The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series began on Saturday, February 14 and ended on Sunday, November 15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was crowned champion at season's end.
Teams and drivers
List of full-time teams at the start of 1998.
Races
NAPA Auto Parts 300
The NAPA Auto Parts 300 was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
87-Joe Nemechek
4-Jeff Purvis
60-Mark Martin
00-Buckshot Jones
74-Randy LaJoie
17-Matt Kenseth
21-Michael Waltrip
88-Kevin Schwantz
12-Jimmy Spencer
10-Phil Parsons
Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Patty Moise (#14), Larry Pearson (#55), Ron Barfield Jr. (#2), Jimmy Foster (#50), Derrike Cope (#92), Blaise Alexander (#20), Doug Reid III (#97), Dale Shaw (#48), Lance Hooper (#23), Chris Diamond (#68), Mark Day (#16)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a blowover with Dick Trickle after Trickle turned him.
GM Goodwrench Service Plus 200
The GM Goodwrench Service Plus 200 was held February 21 at North Carolina Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
17-Matt Kenseth
44-Tony Stewart
60-Mark Martin
9-Jeff Burton
34-Mike McLaughlin
66-Elliott Sadler
74-Randy LaJoie
72-Mike Dillon
37-Mark Green
57-Jason Keller
Failed to qualify: Patty Moise (#14), Jimmy Foster (#50), Dale Shaw (#48), Lance Hooper (#23), Ed Berrier (#77), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Kevin Cywinski (#11), Stanton Barrett (#89), Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Rick Fuller (#40), Michael Ritch (#58)
This was Kenseth's first career Busch Series victory.
Sam's Town Las Vegas 300
The Sam's Town Las Vegas 300 was held February 28 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
12-Jimmy Spencer
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 87-Joe Nemechek 9-Jeff Burton 32-Dale Jarrett 60-Mark Martin 72-Mike Dillon 00-Buckshot Jones 29-Hermie Sadler 77-Ed Berrier
Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Ron Barfield Jr. (#2), Chris Diamond (#68), Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Rick Fuller (#04), Dale Fischlein (#70), Brendan Gaughan (#31)
Randy LaJoie flipped on the final lap of the race.
BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320
The BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320 was held March 15 at Nashville Speedway USA. Casey Atwood won the pole, becoming the youngest pole winner in NASCAR Busch Series history. The race was broadcast on TNN.
Top ten results
34-Mike McLaughlin
28-Casey Atwood
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 74-Randy LaJoie 57-Jason Keller 87-Joe Nemechek 1-Sterling Marlin 33-Tim Fedewa 64-Dick Trickle 38-Elton Sawyer
Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Chris Diamond (#68), Mark Day (#16), Brad Loney (#45), Mike Stefanik (#96), Jeff Krogh (#56), Mark Krogh (#80), Derek Gilcrest (#12)
Diamond Hill Plywood 200
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
44-Bobby Labonte
9-Jeff Burton
64-Dick Trickle
17-Matt Kenseth
66-Elliott Sadler
72-Mike Dillon
29-Hermie Sadler
34-Mike McLaughlin
59-Robert Pressley
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Failed to qualify: Ron Barfield Jr. (#2), Jeff Fuller (#7), Patty Moise (#14), Jimmy Foster (#50), Dave Blaney (#93), Mike Stefanik (#96)
Moore's Snacks 250
The Moore's Snacks 250 was held March 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top ten results
66-Elliott Sadler
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 17-Matt Kenseth 38-Elton Sawyer 57-Jason Keller 34-Mike McLaughlin 10-Phil Parsons 89-Stanton Barrett 99-Glenn Allen Jr. 14-Patty Moise
Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Derrike Cope (#92), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Lyndon Amick (#35)
Coca-Cola 300
The Coca-Cola 300 was held April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.
Top ten results
3-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 66-Elliott Sadler 87-Joe Nemechek 10-Phil Parsons 56-Jeff Krogh 74-Randy LaJoie 37-Mark Green 17-Matt Kenseth 2-Jeff Green 9-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Dick Trickle (#64), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Mark Day (#16), Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Tom Lorenz (#62), Ted Smokstad (#48)