2020 NASCAR Cup SUNOCO Rookie of the Year Standings
Updated 11-8-2020
Rookie of the Year Pages by Season / Year:
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
All-Time NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year Winners / Stats / Records page
SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SCORING SYSTEM
National Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year points system: the Sunoco Rookie of the Year point system mirrors the points structure that awards the season-long championship, including stage points and playoff points, with the eventual Sunoco Rookie of the Year earning the most points throughout the season.
As is the case with the season-long points structure, a race win earns a Sunoco Rookie 40 points and five playoff points. A second-place finish earns a Sunoco Rookie 35 points; a third-place finish nets 34 points, and so on. A Sunoco Rookie who wins a stage earns 10 points and one playoff point.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year points system is in all three NASCAR national series – the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series.
Cole Custer is 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year: Cole Custer was officially awarded Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series after the conclusion of Sunday’s season-ending event at Phoenix Raceway. Custer topped #8-Tyler Reddick, #95-Christopher Bell, #38-John Hunter Nemechek, #15-Brennan Poole and #00-Quin Houff in the Rookie of the Year standings. Harrison Burton (Xfinity Series) and Zane Smith (Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series) claimed Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in NASCAR’s other national tours.(See more HERE)(11-8-2020)
Rookie Cole Custer wins first career Cup Series race with thrilling four-wide pass at Kentucky: NASCAR Cup Series rookie Cole Custer pulled off a daring four-wide pass for the lead on the final lap to earn the victory in Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway – the first rookie to win in NASCAR’s premier series in four years. Custer, who restarted fifth on a restart with two laps to go, made his way forward – daring to go high on track to the outside of a three-wide challenge for the lead among Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney and Kevin Harvick. The 22-year old Custer held the high line and was able to get around the three veterans – ultimately holding off the 2017 series champion Truex – a two-time former Kentucky winner – by a mere .271-seconds to earn the victory. The Californian’s five laps led Sunday (four early in the race and then the final lap) were the first laps Custer had ever led in the NASCAR Cup Series.(See more HERE)(7-12-2020)
ROOKIE ‘YELLOW‘ STRIPES
rookies will be noted on the car they drive by a yellow stripe on the rear bumper of the car.
sometimes a driver not a Rookie of the Year Candidate may have to run a yellow stripe if they not competed on that race track before.
or if NASCAR decides the driver doesn’t have enough experience.
No idea when this first started appearing on rookie cars, but have seen it on a car as early as 1970.
2020 SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
car#, driver, rookie/driver points, best 2020 finish
WINNER:#41-Cole Custer, 2202 (would be 673 w/o playoffs)(made playoffs, cut after 1st round), best finish was a WIN at Kentucky, July 12
#8-Tyler Reddick, 780 points, best finish 2nd at Texas, July 19
#95-Christopher Bell, 678, (A), best finish 3rd at Texas, October 28
#38-John Hunter Nemechek, 534, best finish 8th (twice) at Talladega, June 22 & Oct 4
#15-Brennan Poole, 269, best finish of 9th at Talladega, October 4 (D)
#00-Quin Houff, 214, best finish 13th at Talladega, October 4
Garrett Smithley, 4, (B)(C) best finish 34th at Darlington, May 20 in #53
(A): Bell was penalized 10 points after failing pre-qualifying inspection at Las Vegas in February with a Level 1 penalty, nose of car did not fit specifications
(B): Smithley was added to ROTY race in 5th race, Darlington, May 17, ran three 2020 races before that gaining 7 points, not used for ROTY)
(C): Smithley was removed and is not running for points in the NASCAR Cup Series any longer
(D): Didn’t race at Bristol in September, Yeley was in the #15
HIGHEST FINISHING ROOKIE BY RACE
race, driver(times rookie of race), finish, points
1) Daytona 500, Nemechek (1 race best rookie), 11th, 26 points
2) Las Vegas, Reddick(1), 18, 19
3) Auto Club, Reddick(2), 11, 26
4) Phoenix, Custer(1), 9, 29
5) Darlington, Reddick(3), 7, 33
6) Darlington(2), Bell(1), 11, 26
7) Charlotte, Reddick(4), 8, 37
8) Charlotte(2), Nemechek(2), 13, 27
9) Bristol, Bell(2), 9, 28
10) Atlanta, Reddick(5), 16, 21
11) Martinsville, Reddick(6), 16, 22
12) Homestead, Reddick(7), 4, 50
13) Talladega, Nemechek(3), 8, 29
14) Pocono, Bell(3), 4, 33
15) Pocono, Custer(2), 17, 21
16) Indianapolis, Custer(3), 5, 32
17) Kentucky, Custer(4), WIN, 48
18) Texas, Reddick(8), 2nd, 42
