steele		1
	Mark Rypien Motorsports	97	Chad Little	Gary Cogswell	5
	Petty Brothers Racing	53	Ritchie Petty		2
	Means Racing	52	Gary Bradberry (R)		4
			Brad Teague		3
			Randy MacDonald		1
		62	Ronnie Sanders		1
	Moroso Racing	20	Bobby Hillin Jr.		2
	Norm Benning Racing	84	Norm Benning		1
	Phoenix Air Racing	61	David Murry		1
	RaDiUs Motorsports	66	Ben Hess	Sandy Jones	4
			Sandy Miller		1
			Billy Standridge		4
			Terry Fisher		1
		67	Billy Standridge		1
		67	Johnny Chapman		1
		76	Johnny Chapman		1
	Sadler Brothers Racing	95	Doug Heveron		1
			Jimmy Hensley		1
			Loy Allen Jr.		2
	Smith Racing	49	Eric Smith		5
	Standridge Motorsports	47	Billy Standridge		8
	Triad Motorsports	78	Jay Hedgecock	Tex Powell	6
			Pancho Carter		3
			Hut Stricklin		1
	TriStar Motorsports	19	Phil Parsons		4
	TriStar Motorsports	19	Loy Allen Jr.		11
	Ultra Motorsports	08	Mike Bliss		1
Pontiac	Hagan Racing	14	Randy MacDonald		2
	Hylton Motorsports	48	James Hylton		2
	Virtue Racing	99	Danny Sullivan		1

Schedule

No.	Race Title	Track	Date
	Busch Clash	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 12
	Gatorade Twin 125s		February 16
1	Daytona 500		February 19
2	Goodwrench 500	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham	February 26
3	Pontiac Excitement 400	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond	March 5
4	Purolator 500	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton	March 12
5	TranSouth Financial 400	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	March 26
6	Food City 500	Bristol International Raceway, Bristol	April 2
7	First Union 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro	April 9
8	Hanes 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	April 23
9	Winston Select 500	Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega	April 30
10	Save Mart Supermarkets 300	Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma	May 7
	Winston Open	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	May 20
	The Winston Select		May 20
11	Coca-Cola 600		May 28
12	Miller Genuine Draft 500	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	June 4
13	UAW-GM Teamwork 500	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond	June 11
14	Miller Genuine Draft 400	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn	June 18
15	Pepsi 400	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	July 1
16	Slick 50 300	New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon	July 9
17	Miller Genuine Draft 500	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond	July 16
18	DieHard 500	Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega	July 23
19	Brickyard 400	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway	August 5
20	The Bud at The Glen	Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen	August 13
21	GM Goodwrench 400	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn	August 20
22	Goody's 500	Bristol International Raceway, Bristol	August 26
23	Mountain Dew Southern 500	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	September 3
24	Miller Genuine Draft 400	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond	September 9
25	MBNA 500	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	September 17
26	Goody's 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	September 24
27	Tyson Holly Farms 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro	October 1
28	UAW-GM Quality 500	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	October 8
29	AC Delco 400	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham	October 22
30	Dura Lube 500	Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix	October 29
31	NAPA 500	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton	November 12

Races

No.	Race	Pole position	Most laps led	Winning driver	Manufacturer
	Busch Clash	Geoff Bodine	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
	Gatorade Twin 125 #1	Dale Jarrett	Sterling Marlin	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet
	Gatorade Twin 125 #2	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
1	Daytona 500	Dale Jarrett	Sterling Marlin	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet
2	Goodwrench 500	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
3	Pontiac Excitement 400	Jeff Gordon	Rusty Wallace	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet
4	Purolator 500	Dale Earnhardt	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
5	TranSouth Financial 400	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet
6	Food City 500	Mark Martin	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
7	First Union 400	Jeff Gordon	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
8	Hanes 500	Bobby Labonte	Rusty Wallace	Rusty Wallace	Ford
9	Winston Select 500	Terry Labonte	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
10	Save Mart Supermarkets 300	Ricky Rudd	Mark Martin	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
	Winston Open	Michael Waltrip	Todd Bodine	Todd Bodine	Ford
	The Winston Select	Bobby Labonte	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
11	Coca-Cola 600	Jeff Gordon	Ken Schrader	Bobby Labonte	Chevrolet
12	Miller Genuine Draft 500	Jeff Gordon	Kyle Petty	Kyle Petty	Pontiac
13	UAW-GM Teamwork 500	Ken Schrader	Jeff Gordon	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet
14	Miller Genuine Draft 400	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Bobby Labonte	Chevrolet
15	Pepsi 400	Dale Earnhardt	Jeff Gordon Sterling Marlin	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
16	Slick 50 300	Mark Martin	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
17	Miller Genuine Draft 500	Bill Elliott	Rusty Wallace	Dale Jarrett	Ford
18	DieHard 500	Sterling Marlin	Jeff Gordon	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet
19	Brickyard 400	Jeff Gordon	Bill Elliott	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
20	The Bud at The Glen	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
21	GM Goodwrench Dealer 400	Bobby Labonte	Jeff Gordon	Bobby Labonte	Chevrolet
22	Goody's 500	Mark Martin	Dale Jarrett	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet
23	Mountain Dew Southern 500	John Andretti	Dale Earnhardt	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
24	Miller Genuine Draft 400	Dale Earnhardt	Rusty Wallace	Rusty Wallace	Ford
25	MBNA 500	Rick Mast	Jeff Gordon	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
26	Goody's 500	Jeff Gordon	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet
27	Tyson Holly Farms 400	Ted Musgrave	Mark Martin	Mark Martin	Ford
28	UAW-GM Quality 500	Ricky Rudd	Ricky Rudd	Mark Martin	Ford
29	AC Delco 400	Hut Stricklin	Rick Mast	Ward Burton	Pontiac
30	Dura Lube 500	Bill Elliott	Ernie Irvan	Ricky Rudd	Ford
31	NAPA 500	Darrell Waltrip	Dale Earnhardt	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet

Busch Clash

The 1995 Busch Clash, kicked off the season on February 12, at Daytona International Speedway. Geoff Bodine drew the pole. As an exhibition race, no points are awarded. The race was between 1994 Winston Cup pole winners. Also, in a first for the event, the driver who collected the most poles in the 1994 Busch Season was also invited. This honor went to David Green.

