1998 NASCAR Busch Series

List of full-time teams at the start of 1998.

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

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 4-Jeff Purvis
3. 60-Mark Martin
4. 00-Buckshot Jones
5. 74-Randy LaJoie
6. 17-Matt Kenseth
7. 21-Michael Waltrip
8. 88-Kevin Schwantz
9. 12-Jimmy Spencer
10. 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)

• Larry Pearson replaced Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte in the No. 32 in the race, after failing to qualify his No. 55. Dale Jarrett and the No. 32 team were about to be DNQ for this event so the team decided to put Bobby Labonte in the car so he could get the car into the race with a past champions provisional. In doing so, they inadvertly bumped Larry Pearson and his No. 55 from the field. Perhaps they felt bad about it and realized they could get the same provisional with Pearson, so the team made a deal for Pearson to drive the No. 32 in the race instead of Labonte.

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a blowover with Dick Trickle after Trickle turned him.

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

1. 17-Matt Kenseth
2. 44-Tony Stewart
3. 60-Mark Martin
4. 9-Jeff Burton
5. 34-Mike McLaughlin
6. 66-Elliott Sadler
7. 74-Randy LaJoie
8. 72-Mike Dillon
9. 37-Mark Green
10. 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.

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

1. 12-Jimmy Spencer
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 9-Jeff Burton
5. 32-Dale Jarrett
6. 60-Mark Martin
7. 72-Mike Dillon
8. 00-Buckshot Jones
9. 29-Hermie Sadler
10. 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.

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

1. 34-Mike McLaughlin
2. 28-Casey Atwood
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. 74-Randy LaJoie
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 87-Joe Nemechek
7. 1-Sterling Marlin
8. 33-Tim Fedewa
9. 64-Dick Trickle
10. 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), Derrick Gilcrest (#12)

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

1. 44-Bobby Labonte
2. 9-Jeff Burton
3. 64-Dick Trickle
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 66-Elliott Sadler
6. 72-Mike Dillon
7. 29-Hermie Sadler
8. 34-Mike McLaughlin
9. 59-Robert Pressley
10. 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)

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

1. 66-Elliott Sadler
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 38-Elton Sawyer
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 34-Mike McLaughlin
7. 10-Phil Parsons
8. 89-Stanton Barrett
9. 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
10. 14-Patty Moise

Failed to qualify: Robert Pressley (#59), Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Derrike Cope (#92), Lyndon Amick (#35)-Withdrew, Kevin Schwantz (#88)-Withdrew

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

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 66-Elliott Sadler
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 10-Phil Parsons
5. 56-Jeff Krogh
6. 74-Randy LaJoie
7. 37-Mark Green
8. 17-Matt Kenseth
9. 2-Jeff Green
10. 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)

• This was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s first career Busch Series win.

The final Galaxy Food Centers 300 was held April 11 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Robert Pressley won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 77-Ed Berrier
2. 29-Hermie Sadler
3. 33-Tim Fedewa
4. 72-Mike Dillon
5. 17-Matt Kenseth
6. 59-Robert Pressley
7. 30-Mike Cope
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9. 85-Shane Hall
10. 57-Jason Keller

Failed to qualify: Hank Parker Jr. (#78), Kevin Lepage (#40), Blaise Alexander (#20), Patty Moise (#14), Chris Diamond (#68), Johnny Chapman (#21), Johnny Rumley (#96), Shane Jenkins (#49), Randy Porter (#48), Eddie Beahr (#39)

• This would be the first and only NASCAR victory of Berrier's career.

The Touchstone Energy 300 was held April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. During the race, Dave Blaneygot spun around and flipped onto its side and slammed the wall with his roof.He walked away. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top ten results

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 10-Phil Parsons
3. 34-Mike McLaughlin
4. 00-Buckshot Jones
5. 64-Dick Trickle
6. 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
7. 78-Loy Allen Jr.
8. 17-Matt Kenseth
9. 36-Matt Hutter
10. 38-Elton Sawyer

Failed to qualify: Patty Moise (#14), Doug Reid III (#7), Robert Pressley (#59), Mark Day (#16), Rick Wilson (#50)

