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 plane 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; their deaths would be the last for an active NASCAR Cup Series driver during a non NASCAR race weekend until Kyle Busch's demise in 2026.
The season also saw the introduction of electronic scoring, giving instantaneous interval numbers.
Teams and drivers
Complete schedule ManufacturerTeamDriverCrew chiefChevroletDarrell Waltrip Motorsports17 Darrell Waltrip Barry Dodson Hagan Racing14 Terry Labonte Pete Wright Hendrick Motorsports5 Ricky Rudd Gary DeHart24 Jeff Gordon (R) Ray Evernham25 Ken Schrader Ken Howes Joe Gibbs Racing18 Dale Jarrett Jimmy MakarLarry Hedrick Motorsports41 Phil Parsons Doug Richert Dick Trickle Leo Jackson Motorsports33 Harry Gant Leo JacksonMarcis Auto Racing71 Dave Marcis Dave Fischlein Terry Fisher Morgan-McClure Motorsports4 Ernie Irvan Tony GloverJeff Purvis Joe Nemechek Jimmy Hensley Richard Childress Racing3 Dale EarnhardtAndy PetreeFord Bill Davis Racing22 Bobby Labonte (R) Tim Brewer Bobby Allison Motorsports12 Jimmy Spencer Jimmy FennigBud Moore Engineering15 Geoff Bodine Donnie WingoLake Speed Butch Mock Motorsports75 Dick Trickle Butch Mock Todd Bodine Phil Parsons Cale Yarborough Motorsports98 Derrike Cope Bob Johnson Donlavey Racing90 Bobby Hillin Jr. Doug Williams Junior Johnson & Associates11 Bill Elliott Mike Beam27 Hut Stricklin Mike Hill King Racing 26 Brett Bodine Donnie Richeson Dick Trickle Means Racing52 Jimmy Hensley Bryan Dorsey Jimmy Means Scott Gaylord Mike Skinner Mike Wallace Precision Products Racing1 Rick Mast Richard Jackson RaDiUs Racing55 Ted Musgrave Sandy Jones Roush Racing6 Mark Martin Steve Hmiel16 Wally Dallenbach Jr. Howard Comstock Stavola Brothers Racing8 Sterling Marlin Ken WilsonTri-Star Motorsports68 Bobby Hamilton Dave Fuge Greg Sacks Dorsey Schroeder Loy Allen Jr. Wood Brothers Racing21 Morgan Shepherd Eddie WoodPontiac Bahari Racing30 Michael Waltrip Doug Hewitt Penske Racing2 Rusty Wallace Buddy Parrott Petty Enterprises44 Rick Wilson Robbie Loomis Jimmy Hensley SABCO Racing40 Kenny Wallace (R) Jeff Hammond42 Kyle Petty Robin Pemberton
Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamRace driverCrew chiefRound(s) Buick Sellers Racing 48 Jack Sellers Chevrolet Active Motorsports 32 Jimmy Horton Mike Hillman Bahre Racing 64 Johnny Chapman Ball Motorsports 99 Brad Teague Ralph Ball BS&S Motorsports 49 Stanley Smith Chesrown Racing 37 Rick Carelli David Ifft 61 Ferree Racing 05 Ed Ferree Folsom Racing13Stan Fox31Steve Kinser Richard Childress Racing Neil Bonnett Andy Petree Gilliland Racing 36 Butch Gilliland Hendrick Motorsports46 Al Unser Jr. Waddell Wilson Buddy Baker Jeanie Hunt 56 Tony Hunt Hill Motorsports Jerry Hill JTC Racing 50 Mike Chase McClure Racing 83 Jeff McClure 29 Linro Motorsports Kerry Teague John Krebs Diamond Ridge Motorsports Andy Hillenburg Steve Grissom 99 John Krebs Aroneck Racing 65 Jerry O'Neil Dennis Conner O'Neil Racing NEMCO Motorsports 87 Joe Nemechek Phoenix Racing 51 Jeff Purvis Marc Reno Scribner Engineering Rick Scribner Spears Motorsports 76 Bill Sedgwick Ron Hornaday Jr. TTC Motrosports Inc. 04 Hershel McGriff Tex Racing 72 John Andretti Venturini Motorsports 35 Bill Venturini Barkdoll Racing 73 Stanley Smith Phil Barkdoll Oldsmobile B&B Racing 23 Eddie Bierschwale Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning Frank Perpetua O'Neil Racing 63 65 Jerry O'Neil Dennis Conner Stringer Motorsports 57 Bob Schacht Mike Mack Woodland Racing 86 Rich Woodland Jr. Jim Benison Ford AK Racing7 Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Jimmy Hensley Tommy Kendall Geoff Bodine Racing Geoff Bodine Allen Racing 37 Loy Allen Jr. Akins Motorsports 38 Bobby Hamilton Dick Meyer Andy Belmont Racing 79 Andy Belmont Pat Rissi Ball Motorsports 