Dale Earnhardt got the season off to a dominating start, leading 18 of 20 laps to collect his 6th Clash win. Aside from that, the most noteworthy event happened on the first lap, when Loy Allen Jr. made contact with Greg Sacks in turn 3, sending Sacks into the wall. Sacks also collected Mark Martin, ending Martin's day. Sterling Marlin finished second, Bill Elliott was third. Jeff Gordon and Todd Bodine rounded out the top five.

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held on Thursday, February 16, at Daytona International Speedway. The lineups for the 125s were determined by qualifying the previous Sunday. The first race would consist of drivers who qualified in odd-numbered positions (1st fastest, 3rd fastest, 5th fastest, etc.), while the second race would be formed from even-numbered qualifiers. As the fastest driver, Dale Jarrett would start from the pole in the first race, and second-fastest driver Dale Earnhardt would lead the field in the second race.

Sterling Marlin would dominate the first race, leading 44 of 50 laps. His victory would ensure the 1994 Daytona 500 winner the 3rd starting spot on Sunday. Good finishes for Dave Marcis (10th), Joe Nemechek (12th), and Joe Ruttman (14th) assured them spots in the 500.

In race 2, Earnhardt made it two-for-two for his Speedweeks, edging out Jeff Gordon for the victory. The race also contained two crashes. The first, on lap 15, collected Jimmy Spencer, Billy Standridge, and Loy Allen Jr. Allen was forced to fall back on his qualifying time, while Spencer and Standridge went home. The second crash occurred on lap 42, and involved Chad Little, Phil Barkdoll, Phil Parsons, and Jim Sauter. Fortunately for Parsons, his qualifying time was good enough to get him into the 500. Little, Barkdoll, and Sauter weren't so lucky, and all three were forced to watch the 500 on TV.

Daytona 500

Main article: 1995 Daytona 500

The 1995 Daytona 500 was held February 19 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Jarrett won his first career Winston Cup pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 40-Greg Sacks, 14-Randy MacDonald, 95-Doug Heveron, 82-Terry Byers, 52-Gary Bradberry, 62-Ronnie Sanders, 81-Kenny Wallace, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 99-Shawna Robinson, 72-Jim Sauter, 51-Kerry Teague, 97-Chad Little, 68-Bob Strait, 23-Jimmy Spencer, 0-Delma Cowart, 47-Billy Standridge, 67-Ken Bouchard, 48-James Hylton, 53-Ritchie Petty, 32-Mike Chase, 65-Steve Seligman

As of 2022, Sterling Marlin is the only driver in NASCAR history to score his first 2 career wins in the Daytona 500.
Sterling Marlin becomes the last driver until 2020, a driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500 races (1994 & 1995), joining Richard Petty (1973 & 1974) and Cale Yarborough (1983 & 1984). Denny Hamlin would also accomplish the feat, winning the Daytona 500 in 2019 and 2020.

Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held February 26 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

24-Jeff Gordon
18-Bobby Labonte
3-Dale Earnhardt
10-Ricky Rudd
28-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
29-Steve Grissom, 1 lap down
6-Mark Martin, 2 laps down
12-Derrike Cope, 3 laps down
31-Ward Burton, 3 laps down
42-Kyle Petty, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify (in order of speeds): 66-Ben Hess, 52-Gary Bradberry, 48-James Hylton, 47-Billy Standridge, 19-Phil Parsons

This was the last 500-mile race at Rockingham.

Ernie Irvan made his NASCAR return at this race but not in a driving role; he was in the TV booth as a color analyst for TNN's live flag to flag coverage.

Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 32-Jimmy Hensley, 81-Kenny Wallace, 47-Billy Standridge, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 29-Steve Grissom, 52-Gary Bradberry, 66-Ben Hess, 49-Eric Smith, 77-Davy Jones

Steve Grissom entered this race 5th in points after back-to-back top 10s, but failed to qualify based on points from 1994.

Purolator 500

The Purolator 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

24-Jeff Gordon
18-Bobby Labonte
5-Terry Labonte
3-Dale Earnhardt
28-Dale Jarrett, 1 lap down
21-Morgan Shepherd, 1 lap down
4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
6-Mark Martin, 2 laps down
2-Rusty Wallace, 2 laps down

Failed to qualify: 31-Ward Burton, 52-Gary Bradberry, 27-Loy Allen Jr., 67-Ken Bouchard, 76-Johnny Chapman, 66-Ben Hess, 81-Kenny Wallace, 78-Pancho Carter

Before the field even took the green, Mike Wallace got turned into the inside wall on the frontstretch, damaging his car before he even got a chance to race on green. It led to him completing only 33 laps, finishing 40th due to engine failure from the crash.
Jeremy Mayfield, Michael Waltrip and Jeff Purvis were involved in a vicious crash on the backstretch on lap 144. Mayfield got turned head-on into the wall off of turn 2 so hard, the rear tires came off the ground. When he came off the wall, the car was running straight down the backstretch but he had no brakes or steering, and he veered up towards the wall again right in front of Waltrip and Purvis and got t-boned extremely hard.

