Kurt Busch became the first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion under the Chase format after having a great 2004 season capturing 21 Top-10’s, 10 Top-5’s and three wins. One of those wins came on July 25 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway where he raced like a champion, driving from the 32nd starting spot to Victory Lane.

Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson started from row one with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Michael Waltrip right behind in row two. Martin Truex, Jr. practiced and qualified Earnhardt, Jr.’s No. 8 Chevrolet as Dale, Jr. recovered from burns received in an American LeMans event the previous weekend. Truex relieved Earnhardt on lap 62 of the 300-lap race.

Newman took off when the green waved and led the first 170 laps. Kurt Busch took over the point on lap 171 to lead the next 42 circuits. Jimmy Spencer led the next three laps with Newman returning to the front until Busch took the lead for the final time on lap 233.

Jeff Gordon followed Busch past Newman and challenged Kurt Busch but could not get by. Gordon settled for second followed by Newman, Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart.

The 2004 Siemens 400 featured four lead changes among three drivers and saw 12 cautions for 62 laps. Busch crossed the finish line 0.607 seconds ahead of Gordon for his 10th career win. Kurt Busch left New Hampshire sixth in the point standings.

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