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.

Contents 1 Invasion of the "Busch Whackers" 2 Schedule 3 2006 team chart 4 Races 4.1 Hershey's Kissables 300 4.2 Stater Brothers 300 4.3 Telcel-Motorola 200 4.4 Sam's Town 300 4.5 Nicorette 300 4.6 Sharpie Mini 300 4.7 O'Reilly 300 4.8 Pepsi 300 4.9 Bashas' Supermarkets 200 4.10 Aaron's 312 4.11 Circuit City 250 4.12 Diamond Hill Plywood 200 4.13 Carquest Auto Parts 300 4.14 Stonebridgeracing.com 200 4.15 Federated Auto Parts 300 4.16 Meijer 300 4.17 AT&T 250 4.18 Winn-Dixie 250 4.19 USG Durock 300 4.20 New England 200 4.21 Goody's 250 4.22 Busch Silver Celebration 250 4.23 Kroger 200 4.24 Zippo 200 4.25 Carfax 250 4.26 Food City 250 4.27 Ameriquest 300 4.28 Emerson Radio 250 4.29 Dover 200 4.30 Yellow Transportation 300 4.31 Dollar General 300 4.32 Sam's Town 250 4.33 O'Reilly Challenge 4.34 Arizona.travel 200 4.35 Ford 300 5 Rookies 6 Television 7 See also

[edit] 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.

[edit] Schedule

2006 complete schedule

All races are held in unless specified otherwise

All times are in Eastern Time

Date and time	Venue	Event	TV
02/18/2006 13:00	Daytona International Speedway	Hershey's Kissables 300	TNT
02/25/2006 18:00	California Speedway	Stater Bros. 300	FX
03/05/2006 14:00	Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez	Telcel-Motorola 200	Fox
03/11/2006 18:00	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	Sam's Town 300	FX
03/18/2006 15:00	Atlanta Motor Speedway	Nicorette 300	FX
03/25/2006 15:00	Bristol Motor Speedway	Sharpie Mini 300	Fox
04/08/2006 15:00	Texas Motor Speedway	O'Reilly 300	Fox
04/15/2006 15:30	Nashville Superspeedway	Pepsi 300	FX
04/21/2006 20:30	Phoenix International Raceway	Bashas' Supermarkets 200	FX
04/29/2006 15:00	Talladega Superspeedway	Aaron's 312	Fox
05/05/2006 19:30	Richmond International Raceway	Circuit City 250 presented by FUNAI	FX
05/12/2006 20:00	Darlington Raceway	Diamond Hill Plywood 200	FX
05/26/2006 19:30	Lowe's Motor Speedway	Carquest Auto Parts 300	FX
06/03/2006 15:00	Dover International Speedway	StonebridgeRacing.com 200	FX
06/10/2006 19:30	Nashville Superspeedway	Federated Auto Parts 300	FX
06/17/2006 19:30	Kentucky Speedway	Meijer 300 presented by Oreo	FX
06/24/2006 20:30	Milwaukee Mile	AT&T 250	FX
06/30/2006 19:30	Daytona International Speedway	Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo	FX
07/08/2006 16:00	Chicagoland Speedway	USG Durock 300	TNT
07/15/2006 15:00	New Hampshire International Speedway	New England 200	TNT
07/22/2006 15:30	Martinsville Speedway	Goody's 250	NBC
07/29/2006 20:00	Gateway International Raceway	Busch Silver Celebration 250 presented by Shop 'n Save	TNT
08/05/2006 21:00	O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis	Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children	TNT
08/12/2006 14:00	Watkins Glen International	Zippo 200	NBC
08/19/2006 14:45	Michigan International Speedway	Carfax 250	TNT
08/25/2006 19:30	Bristol Motor Speedway	Food City 250	TNT
09/02/2006 22:00	California Speedway	Ameriquest 300	TNT
09/08/2006 19:30	Richmond International Raceway	Emerson Radio 250	TNT
09/23/2006 15:00	Dover International Speedway	Dover 200	TNT
09/30/2006 15:00	Kansas Speedway	Yellow Transportation 300	TNT
10/13/2006 20:00	Lowe's Motor Speedway	Dollar General 300	TNT
10/28/2006 14:00	Memphis Motorsports Park	Sam's Town 250	NBC
11/04/2006 14:00	Texas Motor Speedway	O'Reilly Challenge	TNT
11/11/2006 15:30	Phoenix International Raceway	Arizona.Travel 200	NBC
11/18/2006 19:00	Homestead-Miami Speedway	Ford 300	TNT

[edit] 2006 team chart

List of full-time teams at the start of 2006.

