2006 NASCAR Busch Series

The 25th season of the NASCAR Busch Series opened February 18, 2006, at Daytona International Speedway and concluded November 18, 2006, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kevin Harvick, driving for not only his own team, Kevin Harvick Incorporated, and for Richard Childress Racing, was declared champion.

Invasion of the "Busch Whackers"

There has been some controversy of the use of NEXTEL Cup teams with their drivers in Busch Series races, most notably at NEXTEL Cup tracks where there are Busch Series support races. This has been dubbed by FOX Sports announcer Mike Joy as "Busch Whacking", and many underfunded (or one-car) teams have failed to qualify for these races because of this. The 2006 season has been notable for those "double duty" drivers even traveling to sites where there are stand-alone races at Nashville Superspeedway, Kentucky Speedway, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and The Milwaukee Mile just to name a few, even on the rare weeks where there are no NEXTEL Cup races. Kentucky was the big upset where one of the underfunded one-car teams took advantage and pulled off the big upset. In the end, Kevin Harvick, who drives for Richard Childress Racing in the Cup series, won the 2006 championship on October 13, the second of his career having previously won in 2001. There is talk about limiting the number of "Busch Whackers" in each race or capping the double-dippers appearances for the entire season and even having a "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup" playoff system in place for the 2007 season since Harvick was so domiment during 2006 as NEXTEL Cup drivers won every race but two in the season.

chedule

2006 complete schedule

All races are held in flagicon|USA unless specified otherwise

All times are in Eastern Time

2006 Team Chart

The following is a list of all full-time teams as of race 5 in the 2006 season.

Races

Hershey's Kissables 300

The Hershey's Kissables 300 race was held February 18, 2006, at Daytona International Speedway. J. J. Yeley won the pole.

Top Ten Results

# #33 Tony Stewart
# #77 Burney Lamar
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #47 Jon Wood
# #29 Kevin Harvick
# #32 Jason Leffler
# #06 Todd Kluever
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #27 Mark Green

Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (#0), Jay Sauter (#01), Kevin Lepage (#56), Chad Chaffin (#05), Larry Hollenbeck (#62), Chris Wimmer (#23).

tater Brothers 300

On February 25, 2006, the Busch Series took to California Speedway for this 300-mile race. Carl Edwards was the polesitter.

Top Ten Results

# #16 Greg Biffle
# #39 Ryan Newman
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #21 Jeff Burton
# #64 Jamie McMurray
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #33 Kevin Harvick
# #57 Brian Vickers
# #20 Denny Hamlin

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#49), David Gilliland (#84), Chris Wimmer (#23).

Telcel-Motorola 200

This road-course race took place March 5, 2006 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. Boris Said won the pole.

Top Ten Results

# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #9 Boris Said
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #11 Paul Menard
# #00 Johnny Sauter
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #90 Marc Goossens
# #64 Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: Eduardo Goeters (#49), Stan Silva Jr. (#65), and Chris Wimmer (#23).

am's Town 300

On March 11, 2006, the Busch Series raced at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth started from the pole position.

Top ten results
# #9 Kasey Kahne
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #64 Jamie McMurray
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #41 Reed Sorenson

Failed to qualify: Jorge Goeters (#49), Kertus Davis (#0), Chris Wimmer (#23).

Nicorette 300

The Nicorette 300 was held March 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch was the polesitter.

Top ten results
# #21 Jeff Burton
# #9 Kasey Kahne
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #32 Jason Leffler
# #57 Brian Vickers
# #77 Burney Lamar
# #64 Jamie McMurray
# #11 Paul Menard

Failed to qualify: Jorge Goeters (#49), Steadman Marlin (#95), Chris Wimmer (#23)

harpie Mini 300

This race was held March 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Qualifying was snowed out and the field was set by current owner points. As a result, Kevin Harvick started from pole. The race was also halted by snow and drivers, crews, and fans amused themselves by throwing snowballs and building a snowman. The race was restarted after a 90 minute delay and run full-distance.

Top Ten results

# #5 Kyle Busch
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #9 Scott Riggs
# #33 Ron Hornaday
# #22 Kenny Wallace
# #10 John Andretti
# #00 Johnny Sauter

Failed to qualify: Brad Teague (#05), Shane Hall (#28), Caleb Holman (#75), Jerry Robertson (#72)

O'Reilly 300

This race was held April 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. The race finished under a green-white-checker finish and was won by Kurt Busch in his first Busch Series start.

Top Ten Results

# Kurt Busch (#39)
# Greg Biffle (#16)
# Casey Mears (#32)
# Kyle Busch (#5)
# Matt Kenseth (#17)
# Jeff Burton (#21)
# Paul Menard (#11)
# Kevin Harvick (#33)
# Scott Wimmer (#66)
# Denny Hamlin (#20)

Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (#0), Jorge Goeters (#49), Chris Wimmer (#23)

Pepsi 300

This race was held April 15 at Nashville Superspeedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole.

