2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series

American motorsport seasonMarch 2016June 2020May 2025 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series NASCAR Nextel Cup Series 2005 Champions | Seasons thumb|Tony Stewart, the 2005 Nextel Cup Series champion. thumb|Greg Biffle came in second behind Stewart by 35 points. thumb|Carl Edwards finished third in the championship. thumb|Kyle Busch, the 2005 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. thumb|Chevrolet win the Manufacturers' Championship with 17 wins. 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. Tony Stewart was the dominant driver going into the ten race "playoff" with five wins. Going into the final race before the Chase for the Nextel Cup, Stewart had amassed a 209-point lead over his nearest competitor, Greg Biffle. Points are reset going into the Chase for the cup, and Stewart's lead was dropped to a 5-point margin. Leading into the final race before the Chase, ten racers were still mathematically contending for the final four spots in the Chase and only one point separated Jamie McMurray in 10th from Ryan Newman in 11th. In the end, the ten racers who qualified for the Chase for the Cup were: Tony Stewart (3716) Greg Biffle (−185) Rusty Wallace (−304) Jimmie Johnson (−316) Kurt Busch (−412) Mark Martin (−443) Jeremy Mayfield (−488) Carl Edwards (−602) Matt Kenseth (−602) Ryan Newman (−661) Overall, Roush Racing was the dominant team going into the Chase for the Cup with five of the ten final racers from their organization (Biffle, Busch, Martin, Edwards, and Kenseth). This was the first season since his rookie season that Jeff Gordon did not finish in the top 10 in points. The 2005 season was the only time Jeff Gordon failed to qualify for the Chase and one of only two seasons (alongside 1993) in which he did not finish in the top 10 in points. The 2005 season was the first year of competition for the Dodge Charger since 1977, which replaced the Dodge Intrepid, a model that Dodge dropped from its consumer lineup for the 2005 model year. The change did little to improve Dodge's fortunes as a distant third manufacturer in NASCAR Nextel Cup behind Ford and Chevrolet. In 2004, Dodge won 4 of 36 cup races with the Intrepid. In 2005, the Charger won three races. The Charger was, however, much more of a success in the Busch Series, winning 10 of 32. The 2005 season was the final year for the Ford Taurus, which was replaced by the Ford Fusion in the 2006 season. In addition, two prominent drivers announced that this would be their final season in NASCAR: Mark Martin, and 1989 Winston Cup Champion Rusty Wallace. Wallace would stay with his word and retire at season's end, but Martin, however, would return for 2006 due to circumstances with Roush Racing and Kurt Busch at the end of 2005. He would then run a limited schedule in 2007 and 2008, then drive full-time Hendrick Motorsports between 2009 and 2011, picking up an additional 5 wins with the team, and then finally run part-time again before officially retiring at the end of the 2013 season. Also, Ricky Rudd took a break after the 2005 season but returned at the beginning of 2007. One of the biggest controversies prior to the start of the season involved the elimination of two races – Darlington and North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. The eliminated Rockingham race ends NASCAR's 38-year association with Rockingham. The races were replaced by new races at Texas and Phoenix. NASCAR also began moving start times later in the day starting this season; by 2007 the Daytona 500 finished in primetime. Also, NASCAR announced in January 2005 that the owners of the teams in the top 35 of the previous year's standings would be guaranteed a starting spot in each of the first five races of the season. This further complicated the unique qualifying procedure for the Daytona 500 and severely affected the chances of some teams to make races after having a poor 2004. After the fifth race, the guaranteed starters were based on the current season's points, with changes possible from race to race depending on results. The number of cars entered for each race was up slightly from the previous year. The Daytona 500 saw a dramatic increase in its car count from 45 to 56. The increase was in part attributable to a new NASCAR rule that allowed hard liquor brands to become sponsors on its race cars. Roush Racing (Crown Royal), Richard Childress Racing (Jack Daniels), and Robby Gordon Motorsports (Jim Beam) were the first to sign such deals. At the end of the 2005 season, Chevrolet won the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship after winning 17 events and garnering 259 points over second-place Ford who captured 16 victories and 246 points.http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2005/data/standings_manufacturer.html Standings: 2005 Manufacturer Standings NASCAR; Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network September 12, 2009 August 13, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090813014737/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2005/data/standings_manufacturer.html dead Teams and drivers Complete schedule There were 40 teams that attempted every race in 2005. Manufacturer Team No. Car numbers Drivers Crew Chiefs Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Pete Rondeau 11 1–11 Steve Hmiel 15 12–26 Tony Eury Jr. 10 27–36 15 Michael Waltrip Tony Eury Jr. 26 1-26 Tony Gibson 10 27–36 Front Row Motorsports 92 Stanton Barrett (R) 12 1-10, 13, 16 Fred Wanke Tony Raines 3 11-12, 21 Hermie Sadler 8 14, 17, 19-20, 24-26, 28 Eric McClure (R) 2 15, 23 Kenny Wallace 1 18 Johnny Miller 1 22 Joey McCarthy 1 27 Mike Skinner 1 29 P. J. Jones 4 30-31, 34-35 Chad Chaffin 3 32-33, 36 Haas CNC Racing 0 Mike Bliss Bootie Barker Hendrick Motorsports 5 Kyle Busch (R) Alan Gustafson 24 Jeff Gordon Robbie Loomis 26 1-26Steve Letarte 10 27-36 25 Brian Vickers Lance McGrew 48 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Joe Gibbs Racing 11 Jason Leffler 20 1-15, 17-21 Dave Rogers 11 1-11Mike Ford 25 12-36 Terry Labonte 5 16, 22-24, 26 J. J. Yeley 4 25, 27-29 Denny Hamlin 7 30-36 18 Bobby Labonte Steve Addington 20 Tony Stewart Greg Zipadelli MB2 Motorsports 01 Joe Nemechek Ryan Pemberton MBV Motorsports 10 Scott Riggs Doug Randolph Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Mike Wallace 31 1-15, 17-21, 24, 26-35 Chris Carrier P. J. Jones 2 16, 22 John Andretti 2 23, 25 Todd Bodine 1 36 PPI Motorsports 32 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 34 1-15, 17-21, 23-36 Harold Holly Ron Fellows 2 16, 22 Richard Childress Racing 07 Dave Blaney Phillipe Lopez 29 Kevin Harvick Todd Berrier 31 Jeff Burton Kevin Hamlin Robby Gordon Motorsports 7 Robby Gordon Bob Temple Dodge BAM Racing 49 Ken Schrader David Hyder Bill Davis Racing 22 Scott Wimmer Derrick Finley Chip Ganassi Racingwith Felix Sabates 40 Sterling Marlin 35 1-21, 23-36 Steve Boyer Scott Pruett 1 22 41 Casey Mears Jimmy Elledge 42 Jamie McMurray Donnie Wingo Evernham Motorsports 9 Kasey Kahne Tommy Baldwin Jr. 19 Jeremy Mayfield Kenny Francis Penske-Jasper Racing 2 Rusty Wallace Larry Carter 12 Ryan Newman Matt Borland 77 Travis Kvapil (R) Shane Wilson Petty Enterprises 43 Jeff Green Greg Steadman 45 Kyle Petty Paul Andrews R&J Racing 37 Kevin Lepage 21 1-21 Billy Poindexter Anthony Lazzaro 1 22 Tony Raines 8 23-30 Mike Garvey 1 31 Jimmy Spencer 1 32 Mike Skinner 4 33-36 Ford Robert Yates Racing 38 Elliott Sadler Todd Parrott 27 1-27 Kevin Buskirk 9 28-36 88 Dale Jarrett Mike Ford 11 1-11 Bill Wilburn 16 12-27 Todd Parrott 9 28-36 Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Pat Tryson 16 Greg Biffle Doug Richert 17 Matt Kenseth Robbie Reiser 97 Kurt Busch 34 1-34 Jimmy Fennig Kenny Wallace 2 35-36 99 Carl Edwards (R) Bob Osborne Wood Brothers Racing 