2020 Winston Cup 2002 Rookie of the Year Standings

Updated 11-21-2002

How the ROTY Works:

CORRECTION - it is the 17 BEST RACES, not 18 as I was told
so have made adjustments

Based upon the best 17 races finishes (by rookie points);
(not 18 as I was told)

One point awarded for attempting to make the race;

10 points to highest finishing rookie,
9 points for the next highest, down
to one point for the tenth finishing rookie;

Any top 10 finish by a rookie is awarded specific points based on finish, 10 for first 9 for second, down to 1 for a 10th place finish. So if a rookie of the year candidate finished 6th and were the highest finishing rookie driver, the would get 1 point for the race attempt, 10 points for being the highest finishing rookie, and 5pts bonus points for finsihing 5th for a total of 16 rookie points.

Bonus points are awarded three times during a season. After the 10th(California), 20th(Pocono), and the final race of the season - based on final Cup points standings) of the season as follows: 10pts to the rookie who earned the most Winston Cup points in the current 10-race segment(third segmant was 9 races), the points incrementally decrease by one point until one bonus point is awarded the tenth highest rookie who earned the most points in the segment;

The second part of this system is determined by a Raybestos Rookie of the Year panel which includes, NASCAR's President, Director of Operations, Winston Cup Series Director, Winston Cup Manager of Communications, and the defending Winston Cup Champion (Jeff Gordon will not be part of the panel because of the conflict of interest). During the final race weekend of the season the panel meets to discuss the Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates and grades them on three criteria. The criteria includes: driver conduct with officials in the garage and pit areas, driver conduct and awareness on the track, and personal appearance and relationship with the media. The panel then votes on each candidate in all three areas using the 10-to-1 points system. Total points will be averaged by each panel member and added to the entry, competition and bonus points of each rookie candidate after the final race of the season. The total of these points will determine the overall Raybestos NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year.

A driver loses their rookie status for the following year after starting in eight Winston Cup Events in a single season

Another Explanation:

The scoring for the award is based off performance, but does not mirror the NASCAR Winston Cup points structure. The scoring, which has several wrinkles that rewards the candidates throughout the season, is based off the rookie’s 17 best finishes with points awarded in the following categories:

Race entry – One point is awarded for entering a race (all 36 races count for this bonus).

Race finish – Top-finishing rookie earns 10 points, second nine, and so on down the line.

Top-10 finish – Bonus points are awarded with a high of 10 for a win to a low of one for a 10th-place finish.

Segment bonuses – The season is split into three segments (first 10 races, second 10, final 16) and the driver with the most points for the segment will receive a maximum 10 additional bonus points. The rookie that finishes second in the segment will receive nine bonus points, the one who is third receives eight, etc.

Championship finish – The highest-ranking rookie in the NASCAR Winston Cup points championship will receive a 10-point bonus. Second-highest nine and so on down the line.

Rookie panel – Awards bonus points (10 through 1 system) to each rookie for the following categories: conduct with officials, track conduct and awareness, personal appearance and relationship with the media.(Ford Racing)

SOME NEWS

  • 2003 Rookies? looks like another possible stellar class:
    for sure: #16-Greg Biffle; #42-Jamie McMurray; #50?-Larry Foyt; #60-Jack Sprague;
    possibles: #?-Kevin Grubb; #66-Hideo Fukuyama; #74-Tony Raines; #93-Mike Harmon?....

  • Ryan Newman named ROTY: per NASCAR.com, ThatsRacin.com and the AP, no word on how the panel voted, looks like the final point total was 370-347, see my UNOFFICIAL Rookie of the Year page for charts and some calucaltions. What does he win? $50,000.(11-18-2002)

