Nextel Cup Series

PERSONAL Birthdate: Aug. 4, 1978 Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev. Resides: Concord, N.C. Marital Status: Single Children: None Hobbies: Jet skiing, water skiing, snow skiing

HIGHLIGHTS 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Tied with Jeff Gordon for distinction of being third-youngest champion in series history at 26 years, 3 months, 27 days (Gordon’s age when he won title in '97) Eight-point margin over runner-up Jimmie Johnson is closest championship finish in NASCAR history 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship runner-up

YEAR-BY-YEAR NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES RECAP 2004 Won the series championship. … Finished with three wins, one pole, 10 top fives, 21 top 10s and a career-low three DNFs in 36 starts. … Earned 1,506 points during the inaugural 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup,” eight points more than runner-up Jimmie Johnson. Was 16th in the point standings following the Daytona 500, but spent remaining 35 weeks in the Top 10. … Was seventh following race No. 26 at Richmond on Sept. 11, the cutoff point for the Chase. … Took the standings lead with eight races remaining in the 10-race Chase and never relinquished it despite a blown engine at Atlanta and a detached right front wheel early in the season finale at Homestead. … Finished with one win, six top-five and nine top-10 efforts in the final 10 races. … Won both 2004 events at New Hampshire International Speedway. Also won the spring event at Bristol Motor Speedway. 2003 Finished 11th in series points. …Early accident in season finale at Homestead-Miami cost him a chance to finish in the NASCAR Top 10. … Experienced an up-and-down year with four wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s and a career-high eight DNFs. …Briefly led the points for a week following back-to-back second-place finishes at Daytona and Rockingham in the season’s opening events. …Won both Bristol races, plus the race at California and the first race at Michigan. 2002 Finished third in series points. … Had a breakthrough season with four wins (Bristol, Martinsville, Atlanta and Homestead). … Had three wins in the final five weeks of the season. … Won from the pole at Homestead. …$3,723,650 in race winnings pushed his career total to over $6,200,000 in just two full seasons. 2001 Finished 27th in series points. … Finished 3rd in Talladega 500, fourth in Harrah’s 400 at Texas and fifth at Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. … Earned first career pole, at Darlington, and led 74 laps before encountering mechanical problems. … Won more than $2.1 million despite seven DNFs in his rookie season. 2000 Finished 48th in series points. … Made series debut with seven starts for Roush Racing. … Best finish 13th at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in October.

PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY Was runner-up for the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship and had four victories that season. …In 1999, Busch won the Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring championship driving for Craig Keough. … Was the youngest driver to win that series’ championship at age 21… Featherlite Southwest Series Rookie of the Year in 1998. …Competed in the Featherlite Southwest Series from 1997-1999, recording seven wins. … Won the 1996 Hobby Stock track championship at the Las Vegas Speedway Park. … The 1996 Legend Cars National Rookie of the Year and Legend Cars Western States champion. … Won Nevada Dwarf Car championship in 1995. … Was the 1994 Nevada State Dwarf Car Rookie of the Year. … Began racing at age 14, in Dwarf Cars at Parhump Valley Speedway near Las Vegas.

NOTEWORTHY Younger brother Kyle also competes in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series. … Won the 2002 Outback Steakhouse “Bloomin’ Favorite Driver” award. … A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and his favorite athlete is Andre Dawson. … Loves Italian food.