Team	Car(s)	#	Driver(s)	Primary Sponsor(s)	Listed Owner(s)	Crew Chief
Biagi Brothers Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	4	Mark Green	GEICO/Brymak	Fred Biagi	Mark Tutor
Braun-Akins Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	32	Jason Leffler	Lucas Oil	Todd Braun	Todd Lohse
	Dodge Intrepid	38	A. J. Foyt IV (R)	Great Clips	Doug Stringer	Gere Kennon
Brewco Motorsports	Ford Taurus	27	David Green	Kimberly-Clark	Tammy Brewer	Stewart Cooper
		66	Greg Biffle/ Ken Schrader Scott Wimmer/ Bobby Labonte	Duraflame/Yard-Man	Clarence Brewer	Newt Moore
Chip Ganassi Racing	Dodge Intrepid	41	Reed Sorenson	Discount Tire Company	Chip Ganassi	Brian Pattie
Curb Agajanian Performance Group	Dodge Intrepid	43	Aaron Fike	Cay Clubs/RFMS, Inc.	Mike Curb	Joe Shear, Jr.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	11	Paul Menard	Menards	Teresa Earnhardt	Dan Stillman
Davis Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	0	Kertus Davis	RaceGirl	Johnny Davis	Steve Jenkins
Duesenberg & Leik Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	01	Jay Sauter	Western Union	Keith Dusenberg	Fred Wanke
Evernham Motorsports	Dodge Intrepid	9	Kasey Kahne/ Boris Said	Unilever	Ray Evernham	Trip Bruce
FitzBradshaw Racing	Dodge Intrepid	12	Joel Kauffman (R)	Supercuts	Mimi Fitz	Butch Hylton
		14	Tracy Hines (R)	Jani King/Take Me On Vacation	Armando Fitz	Eddie Buffington
Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	34	Mike Bliss	Sports Clips	Frank Cicci	Dave Fuge, Jr.
Hendrick Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	5	Kyle Busch	Lowe's	Rick Hendrick	Chad Walter
Jay Robinson Racing	Ford Taurus	49	Jorge Goeters (R)	Advil Liqui-Gels	Jay Robinson	Kenneth Campbell
Joe Gibbs Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	18	J. J. Yeley	Vigoro/The Home Depot	Joe Gibbs	Jason Ratcliff
		20	Denny Hamlin	Rockwell Automation		Dave Rogers
JR Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	88	Mark McFarland (R)	United States Navy	Dale Earnhardt, Jr.	Rich Hubbs
JTG Racing	Ford Taurus	47	Jon Wood	Clorox/American Red Cross	Jodi Geschickter	Jay Guy
		59	Stacy Compton	Kingsford	Tad Geschickter	Ernie Cope
Keith Coleman Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	23	Chris Wimmer (R)	Hotel Preston/LoveFifi.com	Keith Coleman	Ronnie Griffin
Kevin Harvick Incorporated	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	33	Tony Stewart/ Ron Hornaday Kevin Harvick/ Ron Fellows	Old Spice/Outdoor Channel Dollar General	Delana Harvick	Wally Rogers
		77	Burney Lamar (R)	Dollar General		Gene Nead
Haas CNC Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	00	Johnny Sauter	Yellow Transportation	Gene Haas	Harold Holly
McGill Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	36	Tim Sauter	Lester Buildings	John McGill	Ricky Pearson
Michael Waltrip Racing	Dodge Intrepid	99	Michael Waltrip/ David Reutimann	Aaron's Dream Machine	Michael Waltrip	Jerry Baxter
Phoenix Racing	Dodge Intrepid	1	Jason Keller	Miccosukee Indian Gambling	James Finch	Marc Reno
ppc Racing	Ford Taurus	10	John Andretti (R)	Camping World/RVs.com	Greg Pollex	Rick Gay
		22	Kenny Wallace	AutoZone		Randy Cox
Richard Childress Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	2	Clint Bowyer	ACDelco	Richard Childress	Gil Martin
		21	Kevin Harvick/ Jeff Burton	United States Coast Guard		Ricky Viers
Robert Yates Racing	Ford Taurus	90	Elliott Sadler/ Stephen Leicht Matt McCall/ Marc Goosens	CitiFinancial	Robert Yates	Rick Ren
Roush Racing	Ford Taurus	06	Todd Kluever (R)	3M	Jack Roush	Mike Kelley
		50	Danny O'Quinn (R)	World Financial Group		Drew Blickensderfer
		60	Carl Edwards	Ameriquest/Henkel		Pierre Kuettel
Rusty Wallace, Inc.	Dodge Intrepid	64	Jamie McMurray/ Steve Wallace	Top-Flite	Rusty Wallace	Bryant Frazier
Team Rensi Motorsports	Ford Taurus	25	Ashton Lewis	United States Marine Corps	Ed Rensi	Charlie Lewis
		35	Regan Smith	McDonald's	Sam Rensi	Chris Wright