TranSouth Financial 400

The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 26 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 81-Kenny Wallace, 52-Brad Teague, 19-Phil Parsons

This was the first race at Darlington after the Lady in Black was freshly paved for the first time in decades. Speeds were high and the cars gripped extremely well in the corners, leading to many drivers driving over their heads. There were many accidents as a result.
Jeff Gordon, who led most laps by far, was involved in a crash on lap 201.
This was Sterling Marlin's first win on a non-restrictor plate track

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held April 2 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 87-Joe Nemechek, 26-Steve Kinser, 47-Billy Standridge, 78-Hut Stricklin, 66-Butch Miller, 52-Brad Teague, 27-Loy Allen Jr., 90-Mike Wallace

This was the last ever Top 3 finish for Darrell Waltrip.

First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 9 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 81-Kenny Wallace, 32-Chuck Bown, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 77-Davy Jones, 47-Billy Standridge, 27-Jeff Purvis, 26-Steve Kinser, 52-Randy MacDonald

Steve Grissom re-entered the top 10 in points after his DNQ at Richmond.
Final NASCAR race for sprint car legend Steve Kinser.

Hanes 500

The Hanes 500 was held April 23 at Martinsville Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 75-Todd Bodine, 23-Jimmy Spencer, 32-Chuck Bown, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 8-Jeff Burton, 22-Randy LaJoie, 77-Davy Jones

This race was shortened to 356 laps due to a combination of a long red flag for rain, and darkness. Starting in 2017 the track had a full lighting system installed to allow night racing insuring a race would never be called for darkness again.

Winston Select 500

The Winston Select 500 was held April 30 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #5 of Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 53-Ritchie Petty, 47-Billy Standridge, 87-Joe Nemechek, 65-Steve Seligman, 0-Delma Cowart

This was Loy Allen Jr.'s only top 10 finish in NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing.
Dale Earnhardt was leading the race with two laps to go, but was passed by Mark Martin in the tri-oval coming to the white flag and spun around by Morgan Shepherd exiting turn 2 on the last lap. The car lifted over a foot but roof flaps prevented the car getting airborne. Earnhardt managed to save the car and drove it to a 21st-place finish.
Loy Allen Jr. finished 10th after leading several laps and driving what was arguably the best race of his Cup career.

Save Mart Supermarkets 300

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 7 at Sears Point Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 40-Greg Sacks, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 27-Elton Sawyer, 00w-Scott Gaylord, 64-Garrett Evans, 22w-St. James Davis, 19-Ernie Cope

This was Dale Earnhardt's only career road course victory in Winston Cup competition. Coming to the white flag, Mark Martin hit oil and Earnhardt drove by him, took the lead and held off Martin for the victory (Martin had dominated the race).
Dale Jarrett got up on his side in a crash on lap 62 trying to avoid a wreck between Rusty Wallace and Davy Jones. However, the marshals pushed him back on 4 wheels, and he finished the race in 23rd, on the lead lap.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #24 of Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

18-Bobby Labonte
5-Terry Labonte
30-Michael Waltrip
4-Sterling Marlin, 1 lap down
10-Ricky Rudd, 1 lap down
3-Dale Earnhardt, 1 lap down
26-Hut Stricklin, 1 lap down
9-Lake Speed, 2 laps down
43-Bobby Hamilton, 2 laps down
41-Ricky Craven, 3 laps down

Failed to qualify: 40-Greg Sacks, 20-Bobby Hillin Jr., 95-Jimmy Hensley, 77-Davy Jones, 44-Jeff Purvis, 67-Johnny Chapman

Jimmy Hensley relieved Darrell Waltrip during this race because of the injuries that Waltrip suffered the previous Saturday night during The Winston.
This was Bobby Labonte's first NASCAR Winston Cup win.

Miller Genuine Draft 500

Main article: 1995 Miller Genuine Draft 500 (June)

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 79-Doug French, 19-Loy Allen Jr.

This was the first race at Dover after the track's surface had been changed from asphalt to concrete.
This race was marred by "The Big One," a 20 car crash on lap 2 coming out of turn 4. Usually, these occur only during restrictor plate races, but they have been known to occur at Dover.
This was Kyle Petty's 8th and final NASCAR Winston Cup win. He started 37th and avoided the early carnage to lead 271 of the 500 laps (54.2%).
In addition to this race marking Kyle Petty's last victory; this would be the first win for Pontiac since the 1993 Hooters 500; when Rusty Wallace took the checkered flag in the last race before Team Penske switched from Pontiac to Ford starting in 1994.

UAW-GM Teamwork 500

The UAW-GM Teamwork 500 was held June 11 at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 79-Doug French

Terry Labonte made the pass for the win on the final restart with 7 laps to go, when teammate Jeff Gordon missed the upshift from 2nd to 3rd gear. When that happened, the entire line of lead-lap cars swept to the left and passed Gordon. At that time, restarts in the final 10 laps were single file, with all of the cars one or more laps down lining up directly behind the lead-lap cars. Gordon ended up finishing 16th, last car on the lead lap. Those were the only laps Labonte led in the race.
Jimmy Horton, driving the #27 Ford in place of Elton Sawyer (who competed in the Busch Series race at Myrtle Beach the previous night), climbed out of the car in the first half after being overcome by fumes. Jimmy Spencer (who ironically ran that same car the year before), who had parked his #23 Ford earlier because of engine problems, took over in relief. Spencer took the #27 to a 34th-place finish, 8 laps down.

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 18 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 88-Gary Bradberry, 40-Greg Sacks

Late in the race, the #9 of Lake Speed (who finished 11th) accidentally pinched the #30 of Michael Waltrip (who finished 12th) into the wall. Waltrip took exception to this move and confronted Speed on pit road after the race. He ended up throwing a couple of punches through the driver's side window of Speed's Spam Ford. Waltrip would be fined $10,000 by NASCAR for the incident.

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 81-Kenny Wallace, 0-Delma Cowart, 65-Steve Seligman

The race ended on an unusual 1 lap shootout.
Benny Parsons, ESPN's announcer, joked about Gordon, who was leading on the final restart saying that he "took shifting lessons" because of Gordon's mistake on the last race at Pocono.
Kyle Petty finished seventh and later on a radio call-in show addressed a rumor that had circulated during Speedweeks as to his health, a rumor revived due to fatigue he'd felt in the win at Dover the previous month.

