The 1996 NASCAR Busch Series began February 17 and ended November 3. Randy LaJoie of BACE Motorsports was crowned the series champion.
Teams and drivers List of full-time teams at the start of 1996.
TeamCar(s)Driver(s)Listed owner(s) Akins-Sutton Motorsports Ford Thunderbird38 Dennis Setzer Bob Sutton American Equipment Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo95 David Green Buz McCall BACE Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo74 Randy LaJoie Bill Baumgardner Beverley Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo25 Johnny Rumley Don Beverley Bown Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo51 Jim Bown Dick Bown Buckshot Racing Ford Thunderbird00 Buckshot Jones Billy Jones Champion Racing Ford Thunderbird26 Derrike Cope Leon Fox Curb Racing Ford Thunderbird96 Stevie Reeves Mike Curb Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Monte Carlo3 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo29 Steve Grissom Gary Bechtel Ridling Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo88 Pete Orr (R) David Ridling Henderson Brothers Racing Ford Thunderbird75 Doug Heveron Charlie Henderson Hensley Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo63 Curtis Markham Hubert Hensley Isenhower Brothers Racing Ford Thunderbird32 Dale Jarrett Horace Isenhower J&J Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo99 Glenn Allen Jr. (R) Bill Papke Joe Bessey Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo9 Joe Bessey Nancy Bessey KEL Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo57 Jason Keller Joe Keller] Labonte Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo5 Terry Labonte44 Bobby Labonte Lepage Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo71 Kevin Lepage Kevin Lepage Mark Rypien Motorsports Pontiac Grand Prix23 Chad Little Mark Rypien Martin Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo92 Larry Pearson Mac Martin Michael Waltrip Racing Ford Thunderbird12 Michael Waltrip Buffy Waltrip MS Racing Ford Thunderbird14 Patty Moise Elton Sawyer NorthStar Motorsports Ford Thunderbird98 Jeremy Mayfield Meredith Ruark Owen Racing Ford Thunderbird90 Mike Wallace Barry Owen Parker Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo72 Mike Dillon Ron Parker Petty Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo 16Pontiac Grand Prix 943 Rodney Combs Richard Petty Phil Parsons Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo10 Phil Parsons Marcia Parsons Phoenix Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo4 Jeff Purvis James Finch Porter Racing Ford Thunderbird48 Randy Porter James Porter Pro Tech Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo81 Todd Bodine Ron Neal Roush Racing Ford Thunderbird60 Mark Martin Jack Roush Sadler Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo1 Hermie Sadler Bell Sadler Shoemaker Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo64 Dick Trickle Dennis Shoemaker ST Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo47 Jeff Fuller Tad Geschickter Stegall Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo85 Shane Hall (R) Don Stegall Taylor Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo40 Tim Fedewa Doug Taylor Team 34 Chevrolet Monte Carlo34 Mike McLaughlin Frank Cicci
Races
Goody's Headache Powder 300
The Goody's Headache Powder 300 was held February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Jeff Purvis won the pole.
Top ten results
29–Steve Grissom 32–Dale Jarrett 60–Mark Martin 92–Larry Pearson 63–Curtis Markham 43–Rodney Combs 74–Randy LaJoie 26–Derrike Cope 44–Bobby Labonte 20–Jimmy Spencer This was the first NASCAR start for Tony Stewart.
Goodwrench Service 200
The Goodwrench Service 200 was held February 24 at North Carolina Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.
Top ten results
60–Mark Martin 34–Mike McLaughlin 4–Jeff Purvis 2–Ricky Craven 44–Bobby Labonte 95–David Green 74–Randy LaJoie 57–Jason Keller 5–Terry Labonte 81–Todd Bodine
Hardee's Fried Chicken Challenge 250
The Hardee's Fried Chicken Challenge 250 was Held March 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Purvis won the pole.
Top ten results
4–Jeff Purvis 87–Joe Nemechek 95–David Green 90–Mike Wallace 63–Curtis Markham 74–Randy LaJoie 57–Jason Keller 81–Todd Bodine 32–Dale Jarrett 5–Terry Labonte
Busch Light 300
The Busch Light 300 was held March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dick Trickle won the pole.
Top ten results
5–Terry Labonte 95–David Green 10–Phil Parsons 29–Steve Grissom 49–Stanton Barrett 43–Rodney Combs 60–Mark Martin 22–Ward Burton 44–Bobby Labonte 87–Joe Nemechek
BellSouth/Opryland USA 320
The BellSouth/Opryland USA 320 was held March 17 at Nashville Speedway USA. Sterling Marlin won the pole.
