2004 Nextel All-Star Challenge
# 2004 Nextel All-Star Challenge

The 2004 Nextel All-Star Challenge was the second exhibition stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the 20th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, May 22, 2004, in Concord, North Carolina at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) permanent quad-oval. The race took the scheduled 90 laps to complete. At race's end, Matt Kenseth, driving for Roush Racing, would complete a late race pass of eventual second-place driver, Penske-Jasper Racing driver Ryan Newman to win his first and only Nextel All-Star Challenge win. To fill out the podium, Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing finished third.

## Background

Lowe's Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, as well as the UAW-GM Quality 500. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) with Marcus G. Smith (son of Bruton Smith) as track president.

### Format and eligibility

The 90 laps of the Nextel All-Star Challenge was divided into three segments. Caution laps between segment breaks were not counted. The first segment was 40 laps long. Mandatory 10-minute pit stops/breaks were implemented in between both segment breaks. During the first 10-minute break, a random ping pong ball (each ball would have one NASCAR on Fox announcer or pit reporter on it) picked by Chris Myers would lead Myers to open a giant, promotional Nextel flip phone of the corresponding announcer. Each phone had a number that would decide how many cars would be inverted to start Segment 2, a 30-lap segment. After the second 10-minute break, drivers would race in a 20-lap shootout to decide the winner of the Nextel All-Star Challenge.

Drivers who had won in the previous season and the first 11 eleven races of the current season were automatically eligible to qualify for the Nextel All-Star Challenge. In addition, previous champions and former Nextel All-Star Challenge winners within the last 10 years (1994-2003) were also automatically eligible.

Teams who were not automatically eligible to qualify, but still wanted to have a chance at entering the Nextel All-Star Challenge were made to race in a qualifying race called the Nextel Open, a 30-lap shootout event where the winner of the event would qualify to race in the Nextel All-Star Challenge. Teams who were in the Top 50 in the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series owner's points standings were allowed to race in the Nextel Open. In addition, a televote was made open to the public where the driver who got the most votes from the public would also qualify to move on to the Nextel All-Star Challenge.

### Entry list

**Nextel Open**

| # | Driver | Team | Make | Sponsor |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 0 | Ward Burton | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | NetZero HiSpeed |
| 02 | Kevin Lepage | SCORE Motorsports | Chevrolet | SCORE Motorsports |
| 4 | Jimmy Spencer | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | Morgan–McClure Motorsports |
| 10 | Scott Riggs | MBV Motorsports | Chevrolet | Valvoline |
| 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Dodge Dealers, UAW |
| 21 | Ricky Rudd | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | Motorcraft |
| 22 | Scott Wimmer | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | Caterpillar |
| 23 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | FinishLine Dodge |
| 30 | Johnny Sauter | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | America Online |
| 33 | Kerry Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Bass Pro Shops, National Wild Turkey Federation |
| 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | Coors Light |
| 41 | Casey Mears | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | Target |
| 42 | Jamie McMurray | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | Texaco, Havoline |
| 43 | Jeff Green | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | Great American Bake Sale |
| 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | Dixie Krazy Kritters, Brawny |
| 46 | Carl Long | Glenn Racing | Dodge | RacingMetal.com "Thank You Fans!" |
| 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | Dodge | Schwan's Home Service |
| 50 | Derrike Cope | Arnold Motorsports | Dodge | GEICO |
| 59 | Andy Belmont | Andy Belmont Racing | Pontiac | Dave Despain 4 President |
| 72 | Kirk Shelmerdine | Kirk Shelmerdine Racing | Ford | Vote for Kirk! |
| 77 | Brendan Gaughan | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | Kodak |
| 80 | Andy Hillenburg | Hover Motorsports | Ford | Commercial Truck & Trailer, Spitfire Aviation |
| 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Shepherd Racing Ventures | Dodge | Carter's Royal Dispos-all, Racing with Jesus |
| 94 | Stanton Barrett | W.W. Motorsports | Chevrolet | Husqvarna |
| 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | Roundup |
| Official entry list |||||

**Nextel All-Star Challenge**

| # | Driver | Team | Make | Sponsor |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 01 | Joe Nemechek | MBV Motorsports | Chevrolet | U.S. Army |
| 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | Vote Miller For President Of Beers |
| 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Kellogg's |
| 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | Reverse Viagra |
| 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Budweiser |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Dodge Dealers, UAW |
| 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | Alltel |
| 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | NAPA Auto Parts |
| 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Ford | National Guard |
| 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | DeWalt |
| 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | Interstate Batteries |
| 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | The Home Depot, Shrek 2 |
| 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | DuPont Retro |
| 25 | Brian Vickers | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | GMAC Financial Services |
| 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Goodwrench Engines, Snap-on |
| 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Cingular Wireless |
| 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Chevrolet | Tide |
| 38 | Elliott Sadler | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | Pedigree |
| 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Lowe's |
| 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | UPS |
| 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | Irwin Industrial Tools |
| 98 | Geoff Bodine | Mach 1 Motorsports | Ford | Lucas Oil |
| Official entry list |||||

## Practice

### Nextel Open first practice

The first Nextel Open practice was held on Friday, May 22, at 11:45 AM EST, and would last for 45 minutes. Casey Mears of Chip Ganassi Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.525 and an average speed of 182.896 miles per hour (294.343 km/h).

