2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
| 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season | |||
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The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday, February 7, and ended on Sunday, November 21. Kurt Busch with Roush Racing driving a Ford was the Nextel Cup champion.
This was the first season that NASCAR utilized the Chase for the Nextel Cup format that began with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 19. Under the format rules, the top 10 drivers (and any additional drivers within 400 points of the leader) by the end of the 26th race would be eligible to compete in a final 10-race playoff to determine the NASCAR Nextel Cup champion. Following the 26th race, the eligible drivers would have their points reset to bring the drivers closer together in the standings, with only five points separating each driver. The season would then continue as normal, with the driver with the most points at the end of the season becoming the champion.
The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Chevrolet when they captured 26 wins and 266 points. Ford finished in second place with 10 wins, and 224 points, while Dodge followed in third with 4 wins and 194 points.[1]
This was the first year for the new series sponsorship. Mobile phone provider Nextel assumed sponsorship of the NASCAR championship series from cigarette brand Winston.
The season was also marked by tragedy. On October 24, a charter airplane owned by Hendrick Motorsports crashed at Bull Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, near Martinsville Speedway. Ten people aboard the plane died, including four relatives of team owner Rick Hendrick, as well as Randy Dorton, Hendrick's chief engine builder. Jimmie Johnson, a Hendrick driver, had won the race, but the post-race victory ceremony was cancelled as word spread of the incident.
Contents
- 1 Teams and drivers
- 2 Budweiser Shootout
- 3 Gatorade Twin 125s
- 4 46th Daytona 500
- 5 Subway 400
- 6 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400
- 7 Golden Corral 500
- 8 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
- 9 Food City 500
- 10 Samsung/Radio Shack 500
- 11 Advance Auto Parts 500
- 12 Aaron's 499
- 13 Auto Club 500
- 14 Chevy American Revolution 400
- 15 Coca-Cola 600
- 16 MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes"
- 17 Pocono 500
- 18 DHL 400
- 19 Dodge/Save Mart 350
- 20 Pepsi 400
- 21 Tropicana 400
- 22 Siemens 300
- 23 Pennsylvania 500
- 24 Brickyard 400
- 25 Sirius at The Glen
- 26 GFS Marketplace 400
- 27 Sharpie 500
- 28 Pop Secret 500
- 29 Chevy Rock and Roll 400
- 30 Sylvania 300
- 31 MBNA America 400
- 32 EA Sports 500
- 33 Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods
- 34 UAW-GM Quality 500
- 35 Subway 500
- 36 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
- 37 Checker Auto Parts 500
- 38 Mountain Dew Southern 500
- 39 Ford 400
- 40 Final points standings
- 41 Rookie of the Year
- 42 References
- 43 External links
Teams and drivers
Full-time schedule
Limited schedule
Budweiser Shootout
The exhibition Budweiser Shootout was held on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway.
Top ten results
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 6- Mark Martin
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 01- Boris Said
Gatorade Twin 125s
The Gatorade 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 were held on February 12 at Daytona International Speedway.
Race one: top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 0- Ward Burton
- 30- Johnny Sauter
Race two: top ten results
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 48- Kevin Harvick
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 12- Ryan Newman
46th Daytona 500
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Greg Biffle won the pole.
- Top 10 Results
- 8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
- 20 Tony Stewart
- 22 Scott Wimmer
- 29 Kevin Harvick
- 48 Jimmie Johnson
- 01 Joe Nemechek
- 38 Elliott Sadler
- 24 Jeff Gordon
- 17 Matt Kenseth
- 88 Dale Jarrett
Subway 400
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The Subway 400 was held on February 22 at North Carolina Speedway. This was the final NASCAR race held at Rockingham, which was dropped from the 2005 NASCAR schedule. Ryan Newman won the pole. During the race Carl Long went for a wild tumble down the back straight and Robby Gordon was turned into the wall and got on his side. The finish saw Kasey Kahne, in only his second NASCAR Nextel Cup start, finish second to Matt Kenseth by a mere .01 of a second. The race also became the beginning of the focus of the season-long field-filler controversy. A number of drivers were well off the pace and Joe Ruttman arrived at the track without a pit crew for a start and park. NASCAR added a mandate of a full pit crew in an attempt to stop the start and park.
NASCAR also announced, in light of the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy, at the drivers' meeting that a points penalty would also be assessed to anyone involved on a race team who uses inappropriate language. Previously, a fine had been assessed.
Top ten results
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 0- Ward Burton
- 24- Jeff Gordon
Failed to qualify: none
UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400
The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held on March 7 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne won the pole. The finish saw Matt Kenseth score his second win in a row, as Kasey Kahne once again finished second.
Top ten results
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 6- Mark Martin
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 41- Casey Mears
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 2- Rusty Wallace
Kyle Busch made his NASCAR debut, finishing 41st.
Failed to qualify: Larry Gunselman (#98)
Golden Corral 500
The Golden Corral 500 was held on March 14 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 24- Jeff Gordon
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89)
Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 6- Mark Martin
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#94)
- This was the last 400-mile race held at Darlington.
Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held on March 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 49- Ken Schrader
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 15- Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89)
- This was Kurt Busch's third straight win in a Cup event at Bristol.
Samsung/Radio Shack 500
The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held on April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. Elliott Sadler edged out Kasey Kahne by a .028 of a second.
This was the last race for Pontiac in the series. Andy Belmont drove the #02 Score Motorsports car, sponsored by Continental Fire & Safety and WalMart, but DNQ'd.
Top ten results
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 41- Casey Mears
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 42- Jamie McMurray
Failed to qualify: Kyle Busch (#84), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Andy Hillenburg (#80), Andy Belmont (#02)
Advance Auto Parts 500
The Advance Auto Parts 500 was held on April 18 at Martinsville Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. It was the final win for 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Rusty Wallace.
Top ten results
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 40 Sterling Marlin
- 88- Dale Jarrett
Failed to qualify: Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)
- On lap 284, the concrete pavement in turn 3 broke up, creating a pot hole. Jeff Gordon would run into the broken up part of the track, damaging his race car. The race was red flagged to repair the track, and while NASCAR would not grant the 24 team's request to be able to repair the car during the red flag, Gordon was able to fight back in the second half of the race for a sixth place finish.
Aaron's 499
The Aaron's 499 was held on April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.
The race ended under controversy when Brian Vickers crashed with four laps to go. At the same time, Jeff Gordon was about to be passed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. As Gordon's car was still ahead of Earnhardt's, he kept the lead for the following caution. However, the race never was restarted, and Gordon won the race under the caution, prompting angered fans to throw beverage cups at his car while he celebrated his victory by doing doughnuts on the track.
The issue was very similar to the 2002 Indianapolis 500 controversial finish when Hélio Castroneves and Paul Tracy raced when the caution signal was given during Tracy's attempted pass of Castroneves.
This led to the implementation of the green-white-checker finish rule in order to avoid such situations in the future.
Top ten results
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 41- Casey Mears
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 18- Bobby Labonte
Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#14), Todd Bodine (#98), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)
Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 500 was held on May 2 at California Speedway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 41- Casey Mears
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 0- Ward Burton
Failed to qualify: none
Chevy American Revolution 400
The Chevy American Revolution 400 was held on May 15 at Richmond International Raceway. Brian Vickers won the pole.
Top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 6- Mark Martin
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 15- Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#94), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)
Coca-Cola 600
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The Coca-Cola 600 was held on May 30 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 41- Casey Mears
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 2- Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: Steve Park (#7), Todd Bodine (#37), Carl Long (#46), Stanton Barrett (#94), Geoffrey Bodine (#98), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Jeff Fultz (#78), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Andy Hillenburg (#80)
- Jimmie Johnson won this race in dominating fashion, as he led 334 of the race's 400 laps.
MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes"
The MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes" was held on June 6 at Dover International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. The race was decimated by a 20-car crash on lap 347 on a restart; one of the largest crashes ever outside of Daytona and Talladega. It started when Dave Blaney was hit by Michael Waltrip.
Top ten results
- 6- Mark Martin
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 10- Scott Riggs
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 22- Scott Wimmer
- 29- Kevin Harvick
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Todd Bodine (#37), Larry Gunselman (#98)
Pocono 500
The Pocono 500 was held on June 13 at Pocono Raceway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 41- Casey Mears
Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#94), Andy Hillenburg (#80)
- This race ended under caution.
DHL 400
The DHL 400 was held on June 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Kasey Kahne got his fourth second-place finish of the season.
Top ten results
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 15- Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (#33), Carl Long (#00)
- This race ended under caution.
Dodge/Save Mart 350
The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held on June 27 at Infineon Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 39- Scott Pruett
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 36- Boris Said
- 41- Casey Mears
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 38- Elliott Sadler
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89)
Pepsi 400
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The Pepsi 400 was held on July 3 at Daytona International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. 8 cars sported Coca-Cola C2 liveries, which were driven by John Andretti, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Ricky Rudd, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Bill Elliott and Jeff Burton, even though the race was sponsored by Pepsi.
Top ten results
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 6- Mark Martin
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 01- Joe Nemechek
Failed to qualify: Chad Blount (#37), Tony Raines (#23), Derrike Cope (#94), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Eric McClure (#04), Kenny Wallace (#00)
- The start of the race was delayed more than 30 minutes due to rain and the race started under yellow to help the track dried from the rain.
- This was the second Pepsi 400 televised by Fox.
Tropicana 400
The Tropicana 400 was held on July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. This race is known for a pit road fight that occurred between crew members of Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart after Stewart spun Kahne, causing a crash that also collected Dale Earnhardt, Jr., John Andretti, Dave Blaney, Jeff Burton, and Scott Riggs.
Top ten results
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 29- Kevin Harvick
Failed to qualify: Todd Bodine (#98), Greg Sacks (#13), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)
Siemens 300
The Siemens 300 was held on July 25 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#51), Kyle Busch (#84), Ryan McGlynn (#00)
Pennsylvania 500
The Pennsylvania 500 was held on August 1 at Pocono Raceway. Casey Mears won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 38- Elliott Sadler
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#51), Andy Hillenburg (#37), A. J. Henriksen (#90)
- This was the second straight race that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was replaced by John Andretti after Martin Truex Jr. at Loudon one week earlier because he suffered second- and third-degrees burns on his neck, chin, and legs from a burning car during the practice for the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway and prevented him from finishing the race at Loudon and Pocono.
Brickyard 400
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The Brickyard 400 was held on August 8 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Casey Mears won the pole. This race marked the first time that the green-white-checker finish rule came into play. The race was extended after Brian Vickers and Ryan Newman crashed on lap 158. However, when Ricky Rudd crashed on lap 160, the race still ended under caution. Bill Elliott got his last top ten with Evernham Motorsports, driving the #91 Visteon car.
Top ten results
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 91- Bill Elliott
- 97- Kurt Busch
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#51), Hermie Sadler (#02), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Greg Sacks (#13), Andy Hillenburg (#37), Geoffrey Bodine (#34), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)
- Jeff Gordon had become the first 4 time NASCAR winner at the Brickyard, and the only driver to do so until Jimmie Johnson in 2012.
Sirius at The Glen
The Sirius at The Glen was held on August 15 at Watkins Glen International. Jimmie Johnson started on the pole after qualifying was rained out.
Top ten results
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 1- Ron Fellows*
- 6- Mark Martin
- 41- Casey Mears
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 97- Kurt Busch
Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (#39), Boris Said (#36), Klaus Graf (#59), Stanton Barrett (#52)
- Ron Fellows matched his best career finish in a Cup series race after starting 43rd in the race.
- This was Burton's final start for Roush Racing before moving to Richard Childress Racing at Michigan the following week after he signed a three-year contract with Richard Childress Racing just before the race at Watkins Glen. Carl Edwards will make his first career start in the #99 car while Burton will move to #30 car before moving again to the #31 car for the 2005 season.
GFS Marketplace 400
The GFS Marketplace 400 was held on August 22 at Michigan International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson started on the pole after qualifying was rained out.
Top ten results
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 6- Mark Martin
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 99- Carl Edwards
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#51), Kerry Earnhardt (#33), Kyle Busch (#84), Kenny Wallace (#00), J. J. Yeley (#11), Mike Wallace (#35), Stan Boyd (#79), Stanton Barrett (#37)
- All five Roush Racing cars finished in the top 10.
- This was Carl Edwards' first start in the Nextel Cup Series.
Sharpie 500
The Sharpie 500 was held on August 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 30- Jeff Burton
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 88- Dale Jarrett
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Stanton Barrett (#52), Brad Teague (#72), Tony Ave (#80), Ryan McGlynn (#00)
Pop Secret 500
The inaugural Pop Secret 500 was held on September 5 at California Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole. Portions of this race were filmed for the movie Herbie Fully Loaded. Kasey Kahne got his fifth second-place finish of the season.
Top ten results
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 6- Mark Martin
- 48- Jamie McMurray
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 10- Scott Riggs
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 2- Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Hermie Sadler (#02), Kevin Lepage (#37), Mike Wallace (#35)
Chevy Rock and Roll 400
The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 was held on September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 80- Mike Bliss
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 09- Mike Wallace
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 2- Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: Johnny Sauter (#33), Tony Raines (#51), Kevin Lepage (#37), Greg Sacks (#13), Hermie Sadler (#02), Brad Teague (#92), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Carl Long (#80)
- This race was a notable when Jeremy Mayfield gained five positions from 14th to 9th and clinched the spot in the Chase.
Making The Chase - Starting with this year, and every year to follow, the fall race at Richmond serves as the end of the Cup Series' regular season and as the cut off for making the chase. The chase field for 2004 is as follows:
- 24 - Jeff Gordon
- 48 - Jimmie Johnson
- 8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 20 - Tony Stewart
- 17 - Matt Kenseth
- 38 - Elliott Sadler
- 97 - Kurt Busch
- 6 - Mark Martin
- 19 - Jeremy Mayfield
- 12 - Ryan Newman
Sylvania 300
The Sylvania 300 was held on September 19 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Despite the rain washing out the qualifying, the starting lineup was set by owner's points, and Jeff Gordon started in the front row. This was the first race of the new 10-race playoff format.
Top ten results
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 29- Kevin Harvick
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#37), Martin Truex, Jr. (#1), Johnny Sauter (#33), Greg Sacks (#13), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Carl Long (#46), Tony Raines (#92), Stan Boyd (#79)
MBNA America 400
The MBNA America 400 was held on September 26 at Dover International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 6- Mark Martin
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Derrike Cope (#80), Greg Sacks (#13), Carl Long (#00), Kenny Hendrick (#35), Stanton Barrett (#92), Mike Garvey (#75)
- Ryan Newman ran away with the win in this race, leading 325 of 400 laps and winning by a margin of 8.149 seconds.
EA Sports 500
The EA Sports 500 was held on October 3 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. At the finish line, on the last lap Elliott Sadler flipped over just as he had done in the same race in 2003. He was uninjured, though.
Top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 41- Casey Mears
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 0- Ward Burton
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#37), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Carl Long (#80)
- Although he won the race, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was later penalized 25 points for uttering an obscenity during his post-race interview on NBC.
- This was the first play-by-play gig led by Bill Weber due to Allen Bestwick's injury during a hockey match.
Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods
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The Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods was held on October 10 at Kansas Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
Failed to qualify: Mike Garvey (#75), Mike Wallace (#35), Carl Long (#00), Morgan Shepherd (#89)
UAW-GM Quality 500
The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held on October 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 30- Jeff Burton
- 20- Tony Stewart
Failed to qualify: Kenny Wallace (#00), Derrike Cope (#94), Mike Wallace (#35), Carl Long (#00), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Larry Foyt (#59), Hermie Sadler (#02), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Geoffrey Bodine (#98)
Subway 500
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The Subway 500 was held on October 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 43- Jeff Green
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 2- Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: Carl Long (#46), Brad Teague (#94), Greg Sacks (#13), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Mike Garvey (#75), Klaus Graf (#59)
- Victory lane celebration was cancelled after a tragic plane crash that took the lives of key personnel in the Hendrick Motorsports stable.
Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
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The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held on October 31 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 30- Jeff Burton
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 16- Greg Biffle
Failed to qualify: Scott Riggs (#10), Scott Wimmer (#22), Kerry Earnhardt (#33), Johnny Sauter (#09), Hermie Sadler (#02), Mike Wallace (#4), Derrike Cope (#94), Randy LaJoie (#98), Greg Sacks (#13), Larry Foyt (#59), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Andy Belmont (#80), Larry Hollenbeck (#62), Kenny Wallace (#00)
- Johnson won the race just one week after a plane crash that killed ten people involved with Hendrick Motorsports including Rick Hendrick's son Ricky. The four Hendrick teammates drove a special paint scheme for the remainder of the season to honor those involved in the crash.
Checker Auto Parts 500
The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held on November 7 at Phoenix International Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Race extended to 315 laps / 315 miles due to green-white-checker finish. The race at Phoenix was very cloudy and a short chance of rain in a cold weather.
Top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 97- Kurt Busch
Failed to qualify: Mike Garvey (#75), Tony Raines (#51), Stanton Barrett (#94), Mario Gosselin (#80), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Geoffrey Bodine (#93), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)
- After two straight 33rd-place finishes at Martinsville due to blown engine and Atlanta due to accident on lap 310, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race for the sixth time in this season that puts Earnhardt Jr. from fifth to third in the points standings with two races left in this season.
