2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season 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 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 by the end of the 26th race would be eligible to compete in a final 10-race playoff to determine the NASCAR Nextel Cup champion. Following the 26th race, the eligible drivers would have their points reset to bring the drivers closer together in the standings, with only five points separating each driver. The season would then continue as normal, with the driver with the most points at the end of the season becoming the champion.
The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Chevrolet when they captured 26 wins and 266 points. Ford finished in second place with 10 wins, and 224 points, while Dodge followed in third with 4 wins and 194 points.
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. Winston was the title sponsor of the Cup Series for 33 seasons, from 1971 to 2003. Nextel would become only the second title sponsor in Cup Series history. This was also the first year for Sunoco as it replaced Unocal's 76 Brand as the official fuel of NASCAR. Sunoco would become only the second gas company to be NASCAR's official fuel since Unocal had been the official fuel since the sport's inception in 1948.
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 canceled as word spread of the incident.
2004 was the first season without Pontiac. It was also the last season before Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer join NASCAR as drivers.
Teams and drivers
Full-time schedule
Limited schedule
Schedule
Races
Budweiser Shootout
The exhibition Budweiser Shootout was held on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway.Top ten results
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 6- Mark Martin
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 01- Boris Said
Gatorade Twin 125s
Race one: top ten results
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 0- Ward Burton
- 30- Johnny Sauter
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 12- Ryan Newman
46th Daytona 500
;Top 10 Results
- 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 20-Tony Stewart
- 22-Scott Wimmer
- 29-Kevin Harvick
- 48-Jimmie Johnson
- 01-Joe Nemechek
- 38-Elliott Sadler
- 24-Jeff Gordon
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 88-Dale Jarrett
- Michael Waltrip turned over early in this race in the grass.
Subway 400
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 0- Ward Burton
- 24- Jeff Gordon - 2 laps down
- This was the final NASCAR Cup race held at Rockingham, which was dropped from the 2005 NASCAR schedule following the Ferko lawsuit and declining attendance.
- During the race Carl Long went for a wild tumble down the back straight and Robby Gordon was turned into the wall and got on his side.
- The race also became the beginning of the focus of the season-long field-filler controversy. Joe Ruttman arrived at the track without a pit crew for a start and park, Andy Hillenburg was involved in a crash after running slow, and Kirk Shelmerdine was black-flagged for failing to maintain a minimum speed. NASCAR added a mandate of a full pit crew in an attempt to stop the start and park.
- NASCAR also announced, in light of the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy, at the drivers' meeting that a points penalty would also be assessed to anyone involved on a race team who uses inappropriate language. Previously, a fine had been assessed.
UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 6- Mark Martin
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 41- Casey Mears
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- Kyle Busch made his NASCAR debut, finishing 41st.
- The finish saw Matt Kenseth score his second win in a row, as Kasey Kahne once again finished second.
Golden Corral 500
The Golden Corral 500 was held on March 14 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 24- Jeff Gordon
Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 6- Mark Martin
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- This was the last 400-mile race held at Darlington until 2020.
Food City 500
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 49- Ken Schrader
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 15- Michael Waltrip
Withdrew: Larry Foyt
- Larry Foyt attempted the race with #14 team but the car was confiscated by NASCAR for failed opening day-inspection for a non-approved roof that did not fit the car templates what led the team to withdraw.
- This was Kurt Busch's third straight win in a Cup event at Bristol, and third straight spring Bristol win.
- This marked the final race ever for Pontiac to be in a NASCAR Cup Series event. Hermie Sadler drove the 02 car for Pontiac's final ever race.
Samsung/Radio Shack 500
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 41- Casey Mears
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- Elliott Sadler edged out Kasey Kahne by a.028 of a second.
- This was the last race attempted for Pontiac in the series. Andy Belmont failed to make the race. Carl Long, Andy Belmont, and Hermie Sadler however, did run a combined 4 races in a Pontiac at the beginning of the season, driving the number 02 car for Sadler Brothers Racing, a single-car team. Carl Long raced the car at Las Vegas, then the next 2 weekends, Andy Belmont raced at Atlanta and Darlington, and finally, one week later, Hermie Sadler raced at Bristol. The Bristol race marked the final race ever for Pontiac, and those 4 races would be the final 4 races for Pontiac in NASCAR. Andy Belmont attempted Rockingham in February along with this race but failed to make both events. After failing to make this race, Pontiac left NASCAR for good. Pontiac leaves the sport with 3 Manufacturer's Championships, and scoring 154 Career NASCAR wins. Rusty Wallace is the all-time winner in a Pontiac at 31. Only 4 drivers have won the Series Championship driving a Pontiac: Joe Weatherly, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart.