[edit] Races

[edit] 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

1. #33 Tony Stewart
2. #77 Burney Lamar
3. #2 Clint Bowyer
4. #47 Jon Wood
5. #29 Kevin Harvick
6. #32 Jason Leffler
7. #06 Todd Kluever
8. #18 J. J. Yeley
9. #41 Reed Sorenson
10. #27 Mark Green

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

[edit] Stater 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

1. #16 Greg Biffle
2. #39 Ryan Newman
3. #60 Carl Edwards
4. #21 Jeff Burton
5. #64 Jamie McMurray
6. #17 Matt Kenseth
7. #18 J. J. Yeley
8. #33 Kevin Harvick
9. #57 Brian Vickers
10. #20 Denny Hamlin

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

[edit] 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

1. #20 Denny Hamlin
2. #9 Boris Said
3. #21 Kevin Harvick
4. #18 J. J. Yeley
5. #11 Paul Menard
6. #00 Johnny Sauter
7. #5 Kyle Busch
8. #60 Carl Edwards
9. #90 Marc Goossens
10. #64 Jamie McMurray

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

[edit] Sam'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

1. #9 Kasey Kahne
2. #17 Matt Kenseth
3. #21 Kevin Harvick
4. #16 Greg Biffle
5. #60 Carl Edwards
6. #20 Denny Hamlin
7. #64 Jamie McMurray
8. #18 J. J. Yeley
9. #2 Clint Bowyer
10. #41 Reed Sorenson

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

[edit] Nicorette 300

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

Top ten results

1. #21 Jeff Burton
2. #9 Kasey Kahne
3. #16 Greg Biffle
4. #17 Matt Kenseth
5. #18 J. J. Yeley
6. #32 Jason Leffler
7. #57 Brian Vickers
8. #77 Burney Lamar
9. #64 Jamie McMurray
10. #11 Paul Menard

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

[edit] Sharpie 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

1. #5 Kyle Busch
2. #21 Kevin Harvick
3. #17 Matt Kenseth
4. #20 Denny Hamlin
5. #60 Carl Edwards
6. #9 Scott Riggs
7. #33 Ron Hornaday
8. #22 Kenny Wallace
9. #10 John Andretti
10. #00 Johnny Sauter

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

[edit] 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

1. Kurt Busch (#39)
2. Greg Biffle (#16)
3. Casey Mears (#32)
4. Kyle Busch (#5)
5. Matt Kenseth (#17)
6. Jeff Burton (#21)
7. Paul Menard (#11)
8. Kevin Harvick (#33)
9. Scott Wimmer (#66)
10. Denny Hamlin (#20)

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

[edit] Pepsi 300

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

Top ten results

1. Kevin Harvick (#21)
2. Clint Bowyer (#2)
3. Denny Hamlin (#20)
4. J. J. Yeley (#18)
5. Carl Edwards (#60)
6. Jon Wood (#47)
7. Burney Lamar (#77)
8. Kenny Wallace (#22)
9. Paul Menard (#11)
10. Michael Waltrip (#99)

Failed to qualify: Jason White (#08)

[edit] 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:

1. Kevin Harvick (#21)
2. Reed Sorenson (#41)
3. Carl Edwards (#60)
4. Kurt Busch (#39)
5. Mark Martin (#6)
6. Matt Kenseth (#17)
7. Greg Biffle (#16)
8. David Green (#27)
9. Casey Mears (#42)
10. Jamie McMurray (#64)

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

[edit] Aaron's 312

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

Top ten results

1. Martin Truex Jr. (#8)
2. Kevin Harvick (#21)
3. Kyle Busch (#5)
4. Brian Vickers (#57)
5. Clint Bowyer (#2)
6. Greg Biffle (#16)
7. Mark McFarland (#88)
8. Johnny Sauter (#00)
9. Paul Menard (#11)
10. Carl Edwards (#60)

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

[edit] 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

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #29 Jeff Burton
3. #17 Matt Kenseth
4. #16 Greg Biffle
5. #39 Ryan Newman
6. #60 Carl Edwards
7. #2 Clint Bowyer
8. #11 Paul Menard
9. #5 Kyle Busch
10. #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)

[edit] Diamond Hill Plywood 200

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

1. #20 Denny Hamlin
2. #17 Matt Kenseth
3. #64 Jamie McMurray
4. #6 Mark Martin
5. #16 Greg Biffle
6. #5 Kyle Busch
7. #21 Kevin Harvick
8. #60 Carl Edwards
9. #18 J. J. Yeley
10. #38 Jason Leffler

