The Early Cup Years, from the announcement in late 1998, that Jr would run Cup in 1999, (5 races), to the tragic year of 2001. Jr would win 2 races in 2000, and would win 3 in 2001 in the Cup Series.

Jr was winning and was a good thing, however he would lose his father in 2001 a day we will all remember. It was also a tragic year for our country when terrorists attacked NYC, and Washington DC. We would make them pay dearly.