21 Ricky Rudd Michael McSwain Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberDriver(s)Crew ChiefRoundsChevrolet Braun Racing08 Shane Hmiel Keith Montgomery 2 4-5McGlynn Racing Ryan McGlynn 1 28 Derrike Cope 1 32Conely Racing79 Stan Boyd 2 2-3 Derrike Cope 1 15 Bryan Reffner 1 23Competitive Edge Motorsports51 Stuart Kirby Bob Schacht 10 15, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30-31, 33-34 Bryan Reffner 1 35 Mike Garvey 1 36Dale Earnhardt, Inc.1 Martin Truex Jr. Pete Rondeau 7 1, 9, 12, 21, 29, 33-34 Paul Menard 1 22Furniture Row Racing78 Kenny Wallace Tim Weiss 1 36 Joe Garone 1 36 1 28 Jerry Robertson 1 35Hendrick Motorsports 44 Terry Labonte Peter Sospenzo 8 2, 5, 12, 14, 18, 21, 30, 34 MB Sutton Motorsports 36 Boris Said Frank Stoddard12 1, 7, 9, 12, 16-17, 21-22, 25, 30-31, 33Mach 1 Motorsports34 Randy LaJoie Mike Steurer 7 1-7 Steve Portenga 1 8 Jeff Fuller 4 10-13 P. J. Jones 8 14-15, 18, 20-21, 23-25 Joey McCarthy 4 19, 26, 28, 32 Ted Christopher 1 27 Eric McClure (R) 1 30 Chad Chaffin 1 35 NEMCO Motorsports 87 Chris Cook Gary Putnam 2 16, 22 Raabe Racing Enterprises 73 Eric McClure (R) Tim Brewer 3 1-3Richard Childress Racing 33 Kerry EarnhardtGil Martin 4 1, 9, 17, 29 Clint Bowyer 1 8 Brian Simo 1 16 Stanton Barrett Motorsports 95 Stanton Barrett David Ifft 4 24, 31-32, 35Mike Dayton 3 26-28 7 24, 26-28, 31-32, 35 S.W.A.T. Racing 55 Derrike Cope 1 1DodgeArnold Motorsports50 Jimmy Spencer Buddy Sisco 12 4-5, 12, 21, 24, 26-27, 31, 33-36 Jorge Goeters 1 22Bill Davis Racing 23 Mike SkinnerDoug Wolcott 6 1, 9, 12-13, 15, 21 Johnny Benson 1 33 Bobby Hamilton Racing 04 Bobby Hamilton Danny Rollins 2 21, 33Buddy Sisco Racing 61 Jeff Fuller 1 6 Tony Raines 1 10 Wayne Anderson 2 30, 32Chip Ganassi Racingwith Felix Sabates39 Bill Elliott Lee McCall 1 1 Scott Pruett 2 16, 22 David Stremme 4 18, 26, 31, 36 Reed Sorenson 2 33-34 Evernham Motorsports 91 Bill Elliott Chris Andrews 9 2, 4, 7, 12, 15, 21, 23, 25, 34 GIC-Mixon Motorsports 93 Geoff Bodine Lee McCall 1 1Phoenix Racing09 Johnny SauterTony Liberati 6 1, 3, 5-8Ralph Wingfield 10 9-12, 31-36Marc Reno 3 24, 26, 29Joe Shear Jr. 1 17 18 1, 3, 5-12, 17, 24, 26, 29, 31, 33-35 Bobby Hamilton 1 32 Reed Sorenson 1 36Rick Ware Racing52 Larry GunselmanRick Ware 1 1 Derrike Cope 2 19-20 José Luis Ramírez 1 16 Sacks Motorsports 13 Greg Sacks Paul Sacks 7 1, 10, 12, 14, 20, 23, 30Shepherd Racing Ventures89 Morgan Shepherd Troy Kelly 20 1, 3-4, 10-11, 14-15, 19-21, 23-24, 26-29, 32-33, 35-36 Jason Jarrett 1 5Zero Four Motorsports75 Wayne AndersonBarry Haefele 6 18-19, 24, 26-28 Mike Garvey 6 4, 6, 11-12, 32-33FordKirk Shelmerdine Racing27 Kirk ShelmerdinePhil Harris 12 1-4, 6, 11-14, 20, 26-27 Brad Teague 1 5 Tom Hubert 2 16, 22 Ted Christopher 1 18 Peak Fitness Racing 66 Hermie Sadler James Ince 14 1-13, 32 Mike Garvey 11 14-15, 17-21, 24-27 Johnny Borneman III 1 16 Jimmy Spencer 1 23 Kevin Lepage 8 28-31, 33-36 ppc Racing 14 John Andretti Dave Charpentier 4 1-4ChevroletDodgeFordMichael Waltrip Racing00 David ReutimannGere Kennon 5 1, 9-10, 17, 21Dom Turse 20 3-6, 8, 11-14, 18, 20, 26-27, 29-30, 32-36Ryan McGlynn 1 19Jeff Spraker 1 23Terry Wooten 1 24Dennis Fieble 1 28Butch Hylton 1 31 1 31 Johnny Benson 2 23-24 Kenny Wallace 4 1, 9-10, 21Bill Davis Racing 1 17Mach 1 Motorsports Mike Skinner 1 29McGlynn Racing Carl Long 19 3-6, 8, 11-14, 18-20, 26-28, 30, 32-34 Derrike Cope 2 35-3680Carl LongStan Hover 2 1, 36Dom Turse 3 10, 23, 33Dennis Fieble 1 24 4 10, 23-24, 31Hover Motorsports 1 36 Andy Belmont 1 1 Joe Gibbs Racing J. J. Yeley 1 33 DodgeFord Ash Motorsports 02 Brandon Ash Ed Ash 4 8, 16, 30, 35 Driver changes Mike Bliss drove full-time with Haas CNC Racing after competing in the final two races for Haas in 2004. Robby Gordon left Richard Childress Racing to drive for his own team Robby Gordon Motorsports. Jeff Burton moved over to the No. 31 after competing in the last fourteen races in the No. 30 for Richard Childress Racing. Travis Kvapil drove full-time with Penske-Jasper Racing after driving their R&D car in four of the last five races in 2004. Kyle Busch and Terry Labonte swapped seats with Hendrick Motorsports. Busch drove the No. 5 and Labonte drove the No. 44 R&D car on a part-time schedule. Jason Leffler joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005. Mike Wallace drove full-time with Morgan-McClure Motorsports after competing in the final two races for them in 2004. Dave Blaney moved over to the No. 07 after competing in eight races in the No. 30 for Richard Childress Racing in 2004. Bobby Hamilton Jr. drove full-time with PPI Motorsports after competing in eleven races in 2004. Team changes Front Row Motorsports will run a full-time schedule as the No. 92. Kirk Shelmerdine Racing will run a part-time schedule. Michael Waltrip Racing, Bill Davis Racing, Mach 1 Motorsports and McGlynn Racing formed an alliance to run the No. 00. MB Sutton Motorsports ran the No. 36 rather than MB2 Motorsports. R&J Racing will run a full-time schedule as the No. 37. Schedule No. Race title Track DateBudweiser ShootoutDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 12Gatorade DuelFebruary 171Daytona 500February 202Auto Club 500California Speedway, FontanaFebruary 273UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NevadaMarch 134Golden Corral 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 205Food City 500Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolApril 36Advance Auto Parts 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 107Samsung/Radio Shack 500Texas Motor Speedway, Fort WorthApril 178Subway Fresh 500Phoenix International Raceway, PhoenixApril 239Aaron's 499Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaMay 110Dodge Charger 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMay 711Chevy American Revolution 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondMay 14Nextel OpenLowe's Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 21Nextel All-Star Challenge12Coca-Cola 600May 2913MBNA RacePoints 400Dover International Speedway, DoverJune 514Pocono 500Pocono Raceway, Long PondJune 1215Batman Begins 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 1916Dodge/Save Mart 350Infineon Raceway, SonomaJune 2617Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 218USG Sheetrock 400Chicagoland Speedway, JolietJuly 1019New England 300New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonJuly 1720Pennsylvania 500Pocono Raceway, Long PondJuly 2421Allstate 400 at the BrickyardIndianapolis Motor Speedway, SpeedwayAugust 722Sirius Satellite Radio at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1423GFS Marketplace 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 2124Sharpie 500Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolAugust 2725Sony HD 500California Speedway, FontanaSeptember 426Chevy Rock & Roll 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 10 Chase for the Nextel Cup27Sylvania 300New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonSeptember 1828MBNA NASCAR RacePoints 400Dover International Speedway, DoverSeptember 2529UAW-Ford 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaOctober 230Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra FoodsKansas Speedway, Kansas CityOctober 931UAW-GM Quality 500Lowe's Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 1532Subway 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayOctober 2333Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonOctober 3034Dickies 500Texas Motor Speedway, Fort WorthNovember 635Checker Auto Parts 500Phoenix International Raceway, PhoenixNovember 1336Ford 400Homestead–Miami Speedway, HomesteadNovember 20 Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverManufacturer Winning manufacturerReportBudweiser ShootoutDale JarrettGreg BiffleJimmie JohnsonChevroletReportGatorade DuelsDale JarrettJeff