The2004 Sharpie 500was the 24thstock car raceof the2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Seriesseason and the 44th iteration of theevent.The race was held on Saturday, August 28, 2004, before a crowd of 160,000 inBristol, TennesseeatBristol Motor Speedway,a 0.533 miles (0.858 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 500 laps to complete. At race's end,Dale Earnhardt Jr.ofDale Earnhardt, Inc.would pull away in the late stages of the race to win his 13th careerNASCAR Nextel Cup Serieswin and his fourth win of the season.[1]To fill out the podium,Ryan NewmanofPenske-Jasper RacingandJimmie JohnsonofHendrick Motorsportswould finish second and third, respectively.
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 24 of 36 in the2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series | |||
 The 2004 Sharpie 500 program cover, featuring artwork bySam Bass.The painting is called "Drive Out Loud!" | |||
| Date | August 28, 2004 | ||
| Official name | 44th Annual Sharpie 500 | ||
| Location | Bristol, Tennessee,Bristol Motor Speedway | ||
| Course |
Permanent racing facility 0.533 mi (0.858 km) | ||
| Distance | 500 laps, 266.5 mi (428.89 km) | ||
| Scheduled Distance | 500 laps, 266.5 mi (428.89 km) | ||
| Average speed | 88.538 miles per hour (142.488 km/h) | ||
| Attendance | 160,000 | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Hendrick Motorsports | ||
| Time | 14.930 | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | |
| Laps | 295 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | TNT | ||
| Announcers | Allen Bestwick,Benny Parsons,Wally Dallenbach Jr. | ||
| Radio in the United States | |||
| Radio | Performance Racing Network | ||
Earnhardt Jr. would coin a slogan during a post-race interview used to advertise theBristol Motor Speedway:"It's Bristol, baby!"[2]
Background
edit
TheBristol Motor Speedway,formerly known asBristol International RacewayandBristol Raceway,is aNASCARshort trackvenue located inBristol, Tennessee.Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, twopit roads,andstadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.
Entry list
edit*Teague would take over Shelmerdine's seat. As a result, the #92 team withdrew.[3]
Practice
editFirst practice
editThe first practice session was held on Friday, August 27, at 11:20 AMEST,and would last for 2 hours.[3]Jeff GordonofHendrick Motorsportswould set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 14.939 and an average speed of 128.442 miles per hour (206.707 km/h).[4]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 14.939 | 128.442 |
| 2 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske-Jasper Racing | Dodge | 15.043 | 127.554 |
| 3 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 15.045 | 127.537 |
| Full first practice results | ||||||
Second practice
editThe second practice session was held on Friday, August 27, at 4:50 PMEST,and would last for 45 minutes.[3]Jeff GreenofPetty Enterpriseswould set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.485 and an average speed of 123.913 miles per hour (199.419 km/h).[5]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43 | Jeff Green | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 15.485 | 123.913 |
| 2 | 0 | Ward Burton | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | 15.520 | 123.634 |
| 3 | 22 | Scott Wimmer | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 15.531 | 123.547 |
| Full second practice results | ||||||
Third and final practice
editThe third and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, August 27, at 6:10 PMEST,and would last for 45 minutes.[3]Jeff GreenofPetty Enterpriseswould set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.613 and an average speed of 122.898 miles per hour (197.785 km/h).[6]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43 | Jeff Green | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 15.613 | 122.898 |
| 2 | 0 | Ward Burton | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | 15.635 | 122.725 |
| 3 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 15.644 | 122.654 |
| Full Happy Hour practice results | ||||||
Qualifying
editQualifying was held on Friday, August 27, at 3:10 PMEST.Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.[3]Positions 1-38 would be decided on time, while positions 39-43 would be based on provisionals. Four spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The fifth is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[7]
Jeff GordonofHendrick Motorsportswould win the pole, setting a time of 14.930 and an average speed of 128.520 miles per hour (206.833 km/h).[8]
Numerous crashes would occur in the session. First,Tony Avewould spin on his second lap, and while he had made a lap, the lap was not good enough to get Ave into the race. Then,Brendan Gaughanwould collide with the wall on his second lap. Finally,Michael Waltripwould spin on his second lap and collide with the turn 1 wall while finishing his lap. While the aforementioned two had crashed, they would both have laps good enough to make it into the race, although with the caveat that they would have to start at the rear for the race.[9]
Five drivers would fail to qualify:Hermie Sadler,Stanton Barrett,Brad Teague,Tony Ave,andRyan McGlynn.
Full qualifying results
editRace results
editReferences
edit- ^Poole, David (2004-08-28)."Earnhardt Jr. scores a Bristol sweep".ThatsRacin.Archivedfrom the original on 2004-10-21.Retrieved2021-12-25.
- ^Sweitzer, Steve (2017-08-18).""It's Bristol Baby," Bristol Motor Speedway Commemorates Dale Jr. Phrase ".The Lasco Press.Retrieved2021-12-25.
- ^abcde"Jayski's® Silly Season Site - 2004 Bristol 2 Race Info / Rundown Page".Jayski's Silly Season Site.Archivedfrom the original on 2005-02-05.Retrieved2021-12-25.
- ^"NASCAR - Races - 2004 Bristol 2 Practice 1 Results".NASCAR.Archivedfrom the original on 2004-10-12.Retrieved2021-12-26.
- ^"NASCAR - Races - 2004 Bristol 2 Practice 2 Results".NASCAR.Archivedfrom the original on 2004-08-30.Retrieved2021-12-26.
- ^"NASCAR - Races - 2004 Bristol 2 Practice 3 Results".NASCAR.Archivedfrom the original on 2004-10-12.Retrieved2021-12-26.
- ^"Jayski's® Silly Season Site - Provisional Land Page".2005-02-05. Archived fromthe originalon 5 February 2005.Retrieved2021-12-03.
- ^"Jeff Gordon captures pole for Sharpie 500".East Bay Times.2004-08-28.Retrieved2021-12-25.
- ^2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Sharpie 500 Bud Pole Qualifying,retrieved2021-12-25
- ^"2004 Sharpie 500 - The Third Turn".thethirdturn.Retrieved2021-12-25.