- In this unlucky moment of the race, driver Robby Gordon spins out in front of Kyle Petty and Ken Schrader.
- Tony Stewart (of Joe Gibbs Racing) is getting involved in a close battle for position against several other drivers.
Race details [1] [2] [3] [4] | |||
---|---|---|---|
Race 35 of 36 in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season | |||
Date | November 12, 2006 | ||
Official name | Checker Auto Parts 500 | ||
Location | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona | ||
Course | Permanent racing facility 1.000 mi (1.609 km) | ||
Distance | 312 laps, 312 mi (502 km) | ||
Weather | Warm with temperatures approaching 80.1 °F (26.7 °C); wind speeds up to 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) | ||
Average speed | 96.131 miles per hour (154.708 km/h) | ||
Attendance | 106,000 | ||
Pole position | |||
Driver | Hendrick Motorsports | ||
Time | 26.773 | ||
Most laps led | |||
Driver | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | |
Laps | 252 | ||
Winner | |||
No. 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | |
Television in the United States | |||
Network | NBC | ||
Announcers | Bill Weber Benny Parsons Wally Dallenbach |
The 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing event that took place on November 12, 2006, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
The traditional pre-race ceremonies were held with the showing of the national colors along with the invocation service from a local minister. One of country music's top ten recording artists of 2006, Taylor Swift, sang the national anthem prior to the racing event. [5] The green flag was officially waved at 2:35 p.m. and the checked flag was waved at approximately 5:49 p.m. [6] After this race, Colombian native Juan Pablo Montoya and Australian driver Marcos Ambrose would temporarily become the foreigners that would consistently make the racing grid for all the future NASCAR Cup Series races along with limited degrees of success by Scottish IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti.
Events held alongside the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 on the same weekend include the Casino Arizona 150 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) and the Arizona Travel 200 (NASCAR Busch Series).
# | Driver | Team | Make | Sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats |
01 | Joe Nemechek | Ginn Racing | Chevrolet | Principal Financial Group |
2 | Kurt Busch | Penske Racing South | Dodge | Miller Lite |
02 | Brandon Ash | Ash Motorsports | Dodge | Sprinter Trucking, Inc. |
4 | Ward Burton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | Lucas Oil |
5 | Kyle Busch | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Kellogg's |
6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | AAA Insurance |
06 | Todd Kluever | Roush Racing | Ford | 3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS |
7 | Robby Gordon | Robby Gordon Motorsports | Ford | Harrah's |
07 | Clint Bowyer | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Jack Daniel's |
8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Budweiser |
9 | Kasey Kahne | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Dodge Dealers, UAW |
09 | Jeremy Mayfield | Phoenix Racing | Dodge | Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts |
10 | Scott Riggs | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Stanley Tools, Valvoline |
11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | FedEx Ground |
12 | Ryan Newman | Penske Racing South | Ford | Alltel |
14 | Sterling Marlin | MB2 Motorsports | Chevrolet | Principal Financial Group |
16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Ford | National Guard |
17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | USG Sheetrock |
18 | J.J. Yeley | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | GSK, Boniva |
19 | Elliott Sadler | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Dodge Dealers, UAW |
20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | Home Depot |
21 | Ken Schrader | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | Little Debbie |
22 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Toyota | Caterpillar |
24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | DuPont |
25 | Brian Vickers | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | GMAC |
26 | Jamie McMurray | Roush Racing | Ford | Irwin Industrial Tools |
29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Reese's Cookies |
31 | Jeff Burton | Richard Childress Racing | Toyota | Cingular Wireless |
32 | Travis Kvapil | PPI Motorsports | Chevrolet | Tide, Downy |
34 | Kevin Lepage | Front Row Motorsports | Dodge | Oak Glove Company |
37 | Bill Elliott | R&J Racing | Dodge | Melling |
38 | David Gilliland | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | M&M's |
40 | David Stremme | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | Discount Tire |
41 | Reed Sorenson | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | Target |
42 | Casey Mears | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | Texaco, Havoline |
43 | Bobby Labonte | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories |
45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Ford | Wells Fargo |
48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Lowe's |
49 | Mike Bliss | BAM Racing | Dodge | WhatsOnline.com |
55 | Michael Waltrip | Waltrip-Jasper Racing | Dodge | NAPA Auto Parts |