Top ten results
44–Bobby Labonte 95–David Green 10–Phil Parsons 5–Terry Labonte 63–Curtis Markham 87–Joe Nemechek 99–Glenn Allen Jr. 64–Dick Trickle 98–Jeremy Mayfield 55–Bobby Dotter
Dura Lube 200 (March 23)
The Dura Lube 200 was held March 23 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
60–Mark Martin 12–Michael Waltrip 5–Terry Labonte 2–Ricky Craven 44–Bobby Labonte 32–Dale Jarrett 29–Steve Grissom 81–Todd Bodine 64–Dick Trickle 22–Ward Burton
Goody's Headache Powder 250
The Goody's Headache Powder 250 was held March 30 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Chad Little won the pole.
Top ten results
60–Mark Martin 3–Jeff Green 8–Kenny Wallace 10–Phil Parsons 29–Steve Grissom 74–Randy LaJoie 95–David Green 64–Dick Trickle 90–Mike Wallace 47–Jeff Fuller
Sundrop 300
The Sundrop 300 was held April 6 at Hickory Motor Speedway. David Green won the pole.
Top ten results
95–David Green 1–Hermie Sadler 74–Randy LaJoie 57–Jason Keller 81–Todd Bodine 51–Jimmy Spencer 3–Jeff Green 88–Kevin Lepage 63–Curtis Markham 92–Larry Pearson
CoreStates/Meridian Advantage 200
The CoreStates/Meridian Advantage 200 was held May 19 at Nazareth Speedway. David Green won the pole.
Top ten results
74–Randy LaJoie* 95–David Green 3–Jeff Green 64–Dick Trickle 57–Jason Keller 6–Tommy Houston 88–Kevin Lepage 40–Tim Fedewa 81–Todd Bodine 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
Shane Hall flipped in this race.
This was the first win for Randy LaJoie. Toshio Suzuki became the first Japanese driver to qualify for a NASCAR race.
Red Dog 300
The Red Dog 300 was held May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. Future Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth made his debut.
Top ten results
60–Mark Martin 64–Dick Trickle 44–Bobby Labonte 5–Terry Labonte 74–Randy LaJoie 32–Dale Jarrett 26–Derrike Cope 87–Joe Nemechek 90–Mike Wallace 22–Ward Burton
GM Goodwrench/Delco 200
The GM Goodwrench/Delco 200 was held June 1 at Dover International Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.
Top ten results
74–Randy LaJoie 2–Ricky Craven 5–Terry Labonte 95–David Green 90–Mike Wallace 32–Dale Jarrett 3–Jeff Green 10–Phil Parsons 92–Larry Pearson 1–Hermie Sadler
Winston Motorsports 300
The Winston Motorsports 300 was held June 8 at South Boston Speedway. Randy LaJoie won the pole. Mike Harmon would make his NASCAR debut in this race
Top ten results
81–Todd Bodine 34–Mike McLaughlin 3–Jeff Green 92–Larry Pearson 74–Randy LaJoie 63–Curtis Markham 1–Hermie Sadler 23–Chad Little 88–Kevin Lepage 72–Mike Dillon
Carolina Pride / Advance Auto Parts 250 The Carolina Pride / Advance Auto Parts 250 was held June 22 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. David Green won the pole. This race marked the NASCAR debut of Dale Earnhardt Jr., driving the #31 Chevrolet. Earnhardt started 7th and finished 14th.
Top ten results
95–David Green 4–Jeff Purvis 57–Jason Keller 88–Kevin Lepage 3–Jeff Green 34–Mike McLaughlin 64–Dick Trickle 43–Dennis Setzer 63–Curtis Markham 37–Mark Green
Lysol 200
The Lysol 200 was held June 30 at Watkins Glen International. David Green won the pole.
Top ten results
5–Terry Labonte 81–Todd Bodine 34–Mike McLaughlin 44–Bobby Labonte 95–David Green 3–Jeff Green 20–Jimmy Spencer 23–Chad Little 8–Kenny Wallace 57–Jason Keller
Sears Auto Center 250
The Sears Auto Center 250 was held July 7 at The Milwaukee Mile. Hermie Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
00–Buckshot Jones 34–Mike McLaughlin 74–Randy LaJoie 8–Kenny Wallace 44–Bobby Labonte 75–Doug Heveron 3–Jeff Green 6–Tommy Houston 47–Jeff Fuller 57–Jason Keller
This was Buckshot Jones's first Busch Series win.
