2004 Chase for the Nextel Cup
Champion: Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch edged Jimmie Johnson by 8 points in the inaugural Chase format, winning the title despite having fewer wins than several competitors. The 2004 Chase for the Nextel Cup featured 10 drivers competing over the final 10 races of the season for the Cup Series championship.
Compare with the full 2004 season results or see all Chase history seasons.
Chase Contenders (10 Drivers)
| Pos | Driver | Wins | Top 5 | Avg Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 8 | 20 | 12.1 |
| 2 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | 6 | 16 | 12.1 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | 5 | 16 | 11.4 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch ★ | 3 | 10 | 12.5 |
| 5 | Ryan Newman | 2 | 11 | 16.5 |
| 6 | Tony Stewart | 2 | 10 | 12.9 |
| 7 | Matt Kenseth | 2 | 8 | 15.7 |
| 8 | Elliott Sadler | 2 | 8 | 15.9 |
| 9 | Greg Biffle | 2 | 4 | 19.2 |
| 10 | Mark Martin | 1 | 10 | 13.8 |
Notable Events
- • First-ever Chase format replaced full-season points battle
- • Top 10 drivers had points reset after 26 regular-season races with 5-point increments
- • Jeff Gordon missed the Chase despite leading the standings mid-season
Chase Race Results (Last 10 Races)
| # | Race | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sylvania 300 | Kurt Busch |
| 2 | MBNA America 400 | Ryan Newman |
| 3 | EA Sports 500 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. |
| 4 | Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods | Joe Nemechek |
| 5 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 6 | Subway 500 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 7 | Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 8 | Checker Auto Parts 500 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. |
| 9 | Mountain Dew Southern 500 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 10 | Ford 400 | Greg Biffle |