19) Kansas, Custer(5), 7th, 30
20) New Hampshire, Custer(6), 8th, 29
21) Michigan(1), Bell(4), 13, 24
22) Michigan(2), Bell(5), 17, 36
23) Daytona(road), Reddick, 18, 19
24) Dover, Custer(7), 11, 26
25) Dover(2), Custer(8), 10, 30
26) Daytona(2), Nemechek(4), 11, 26
27) Darlington(3), Custer(9), 12, 25
28) Richmond, Reddick(10), 11, 26
29) Bristol, Reddick(11), 4, 33
30) Las Vegas(2), Custer(10), 16, 21
31) Talladega(2), Reddick(12), 7, 34
32) Charlotte(ROVAL), Custer(11), 9, 28
33) Kansas(2), Bell(6), 10, 27
34) Texas(2), Bell(7), 3, 39
35) Martinsville(2), Custer(12), 13, 24
36) Phoenix(2), Bell(8), 17, 20
Highest Finishing Rookies, Times:
#8-Reddick, 12
#41-Custer, 12
#95-Bell, 8
#38-Nemechek, 4
#00-Houff, 0
#15-Poole, 0
#53-Smithley, 0 (no longer running for ROTY)
Races with no rookie, 0
2020 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Race-by-Race Results
* earned stage points in the race
Phoenix(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (11-8-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 17th, 20 points
#8-Reddick, 19th, 18
#38-Nemechek, 26th, 11
#41-Custer, 28th, 9
#15-Poole, 29th, 8
#00-Houff, 39th, 1
Martinsville(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (11-1-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 13th, 24 points
#95-Bell, 15th, 22
#8-Reddick, 24th, 13
#38-Nemechek, 26th, 11
#00-Houff, 33rd, 4
#15-Poole, 37th, 1
Texas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-25-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 3rd, 39* points
#41-Custer, 14th, 23
#8-Reddick, 15th, 22
#38-Nemechek, 22nd, 15
#15-Poole, 28th, 9
#00-Houff, 33rd, 4
Kansas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-18-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 10th, 27 points
#41-Custer, 14th, 23
#38-Nemechek, 17th, 20
#8-Reddick, 25th, 12
#15-Poole, 28th, 9
#00-Houff, 33rd, 4
Charlotte(ROVAL) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-11-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 9th, 28 points
#8-Reddick, 12th, 28*
#95-Bell, 24th, 30*
#00-Houff, 28th, 9
#38-Nemechek, 36th, 1
#15-Poole, 37th, 1
Talladega(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-4-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 7th, 34* points
#38-Nemechek, 8th, 35*
#15-Poole, 9th, 28
#00-Houff, 13th, 24
#41-Custer, 31st, 7
#95-Bell, 39th, 1
Las Vegas(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-27-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 16th, 21 points
#38-Nemechek, 20th, 17
#95-Bell, 24th, 13
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 34th, 3
#8-Reddick, 38th, 1
Bristol(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-19-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 4th, 33 points
#41-Custer, 23rd, 14 (knocked out of the playoffs)
#95-Bell, 28th, 15*
#38-Nemechek, 20th, 17
#00-Houff, 29th, 8
#15-Poole, DNR (Yeley in the car)
Richmond Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-12-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 11th, 26 points
#41-Custer, 14th, 23
#95-Bell, 15th, 22
#38-Nemechek, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 32nd, 5
#15-Poole, 33rd, 4
Darlington(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-6-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 12th, 25 points
#8-Reddick, 23rd, 14
#15-Poole, 28th, 9
#00-Houff, 31st, 6
#95-Bell, 34th, 3
#38-Nemechek, 36th, 1
Daytona(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-29-2020):
#38-Nemechek, finished 11th, 26 points
#95-Bell, 13th, 30*
#15-Poole, 15th, 22
#00-Houff, 23rd, 14
#8-Reddick, 29th, 16*
#41-Custer, 30, 7
Dover(Sunday) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-23-2020):
#41-Custer finished 10th, 30 points*
#8-Reddick,, 18th, 19
#38-Nemechek, 20th, 17
#95-Bell, 27th, 10
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 34th, 3
Dover(Saturday) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-22-2020):
#41-Custer finished 11th, 26 points
#8-Reddick, 13th, 24
#95-Bell, 22nd, 15
#38-Nemechek, 24th, 13
#00-Houff, 33rd, 4
#15-Poole, 26th, 1
Daytona(road) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-16-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 18th, 19 points
#95-Bell, 21, 16
#41-Custer, 22, 17*
#15-Poole, 28th, 9
#00-Houff, 33, 4
#38-Nemechek, 35th, 2
Michigan(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-9-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 17th, 36 points*
#38-Nemechek, 23rd, 14
#8-Reddick, 24th, 13
#41-Custer, 25th, 12
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 32nd, 5
Michigan(1) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-8-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 13th, 24 points
#8-Reddick, 18th, 19
#00-Houff, 27th, 10
#41-Custer, 34th, 3
#15-Poole, 37th, 1
#38-Nemechek, 36th, 1
New Hampshire Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-2-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 8th, 29 points
#8-Reddick, 10th, 27
#15-Poole, 27th, 10
#95-Bell, 28th, 16*