GordonMichael WaltripChevroletReportJimmie JohnsonJimmie JohnsonTony StewartChevrolet1Daytona 500Dale JarrettTony StewartJeff GordonChevroletReport2Auto Club 500Kyle BuschJoe NemechekGreg BiffleFordReport3UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400Ryan NewmanJimmie JohnsonJimmie JohnsonChevroletReport4Golden Corral 500Ryan NewmanJimmie JohnsonCarl EdwardsFordReport5Food City 500Elliott SadlerRusty WallaceKevin HarvickChevroletReport6Advance Auto Parts 500Scott RiggsTony StewartJeff GordonChevroletReport7Samsung/Radio Shack 500Ryan NewmanGreg BiffleGreg BiffleFordReport8Subway Fresh 500Jeff GordonKurt BuschKurt BuschFordReport9Aaron's 499Kevin HarvickJeff GordonJeff GordonChevroletReport10Dodge Charger 500Kasey KahneGreg BiffleGreg BiffleFordReport11Chevy American Revolution 400Kasey KahneKasey KahneKasey KahneDodgeReportNextel OpenMike BlissMike BlissBrian VickersChevroletReportNextel All-Star ChallengeRyan NewmanRyan NewmanMark MartinFord12Coca-Cola 600Ryan NewmanBrian VickersJimmie JohnsonChevroletReport13MBNA RacePoints 400Jimmie JohnsonGreg BiffleGreg BiffleFordReport14Pocono 500Michael WaltripBrian VickersCarl EdwardsFordReport15Batman Begins 400Ryan NewmanTony StewartGreg BiffleFordReport16Dodge/Save Mart 350Jeff GordonTony StewartTony StewartChevroletReport17Pepsi 400Tony StewartTony StewartTony StewartChevroletReport18USG Sheetrock 400Jimmie JohnsonMatt KensethDale Earnhardt Jr.ChevroletReport19New England 300Brian VickersTony StewartTony StewartChevroletReport20Pennsylvania 500Jamie McMurrayKurt BuschKurt BuschFordReport21Allstate 400 at the BrickyardElliott SadlerTony StewartTony StewartChevroletReport22Sirius Satellite Radio at The GlenTony StewartTony StewartTony StewartChevroletReport23GFS Marketplace 400Joe NemechekKurt BuschJeremy MayfieldDodgeReport24Sharpie 500Matt KensethMatt KensethMatt KensethFordReport25Sony HD 500Carl EdwardsKyle BuschKyle BuschChevroletReport26Chevy Rock & Roll 400Kevin HarvickKurt BuschKurt BuschFordReportChase for the Nextel Cup27Sylvania 300Tony StewartTony StewartRyan NewmanDodgeReport28MBNA NASCAR RacePoints 400Ryan NewmanKurt BuschJimmie JohnsonChevroletReport29UAW-Ford 500Elliott SadlerTony StewartDale JarrettFordReport30Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra FoodsMatt KensethMark MartinMark MartinFordReport31UAW-GM Quality 500Elliott SadlerElliott SadlerJimmie JohnsonChevroletReport32Subway 500Tony StewartTony StewartJeff GordonChevroletReport33Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500Ryan NewmanDale Earnhardt Jr.Carl EdwardsFordReport34Dickies 500Ryan NewmanMatt KensethCarl EdwardsFordReport35Checker Auto Parts 500Denny HamlinGreg BiffleKyle BuschChevroletReport36Ford 400Carl EdwardsCarl EdwardsGreg BiffleFordReport Budweiser Shootout The Budweiser Shootout was held on February 12, the Daytona International Speedway. The starting lineup was decided by a random draw. Dale Jarrett drew the pole. Top Ten Results #48 - Jimmie Johnson #12 - Ryan Newman #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Tony Stewart #16 - Greg Biffle #97 - Kurt Busch #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #6 - Mark Martin #9 - Kasey Kahne #18 - Bobby Labonte Gatorade 125s The Gatorade 125-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 were held on February 17. Race One Top Ten #15 - Michael Waltrip #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #23 - Mike Skinner #12 - Ryan Newman #21 - Ricky Rudd #97 - Kurt Busch #24 - Jeff Gordon #42 - Jamie McMurray #5 - Kyle Busch #00 - Kenny Wallace* Kenny Wallace beat Kerry Earnhardt by 0.009 seconds to score the 2nd and final transfer spot into the Daytona 500. Race Two Top Ten #20 - Tony Stewart #31 - Jeff Burton #37 - Kevin Lepage #1 - Martin Truex Jr. #10 - Scott Riggs #17 - Matt Kenseth #7 - Robby Gordon #22 - Scott Wimmer #40 - Sterling Marlin #36 - Boris Said 47th Daytona 500 2005 Daytona 500 The 47th running of the Daytona 500 was run on Sunday, February 20. Dale Jarrett won the pole for the race. Top 10 Results #24 - Jeff Gordon #97 - Kurt Busch #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #10 - Scott Riggs #48 - Jimmie Johnson #6 - Mark Martin #20 - Tony Stewart #40 - Sterling Marlin #37 - Kevin Lepage #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Robby Gordon (#7), Kerry Earnhardt (#33), Derrike Cope (#55), Eric McClure (#73), Stanton Barrett (#92), Larry Gunselman (#52), Johnny Sauter (#09), Hermie Sadler (#66), Andy Belmont (#80), Randy LaJoie (#34), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27), Greg Sacks (#13), Geoff Bodine (#93) Auto Club 500 2005 Auto Club 500 The Auto Club 500 was run on Sunday, February 27 at California Speedway. Kyle Busch won the pole. Top Ten Results #16 - Greg Biffle #48 - Jimmie Johnson #97 - Kurt Busch #42 - Jamie McMurray #99 - Carl Edwards #29 - Kevin Harvick #6 - Mark Martin #38 - Elliott Sadler #12 - Ryan Newman #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#92), Hermie Sadler (#66), Stan Boyd (#79), Eric McClure (#73), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27) UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was run on Sunday, March 13 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Top Ten Results #48 - Jimmie Johnson #5 - Kyle Busch #97 - Kurt Busch #24 - Jeff Gordon #29 - Kevin Harvick #16 - Greg Biffle #41 - Casey Mears #17 - Matt Kenseth #12 - Ryan Newman #20 - Tony Stewart Failed to qualify: Johnny Sauter (#09), Kevin Lepage (#37), Stanton Barrett (#92), Stan Boyd (#79), Carl Long (#00), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27) Golden Corral 500 2005 Golden Corral 500 The Golden Corral 500 was held on March 20 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Top Ten Results #99 - Carl Edwards* #48 - Jimmie Johnson #16 - Greg Biffle #6 - Mark Martin #9 - Kasey Kahne #25 - Brian Vickers #15 - Michael Waltrip #07 - Dave Blaney #10 - Scott Riggs #38 - Elliott Sadler Failed to qualify: Randy LaJoie (#34), John Andretti (#14), Stanton Barrett (#92), Carl Long (#00), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27), Hermie Sadler (#66), Morgan Shepherd (#89) Carl Edwards edged out Jimmie Johnson by .028 (28 thousandths) of a second to score first career Cup Series victory. This also comes after scoring his first Busch Series victory the previous day. Food City 500 The Food City 500 was held on April 3 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Elliott Sadler won the pole. Top Ten Results #29 - Kevin Harvick* #38 - Elliott Sadler #20 - Tony Stewart #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 - Dale Jarrett #48 - Jimmie Johnson #77 - Travis Kvapil #45 - Kyle Petty #16 - Greg Biffle #10 - Scott Riggs Failed to qualify: Johnny Sauter (#09), Kevin Lepage (#37), Robby Gordon (#7), Randy LaJoie (#34), Brad Teague (#27), Jason Jarrett (#89) This was Harvick's first Cup Series victory since Indianapolis in July 2003, ending a 55-race winless streak. This was also the first Cup victory for Richard Childress Racing since Watkins Glen in August 2003. Kurt Busch was collected in a crash with Jeff Burton and failed to finish, ending his chances of winning a fourth consecutive Bristol spring race. Advance Auto Parts 500 2005 Advance Auto Parts 500 The Advance Auto Parts 500 was held on April 10 at Martinsville. Scott Riggs won the pole. Top Ten Results #24 - Jeff Gordon* #9 - Kasey Kahne* #6 - Mark Martin #12 - Ryan Newman #2 - Rusty Wallace #40 - Sterling Marlin #21 - Ricky Rudd #48 - Jimmie Johnson #38 - Elliott Sadler #01 - Joe Nemechek Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett (#92), Jeff Fuller (#61), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27), Carl Long (#00) Gordon's victory is considered one of the greatest comebacks in modern NASCAR history, as he rallied from 3 laps down to win his sixth Martinsville race. This was Kahne's sixth 