2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series

file:KaseyKahneBristolAugust2007.jpg|thumb|Kasey Kahne, the 2004 NASCAR Rookie of the Year.
file:Nascarphx09.jpg|thumb|Chevrolet won the Manufacturer's championship with 22 wins.
The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 56th season of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series 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, who drove a Ford for Roush Racing, 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 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 words spread of the incident.

Races

Budweiser Shootout

The exhibition Budweiser Shootout was held on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway.
Top ten results

Gatorade Twin 125s

The Gatorade 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 were held on February 12 at Daytona International Speedway.
Race one: top ten results

Race two: top ten results

46th Daytona 500

Greg Biffle won the pole.
;Top 10 Results

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the Daytona 500 in his 5th attempt. He also scored the win on February 15, 6 years to the day that his father, Dale Earnhardt, won his only Daytona 500 in his 20th attempt.
Michael Waltrip turned over in the grass as part of a twelve-car pileup on lap 72.

Subway 400

The final Subway 400 was held on February 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: none

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

The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held on March 7 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results

Kyle Busch made his Cup Series debut, finishing 41st.
The finish saw Matt Kenseth score his second win in a row, as Kasey Kahne once again finished second.

Failed to qualify: Larry Gunselman

Golden Corral 500

The Golden Corral 500 was held on March 14 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400

The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 21 at Darlington Raceway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett

This was the last 400-mile race held at Darlington until 2020.

Food City 500

The Food City 500 was held on March 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd
Withdrew: Larry Foyt

Larry Foyt attempted the race with the #14 team but the car was confiscated by NASCAR for failing opening day inspection for a non-approved roof that did not fit the car templates which 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.
Dale Jarrett hit the wall with nearly five laps left. This Race was Red-flagged due to no overtime. The Race Restarted and Kurt Busch got his first win of the season.

Samsung/Radio Shack 500

The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held on April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole for the final time in his career.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kyle Busch, Morgan Shepherd, Andy Hillenburg, Andy Belmont

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.

Advance Auto Parts 500

The Advance Auto Parts 500 was held on April 18 at Martinsville Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kirk Shelmerdine

On lap 284, the concrete pavement in turn 3 broke up, creating a pothole. 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 back to 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 the NASCAR win list.

Aaron's 499

The Aaron's 499 was held on April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole for the final time in his career.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt, Todd Bodine, Kirk Shelmerdine

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 Jr.'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 attempt to pass Castroneves. This led to the implementation of the green-white-checkered finish rule in order to avoid such situations in the future.
This was Jeff Gordon's first restrictor plate win since this event in 2000.

Auto Club 500

The Auto Club 500 was held on May 2 at California Speedway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: none

The race marked the 19th time in his career that Jeff Gordon won back-to-back races.

Chevy American Revolution 400

The Chevy American Revolution 400 was held on May 15 at Richmond International Raceway. Brian Vickers won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett, Kirk Shelmerdine

Nextel Open

The Nextel Open was held on May 22 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Dave Blaney won the pole.
Top ten results

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. Kerry Earnhardt had initially won the fan vote, but as he failed to finish the event, Schrader moved on instead.

Nextel All-Star Challenge

The Nextel All-Star Challenge was held on May 22 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held on May 30 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Steve Park, Todd Bodine, Carl Long, Stanton Barrett, Geoff Bodine, Morgan Shepherd, Jeff Fultz, Kirk Shelmerdine, Andy Hillenburg

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"

The MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes" was held on June 6 at Dover International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results

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

Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler, Todd Bodine, Larry Gunselman

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.
Kasey Kahne was leading late in the race, when his car drove through oil from Casey Mears' car. Kahne hit the wall hard, and finished the race in 21st.
Only five cars finished on the lead lap.

Pocono 500

The Pocono 500 was held on June 13 at Pocono Raceway. Kasey Kahne won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Stanton Barrett, Andy Hillenburg

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

The DHL 400 was held on June 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt, Carl Long

For the second week in a row, the race ended under caution, this time for a spin by P.J. Jones.
Kasey Kahne got his fourth second-place finish of the season.

Dodge/Save Mart 350

The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held on June 27 at Infineon Raceway. Jeff Gordon won the pole and led 92 of the 110 laps en route to victory.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd

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

The Pepsi 400 was held on July 3 at Daytona International Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Chad Blount, Tony Raines, Derrike Cope, Kirk Shelmerdine, Eric McClure, Kenny Wallace

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.
All four Hendrick cars finished in the top ten. Gordon 1st, Johnson 2nd, Labonte 8th and Vickers 9th.

Tropicana 400

The Tropicana 400 was held on July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. 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.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Todd Bodine, Greg Sacks, Kirk Shelmerdine

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.

Siemens 300

The Siemens 300 was held on July 25 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

During the previous off-week, Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered second-and third-degree burns on his neck, chin and legs in a fiery accident during a practice session for the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway. Earnhardt would be relieved by his Busch Series driver Martin Truex Jr. for this race.