#00-Houff, 32nd, 5th
#38-Nemechek, 36th, 1
Kansas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-23-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 7th, 30 points
#8-Reddick, 13th, 29*
#38-Nemechek, 19th, 18
#95-Bell, 23rd, 14
#00-Houff, 24th, 13
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
Texas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-19-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 2nd, 42 points*
#95-Bell, 21st, 16
#38-Nemechek, 22nd, 15
#15-Poole, 27th, 10
#00-Houff, 34th, 3
#41-Custer, 39th, 1
Kentucky Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-12-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 1st (WON), 48 points*
#95-Bell, 7th, 30
#8-Reddick, 10th, 27
#15-Poole, 31st, 6
#00-Houff, 35th, 2
#38-Nemechek, 36th, 1
Indianapolis Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-5-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 5th, 32 points
#8-Reddick, 8th, 29
#95-Bell, 12th, 27*
#38-Nemechek, 16th, 22
#00-Houff, 23rd, 14
#15-Poole, 35th, 2
Pocono(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-28-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 17th, 21 points*
#38-Nemechek, 19th, 18
#15-Poole, 27th, 10
#00-Houff, 31st, 6
#8-Reddick, 35th, 2
#95-Bell, 39th, 9* (finished 3rd in Stage 1, garnering 8 pts)
Pocono Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-27-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 4th, 33 points
#41-Custer, 16th, 21
#38-Nemechek, 24th, 13
#15-Poole, 29th, 8
#8-Reddick, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 40th, 1
Talladega Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-22-2020):
#38-Nemechek, finished 8th, 29 points
#8-Reddick, 20th, 27*
#41-Custer, 22nd, 18*
#00-Houff, 27th, 10
#95-Bell, 29th, 14*
#15-Poole, 35th, 2
Homestead Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-14-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 4th, 50 points*
#95-Bell, 8th, 29
#38-Nemechek, 19th, 18
#41-Custer, 22nd, 15
#15-Poole, 32nd, 5
#00-Houff, 33rd, 4
Martinsville Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-10-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 16th, 22 points*
#38-Nemechek, 25th, 12
#95-Bell, 28th, 9
#41-Custer, 29th, 8
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 34th, 3
Atlanta Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-7-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 16th, 21 points
#95-Bell, 18th, 19
#41-Custer, 19th, 18
#38-Nemechek, 23rd, 14
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 32nd, 5
Bristol Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-31-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 9th, 28 points
#38-Nemechek, 13th, 24
#15-Poole, 24th, 13
#00-Houff, 27th, 10
#41-Custer, 35th, 2
#8-Reddick, 36th, 1
Charlotte(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-28-2020):
#38-Nemechek, finished 13th, 27 points*
#8-Reddick, 14th, 23
#41-Custer, 18th, 19
#95-Bell, 21st, 18*
#00-Houff, 32nd, 5
#15-Poole, 38th, 1
Charlotte Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-24-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 8th, 37 points*
#95-Bell, 9th, 28
#41-Custer, 12th, 25
#38-Nemechek, 16th, 21
#15-Poole, 30th, 7
#00-Houff, 35th, 2
Darlington(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-20-2020):
#95-Bell, finished 11th, 26 points
#8-Reddick, 13th, 13
#00-Houff, 26th, 11
#41-Custer, 31st, 6
#53-Smithley, 34th, 3 (not listed as ROTY candidate after this race)
#38-Nemechek, 35th, 2
#15-Poole, 37th, 1
Darlington Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-17-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 7th, 33 points*
#38-Nemechek, 9th, 28
#41-Custer, 22nd, 15
#95-Bell, 24th, 13
#15-Poole, 27th, 10
#00-Houff, 36th, 1
#53-Smithley, 37th, 1 (added to ROTY)
Phoenix Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (3-8-2020):
#41-Custer, finished 9th, 29 points
#95-Bell, 24th, 13
#38-Nemechek, 25th, 12
#15-Poole, 31st, 6
#8-Reddick, 33rd, 13*
#00-Houff, 34th, 3
Auto Club Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (3-1-2020):
#8-Reddick, finished 11th, 26 points
#41-Custer, 18th, 19
#38-Nemechek, 25th, 12
#15-Poole, 32nd, 5
#00-Houff, 35th, 2
#95-Bell, 38th, 1
Las Vegas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (2-23-2019):
#8-Reddick, finished 18th, 19 points
#41-Custer, 19th, 18
#38-Nemechek, 24th, 13
#15-Poole, 29th, 8
#00-Houff, 32nd, 5
#95-Bell, 33rd, 4
Daytona 500 Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (2-16-2020):
#38-Nemechek, finished 11th, 26 points
#15-Poole, 16th, 21
#95-Bell, 21st, 16
#8-Reddick, 28th, 9 (plus 1 point from the Duels)
#41-Custer, 37th, 1 (plus 6 points from the Duels)
#00-Houff, 39th, 1
* earned stage points in the race
DNR = Did Not Race/Not Entered
DNQ = Did not qualify/Make the race
All-Time NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year Winners / Stats / Records page
Rookie of the Year Pages by Season / Year:
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013