By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 8th, 1998, the 1998 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Jeff Gordon defeating Mark Martin by 364 points to win the 50th championship in Cup Series history. It was the third Cup Series championship for Gordon. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

The 1998 Daytona 500 was won by Dale Earnhardt, who also led the most laps with 107. It was Earnhardt’s only Daytona 500 victory in 20 starts to that point, as every pit crew congratulated Earnhardt on his way to victory lane in one of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history.

5. #99 Jeff Burton (-913 points)

Burton grabbed the fifth spot with a pair of victories, 18 top-fives and 23 top-10s, getting an average finish of 12.6. Burton also led the most laps in four races.

4. #2 Rusty Wallace (-827)

Wallace finished in fourth as he had one win, 15 top-fives and 21 top-10s for an average finish of 11.7, while leading the most laps in two starts.

3. #88 Dale Jarrett (-709)

Jarrett claimed third with three victories, 19 top-fives and 22 top-10s for an average finish of 11.2, while leading the most laps in two races.

2. #6 Mark Martin (-364)

Martin grabbed the second spot with seven wins, 22 top-fives and 26 top-10s, claiming an average finish of 8.6 as he led the most laps in eight races.

1. #24 Jeff Gordon

Gordon ran away with the championship as he had 13 wins, 26 top-fives and 28 top-10s for an average finish of 5.7, while leading the most laps in eight races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1998/W

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NASCAR / 1998 nascar cup series

1998 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

1998 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

1998 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap