2008 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on May 2, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 16th, 2008, the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Jimmie Johnson defeating Carl Edwards by 69 points to win the 60th championship in Cup Series history. It was the third Cup Series championship for Johnson. Kyle Busch claimed the regular season championship.

The 2008 Daytona 500, the 50th Daytona 500 in history, was won by Ryan Newman, while Kyle Busch led the most laps with 86.

2008 playoff results

12. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-557 points)

11. #17 Matt Kenseth (-500)

10. #18 Kyle Busch (-498)

9. #20 Tony Stewart (-482)

8. #11 Denny Hamlin (-470)

7. #24 Jeff Gordon (-368)

6. #31 Jeff Burton (-349)

5. #07 Clint Bowyer (-303)

Bowyer claimed fifth in points with one victory, seven top-fives and 17 top-10s, taking an average finish of 14.1.

4. #29 Kevin Harvick (-276)

Harvick had the fourth spot with seven top-fives and 19 top-10s, getting an average finish of 12.4.

3. #16 Greg Biffle (-217)

Biffle scored third in points as he had two wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10s for an average finish of 12.9. Biffle led the most laps in one race.

2. #99 Carl Edwards (-69)

Edwards picked up runner-up honors with nine wins, 19 top-fives and 27 top-10s for an average finish of 9.5, while leading the most laps in five races.

1. #48 Jimmie Johnson

Johnson got his third consecutive championship with seven wins, 15 top-fives and 22 top-10s, taking an average finish of 10.5 while leading the most laps in 10 races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/2008/W