The Gumout Long Life Formula 200 was held May 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Joe Bessey won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 00-Buckshot Jones
2. 44-Tony Stewart
3. 40-Kevin Lepage
4. 4-Jeff Purvis
5. 74-Randy LaJoie
6. 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
7. 34-Mike McLaughlin
8. 52-Kevin Grubb
9. 59-Robert Pressley
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: Mike Olsen (#61), Joey McCarthy (#41), Tom Bolles (#76), Brian Simo (#03)

The First Union 200 was held May 17 at Nazareth Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 33-Tim Fedewa
2. 4-Jeff Purvis
3. 34-Mike McLaughlin
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 6-Joe Bessey
6. 77-Ed Berrier
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 66-Elliott Sadler
9. 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
10. 13-Ted Christopher

Failed to qualify: none

The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 23 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 87-Joe Nemechek
3. 12-Jimmy Spencer
4. 21-Michael Waltrip
5. 17-Matt Kenseth
6. 44-Bobby Labonte
7. 34-Mike McLaughlin
8. 38-Elton Sawyer
9. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
10. 29-Hermie Sadler

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#92), Loy Allen Jr. (#78), Lyndon Amick (#35), Matt Hutter (#36), Blaise Alexander (#20), Mike Cope (#30), Kenny Irwin Jr. (#48), Kelly Denton (#75), Mark Krogh (#80), Andy Santerre (#47), Gary Laton (#46)

The MBNA Platinum 200 was held May 30 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
3. 44-Tony Stewart
4. 32-Dale Jarrett
5. 34-Mike McLaughlin
6. 59-Robert Pressley
7. 10-Phil Parsons
8. 38-Elton Sawyer
9. 57-Jason Keller
10. 21-Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: Bryan Wall (#73), Hal Browning (#46)

The Hardee's 250 was held June 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Wayne Grubb won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN2.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 83-Wayne Grubb
5. 60-Mark Martin
6. 57-Jason Keller
7. 40-Kevin Lepage
8. 64-Dick Trickle
9. 52-Kevin Grubb
10. 59-Robert Pressley

Failed to qualify: Dale Jarrett (#32), Jeff Krogh (#56), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Blaise Alexander (#20), Ted Christopher (#13), Derrike Cope (#92), Patty Moise (#14), Joey McCarthy (#41), Mike Laughlin Jr. (#45), Mike Olsen (#61), Derrick Gilcrest (#12)

The inaugural Lycos.com 250 was held June 14 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Matt Kenseth won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 17-Matt Kenseth
2. 10-Phil Parsons
3. 74-Randy LaJoie
4. 38-Elton Sawyer
5. 4-Jeff Purvis
6. 63-Curtis Markham
7. 37-Mark Green
8. 59-Ron Hornaday Jr.
9. 30-Mike Cope
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: none

The Lysol 200 was held June 28 at Watkins Glen International. Boris Said won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 87-Ron Fellows
2. 34-Mike McLaughlin
3. 9-Ashton Lewis
4. 36-David Green
5. 72-Mike Dillon
6. 40-Jack Sprague
7. 33-Tim Fedewa
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9. 2-Ricky Craven
10. 57-Jason Keller

Failed to qualify: Mark Krogh (#80), John Preston (#55), Rick Bell (#78), Kat Teasdale (#54), Patty Moise (#14), Dale Quarterley (#32N)

• With his victory, Fellows became the first Non-American winner in the NASCAR Busch series.

The DieHard 250 was held July 5 at The Milwaukee Mile. Jeff Purvis won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 38-Elton Sawyer
3. 4-Jeff Purvis
4. 36-David Green
5. 17-Matt Kenseth
6. 34-Mike McLaughlin
7. 00-Buckshot Jones
8. 33-Tim Fedewa
9. 6-Joe Bessey
10. 74-Randy LaJoie

Failed to qualify: none

The Myrtle Beach 250 was held July 11 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Tim Fedewa won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 74-Randy LaJoie
2. 36-David Green
3. 34-Mike McLaughlin
4. 35-Lyndon Amick
5. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. 33-Tim Fedewa
7. 6-Joe Bessey
8. 17-Matt Kenseth
9. 37-Mark Green
10. 66-Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Kevin Prince (#90), Johnny Chapman (#73), Blaise Alexander (#20), Patty Moise (#14), Jimmy Foster (#50), Mark Krogh (#80), Eddie Beahr (#39)

The Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 was held July 19 at California Speedway. Robert Pressley won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 40-Kevin Lepage
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 10-Phil Parsons
5. 36-David Green
6. 4-Jeff Purvis
7. 66-Elliott Sadler
8. 56-Mark Krogh
9. 6-Joe Bessey
10. 72-Mike Dillon

Failed to qualify: none

• Jack Sprague was scheduled to drive the No. 44 car, but he was injured after a crash in practice, so he was replaced by J.D. Gibbs in the race.