Slick 50 300

The Slick 50 300 was held July 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 49-Eric Smith

Miller Genuine Draft 500

Main article: 1995 Miller Genuine Draft 500 (July)

The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 16 at Pocono Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 14-Randy MacDonald, 82-Terry Byers

This was Dale Jarrett's 1st win with Robert Yates Racing and his only win with the number 28 car.

DieHard 500

The DieHard 500 was held July 23 at Talladega Superspeedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. The race was most remembered for Ken Schrader's wild end-over-end tumble in "The Big One" on lap 139, which collected 13 other cars. He was not injured, though.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 22-Jimmy Hensley, 0-Delma Cowart, 65-Steve Seligman

There were only two caution flags during the race. The first was for debris on the track on lap 111, the second for a 13-car accident on lap 139 that featured Ken Schrader's car flipping end-over-end in the infield grass on the backstretch.
Jeff Gordon was very distraught, even in tears, over Ken Schrader's crash because he tapped him to begin the series of events that led to him flipping through the infield grass. He was afraid he had killed his teammate, but Schrader actually got on Gordon's radio after he got out of the infield care center to tell him that he was ok and not to worry about him.

Brickyard 400

Main article: 1995 Brickyard 400

The second Brickyard 400 was held Saturday, August 5, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The popular event returned for a second year, after the tremendous success of the first running. The weekend was expanded by the addition of practice on Wednesday afternoon.

Pole qualifying

Defending champion Jeff Gordon won the pole position on Thursday, August 3, with a track record speed of 172.536 mph. A hot day saw most speeds down, and Gordon was the only driver to break the existing track record. Bobby Hamilton put the fans on their feet when he put the popular Petty #43 STP Pontiac on the outside of the front row with a run of 172.222 mph.

Second round qualifying

On Friday, August 4, the remnants of Hurricane Erin overtook the midwest, and rain settled in for two days. Friday morning practice was lost, and second round qualifying was also rained out. As a result, all cars reverted to their time trials speed from the first round, and the field was filled accordingly. Without a chance in second round qualifying, A. J. Foyt notably failed to qualify, the first time he failed to qualify in a race he attempted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1958. The field managed a brief "happy hour" practice late Friday evening, and rain began to fall again.

Race recap

On Saturday, August 5, steady rain fell all morning, and threatened to wash out the day. The forecast was marginal for Sunday as well, threatening to washout the whole weekend. Many fans left the grounds as local media speculated (and some erroneously reported) that the race would be postponed. In an unexpected turn of events, at approximately 3:30 p.m. EST (4:30 p.m. EDT), the skies suddenly cleared, and track drying efforts began in earnest. The teams scrambled to get their cars prepared, and the field hastily lined up in the garage area. The Chevrolet C/K pace truck led them on to the track and the race began with many fans still scurrying to their seats. Many of the pit crews were also scrambling to get their equipment set up in the pit area. Some fans driving home on the interstate reportedly turned around and drove back to the track when the radio reported the race was starting.

The green flag dropped at 4:25 p.m. EST (5:25 p.m. EDT) with live coverage only on the radio. ABC-TV had already signed off and by then had decided to air the race on ESPN on tape delay on Sunday afternoon. It stands as one of the last NASCAR races not aired live on television.

Dale Earnhardt beat Rusty Wallace to the finish line in a race slowed by only one caution for 4 laps. Jeff Burton spun off turn two right in front of eventual winner Earnhardt with 27 laps to go. The race was completed at 7:03 p.m. EST (8:03 p.m. EDT), shortly before sunset.

Top ten results

Pos	SP	No.	Driver	Car name	Car make	Entrant	Laps	Status
1	13	3	Dale Earnhardt	GM Goodwrench	Chevrolet	Richard Childress Racing	160	Running
2	24	2	Rusty Wallace	Miller Genuine Draft	Ford	Penske Racing	160	Running
3	26	28	Dale Jarrett	Texaco/Havoline	Ford	Robert Yates Racing	160	Running
4	4	94	Bill Elliott	McDonald’s	Ford	Bill Elliott Racing	160	Running
5	14	6	Mark Martin	Valvoline	Ford	Roush Racing	160	Running
6	1	24	Jeff Gordon	DuPont	Chevrolet	Hendrick Motorsports	160	Running
7	3	4	Sterling Marlin	Kodak	Chevrolet	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	160	Running
8	9	1	Rick Mast	Skoal Classic	Ford	Richard Jackson	160	Running
9	5	18	Bobby Labonte	Interstate Batteries	Chevrolet	Joe Gibbs Racing	160	Running
10	33	21	Morgan Shepherd	Citgo	Ford	Wood Brothers Racing	160	Running

Failed to qualify

44-Jeff Purvis
95-Loy Allen Jr.
66-Billy Standridge
78-Pancho Carter
71-Dave Marcis
65-Steve Seligman
50-A. J. Foyt
80-Joe Ruttman
99-Danny Sullivan
- Danny Sullivan's entry was withdrawn after his career-ending crash in the Marlboro 500 at Michigan.