- This race marked the last career pole for Bobby Labonte.
Advance Auto Parts 500
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 40 Sterling Marlin
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- On lap 284, the concrete pavement in turn 3 broke up, creating a pot hole. Jeff Gordon would run into the broken up part of the track, damaging his race car. The race was red flagged to repair the track, and while NASCAR would not grant the 24 team's request to be able to repair the car during the red flag, Gordon was able to fight back in the second half of the race for a sixth-place finish.
- Rusty Wallace broke a winless streak of 106 races, dating all the way back from April 29, 2001, at Auto Club Speedway.
- This would be the 55th and final career win for Rusty Wallace. With this win, he passed Lee Petty on NASCAR's win list.
Aaron's 499
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 41- Casey Mears
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- The race ended under controversy when Brian Vickers crashed with four laps to go. At the same time, Jeff Gordon was about to be passed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. As Gordon's car was still ahead of Earnhardt's, he kept the lead for the following caution. However, the race never was restarted, and Gordon won the race under the caution, prompting angered fans to throw beverage cups at his car while he celebrated his victory by doing doughnuts on the track. The issue was very similar to the 2002 Indianapolis 500 controversial finish when Hélio Castroneves and Paul Tracy raced when the caution signal was given during Tracy's attempted pass of Castroneves. This led to the implementation of the green-white-checker finish rule in order to avoid such situations in the future.
- This would be Jeff Gordon's 1st Restrictor Plate win since this event in 2000.
- The event marked the last career pole for Ricky Rudd.
Auto Club 500
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 41- Casey Mears
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 0- Ward Burton
- The race marked the 19th time in his career that Jeff Gordon won back-to-back races.
Chevy American Revolution 400
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 6- Mark Martin
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 15- Michael Waltrip
Nextel Open
The Nextel Open was held on May 22 Lowe's Motor Speedway. Dave Blaney won the pole.*
Top ten results
- 40- Sterling Marlin*
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 43- Jeff Green
- 22- Scott Wimmer
- 30- Johnny Sauter
- 0- Ward Burton
- 23- Dave Blaney
- 49- Ken Schrader*
- 50- Derrike Cope
- Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader advanced to the All-Star challenge after this race; Marlin for winning the race, and Schrader for winning the fan vote.
Nextel All-Star Challenge
*
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 6- Mark Martin
Coca-Cola 600
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 41- Casey Mears
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- Jimmie Johnson won this race in dominating fashion, as he led 334 of the race's 400 laps.
MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes"
- 6- Mark Martin
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 10- Scott Riggs
- 15- Michael Waltrip 1 lap down
- 5- Terry Labonte 1 lap down
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield 1 lap down
- 22- Scott Wimmer 2 laps down
- 29- Kevin Harvick 2 laps down
- The race snapped a 73-race winless streak for Martin that had been going on since Charlotte in May 2002.
- The race was decimated by a 20-car crash on lap 347 on a restart; one of the largest crashes ever outside of Daytona and Talladega. It started when Dave Blaney was hit by Michael Waltrip.
Pocono 500
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 41- Casey Mears
- This race ended under caution. A fan, upset that the race was ending under caution, threw a cooler at the flagstand and hit the backup flagman. Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth were called to the NASCAR hauler after the race following contact under caution.
DHL 400
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- This race ended under caution.
Dodge/Save Mart 350
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 39- Scott Pruett*
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 36- Boris Said*
- 41- Casey Mears
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Jeff Burton
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- Scott Pruett picked up a top-five finish after finishing second at Watkins Glen the previous year, and was the only road course ace to lead laps in the race.
- Boris Said matched his best-career Cup finish in the part-time #36 Chevrolet.
Pepsi 400
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 6- Mark Martin
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- The start of the race was delayed more than 30 minutes due to rain and the race started under yellow to help the track dry from the rain.
- 8 cars sported Coca-Cola C2 liveries, which were driven by John Andretti, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Ricky Rudd, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Bill Elliott and Jeff Burton.
- This was the second Pepsi 400 televised by Fox.
- This race marked the 20th time in his career that Jeff Gordon won back-to-back races.
- Jeff Gordon became the 1st driver in NASCAR history to win from his 50th career pole.
Tropicana 400
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- This race is known for a pit road fight that occurred between crew members of Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart after Stewart spun Kahne, causing a crash that also collected Dale Earnhardt Jr., John Andretti, Dave Blaney, Jeff Burton, and Scott Riggs. All of the pit crew, crew chiefs and owners of the #9 and #20 were fined $50,000 for their actions. Stewart was not penalized.