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

[edit] Carquest Auto Parts 300

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

Top ten results

1. #60 Carl Edwards
2. #39 Kurt Busch
3. #18 J. J. Yeley
4. #42 Casey Mears
5. #8 Martin Truex, Jr.
6. #29 Jeff Burton
7. #48 Jimmie Johnson
8. #21 Kevin Harvick
9. #06 Todd Kluever
10. #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)

[edit] Stonebridgeracing.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:

1. #29 Jeff Burton
2. #60 Carl Edwards
3. #39 Kurt Busch
4. #2 Clint Bowyer
5. #33 Ron Hornaday
6. #5 Kyle Busch
7. #20 Denny Hamlin
8. #16 Greg Biffle
9. #18 J. J. Yeley
10. #41 Reed Sorenson

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

[edit] Federated Auto Parts 300

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

top ten results

1. #60 Carl Edwards
2. #2 Clint Bowyer
3. #21 Kevin Harvick
4. #20 Denny Hamlin
5. #11 Paul Menard
6. #99 David Reutimann
7. #66 Greg Biffle
8. #47 Jon Wood
9. #25 Ashton Lewis
10. #50 Danny O'Quinn

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

[edit] 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. Jeff Fuller was involved in a severe crash where, trying to avoid the spinning car of Jason Leffler, Fuller hit the inside wall at full speed, and the car practically imploded on impact. Fuller suffered a broken wrist and thumb.

Top ten results:

1. #84 David Gilliland
2. #18 J. J. Yeley
3. #20 Denny Hamlin
4. #1 Mike Wallace
5. #25 Ashton Lewis
6. #21 Kevin Harvick
7. #66 Greg Biffle
8. #99 David Reutimann
9. #11 Paul Menard
10. #90 Stephen Leicht

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

[edit] 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

1. #11 Paul Menard
2. #20 Denny Hamlin
3. #18 J. J. Yeley
4. #38 Jason Leffler
5. #1 Mike Wallace
6. #59 Stacy Compton
7. #50 Danny O'Quinn
8. #22 Kenny Wallace
9. #00 Johnny Sauter
10. #99 David Reutimann

Failed to qualify: none

[edit] Winn-Dixie 250

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

Top ten results:

1. #8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2. #57 Brian Vickers
3. #21 Kevin Harvick
4. #18 J. J. Yeley
5. #60 Carl Edwards
6. #2 Clint Bowyer
7. #1 Mike Wallace
8. #88 Martin Truex, Jr.
9. #16 Greg Biffle
10. #10 John Andretti

Failed to qualify: none

[edit] 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

1. #42 Casey Mears
2. #60 Carl Edwards
3. #29 Jeff Burton
4. #21 Kevin Harvick
5. #17 Matt Kenseth
6. #39 Kurt Busch
7. #2 Clint Bowyer
8. #41 Reed Sorenson
9. #33 Tony Stewart
10. #18 J. J. Yeley

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

[edit] New England 200

The New England 200 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:

1. #60 Carl Edwards
2. #21 Kevin Harvick
3. #20 Denny Hamlin
4. #11 Paul Menard
5. #2 Clint Bowyer
6. #00 Johnny Sauter
7. #9 Scott Riggs
8. #18 J. J. Yeley
9. #66 Scott Wimmer
10. #16 Greg Biffle

Failed to qualify: none

[edit] Goody's 250

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

Top Ten Results

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #2 Clint Bowyer
3. #20 Denny Hamlin
4. #41 Reed Sorenson
5. #00 Johnny Sauter
6. #60 Carl Edwards
7. #10 John Andretti
8. #38 Jason Leffler
9. #18 J. J. Yeley
10. #01 Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: Richard Landreth (#89)

[edit] 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

1. #60 Carl Edwards
2. #2 Clint Bowyer
3. #20 Denny Hamlin
4. #41 Reed Sorenson
5. #21 Kevin Harvick
6. #66 Scott Wimmer
7. #27 David Green
8. #5 Kyle Busch
9. #22 Kenny Wallace
10. #56 Kevin Grubb

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

[edit] Kroger 200

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

Top Ten Results

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #41 Reed Sorenson
3. #18 J. J. Yeley
4. #16 Greg Biffle
5. #29 Jeff Burton
6. #50 Danny O'Quinn
7. #01 Jay Sauter
8. #20 Denny Hamlin
9. #11 Paul Menard
10. #60 Carl Edwards

Failed to Qualify: Todd Shafer (#28)

[edit] Zippo 200

This race was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International. Kurt Busch won the race from the pole. Kurt Busch and Robby Gordon cut off track several times to duel on the final lap.