Mountain Dew Southern 500
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The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held on November 14 at Darlington Raceway. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain and the starting lineup was set by owner's points. Kurt Busch was the points leader and sat on the front row. Jimmie Johnson completed a sweep at Darlington while Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman were eliminated from Chase contention by being greater than 156 points behind the points leader.
Top ten results
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 0- Mike Bliss
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#37), John Andretti (#14), Derrike Cope (#94), Carl Long (#00), Travis Kvapil (#06)
Ford 400
The Ford 400 was held on November 21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kurt Busch won the pole. This race was known as the deciding race of the 2004 Nextel Cup champion, in which five drivers were still mathematically alive for the championship including the points leader, Kurt Busch with an 18 point margin ahead of Jimmie Johnson, who earned the most wins in 2004, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and veteran Mark Martin. Those five chasers are separated by an 82 point margin from first to fifth for the final race. At the start of lap 1, Hermie Sadler got turned sideways while Mike Bliss was spun around but Johnson survived the wreck in the following caution. On lap 93, championship leader Kurt Busch lost a tire when he entered pit road, he lost the championship lead to Jeff Gordon, though Busch took back the points lead. With 3 laps to go, race leader Ryan Newman made some contact and lost the right side of the tire, the caution was out and set a Green-white-checker finish at Homestead. At the restart, Greg Biffle held off the hard charging Hendrick teams of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon for the race lead and took the checkered flag to win the Ford 400, while Johnson and Gordon finished 2nd and 3rd. Kurt Busch won the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship with 8 points ahead of Johnson, the closest margin in Cup history (until the 2011 season, won by Tony Stewart. Stewart and Carl Edwards were tied following the 2011 season's last race, the Cup going to Stewart by virtue of more wins on the season, 5 to 1 respectively.)
Top ten results
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 29- Kevin Harvick
Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty (#45), Johnny Sauter (#09), Mike Garvey (#75), Tony Raines (#51), Kevin Lepage (#37), Todd Bodine (#50), Larry Foyt (#70), J. J. Yeley (#11), Randy LaJoie (#98), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Carl Long (#80), Geoffrey Bodine (#93)
In victory lane Busch honored his championship win to the Hendrick family because of the plane crash three weeks prior, at the Martinsville race.
Final points standings
Chase for the Cup
- Kurt Busch – 6506
- Jimmie Johnson – 6498
- Jeff Gordon – 6490
- Mark Martin – 6399
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 6368
- Tony Stewart – 6326
- Ryan Newman – 6180
- Matt Kenseth – 6069
- Elliott Sadler – 6024
- Jeremy Mayfield – 6000
Cutoff for the Chase for the Nextel Cup
- Jamie McMurray – 4597
- Bobby Labonte – 4277
- Kasey Kahne – 4274
- Kevin Harvick – 4228
- Dale Jarrett – 4214
- Rusty Wallace – 3960
- Greg Biffle – 3902
- Jeff Burton – 3902
- Joe Nemechek – 3878
- Michael Waltrip – 3878
- Sterling Marlin – 3857
- Casey Mears – 3690
- Robby Gordon – 3646
- Ricky Rudd – 3615
- Brian Vickers – 3521
- Terry Labonte – 2987
- Scott Wimmer – 3308
- Brendan Gaughan – 3341
- Scott Riggs – 3416
- Jeff Green – 3452
- Ken Schrader – 3474
- Ward Burton – 3577
- Kyle Petty – 3695
- Ricky Craven – 4420
- Jimmy Spencer – 4537
- Johnny Sauter – 5076
- Carl Edwards – 5082
- Dave Blaney – 5159
- Bobby Hamilton Jr. – 5235
- Derrike Cope – 5448
- Todd Bodine – 5520
- Morgan Shepherd – 5581
- Kevin Lepage – 5591
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the year battle in 2004 marked the first time since 1998 that a rookie driver did not visit victory lane. The winner of the battle was dark horse candidate Kasey Kahne, who went from a 41st-place finish at the season opening Daytona 500, to being narrowly defeated by Matt Kenseth the next week at Rockingham, and he never looked back, grabbing fourteen top ten finishes and thirteen top-five finishes, as well as a couple of pole positions. Pre-season favorites Scott Wimmer and Brian Vickers struggled, although Wimmer placed third in the Daytona 500, but neither made competitive strides during the season. Brendan Gaughan was a pleasant surprise, posting four top tens and finishing runner-up to Kahne for the award, while Scott Riggs only had two-top ten finishes. The only other rookie, Johnny Sauter, was released from his ride mid-season and never made a challenge for the top honor.
References
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