61 | Stanton Barrett | Front Row Motorsports | Dodge | Oak Glove Company |
66 | Jeff Green | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | Best Buy |
71 | Jason Leffler | Braun Racing | Chevrolet | Fort McDowell Resort Destination |
72 | Brandon Whitt | CJM Racing | Chevrolet | Dutch Quality Stone |
74 | Derrike Cope | McGlynn Racing | Dodge | Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com |
78 | Kenny Wallace | Furniture Row Racing | Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing |
88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | UPS |
89 | Morgan Shepherd | Shepherd Racing Ventures | Ford | Victory In Jesus, Eco First |
96 | Tony Raines | Hall of Fame Racing | Chevrolet | DLP HDTV |
99 | Carl Edwards | Roush Racing | Ford | Office Depot |
# [7] [8] | # | Driver | Make | Team | Time | Avg. Speed (mph) | BHND |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 26.773 | 134.464 | 0.000 |
2 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 26.871 | 133.973 | 00.098 |
3 | 25 | Brian Vickers | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 26.876 | 133.949 | 00.103 |
4 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 26.932 | 133.670 | 00.159 |
5 | 01 | Joe Nemechek | Chevrolet | Ginn Racing | 26.942 | 133.620 | 00.169 |
6 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Ford | Roush Racing | 26.959 | 133.536 | 00.186 |
7 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing South | 26.963 | 133.516 | 00.190 |
8 | 2 | Kurt Busch | Dodge | Penske Racing South | 26.972 | 133.472 | 00.199 |
9 | 5 | Kyle Busch | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 26.975 | 133.457 | 00.202 |
10 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | Roush Racing | 26.983 | 133.417 | 00.210 |
11 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Dodge | Evernham Motorsports | 26.991 | 133.378 | 00.218 |
12 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Ford | Roush Racing | 27.039 | 133.141 | 00.266 |
13 | 38 | David Gilliland | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | 27.057 | 133.052 | 00.284 |
14 | 26 | Jamie McMurray | Ford | Roush Racing | 27.071 | 132.984 | 00.298 |
15 | 43 | Bobby Labonte | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | 27.079 | 132.944 | 00.306 |
16 | 19 | Elliott Sadler | Dodge | Evernham Motorsports | 27.081 | 132.934 | 00.308 |
17 | 42 | Casey Mears | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | 27.097 | 132.856 | 00.324 |
18 | 31 | Jeff Burton | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 27.100 | 132.841 | 00.327 |
19 | 55 | Michael Waltrip | Dodge | Waltrip-Jasper Racing | 27.101 | 132.836 | 00.328 |
20 | 07 | Clint Bowyer | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 27.116 | 132.763 | 00.343 |
21 | 6 | Mark Martin | Ford | Roush Racing | 27.117 | 132.758 | 00.344 |
22 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | 27.127 | 132.709 | 00.354 |
23 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | 27.132 | 132.685 | 00.359 |
24 | 4 | Ward Burton | Chevrolet | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | 27.186 | 132.421 | 00.413 |
25 | 66 | Jeff Green | Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | 27.222 | 132.246 | 00.449 |
26 | 1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 27.228 | 132.217 | 00.455 |
27 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | 27.253 | 132.096 | 00.480 |
28 | 41 | Reed Sorenson | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | 27.284 | 131.945 | 00.511 |
29 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 27.299 | 131.873 | 00.526 |
30 | 14 | Sterling Marlin | Chevrolet | MB2 Motorsports | 27.315 | 131.796 | 00.542 |
31 | 22 | Dave Blaney | Dodge | Bill Davis Racing | 27.354 | 131.608 | 00.581 |
32 | 21 | Ken Schrader | Ford | Wood Brothers Racing | 27.354 | 131.608 | 00.581 |
33 | 32 | Travis Kvapil | Chevrolet | PPI Motorsports | 27.382 | 131.473 | 00.609 |
34 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | 27.398 | 131.396 | 00.625 |
35 | 18 | J.J. Yeley | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | 27.439 | 131.200 | 00.666 |
36 | 40 | David Stremme | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | 27.464 | 131.081 | 00.691 |
37 | 72 | Brandon Whitt | Chevrolet | CJM Racing | 27.484 | 130.985 | 00.711 |
38 | 49 | Mike Bliss | Dodge | BAM Racing | 27.488 | 130.966 | 00.715 |
39 | 61 | Chad Chaffin | Dodge | Front Row Motorsports | 27.532 | 130.757 | 00.759 |
40 | 7 | Robby Gordon* | Chevrolet | Robby Gordon Motorsports | 27.608 | 130.397 | 00.835 |
41 | 96 | Tony Raines* | Chevrolet | Hall of Fame Racing | 27.623 | 130.326 | 00.850 |
42 | 10 | Scott Riggs* | Dodge | Evernham Motorsports | 27.724 | 129.851 | 00.951 |
43 | 37 | Bill Elliott** | Dodge | R&J Racing | 28.106 | 128.087 | |
Failed to qualify | |||||||
44 | 71 | Jason Leffler | Chevrolet | Braun Racing | 27.588 | 130.492 | |
45 | 06 | Todd Kluever | Ford | Roush Racing | 27.613 | 130.373 | |
46 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Dodge | Shepherd Racing Ventures | 27.663 | 130.138 | |
47 | 02 | Brandon Ash | Dodge | Ash Motorsports | 27.699 | 129.969 | |
48 | 34 | Kevin Lepage | Chevrolet | Front Row Motorsports | 27.780 | 129.590 | |
49 | 78 | Kenny Wallace | Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing | 27.930 | 128.894 | |
50 | 74 | Derrike Cope | Dodge | McGlynn Racing | 27.935 | 128.871 | |
51 | 09 | Jeremy Mayfield | Dodge | Phoenix Racing | 28.046 | 128.361 |
*Qualified by owner's points.
