The 2004 Food City 500: A Deep Dive into NASCAR History
An analytical exploration of the pivotal sixth race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway.
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Race Overview
Date and Series
The 2004 Food City 500 marked the sixth event in the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. It was held on Sunday, March 28, 2004, representing the 44th iteration of this significant race.
Location and Venue
The race convened in Bristol, Tennessee, at the renowned Bristol Motor Speedway. This venue is a 0.533-mile (0.858 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack, celebrated for its unique characteristics and intense competition.
Race Specifications
The competition comprised 500 laps, covering a total distance of 266.5 miles (428.89 km). This demanding schedule tested the endurance and strategy of drivers and teams alike.
Attendance and Spectacle
The event drew an impressive crowd of 160,000 spectators, underscoring the immense popularity of NASCAR racing and the allure of the Bristol Motor Speedway as a premier racing destination.
Bristol Motor Speedway Profile
Historical Context
Originally known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, this NASCAR short track venue was constructed in 1960 and hosted its inaugural NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. It has since become a cornerstone of the NASCAR schedule.
Distinctive Features
Bristol Motor Speedway is characterized by its extraordinarily steep banking, an all-concrete racing surface, dual pit roads, and stadium-like seating arrangements. These elements contribute to its reputation as one of the loudest and most challenging tracks in the sport.
Track Layout Visualization
While direct image display is restricted, the track's layout can be conceptualized as a highly banked, compact oval. This design inherently promotes close-quarters racing and strategic maneuvering, often leading to dramatic finishes.
Practice Session Analysis
First Practice (Friday, March 26)
The initial practice session, spanning two hours, saw Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports set the fastest lap with a time of 15.009 seconds, achieving an average speed of 127.843 mph (205.743 km/h). This session provided crucial data for teams to refine their car setups.
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.009 | 127.843 |
| 2 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.040 | 127.580 |
| 3 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.054 | 127.461 |
Second Practice (Saturday, March 27)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the second practice session with a time of 15.447 seconds (124.218 mph / 199.909 km/h). This session, though shorter, allowed drivers to test race trim configurations.
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.447 | 124.218 |
| 2 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 15.473 | 124.010 |
| 3 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | 15.486 | 123.905 |
Final Practice (Saturday, March 27)
Brian Vickers of Hendrick Motorsports topped the charts in the final practice session, known as "Happy Hour," with a lap of 15.604 seconds (122.968 mph / 197.898 km/h), indicating strong performance heading into qualifying.
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | Brian Vickers | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15.604 | 122.968 |
| 2 | 22 | Scott Wimmer | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 15.607 | 122.945 |
| 3 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.608 | 122.937 |
Qualifying Dynamics
Pole Position Secured
Ryan Newman, driving for Penske-Jasper Racing, captured the pole position with a blistering lap time of 14.954 seconds, achieving an average speed of 128.314 mph (206.501 km/h). This performance set the benchmark for the starting grid.
Incident and Provisionals
Kirk Shelmerdine experienced a crash during his qualifying attempt, necessitating the use of a provisional starting spot. Morgan Shepherd was the sole competitor unable to secure a qualifying position.
Full Qualifying Results
The qualifying session determined the starting order for the majority of the field, with provisionals filling the remaining spots. The data below outlines the top performers and notable entries.
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 14.954 | 128.314 |
| 2 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 14.957 | 128.288 |
| 3 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Ford | 14.970 | 128.176 |
| 4 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 14.982 | 128.074 |
| 5 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 15.007 | 127.860 |
| 6 | 42 | Jamie McMurray | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 15.046 | 127.529 |
| 7 | 77 | Brendan Gaughan | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 15.064 | 127.377 |
| 8 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 15.108 | 127.006 |
| 9 | 38 | Elliott Sadler | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 15.116 | 126.938 |
| 10 | 30 | Johnny Sauter | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 15.126 | 126.854 |
Race Results
Final Standings
Kurt Busch secured his first victory of the 2004 season, holding off Rusty Wallace in a dramatic finish. The race saw significant lead changes and competitive driving throughout its 500 laps.
| Fin | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 500 | 119 | running | 190 | $173,965 |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 500 | 100 | running | 175 | $141,878 |
| 3 | 14 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 165 | $131,978 |
| 4 | 17 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 500 | 72 | running | 165 | $135,125 |
| 5 | 23 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 500 | 0 | running | 155 | $136,098 |
| 6 | 19 | 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | Dodge | 500 | 0 | running | 150 | $77,945 |
| 7 | 1 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 500 | 25 | running | 151 | $124,862 |
| 8 | 6 | 42 | Jamie McMurray | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 500 | 0 | running | 117 | $87,095 |
| 9 | 2 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 138 | $120,168 |
| 10 | 8 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 500 | 0 | running | 134 | $110,796 |
Broadcast Information
Radio Coverage
The race was broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network (PRN), providing comprehensive audio coverage for listeners across the United States.
Television Coverage
In the United States, the event was televised by FOX. The broadcast team included experienced commentators Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, and Darrell Waltrip, offering expert analysis and race commentary.
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence system, adhering strictly to the provided source material and established formatting guidelines. Its purpose is purely informational and educational, intended for an audience pursuing higher education, specifically at the Master's degree level.
This is not professional motorsport analysis or advice. The information presented is derived from a specific Wikipedia article and may not encompass all nuances or real-time updates pertinent to motorsport. It is not a substitute for expert analysis from qualified motorsport journalists, statisticians, or historians. Always consult primary sources and expert commentary for comprehensive understanding.
The creators of this content are not responsible for any interpretations, decisions, or actions taken based on the information provided herein. The data reflects the state of the source material at the time of processing.