Do Cup Champions “Rest” after a Championship?
By Gregg Leary

Champion Year Following Year Finish

D. Earnhardt 1993 First
1994 Second

Jeff Gordon 1995 Second
1997 First
1998 Sixth

Dale Jarrett 1999 Fourth

B. Labonte 2000 Sixth

Jeff Gordon 2001 Fourth

Tony Stewart 2002 Seventh

Matt Kenseth 2003 Eighth

Kurt Busch 2004 Tenth (Missed last two races)

Tony Stewart 2005 Eleventh

Jimmie Johnson 2006 First