2005 NASCAR Busch Series
The 2005 season of the NASCAR Busch Series began with the Hershey's Take 5 300 at Daytona International Speedway and concluded with the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Martin Truex Jr. of Chance 2 Motorsports was crowned champion for the second consecutive year.
The year saw at least two significant changes:
- The top 30 teams in the previous season's owner points, provided that they attempted all races that season, were guaranteed starting spots in the first five races of 2005. However, only 26 teams met the criteria, so for those races additional spots were available for teams having to qualify on time. After the fifth race, the top 30 teams received the guaranteed starting spots.
- The series ran on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez road course in Mexico City in March. It was the first Busch Series race conducted outside the United States.
2005 team charts
List of teams which competed throughout 2005.
Complete schedule
Limited schedule
Hershey's TAKE 5 300
The Hershey's TAKE 5 300 was held February 19 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 33-Tony Stewart
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 81-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 38-Kasey Kahne
- 55-Robby Gordon
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 60-Carl Edwards
Failed to qualify: Skip Smith (#67), Brent Sherman (#58), Larry Hollenbeck (#62), Tim Sauter (#56), Mark Green (#26), Kevin Conway (#03), Justin Ashburn (#16), Keith Murt (#79), Matt Kenseth (#17), Jeff Kendall (#70), Shane Hall (#52), Kim Crosby (#24)
With his victory in the race, Tony Stewart became the ninth driver in NASCAR history to win a race in all three of its top series, needing only a Busch Series victory to complete this milestone. He would also be the first of seven drivers to accomplish the feat in 2005 alone and the only one to do it having needed a Busch Series victory.
Stater Brothers 300
The Stater Brothers 300 was held February 26 at California Speedway. Tony Stewart was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 9-Mark Martin
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 32-Shane Hmiel
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 64-Jamie McMurray
- 14-David Stremme
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 90-Dale Jarrett
Failed to qualify: Eric Jones (#73), Kevin Conway (#03), Shane Hall (#52), John Hayden (#16), Kim Crosby (#24)
Telcel Motorola 200
The inaugural Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex was held March 6 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.This race was the first NASCAR race held in Mexico. Mexican Jorge Goeters won the pole in his debut.
Top ten results
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 32-Shane Hmiel
- 1-Boris Said
- 64-Rusty Wallace
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 25-Ashton Lewis
- 5-Adrian Fernandez
Failed to qualify: Paul Wolfe (#6), Jimmy Morales (#67), Todd Souza (#97), Kim Crosby (#24), Mark Montgomery (#16), Alfredo Tame, Jr. (#92), Stan Silva, Jr. (#65)
Sam's Town 300
The Sam's Town 300 was held March 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 9-Mark Martin
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 14-David Stremme
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 34-Randy LaJoie
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 27-David Green
Failed to qualify: Michael Waltrip (#99), Ken Schrader (#67), Jerry Robertson (#78), Eric Jones (#73), John Hayden (#16), Jeff Fuller (#24), Shane Hall (#52), Damon Lusk (#85)
Aaron's 312 (Atlanta)
The Aaron's 312 was held March 19 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 33-Tony Stewart
- 48-Jimmie Johnson
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 38-Kasey Kahne
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 64-Jamie McMurray
- 10-Michel Jourdain Jr.
Failed to qualify: John Hayden (#16), Aaron Fike (#43), Stan Boyd (#52), Damon Lusk (#85), Blake Mallory (#24), Reed Sorenson (#41)*
- Reed Sorenson drove the #40 car normally driven by Sterling Marlin in the race,after failing to qualify.
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Pepsi 300
The Pepsi 300 was held March 26 at Nashville Superspeedway. Reed Sorenson was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 32-Shane Hmiel
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 95-Bobby Hamilton
- 33-Tony Raines
- 35-Jason Keller
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 59-Stacy Compton
- This was Sorenson's first career victory.
Failed to qualify: John Hayden (#16), Damon Lusk (#85), Shawna Robinson (#23), Brian Sockwell (#88), Blake Mallory (#24)
Sharpie Professional 250
The Sharpie Professional 250 was held April 4 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards was the polesitter. Shane Hmiel, who finished 12th suffered a 25-point penalty after camera's caught him making an indecent gesture.
Top ten results
- 29-Kevin Harvick
- 21-Jeff Burton
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 64-Jeremy Mayfield
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 25-Ashton Lewis
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 66-Greg Biffle
Failed to qualify: Brad Teague (#52), Justin Ashburn (#16), John Hayden (#85), Tim Sauter (#56), Jay Sauter (#75), Eric McClure (#04)
O'Reilly 300
The O'Reilly 300 was held April 16 at Texas Motor Speedway. Shane Hmiel was the polesitter. 9th place Johnny Sauter was DQ'ed in postrace inspection for multiple infractions, including an engine with 300 horsepower (220 kW) more.