Stanley 200
The Stanley 200 was held July 12 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The race was originally scheduled to run on May 12, but was rescheduled for July 12 (Friday morning) because of rain. The field was set according to where they qualified on May 11. David Green won the pole.
Top ten results
74–Randy LaJoie 5–Terry Labonte 95–David Green 3–Jeff Green 44–Bobby Labonte 1–Hermie Sadler 81–Todd Bodine 57–Jason Keller 34–Mike McLaughlin 90–Mike Wallace
Humminbird Fishfinder 500K
The Humminbird Fishfinder 500K was held July 27 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
29–Greg Sacks 87–Joe Nemechek 74–Randy LaJoie 5–Terry Labonte 12–Michael Waltrip 4–Jeff Purvis 64–Dick Trickle 47–Jeff Fuller 88–Kevin Lepage 95–David Green
Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held August 2 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
74–Randy LaJoie 34–Mike McLaughlin 95–David Green 40–Tim Fedewa 32–Dale Jarrett 43–Dennis Setzer 4–Jeff Purvis 64–Dick Trickle 00–Buckshot Jones 11–Tracy Leslie
Detroit Gasket 200
The Detroit Gasket 200 was held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole.
Top ten results
4–Jeff Purvis 88–Kevin Lepage 5–Terry Labonte 60–Mark Martin 2–Ricky Craven 44–Bobby Labonte 95–David Green 28–Hut Stricklin 29–Elliott Sadler 74–Randy LaJoie
Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Fuller won the pole.
Top ten results
47–Jeff Fuller 32–Dale Jarrett 10–Phil Parsons 20–Jimmy Spencer 12–Michael Waltrip 26–Derrike Cope 63–Curtis Markham 3–Jeff Green 57–Jason Keller 5–Terry Labonte
This was Jeff Fuller's first (and only) Busch Series win.
Dura Lube 200 (August 31)
The Dura Lube 200 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.
Top ten results
5–Terry Labonte 60–Mark Martin 64–Dick Trickle 95–David Green 74–Randy LaJoie 2–Ricky Craven 3–Jeff Green 32–Dale Jarrett 88–Kevin Lepage 6–Tommy Houston
Autolite Platinum 250
The Autolite Platinum 250 was held September 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
8–Kenny Wallace 95–David Green 23–Chad Little 60–Mark Martin 64–Dick Trickle 4–Jeff Purvis 98–Jeremy Mayfield 74–Randy LaJoie 44–Bobby Labonte 5–Terry Labonte
MBNA 200
The MBNA 200 was held September 14 at Dover International Speedway. Ricky Craven won the pole.
Top ten results
74–Randy LaJoie 32–Dale Jarrett 10–Phil Parsons 5–Terry Labonte 2–Ricky Craven 34–Mike McLaughlin 29–Elliott Sadler 38–Elton Sawyer 23–Chad Little 1–Hermie Sadler
All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300
The All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 was held October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.
Top ten results
60–Mark Martin 44–Bobby Labonte 92–Sterling Marlin 23–Chad Little 34–Mike McLaughlin 74–Randy LaJoie 88–Kevin Lepage 3–Jeff Green 20–Jimmy Spencer 57–Jason Keller
Steve Park made his series debut in his race, driving the No. 31 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Park qualified 13th, but crashed out of the race on lap 117 and posted a 29th place finish.
AC-Delco 200
The AC-Delco 200 was held October 19 at North Carolina Speedway. Buckshot Jones won the pole.
Top ten results
60–Mark Martin 32–Dale Jarrett 2–Ricky Craven 34–Mike McLaughlin 95–David Green 5–Terry Labonte 88–Kevin Lepage 3–Jeff Green 74–Randy LaJoie 23–Chad Little
Jiffy Lube Miami 300
The Jiffy Lube Miami 300 was held November 3 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.
Top ten results
88–Kevin Lepage 44–Bobby Labonte 60–Mark Martin 87–Joe Nemechek 29–Elliott Sadler 20–Jimmy Spencer 23–Chad Little 81–Todd Bodine 95–David Green 74–Randy LaJoie This was Kevin Lepage's first career victory.
Full Drivers' Championship
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.