2005 in NASCAR
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Budweiser Shootout
On February 12th, at the Daytona International Speedway, Jimmie Johnson took this 70-lap night-time exhibition race from Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon.
Gatorade Duel
The main story out of the Gatorade Duel was a racing accident between Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick, which turned into a minor feud. Michael Waltrip won race one and Tony Stewart won race two, where the controversial incident took place.
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 was held on February 20th at the Daytona International Speedway. The Grand Marshall was Matthew McConaughey. Dale Jarrett started on pole, but lost the first lap to Jimmie Johnson, and fell back down the field after a small bump from behind from Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
The first caution flag came out on the fifteenth lap, halfway through the first fuel run, when Bobby Labonte's engine blew up. Tony Stewart had been leading for 11 laps. Scott Wimmer, who had only changed two tires, led after the caution.
The second caution came out on lap 28 when Ricky Rudd spun in the middle of the field while Michael Waltrip was leading, collecting five cars. On lap 36, Matt Kenseth, one of the pre-race favorites, in trouble with a smoking exhaust, pitted under green.
On lap 61 was the start of a series of green flag pitstops, with the Dodges coming in first as they did not get as good fuel mileage as others. Dale Earnhardt, Jr was pushed by Jeff Burton coming into his pitstop, and had to back up to get out after his tires were changed, causing him to drop down the field. There were about 7 speeding violations on pit road during this round of pit stops, most notably Jimmie Johnson. Once the green flag pitstops cycled through on lap 64, Jeff Gordon had the lead.
Debris on the racetrack saw the third caution come out on lap 86, with Jeff Gordon still in the lead. Tony Stewart led on the restart, and was also leading at halfway and at the point of the fourth caution, for debris, on lap 105.
Around lap 137 there was another cycle of green flag pitstops, with Tony Stewart retaining the lead, before the fifth caution came out on lap 144 and the sixth caution on lap 155. Michael Waltrip caused the seventh caution, which caused him to leave the race and led to another round of pitstops on lap 164. Jason Leffler and Kyle Busch came together on pit road, dropping them both well down the field.
With 32 laps to go John Andretti, running three wide, and following a group of cars going four wide, crashed and turned into Jason Leffler, putting Leffler out of the race and bringing up the eighth caution, with Tony Stewart still in the lead.
Tony Stewart is the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1981/2 to lead the most laps in two consecutive Daytona 500s.
The 'big one', the nickname for massive accidents that are frequent at restrictor-plate tracks, occurred on lap 184, when Greg Biffle turned in to Scott Riggs, collecting 11 cars total and which saw Scott Wimmer's car roll 4 times and spin on its nose, brought out the ninth caution. Only some cars chose to pit, with Stewart and others remaining out. Dale Earnhardt, Jr, who had languished in midfield for the earlier part of the race, was now up to third.
On the restart on lap 187, John Andretti drove straight into Mike Skinner as part of a chain reaction crash involving eight or so cars to bring out an immediate tenth caution. This accident was likely due to somebody ahead of them (or Skinner himself) missing a shift on the restart.
The race restarted with 6 laps to go. With 5 laps to go, Earnhardt, Jr briefly took the lead. Tony Stewart retook it the next lap, then with him and Earnhardt racing side by side, Earnhardt managed to regain the lead. Then Gordon passed Stewart then Earnhardt before the eleventh caution came out with 3 laps to go.
The race length of 500 miles (200 laps) was run under yellow, so a green-white-checkered finish was in order. The race restarted on lap 202 with 2 to go. Despite much activity behing him Jeff Gordon was able to hold on to win from Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 500 is run over 250 2-mile laps on a D oval at California Speedway, Fontana.
Magic Johnson invited the drivers to start their engines, and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger waved the green flag, which was taken by 19-year-old Kyle Busch. Busch became the youngest driver to ever take the green flag on pole position. Busch was still leading after the first lap, with Brian Vickers in second place.
Before the race, Greg Biffle had promised to reporters and commentators that he would have the lead within 5 laps. He also happened to promise to win the race.
Greg Biffle took the lead in only 4 laps, followed by Matt Kenseth in second place, and Biffle was still in the lead after 26 laps, when Bill Elliott went into the wall. Biffle was immediately overtaken by Matt Kenseth after the restart. Dale Earnhardt, Jr pitted on lap 38, going down a lap, with problems on his left front tire. Carl Edwards took over the lead around lap 46.
On lap 59, Earnhardt - already a lap down has another problem with his left front tire - debris brings out caution a lap later. Ultimately Earnhardt would end up 13 laps behind. Edwards was still in the lead when the caution came out. At the restart at end of lap 66, Kenseth was in the lead, Edwards retook it within a lap, with Kenseth recapturing it at lap 70.