**Qualified by champion's provisional.
For pre-race ceremonies, the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the nation's colors. Phoenix International Raceway chaplain Ken Bowers gave the invocation. Rising country music artist at the time Taylor Swift performed the national anthem. Doug Bowens, on behalf of Pennzoil would give out the starting command.
Brandon Whitt would "earn" the last-place finish in his only NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start due to a rear end issue on lap 123 of 312. [2] [3] [4] [9]
Kevin Harvick defeated Jimmie Johnson by a ¼ of a second in front of 106,000 people after three hours and fourteen minutes of racing action. [2] [10] Harvick dominated this race, leading exactly 80.7% of the race. [2] [4] [9] There were 12 lead changes in addition to ten caution flag waved by NASCAR for 58 laps. [2] [4] [9] There was at least one red flag in the race; it was waved due to a multi-car accident on lap 305. [11] Jeff Gordon qualified for the pole position with a speed of 134.646 miles per hour (216.692 km/h) while the average speed of the race was 96.131 miles per hour (154.708 km/h). [2] [4] [9]
This was the final career race for team owner Doug Bawel. [2] [4] [9] It was also the last DNF for Clint Bowyer until the 2009 race in Darlington. [2] [4] [9] Brandon Whitt did a great job making this race, considering the team and his limited experience. His only other start that year was an ARCA race, and he had a DNQ to go with each of them. [2] [4] [9]
The other finishers in the top ten were: Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Burton. [2] [3] [4] [9] Now-retired drivers Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett also participated in this race during their twilight years. [2] [3] [4] Seven drivers failed to make the race while Robby Gordon was sent to the back of the grid due to an engine replacement. [2] Kyle Busch failed to finish in the top ten in his Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo machine. [2] [3] [4] [9]
Drivers were racing for a prize bounty of $4,892,924 ($7,395,115.9 when adjusted for inflation) with Jimmie Johnson being ahead of Matt Kenseth by a mere 17 points. [6] While Tony Stewart scored more points than the top ten drivers, the best result that he could come up within the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season would be eleventh place in the drivers' championship standings. [6] The "Chase for the Cup" formula at that time had the best ten drivers compete for the championship – as opposed to 16 in today's formula.