2nd-place finish before winning his first Cup race. Samsung/Radio Shack 500 The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held on April 17 at Texas Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Greg Biffle had a dominating performance, leading 219 of 334 laps en route to victory. Top Ten Results #16 - Greg Biffle #42 - Jamie McMurray #48 - Jimmie Johnson #41 - Casey Mears #40 - Sterling Marlin #15 - Michael Waltrip #97 - Kurt Busch #21 - Ricky Rudd #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#37), Stanton Barrett (#92), Randy LaJoie (#34) Subway Fresh 500 The Subway Fresh 500 was a night race held on April 23 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top Ten Results #97 - Kurt Busch #15 - Michael Waltrip #31 - Jeff Burton #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #25 - Brian Vickers #18 - Bobby Labonte #99 - Carl Edwards #5 - Kyle Busch #09 - Johnny Sauter #01 - Joe Nemechek Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#66), Steve Portenga (#34), Brandon Ash (#02) Clint Bowyer made his NASCAR Cup debut in this race, driving the #33 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. Bowyer started 25th and finished 22nd. Aaron's 499 The Aaron's 499 was held on May 1 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeff Gordon won his third race of the season leading a dominating 139 of 194 laps for his 72nd career Nextel Cup win. Top Ten Results #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Tony Stewart #15 - Michael Waltrip #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #42 - Jamie McMurray #38 - Elliott Sadler #97 - Kurt Busch #49 - Ken Schrader #88 - Dale Jarrett #31 - Jeff Burton Failed to qualify: Robby Gordon (#7), Kevin Lepage (#37), Kenny Wallace (#00), Stanton Barrett (#92) The "Big One" struck at lap 132, when Jimmie Johnson and Mike Wallace got together. 25 cars were involved, making it one of the largest crashes in modern NASCAR history. Dodge Charger 500 2005 Dodge Charger 500 The Dodge Charger 500 was held on May 7 at Darlington Raceway. Kasey Kahne won the pole. Top Ten Results #16 - Greg Biffle #24 - Jeff Gordon #9 - Kasey Kahne #6 - Mark Martin #12 - Ryan Newman #42 - Jamie McMurray #48 - Jimmie Johnson #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #99 - Carl Edwards #20 - Tony Stewart Failed to qualify: Johnny Sauter (#09), Robby Gordon (#7), Tony Raines (#61), Morgan Shepherd (#89) Chevy American Revolution 400 The Chevy American Revolution 400 was held on May 14 at Richmond International Raceway. Top Ten Results #9 - Kasey Kahne* #20 - Tony Stewart #12 - Ryan Newman #5 - Kyle Busch #29 - Kevin Harvick #16 - Greg Biffle #38 - Elliott Sadler #18 - Bobby Labonte #15 - Michael Waltrip #42 - Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#37), Jeff Fuller (#34), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27), Carl Long (#00) This was Kahne's first career Cup Series victory, coming after finishing in 2nd six previous times. Points leader Jimmie Johnson crashed out on lap 81, finishing 40th and losing valuable ground in the points standings. Teammate Jeff Gordon had similar problems on lap 165 and finished 39th losing second place in the standings to Greg Biffle. Nextel All-Star Challenge The Nextel-All Star Challenge was a non-points night race held on May 21 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The 90-lap race was divided into three segments with the final paying the most money. Also, the top six finishing cars from the first segment were inverted for the second segment. Mike Bliss won the pole for the Open, and Ryan Newman won the pole for the All-Star Challenge. The Open ended in controversy. Bliss led the most laps and led to the white flag. In the final turn of the final lap, Vickers went underneath Bliss and made contact, spinning Bliss out. Vickers beat a wrecking Bliss for the win, transferring into the All-Star Race. Despite calls to have Vickers disqualified, the results stood. Martin Truex Jr. won the fan poll to transfer into the All-Star race. Top Ten Results (Open) #25 - Brian Vickers #0 - Mike Bliss #77 - Travis Kvapil #5 - Kyle Busch #32 - Bobby Hamilton Jr. #41 - Casey Mears #7 - Robby Gordon #21 - Ricky Rudd #49 - Ken Schrader #1 - Martin Truex Jr. Top Ten Results (All-Star Challenge) #6 - Mark Martin #38 - Elliott Sadler #25 - Brian Vickers #24 - Jeff Gordon #48 - Jimmie Johnson #88 - Dale Jarrett #97 - Kurt Busch #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #18 - Bobby Labonte #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. About half of the field was taken out of the race at lap 35 when Tony Stewart ran into the back of Joe Nemechek which caused a fight in the infield between Nemechek and Kevin Harvick. Coca-Cola 600 2005 Coca-Cola 600 Coca-Cola 600 was a night race held on May 29 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. This race saw a record 22 caution flags, resulting in approximately 51 2 hours of racing, Jimmie Johnson passed Bobby Labonte at the start/finish line on the final lap to win his third straight Coca-Cola 600. Top Ten Results #48 - Jimmie Johnson #18 - Bobby Labonte #99 - Carl Edwards #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #12 - Ryan Newman #16 - Greg Biffle #1 - Martin Truex Jr. #88 - Dale Jarrett #49 - Ken Schrader #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Jason Leffler (#11), Bobby Hamilton Jr. (#32), Hermie Sadler (#66), Boris Said (#36), Jeff Fuller (#34), Carl Long (#00), Tony Raines (#92), Mike Garvey (#75), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27), Greg Sacks (#13) MBNA RacePoints 400 The MBNA RacePoints 400 was held on June 5 at Dover International Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, so the starting lineup was determined by the point standings. Jimmie Johnson started on the pole. Top Ten Results #16 - Greg Biffle #5 - Kyle Busch #6 - Mark Martin #48 - Jimmie Johnson #2 - Rusty Wallace #25 - Brian Vickers #17 - Matt Kenseth #12 - Ryan Newman #97 - Kurt Busch #38 - Elliott Sadler Failed to qualify: Mike Skinner (#23), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27) After winning, Biffle famously backed his car into the front stretch wall during his burnout celebration. Pocono 500 The Pocono 500 was held on June 12 at Pocono Raceway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results #99 - Carl Edwards #25 - Brian Vickers #01 - Joe Nemechek #5 - Kyle Busch #15 - Michael Waltrip #48 - Jimmie Johnson #6 - Mark Martin #29 - Kevin Harvick #24 - Jeff Gordon #42 - Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: Kirk Shelmerdine (#27), P. J. Jones (#34), Hermie Sadler (#80), Carl Long (#00) Batman Begins 400 2005 Batman Begins 400 The Batman Begins 400 was held on June 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Top Ten Results #16 - Greg Biffle #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Matt Kenseth #99 - Carl Edwards #01 - Joe Nemechek #15 - Michael Waltrip #38 - Elliott Sadler #5 - Kyle Busch #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Eric McClure (#92), Derrike Cope (#79), P. J. Jones (#34), Morgan Shepherd (#89) Dodge/Save Mart 350 The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held on June 26 at Infineon Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top Ten Results #20 - Tony Stewart #21 - Ricky Rudd #97 - Kurt Busch #2 - Rusty Wallace #88 - Dale Jarrett #38 - Elliott Sadler #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #32 - Ron Fellows #12 - Ryan Newman #33 - Brian Simo Failed to qualify: Brandon Ash (#02), Kevin Lepage (#37), Stanton Barrett (#92), Johnny Borneman III (#66), José Luis Ramírez (#52) During qualifying, Jeff Gordon broke his own qualifying record at the time of 1:15.950. Pepsi 400 2005 Pepsi 400 The Pepsi 400 was held on July 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole. After a