The 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup served as the ten-race playoff series among the top ten drivers in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. After the Chevy Rock and Roll 400

Chevy Rock and Roll 400

The Wonderful Pistachios 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Since 2004, the race has served as the last race in NASCAR's "regular season". After this race, the top twelve drivers in the standings advance to the ten-race...

 on September 10, 2005, the ten drivers atop the standings were locked into the playoff, with the participants as follows:

1. Tony Stewart
   Tony Stewart
   Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
   
    - Joe Gibbs Racing #20 (Joe Gibbs) — 5,050 points.
2. Greg Biffle
   Greg Biffle
   Gregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
   
    — Roush Racing #16 (Geoff Smith 1) - 5 points.
3. Rusty Wallace
   Rusty Wallace
   Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:...
   
    — Penske Racing #2 (Roger Penske) - 10 points.
4. Jimmie Johnson
   Jimmie Johnson
   Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
   
    — Hendrick Motorsports #48 (Jeff Gordon 2) - 15 points.
5. Kurt Busch
   Kurt Busch
   Kurt Thomas Busch is an American NASCAR and NHRA driver. He drives the No. 22 Shell Oil Company/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and will race on an "opportunity permitting" basis in the Pro Stock division of NHRA...
   
    — Roush Racing #97 (Georgetta Roush 3) - 20 points.
6. Mark Martin
   Mark Martin
   Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
   
    — Roush Racing #6 (Jack Roush) -25 points.
7. Jeremy Mayfield
   Jeremy Mayfield
   Jeremy Allen Mayfield is a former NASCAR driver who last competed in 2009 due to legal troubles and an indefinite suspension by NASCAR. Prior to 2009, Mayfield drove cars for the Sadler Brothers, T.W. Taylor, Cale Yarborough, Michael Kranefuss, Roger Penske, Ray Evernham, Bill Davis, and Gene Haas...
   
    — Evernham Motorsports #19 (Ray Evernham) -30 points.
8. Carl Edwards
   Carl Edwards
   Carl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
   
    — Roush Racing #99 (Jack Roush) -35 points.
9. Matt Kenseth
   Matt Kenseth
   Matthew Roy "Matt" Kenseth is an American stock car driver. Kenseth currently drives the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
   
    — Roush Racing #17 (Mark Martin 4) -35 points.
10. Ryan Newman
    Ryan Newman
    Ryan Joseph Newman is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He drives the #39 United States Army/Tornados/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala for Stewart Haas Racing under crew chief Tony Gibson. Newman graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a B.S. in vehicle structure engineering...
    
     — Penske Racing #12 (Roger Penske) -45 points.

NOTE: Some NASCAR multiple car teams will have owners other than the official listed owner. In the past, NASCAR would limit one car owner to two teams, and teams would find ways around it by having personnel other than the owner register the car in their name, such as employees and family members of car owners. That, plus Roush Racing having five of the ten cars in the 2005 Chase, has resulted in a NASCAR rule change limiting teams to four cars in 2006.

1 – Geoff Smith, the official owner of the #16, is the president of Roush Racing.

2 – Jeff Gordon is the official owner of the #48, though his work in signing Johnson to Hendrick Motorsports, licencing of merchandising through Hendrick Gordon Licensing LLC, and holds minority interest in the team.

3 – Georgetta Roush is Jack's mother, and the official owner of the #97.

4 – Mark Martin is the official owner of the #17 because of his work in signing Kenseth, and holds minority interest in that team.

The most points that can be gained by a driver in a race is 156.

Sylvania 300 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Ryan Newman (1)
2. Tony Stewart (2)
3. Matt Kenseth (3)
4. Greg Biffle (5)
5. Rusty Wallace (6)
6. Mark Martin (7)
7. Jimmie Johnson (8)
8. Jeremy Mayfield (16)
9. Carl Edwards (19)
10. Kurt Busch (35)

Standings after race one:

1. Stewart 5,230 pts (leader)
2. Biffle -20 pts (unchanged)
3. Newman -40 pts (+7 places)×
4. Wallace -40 pts (-1 place)
5. Kenseth -50 pts (+4 places)
6. Johnson -53 pts (-3 places)
7. Martin -54 pts (-2 places)
8. Mayfield -95 pts (- 1 place)
9. Edwards -109 pts (-1 place)
10. Kurt Busch -142 pts (-5 places)

×-Holds tiebreaker with one win.