Top ten results
# Kevin Harvick (#21)
# Clint Bowyer (#2)
# Denny Hamlin (#20)
# J. J. Yeley (#18)
# Carl Edwards (#60)
# Jon Wood (#47)
# Burney Lamar (#77)
# Kenny Wallace (#22)
# Paul Menard (#11)
# Michael Waltrip (#99)

Failed to qualify: Jason White (#08)

Bashas' Supermarkets 200

This race was held April 21 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole. The race finished under a green-white-checker finish as Kevin Harvick won his second race in a row.

Top Ten Results:

# Kevin Harvick (#21)
# Reed Sorenson (#41)
# Carl Edwards (#60)
# Kurt Busch (#39)
# Mark Martin (#6)
# Matt Kenseth (#17)
# Greg Biffle (#16)
# David Green (#27)
# Casey Mears (#42)
# Jamie McMurray (#64)

Failed to Qualify: Jay Sauter (#01), Marc Mitchell (#23), Jorge Goeters (#49), Chis Cook (#56)

Aaron's 312

This race was held April 29 at Talladega Superspeedway. J. J. Yeley won the pole.

Top ten results
# Martin Truex Jr. (#8)
# Kevin Harvick (#21)
# Kyle Busch (#5)
# Brian Vickers (#57)
# Clint Bowyer (#2)
# Greg Biffle (#16)
# Mark McFarland (#88)
# Johnny Sauter (#00)
# Paul Menard (#11)
# Carl Edwards (#60)

As there were the maximum of forty-three cars to race, there were no drivers or teams that failed to qualify.

Circuit City 250

This race was held May 5 and May 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole. The race start was delayed approximately 1 hour for rain, after 13 laps rain fell again and the race was stopped for approximately another 43 minutes. The race eventually finished after midnight local time, resulting in the race occurring over two days. Kevin Harvick won his third Busch race of the year.

Top ten results
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #29 Jeff Burton
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #39 Ryan Newman
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #11 Paul Menard
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #20 Denny Hamlin

Failed to Qualify: Jason Keller (#34), Jorge Goeters (#28), Shane Hall (#49), Kevin Conway (#40), Joel Kauffman (#12), Kertus Davis (#0), A.J. Foyt IV (#14)

Diamond Hill Plywood 200

This race was held May 12 at Darlington Raceway. Denny Hamlin won from the pole.

# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #64 Jamie McMurray
# #6 Mark Martin
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #38 Jason Leffler

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#49), Morgan Shepherd (#0), Shane Hall (#28)

Carquest Auto Parts 300

This race was held May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

Top ten results

# #60 Carl Edwards
# #39 Kurt Busch
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #42 Casey Mears
# #8 Martin Truex, Jr.
# #29 Jeff Burton
# #48 Jimmie Johnson
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #06 Todd Kluever
# #35 Regan Smith

Failed to qualify: Aaron Fike (#43), David Gilliland (#84), Stanton Barrett (#72), Joel Kauffman (#12), Eric McClure (#04), Kertus Davis (#34), Kevin Conway (#40)

tonebridgeracing.com 200

This race was held June 3 at Dover International Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, and the field was set by the rulebook, with the top 30 teams taking the first fifteen rows. Because of that, Kevin Harvick was awarded the pole position.

Top ten results:

# #29 Jeff Burton
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #39 Kurt Busch
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #33 Ron Hornaday
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #41 Reed Sorenson

As there were the maximum of forty-three cars needed to race, no drivers or teams failed to qualify.

Federated Auto Parts 300

This race was held June 10 at Nashville Superspeedway. Todd Kluever won the pole.

top ten results

# #60 Carl Edwards
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #11 Paul Menard
# #99 David Reutimann
# #66 Greg Biffle
# #47 Jon Wood
# #25 Ashton Lewis
# #50 Danny O'Quinn

Failed to qualify: Jerry Robertson (#78), John Hayden (#85)

Meijer 300

This race was held June 17 at Kentucky Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. In a stunning upset, David Gilliland became the first winner in the 2006 season that was not on a team with a Nextel Cup driver.

Top ten results:
# #84 David Gilliland
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #1 Mike Wallace
# #25 Ashton Lewis
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #66 Greg Biffle
# #99 David Reutimann
# #11 Paul Menard
# #90 Stephen Leicht

Failed to qualify: John Hayden (#85), David Odell (#07), Stan Boyd (#23)

AT&T 250

This race was held June 24 at The Milwaukee Mile. Aric Almirola won the pole in the car normally driven by Denny Hamlin who actually drove the race in the car and started from the back. As a result, Paul Menard started the race from the pole position. He then went on to capture his first Busch series victory. This race was strange for the fact that only 41 cars started the race, instead of the usual 43.