Top ten results
- 38-Kasey Kahne
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 47-Jon Wood
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 32-Shane Hmiel
Failed to qualify: Aaron Fike (#43), Mark Green (#7), Kyle Busch (#57), Shawna Robinson (#23)
Bashas' Supermarkets 200
The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 was held April 22 at Phoenix International Raceway. Kasey Kahne was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 14-David Stremme
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 33-Tony Stewart
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 18-J. J. Yeley
Failed to qualify: Ryan Hemphill (#4)
Aaron's 312 (Talladega)
The Aaron's 312 was held April 30 at Talladega Superspeedway. Paul Menard was the polesitter.
Because of a long rain delay, and a delay caused by cleaning debris from a crash, this race ended near darkness, but was 120 laps (of 117) because of the green-white-checker finish rule. It was the first time in Busch Series history a race had ended in prime-time network television, as the checkered flag waved at 8:20 p.m. EDT.
Top ten results
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 47-Jon Wood
- 14-David Stremme
- 25-Ashton Lewis
- 98-Kerry Earnhardt
- 34-Randy LaJoie
- 44-Justin Labonte
- 35-Jason Keller
- 58-Brent Sherman
- 0-Kertus Davis
Failed to qualify: Greg Sacks (#7), Ryan Hemphill (#4), Geoffrey Bodine (#72), Donnie Neuenberger (#52)
Diamond Hill Plywood 200
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held May 6 at Darlington Raceway. Jimmie Johnson was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 21-Jeff Burton
- 14-David Stremme
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 6-Jeremy Mayfield
- 33-Tony Raines
- 2-Clint Bowyer
Failed to qualify: Eric McClure (#52)
Funai 250
The Funai 250 was held May 13 at Richmond International Raceway. Kasey Kahne was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 79-Kasey Kahne
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 4-Jeff Green
- 9-Mark Martin
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 40-Sterling Marlin
Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (#0), Brent Sherman (#58), Eric McClure (#52), Jeff Fuller (#7), Geoffrey Bodine (#72)
Carquest Auto Parts 300
The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 28 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 5-Kyle Busch
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 19-Bobby Labonte
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 14-David Stremme
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 25-Ashton Lewis
Failed to qualify: Scott Riggs (#30), Jeff Fuller (#7), Todd Bodine (#43), Eric McClure (#52), Kevin Lepage (#72), Brian Sockwell (#88), Robert Pressley (#46)
MBNA RacePoints 200
The MBNA RacePoints 200 was held June 4 at Dover International Speedway. Carl Edwards was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 64-Jamie McMurray
- 90-Dale Jarrett
- 5-Jimmie Johnson
- 33-Tony Raines
- 35-Jason Keller
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 87-Joe Nemechek
Failed to qualify: Matt Kenseth (#17)
Federated Auto Parts 300
The Federated Auto Parts 300 was held June 12 at Nashville Superspeedway. Qualifying and the race were rained out when attempted on June 11, the order determined by owner points (not driver points). The drivers who were racing in the June 12 Pocono 500 Nextel Cup race had that commitment, and left after the race was rained out -- Carl Edwards and Sterling Marlin did not participate as planned because of the rescheduled race. Johnny Benson drove Marlin's car, and Hank Parker, Jr. took over Edward's car. Martin Truex, Jr. started first when the green flag waved per NASCAR rules.
Top ten results
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 33-Tony Raines
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 14-David Stremme
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 6-Paul Wolfe
- This was Bowyer's first career victory.
Failed to qualify: Justin Ashburn (#16), Eddie Beahr (#94), John Borneman III (#83), Travis Kittleson (#68), Burney Lamar (#83), Brad Teague (#53)
Meijer 300 presented by Oreo
The Meijer 300 was held June 18 at Kentucky Speedway. Carl Edwards was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 11-Paul Menard
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 6-Casey Atwood
- 47-Jon Wood
Failed to qualify: Kenny Hendrick (#03), John Borneman III (#83), Damon Lusk (#85), Jerry Robertson (#78), Brad Teague (#52)
SBC 250
The SBC 250 was held on June 25 at the Milwaukee Mile. Johnny Sauter was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 11-Paul Menard
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 14-David Stremme
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 34-Randy LaJoie
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 33-Tony Raines
- 2-Clint Bowyer
Failed to qualify: Chad Beahr (#94), Todd Shafer (#91)
Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo
The Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo was held on July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Kevin Harvick was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 11-Paul Menard
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 6-Mike Wallace
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 33-Tony Raines
Failed to qualify: Mark Green (#23), Jeff Fuller (#7), Donnie Neuenberger (#52), Derrike Cope (#28)
USG Durock 300
The USG Durock 300 was held on July 9 at Chicagoland Speedway. Ryan Newman was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 9-Mark Martin
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 11-Paul Menard
- 41-Reed Sorenson
Failed to qualify: Mark Green (#23), Tim Sauter (#56), Eric McClure (#52), Kerry Earnhardt (#73), Kim Crosby (#26), Chris Horn (#80), Jeff Fuller (#7)
New England 200
The New England 200 was held on July 16 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kevin Harvick was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 64-Jamie McMurray
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 11-Paul Menard
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 36-Stanton Barrett
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#28), Eric McClure (#52), Kim Crosby (#26)
ITT Industries & Goulds Pumps Salute to the Troops 250
The ITT Industries & Goulds Pumps Salute to the Troops 250 was held on July 23 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Clint Bowyer was the polesitter. It was the final NASCAR race to be held at Pikes Peak International Raceway before its closing at the end of the season.