Fin [12] [13] | St | # | Driver | Make | Team | Sponsor | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | Reese's Cookies | 312 | 252 | running | 190 | 216825 |
2 | 29 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | Lowe's | 312 | 28 | running | 175 | 183275 |
3 | 22 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | FedEx Ground | 312 | 0 | running | 165 | 139800 |
4 | 1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | DuPont | 312 | 3 | running | 165 | 136125 |
5 | 12 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Ford | Roush Racing | Office Depot | 312 | 0 | running | 155 | 120425 |
6 | 21 | 6 | Mark Martin | Ford | Roush Racing | AAA Insurance | 312 | 26 | running | 155 | 104725 |
7 | 11 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Dodge | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge Dealers, UAW | 312 | 0 | running | 146 | 99025 |
8 | 8 | 2 | Kurt Busch | Dodge | Penske Racing South | Miller Lite | 312 | 0 | running | 142 | 93050 |
9 | 4 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Budweiser | 312 | 0 | running | 138 | 88050 |
10 | 18 | 31 | Jeff Burton | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | Cingular Wireless | 312 | 0 | running | 134 | 90500 |
11 | 3 | 25 | Brian Vickers | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | GMAC | 312 | 0 | running | 130 | 83350 |
12 | 26 | 1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats | 312 | 0 | running | 127 | 100608 |
13 | 10 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | Roush Racing | USG Sheetrock | 312 | 1 | running | 129 | 86700 |
14 | 23 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | Home Depot | 312 | 0 | running | 121 | 91550 |
15 | 7 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing South | Alltel | 312 | 0 | running | 118 | 83125 |
16 | 13 | 38 | David Gilliland | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | M&M's | 312 | 1 | running | 120 | 77950 |
17 | 16 | 19 | Elliott Sadler | Dodge | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge Dealers, UAW | 312 | 0 | running | 112 | 76500 |
18 | 36 | 40 | David Stremme | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Discount Tire | 312 | 0 | running | 109 | 92233 |
19 | 5 | 01 | Joe Nemechek | Chevrolet | Ginn Racing | Principal Financial Group | 312 | 0 | running | 106 | 75775 |
20 | 35 | 18 | J.J. Yeley | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | GSK, Boniva | 312 | 0 | running | 103 | 78350 |
21 | 41 | 96 | Tony Raines | Chevrolet | Hall of Fame Racing | DLP HDTV | 312 | 0 | running | 100 | 67325 |
22 | 42 | 10 | Scott Riggs | Dodge | Evernham Motorsports | Stanley Tools, Valvoline | 312 | 0 | running | 97 | 67100 |
23 | 31 | 22 | Dave Blaney | Dodge | Bill Davis Racing | Caterpillar | 312 | 0 | running | 94 | 81983 |
24 | 32 | 21 | Ken Schrader | Ford | Wood Brothers Racing | Little Debbie | 312 | 0 | running | 91 | 74625 |
25 | 34 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | Wells Fargo | 312 | 0 | running | 88 | 86458 |
26 | 17 | 42 | Casey Mears | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Texaco, Havoline | 312 | 0 | running | 85 | 74175 |
27 | 15 | 43 | Bobby Labonte | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories | 311 | 0 | running | 82 | 74050 |
28 | 24 | 4 | Ward Burton | Chevrolet | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Lucas Oil | 311 | 0 | running | 79 | 65425 |
29 | 28 | 41 | Reed Sorenson | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Target | 310 | 0 | running | 76 | 70800 |
30 | 33 | 32 | Travis Kvapil | Chevrolet | PPI Motorsports | Tide, Downy | 310 | 0 | running | 73 | 72722 |
31 | 43 | 37 | Bill Elliott | Dodge | R&J Racing | Melling | 309 | 0 | running | 70 | 62550 |
32 | 40 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Chevrolet | Robby Gordon Motorsports | Harrah's | 307 | 0 | running | 67 | 62400 |
33 | 20 | 07 | Clint Bowyer | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | Jack Daniel's | 306 | 0 | oil line | 64 | 71225 |
34 | 6 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Ford | Roush Racing | National Guard | 306 | 0 | running | 61 | 82350 |
35 | 39 | 61 | Chad Chaffin | Dodge | Front Row Motorsports | Oak Glove Company | 306 | 0 | running | 58 | 62025 |
36 | 30 | 14 | Sterling Marlin | Chevrolet | MB2 Motorsports | Principal Financial Group | 303 | 1 | running | 60 | 61875 |
37 | 25 | 66 | Jeff Green | Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | Best Buy | 298 | 0 | crash | 52 | 69750 |
38 | 9 | 5 | Kyle Busch | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | Kellogg's | 291 | 0 | running | 49 | 79625 |
39 | 27 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | UPS | 289 | 0 | crash | 46 | 69500 |
40 | 14 | 26 | Jamie McMurray | Ford | Roush Racing | Irwin Industrial Tools | 272 | 0 | crash | 43 | 80350 |
41 | 38 | 49 | Mike Bliss | Dodge | BAM Racing | WhatsOnline.com | 262 | 0 | engine | 40 | 61210 |
42 | 19 | 55 | Michael Waltrip | Dodge | Waltrip-Jasper Racing | NAPA Auto Parts | 234 | 0 | engine | 37 | 61085 |
43 | 37 | 72 | Brandon Whitt | Chevrolet | CJM Racing | Dutch Quality Stone | 123 | 0 | rear end | 34 | 61286 |
Failed to qualify | |||||||||||
44 | 71 | Jason Leffler | Chevrolet | Braun Racing | Fort McDowell Resort Destination | ||||||
45 | 06 | Todd Kluever | Ford | Roush Racing | 3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS | ||||||
46 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Dodge | Shepherd Racing Ventures | Victory In Jesus, Eco First | ||||||
47 | 02 | Brandon Ash | Dodge | Ash Motorsports | Sprinter Trucking, Inc. | ||||||
48 | 34 | Kevin Lepage | Chevrolet | Front Row Motorsports | Oak Glove Co. | ||||||
49 | 78 | Kenny Wallace | Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing | Furniture Row Racing | ||||||
50 | 74 | Derrike Cope | Dodge | McGlynn Racing | Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com | ||||||
51 | 09 | Jeremy Mayfield | Dodge | Phoenix Racing | Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts |
Section reference: [2]
Pos | Driver | Points [2] | Differential |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6332 | 0 |
2 | Matt Kenseth | 6269 | -63 |
3 | Denny Hamlin | 6242 | -90 |
3 | Kevin Harvick | 6242 | -90 |
5 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 6217 | -115 |
6 | Jeff Gordon | 6165 | -167 |
7 | Jeff Burton | 6107 | -225 |
8 | Mark Martin | 6059 | -273 |
9 | Kasey Kahne | 6013 | -319 |
10 | Kyle Busch | 5973 | -359 |
The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 57th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 34th modern-era Cup series. The season began on Saturday, February 12. The ten-race Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 18, and ended on Sunday, November 20, with the Ford 400.