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, Kyle Busch, Ryan McGlynn

Pennsylvania 500

The Pennsylvania 500 was held on August 1 at Pocono Raceway. Casey Mears won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, Andy Hillenburg, A. J. Henriksen *

John Andretti served as a relief driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was still recovering from severe burns.
A.J. Henriksen's DNQ would mark the last appearance of Donlavey Racing in a NASCAR event.

Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held on August 8 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Casey Mears won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, Hermie Sadler, Morgan Shepherd, Greg Sacks, Andy Hillenburg, Geoff Bodine, Kirk Shelmerdine

Jeff Gordon became the first 4 time NASCAR winner at the Brickyard oval, and the only driver to do so until Jimmie Johnson in 2012. Gordon would join A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Rick Mears, and as of 2021 Helio Castroneves as the only 4-time winners in the entire history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
This race marked the first time that the green-white-checkered 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.
John Andretti was on standby for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. once again, although he was not needed this time as Junior ran the full distance.

Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen

The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was held on August 15 at Watkins Glen International. Jimmie Johnson started on the pole after qualifying was rained out and set to the current owners points.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Scott Pruett, Boris Said, Klaus Graf, Stanton Barrett

Tony Stewart put up a spectacular race, narrowly beating Ron Fellows for the win, despite suffering from severe illness.
Ron Fellows matched his best career finish in a Cup Series race after starting 43rd in the race.
This was Jeff 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 Ave made his first NASCAR Cup start in this race.

GFS Marketplace 400

The GFS Marketplace 400 was held on August 22 at Michigan International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson started on the pole after qualifying was rained out.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, Kerry Earnhardt, Kyle Busch, Kenny Wallace, J. J. Yeley, Mike Wallace, Stan Boyd, Stanton Barrett

All five Roush Racing cars finished in the top 10.
This was Carl Edwards' first start in the Nextel Cup Series as well as his first ever top ten finish.
Several drivers ran special Justice League themed cars in this race. The winner, Greg Biffle, carried The Flash on his car.

Sharpie 500

The Sharpie 500 was held on August 28 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler, Stanton Barrett, Brad Teague, Tony Ave, Ryan McGlynn

Dale Earnhardt Jr. scores his only win at Bristol. He also scored the win on August 28, 5 years to the day that his father, Dale Earnhardt, scored his 9th and final win at Bristol. August 28 is also his sister Kelley's birthday.
In his victory lane interview, Earnhardt Jr. coined the popular phrase, "It's Bristol, Baby!".

Pop Secret 500

The inaugural Pop Secret 500 was held on September 5 at California Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd, Kirk Shelmerdine, Hermie Sadler, Kevin Lepage, Mike Wallace

Portions of this race were filmed for the movie Herbie Fully Loaded.
Kasey Kahne got his fifth second-place finish of the season.
This was the only time Elliott Sadler would win multiple races in one season in his Cup career. It also turned out to be the final win of his Cup career.

Chevy Rock and Roll 400

The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 was held on September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Johnny Sauter, Tony Raines, Kevin Lepage, Greg Sacks, Hermie Sadler, Brad Teague, Ryan McGlynn, Morgan Shepherd, Carl Long

This race was 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.

Making The Chase - Starting with this year, and every year following until 2017, the fall race at Richmond served as the end of the Cup Series' regular season and as the cut off for making the Chase for the Nextel Cup. The Chase field for 2004 consisted of the following drivers:

Chase for the Nextel Cup

Sylvania 300

The Sylvania 300 was held on September 19 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With qualifying canceled due to rain, the starting lineup was set by owner points. Therefore Jeff Gordon started on the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, Martin Truex Jr., Johnny Sauter, Greg Sacks, Ryan McGlynn, Carl Long, Tony Raines, Stan Boyd

This was the first race of the new 10-race playoff format.
Tony Stewart saw his championship hopes end after unintentionally getting caught up in a wreck caused by Robby Gordon.
Kurt Busch completed a season sweep at New Hampshire.

MBNA America 400

The MBNA America 400 was held on September 26 at Dover International Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler, Derrike Cope, Greg Sacks, Carl Long, Kenny Hendrick, Stanton Barrett, Mike Garvey

Ryan Newman ran away with the win in this race, leading 325 of 400 laps and winning by a margin of 8.149 seconds.
This race is known for a bizarre incident in which Matt Kenseth crashed on top of the water barrels at the end of pit road.

EA Sports 500

The EA Sports 500 was held on October 3 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, Kirk Shelmerdine, Carl Long

At the finish line, on the last lap, Elliott Sadler flipped over just as he had done in the same race in 2003. He was uninjured, though.
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

The Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods was held on October 10 at Kansas Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Mike Garvey, Mike Wallace, Carl Long, Morgan Shepherd

This would be the 4th and final career victory for Joe Nemechek. As of 2018, Nemechek is the only driver to score each win with a 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.
The three branches of the United States military that were sponsors at the time finished 1-2-3.
Final win for MB2 Motorsports.