  • Rookie Stuff UPDATE 3 Gordon out: If the season ended now, #12-Ryan Newman would be on top of the series' rookie standings -- largely because he has more top-five finishes -- even though he trails 348-Jimmie Johnson in Winston Cup points (this was back in Oct, the difference now is 6 points with Johnson still ahead). But the winner could be a matter of choice for NASCAR. Though Newman holds the edge in rookie points, there's another factor in the equation. A panel of four NASCAR officials can add or subtract points based on each rookie's conduct on and off the track. The Winston Cup champion was on that panel last year, but that policy is under review because of Gordon's affiliation with Johnson.(Sporting News), also been asked alot if Jamie McMurray will be eligiable for Rookie of the Year in 2003, as far as I know, as long as he doesn't run more then seven Cup races (impossible for him at this point) he will be a 2003 Rookie of the Year candiate, and no, no other driver has run for Rookie of the Year and won the year before.(10-17-2002)
    UPDATE: been told - NASCAR has already elminated Jeff Jordon (defending champion of series) from the post-season rookie of the year voting panel. It will be now be four NASCAR officials.(10-18-2002)
    UPDATE 2: Rookie points are awarded based on a host of categories, including top-10 finishes and battles with fellow rookies. Bonus points are awarded at different season intervals, too. Then there are discretionary points, dispersed at season's end by a five-member panel of NASCAR officials and the Winston Cup champion (Bobby Labonte is replacing Jeff Gordon this year as Gordon is Johnson's car owner). Discretionary points are based on how the rookies interact with series officials, fellow competitors and members of the media.(Indianapolis Star)(11-10-2002)
    UPDATE 3: #48-Jimmie Johnson can't catch #12-Ryan Newman in the rookie points race with just one race remaining. Newman leads 340-320 after Phoenix. But that does not mean the rookie of the year award has been decided. A four-member panel made up of former Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte and three NASCAR officials will award discretionary points before the start of next weekend's season finale. That allows for the possibility Johnson could win or share the rookie title.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-11-2002)

  • Newman breaks pole record: On Friday, #12-Ryan Newman put himself in the record book with his sixth pole of 2002. That breaks the rookie record of the late Davey Allison in 1987.(11-10-2002)

  • Rookies: #48-Jimmie Johnson tied Tony Stewart's rookie record for most wins by a Winston Cup Rookie of the Year candidate with his win at Dover, his third win of 2002. With last weeks win at NHIS, #12-Ryan Newman broke the rookie record of top fives, with his 13th (now has 14), the old record was 12, also by Stewart in 1999. The top ten record [Modern Era 1972-present] is also held by Stewart at 21, Newman is now tied at 21, Johnson has 20. Some comparisions (all were Rookie of the Year except Earnhardt Jr):
    1958 Shorty Rollins 29 (of 51) races, 1 win, 12 top 5's, 22 top 10's, 0 poles, final points postion was 4th
    1959 Richard Petty 21 (of 44) races, 0 wins, 6 top 5's, 9 top 10's, 0 poles, final points postion was 15th
    1962 Tom Cox 42 (of 53) races, 0 wins, 3 top 5's, 20 top 10's, 0 poles, final points postion was 19th
    1966 James Hylton 41 (of 49) races, 0 wins, 20 top 5's, 32 top 10's, 1 pole, final points postion was 2nd
    Modern Era 1972-present:
    1979 Dale Earnhardt 27 (of 31) races, 1 win, 11 top 5's, 17 top 10's, 4 poles, final points postion was 7th
    1987 Davey Allison 22 (of 29) races, 2 wins, 9 top 5's, 16 top 10's, 5 poles, points pos 21st
    1999 Tony Stewart 34 races, 3 wins, 12 top 5's, 21 top 10's, 2 poles, 4th in points
    2000 Matt Kenseth 34 races, 1 win, 4 top 5's, 11 top 10's, no poles, 14th in points
    2000 Dale Earnhardt Jr 34 races, 2 wins, 3 top 5's, 5 top 10's, 2 poles, 16th in points
    2001 Kevin Harvick 35 (of 36) races, 2 wins, 6 top 5's, 16 top 10's, no poles, 9th in points
    2002 Jimmie Johnson 36 races, 3 wins, 6 top 5's, 21 top 10's, 4 poles, 5th in points
    2002 Ryan Newman 36 races, 1 win, 14 top 5's, 22 top 10's, 6 poles, 6th in points(11-17-2002)

  • First time back-to-back - Correction: #48-Jimmie Johnson's victory comes a week after #12-Ryan Newman won, marking the first time in series history rookies have won back-to-back races.(News and Record), Actually in 2000 Dale Earnhardt Jr and Matt Kenseth won back-to-back points races, with Earnhardt Jr winning at Richmond and Kenseth winning at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May of 2000, the Winston was run between the two races, also won by a rookie, Dale Earnhardt Jr.(9-23-2002)

    2002 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

    THIS IS UNOFFICIAL

    Note: have not found any BONUS points at all
    also NASCAR has it 344-321
    so I am a point off on Johnson, not sure why.

