2004 Nextel Cup Chasers- The Best

The ten drivers who qualified for the inaugural Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship are still the strongest, from top to bottom.

As we embark upon the third season of NASCAR's Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, the ten drivers as a group that qualified in 2004 ranks higher than the Chase for the Championship groups of 2005 and 2006.

Here's why, not only were NASCAR's three biggest stars- Dale Earnhardt JR, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart all apart of that group, but also the fact that every driver who was in the top ten heading into the 27th race of the season had won at least 1 race. Also, the 2004 Chase for the Championship class produced the most wins heading into the final ten races. Here's a quick breakdown of each season.

Heading into the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship

2004

1. Jeff Gordon- 5 wins;

2. Jimmie Johnson- 4 wins;

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr- 4 wins;

4. Matt Kenseth- 2 wins;

5. Tony Stewart- 2 wins;

6. Elliott Sadler- 2 wins;

7. Kurt Busch- 2 wins;

8. Mark Martin- 1 win;

9. Jeremy Mayfield- 1 win;

10. Ryan Newman- 1 win;

24 wins total

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2005

1. Tony Stewart- 5 wins;

2. Greg Biffle- 5 wins;

3. Rusty Wallace- 0 win;

4. Jimmie Johnson- 2 wins;

5. Kurt Busch- 3 wins;

6. Mark Martin- 0 win;

7. Jeremy Mayfield- 1 win;

8. Matt Kenseth- 1 win;

9. Carl Edwards- 2 wins;

10. Ryan Newman- 0 win;

19 wins total

2006

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1. Matt Kenseth- 4 wins;

2. Jimmie Johnson- 4 wins;

3. Kevin Harvick- 3 wins;

4. Kyle Busch- 1 win;

5. Denny Hamlin- 2 wins;

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr- 1 win;

7. Mark Martin- 0 win;

8. Jeff Burton- 0 win;

9. Jeff Gordon- 2 wins;

10. Kasey Kahne- 5 wins;

22 wins total

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