two and a half-hour rain delay, the Pepsi 400 started under both the green and yellow flags to allow the cars to dry the track where the jet-dryers could not, mostly in the turns close to the wall. Top Ten Results #20 - Tony Stewart* #42 - Jamie McMurray #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #2 - Rusty Wallace #88 - Dale Jarrett #48 - Jimmie Johnson #24 - Jeff Gordon #4 - Mike Wallace* #17 - Matt Kenseth #49 - Ken Schrader Failed to qualify: Mike Garvey (#66), Kenny Wallace (#00), Dan Pardus (#73), Morgan Shepherd (#89) The race had started at 10:45 pm ET and ended at 1:48 am. Tony Stewart dominated the race, leading a record 151 of 160 laps. After the race, Stewart climbed the fence in front of the tri-oval, near the starter's stand. Morgan-McClure Motorsports scored its final Cup Series top-10 in this race, with Mike Wallace finishing 8th. USG Sheetrock 400 The USG Sheetrock 400 was held on July 10 at Chicagoland Speedway. Jimmie Johnson won the pole. Matt Kenseth lead 176 of the 267 laps, 66% of the race, but on lap 243, a debris caution brought most of the field, including Kenseth, come to pit road, allowing Scott Wimmer, who did not pit, to take the lead, followed by Earnhardt, and three cars between him and Kenseth. With so few laps left, Kenseth was unable to pass four cars and Earnhardt. Top Ten Results #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #17 - Matt Kenseth #48 - Jimmie Johnson #25 - Brian Vickers #20 - Tony Stewart #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #21 - Ricky Rudd #97 - Kurt Busch #41 - Casey Mears #6 - Mark Martin Failed to qualify: Kenny Wallace (#92), Mike Garvey (#66), P. J. Jones (#34), Wayne Anderson (#75) Jeff Gordon failed to finish after crashing with Mike Bliss on lap 249. The two of them later got into a fistfight at the airport after the race. New England 300 The New England 300 was held on July 17 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole. Tony Stewart dominated the race, leading 232 of the 300 laps, on his way to win his third race of the year. Top Ten Results #20 - Tony Stewart* #97 - Kurt Busch #18 - Bobby Labonte #5 - Kyle Busch #16 - Greg Biffle #9 - Kasey Kahne #12 - Ryan Newman #2 - Rusty Wallace #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #17 - Matt Kenseth Failed to qualify: Joey McCarthy (#34), Derrike Cope (#52), Wayne Anderson (#75), Hermie Sadler (#92) As part of his victory celebration, Stewart again climbed the catch fence up to the flag stand, similar to how he celebrated after the Pepsi 400 two races earlier. Pennsylvania 500 The Pennsylvania 500 was held on July 24 at Pocono Raceway. Jamie McMurray won the pole. Top Ten Results #97 - Kurt Busch #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #99 - Carl Edwards #12 - Ryan Newman #29 - Kevin Harvick #20 - Tony Stewart #18 - Bobby Labonte #0 - Mike Bliss #21 - Ricky Rudd Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89), Hermie Sadler (#92), Carl Long (#00), Derrike Cope (#52) Allstate 400 at the Brickyard 2005 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was held on August 7 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole. Tony Stewart won in front of his home state crowd in Indiana. Top Ten Results #20 - Tony Stewart #9 - Kasey Kahne #25 - Brian Vickers #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #17 - Matt Kenseth #41 - Casey Mears #6 - Mark Martin #24 - Jeff Gordon #40 - Sterling Marlin #5 - Kyle Busch Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#37), Tony Raines (#92), Mike Garvey (#66), Stuart Kirby (#51), Mike Wallace (#4), P. J. Jones (#34), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Kenny Wallace (#00), Jimmy Spencer (#50) In addition to Jimmie Johnson crashing out late, Stewart's victory gave him the Nextel Cup points lead for the first time all season. Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was held on August 14 at Watkins Glen International. Qualifying was rained out, so the starting lineup was determined by the point standings. Tony Stewart started on the pole. Stewart held off road course ringers Robby Gordon, Boris Said, and Scott Pruett, to win his fifth Cup race in seven races. Top Ten Results #20 - Tony Stewart #7 - Robby Gordon #36 - Boris Said #40 - Scott Pruett* #48 - Jimmie Johnson #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #25 - Brian Vickers #01 - Joe Nemechek #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett (#39), Chris Cook (#87), Tom Hubert (#27) Scott Pruett substituted for Sterling Marlin, who was attending his father Coo Coo's funeral. GFS Marketplace 400 The GFS Marketplace 400 was held on August 21 at Michigan International Speedway. Joe Nemechek sat on the pole. As the race neared the end, many drivers were running out of fuel. Some drivers pitted while others risked staying out to try to win. Jeremy Mayfield gambled on fuel mileage, taking the lead in the waning laps to win the race. Top Ten Results #19 - Jeremy Mayfield* #10 - Scott Riggs* #17 - Matt Kenseth #99 - Carl Edwards #20 - Tony Stewart* #16 - Greg Biffle #97 - Kurt Busch #01 - Joe Nemechek #25 - Brian Vickers #48 - Jimmie Johnson Failed to qualify: P. J. Jones (#34), Carl Long (#00), Eric McClure (#92), Bryan Reffner (#79), Morgan Shepherd (#89) This is Jeremy Mayfield's final Cup Series victory. Scott Riggs placed second for his career-best finish. Just days later, it was announced that Riggs and his sponsor Valvoline would be leaving for Evernham Motorsports in 2006. Tony Stewart clinched a spot in the "Chase for the Cup" top ten as a result of this race. Sharpie 500 The Sharpie 500 was held on August 27 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth won from the pole, and led 415 of the 500 laps on his way to victory. Top Ten Results #17 - Matt Kenseth #31 - Jeff Burton #16 - Greg Biffle* #21 - Ricky Rudd #2 - Rusty Wallace* #24 - Jeff Gordon #0 - Mike Bliss #20 - Tony Stewart #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #97 - Kurt Busch Failed to qualify: Wayne Anderson (#75), Mike Garvey (#66), Johnny Sauter (#09), Morgan Shepherd (#89), P. J. Jones (#34), Tony Raines (#37) Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, and Rusty Wallace clinched spots in the "Chase for the Cup" top ten as a result of this race, with two races until the "chase" is locked in. Sony HD 500 2005 Sony HD 500 The Sony HD 500 was held on September 4 at California Speedway. Carl Edwards sat on the pole. Kyle Busch would win, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Cup Series race at the age of 20 years, 4 months, and 2 days. Top Ten Results #5 - Kyle Busch* #16 - Greg Biffle #25 - Brian Vickers #99 - Carl Edwards #20 - Tony Stewart #9 - Kasey Kahne #17 - Matt Kenseth #42 - Jamie McMurray #21 - Ricky Rudd #01 - Joe Nemechek Failed to qualify: P. J. Jones (#34), John Andretti (#4) This was Kyle Busch's first career Cup Series victory. Mark Martin and Kurt Busch clinched spots in the "Chase for the Cup" top ten as a result of this race, with only one race left until the "chase" is locked in. Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered a blown engine with 38 laps to go, ending his chances of entering the Chase. Chevy Rock and Roll 400 The last race before the Chase, the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 was held on September 10 at Richmond International Raceway. Kevin Harvick won the pole. Jamie McMurray entered this race 10th in points, with Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon, Elliott Sadler, Dale Jarrett, and Kevin Harvick on the outside looking in. Top Ten Results #97 - Kurt Busch #17 - Matt Kenseth #16 - Greg Biffle #5 - Kyle Busch #2 - Rusty Wallace #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #20 - Tony Stewart #9 - Kasey Kahne #44 - Terry Labonte #29 - Kevin Harvick Failed to qualify: Wayne Anderson (#75), Stanton Barrett (#95), Carl Long (#00), Hermie Sadler (#92), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Joey McCarthy (#34), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27) Jamie McMurray crashed on lap 362 after contact with Tony Raines, ending McMurray's chances to get into the Chase for the Cup. Making The Chase - This was the final race to determine the contenders for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. #20 - Tony Stewart (3716–5050) #16 - Greg Biffle (3531–5045) #2 - Rusty Wallace (3412–5040) #48 - Jimmie Johnson (3400–5035) #97 - Kurt Busch (3304–5030) #6 - Mark Martin (3273–5025) #19 - Jeremy Mayfield (3228–5020) #99 - Carl Edwards (3114–5015) #17 - Matt Kenseth (3114–5015) #12 - Ryan Newman (3055–5005) The first number is the number of points on the old system. Following the race, the Chase contenders had their points reset to the second number. Chase for the Nextel Cup 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup Sylvania 300 2005 Sylvania 300 The Sylvania 300 was held on September 18 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Tony Stewart sat on the pole and led most of the laps, battling with Ryan Newman in the final laps and ultimately finishing second behind him. Top Ten Results #12 - Ryan Newman #20 - Tony Stewart #17 - Matt Kenseth #16 - Greg Biffle #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #48 - Jimmie Johnson #31 - Jeff Burton #29 - Kevin Harvick Failed to qualify: Carl Long (#00), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Stanton Barrett (#95), Mike Garvey (#66), Tony Raines (#37), Kirk Shelmerdine (#27) This race was marred by numerous confrontations and penalties. Kurt Busch was involved in an incident with Scott Riggs early on, leading to a confrontation between Busch and Riggs' crew chief, Rodney Childers on pit road. Busch finished 35th. Kasey Kahne crashed out after contact from Kyle Busch. Kahne maneuvered his wrecked car in front of Busch under caution. Kahne was later fined $25,000, docked 25 points, and was placed on probation for the remainder of the season. Robby Gordon crashed out after contact with Michael Waltrip. On the following caution lap, Gordon tried to ram Waltrip's car with his wrecked car and on the lap after that, Gordon threw his helmet at Waltrip's passing car. In the subsequent live interview on TNT, Gordon called Waltrip a "piece of s**t", and TNT quickly ended the interview. Gordon was later fined $35,000, docked 50 points, and was placed on probation for the remainder of the season for the two incidents. Meanwhile, Waltrip was fined $10,000 and docked 25 points for apparently using an obscene gesture, but Waltrip and DEI contested the fine with NASCAR and it was overturned. In a side note to this incident, Gordon put the helmet up for auction on eBay for the benefit of his race team's sponsor Harrah's relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina, and Waltrip signed the helmet as well. The original auction had to close as bids were reaching as high as $10 million. When the auction reopened, internet gambling site Goldenpalace.com won the helmet, paying $51,100 (US). During the subsequent red flag, NASCAR warned all teams and crew chiefs to restrain themselves from further retributive incidents. MBNA NASCAR RacePoints 400 The MBNA NASCAR RacePoints 400 was held on September 25 at Dover International Speedway. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. Several Chase contenders had tire problems that resulted in poor finishes, including Matt Kenseth (35th), Greg Biffle (13th), and Kurt Busch (23rd), who led the most laps. Top Ten Results #48 - Jimmie Johnson* #5 - Kyle Busch #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #12 - Ryan Newman #38 - Elliott Sadler #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #45 - Kyle Petty #99 - Carl Edwards #41 - Casey Mears Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89), Hermie Sadler (#92), Ryan McGlynn (#08), Joey McCarthy (#34) Points leader Tony Stewart had a slow day, finishing 2 laps town in 17th, dropping him to 5th in the standings. With the win, Jimmie Johnson moved into the lead in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Furniture Row Racing made its Cup Series debut in this race, with driver Kenny Wallace finishing 34th in the #78 Chevy after starting last. UAW-Ford 500 The UAW-Ford 500 was held on October 2 at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole. Top Ten Results #88 - Dale Jarrett* #20 - Tony Stewart* #12 - Ryan Newman #99 - Carl Edwards #17 - Matt Kenseth #25 - Brian Vickers #40 - Sterling Marlin #97 - Kurt Busch #01 - Joe Nemechek #29 - Kevin Harvick Failed to qualify: Bobby Hamilton Jr. (#32), Johnny Sauter (#09), Morgan Shepherd (#89) This was Dale Jarrett's final career Cup Series victory, and the final Cup victory for Robert Yates Racing. This was also Jarrett's first victory in a Cup Series points race since Rockingham in February 2003, breaking a 98-race winless streak. This was the first time since 2001 that a DEI car would not win a restrictor-plate race at any point in the year. It was also the first time since 1997 that an Earnhardt failed to win a restrictor-plate race at any point in the year. This would be the 7th and final career Cup Series start for Kerry Earnhardt. This would also be the only Cup Series race that Kerry finished ahead of his younger brother Dale Jr., with Kerry finishing 39th, and Dale finishing 40th. Points leader Jimmie Johnson was involved in several incidents and finished 31st, falling from 1st to 4th in the points standings. Tony Stewart's runner-up finish, coupled with Johnson's struggles, allowed Stewart to retake the championship lead, and he would hold it for the rest of the season. Parts of the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby were filmed during this race. Banquet 400 The Banquet 400 was held on October 9 at Kansas Speedway. Matt Kenseth sat on the pole. Top Ten Results #6 - Mark Martin #16 - Greg Biffle #99 - Carl Edwards #20 - Tony Stewart #17 - Matt Kenseth #48 - Jimmie Johnson #2 - Rusty Wallace #41 - Casey Mears #21 - Ricky Rudd #24 - Jeff Gordon Failed to qualify: Robby Gordon (#7), Wayne Anderson (#61), Tony Raines (#37), Carl Long (#00), Greg Sacks (#13), Eric McClure (#34) This would be Mark Martin's final Cup Series victory with Roush Racing. Denny Hamlin made his Cup Series debut in this race, finishing 32nd. The top-7 finishers were all Chase for the Nextel Cup drivers. UAW-GM Quality 500 The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held on October 15 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole. When the smoke cleared, Jimmie Johnson won his fourth straight points-paying race at Lowe's and surged into a tie with Tony Stewart for the top of the standings. Top Ten Results #48 - Jimmie Johnson #97 - Kurt Busch #16 - Greg Biffle #01 - Joe Nemechek #6 - Mark Martin #41 - Casey Mears #12 - Ryan Newman #11 - Denny Hamlin #21 - Ricky Rudd #99 - Carl Edwards Failed to qualify: Boris Said (#36), Carl Long (#00), Jimmy Spencer (#50), Mike Garvey (#37), P. J. Jones (#92), Stanton Barrett (#95) The start of the race was delayed by 45 minutes due the finish of the Southern California-Notre Dame college football game which was being broadcast on NBC. The race was marred by multiple tire problems, similar to the 2005 United States Grand Prix. This was caused by a recent repave of the track that involved diamond grinding, and Goodyear failing to bring an adequate tire to the track. Even with drivers driving at 75% speed, tires continued to explode due to excessive heat in the right-front tire. Multiple drivers crashed due to flat tires, including championship leader Tony Stewart. At one point, NASCAR even considered ending the race early, as teams were running out of tires. This race, along with the May race with