99 Brad Teague Ralph Ball Circle Bar Racing 84 Rick Crawford Petty Brothers Racing53 Ritchie Petty Jimmy Means Racing Mike Potter Graham Taylor Jimmy Means 62 Clay Young John McFadden Gray Racing Clay Young Ben Hess 77 Davy Jones Mike Potter Steven Gray Balough Racing H. L. Waters Racing0 Delma Cowart Phillip Branch FILMAR Racing Jeff Burton TTC Motrosports Inc. 45 Rich Bickle Phil Hammer Gray Racing 86 Mark Thompson Hover Motorsports 80 Jimmy Horton Jeff Davis 81 Jeff Davis Mansion Motorsports 85 Dorsey Schroeder Ed Katera Ken Bouchard Bob Schacht Jim Sauter Melling Racing 9 Chad LittleHarry Hyde Greg Sacks P. J. Jones (R) Moroso Racing 20 Joe Ruttman Dick Meyer Bobby Hamilton Mueller Brothers Racing 89 Jim Sauter Terry Allen Owen Racing 66 Mike Wallace Robert Yates Racing28 Davey AllisonLarry McReynolds Robby Gordon Lake Speed Ernie Irvan Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Ken Ragan Jeremy Mayfield Schmitt Racing 73 Bill Schmitt Speed Racing 83 Lake Speed Troy Selberg Stahl Racing 82 Mark Stahl Standridge Motorsports 47 Billy Standridge Taylor Racing 02 T. W. Taylor Jeff Buckner Team Jones Racing 50 A. J. Foyt Bobby Jones Tom Craigen 20 Dirk Stephens Tom Craigen Triad Motorsports 78 Jay Hedgecock Stavola Brothers Racing 48 James Hylton James Hylton Jr. PontiacHylton Motorsports Trevor Boys Genzman Racing Andy Genzman Bahre Racing 64 Johnny Chapman Bailey Racing 36 H. B. Bailey Midgley Racing 09 R. K. Smith Jacks Motorsports 58 Wayne Jacks Owen Racing 66 Mike Wallace
Schedule No. Race title Track DateNCBusch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 7Gatorade Twin 125 QualifiersFebruary 111Daytona 500February 142GM Goodwrench 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamFebruary 283Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondMarch 74Motorcraft Quality Parts 500*Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 205TranSouth 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMarch 286Food City 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 47First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 188Hanes 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 259Winston 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaMay 210Save Mart Supermarkets 300KSears Point Raceway, SonomaMay 16NCWinston OpenCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 22The Winston11Coca-Cola 600May 3012Budweiser 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverJune 613Champion Spark Plug 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 1314Miller Genuine Draft 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 2015Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 316Slick 50 300New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonJuly 1117Miller Genuine Draft 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 1818DieHard 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaJuly 2519The Bud at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 820Champion Spark Plug 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1521Bud 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2822Mountain Dew Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 523Miller Genuine Draft 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 1124SplitFire Spark Plug 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 1925Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2626Tyson/Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroOctober 327Mello Yello 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 1028AC Delco 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2429Slick 50 500Phoenix International Raceway, PhoenixOctober 3130Hooters 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonNovember 14
Race scheduled for March 14, but postponed due to the 1993 Storm of the Century.
Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverBusch ClashErnie IrvanDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevroletGatorade Twin 125 #1Kyle PettyJeff GordonJeff GordonChevroletGatorade Twin 125 #2Dale JarrettDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet1Daytona 500Kyle PettyDale EarnhardtDale JarrettChevrolet2GM Goodwrench 500Mark MartinRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac3Pontiac Excitement 400Ken SchraderKyle PettyDavey AllisonFord4Motorcraft Quality Parts 500Rusty WallaceMark MartinMorgan ShepherdFord5TranSouth 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet6Food City 500Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac7First Union 400Brett BodineSterling MarlinRusty WallacePontiac8Hanes 500Geoff BodineRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac9Winston 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtErnie IrvanChevrolet10Save Mart Supermarkets 300KDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtGeoff BodineFordWinston OpenJeff GordonJeff GordonSterling MarlinFordThe WinstonErnie IrvanErnie IrvanDale EarnhardtChevrolet11Coca-Cola 600Ken SchraderDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet12Budweiser 500Ernie IrvanDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet13Champion Spark Plug 500Ken SchraderKyle PettyKyle PettyPontiac14Miller Genuine Draft 400Brett BodineMark MartinRicky RuddChevrolet15Pepsi 400Ernie IrvanDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet16Slick 50 300Mark MartinSterling MarlinRusty WallacePontiac17Miller Genuine Draft 500Ken SchraderDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet18DieHard 500Bill ElliottDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet19Budweiser at The GlenMark MartinMark MartinMark MartinFord20Champion Spark Plug 400Ken SchraderRicky RuddMark MartinFord21Bud 500Mark MartinRusty WallaceMark MartinFord22Mountain Dew Southern 500Ken SchraderMark MartinMark MartinFord23Miller Genuine Draft 400Bobby LabonteRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac24SplitFire Spark Plug 500Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac25Goody's 500Ernie IrvanErnie IrvanErnie IrvanFord26Tyson Holly Farms 400Ernie IrvanRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac27Mello Yello 500Jeff GordonErnie IrvanErnie IrvanFord28AC Delco 500Mark MartinRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac29Slick 50 500Bill ElliottMark MartinMark MartinFord30Hooters 500Harry GantRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac
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
#3 - Dale Earnhardt #25 - Ken Schrader #4 - Ernie Irvan #6 - Mark Martin #5 - Ricky Rudd #28 - Davey Allison #42 - Kyle Petty #8 - Sterling Marlin #11 - Bill Elliott #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
#24 - Jeff Gordon* #11 - Bill Elliott #42 - Kyle Petty #25 - Ken Schrader #90 - Bobby Hillin Jr. #28 - Davey Allison #83 - Lake Speed #44 - Rick Wilson #9 - Chad Little #14 - Terry Labonte
Race two: top ten results
#3 - Dale Earnhardt #15 - Geoff Bodine #18 - Dale Jarrett #4 - Ernie Irvan #7 - Alan Kulwicki #5 - Ricky Rudd #8 - Sterling Marlin #41 - Phil Parsons #27 - Hut Stricklin #26 - Brett Bodine
With his win in Race 1, Jeff Gordon became the first rookie in NASCAR's modern era to win a Daytona 500 qualifying race.
Daytona 500 by STP
The 1993 Daytona 500 by STP was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Kyle Petty won the pole, the first Daytona 500 pole for the Petty family since 1966, and only the second time ever. His father Richard waved the green flag in the first Winston Cup race held since his retirement.
Top ten results
#18 - Dale Jarrett* #3 - Dale Earnhardt #15 - Geoff Bodine #27 - Hut Stricklin #24 - Jeff Gordon* #6 - Mark Martin #21 - Morgan Shepherd