Green flag pitstops started on lap 105. However, on lap 107, well before the green flag pitstops have cycled, a caution came out for debris. Joe Nemechek led on the restart on lap 116. Dave Blaney hit the wall on lap 143 leading to the third caution, with Nemechek still leading over Johnson. At the restart on lap 151, Nemechek was leading from Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson with 26 cars on the lead lap. Within a lap Johnson was second.
Another caution came out on lap 161 when Kasey Kahne went into the wall. At the restart Johnson led over Nemechek, but after a three-car tussle for the lead, Nemechek lead on lap 166. However, Nemechek's success was short-lived: around lap 180, engine problems saw him fall down the leader board and he had to retire. Edwards took over the lead. Harvick then took over with about 55 laps to go.
With 48 laps to go Jamie McMurray’s engine blew, bringing out the 6th caution, and when the green came out with 41 laps to go, Harvick was leading in front of Kenseth and Gordon. With 34 laps to go, the 7th caution came out because Jason Leffler was in trouble. Most of the leaders pitted, but cars that stayed out took the first six places on the restart, led by Kurt Busch. The race restarted with 29 laps to go.
With 25 laps to go, Busch and Biffle pulled out into a 2 second lead, vying together for first place. Greg Biffle finally retook the lead on lap 228 and kept it to win the race ahead of Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch, with only 0.525 of a second separating the top three men.
UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400
The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 is run over 267 laps of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ryan Newman started on pole. Greg Biffle soon took over. The first caution came out on lap 12. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. touched Brian Vickers coming into turn 1. Bobby Labonte and Ricky Rudd were also involved. All four cars left the race. On the restart on lap 20, Kurt Busch was in the lead, with Greg Biffle again taking over son after.
Ryan Newman then got up to within 0.5 seconds of Greg Biffle, and that position remained for a long run under green, which ended on lap 59 when Robby Gordon's engine blew up bringing out the second caution. Sterling Marlin stayed out to lead a lap, but at the restart Travis Kvapil led over Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle in second and third respectively. Shortly after the restart, on lap 65, a crash involvign Matt Kenseth nudged the back of Elliott Sadler's car, bringing out the third caution. Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart were also involved, though Stewart's car only received minor damage.
The restart came on lap 70, with the field led by Ryan Newman, Travis Kvapil, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle. Around lap 77, Matt Kenseth went a lap down after a tyre went down as a result of his touching Sadler a few laps back.
Lap 86 saw the fourth caution after Jason Leffler, trying to get onto pit road, was nudged by Ken Schrader. Most drivers pitted, with Kasey Kahne ending up in the lead from Newman and Kvapil. Kurt Busch was leading from Johnson and Biffle when the sixth caution came out around lap 126. An error in the pits, however, saw Kvapil drop down the field to 23rd place.
Jimmie Johnson took over the lead around lap 147. On lap 175, the race-record seventh caution came out for debris, with Johnson still in the lead. Newman took the green from Johnson, Busch and Biffle. Trouble happened when Scott Riggs bringing out the eighth caution with 74 laps to go, with Elliott Sadler getting the free pass.
Newman, Johnson and Nemechek led at the restart, with Johnson swiftly regaining the lead. Debris brought out yet another caution with 62 laps to go. Newman and Johnson battled for the lead on the restart. With 44 to go Hermie Sadler crashed into a wall inside the track bringing out yet another caution with Johnson leading over Gordon. The battle resumed with 39 laps left. Newman got into the back of Grodon with 34 laps to go, which caused them to lose 3 positions.
With 15 to go, Jimmie Johnson had got a 1.5 second lead over Kyle Busch, who was 5 seconds ahead of Kurt Busch. An error by Johnson lost him 0.8 seconds, but he then extended his lead again, and he won from Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch.
Golden Corral 500
The Golden Corral 500 was held on March 20th at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Carl Edwards won the race, edging out driver Jimmie Johnson. Johnson switched the lead with Greg Biffle for most of the race.
Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held on April 3rd at Bristol.
1. Kevin Harvick 2. Elliott Sadler 3. Tony Stewart
Advance Auto Parts 500
The Advance Auto Parts 500 was held on April 10th at Martinsville.
Jeff Gordon won the race. He rallied from 3 laps down to win his sixth victory at Martinsville and his 71st career victory. Kasey Kahne was the runner-up and Mark Martin finished third.
Samsung/RadioShack 500
The Samsung/RadioShack 500 was held on April 17th at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Greg Biffle had a dominating performance, leading 219 of 334 laps, on route to victory. Jamie McMurray was second and Jimmie Johnson third.
Subway Fresh 500
The Subway Fresh 500 was a night race held on April 23rd at Phoenix International Raceway. This race was the first of two races held at Phoenix for the 2005 Nextel Cup season after only running one race in previous years.
Kurt Busch won the race. Michael Waltrip was the runner-up, leading a DEI resurgence. Jeff Burton finished third.
Aaron's 499
The Aaron's 499 was held on May 1st at Talladega.