Top ten results

# #11 Paul Menard
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #38 Jason Leffler
# #1 Mike Wallace
# #59 Stacy Compton
# #50 Danny O'Quinn
# #22 Kenny Wallace
# #00 Johnny Sauter
# #99 David Reutimann

Failed to qualify: none

Winn-Dixie 250

The Winn-Dixie 250 was held June 30 at Daytona International Speedway. J. J. Yeley won the pole.

Top ten results:
# #8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
# #57 Brian Vickers
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #1 Mike Wallace
# #88 Martin Truex, Jr.
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #10 John Andretti

Failed to qualify: none

USG Durock 300

This race was held July 8 at Chicagoland Speedway. Carl Edwards won the pole. Casey Mears captured his first NASCAR victory using an alternate fuel strategy.

Top ten results
# #42 Casey Mears
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #29 Jeff Burton
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #39 Kurt Busch
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #33 Tony Stewart
# #18 J. J. Yeley

Failed to Qualify: Derrike Cope (#49), Justin Diercks (#70), Carl Long (#23)

New England 200

This race was held July 15 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kyle Busch won the pole. Clint Bowyer dominated early in the race but Carl Edwards captured the victory.

Top ten results:
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #11 Paul Menard
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #00 Johnny Sauter
# #9 Scott Riggs
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #66 Scott Wimmer
# #16 Greg Biffle

Failed to qualify: none

Goody's 250

The Goody's 250 was held July 22 at Martinsville Speedway. Clint Bowyer won the pole.

Top Ten Results

# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #00 Johnny Sauter
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #10 John Andretti
# #38 Jason Leffler
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #01 Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: Richard Landreth (#89)

Busch Silver Celebration 250

The Busch Silver Celebration 250 was held July 29 at Gateway International Raceway. Denny Hamlin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

# #60 Carl Edwards
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #66 Scott Wimmer
# #27 David Green
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #22 Kenny Wallace
# #56 Kevin Grubb

Failed to qualify: Brad Teague (#05), Shane Hall (#49), Kevin Hamlin (#12)

Kroger 200

The Kroger 200 was held August 5 at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Denny Hamlin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #29 Jeff Burton
# #50 Danny O'Quinn
# #01 Jay Sauter
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #11 Paul Menard
# #60 Carl Edwards

Failed to Qualify: Todd Shafer (#28)

Zippo 200

This race was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International. Kurt Busch won the race from the pole.

Top ten results: "202.45 miles/83 laps due to green-white-checkered rule."
# #39 Kurt Busch
# #7 Robby Gordon
# #64 Jamie McMurray
# #66 Greg Biffle
# #10 John Andretti
# #88 Martin Truex, Jr.
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #9 Boris Said
# #33 Ron Fellows
# #1 Scott Pruett

Failed to Qualify: Stan Silva, Jr. (#65), Eduardo Troconis (#23), John Finger (#49)

Carfax 250

This race was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results: "127 laps/254 miles due to green-white-checkered rule."

# #8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
# #42 Casey Mears
# #88 Robby Gordon
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #6 Mark Martin
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #29 Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Dexter Bean (#49)

Food City 250

This race was held August 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

Top ten results:

# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #33 Ron Hornaday
# #9 Kasey Kahne
# #38 Jason Leffler
# #39 Ryan Newman
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #99 David Reutimann
# #11 Paul Menard

Failed to qualify: Carl Long (#89), Caleb Holman (#75), D. J. Kennington (#72), Brad Keselowski (#23)

Ameriquest 300

This race was held September 2 at California Speedway. Clint Bowyer won the pole.

Top ten results:

# #9 Kasey Kahne
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #6 Mark Martin
# #11 Paul Menard
# #25 Ashton Lewis
# #33 Tony Stewart
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #47 Jon Wood
# #88 Robby Gordon
# #01 Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#49)

Emerson Radio 250

This race will be held September 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top ten results:

# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #11 Paul Menard
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #32 Dave Blaney
# #66 Scott Wimmer
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #9 Scott Riggs

Failed to qualify: Chris Cook (#43), Hermie Sadler (#28), Justin Diercks (#70), Josh Krug (#37), Shane Hall (#49)

Dover 200

This race was held September 23 at Dover International Speedway. Scott Riggs won the pole. Clint Bowyer held off Matt Kenseth in a green-white-checker finish.