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 41 | Casey Mears | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 29.525 | 182.896 |
| 2 | 43 | Jeff Green | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 29.775 | 181.360 |
| 3 | 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 29.967 | 180.198 |
| Full first Nextel Open practice results |||||||

### Nextel Open second and final practice

The second and final practice for the Nextel Open, sometimes known as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, May 22, at 1:15 PM EST, and would last for 45 minutes. Jeremy Mayfield of Evernham Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.827 and an average speed of 181.044 miles per hour (291.362 km/h).

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 29.827 | 181.044 |
| 2 | 0 | Ward Burton | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | 29.951 | 180.294 |
| 3 | 23 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 30.037 | 179.778 |
| Full Happy Hour Nextel Open practice results |||||||

### Nextel All-Star Challenge practice

The only practice session for the Nextel All-Star Challenge was held on Friday, May 22, at 2:15 PM EST, and would last for 45 minutes. Mark Martin of Roush Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.978 and an average speed of 180.132 miles per hour (289.894 km/h).

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 29.978 | 180.132 |
| 2 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | 30.029 | 179.826 |
| 3 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 30.219 | 178.696 |
| Full Nextel All-Star Challenge practice results |||||||

## Qualifying

### Nextel Open

Qualifying for the Nextel Open was held on Friday, May 21, at 6:05 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.

Dave Blaney of Bill Davis Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 29.180 and an average speed of 185.058 miles per hour (297.822 km/h).

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 23 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 29.180 | 185.058 |
| 2 | 41 | Casey Mears | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 29.264 | 184.527 |
| 3 | 42 | Jamie McMurray | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 29.319 | 184.181 |
| 4 | 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 29.425 | 183.517 |
| 5 | 0 | Ward Burton | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | 29.460 | 183.299 |
| 6 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 29.484 | 183.150 |
| 7 | 43 | Jeff Green | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 29.490 | 183.113 |
| 8 | 4 | Jimmy Spencer | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.579 | 182.562 |
| 9 | 22 | Scott Wimmer | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 29.608 | 182.383 |
| 10 | 77 | Brendan Gaughan | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 29.610 | 182.371 |
| 11 | 21 | Ricky Rudd | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 29.689 | 181.885 |
| 12 | 33 | Kerry Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 29.715 | 181.726 |
| 13 | 30 | Johnny Sauter | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 29.765 | 181.421 |
| 14 | 10 | Scott Riggs | MBV Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.917 | 180.499 |
| 15 | 50 | Derrike Cope | Arnold Motorsports | Dodge | 29.931 | 180.415 |
| 16 | 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | Dodge | 29.953 | 180.282 |
| 17 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 30.047 | 179.718 |
| 18 | 02 | Kevin Lepage | SCORE Motorsports | Chevrolet | 30.190 | 178.867 |
| 19 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Shepherd Racing Ventures | Dodge | 30.310 | 178.159 |
| 20 | 94 | Stanton Barrett | W.W. Motorsports | Chevrolet | 30.443 | 177.381 |
| 21 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 30.445 | 177.369 |
| 22 | 72 | Kirk Shelmerdine | Kirk Shelmerdine Racing | Ford | 30.951 | 174.469 |
| 23 | 46 | Carl Long | Glenn Racing | Dodge | 30.999 | 174.199 |
| 24 | 80 | Andy Hillenburg | Hover Motorsports | Ford | 31.188 | 173.143 |
| 25 | 59 | Andy Belmont | Andy Belmont Racing | Pontiac | 33.497 | 161.208 |
| Official qualifying results |||||||

### Nextel All-Star Challenge

Qualifying for the Nextel All-Star Challenge was held on Friday, May 21, at 7:10 PM EST. Each driver would run 3 laps each, with each driver having to do a mandatory pit stop within those three laps.

Rusty Wallace of Penske-Jasper Racing would win the pole with a time of 2:03.998 and an average speed of 130.647 miles per hour (210.256 km/h).

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 2:03.998 | 130.647 |
| 2 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 2:04.284 | 130.347 |
| 3 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 2:04.316 | 130.313 |
| 4 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 2:04.555 | 130.063 |
| 5 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | 2:04.986 | 129.615 |
| 6 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 2:05.080 | 129.517 |
| 7 | 38 | Elliott Sadler | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 2:05.256 | 129.335 |
| 8 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 2:05.579 | 129.002 |
| 9 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | 2:05.602 | 128.979 |
| 10 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Ford | 2:05.750 | 128.827 |
| 11 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2:06.363 | 128.202 |
| 12 | 25 | Brian Vickers | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2:08.077 | 126.486 |
| 13 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2:13.822 | 121.056 |
| 14 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 2:23.480 | 112.908 |
| 15 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 2:24.529 | 112.088 |
| 16 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 2:24.542 | 112.078 |
| 17 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2:24.942 | 111.769 |
| 18 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 2:25.851 | 111.072 |
| 19 | 01 | Joe Nemechek | MBV Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2:26.017 | 110.946 |
| 20 | 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2:26.522 | 110.564 |
| 21 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 2:27.440 | 109.875 |
| 22 | 98 | Geoff Bodine | Mach 1 Motorsports | Ford | 2:27.728 | 109.661 |
| 23 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | — | — |
| 24 | 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | Dodge | — | — |
| Official qualifying results |||||||