    Pos Prior Driver Car# Race
    Attempts    		 Races
    Made    		 Rookie
    Points    		 Driver
    Points    		 Points
    Pos    		 Best
    Start
    (times)    		 Best
    Finish
    (times)
    1 1 Ryan Newman 12 36 35 344 4593 6th 1(6) 1
    2 2 Jimmie Johnson 48 36 35 322 4600 5th 1(5) 1(3)
    3 3 Shawna Robinson 49 8 7 81 361 52nd 16 24
    4 4 Carl Long 59 16 2 46 46 79th 42 39


    NOTE: #48-Jimmie Johnson and team docked 25 points for a rules violation at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona
    The total here reflects that penalty.

    ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RACE AWARDS

    Driver Awards Races
    #12-Ryan Newman 19 Daytona 500
    Rockingham(1)
    Las Vegas
    Darlington(1)
    Richmond(1)
    Michigan(1)
    Infineno
    NHIS(1)
    Pocono(2)
    Indianapolis
    Watkins Glen
    Darlington(2)
    Richmond(2)
    NHIS(2) WIN
    Kansas
    Talladega(2)
    Atlanta(2)
    Rockingham(2)
    Homestead
    #48-Jimmie Johnson 17 Atlanta(1)
    Bristol(1)
    Texas
    Martinsville(1)
    Talladega(1)
    California - WIN
    Charlotte(1)
    Dover(1) WIN
    Pocono(1)
    Daytona(2)
    Chicago
    Michigan(2)
    Bristol(2)
    Dover(2) WIN
    Lowe's(2)
    Martinsville(2)
    Phoenix
    #49-Shawna Robinson 0  
    #51/59/79/85-Carl Long 0  

    (1) is the first race at track, (2) is the second race of the year at that track

    ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POINTS
    at HOMESTEAD

    For the past 2002 ROTY race results, see the chart below of by ROTY Race by Race Page

    Driver Car# Start/Finish Attempt
    Point    		 Bonus
    Points    		 Rookie
    Points    		 Total
    Ryan Newman 12 15/6 1 5 10 16
    Jimmie Johnson 48 16/8 1 3 9 13
    Carl Long 59 DNQ 1 0 0 1
    Shawna Robinson 49 DNR 0 0 0 0