Top ten results:
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #64 Jamie McMurray
# #38 Jason Leffler
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #99 Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: none

Yellow Transportation 300

The Yellow Transportation 300 was held September 30 at Kansas Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

Top ten results:
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #5 Kyle Busch
# #33 Tony Stewart
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #16 Greg Biffle
# #77 Bobby Labonte
# #11 Paul Menard

Failed to qualify: Randy LaJoie (#37), Steadman Marlin (#95)

Dollar General 300

This race was held October 13 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards started from the pole. Dave Blaney would earn his first career Busch Series win, and Kevin Harvick, despite failing to finish on the lead lap for the only time in the 2006 season, clinched the Busch Series Championship following a wreck involving second-place driver Carl Edwards and Casey Mears on lap 199 (at the start-finish line from lap 198 to lap 199) of a scheduled 200-lap race.

Top ten results: "203 laps/304.5 miles due to the green-white-checker rule"

# #32 Dave Blaney
# #99 Michael Waltrip
# #59 Stacy Compton
# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #50 Danny O'Quinn
# #00 Johnny Sauter
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #33 Kevin Harvick
# #25 Ashton Lewis, Jr.

Failed to qualify: Tim Sauter (#36), Kertus Davis (#0), Robert Richardson (#80), Eric McClure (#04), Derrike Cope (#49)

am's Town 250

This race was held October 28 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Johnny Sauter won the pole. Juan Pablo Montoya made his NASCAR debut in this race.

Top ten results:

# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #00 Johnny Sauter
# #88 Shane Huffman
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #50 Danny O'Quinn
# #9 Kasey Kahne
# #18 J. J. Yeley

Failed to qualify: Ron Young (#71), Stanton Barrett (#95), Chris Wimmer (#0), Shane Hall (#49), Richard Landreth (#89), Chuck Barnes Jr. (#07)

O'Reilly Challenge

This race was held on November 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results:
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #19 Tony Stewart
# #29 Jeff Burton
# #6 Mark Martin
# #33 Ron Hornaday
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #77 Bobby Labonte
# #06 Todd Kluever

Failed to qualify: Justin Diercks (#70), Robert Richardson II (#80), Jerry Robertson (#78), Derrike Cope (#49), Jorge Goeters (#63)

Arizona.travel 200

The Arizona.travel 200 was held November 11 at Phoenix International Raceway. Sam Hornish, Jr., the 2006 IRL champion, made his NASCAR debut here. Matt Kenseth won race from the pole.

Top ten results: "203 miles/203 laps due to green-white-checkered rule."

# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #2 Clint Bowyer
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #41 Reed Sorenson
# #88 Shane Huffman
# #33 Ron Hornaday
# #5 Kyle Busch

Failed to qualify: Mike Skinner (#12), D.J. Kennington (#72), Shane Hall (#49), Josh Krug (#37)

Ford 300

The Ford 300 was held November 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

Top Ten Results:

# #17 Matt Kenseth
# #60 Carl Edwards
# #11 Paul Menard
# #20 Denny Hamlin
# #18 J. J. Yeley
# #21 Kevin Harvick
# #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
# #9 Kasey Kahne
# #06 Todd Kluever
# #00 Johnny Sauter

Failed to qualify: Robert Richardson (#80), Justin Diercks (#70), D.J. Kennington (#72), Kertus Davis (#0), Kraig Kinser (#04), DaWayne Bryan (#68), Morgan Shepherd (#14), Trevor Boys (#08)

Rookies

* A.J. Foyt IV - Released midseason from the #38 Great Clips team after team switched from Dodge to Chevrolet (Foyt IV is under contract to Dodge Motorsports and could not break the contract)
* Joel Kauffman - Fired midseason from the #12 SuperCuts Dodge
* Todd Kluever - #06 3M Ford
* Mark McFarland - Fired midseason from the #88 United States Navy Chevrolet
* Burney Lamar - Fired midseason from the #77 Dollar General Chevrolet
* Danny O’Quinn Jr. - #50 World Financial Group Ford
* Chris Wimmer

Also, John Andretti was officially considered a Busch Series rookie of the year contender for 2006, even though he is a Winston/Nextel Cup veteran.

ROTY favorite Lamar was released early from his ride at KHI while leading the standngs. Eventually, the ROTY came down to a fight between NEXTEL Cup veteral John Andretti and former USAR Pro Cup driver Danny O'Quinn Jr. Eventually, O'Quinn, despite being released for one race to prepare David Ragan for 2007, he still managed to hold off Andretti to win the title by only a point. Another preseason favorite and 2005 NCTS Rookie of the Year, Tood Kluever, struggled in his transition to the Busch Series. Another USAR driver, Mark McFarland, had an up and down year and was replaced by Shane Huffman. Joel Kauffman and Chris Wimmer made bids for ROTY, but were released from their rides. A.J. Foyt IV, in his transition to stock cars, was released due to a Dodge development deal.

Television

This was the last year that FOX Sports/FX, TNT, and NBC covered the Busch Series. Starting in 2007, as part of a new TV contract with the television networks of The Walt Disney Company, ESPN 2 will cover the entire Busch season with select races on ABC.

ee also

*2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
*2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series