Sears Point Raceway is one of two road courses to hold NASCAR races, the other being Watkins Glen International. The standard road course at Sears Point Raceway is a 12-turn course that is 2.52 miles (4.06 km) long;[3] the track was modified in 1998, adding the Chute, which bypassed turns 5 and 6, shortening the course to 1.95 miles (3.14 km). The Chute was only used for NASCAR events such as this race, and was criticized by many drivers, who preferred the full layout.[4] In 2001, it was replaced with a 70-degree turn, 4A, bringing the track to its current dimensions of 1.99 miles (3.20 km).[5]
The first practice session was held on Friday, June 23, at 10:00 AM PST. The session would last for three hours.[8]Jeff Gordon, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 1:11.209 and an average speed of 98.532 mph (158.572 km/h).[9]
The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, June 24, at 8:00 AM PST. The session would last for one hour and 15 minutes.[8]Jerry Nadeau, driving for Elliott-Marino Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 1:12.230 and an average speed of 97.140 mph (156.332 km/h).[10]
Qualifying was split into two rounds. The first round was held on Friday, June 19, at 2:00 PM PST. Each driver would have one lap to set a time. During the first round, the top 25 drivers in the round would be guaranteed a starting spot in the race. If a driver was not able to guarantee a spot in the first round, they had the option to scrub their time from the first round and try and run a faster lap time in a second round qualifying run, held on Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 AM PST. As with the first round, each driver would have one lap to set a time.[8] On January 24, 1998, NASCAR would announce that the amount of provisionals given would be increased from last season. Positions 26-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champion needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[11]
Jeff Gordon, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 1:11.080 and an average speed of 98.711 miles per hour (158.860 km/h).[12]
^Was replaced by Winston West Series driver Butch Gilliland after Speed injuring his ribs himself in a practice session.[6]
^Was released by team owner Joe Falk after qualifying, due to the fact that Lepage had announced his move to the No. 16 car of Roush Racing. Falk felt betrayed by the move, and decided to release him early. Tommy Kendall would replace Lepage.[7]
^Was released by team owner Joe Falk after qualifying, due to the fact that Lepage had announced his move to the No. 16 car of Roush Racing. Falk felt betrayed by the move, and decided to release him early. Tommy Kendall would replace Lepage.[7]
^Was released by team owner Joe Falk after qualifying, due to the fact that Lepage had announced his move to the No. 16 car of Roush Racing. Falk felt betrayed by the move, and decided to release him early. Tommy Kendall would replace Lepage.[7]
^Was released by team owner Joe Falk after qualifying, due to the fact that Lepage had announced his move to the No. 16 car of Roush Racing. Falk felt betrayed by the move, and decided to release him early. Tommy Kendall would replace Lepage.[7]
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