    THIS IS UNOFFICIAL

    ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POINTS
    BREAKDOWN CHART

    Rookie
    Driver
    ----->    		 #48-Jimmie
    Johnson    		 #?-Carl
    Long    		 #12-Ryan
    Newman    		 #49-Shawna
    Robinson    		 Points
    Deducted
    after 17 races
    # race
    track    		 start finish rookie
    points    		 start finish rookie
    points    		 start finish rookie
    points    		 start finish rookie
    points    		 car#
    points
    deducted
    1 Daytona 1 15 1 dnq x 1 23 7 15 36 24 9 #48-9pts
    2 Rockingham 11 28 1 dnq x 1 23 14 1 dnr x x #48-9pts,#12-10pts
    3 Las Vegas 25 6 15 dnr x x 2 4 18 36 42 9
    4 Atlanta 15 3 19 dnq x 1 2 10 1 31 34 9 #12-10pts
    5 Darlington 5 6 15 dnr x x 3 5 17 42 42 9
    6 Bristol 33 7 15 dnr x x 8 37 1 dnr x x #12-9pts
    7 Texas 13 6 16 dnr x x 36 40 1 16 36 10 #12-8pts
    8 Martinsville 14 35 1 dnr x x 10 40 1 dnr x x #12-9pts,#48-10pts
    9 Talladega 1 7 15 dnr x x 8 43 1 dnq x 1 #12-9pts
    10 California 4 1 21 dnr x x 1 14 1 43 42 9 #12-9pts
    BONUS 10 7 9 8
    11 Richmond 26 31 1 dnr x x 11 2 20 dnr x x #48-9pts
    12 Lowes 1 7 15 dnq x 1 4 41 1 dnr x x #12-9pts
    13 Dover 10 1 21 dnr x x 38 4 17 dnr x x
    14 Pocono 2 3 19 42 42 9 15 32 1 dnr x x #12-9pts
    15 Michigan 14 14 1 dnr x x 6 3 19 dnr x x #48-9pts
    16 Infineno 15 35 1 dnr x x 17 9 1 dnr x x #48-9pts,#12-12pts
    17 Daytona 16 8 14 dnr x x 39 27 1 27 40 9 #12-9pts
    18 Chicago 37 4 18 dnr x x 1 5 16 dnr x x
    19 NHIS 13 15 1 dnr x x 7 5 17 dnr x x #48-9pts
    20 Pocono 7 15 1 dnq x 1 8 5 17 dnr x x #48-9pts
    BONUS 2 9 7 10 8
    21 Indianapolis 37 9 1 dnr x x 5 4 18 dnr x x #48-11pts
    22 Watkins Glen 12 16 1 dnr x x 5 2 20 dnr x x #48-9pts
    23 Michigan 29 7 15 dnr x x 9 31 1 dnr x x #12-9pts
    24 Bristol 32 34 1 dnq x 1 14 36 1 dnr x x #12-10pts,#48-10pts
    25 Darlington 5 9 1 dnq x 1 12 2 20 dnr x x #48-11pts
    26 Richmond 1 13 1 dnq x 1 2 2 20 dnr x x #48-9pts
    27 NHIS 19 9 1 dnq x 1 1 1 21 dnr x x #48-11pts
    28 Dover 19 1 21 dnr x x 4 8 1 dnr x x #12-12pts
    29 Kansas 2 10 1 dnq x 1 3 2 20 dnr x x #48-10pts
    30 Talladega 1 37 1 dnr x x 7 7 15 dnr x x
    31 Lowe's 3 6 16 dnq x 1 4 8 1 dnr x x #12-12pts
    32 Martinsville 7 6 16 dnq x 1 1 15 1 dnr x x #12-9pts
    33 Atlanta 2 22 1 43 39 9 9 10 1 dnr x x #12-11pts,#48-9pts
    34 Rockingham 31 37 1 dnq x 1 1 23 1 dnr x x #12-10pts, #48-9pts
    35 Phoenix 37 15 1 dnr x x 1 18 1 dnr x x #12-9pts,#48-10pts
    36 Homestead 16 8 13 dnq x 1 15 6 16 dnr x x
    BONUS 3 ? ? ? ?
    YEAR BONUS ? ? ? ?
    PANEL POINTS ? ? ? ?
    Totals 14.3 13.5 322 x x 46 9.9 14.5 344 33.0 37.1 81


  • GREEN stands for a race a rookie driver has WON or won the pole

  • RED stands for the rookie driver that had the highest finish of the race by a rookie

  • BLUE (in gray background) signifies one of the races that do not count in the rookie points
    If RED, the Rookie was the best finishing rookie for that race too.
    (only 17 best races count - see rules at top, plus the one(1) for the attempt for the other races besides the 17)

    DNQ = Did Not Qualify, DNR = Did Not Race

    ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POINTS
    BONUS POINTS

    THIS IS UNOFFICIAL

    Driver Car# Drivers Points
    Segment 1
    (races 1-10)    		 Bonus
    Points
    Jimmie Johnson 48 1352 10
    Ryan Newman 12 1031 9
    Shawna Robinson 49 316 8
    Carl Long 85 0 7


    Driver Car# Drivers Points
    Segment 2
    (races 11-20)    		 Bonus
    Points
    Ryan Newman 12 1317 10
    Jimmie Johnson 48 1283 9
    Shawna Robinson 49 43 8
    Carl Long 79/85 0 7


    These my calculations, not added in....

    Driver Car# Drivers Points
    Segment 3
    (races 21-36)    		 Bonus
    Points
    Ryan Newman 12 2240 10
    Jimmie Johnson 48 1965 9
    Carl Long 59 46 8
    Shawna Robinson 49 0 7?


    Driver Car# Drivers Points
    Final Standings    		 Bonus
    Points
    Jimmie Johnson 48 4600 10
    Ryan Newman 12 4593 9
    Shawna Robinson 49 361 8?
    Carl Long 59 46 7?


    Other Season's Rookie of the Year Pages:
    2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
    2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
    2000 | 1999 | 1998

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