MBNA RacePoints 400 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Jimmie Johnson (1)
2. Rusty Wallace (3)
3. Mark Martin (4)
4. Ryan Newman (5)
5. Jeremy Mayfield (7)
6. Carl Edwards (9)
7. Greg BIffle (13)
8. Tony Stewart (18)
9. Kurt Busch (23)
10. Matt Kenseth (35)

Standings after two races:

1. Johnson 5362 pts (+5 places)
2. R. Wallace -7 pts (+2 places)
3. Newman -12 pts (unchanged)
4. Martin -21 pts (+2 places)
5. Stewart -23 pts (-4 places)×
6. Biffle -23 pts (-3 places)
7. Mayfield -81 pts (+1 place)
8. Edwards -103 pts (+1 place)
9. Kenseth -124 pts (-4 places)
10. Kurt Busch -170 pts (unchanged)

×—Holds tiebreaker with more wins (5).

UAW-Ford 500 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Tony Stewart (2)
2. Matt Kenseth (3)
3. Ryan Newman (4)
4. Carl Edwards (5)
5. Kurt Busch (8)
6. Jeremy Mayfield (12)
7. Rusty Wallace (25)
8. Greg Biffle (27)
9. Jimmie Johnson (31)
10. Mark Martin (41)

Standings after three races:

1. Stewart 5,515 pts (+4 places)
2. Newman -4 pts (+1)
3. R. Wallace -76 pts (-1)
4. Johnson -82 pts (-3)
5. Biffle -98 pts (+1)
6. Edwards -100 pts (-2)
7. Kenseth -111 pts (+2)
8. Mayfield -112 pts (-1)
9. Martin -138 (-5)
10. Kurt Busch -180 (unchanged)

NOTE: Some media outlets reported that Newman was the new point leader by one point over Stewart after the race. NASCAR scoring freezes immediately upon a caution being signaled, and a caution was signaled on Lap 190 of 188 (the race was extended because of a late-race caution) midway through the lap after a crash. Under NASCAR rules for late-race situations, video of the race will be used with the AMB timing system intermediates to determine final placings. Stewart was ahead of Newman by two places when the caution light was signaled.

Banquet 400 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Mark Martin (1)
2. Greg Biffle (2)
3. Carl Edwards (3)
4. Tony Stewart (4)
5. Matt Kenseth (5)
6. Jimmie Johnson (6)
7. Rusty Wallace (7)
8. Kurt Busch (14)
9. Jeremy Mayfield (16)
10. Ryan Newman (23)

Standings after four races:

1. Stewart 5,684 pts (unchanged)
2. Newman -75 pts (unchanged)
3. Biffle -88 pts (+2 places)
4. R. Wallace -90 pts (-1)
5. Johnson -92 pts (-1)
6. Edwards -95 pts (unchanged)
7. Martin -113 pts (+2)
8. Kenseth -116 pts (-1)
9. Mayfield -157 pts (-1)
10. Kurt Busch -224 pts (unchanged)

UAW-GM Quality 500 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Jimmie Johnson (1)
2. Kurt Busch (2)
3. Greg Biffle (3)
4. Mark Martin (5)
5. Ryan Newman (7)
6. Carl Edwards (10)
7. Jeremy Mayfield (11)
8. Rusty Wallace (24)
9. Tony Stewart (25)
10. Matt Kenseth (26)

Standings after five races:

1. Stewart 5,777 Points (unchanged)×
2. Johnson tied (+ 3 places)
3. Biffle -11 pts (unchanged)
4. Newman -17 pts (- 2)
5. Martin -51 pts (+2)
6. Edwards -54 pts (unchanged)
7. R. Wallace -92 pts (-3)
8. Mayfield -15 pts (+1)
9. Kenseth -124 pts (-1)
10. Kurt Busch -142 pts (unchanged)

× — Holds tiebreaker with more wins (5).