saw a record 22 cautions, resulted in Lowe's Motor Speedway being repaved a second time in 2006. This was Johnson's fourth consecutive victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway, become only the 3rd driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight races at one track. Stewart's issues resulted in him finishing 25th, while Johnson's victory put both of them in a tie for the points lead. Subway 500 The Subway 500 was held on October 23 at Martinsville Speedway. Tony Stewart won the pole. Top 10 Finishers #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Tony Stewart #48 - Jimmie Johnson #18 - Bobby Labonte #97 - Kurt Busch #31 - Jeff Burton #42 - Jamie McMurray #11 - Denny Hamlin #5 - Kyle Busch #12 - Ryan Newman Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (#92), Joey McCarthy (#34), Carl Long (#00), Mike Garvey (#75), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Wayne Anderson (#61) Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held October 30 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Top Ten Finishers #99 - Carl Edwards #24 - Jeff Gordon #6 - Mark Martin #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #17 - Matt Kenseth #42 - Jamie McMurray #16 - Greg Biffle #31 - Jeff Burton #20 - Tony Stewart #38 - Elliott Sadler Failed to qualify: J. J. Yeley (#80), Boris Said (#36), Bobby Hamilton Jr. (#32), Johnny Sauter (#09), Robby Gordon (#7), Stuart Kirby (#51), Mike Wallace (#4), Jimmy Spencer (#50), Mike Garvey (#75), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Shane Hall (#96) Bobby Hamilton made his last career Cup Series start in this race, starting 30th and finishing 26th. Dickies 500 2005 Dickies 500 The inaugural Dickies 500 was held November 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole. Top Ten Finishers #99 - Carl Edwards #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Matt Kenseth #41 - Casey Mears #48 - Jimmie Johnson #20 - Tony Stewart #11 - Denny Hamlin #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #38 - Elliott Sadler #97 - Kurt Busch* Failed to qualify: Reed Sorenson (#39), Stuart Kirby (#51), P. J. Jones (#92), Johnny Sauter (#09), Robby Gordon (#7), Carl Long (#00) This was Kurt Busch's last start for Roush Racing. Checker Auto Parts 500 The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held November 13 at Phoenix International Raceway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. The race was surrounded by controversy when defending champion Kurt Busch was cited for reckless driving and was reported by a cop to have "had the whiff of alcohol", although he was below the legal limit of .08 in Arizona when it was discovered Kurt Busch actually had .18 in alcohol. Due to his actions, he was suspended by Roush Racing for the rest of the season, and Kenny Wallace took the wheel of the #97 car. In victory lane, his brother Kyle Busch criticized the media for their handling of the case. Top Ten Finishers #5 - Kyle Busch #16 - Greg Biffle #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Tony Stewart #18 - Bobby Labonte #99 - Carl Edwards #48 - Jimmie Johnson #7 - Robby Gordon #88 - Dale Jarrett #77 - Travis Kvapil Failed to qualify: Brandon Ash (#02), Bryan Reffner (#51), Mike Wallace (#4), Kevin Lepage (#66), Derrike Cope (#00), P. J. Jones (#92), Morgan Shepherd (#89) Tony Stewart left this race with a 52-point lead over Jimmie Johnson. Ford 400 The Ford 400 was held November 20 at Homestead–Miami Speedway. Carl Edwards won the pole. Tony Stewart entered this race with the points lead, with Edwards, Greg Biffle, and Jimmie Johnson each having a mathematical chance to overtake him. Johnson's championship hopes ended after crashing out at Lap 127 with a blown tire. Despite Biffle and Edwards finishing 1st and 4th, it wasn't enough to beat Stewart who, despite finishing 15th, clinched the 2005 Nextel Cup Series championship by 35 points ahead of Biffle and Edwards, who tied for second. Top Ten Finishers #16 - Greg Biffle #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Matt Kenseth #99 - Carl Edwards #41 - Casey Mears #07 - Dave Blaney #12 - Ryan Newman #29 - Kevin Harvick #24 - Jeff Gordon #19 - Jeremy Mayfield Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (#92), Mike Garvey (#51), Derrike Cope (#00), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Carl Long (#80) Under a non-Chase system, Tony Stewart would have been champion regardless. He would have scored a total of 5,174 points in 36 races, winning the title by 220 points over Greg Biffle, who would have finished 2nd in points regardless as well. Roush Racing swept the top-4 finishing positions, becoming the first team to accomplish this feat since 1957, and the last until 2021. This was Rusty Wallace's final career NASCAR start, retiring with 55 wins, 36 poles, 202 top 5s, 349 top 10s, and the 1989 Winston Cup Series Championship. This was Ricky Rudd's final start before stepping away from racing for 2006, ending a streak of 788 consecutive Cup Series starts dating back to 1980, a record that would stand until 2015. Rudd would return to driving at Dover in May 2006 to serve as a relief driver for Tony Stewart, before returning to full-time racing in 2007. Full Drivers' Championship List of NASCAR points scoring systems (key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led. Pos. Position Driver DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL DAR RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL TEX PHO HOM Pts. Points 1 Tony Stewart 7* 17 10 17 3 26* 31 33 2 10 2 24 15 29 2* 1* 1* 5 1* 7 1* 1* 5 8 5 7 2* 18 2* 4 25 2* 9 6 4 15 6533 2 Greg Biffle 25 1 6 3 9 29 1* 41 13 1* 6 6 1* 30 1 14 36 11 5 17 21 38 6 3 2 3 4 13 27 2 3 20 7 20 2* 1 6498 3 Carl Edwards 12 5 14 1 26 38 19 7 32 9 21 3 16 1 5 38 33 39 12 4 12 19 4 24 4 21 19 9 5 3 10 26 1* 1 6 4* 6498 4 Mark Martin 6 7 30 4 31 3 20 16 33 4 15 28 3 7 3 15 39 10 15 3 7 7 17 16 11 13 7 4 41 1* 5 34 3 2 14 2 6428 5 Jimmie Johnson 5 2 1* 2* 6 8 3 15 20 7 40 1 4 6 19 36 6 3 13 12 38 5 10 36 16 25 8 1* 31 6 1 3 16 5 7 40 6406 6 Ryan Newman 20 9 9 14 30 4 16 14 39 5 3 5 8 34 15 9 14 29 7 5 34 30 12 39 18 12 1 5 4 23 7 10 23 25 12 7 6359 7 Matt Kenseth 42 26 8 31 16 11 18 42 11 26 12 37 7 32 4 11 9 2* 10 36 5 18 3 1* 7 2 3 35 3 5 26 12 5 3* 32 3 6352 8 Rusty Wallace 10 10 12 27 13* 5 10 36 22 12 19 10 5 11 10 4 4 12 8 2 25 6 13 5 15 5 6 3 25 7 24 19 37 22 29 13 6140 9 Jeremy Mayfield 23 28 20 13 17 15 11 13 4 33 13 4 14 14 22 7 12 6 19 18 4 11 1 18 26 6 16 7 14 16 11 28 38 35 24 10 6073 10 Kurt Busch 2 3 3 32 35 19 7 1* 7 37 17 43 9 22 12 3 37 8 2 1* 18 39 7* 10 12 1* 35 23* 8 14 2 6 36 10 QL† 5974 Chase for the Nextel Cup cut-off Pos. Position Driver DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL DAR RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL TEX PHO HOM Pts. Points 11 Jeff Gordon 1 30 4 39 15 1 15 12 1* 2 39 30 39 9 32 33 7 33 25 13 8 14 15 6 21 30 14 37 37 10 38 1 2 14 3 9 4174 12 Jamie McMurray 32 4 15 11 24 25 2 25 5 6 10 21 26 10 13 13 2 22 40 11 17 13 20 26 8 40 12 29 12 18 31 7 6 11 18 18 4130 13 Elliott Sadler 11 8 29 10 2 9 28 11 6 20 7 13 10 21 8 6 21 37 39 16 32 12 39 13 17 17 30 6 34 12 27* 29 10 9 11 23 4084 14 Kevin Harvick 28 6 5 21 1 32 13 19 12 14 5 14 25 8 25 37 24 19 22 6 19 15 22 37 14 10 10 19 10 24 28 15 22 16 23 8 4072 15 Dale Jarrett 15 11 18 23 5 14 14 23 9 15 34 8 23 13 24 5 5 18 16 15 14 22 34 31 24 39 18 15 1 38 30 31 14 12 9 17 3960 16 Joe Nemechek 13 39* 19 35 33 10 17 10 31 11 18 18 27 3 6 23 15 15 18 22 28 9 8 12 10 26 25 17 9 20 4 23 18 37 17 24 3953 17 Brian Vickers 21 21 43 6 12 35 34 5 37 16 32 31* 6 2* 41 34 29 4 11 14 3 8 9 20 3 37 13 14 6 11 12 36 15 19 26 43 3847 18 Jeff Burton 29 19 17 15 36 16 12 3 10 21 16 22 12 19 11 30 11 30 14 37 20 43 26 2 35 18 9 11 35 28 14 5 8 30 15 25 3803 19 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3 