The Bud at The Glen

The Bud at The Glen was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 61-David Murry, 90-Mike Wallace, 49-Eric Smith

During pre-race ceremonies, all drivers participated in unity for a parade lap to show support for series sponsor R. J. Reynolds. Each driver rode in the back of a pickup truck holding an American flag visible to all spectators. This was done in protest to President Bill Clinton's executive order earlier in the week targeting tobacco advertising at sporting events.
This was Mark Martin's third consecutive win from the pole at Watkins Glen.
Wally Dallenbach Jr., in a one-off "road course ringer" drive for Bill Davis Racing, was leading by almost 10 seconds late in the race. Suffering from headaches and fatigue, from inhaling smoke from an oil leak, Dallenbach Jr. twice got out to huge leads and appeared to be on his way to his first Winston Cup victory. Second place Mark Martin was gaining, but only by about one second per lap. A caution came out for fluid on the track from Joe Nemechek's broken transmission. The green came out with 8 laps to go, and Dallenbach Jr. again got out to a comfy lead. Martin closed the gap, however, and passed Dallenbach Jr. two laps after the restart to claim the win.
Canadian road racing specialist Ron Fellows made his first Cup start in this race in the one-time #68 team owned by Vic Sifton of Canaska Motorsports.
During a rain delay; Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt were granted the opportunity to run NASCAR's first test of rain tires, running a total of 16 laps during the test period.^[1] NASCAR would not use rain tires for a race until the 2020 Bank of America Roval 400.

GM Goodwrench 400

The GM Goodwrench 400 was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 40-Rich Bickle, 72-Tracy Leslie, 02-Tim Steele, 95-Loy Allen Jr.

This was Ward Burton's last race in the #31 Chevrolet for A. G. Dillard Motorsports.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held August 26 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 42-Kyle Petty, 95-Joe Ruttman, 81-Kenny Wallace, 32-Jimmy Hensley, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 75-Todd Bodine, 27-Elton Sawyer

This race started roughly an hour and a half to two hours behind schedule due to persistent rains from Tropical Storm Jerry, which had made landfall to the south earlier in the week.
This race is likely the most memorable race of the entire 1995 season due to the infamous finish of the event where Dale Earnhardt ran Terry Labonte down from 3 seconds behind in the late stages of the race and tapped him coming off turn 4 on the last lap. This tap got Labonte loose, and then Labonte overcorrected (slightly grazing the #31 Chevrolet of Greg Sacks in the process). This put Labonte head on into the outside wall just beyond the start-finish line, still ahead of Earnhardt to claim the victory.
Back-to-back seasons that Terry Labonte won 3 races in a season, the most wins in a season in his career. Final time in his career as well that Terry Labonte would win 3 races in a season.
This was Ward Burton's first race in the #22 Pontiac for Bill Davis Racing. However, it was a short debut as Burton crashed out of the race and finished 34th.
Dale Earnhardt was sent to the rear of the field after spinning Rusty Wallace coming out of turn 4 on lap 32. This resulted in an argument between Wallace and Earnhardt after the race where Wallace threw a water bottle at Earnhardt.
Later in the race, Earnhardt ran into the back of Derrike Cope's #12 Ford on a restart. This significantly damaged the front of Earnhardt's car and forced him to pit road for repairs once the caution flag waved again. This was the reason why Earnhardt had to charge through the field in order to catch Terry Labonte at the end of the race.
At one point, the #94 McDonald's Ford of Bill Elliott climbed the wall coming out of turn 2.
The #43 of Bobby Hamilton was given a 5 lap penalty for rough driving for wrecking the #11 Ford of Brett Bodine twice within 20 laps.
Lake Speed suffered from a slight case of smoke inhalation as a result of a crash on lap 390 that broke an oil line on his #9 Ford. The broken oil line (and the accompanying substantial oil leak, which was streaming down the left front fender of the car) caused a fire while Speed was trying to get the car back to his pit stall.

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. The #37 of John Andretti won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 66-Billy Standridge, 52-Brad Teague, 88-Gary Bradberry

Miller Genuine Draft 400

The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 32-Ed Berrier, 78-Jay Hedgecock, 40-Shane Hall, 29-Steve Grissom, 90-Mike Wallace, 49-Eric Smith

Steve Grissom failed to qualify for both Richmond Winston Cup races in 1995.

MBNA 500

The MBNA 500 was held September 17 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The #1 of Rick Mast won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: ??-Billy Standridge, 66-Terry Fisher, 31-Greg Sacks

Rusty Wallace ended up finishing 3rd after being moved to the rear of the field at the beginning of the race due to needing a backup car so that he could run this race.
7th and final win of 1995 for Jeff Gordon.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held September 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, so point leader Jeff Gordon was awarded with the pole position.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 31-Jimmy Hensley, 32-Greg Sacks, 40-Rich Bickle, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 81-Kenny Wallace

In the middle part of the race, rookie Robert Pressley's brakes were wearing thin. On the backstretch he touched Ted Musgrave, who was running on seven cylinders, and sent him spinning into the pit wall. The back wheels of the Family Channel Ford climbed on top of the pit wall. This essentially ended Musgrave's title hopes, as he never really regained his earlier season form.

Tyson Holly Farms 400

The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was held October 1 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The #16 of Ted Musgrave won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 75-Todd Bodine, 32-Greg Sacks, 98-Jeremy Mayfield, 22-Ward Burton, 8-Jeff Burton, 90-Mike Wallace, 78-Jay Hedgecock

This was Ernie Irvan's first race back in the Winston Cup Series since his near-fatal crash in practice at Michigan in August 1994. This resulted in Robert Yates Racing unveiling the #88 in order to give Irvan a car to re-acclimate himself to racing before going full-time in 1996. The 88 car itself would starting in 1996 be run full time by Robert Yates Racing with driver Dale Jarrett.
All 36 cars starting the race finished the event within ten laps of the winner. (Jimmy Spencer was 36th, 10 laps down.) It was the first race since 1959 that an entire starting field finished the race, with no drivers scoring a DNF.
Junior Johnson's final race at his home track as a car owner would see Brett Bodine finish 22nd, 5 laps down; while Elton Sawyer finished 8 laps down in 34th.