The Lycos.com 300 Presented by Valleydale Foods was held July 25 at South Boston Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 33-Tim Fedewa
2. 74-Randy LaJoie
3. 34-Mike McLaughlin
4. 36-David Green
5. 30-Todd Bodine
6. 63-Curtis Markham
7. 66-Elliott Sadler
8. 85-Shane Hall
9. 35-Lyndon Amick
10. 59-Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Kevin Prince (#90), Ashton Lewis (#89), Mark Krogh (#80), Jeff Krogh (#56), Jim Bown (#78), Toby Robertson (#12), Patty Moise (#14), Kelly Denton (#75), Johnny Chapman (#73), Casey Atwood (#27)

The Kroger 200 was held July 31 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Buckshot Jones won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 66-Elliott Sadler
3. 00-Buckshot Jones
4. 74-Randy LaJoie
5. 36-David Green
6. 17-Matt Kenseth
7. 21-Mike Bliss
8. 38-Elton Sawyer
9. 15-Mike Wallace
10. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.

Failed to qualify: Brad Noffsinger (#43), Mark McFarland (#82), Mark Day (#16), Stevie Reeves (#54), Kenneth Nichols (#94)

• This race marked the debut of Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR.

The Pepsi 200 presented by Devilbiss was held August 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole. This would be the last time that all drivers were still running at the end of the race until the Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway in 2022.This was also the last caution-free race in the Busch Series. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 44-Bobby Labonte
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 40-Kevin Lepage
5. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. 60-Mark Martin
7. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
8. 38-Elton Sawyer
9. 21-Michael Waltrip
10. 12-Rick Mast

Failed to qualify: Dave Blaney (#93), Dale Fischlein (#70), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Lyndon Amick (#35), Gary Laton (#46), Casey Atwood (#27)

The Food City 250 was held August 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Steve Grissom won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 40-Kevin Lepage
2. 10-Phil Parsons
3. 32-Dale Jarrett
4. 30-Todd Bodine
5. 33-Tim Fedewa
6. 15-Ken Schrader
7. 83-Wayne Grubb
8. 00-Buckshot Jones
9. 4-Nathan Buttke
10. 36-David Green

Failed to qualify: Michael Waltrip (#21), Lyndon Amick (#35), Greg Marlowe (#78), Mark Day (#16)

The Dura-Lube 200 presented by BI-LO was held September 5 at Darlington Raceway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 64-Dick Trickle
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. 34-Mike McLaughlin
4. 40-Kevin Lepage
5. 30-Todd Bodine
6. 17-Matt Kenseth
7. 32-Dale Jarrett
8. 60-Mark Martin
9. 59-Robert Pressley
10. 15-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Jeff Green (#92), Kelly Denton (#75), Ron Barfield Jr. (#2)

• Jeff Burton qualified the No. 9 car for Chad Little.

• With his victory, Trickle became the oldest winner in Busch Series history, at the age of 56 years, 1 month, and 32 days.

The Autolite Platinum 250 was held September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Andy Santerre won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 9-Jeff Burton
3. 12-Jimmy Spencer
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 30-Todd Bodine
6. 4-Jeff Purvis
7. 40-Kevin Lepage
8. 64-Dick Trickle
9. 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
10. 47-Andy Santerre

Failed to qualify: Bobby Hamilton Jr. (#95), Dave Rezendes (#78), Casey Atwood (#50), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Ward Burton (#14), Mark Krogh (#80), Mario Gosselin (#71), Ted Christopher (#13), Mark McFarland (#82), J. D. Gibbs (#42)

• Steve Grissom qualified No. 12 for Jimmy Spencer.

The MBNA Gold 200 was held September 19 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Grubb won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 17-Matt Kenseth
2. 52-Kevin Grubb
3. 38-Elton Sawyer
4. 34-Mike McLaughlin
5. 30-Todd Bodine
6. 93-Dave Blaney
7. 4-Jeff Purvis
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9. 2-Ricky Craven
10. 21-Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: none

• Tracy Leslie replaced Hal Browning in the #46 in the race.