Subway 500 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Tony Stewart (2)
2. Jimmie Johnson (3)
3. Kurt Busch (6)
4. Ryan Newman (10)
5. Matt Kenseth (12)
6. Rusty Wallace (19)
7. Greg Biffle (20)
8. Carl Edwards (26)
9. Jeremy Mayfield (28)
10. Mark Martin (34)

Standings after six races:

1. Stewart 5,957 pts (unchanged)
2. Johnson -15 pts (unchanged)
3. Newman - 63 pts (+1 place)
4. Biffle - 83 pts (-1)
5. Edwards -149 pts (+1)
6. R. Wallace -166 pts (+1)
7. Martin -170 pts (-2)
8. Kurt Busch -172 pts (+2)×
9. Kenseth -172 pts (unchanged)
10. Mayfield -216 pts (-2)

×—Holds tiebraeker with more wins (3).

Bass Pro Shops MBNA Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Carl Edwards (1)
2. Mark Martin (3)
3. Matt Kenseth (5)
4. Greg Biffle (7)
5. Tont Stewart (9)
6. Jimmie Johnson (16)
7. Ryan Newman (23)
8. Kurt Busch (36)
9. Rusty Wallace (37)
10. Jeremy Mayfield (38)

Standings with three races to go:

1. Stewart 6,100 pts (unchanged)
2. Johnson -43 pts (unchanged)
3. Biffle -75 pts (+1 place)
4. Edwards -107 pts (+1)×
5. Newman -107 pts (-2)
6. Martin -143 pts (+1)
7. Kenseth -155 pts (+2)
8. R. Wallace -257 pts (-2)
9. Kurt Busch -260 pts (-1)
10. Mayfield -310 pts (unchanged)

×—Owns tiebreaker with more wins (3).

Note: Some media outlets said R. Wallace, Kurt Busch, and Mayfield were mathematically eliminated from the championship. That is not true. The most points a driver can make up in a race is 156 points, and in theory, all three drivers would have to have big points days when the leaders falter. However, no driver can be eliminated officially until a driver is behind the leader by 156 points multiplied by the number of races remaining. A driver is still in contention as long as the difference between the leader and such driver is no greater than 156 points (the difference between first and 43rd) multiplied by the number of races remaining, provided said drivers start all remaining races.

Dickies 500 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Actual finish in parentheses.

1. Carl Edwards (1)
2. Mark Martin (2)
3. Matt Kenseth (3)
4. Jimmie Johnson (5)
5. Tony Stewart (6)
6. Kurt Busch (10)
7. Greg Biffle (20)
8. Rusty Wallace (22)
9. Ryan Newman (25)
10. Jeremy Mayfield (35)

Standings with two races to go:

1. Stewart 6,250 pts (unchanged)
2. Johnson -35 pts (unchanged)
3. Edwards -77 pts (+1 position)
4. Biffle -122 pts (-1)
5. Martin -123 pts (+1)
6. Kenseth -140 pts (+1)
7. Newman -169 pts (-2)
8. Kurt Busch -276 pts (+1)
9. R. Wallace -310 pts (-1)
10. Mayfield -402 pts (unchanged)§

§ — Mathematically eliminated from the chase.

Checker Auto Parts 500 Running Order among Chase Drivers

On Sunday, November 13, Roush Racing

Roush Racing

Roush Fenway Racing is a racing team competing in NASCAR racing. As one of NASCAR's largest premier racing teams, Roush runs teams in the Sprint and Nationwide Series, and formerly in the Camping World Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series.Roush first entered NASCAR competition in 1988, but had...

 suspended Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch

Kurt Thomas Busch is an American NASCAR and NHRA driver. He drives the No. 22 Shell Oil Company/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and will race on an "opportunity permitting" basis in the Pro Stock division of NHRA...

 prior to the running of the Checker Auto Parts 500

Checker Auto Parts 500

The Kobalt Tools 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. The race is sponsored by Lowe's through its Kobalt Tools brand.-Past winners:*1998: Race shortened due to rain....

 race at Phoenix International Raceway

Phoenix International Raceway

Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...

 after being arrested for charges against him of reckless driving off the track. By NASCAR rules, the team remains in the Chase, although for the Owner's Championship only for teams.

Actual finish in parentheses (Drivers only).

1. Greg Biffle (2)
2. Tony Stewart (4)
3. Carl Edwards (6)
4. Jimmie Johnson (7)
5. Ryan Newman (12)
6. Mark Martin (14)
7. Jeremy Mayfield (19)
8. Rusty Wallace (29)
9. Matt Kenseth (32)

NOTE: Kenny Wallace

Kenny Wallace

Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...