Stock car racing events in the NASCAR Cup Series has been held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway since 1999. The race is currently held as a 267 lap, 400.5 mile (644.542 km) race under the moniker Straight Talk Wireless 400.
The 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 58th season of professional Stock car racing in the United States and the 35th modern-era NASCAR Cup series season. It was started at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 12 with the Budweiser Shootout and ended on Monday, November 20, with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase for the Nextel Cup began with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 17, at New Hampshire International Speedway. This was the last full-time season with the Gen 4 car.
The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 56th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 33rd modern-era Cup series season. The season began on Saturday, February 7, and ended on Sunday, November 21. Kurt Busch, who drove a Ford for Roush Racing, was the Nextel Cup champion. It would be the last time until 2012 that the championship would be won by someone other than Tony Stewart or Jimmie Johnson.
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The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 54th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 31st modern-era Cup Series season. It began on February 10, 2002, at Daytona International Speedway, and ended on November 17, 2002, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, was declared as the Winston Cup champion. Bill Elliott won the 2002 NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award. He would win it for the 16th and final time in his career. He withdrew from the ballot after receiving the award. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was captured by Ford after winning 14 events and gaining 245 points over second-place finisher Chevrolet, who had 10 wins and 211 points.
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The 2006 USG Sheetrock 400 was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race held on July 9, 2006, at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. The race was the 18th of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing won the pole position with a lap speed of 181.647 mph (292.333 km/h), his second pole of 2006 along with the Daytona 500, marking the first time in his career that he won two poles in the same year. Roush Racing's Matt Kenseth led the most laps, while Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won the race on a green-white-checker finish, which extended the race from 267 laps to 270.
The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 66th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 43rd modern-era Cup season. The season began at Daytona International Speedway, with the Sprint Unlimited, followed by the Daytona 500. The season ended with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The 2014 Bojangles' Southern 500, the 65th running of the event, was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on April 12, 2014, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. The race was contested over 374 laps – extended from 367 laps due to two attempts at a green–white–checker finish – on the 1.366 miles (2.198 km) oval, it was the eighth race of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Kevin Harvick of Stewart-Haas Racing won the race, his second win of the season and first at Darlington, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second. Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, and Greg Biffle rounded out the top five. The race was also the first Darlington race won by a polesitter since Dale Jarrett, in the 1997 Rebel. The top rookies of the race were Kyle Larson (8th), Austin Dillon (11th), and Justin Allgaier (23rd). It was the longest race in Darlington Raceway history.
The 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 67th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 44th modern-era Cup season. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Sprint Unlimited exhibition race, the Budweiser Duels, and the Daytona 500. The season ended with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kyle Busch won the championship, despite missing the first third of the season due to severe leg injuries suffered in an Xfinity Series race at Daytona. Busch also became the first Toyota driver to win a Cup championship. Despite not running the full season, Brett Moffitt was named Rookie of the Year.
The 2014 Federated Auto Parts 400 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race that was held on September 6, 2014, at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Contested over 400 laps, it was the 26th race of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and the final race prior to the Chase for the Sprint Cup, to decide the series champion. Brad Keselowski finished first after he dominated the race, leading 383 of the race's 400 laps. Jeff Gordon finished second while Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray, and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five. The top rookies of the race were Kyle Larson (11th), Austin Dillon (20th), and Justin Allgaier (28th).