The All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 was held October 3 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dave Blaney won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top ten results

1. 34-Mike McLaughlin
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. 12-Jimmy Spencer
5. 00-Buckshot Jones
6. 9-Jeff Burton
7. 40-Kevin Lepage
8. 92-Todd Bodine
9. 4-Jeff Purvis
10. 1-Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: Bobby Hillin Jr. (#8), Patty Moise (#14), Toby Porter (#91), Ashton Lewis (#89), Kelly Denton (#75), Jeff Green (#92), Lance Hooper (#23), Jim Bown (#51), Jason Jarrett (#11), Lyndon Amick (#35), Kevin Grubb (#43), Kerry Earnhardt (#04), Matt Hutter (#24), Wayne Grubb (#83), Andy Santerre (#47), Hank Parker Jr. (#53), Rich Bickle (#??)

The Carquest Auto Parts 250 was held October 17 at Gateway International Raceway. Shane Hall won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 4-Jeff Purvis
4. 47-Andy Santerre
5. 44-Tony Stewart
6. 93-Dave Blaney
7. 74-Randy LaJoie
8. 85-Shane Hall
9. 30-Todd Bodine
10. 40-Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Tracy Leslie (#2), Joey McCarthy (#41), Eric Bodine (#1), Mel Walen (#58), J. D. Gibbs (#42)

The AC Delco 200 was held October 31 at North Carolina Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. 66-Elliott Sadler
2. 40-Kevin Lepage
3. 29-Hermie Sadler
4. 52-Kevin Grubb
5. 84-Philip Morris
6. 53-Hank Parker Jr.
7. 72-Mike Dillon
8. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
9. 33-Tim Fedewa
10. 63-Curtis Markham

Failed to qualify: Tracy Leslie (#97), J. D. Gibbs (#42), Jeff Green (#92), Mike Wallace (#50), Bryan Wall (#73), Scott Hansen (#09), Lyndon Amick (#35), Matt Hutter (#55), Ted Christopher (#13), Chuck Bown (#51), Jeff Finley (#79), Mark Day (#16)

The Stihl 300 was originally scheduled for March 1998 but was held November 7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway after it and the Winston Cup Series Primestar 500 were both rained out. Dick Trickle won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. 44-Tony Stewart
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 00-Buckshot Jones
6. 52-Kevin Grubb
7. 87-Joe Nemechek
8. 10-Phil Parsons
9. 21-Michael Waltrip
10. 15-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: Tracy Leslie (#97), Lyndon Amick (#35), Hut Stricklin (#92), Gary Bradberry (#86), Curtis Markham (#89), Randy MacDonald (#7), Nathan Buttke (#78), Ken Bouchard (#50), Jeff Finley (#79), Morgan Shepherd (#07)

The Jiffy Lube Miami 300 was held November 15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Casey Atwood won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 12-Jimmy Spencer
3. 60-Mark Martin
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 36-David Green
6. 93-Dave Blaney
7. 26-Johnny Benson
8. 99-Glenn Allen Jr.
9. 74-Randy LaJoie
10. 33-Tim Fedewa

Failed to qualify: Chuck Bown (#92), Ted Christopher (#13), Jeff Krogh (#56), Patty Moise (#14), John Preston (#89), Nathan Buttke (#78), Kevin Schwantz (#88), Morgan Shepherd (#07), Philip Morris (#84), Hank Parker Jr. (#53), Lyndon Amick (#35), Freddie Query (#7), Gus Wasson (#49), Mark Krogh (#80)

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.

Andy Santerre, being the only full-time candidate for Rookie of the Year, walked away with the title after finishing 20th in points. 2nd-place-finisher Dave Blaney made his Busch Series debut in 1998, posting three sixth-place finishes over a 20-race stretch. He would be followed by Blaise Alexander, then Wayne and Kevin Grubb, both of whom grabbed their first career pole positions during the season. 18-year-old Casey Atwood ran a part-time schedule in an undeclared season but finished 38th in points. The next two competitors were Mike Cope and Matt Hutter, teammates at Cicci-Welliver Racing but released after a lack of performance. Part-time drivers Lance Hooper, Jason Jarrett, and MotoGP legend Kevin Schwantz rounded out the rookie class of 1998.

• 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

• Busch Series standings and statistics for 1998