UAW-GM Quality 500

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held on October 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kenny Wallace, Derrike Cope, Mike Wallace, Carl Long, Kirk Shelmerdine, Larry Foyt, Hermie Sadler, Morgan Shepherd, Geoff Bodine

With the win, Jimmie Johnson swept the two Charlotte races in 2004.

Subway 500

The Subway 500 was held on October 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Carl Long, Brad Teague, Greg Sacks, Ryan McGlynn, Morgan Shepherd, Mike Garvey, Klaus Graf

The victory lane celebration was canceled after [2004 Martinsville Speedway|Martinsville plane crash|a tragic plane crash] that took the lives of key personnel in the Hendrick Motorsports stable.

Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500

The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held on October 31 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Scott Riggs, Scott Wimmer, Kerry Earnhardt, Johnny Sauter, Hermie Sadler, Mike Wallace, Derrike Cope, Randy LaJoie, Greg Sacks, Larry Foyt, Kirk Shelmerdine, Morgan Shepherd, Andy Belmont, Larry Hollenbeck, Kenny Wallace

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

The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held on November 7 at Phoenix International Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole. The race at Phoenix was very cloudy and a short chance of rain in cold weather.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Mike Garvey, Tony Raines, Stanton Barrett, Mario Gosselin, Ryan McGlynn, Geoff Bodine, Kirk Shelmerdine

The race was extended to 315 laps / 315 miles due to a green-white-checkered finish.
After two straight 33rd-place finishes at Martinsville due to a blown engine and Atlanta due to an 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 2020, Ryan Newman is the last driver to win 4 straight pole positions. Also, as of 2020, 2004 is the only season in NASCAR history that 2 drivers won 4 straight pole positions in a single season.

Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held on November 14 at Darlington Raceway. Qualifying was canceled due to rain and the starting lineup was set by owner's points so Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kevin Lepage, John Andretti, Derrike Cope, Carl Long, Travis Kvapil

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.
This would be the last Darlington race with the "Southern 500" name until 2009.
Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman were eliminated from Chase contention by being greater than 156 points behind the points leader.

Ford 400

The Ford 400 was held on November 21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results

Failed to qualify: Kyle Petty, Johnny Sauter, Mike Garvey, Tony Raines, Kevin Lepage, Todd Bodine, Larry Foyt, J. J. Yeley, Randy LaJoie, Morgan Shepherd, Kirk Shelmerdine, Carl Long, Geoff Bodine

This race was known as the deciding race of the 2004 Nextel Cup champion, in which five drivers were still mathematically alive for the championship including the points leader, Kurt Busch with an 18-point margin ahead of Jimmie Johnson, who earned the most wins in 2004, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and veteran Mark Martin. Those five chasers were separated by an 82-point margin from first to fifth for the final race. At the start of lap 1, Hermie Sadler got turned sideways while Mike Bliss was spun around but Johnson survived the wreck in the following caution. On lap 93, championship leader Kurt Busch lost a tire when he entered pit road, he lost the championship lead to Jeff Gordon, though Busch took back the points lead. With 3 laps to go, race leader Ryan Newman made some contact and lost the right side of the tire, the caution was out and set up a Green-white-checkered finish at Homestead. At the restart, Greg Biffle held off the hard-charging Hendrick teams of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon for the race lead and took the checkered flag to win the Ford 400, while Johnson and Gordon finished 2nd and 3rd. Kurt Busch won the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship with 8 points ahead of Johnson, the closest margin in Cup history
In victory lane, Busch dedicated his championship to the Hendrick family because of the plane crash four weeks prior at the Martinsville race.
Kurt Busch would become the 6th different champion in the last 6 years, a NASCAR Modern Era record, which would later be tied with the 2016-2021 seasons.

Full Drivers' Championship

Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Rookie of the Year

The Rookie of the year battle in 2004 marked the first time since 1998 that a rookie driver did not visit victory lane. The winner of the battle was dark horse candidate Kasey Kahne, who went from a 41st-place finish at the season opening Daytona 500, to being narrowly defeated by Matt Kenseth the next week at Rockingham, and he never looked back, grabbing fourteen top ten finishes and thirteen top-five finishes, as well as a couple of pole positions. Pre-season favorites Scott Wimmer and Brian Vickers struggled, although Wimmer placed third in the Daytona 500, but neither made competitive strides during the season. Brendan Gaughan was a pleasant surprise, posting four top tens and finishing runner-up to Kahne for the award, while Scott Riggs only had two-top ten finishes. The only other rookie, Johnny Sauter, was released from his ride mid-season due to poor performance and never made a challenge for the top honor.