Top ten results: 202.45 miles/83 laps due to green-white-checkered rule.

1. #39 Kurt Busch
2. #7 Robby Gordon
3. #64 Jamie McMurray
4. #66 Greg Biffle
5. #10 John Andretti
6. #88 Martin Truex, Jr.
7. #21 Kevin Harvick
8. #9 Boris Said
9. #33 Ron Fellows
10. #1 Scott Pruett

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

[edit] 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.

1. #8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2. #42 Casey Mears
3. #88 Robby Gordon
4. #17 Matt Kenseth
5. #6 Mark Martin
6. #20 Denny Hamlin
7. #41 Reed Sorenson
8. #21 Kevin Harvick
9. #18 J. J. Yeley
10. #29 Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Dexter Bean (#49)

[edit] Food City 250

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

Top ten results:

1. #17 Matt Kenseth
2. #21 Kevin Harvick
3. #33 Ron Hornaday
4. #9 Kasey Kahne
5. #38 Jason Leffler
6. #39 Ryan Newman
7. #5 Kyle Busch
8. #60 Carl Edwards
9. #99 David Reutimann
10. #11 Paul Menard

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

[edit] Ameriquest 300

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

Top ten results:

1. #9 Kasey Kahne
2. #21 Kevin Harvick
3. #6 Mark Martin
4. #11 Paul Menard
5. #25 Ashton Lewis
6. #33 Tony Stewart
7. #17 Matt Kenseth
8. #47 Jon Wood
9. #88 Robby Gordon
10. #01 Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#49)

[edit] Emerson Radio 250

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

Top ten results:

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #16 Greg Biffle
3. #17 Matt Kenseth
4. #11 Paul Menard
5. #41 Reed Sorenson
6. #20 Denny Hamlin
7. #32 Dave Blaney
8. #66 Scott Wimmer
9. #60 Carl Edwards
10. #9 Scott Riggs

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

[edit] 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:

1. #2 Clint Bowyer
2. #17 Matt Kenseth
3. #21 Kevin Harvick
4. #64 Jamie McMurray
5. #38 Jason Leffler
6. #41 Reed Sorenson
7. #5 Kyle Busch
8. #16 Greg Biffle
9. #18 J. J. Yeley
10. #99 Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: none

[edit] Yellow Transportation 300

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

Top ten results:

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #17 Matt Kenseth
3. #5 Kyle Busch
4. #33 Tony Stewart
5. #2 Clint Bowyer
6. #60 Carl Edwards
7. #41 Reed Sorenson
8. #16 Greg Biffle
9. #77 Bobby Labonte
10. #11 Paul Menard

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

[edit] 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

1. #32 Dave Blaney
2. #99 Michael Waltrip
3. #59 Stacy Compton
4. #17 Matt Kenseth
5. #50 Danny O'Quinn
6. #00 Johnny Sauter
7. #2 Clint Bowyer
8. #20 Denny Hamlin
9. #33 Kevin Harvick
10. #25 Ashton Lewis, Jr.

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

[edit] Sam'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:

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #2 Clint Bowyer
3. #60 Carl Edwards
4. #00 Johnny Sauter
5. #88 Shane Huffman
6. #20 Denny Hamlin
7. #41 Reed Sorenson
8. #50 Danny O'Quinn
9. #9 Kasey Kahne
10. #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)

[edit] O'Reilly Challenge

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

Top ten results:

1. #21 Kevin Harvick
2. #19 Tony Stewart
3. #29 Jeff Burton
4. #6 Mark Martin
5. #33 Ron Hornaday
6. #18 J. J. Yeley
7. #60 Carl Edwards
8. #20 Denny Hamlin
9. #77 Bobby Labonte
10. #06 Todd Kluever

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

[edit] 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.

1. #17 Matt Kenseth
2. #21 Kevin Harvick
3. #20 Denny Hamlin
4. #2 Clint Bowyer
5. #60 Carl Edwards
6. #18 J. J. Yeley
7. #41 Reed Sorenson
8. #88 Shane Huffman
9. #33 Ron Hornaday
10. #5 Kyle Busch

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

[edit] Ford 300

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

Top Ten Results:

1. #17 Matt Kenseth
2. #60 Carl Edwards
3. #11 Paul Menard
4. #20 Denny Hamlin
5. #18 J. J. Yeley
6. #21 Kevin Harvick
7. #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8. #9 Kasey Kahne
9. #06 Todd Kluever
10. #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)

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
• 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

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