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 97-Chad Little, 81-Kenny Wallace, 44-Jeff Purvis, 0-Delma Cowart, 66-Billy Standridge

Dale Earnhardt took the Past Champion's Provisional to get into this race. Within 70 laps, he was 2nd.^{[citation needed]}

AC Delco 400

The AC Delco 400 was held October 22 at North Carolina Speedway. The #26 of Hut Stricklin won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 88-Ernie Irvan, 19-Loy Allen Jr., 78-Jay Hedgecock, 84-Norm Benning, 70-Alan Russell, 14-Richard Brickhouse

This was Ward Burton's first career Winston Cup win, coming in just his seventh race for Bill Davis Racing.
This race featured an unusual 10+ lap long caution due to an error by NASCAR officials pertaining to Dale Earnhardt's car. On a green flag pit stop, Earnhardt's crew changed 4 tires like any other stop. However, one of the lugnuts on the left front tire was not painted red like the rest. As a result, an official called Earnhardt's car back to the pits to fix the problem that didn't actually exist. NASCAR then threw the caution in order to essentially put Earnhardt back where he was before the officials' error occurred, which was more or less unprecedented.

Dura Lube 500

The Dura Lube 500 was held October 29 at Phoenix International Raceway. The #94 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 50-A. J. Foyt, 97-Chad Little, 08-Mike Bliss, 40-Shane Hall, 00w-Scott Gaylord, 58w-Wayne Jacks, 7w-L. J. Pryor, 36w-Rich Woodland Jr.

This victory gave Ricky Rudd a victory in 13 consecutive seasons, dating back to 1983 (when he earned his 1st career victory at Riverside while driving the #3 Piedmont Airlines Chevrolet for Richard Childress).

NAPA 500

Main article: 1995 NAPA 500

The NAPA 500 was held November 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The #17 of Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 66-Billy Standridge, 59-Jack Sprague, 90-Mike Wallace, 40-Shane Hall, 0-Delma Cowart, 49-Eric Smith

Jeff Gordon came into the race only having to finish 41st or better to win the championship. As a result, he took it easy during the race (at one point, the team did a pit stop with Ray Evernham (Gordon's crew chief) serving as a tire changer). Dale Earnhardt came into this race 147 points behind Gordon. Earnhardt, knowing that he had to be near perfect to win the championship, went all out with nothing to lose. However, he went on to win the race and lead the most laps. He led 268 of the 328 laps. Gordon led only one lap, and that was during a round of green flag pit stops. With Earnhardt's win and leading the most laps (10 bonus points for leading the most laps), and with Gordon finishing 14 laps down in 32nd place, along with the 5 bonus points for leading a lap, Earnhardt gained a total of 113 points on Gordon. However, it was not enough for him to win a series record 8th championship. Gordon officially won his 1st title by 34 points over Earnhardt.
Hendrick Motorsports entered a fourth car just for this race just in case the unforeseen were to hit Gordon's car. If problems were to befall Gordon's car, the car would immediately pull off the track and retire from the race. This was the #58 Pontiac with "Racing for a Reason" on the quarter panels. Racing for a Reason referred to finding a cure for leukemia, a disease that owner Rick Hendrick had been diagnosed with. The team had originally hired Jimmy Horton to drive the car in the race. Horton qualified the car in 34th, but was unable to race it due to serious injuries suffered in a terrible crash in the ARCA Bondo Mar-Hyde Series support race the day before the NAPA 500. Jeff Purvis was then hired to sub for Horton in the #58 and drove the car to a 26th-place finish, 8 laps down.
Final race for King Racing, owned by drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein.
Last career pole for Darrell Waltrip.
Final race for Junior Johnson & Associates; as Johnson would sell the #11 car to its driver, Brett Bodine, while the #27 would go to attorney David Blair.
Last Top 10 finish for Bobby Hillin Jr.