32 42 24 4 13 9 4 15 8 14 33 22 33 17 42 3 1 9 32 43 10 18 9 38 20 5 31 40 34 42 18 4* 8 40 19 3780 20 Kyle Busch (R) 38 23 2 12 28 39 21 8 41 23 4 25 2 4 9 40 31 14 4 39 10 33 43 33 1* 4 27 2 33 21 39 9 12 40 1 41 3753 21 Ricky Rudd 24 41 37 33 25 7 8 34 30 13 11 35 40 28 33 2 13 7 23 10 41 16 19 4 9 38 20 12 18 9 9 11 17 13 20 37 3667 22 Casey Mears 26 22 7 19 43 17 4 39 14 39 28 34 24 18 21 20 43 9 33 21 6 23 14 34 32 23 23 10 38 8 6 22 21 4 22 5 3637 23 Kasey Kahne 22 40 38 5 14 2 35 17 24 3 1* 26 35 27 18 41 16 41 6 27 2 17 29 42 6 8 38 16 13 19 23 17 35 42 27 16 3611 24 Bobby Labonte 43 13 41 37 22 33 38 6 23 17 8 2 38 26 14 18 35 13 3 8 40 36 16 21 20 22 24 32 11 39 18 4 31 26 5 34 3488 25 Michael Waltrip 37 38 21 7 19 30 6 2 3 34 9 36 13 5 7 22 40 36 17 26 16 41 27 15 13 31 15 26 42 40 29 27 11 41 33 29 3452 26 Dave Blaney 14 34 13 8 20 34 26 24 19 29 27 29 36 24 29 19 27 38 20 20 30 34 32 23 22 33 33 20 15 25 13 16 24 28 25 6 3289 27 Kyle Petty 17 18 25 36 8 18 24 31 43 28 33 17 19 41 30 27 19 27 29 30 13 20 33 25 41 27 21 8 24 29 15 14 25 21 19 27 3288 28 Mike Bliss 18 12 16 18 37 36 22 20 36 19 37 15 18 35 27 39 20 34 21 9 11 26 37 7 27 15 36 30 32 15 35 41 13 17 31 12 3262 29 Jeff Green 16 27 23 28 29 22 43 21 25 22 24 11 30 15 38 29 34 24 31 19 15 24 24 22 25 16 17 27 21 26 19 37 29 18 28 30 3241 30 Sterling Marlin 8 15 35 16 11 6 5 26 34 41 23 39 32 16 40 26 22 32 34 28 9 21 29 19 41 11 41 7 13 40 38 20 23 34 26 3183 31 Ken Schrader 39 14 34 26 23 24 23 38 8 18 30 9 37 20 28 35 10 26 26 31 22 32 25 11 29 19 40 28 26 17 34 13 34 29 30 22 3159 32 Scott Wimmer 33 16 27 20 27 31 42 32 38 25 20 23 31 36 16 25 32 17 35 25 26 21 23 14 31 24 26 36 17 27 20 25 27 27 21 11 3122 33 Travis Kvapil (R) 19 24 26 42 7 27 30 40 18 35 22 32 17 17 26 21 23 43 27 38 37 40 38 19 33 11 41 21 16 22 17 21 26 24 10 32 3077 34 Scott Riggs 4 33 31 9 10 21 32 18 27 36 26 19 11 37 23 24 41 23 32 33 35 31 2 40 36 29 28 24 36 30 33 24 33 34 38 38 2965 35 Mike Wallace 41 25 24 40 34 23 25 27 28 24 29 16 28 31 43 QL₪ 8 25 38 29 DNQ 17 14 22 22 19 35 43 35 DNQ 36 DNQ 2269 36 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 35 20 11 38 39 40 39 35 40 30 36 DNQ 21 23 31 38 21 28 23 39 35 35 23 43 29 33 20 43 41 30 39 38 35 36 2183 37 Robby Gordon DNQ 35 39 34 DNQ 20 37 37 DNQ DNQ 31 27 29 39 39 16 26 35 30 40 24 2 30 38 34 35 37 39 23 DNQ 32 42 DNQ DNQ 8 14 2142 38 Jason Leffler 36 37 22 25 38 12 36 29 26 38 25 DNQ 20 40 20 18 20 24 24 33 1538 39 Kevin Lepage 9 31 DNQ 30 DNQ 28 DNQ 28 DNQ 32 DNQ 12 33 38 37 DNQ 25 28 37 35 DNQ 40 30 36 21 42 33 DNQ 35 1460 40 Terry Labonte 36 18 40 38 12 12 42 36 37 40 27 9 33 31 1071 41 Denny Hamlin 32 8 8 19 7 13 33 806 42 Boris Said 27 27 35 DNQ 17 28 31 3 30 31 DNQ DNQ 791 43 Johnny Sauter DNQ DNQ DNQ 41 41 9 16 DNQ 41 40 17 DNQ 28 DNQ 16 DNQ DNQ 39 722 44 Hermie Sadler DNQ DNQ 33 DNQ 32 37 29 DNQ 29 40 38 DNQ 41 DNQ 30 DNQ DNQ 30 42 DNQ DNQ QL‡ Wth 32 717 45 Bill Elliott 43 22 33 20 35 23 11 40 32 695 46 Jimmy Spencer 29 21 42 DNQ 36 28 36 39 DNQ 40 DNQ 39 36 31 667 47 Martin Truex Jr. 34 29 7 42 28 40 15 589 48 Mike Garvey (R) 41 Wth 43 43 DNQ 25 36 DNQ DNQ 36 34 DNQ DNQ 37 32 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ Wth DNQ 491 49 Mike Skinner 30 42 41 DNQ 34 29 43 43 43 37 39 487 50 Tony Raines DNQ 35 DNQ DNQ 31 DNQ 28 34 DNQ 38 22 DNQ 419 51 Stanton Barrett (R) DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 41 DNQ DNQ 30 DNQ 31 34 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 43 DNQ 43 42 389 52 Kenny Wallace 40 DNQ 27 DNQ DNQ DNQ 34 Wth 16 21 376 53 Carl Long DNQ DNQ 42 DNQ 43 42 DNQ DNQ 42 DNQ Wth 40 43 DNQ Wth DNQ 32 DNQ DNQ 42 DNQ DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ DNQ 356 54 Stuart Kirby 42 31 DNQ 41 43 32 37 37 DNQ DNQ 352 55 John Andretti 31 29 28 DNQ Wth 28 DNQ 304 56 J. J. Yeley QL¿ 39 34 25 29 DNQ 276 57 David Stremme 16 QL¶ 42 36 42 244 58 Scott Pruett 31 4 230 59 Ron Fellows 8 25 230 60 Bobby Hamilton 27 39 30 201 61 Kerry Earnhardt DNQ 19 42 39 195 62 P. J. Jones DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ 41 DNQ 42 DNQ DNQ DNQ 41 DNQ DNQ DNQ 189 63 Morgan Shepherd DNQ Wth 40 DNQ Wth DNQ 42 42 DNQ Wth 41 DNQ DNQ Wth DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 162 64 Johnny Benson 42 43 28 150 65 Brian Simo 10 134 66 Randy LaJoie DNQ 42 36 DNQ DNQ 42 DNQ 134 67 Reed Sorenson 41 DNQ 28 119 68 Todd Bodine 20 103 69 Clint Bowyer 22 97 70 David Reutimann 22 97 71 Paul Menard 27 QL¡ 82 72 Chris Cook 28 DNQ 79 73 Anthony Lazzaro 28 79 74 Shane Hmiel 43 40 Wth 77 75 Johnny Miller 29 76 76 Ted Christopher 42 42 74 77 Joey McCarthy DNQ DNQ 31 DNQ DNQ 70 78 Jeff Fuller DNQ 43 DNQ DNQ 43 68 79 Greg Sacks DNQ DNQ DNQ 43 43 Wth DNQ 68 80 Eric McClure (R) DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ DNQ DNQ 67 81 Derrike Cope DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ DNQ 64 82 Jorge Goeters 35 63 83 Jerry Robertson 41 40 84 Kirk Shelmerdine DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 42 DNQ DNQ 37 85 Brandon Ash DNQ DNQ 42 DNQ 37 86 Tom Hubert 43 DNQ 34 87 Wayne Anderson DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 43 DNQ DNQ DNQ 34 88 Chad Chaffin DNQ QL¥ 43 DNQ 34 89 Larry Gunselman DNQ 90 Andy Belmont DNQ 91 Geoff Bodine DNQ 92 Stan Boyd DNQ DNQ Wth 93 Brad Teague DNQ 94 Steve Portenga DNQ 95 Johnny Borneman III DNQ 96 José Luis Ramírez DNQ Wth 97 Bryan Reffner DNQ DNQ 98 Ryan McGlynn DNQ 99 Jason Jarrett Wth 100 Dan Pardus Wth 101 Shane Hall Wth 102 Bobby Gerhart QL∞ 103 Jon Wood QL‹› 104 Mark Green QL# Pos. Position Driver DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL DAR RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL TEX PHO HOM Pts. Points † – Kenny Wallace replaced Kurt Busch for the race after Busch was suspended by Roush Racing for the remainder of the season. ‡ – Hermie Sadler originally qualified for the race but was replaced by Mike Skinner. ₪ – Mike Wallace qualified for the race, but was replaced by P. J. Jones. ¿ – J. J. Yeley qualified for Tony Stewart. ¶ – David Stremme originally replaced Sterling Marlin, who had left the track to mourn the death of his father Coo Coo Marlin, but was replaced by Scott Pruett for the race after Pruett originally failed to qualify in another Chip Ganassi Racing entry. ¡ – Paul Menard qualified for Robby Gordon. ¥ – Chad Chaffin qualified for the race, but was replaced by Bobby Hamilton Jr. ∞ – Bobby Gerhart qualified for Carl Edwards, who was running the Busch Series race at Pikes Peak International Raceway. ‹› – Jon Wood qualified for Ricky Rudd. † – Mark Green qualified for Kyle Petty. Rookie of the year The 2005 Rookie of the Year battle in NEXTEL Cup was pretty much decided halfway into the season. Twenty-year-old Kyle Busch became a phenomenon by winning twice and breaking the record for the youngest driver to win at NASCAR's premier level. Runner-up Travis Kvapil had a modest season, qualifying for every race, but only finishing in the top-ten twice. After that, the field was quite slim, as only Mike Garvey and Stanton Barrett ran more than seven races during the year. The only other declaree, Eric McClure, had resigned from his No. 73 Raabe Racing Enterprises ride after the season's third race. And while he had run too many races in 2004 to declare for the ROTY award for 2005, Carl Edwards became the most popular first-year driver – winning four races. See also 2005 NASCAR Busch Series 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2005 ARCA Re/Max Series 2005 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 2005 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup References External links 2005 Nextel Cup drivers standings https://web.archive.org/web/20060825214839/http://www.racing-reference.info/raceyear?yr=2005&series=W August 25, 2006 Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons