Nextel Cup Series

PERSONAL Birthdate: Dec. 8, 1977 Hometown: South Bend, Ind. Resides: Sherrills Ford, N.C. Marital Status: Married (Krissie) Children: None Hobbies: Fishing, restoring classic cars

HIGHLIGHTS Led series with nine poles in 2004 Led series with eight wins and 11 poles in 2003 2002 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Set rookie record for most poles in a season (6) in 2002 Has finished among the top 10 in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship in all of his three seasons

YEAR-BY-YEAR NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES RECAP 2004 Finished seventh in series points. Strong season slowed by nine DNFs. Led series with nine poles, including four consecutive from Charlotte through Phoenix late in the season. Held off Kasey Kahne to score the first of two wins at Michigan in June. . Dominated in his second win at Dover in September leading 325 of 400 laps. Qualified for the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup in 10th. Title hopes dashed by four DNFs in last 10 races. Season was exemplified in the season finale at Homestead where, while leading with three laps remaining, cut a tire resulting in an accident and 30th-place finish. 2003 Finished sixth in series points. Enjoyed spectacular season leading the series in wins (8), poles (11) and miles led (1,509.13), but hampered title hopes with five DNFs in the first half of the season. Finished 38th or worse in six of the first 15 races. Scored first win at Texas, but followed with a four-race skid of three DNFs and 39th-place finish at Richmond in May leaving him 27th in series points. Led 162 of 400 laps while completing the front end of a season sweep at Dover in June. Kicked off a 13-race hot streak, which included six wins, with a victory at Chicago in July. His series-high 11 poles, including three consecutive at Atlanta, Phoenix and Rockingham, was the most since Cale Yarborough’s 14 poles in 1980. Finished with a series-high 17 top fives. 2002 Finished sixth in series points. Topped Jimmie Johnson for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in one of the most heated rookie battles in years. Tied Mark Martin for the most top-10 finishes (22) in a season, which also set a new rookie record. Scored his career-first win at New Hampshire in September in his 34th career start. Became just the second Raybestos Rookie to win The Winston – following Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000. Led the series with six poles, setting a new rookie record for most poles in a season topping Davey Allison’s five poles in 1987. Had 14 top-five finishes, second only to series champion Tony Stewart with 15. Tied Stewart in races led (22). Switched from Fords to Dodges for 2003. 2001 Finished 49th in series points. Drove ALLTEL-sponsored Ford for car owner Roger Penske. Scored first pole in third career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup start, at Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, tying Mark Martin’s record for earliest career pole. Competed in seven races with his best finish a second at Kansas. Also raced 15 times in NASCAR Busch Series, winning one race.

PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY In 2000, made stock-car debut in ARCA race at Michigan, then won the next race he entered at Pocono. Also won ARCA races that year at Kentucky and Charlotte. In 1999, won USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series national championship with two wins and 12 top-10 finishes. Won seven times in midgets and once in sprint cars. Earned Rookie of the Year honors in Sprint Cars (1999), USAC Silver Crown (1996) and USAC National Midgets (1995). Was also the 1993 All-American Midget Series champion and Rookie of the Year.

NOTEWORTHY Earned the nickname “Rocketman” after a series-high 11 poles in 2003. Is a member of the Quarter-Midget Hall of Fame. Started racing quarter midgets at age four and a half. Graduated from Purdue University in August of 2001 with a B.S. degree in Vehicle Structural Engineering. Enjoys working on vintage cars and fishing.