## Nextel Open results

| Fin | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Winnings |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 6 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 30 | 5 | running | $55,999 |
| 2 | 4 | 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $45,999 |
| 3 | 3 | 42 | Jamie McMurray | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 30 | 20 | running | $41,999 |
| 4 | 7 | 43 | Jeff Green | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $39,899 |
| 5 | 9 | 22 | Scott Wimmer | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $38,899 |
| 6 | 13 | 30 | Johnny Sauter | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 30 | 0 | running | $36,899 |
| 7 | 5 | 0 | Ward Burton | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | 30 | 0 | running | $35,899 |
| 8 | 1 | 23 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 30 | 5 | running | $35,299 |
| 9 | 16 | 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $34,799 |
| 10 | 15 | 50 | Derrike Cope | Arnold Motorsports | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $34,549 |
| 11 | 19 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Shepherd Racing Ventures | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $34,299 |
| 12 | 21 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $34,049 |
| 13 | 18 | 02 | Kevin Lepage | SCORE Motorsports | Chevrolet | 30 | 0 | running | $33,799 |
| 14 | 23 | 46 | Carl Long | Glenn Racing | Dodge | 30 | 0 | running | $33,699 |
| 15 | 24 | 80 | Andy Hillenburg | Hover Motorsports | Ford | 30 | 0 | running | $33,599 |
| 16 | 25 | 59 | Andy Belmont | Andy Belmont Racing | Pontiac | 30 | 0 | running | $33,499 |
| 17 | 20 | 94 | Stanton Barrett | W.W. Motorsports | Chevrolet | 30 | 0 | running | $33,399 |
| 18 | 8 | 4 | Jimmy Spencer | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 27 | 0 | running | $33,299 |
| 19 | 22 | 72 | Kirk Shelmerdine | Kirk Shelmerdine Racing | Ford | 24 | 0 | accident | $33,174 |
| 20 | 12 | 33 | Kerry Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 23 | 0 | accident | $33,074 |
| 21 | 2 | 41 | Casey Mears | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 0 | 0 | accident | $32,974 |
| 22 | 11 | 21 | Ricky Rudd | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 0 | 0 | accident | $32,874 |
| 23 | 10 | 77 | Brendan Gaughan | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 0 | 0 | accident | $32,774 |
| 24 | 14 | 10 | Scott Riggs | MBV Motorsports | Chevrolet | 0 | 0 | accident | $32,674 |
| 25 | 17 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 0 | 0 | accident | $32,574 |
| Official race results ||||||||||

## Nextel All-Star Challenge results

| Fin | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Winnings |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 3 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 90 | 5 | running | $1,044,000 |
| 2 | 2 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 90 | 49 | running | $306,400 |
| 3 | 5 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | 90 | 16 | running | $216,200 |
| 4 | 8 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 90 | 0 | running | $90,400 |
| 5 | 18 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 90 | 4 | running | $86,400 |
| 6 | 17 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 90 | 0 | running | $82,400 |
| 7 | 16 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 90 | 0 | running | $78,400 |
| 8 | 7 | 38 | Elliott Sadler | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 90 | 0 | running | $77,400 |
| 9 | 1 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 90 | 9 | running | $126,400 |
| 10 | 4 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 90 | 0 | running | $85,400 |
| 11 | 18 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 90 | 0 | running | $74,400 |
| 12 | 12 | 25 | Brian Vickers | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 90 | 0 | running | $73,400 |
| 13 | 24 | 49 | Ken Schrader | BAM Racing | Dodge | 90 | 0 | running | $107,199 |
| 14 | 13 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 90 | 7 | running | $71,900 |
| 15 | 9 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | 90 | 0 | running | $71,400 |
| 16 | 22 | 98 | Geoff Bodine | Mach 1 Motorsports | Ford | 89 | 0 | running | $71,300 |
| 17 | 11 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 54 | 0 | accident | $71,200 |
| 18 | 23 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 11 | 0 | accident | $127,099 |
| 19 | 10 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Ford | 10 | 0 | accident | $71,000 |
| 20 | 14 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 10 | 0 | accident | $70,900 |
| 21 | 21 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 10 | 0 | accident | $70,800 |
| 22 | 6 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 10 | 0 | accident | $70,700 |
| 23 | 19 | 01 | Joe Nemechek | MBV Motorsports | Chevrolet | 10 | 0 | accident | $70,600 |
| 24 | 20 | 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Chevrolet | 4 | 0 | accident | $70,500 |
| Official race results ||||||||||