Top ten results
- 27-David Green
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 64-Bill Elliott
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 43-Aaron Fike
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 21-Brandon Miller
Failed to qualify: Brad Teague (#24), Dale Quarterley (#72), Clint Vahsholtz (#90), Jennifer Jo Cobb (#73)
Wallace Family Tribute 250
The Wallace Family Tribute 250 presented by Shop 'n Save was held on July 30 at Gateway International Raceway. Martin Truex, Jr. was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 6-Mike Wallace
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 27-David Green
- 11-Paul Menard
- 21-Brandon Miller
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 33-Tony Raines
Failed to qualify: Jimmy Spencer (#73), A. J. Fike (#43), John Hayden (#85), Kim Crosby (#26), Eric McClure (#52)
Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held on August 6 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Reed Sorenson was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 35-Jason Keller
- 14-David Stremme
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 11-Paul Menard
- 27-David Green
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 64-Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: Wayne Edwards (#9), Brad Teague (#53), Kim Crosby (#26), Todd Shafer (#91)
Zippo 200
The Zippo 200 was held on August 13 at Watkins Glen International. Tony Stewart was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 55-Robby Gordon
- 57-Brian Vickers
- 33-Tony Stewart
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 21-Jeff Burton
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 11-Paul Menard
- 32-Jorge Goeters
- 18-J. J. Yeley
Failed to qualify: Stan Silva, Jr. (#65), Todd Souza (#97), Mark Green (#23), Paul Bonacorsi (#72), Elliott Sadler (#08), Scott Turner (#52), Joe Fox (#0), Kerry Earnhardt (#73), Jeff Spraker (#63), Kim Crosby (#26)
Domino's Pizza 250
The Domino's Pizza 250 was held on August 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Martin Truex Jr. was the polesitter. Jeremy Mayfield, who finished 23rd, was penalized 25 points for an unapproved adjustment found on his car during post race inspection.
Top ten results
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 11-Paul Menard
- 19-Bobby Labonte
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 1-Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: Eric McClure (#52), Jamie Mosley (#28), Tim Sauter (#56), Jerry Robertson (#78), Kim Crosby (#26), Brian Vickers (#57)
Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held on August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won his third straight Busch Series race. Kyle Busch was the polesitter. Reed Sorenson, who finished 12th, suffered a 50-point penalty for a tire violation.
Top ten results
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 81-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 64-Jamie McMurray
- 33-Tony Raines
- 19-Bobby Labonte
Failed to qualify: Ron Hornaday (#30), Jeff Fuller (#7), Eric McClure (#04), Kevin Lepage (#72), Ron Young (#71), Brent Sherman (#10), Brad Teague (#52), John Hayden (#85), Tim Sauter (#56), David Ragan (#16)
Ameriquest 300
The Ameriquest 300 was held on September 3 at California Speedway. Clint Bowyer was the polesitter.
The race became the first in NASCAR's Busch Series to be televised live in its entirety in prime-time television, with the NBC broadcast beginning at 8:30 p.m. EDT.
Top ten results
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 6-Kasey Kahne
- 35-Jason Keller
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 14-David Stremme
- 11-Paul Menard
Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage (#72), Derrike Cope (#28), Jeff Fuller (#7), Michael Waltrip (#99), Mark Green (#23), Kim Crosby (#26)
Emerson Radio 250
The Emerson Radio 250 was held on September 9 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin was the polesitter. Martin Truex Jr, who finished 27th, suffered a 25-point penalty for making an inappropriate gesture.
