2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series

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.

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.

2004 Team Chart

List of full time teams after race 5 of 2004.

Budweiser Shootout

The exhibition Budweiser Shootout was held on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway.

Top Ten Results

# Dale Jarrett
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kevin Harvick
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Gordon
# Rusty Wallace
# Tony Stewart
# Terry Labonte
# Jimmie Johnson
# 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

# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Tony Stewart
# Jamie McMurray
# Michael Waltrip
# Jeff Burton
# Bobby Labonte
# Kurt Busch
# Brendan Gaughan
# Ward Burton
# Johnny Sauter

Race Two: Top Ten Results

# Elliott Sadler
# Sterling Marlin
# Jimmie Johnson
# Mark Martin
# Kevin Harvick
# Matt Kenseth
# Joe Nemechek
# Ricky Rudd
# Rusty Wallace
# Ryan Newman

Daytona 500

Subway 400

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. The finish saw Matt Kenseth edging Kasey Kahne by inches.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-02&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Matt Kenseth
# Kasey Kahne
# Jamie McMurray
# Sterling Marlin
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Ryan Newman
# Rusty Wallace
# Kurt Busch
# Ward Burton
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-03&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results
# Matt Kenseth
# Kasey Kahne
# Tony Stewart
# Jamie McMurray
# Mark Martin
# Elliott Sadler
# Casey Mears
# Bobby Labonte
# Kurt Busch
# Rusty Wallace

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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-04&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Kasey Kahne
# Jimmie Johnson
# Ryan Newman
# Matt Kenseth
# Tony Stewart
# Greg Biffle
# Dale Jarrett
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-05&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results
# Jimmie Johnson
# Bobby Labonte
# Ryan Newman
# Robby Gordon
# Elliott Sadler
# Kurt Busch
# Mark Martin
# Kevin Harvick
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#94)

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held on March 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-06&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Kurt Busch
# Rusty Wallace
# Kevin Harvick
# Sterling Marlin
# Matt Kenseth
# Ken Schrader
# Ryan Newman
# Jamie McMurray
# Jeff Gordon
# Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89)

Samsung/Radio Shack 500

The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held on April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-07&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Elliott Sadler
# Kasey Kahne
# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Rusty Wallace
# Kurt Busch
# Casey Mears
# Tony Stewart
# Jimmie Johnson
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-08&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Rusty Wallace
# Bobby Labonte
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Jimmie Johnson
# Ryan Newman
# Jeff Gordon
# Jamie McMurray
# Matt Kenseth
# Sterling Marlin
# Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)

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. This led to the implementation of the [green-white-checker finish] rule in order to avoid such situations in the future.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-09&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kevin Harvick
# Jimmie Johnson
# Robby Gordon
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Burton
# Casey Mears
# Jamie McMurray
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-10&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jeff Gordon
# Jimmie Johnson
# Ryan Newman
# Matt Kenseth
# Bobby Labonte
# Brendan Gaughan
# Terry Labonte
# Casey Mears
# Kevin Harvick
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-11&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Jimmie Johnson
# Bobby Labonte
# Tony Stewart
# Matt Kenseth
# Jeff Gordon
# Mark Martin
# Brian Vickers
# Ryan Newman
# Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#94), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72)

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held on May 30 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-12&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Michael Waltrip
# Matt Kenseth
# Jamie McMurray
# Elliott Sadler
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Casey Mears
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Tony Stewart
# 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)

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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-13&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Mark Martin
# Tony Stewart
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Jeff Burton
# Scott Riggs
# Michael Waltrip
# Terry Labonte
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Scott Wimmer
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-14&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Bobby Labonte
# Jeff Gordon
# Kurt Busch
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Terry Labonte
# Robby Gordon
# Jamie McMurray
# Casey Mears

Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#94), Andy Hillenburg (#80)

DHL 400

The DHL 400 was held on June 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-15&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Ryan Newman
# Kasey Kahne
# Dale Jarrett
# Jimmie Johnson
# Elliott Sadler
# Sterling Marlin
# Matt Kenseth
# Bobby Labonte
# Brian Vickers
# Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (#33), Carl Long (#00)

Dodge/Save Mart 350

The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held on June 27 at Infineon Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-16&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jeff Gordon
# Jamie McMurray
# Scott Pruett
# Michael Waltrip
# Jimmie Johnson
# Boris Said
# Casey Mears
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Burton
# Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89)

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held on July 3 at Daytona International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-17&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jeff Gordon
# Jimmie Johnson
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kurt Busch
# Tony Stewart
# Mark Martin
# Bobby Labonte
# Terry Labonte
# Brian Vickers
# Joe Nemechek

Failed to qualify: Chad Blount (#37), Tony Raines (#23), Derrike Cope (#94), Kirk Shelmerdine (#72), Eric McClure (#04), Kenny Wallace (#00)