, who was replacing Kurt Busch because of his suspension by Roush Racing because of his arrest for reckless driving, will earn owners' points for the #97. By NASCAR rules, owner points are calculated as part of the Chase. K. Wallace finished 16th.

Standings with only the Ford 400

Ford 400

The Ford 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida.The race is relatively new on the NASCAR circuit, first being run in 1999. Since 2002, the Ford 400 has been part of the Ford Championship Weekend, the last week of the NASCAR season. Starting...

 remaining (Drivers only):

1. Stewart 6,255 pts (unchanged)
2. Johnson -52 pts (unchanged)
3. Edwards -87 pts (unchanged)
4. Biffle -102 pts (unchanged)
5. Martin -162 pts (unchanged)§
6. Newman -207 pts (+1 position)§
7. Kenseth -288 pts (-1 position driver)§
8. R. Wallace -395 pts (+1 position driver)§
9. Kurt Busch -441 pts (-1 position)Ť
10. Mayfield -476 pts (unchanged)§

§ — Mathmaticially eliminated from championship competition (Being 190 points or back from the leader - 156 points once the final race starts).

≈ — Kurt Busch was suspended for the final two races by Roush Racing after his arrest because of reckless driving charges.

Ford 400 Running Order among Chase Drivers

Jimmie Johnson was eliminated on Lap 127 when a tire blew and he crashed into Turn Three at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...

, Carl Edwards led the most laps, and Greg Biffle won the race by .017 seconds over teammate Mark Martin leading a top four Roush Racing sweep, the team's third podium sweep (top three) in eleven races, but when Tony Stewart crossed the finish line in 15th place, he clinched the 2005 NEXTEL Cup championship.

Actual finish in parentheses (Drivers only):

1. Greg Biffle (1)
2. Mark Martin (2)
3. Matt Kenseth (3)
4. Carl Edwards (4)
5. Ryan Newman (7)
6. Jeremy Mayfield (10)
7. Rusty Wallace (13)
8. Tony Stewart (15)
9. Jimmie Johnson (40)

Kenny Wallace, driving for suspended driver Kurt Busch, finished 21st, and the #97 team finished eighth in owner points, 336 points behind the #20.

Final standings (Drivers only) - NASCAR Awards:

1. Tony Stewart 6,533 Points (Champion) - $6,173,633
2. Greg Biffle -35 points × (+2 Places) - $2,624,124
3. Carl Edwards -35 points (Unchanged) - $2,003,164
4. Mark Martin -105 points (+1 Place) - $1,727,115
5. Jimmie Johnson -127 points (-3 Places) - $1,700,048
6. Ryan Newman -174 points (Unchanged) - $1,381,404
7. Matt Kenseth -181 points (Unchanged) - $1,243,360
8. Rusty Wallace -353 points y (Unchanged) - $1,201,850
9. Jeremy Mayfield -460 points y (+1 Place) - $1,174,177
10. Kurt Busch -535 points (-304 #97 team overall) y (-1 Place) - $1,151,543

52. Kenny Wallace -6,157 points (-304 #97 team overall) y - $36,471

Nextel Cup Top Ten bonus monies do not include a share of the Nextel Cup Leader Bonus left unclaimed at the end of 2005.

× — Biffle finishes second because he had more wins (six) than Edwards (four).

y - Because of Kurt Busch's suspension from the final two races of 2005, and the #97 team's overall eight-place owner points position, the payouts for 8th, 9th, and 10th places are different.

• Rusty Wallace, who finished 8th in driver points, will receive 8th place awards from Sprint Nextel
  Sprint Nextel
  Sprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
  
  , and the NASCAR Driver Points Fund award, but the 9th place NASCAR Owner Points Fund award.
• Jeremy Mayfield, who finished 9th in driver points, receives the 9th place Nextel Cup and NASCAR Driver Points awards, and the 10th place NASCAR Owner Points awards.
• Kurt Busch, who finished 10th after the suspension, receives the 10th place Nextel Cup and NASCAR Driver Points awards, and 17/18ths of the #97 team's 8th place position in the NASCAR Owner Points Fund.
  • Kenny Wallace drove the #97 car for the last two races, receiving a 1/18ths share (2 of 36 races) of the team's 8th place NASCAR Owner Points fund for the two races he drove.