Top ten results
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 11-Paul Menard
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 9-Mark Martin
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 19-Bobby Labonte
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 66-Greg Biffle
Failed to qualify: Mark Green (#23), Kevin Lepage (#85), Tim Sauter (#56), Kertus Davis (#0), Brent Sherman (#10), Jason York (#72), Brian Sockwell (#88), Eddie Beahr (#94), Jerry Robertson (#78)
Dover 200
The Dover 200 was held on September 24 at Dover International Speedway. Ryan Newman was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 64-Rusty Wallace
- 57-Brian Vickers
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 11-Paul Menard
Failed to qualify: Dale Quarterley (#71), Brent Sherman (#10), Derrike Cope (#94), Bryan Reffner (#67), Jerick Johnson (#76)
United Way 300
The United Way 300 was held on October 8 at Kansas Speedway. Martin Truex Jr. was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 6-Kasey Kahne
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 47-Jon Wood
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 5-Kyle Busch
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 18-J. J. Yeley
Failed to qualify: Jorge Goeters (#73), Kertus Davis (#0), Mark Green (#23), Michael Waltrip (#99), Jamie Mosley (#28), Tim Sauter (#56), Kevin Lepage (#72), Derrike Cope (#71), Kim Crosby (#26), Chris Horn (#80), Chad Blount (#70)
Dollar General 300
The Dollar General 300 was held on October 14 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 11-Paul Menard
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 40-Sterling Marlin
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 47-Jon Wood
- 25-Ashton Lewis
- 72-Kevin Lepage
- 44-Justin Labonte
Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (#0), Michel Jourdain Jr. (#15), Michael Waltrip (#99), Steve Grissom (#49), Mark Green (#23), Johnny Benson (#67), Kim Crosby (#26)
Sam's Town 250
The Sam's Town 250 was held on October 22 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Martin Truex Jr. was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 27-David Green
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 11-Paul Menard
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 33-Tony Raines
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 35-Jason Keller
Failed to qualify: Marc Mitchell (#86), Eric McClure (#04), Mark Green (#23), Travis Geisler (#72), Charlie Bradberry (#91), Kerry Earnhardt (#99), Brian Tyler (#80), Mike Harmon (#24), Justin Ashburn (#16), Brad Teague (#52)
O'Reilly Challenge
The inaugural O'Reilly Challenge was held on November 5 at Texas Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 5-Kyle Busch
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 90-Elliott Sadler
- 1-Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: Michael Waltrip (#99), Kevin Lepage (#72), Ron Hornaday (#30), Eric McClure (#0), Chad Blount (#70), Jeff Fuller (#7), Chris Wimmer (#23), Jorge Goeters (#73), Steve Grissom (#49), Brent Sherman (#10), Tracy Hines (#92)
Arizona 200
The Arizona 200 was held on November 12 at Phoenix International Raceway. Carl Edwards was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 32-Jason Leffler
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 18-J. J. Yeley
Failed to qualify: Bobby Labonte (#19), Eric McClure (#04), Charlie Bradberry (#91)
Ford 300
The Ford 300 was held on November 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ryan Newman was the polesitter.
Top ten results
- 39-Ryan Newman
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 9-Mark Martin
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 11-Paul Menard
- 47-Jon Wood
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 27-David Green
- 87-Joe Nemechek
Failed to qualify: Jerry Robertson (#78), Michael Waltrip (#99), Dave Blaney (#31), Jamie McMurray (#09), Kevin Lepage (#72), John Andretti (#10), Travis Kittleson (#68), Steve Grissom (#49), Chris Wimmer (#23), Marc Mitchell (#86)
Final points standings
- 8-Martin Truex Jr.
- 2-Clint Bowyer
- 60-Carl Edwards
- 41-Reed Sorenson
- 20-Denny Hamlin
- 11-Paul Menard
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 27-David Green
- 35-Jason Keller
- 66-Greg Biffle
- 18-J. J. Yeley
- 1-Johnny Sauter
- 14-David Stremme
- 25-Ashton Lewis
- 47-Jon Wood
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 44-Justin Labonte
- 21-Kevin Harvick
- 34-Randy LaJoie
- 33-Tony Raines
- 38-Kasey Kahne
- 36-Stanton Barrett
- 49-Steve Grissom
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 90-Elliott Sadler
Rookie of the Year
In the recent resentment against so-called "Busch-Whackers", Carl Edwards may have only added fuel to the fire, as he won five times, nailed down four pole positions, had 21 top-ten finishes, and eventually named the Busch Series Rookie of the Year while simultaneously competing in the NEXTEL Cup Series. 19-year-old Reed Sorenson had two wins finished second in the running, only 158 points away from overtaking Edwards in the championship points, while for late-model racer Denny Hamlin finished fifth in points despite not winning a race. After that, the field was limited, as only Jon Wood, Brent Sherman, and Kertus Davis made full attempts at Rookie of the Year. Michel Jourdain Jr. started the year with ppc Racing, was released from the team, then came back to the organization with a different car, while Paul Wolfe, Ryan Hemphill, Boston Reid, and Blake Feese, only completed a partial season and were released from their driver development contracts. The field also featured Kim Crosby, the first woman contender for ROTY since Shawna Robinson, who only qualified for a mere handful of races with her Keith Coleman Racing team.