Final points standings

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

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

Pos	Driver	DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	SON	CLT	DOV	POC	MCH	DAY	NHA	POC	TAL	IND	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO	ATL	Points
1	Jeff Gordon	22	1*	36	1*	32*	1*	2	3	2	3	33	6	16*	2*	1*	1*	2	8*	6	3	3*	6	1	6	1*	7	3	30	20	5	32	4614
2	Dale Earnhardt	2	3	2	4	2	25	1*	29	21	1	6	5	8	35	3	22	20	3	1	23	35	2	2*	3	5	1*	9	2	7	3	1*	4580
3	Sterling Marlin	1*	12	5	7	1	9	7	13	39	7	4	7	4	7	2*	9	18	1	7	21	4	7	10	33	6	23	15	6	6	12	2	4361
4	Mark Martin	3	7	8	9	37	8*	3	5	1*	2*	28	35	11	8	4	3*	7	7	5	1*	38	5	33	15	8	12	1*	1	3	8	17	4320
5	Rusty Wallace	34	24	3*	10	23	2	4	1*	20	20	34	9	17	3	27	6	16*	30	2	26	5	21	3	1*	3	3	2	9	2	4	3	4240
6	Terry Labonte	8	26	1	3	34	7	16	36	26	5	2	37	1	9	19	4	14	33	13	5	2	1	19	2	15	2	4	3	4	13	13	4146
7	Ted Musgrave	4	33	13	19	3	18	6	2	11	6	15	3	2	10	5	8	4	11	16	13	28	13	22	10	11	29	20	19	22	6	27	3949
8	Bill Elliott	23	11	16	26	17	14	28	12	6	19	39	15	6	14	10	18	5	5	4*	11	9	23	41	14	18	6	10	20	10	14	4	3746
9	Ricky Rudd	13	4	21	8	41	5	29	30	22	4	5	31	13	38	8	5	3	41	20	4	30	36	6	8	10	27	5	4*	13	1	10	3734
10	Bobby Labonte	30	2	30	2	27	32	15	10	5	13	1	2	27	1	41	15	35	31	9	6	1	11	8	17	9	14	18	8	40	37	8	3718
11	Morgan Shepherd	10	34	15	6	8	20	19	31	3	15	11	26	7	5	24	2	24	4	10	30	16	17	11	27	33	19	23	14	18	7	22	3618
12	Michael Waltrip	6	17	23	35	7	22	22	15	12	10	3	8	9	12	15	14	21	9	14	14	11	15	5	28	29	25	12	17	38	34	12	3601
13	Dale Jarrett	5	5	25	5	38	6	11	7	19	23	32	40	38	6	42	30	1	2	3	17	33	3*	28	4	30	10	7	5	23	11	31	3584
14	Bobby Hamilton	18	36	9	17	9	4	13	8	15	14	9	24	15	25	40	16	19	21	11	33	8	20	14	5	2	4	16	10	30	31	25	3576
15	Derrike Cope	31	8	6	13	5	13	30	28	42	12	19	12	20	19	13	7	39	15	40	15	34	10	15	34	7	9	13	11	19	2	35	3384
16	Geoff Bodine	20	21	11	30	13	23	14	35	7	22	26	27	14	21	14	35	6	24	15	9	27	12	35	19	24	5	11	16	15	16	11	3357
17	Ken Schrader	9	39	4	27	11	26	12	6	40	9	30*	11	3	27	6	10	40	32	19	36	26	14	23	9	12	32	8	35	33	10	42	3221
18	John Andretti	27	13	10	20	10	19	17	32	41	11	17	39	30	4	33	33	38	34	12	7	37	19	12	7	39	13	17	13	25	15	15	3140
19	Darrell Waltrip	32	38	7	34	21	3	10	4	4	35	18	20	42	26	34	17	36	43	17	8	15	4	40	22	36	8	14	34	12	38	16	3078
20	Brett Bodine	25	14	18	23	12	27	9	11	30	29	35	21	10	40	20	21	15	28	24	16	36	28	31	16	17	22	22	27	27	17	20	2988
21	Rick Mast	21	35	34	11	26	15	8	34	28	16	14	13	21	34	26	11	13	17	8	37	31	26	26	12	28	28	26	36	34*	9	21	2984
22	Ward Burton	15	9	22	DNQ	25	21	24	25	32	21	41	38	19	18	35	39	11	20	35	19	6	34	4	11	21	21	DNQ	7	1	42	5	2926
23	Lake Speed	14	32	14	15	29	17	25	26	16	40	8	34	28	11	21	24	22	35	34	20	17	29	9	21	32	20	35	21	24	22	19	2921
24	Ricky Craven (R)	16	16	38	12	42	29	33	18	17	25	10	22	26	33	22	31	25	26	31	10	7	32	18	29	22	35	21	25	8	24	30	2883
25	Dick Trickle	11	22	12	22	28	30	32	24	38	24	16	32	22	16	12	34	10	38	18	28	13	35	36	18	23	15	19	32	16	29	23	2875
26	Jimmy Spencer	DNQ	30	24	32	36	16	27	DNQ	9	17	27	29	41	30	9	12	17	10	23	18	14	18	29	31	16	18	36	12	26	33	6	2809
27	Steve Grissom	7	6	DNQ	18	6	11	5	20	37	26	13	16	18	20	43	28	31	25	30	22	29	22	27	DNQ	25	26	31	41	14	32	39	2757
28	Joe Nemechek	42	29	32	16	33	DNQ	20	14	DNQ	37	20	10	12	28	38	19	9	23	27	31	32	16	25	26	4	30	32	22	9	18	14	2742
29	Robert Pressley (R)	26	42	35	31	30	10	18	17	18	30	24	19	37	17	11	13	34	27	28	34	18	24	17	30	14	34	33	42	29	19	41	2663
30	Kyle Petty	12	10	33	14	35	35	31	9	31	28	29	1*	39	42	7	37	28	6	25	39	42	DNQ	24	25	26	11	30	15	32	39	33	2638
31	Jeremy Mayfield	35	18	17	36	31	DNQ	DNQ	16	14	DNQ	22	17	25	22	32	26	8	13	29	25	12	30	30	23	19	16	DNQ	29	11	20	18	2637
32	Jeff Burton	24	19	31	33	19	28	26	DNQ	25	18	40	25	36	31	18	25	27	22	38	38	23	9	16	13	20	31	DNQ	31	5	23	36	2556
33	Todd Bodine	37	31	37	21	4	33	21	DNQ	8	8	38	30	24	29	23	36	23	29	21	32	19	DNQ	42	24	37	24	DNQ	26	17	25	40	2372
34	Mike Wallace	39	15	26	40	15	DNQ	36	27	23	34	12	14	32	32	37	32	26	12	26	DNQ	20	8	39	DNQ	31	17	DNQ	23	39	36	DNQ	2178
35	Dave Marcis	36	23	20	28	24	34	34	23	34	27	37	36	31	15	25	29	33	19	DNQ	24	25	27	37	35	27	DNQ	28	40	DNQ	28	37	2126
36	Hut Stricklin						DNQ		33	24	33	7	4	5	37	16	27	41	36	22	40	10	33	7	32	38	36	25	18	28	35	38	2082
37	Bobby Hillin Jr.	DNQ										DNQ	42	23	13	28	20	12	16	39	27	39	DNQ	13	36	13	DNQ	24	24	21	21	9	1686
38	Elton Sawyer								20	27	DNQ	25	41		23		23	29	14	41	29	21	DNQ	32	38	40	33	34	28	31	30	28	1499
39	Greg Sacks	DNQ	41	19	29	22	36	35	22	35	DNQ	DNQ	28	33	DNQ	17				33		40	25	38	37	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	33	37	43	34	1349
40	Randy LaJoie (R)	29	25	27	39	16	12	23	DNQ	13	32	23	23	40	41				40														1133
41	Loy Allen Jr.	17	28	29	DNQ	18				10		36	DNQ			31			39	DNQ		DNQ		34					37	DNQ		24	890
42	Kenny Wallace	DNQ	20	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ		DNQ	21	36		31	18		36	DNQ		37		36		24	DNQ		20		DNQ		DNQ		26		878
43	Chuck Bown					39	31	DNQ	DNQ			21	33	29	24	29	40		37														618
44	Jimmy Hensley		40	DNQ	38							DNQ				30	41	32	DNQ	32		22	DNQ				DNQ	29	39				558
45	Rich Bickle																38	30		37		DNQ	31	21		35	DNQ	27	38				538
46	Davy Jones (R)	33	37	DNQ	24	20	24	DNQ	DNQ	33	36	DNQ																					520
47	Jeff Purvis	38			37			DNQ		29		DNQ				39			42	DNQ									DNQ			26	391
48	Ernie Irvan																											6		DNQ	40*	7	354
49	Steve Kinser (R)	40	27	28	41	40	DNQ	DNQ																									287
50	Wally Dallenbach Jr.										39										2												221
51	Billy Standridge	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	25	14	DNQ	DNQ		DNQ										DNQ				DNQ		DNQ			DNQ			DNQ	209
52	Gary Bradberry (R)	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ										DNQ							41		DNQ					43	35		29	208
53	Chad Little	DNQ										42							18										DNQ		DNQ		146
54	Butch Leitzinger																				12												127
55	Doug George										31																				41		110
56	Joe Ruttman	19																		DNQ			DNQ										106
57	Ed Berrier																							20	DNQ								103
58	Ron Hornaday Jr.																														27		82
59	Ben Hess	28	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ																												79
60	Phil Parsons	41	DNQ		42	DNQ																											77
61	Jimmy Horton													34																		QL	61
62	Michael Ritch																									34							61
63	Pancho Carter				DNQ									35						DNQ													58
64	Ron Fellows																				35												58
65	Shane Hall																								DNQ					36	DNQ	DNQ	55
66	Andy Hillenburg															36																	55
67	Terry Fisher										38															DNQ							49
68	Ken Pederson										41																						40
69	Butch Gilliland										42																						37
70	Dan Obrist										43																						34
71	Ernie Cope										DNQ																				44		31
72	Mike Chase (R)	DNQ
73	Doug Heveron	DNQ
74	Ronnie Sanders	DNQ
75	Phil Barkdoll	DNQ
76	Shawna Robinson	DNQ
77	Jim Sauter	DNQ
78	Kerry Teague	DNQ
79	Bob Strait	DNQ
80	James Hylton	DNQ	DNQ
81	Ken Bouchard	DNQ			DNQ
82	Randy MacDonald	DNQ						DNQ										DNQ
83	Ritchie Petty	DNQ								DNQ
84	Steve Seligman	DNQ								DNQ						DNQ			DNQ	DNQ
85	Delma Cowart	DNQ								DNQ						DNQ			DNQ										DNQ			DNQ
86	Terry Byers (R)	DNQ																DNQ
87	Jay Hedgecock			DNQ				DNQ	DNQ																DNQ			DNQ		DNQ
88	Eric Smith			DNQ													DNQ				DNQ				DNQ							DNQ
89	Johnny Chapman				DNQ							DNQ
90	Brad Teague					DNQ	DNQ																	DNQ
91	Butch Miller						DNQ
92	Garrett Evans										DNQ
93	St. James Davis										DNQ
94	Joe Heath										DNQ
95	Scott Gaylord										DNQ																				DNQ
96	Doug French												DNQ	DNQ
97	A. J. Foyt																			DNQ											DNQ
98	David Murry																				DNQ
99	Tracy Leslie																					DNQ
100	Tim Steele																					DNQ
101	Richard Brickhouse																													DNQ
102	Norm Benning																													DNQ
103	Alan Russell																													DNQ
104	Mike Bliss																														DNQ
105	Wayne Jacks																														DNQ
106	Rich Woodland Jr.																														DNQ
107	L. J. Pryor																														DNQ
108	Jack Sprague																															DNQ
109	Danny Sullivan																			Wth
110	Scott Brayton																			Wth
111	David Green						RL
Pos	Driver	DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	SON	CLT	DOV	POC	MCH	DAY	NHA	POC	TAL	IND	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO	ATL	Points