Jeff Gordon won his third race of the year leading a dominating 139 of 194 laps for his 72nd career [Nextel Cup] win, winning 4 of his last 5 restrictor plate races, holding off Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip during a green-white-checkered finish. Notable events during the race:
Lap 132: The "Big One" strikes, with 25 cars involved in a wreck, when Mike Wallace, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. get together. Jeff Hammond's damage estimate: $8 million.(Note: 25 is not the record, missed the track record of 27 cars on April 8th, 2003 by 2, and the all-time record, a 37-car crash in the February 13, 1960 Daytona 500 by 12.)
Lap 186: 6 car crash, taking out a few of the leaders that had not been involved in the prior crash.
Scheduled distance: 188 laps. (501 mi, 807 km) Actual distance: 194 laps. (517 mi, 833 km)
Dodge Charger 500
The Dodge Charger 500 was held on May 7th at Darlington Raceway and was the first nighttime race held at the track. The race also broke two NASCAR traditions by being the only race held at Darlington in 2005 and by running the race on Mother's Day weekend.
Greg Biffle led a race-high 176 of 370 laps en route to his third Nextel Cup victory of 2005. With four laps to go, Biffle's Roush Racing teammate Mark Martin spun out (sliding into the apron)trying to pass third-place runner and pole-sitter Kasey Kahne. Biffle took two tires on his final pit stop, while race leader Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader stayed out. He passed both of them on a green-white-checkered restart after they spun their tires. Jeff Gordon finished second, followed by Kahne, Martin, and Newman, who fell back three spots in two laps. Schrader finished in 18th position.
Scheduled distance: 367 laps. (500.322 mi, 805.26 km.) Actual distance: 370 laps. (505.42 mi, 813.4 km.)
Chevy American Revolution 400
The Chevy American Revolution 400 was a night race held on May 14th at Richmond International Raceway.
Points leader Jimmie Johnson spun out and hit the wall on lap 81 and did it again while coming to pit road. He ended up finishing 40th and losing valuable ground in the points standings. Teammate Jeff Gordon had similar problems on lap 165 and ended up finishing 39th and losing second place in the standings to Greg Biffle. Kasey Kahne led 242 of 400 laps and pulled away from Tony Stewart in the closing laps to win his first Nextel Cup race in 47 starts, followed by Ryan Newman, rookie Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick. After winning this race, Kahne ended up accomplished several tasks during the weekend. He moved up four spots in the standings to 15th position, won the pole for this race and the Busch Series race the day before, was the first driver to win in the new Dodge Charger in 2005, was the final driver to qualify for the Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and gave Evernham Motorsports its second consecutive win at Richmond after Jeremy Mayfield's victory in September 2004.
Nextel All-Star Challenge
The Nextel-All Star Challenge was a non-points night race held on May 18th 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. 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 an incident in the infield between Nemechek and Kevin Harvick. Mark Martin won this race driving a special "retro" paint scheme that featured the old Valvoline colors but with Viagra as the sponsor. Ironically, his previous All-Star victory was in 1998 when Valvoline was his primary sponsor. Elliott Sadler finished in second place. The rest of the top-5 were Nextel Open winner Brian Vickers, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson, who are all teammates at Hendrick Motorsports.
In the Nextel Open qualifying race, Vickers spun out leader Mike Bliss on the last lap just before the start/finish line to win the event. Bliss was visibly upset.
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600 was a night race held on May 26th at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which was the fourth consecutive night race for Nextel Cup in May 2005. This race had 22 caution flags which broke the previous record of 20 held by Bristol Motor Speedway. There was also one red flag which set up the final restart of the night. After approximately 5 1/2 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. The rest of the top-5 were Carl Edwards, Jeremy Mayfield, and Ryan Newman with notable mention given to Ken Schrader in 9th, his second top ten of 2005 which has spearheaded his recent boon to 26th in the points standings.
MBNA Race Points 400
The MBNA Race Points 400 was held on June 5 at Dover International Speedway.
Since rain washed out qualifying for the event, the race lineup was determined by the point standings, Jimmie Johnson was on the pole. The MBNA Race Points 400 had 7 cautions for a total of 33 laps of the 400 completed. The drama began early when on lap 41 an unintentional spin of Jeff Gordon by Tony Stewart brought out the third caution. This ended Jeff Gordon's day with a DNF, which also collected Ricky Rudd. At this point in the race Kyle Busch is the leader. Just 11 laps later on lap 52, Bobby Labonte incurs another DNF with a blown engine. On lap 145 Kyle Busch reclaims the lead from race leader Elliott Sadler. On lap 285, the last caution of the race is brought out after Kasey Kahne hits the wall, and after pitting Greg Biffle takes the lead. On lap 374, the first in a series of green flag pit stops takes place. Greg Biffle takes 4 tires on lap 375 while Jimmie Johnson pits for right sides only on lap 384. At the finish of the race, Greg Biffle collects his 4th victory of the season, and had his only accident of the race during his burnout celebration.