Tropicana 400

The Tropicana 400 was held on July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-18&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Tony Stewart
# Jimmie Johnson
# Dale Jarrett
# Jeff Gordon
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Terry Labonte
# Sterling Marlin
# Joe Nemechek
# Michael Waltrip
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-19&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Kurt Busch
# Jeff Gordon
# Ryan Newman
# Matt Kenseth
# Tony Stewart
# Michael Waltrip
# Jamie McMurray
# Kasey Kahne
# Dale Jarrett
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-20&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Mark Martin
# Kasey Kahne
# Greg Biffle
# Jeff Gordon
# Terry Labonte
# Robby Gordon
# Matt Kenseth
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#51), Andy Hillenburg (#37), A.J. Henriksen (#90)

Brickyard 400

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 in to play. The race was extended after Brian Vickers crashed on lap 158. However, when Ricky Rudd crashed on lap 160, the race still ended under caution.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-21&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Jarrett
# Elliott Sadler
# Kasey Kahne
# Tony Stewart
# Greg Biffle
# Jamie McMurray
# Kevin Harvick
# Bill Elliott
# 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)

Sirius at The Glen

The Sirius at The Glen was held on August 15 at Watkins Glen International. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-22&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Tony Stewart
# Ron Fellows
# Mark Martin
# Casey Mears
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kevin Harvick
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Ricky Rudd
# Matt Kenseth
# Kurt Busch

Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (#39), Boris Said (#36), Klaus Graf (#59), Stanton Barrett (#52)

GFS Marketplace 400

The GFS Marketplace 400 was held on August 22 at Michigan International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-23&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Greg Biffle
# Mark Martin
# Dale Jarrett
# Jamie McMurray
# Kasey Kahne
# Kurt Busch
# Jeff Gordon
# Matt Kenseth
# Tony Stewart
# 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)

Sharpie 500

The Sharpie 500 was held on August 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-24&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Ryan Newman
# Jimmie Johnson
# Jeff Burton
# Elliott Sadler
# Sterling Marlin
# Jamie McMurray
# Kurt Busch
# Matt Kenseth
# Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Stanton Barrett (#52), Brad Teague (#72), Tony Ave (#80), Ryan McGlynn (#00)

Pop Secret 500

The 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".

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-25&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results
# Elliott Sadler
# Kasey Kahne
# Mark Martin
# Jamie McMurray
# Ryan Newman
# Carl Edwards
# Scott Riggs
# Dale Jarrett
# Robby Gordon
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-26&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jeremy Mayfield
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Jeff Gordon
# Mike Bliss
# Mark Martin
# Carl Edwards
# Mike Wallace
# Greg Biffle
# Jamie McMurray
# 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)

Sylvania 300

The Sylvania 300 was held on September 19 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-27&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Kurt Busch
# Matt Kenseth
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kasey Kahne
# Jamie McMurray
# Joe Nemechek
# Jeff Gordon
# Elliott Sadler
# Michael Waltrip
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-28&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Ryan Newman
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Jarrett
# Kurt Busch
# Tony Stewart
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Jamie McMurray
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# 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)

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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-29&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kevin Harvick
# Dale Jarrett
# Brendan Gaughan
# Kurt Busch
# Tony Stewart
# Joe Nemechek
# Casey Mears
# Robby Gordon
# 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.

Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods

The Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods was held on October 10 at Kansas Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-30&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Joe Nemechek
# Ricky Rudd
# Greg Biffle
# Elliott Sadler
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Kurt Busch
# Jamie McMurray
# Dale Jarrett
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-31&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Jeff Gordon
# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Kurt Busch
# Joe Nemechek
# Dale Jarrett
# Elliott Sadler
# Jamie McMurray
# Jeff Burton
# 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

The Subway 500 was held on October 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-32&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Jamie McMurray
# Ryan Newman
# Sterling Marlin
# Kurt Busch
# Jeremy Mayfield
# Jeff Green
# Kevin Harvick
# Jeff Gordon
# 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)

Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500

The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held on October 31 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-33&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Mark Martin
# Carl Edwards
# Joe Nemechek
# Kasey Kahne
# Jeff Burton
# Brian Vickers
# Jamie McMurray
# Tony Stewart
# 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)

Checker Auto Parts 500

The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held on November 7 at Phoenix International Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-34&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# Ryan Newman
# Jeff Gordon
# Kevin Harvick
# Kasey Kahne
# Jimmie Johnson
# Rusty Wallace
# Tony Stewart
# Bobby Labonte
# 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)

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held on November 14 at Darlington Raceway. Kurt Busch won the pole.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-35&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Jimmie Johnson
# Mark Martin
# Jeff Gordon
# Jamie McMurray
# Kasey Kahne
# Kurt Busch
# Carl Edwards
# Joe Nemechek
# Bobby Labonte
# 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.

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2004-36&series=W Complete Results]

Top Ten Results

# Greg Biffle
# Jimmie Johnson
# Jeff Gordon
# Tony Stewart
# Kurt Busch
# Brendan Gaughan
# Jamie McMurray
# Rusty Wallace
# Ricky Rudd
# 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)

Final Points Standings

# 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 43rd 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 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.

External links

* [http://www.racing-reference.info/raceyear?yr=2004&series=W Racing Reference]