Rookie of the Year

29-year-old Ricky Craven from Newburgh, Maine received the 1995 Rookie of the Year award. Craven took the #41 Chevy owned by Sue and Larry Hedrick to four top-tens and finished 24th in the points. Runner-up was Craven's former Busch Series opponent Robert Pressley, posting one top-ten in the Leo Jackson Motorsports Chevy. The next runner-up, Randy LaJoie, began the year in the 22 car, but struggled and was released midway through the year. Steve Kinser and Davy Jones, a pair of open-wheel veterans who struggled in their transition to stock cars, were both released from their rides before the season reached the one-third point, while Mike Chase was released by his team after failing to qualify for the Daytona 500. Gary Bradberry and Terry Byers filed for Rookie of the Year contention but only ran limited schedules.

External links

1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Points races

Exhibition races

Busch Clash
Gatorade Twin 125s
The Winston Select

NASCAR Cup Series seasons

Overview

1995 changes

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Schedule

Races

Busch Clash

Gatorade 125s

Daytona 500

Goodwrench 500

Pontiac Excitement 400

Purolator 500

TranSouth Financial 400

Food City 500

First Union 400

Hanes 500

Winston Select 500

Save Mart Supermarkets 300

Coca-Cola 600

Miller Genuine Draft 500

UAW-GM Teamwork 500

Miller Genuine Draft 400

Pepsi 400

Slick 50 300

Miller Genuine Draft 500

DieHard 500

Brickyard 400

Pole qualifying

Second round qualifying

Race recap

Top ten results

The Bud at The Glen

GM Goodwrench 400

Goody's 500

Mountain Dew Southern 500

Miller Genuine Draft 400

MBNA 500

Goody's 500

Tyson Holly Farms 400

UAW-GM Quality 500

AC Delco 400

Dura Lube 500

NAPA 500

Final points standings

Rookie of the Year

See also

External links