- Jeff Gordon won the pole for the 4th consecutive race. This was the first time since Darrell Waltrip in 1981 that a driver won 4 consecutive poles in a season.
Siemens 300
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
Pennsylvania 500
The Pennsylvania 500 was held on August 1 at Pocono Raceway. Casey Mears won the pole.- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 5- Terry Labonte
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- This was the second straight race that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was replaced by John Andretti after Martin Truex Jr. at Loudon one week earlier because he suffered second- and third-degrees burns on his neck, chin, and legs from a burning car during the practice for the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway and prevented him from finishing the race at Loudon and Pocono.
Brickyard 400
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 91- Bill Elliott
- 97- Kurt Busch
- First career pole fore Casey Mears
- Jeff Gordon had become the first 4 time NASCAR winner at the Brickyard, and the only driver to do so until Jimmie Johnson in 2012. Gordon would join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Sr., and Rick Mears as the only 4 time winners in the entire history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- This race marked the first time that the green-white-checker finish rule came into play. The race was extended after Brian Vickers and Ryan Newman crashed on lap 158. However, when Ricky Rudd crashed on lap 160, the race still ended under caution.
- Last career top 10 finish for Bill Elliott.
Sirius at The Glen
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 1- Ron Fellows*
- 6- Mark Martin
- 41- Casey Mears
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 97- Kurt Busch
- Ron Fellows matched his best career finish in a Cup series race after starting 43rd in the race.
- This was Burton's final start for Roush Racing before moving to Richard Childress Racing at Michigan the following week after he signed a three-year contract with Richard Childress Racing just before the race at Watkins Glen. Carl Edwards would take over the 99 car the following week, while Burton would move to the #30 RCR entry for the remainder of the season before taking over the #31 entry at the start of the 2005 season.
- Tony Avé made his first NASCAR Cup start in this race.
GFS Marketplace 400
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 6- Mark Martin
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 99- Carl Edwards
- All five Roush Racing cars finished in the top 10.
- This was Carl Edwards' first start in the Nextel Cup Series.
Sharpie 500
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 30- Jeff Burton
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 88- Dale Jarrett
Pop Secret 500
The inaugural Pop Secret 500 was held on September 5 at California Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole. Portions of this race were filmed for the movie Herbie Fully Loaded. Kasey Kahne got his fifth second-place finish of the season.- 38- Elliott Sadler*
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 6- Mark Martin
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 10- Scott Riggs
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- Last career win for Elliott Sadler.
Chevy Rock and Roll 400
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 80- Mike Bliss
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 09- Mike Wallace
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- This race was a notable when Jeremy Mayfield gained five positions from 14th to 9th and clinched the spot in the Chase.
- This race marked the only cup career top 5 for mike bliss as he finished 4th
- 24 - Jeff Gordon
- 48 - Jimmie Johnson
- 8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 20 - Tony Stewart
- 17 - Matt Kenseth
- 38 - Elliott Sadler
- 97 - Kurt Busch
- 6 - Mark Martin
- 19 - Jeremy Mayfield
- 12 - Ryan Newman
Chase for Nextel Cup
Sylvania 300
The Sylvania 300 was held on September 19 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Despite the rain washing out the qualifying, the starting lineup was set by owner's points, and Jeff Gordon started in the front row. This was the first race of the new 10-race playoff format.- 97- Kurt Busch
- 17- Matt Kenseth
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 15- Michael Waltrip
- 29- Kevin Harvick
MBNA America 400
The MBNA America 400 was held on September 26 at Dover International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.- 12- Ryan Newman
- 6- Mark Martin
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- Ryan Newman ran away with the win in this race, leading 325 of 400 laps and winning by a margin of 8.149 seconds.
EA Sports 500
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 41- Casey Mears
- 31- Robby Gordon
- 0- Ward Burton
- Although he won the race, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was later penalized 25 points for uttering an obscenity during his post-race interview on NBC.
- This was the first play-by-play appearance for Bill Weber, due to Allen Bestwick's injury during a hockey match.
- Last career top 10 finish for Ward Burton.
Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- This would be the 4th and final career victory for Joe Nemechek. As of 2018, Nemechek is the only driver to score every single win with every different team. His 1st career win was in the 42, driving for SABCO Racing at Loudon in 1999. His 2nd career win was in the 33, driving for Andy Petree Racing at Rockingham in 2001. His 3rd career win was in the 25, driving for Hendrick Motorsports at Richmond in 2003. Finally, his 4th and final career win was in the 01, driving for MB2 Motorsports in this race at Kansas. The one thing in common with all 4 different teams however, was that all 4 wins were in a Chevrolet. Nemechek is also one of two drivers to score his final Busch Series win and Cup Series win in the same weekend. He won the Mr. Goodcents 300 the previous day. The only other driver to accomplish this feat was in 1988 when Bobby Allison won the Goody’s 300 and the Daytona 500.
UAW-GM Quality 500
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 88- Dale Jarrett
- 38- Elliott Sadler
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 30- Jeff Burton
- 20- Tony Stewart
Subway 500
The Subway 500 was held on October 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 40- Sterling Marlin
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 19- Jeremy Mayfield
- 43- Jeff Green
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- Victory lane celebration was cancelled after a tragic plane crash that took the lives of key personnel in the Hendrick Motorsports stable.
Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 30- Jeff Burton
- 25- Brian Vickers
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 16- Greg Biffle
- Johnson won the race just one week after a plane crash that killed ten people involved with Hendrick Motorsports including Rick Hendrick's son Ricky. The four Hendrick teammates drove a special paint scheme for the remainder of the season to honor those involved in the crash.
- Johnson became the first driver since Jeff Gordon to win 3 races in a row.
Checker Auto Parts 500
- 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 12- Ryan Newman
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 97- Kurt Busch
- After two straight 33rd-place finishes at Martinsville due to blown engine and Atlanta due to accident on lap 310, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race for the sixth time in this season that puts Earnhardt Jr. from fifth to third in the points standings with two races left in this season.
- Ryan Newman won the pole for the 4th consecutive race. As of 2019, Ryan Newman is the last driver to win 4 straight pole positions. Also, as of 2019, 2004 is the last season in NASCAR history that 2 drivers won 4 straight pole positions in a single season.
Mountain Dew Southern 500
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 6- Mark Martin
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 9- Kasey Kahne
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 99- Carl Edwards
- 01- Joe Nemechek
- 18- Bobby Labonte
- 0- Mike Bliss
- With this win, Jimmie Johnson became the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to pull off the season sweep at 3 different tracks in one season. Along with Darlington, Johnson pulled off season sweeps at Pocono and Charlotte. However, Bill Elliott is the only driver in NASCAR history to pull off the season sweep at 4 different tracks in one season, with the tracks being Pocono, Michigan, Darlington, and Atlanta, back in 1985.
Ford 400
- 16- Greg Biffle
- 48- Jimmie Johnson
- 24- Jeff Gordon
- 20- Tony Stewart
- 97- Kurt Busch
- 77- Brendan Gaughan
- 42- Jamie McMurray
- 2- Rusty Wallace
- 21- Ricky Rudd
- 29- Kevin Harvick
- In victory lane Busch honored his championship win to the Hendrick family because of the plane crash three weeks prior, at the Martinsville race.
- Kurt Busch would become the 6th different champion in the last 6 years, a NASCAR Modern Era record.
Final points standings
Chase for the Cup
- Kurt Busch – 6506
- Jimmie Johnson – 6498
- Jeff Gordon – 6490
- Mark Martin – 6399
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 6368
- Tony Stewart – 6326
- Ryan Newman – 6180
- Matt Kenseth – 6069
- Elliott Sadler – 6024
- Jeremy Mayfield – 6000
11. Jamie McMurray – 4597
12. Bobby Labonte – 4277
13. Kasey Kahne – 4274
14. Kevin Harvick – 4228
15. Dale Jarrett – 4214
16. Rusty Wallace – 3960
17. Greg Biffle – 3902
18. Jeff Burton – 3902
19. Joe Nemechek – 3878
20. Michael Waltrip – 3878
21. Sterling Marlin – 3857
22. Casey Mears – 3690
23. Robby Gordon – 3646
24. Ricky Rudd – 3615
25. Brian Vickers – 3521
26. Terry Labonte – 3519
27. Scott Wimmer – 3198
28. Brendan Gaughan – 3165
29. Scott Riggs – 3090
30. Jeff Green – 3054
31. Ken Schrader – 3032
32. Ward Burton – 2929
33. Kyle Petty – 2811
34. Ricky Craven – 2086
35. Jimmy Spencer – 1969
36. Johnny Sauter – 1430
37. Carl Edwards – 1424
38. Dave Blaney – 1347
39. Bobby Hamilton Jr. – 1271
40. Derrike Cope – 1058
41. Todd Bodine – 986
42. Morgan Shepherd – 925
43. Kevin Lepage – 915