NASCAR season
Kevin Harvick , pictured in 2006, the 2001 Busch Series championThe 2001 NASCAR Busch Series began February 17 and ended November 10. Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing was champion.
Teams and drivers
Full schedule
Limited schedule Notes:
If under "team", the owner's name is listed and in italics , that means the name of the race team that fielded the car is unknown.
Schedule
Races
NAPA Auto Parts 300 The NAPA Auto Parts 300 was held February 17 at Daytona International Speedway . Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: Christian Elder (#38), Andy Kirby (#49)
Alltel 200 The Alltel 200 was held February 24 at North Carolina Speedway . Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
Sam's Town 300 The Sam's Town 300 was held March 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway . Matt Kenseth won the pole.
Top ten results
Failed to qualify: none
Aaron's 312 The Aaron's 312 was held March 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway . Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
87-Joe Nemechek 60-Greg Biffle 99-Michael Waltrip 10-Jeff Green 00-Todd Bodine 18-Jeff Purvis 57-Jason Keller 2-Kevin Harvick 92-Jimmie Johnson 33-Tony Raines Failed to qualify: none
SunCom 200 The SunCom 200 was held March 17 at Darlington Raceway . Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
10-Jeff Green 17-Matt Kenseth 57-Jason Keller 48-Kenny Wallace 20-Mike McLaughlin 26-Bobby Hamilton Jr. 31-Steve Park 2-Kevin Harvick 98-Elton Sawyer 18-Jeff Purvis Failed to qualify: none
Cheez-It 250 The Cheez-It 250 was held March 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway . Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
17-Matt Kenseth 66-Tim Fedewa 7-Randy LaJoie 92-Jimmie Johnson 48-Kenny Wallace 02-Ryan Newman 2-Kevin Harvick 33-Tony Raines 61-Tim Sauter 99-Michael Waltrip Failed to qualify: none
Jani-King 300 The Jani-King 300 was held March 31 at Texas Motor Speedway . Matt Kenseth won the pole.
Top ten results
2-Kevin Harvick 9-Jeff Burton 43-Jay Sauter 87-Joe Nemechek 17-Matt Kenseth 34-David Green 60-Greg Biffle 92-Jimmie Johnson 21-Mike Skinner 71-Kevin Lepage Failed to qualify: Mike Harmon (#44)
Pepsi 300 The inaugural Pepsi 300 was held April 14 at Nashville Superspeedway . Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
60-Greg Biffle 57-Jason Keller 23-Scott Wimmer 7-Randy LaJoie 98-Elton Sawyer 21-Mike Skinner 2-Kevin Harvick 10-Jeff Green 20-Mike McLaughlin 00-Todd Bodine This was Biffle's first of 20 career Busch Series wins. Failed to qualify: none
Subway 300 The Subway 300 was held April 21 at Talladega Superspeedway . Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
20-Mike McLaughlin 1-Jimmy Spencer 10-Jeff Green 00-Todd Bodine 21-Mike Skinner 98-Elton Sawyer 43-Jay Sauter 37-Kevin Grubb 60-Greg Biffle 48-Kenny Wallace The race was marred for a big wreck which wrecked multiple cars. This would turn out to be McLaughlin's sixth and final Busch Series win. The win was controversial, as McLaughlin was deemed by Spencer to have swerved his car below the yellow line to block other cars; NASCAR instituted track limits on Talladega and Daytona in all top three series (referred to as the "yellow line rule") following the race. Failed to qualify: none
Auto Club 300 The Auto Club 300 was held April 28 at California Speedway . Bobby Hamilton Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
36-Hank Parker Jr. 18-Jeff Purvis 10-Jeff Green 71-Kevin Lepage 2-Kevin Harvick 60-Greg Biffle 1-Jimmy Spencer 33-Tony Raines 87-Joe Nemechek 20-Mike McLaughlin Failed to qualify: none
This was Hank Parker Jr.’s first of 2 Busch Series wins.
Hardee's 250 The Hardee's 250 was held May 4 at Richmond International Raceway . Matt Kenseth won the pole.
Top ten results
1-Jimmy Spencer 33-Tony Raines 21-Mike Skinner 17-Matt Kenseth 2-Kevin Harvick 10-Jeff Green 23-Scott Wimmer 48-Kenny Wallace 31-Steve Park 43-Jay Sauter Failed to qualify: none
CVS Pharmacy 200 presented by Bayer The CVS Pharmacy 200 presented by Bayer was held May 12 at New Hampshire International Speedway . Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
57-Jason Keller 2-Kevin Harvick 21-Mike Skinner 10-Jeff Green 48-Kenny Wallace 31-Steve Park 26-Bobby Hamilton Jr. 7-Randy LaJoie 98-Elton Sawyer 20-Mike McLaughlin Failed to qualify: none
Nazareth 200 The Nazareth 200 was held May 20 at Nazareth Speedway . Tony Raines won the pole.
Top ten results
60-Greg Biffle 2-Kevin Harvick 10-Jeff Green 57-Jason Keller 66-Tim Fedewa 33-Tony Raines 26-Bobby Hamilton Jr. 59-Rich Bickle 92-Jimmie Johnson 27-Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: none
Carquest Auto Parts 300 The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 26 at Lowe's Motor Speedway . Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
10-Jeff Green 17-Matt Kenseth 57-Jason Keller 00-Todd Bodine 21-Mike Skinner 60-Greg Biffle 9-Jeff Burton 1-Jimmy Spencer 34-David Green 18-Jeff Purvis Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (#32), Rich Woodland Jr. (#40), Dwayne Leik (#81), Dave Blaney (#93)
MBNA Platinum 200 The MBNA Platinum 200 was held June 2 at Dover International Speedway . Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
1-Jimmy Spencer 17-Matt Kenseth 2-Kevin Harvick 21-Mike Skinner 31-Steve Park 98-Elton Sawyer 23-Scott Wimmer 34-David Green 60-Greg Biffle 33-Tony Raines Failed to qualify: none
Outback Steakhouse 300 The inaugural Outback Steakhouse 300 was held June 16 at Kentucky Speedway . Jay Sauter won the pole. In his first Busch Series start, Travis Kvapil flipped. Tim Sauter suffered a 60-point penalty after an illegal rollcage was found on his car after the race.
Top ten results
2-Kevin Harvick 60-Greg Biffle 33-Tony Raines 98-Elton Sawyer 46-Ashton Lewis 74-Chad Little 7-Randy LaJoie 37-Kevin Grubb 43-Jay Sauter 27-Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (#32), Jeff Falk (#8), Mike Harmon (#44)
GNC Live Well 250 The GNC Live Well 250 was held July 1 at The Milwaukee Mile . Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
60-Greg Biffle 17-Matt Kenseth 37-Kevin Grubb 2-Kevin Harvick 57-Jason Keller 98-Elton Sawyer 18-Jeff Purvis 11-Ron Hornaday Jr. 10-Jeff Green 33-Tony Raines Failed to qualify: none
GNC Live Well 200 The GNC Live Well 200 was held July 8 at Watkins Glen International . Scott Pruett won the pole.
Top ten results
87-Ron Fellows 60-Greg Biffle 2-Kevin Harvick 17-Boris Said 21-Robby Gordon 98-Elton Sawyer 35-Lyndon Amick 71-Scott Pruett 57-Jason Keller 11-Ron Hornaday Jr. Failed to qualify: none
Sam's Club presents the Hill Bros. Coffee 300 The inaugural Sam's Club presents the Hill Bros. Coffee 300 was held July 14 at Chicagoland Speedway . Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
92-Jimmie Johnson 21-Mike Skinner 9-Jeff Burton 87-Joe Nemechek 57-Jason Keller 10-Jeff Green 00-Buckshot Jones 98-Elton Sawyer 37-Kevin Grubb 71-Kevin Lepage Failed to qualify: Mike Harmon (#44), Rich Woodland Jr. (#40)
This race stands as Jimmie Johnson's lone Busch Series victory.
Carquest Auto Parts 250 The Carquest Auto Parts 250 was held July 21 at Gateway International Raceway . Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
2-Kevin Harvick 57-Jason Keller 37-Kevin Grubb 60-Greg Biffle 10-Jeff Green 48-Kenny Wallace 37-David Green 98-Elton Sawyer 7-Randy LaJoie 23-Scott Wimmer Failed to qualify: Mark Voigt (#30)
NAPA Autocare 250 The NAPA Autocare 250 was held July 28 at Pikes Peak International Raceway . Kenny Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
21-Jeff Purvis 10-Jeff Green 2-Kevin Harvick 57-Jason Keller 60-Greg Biffle 37-David Green 92-Jimmie Johnson 37-Kevin Grubb 48-Kenny Wallace 00-Tim Fedewa Failed to qualify: Mark Voigt (#30)
Kroger 200 The Kroger 200 was held August 4 at Indianapolis Raceway Park . Kenny Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
2-Kevin Harvick 60-Greg Biffle 74-Chad Little 98-Elton Sawyer 57-Jason Keller 10-Jeff Green 00-Tim Fedewa 66-Geoff Bodine 59-Rich Bickle 27-Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: Wayman Wittman (#93), Mardy Lindley (#89)
NAPAonline.com 250 The NAPAonline.com 250 was held August 18 at Michigan International Speedway . Jimmy Spencer won the pole.
Top ten results
02-Ryan Newman 2-Kevin Harvick 33-Tony Raines 92-Jimmie Johnson 18-Mike McLaughlin 21-Mike Skinner 98-Elton Sawyer 57-Jason Keller 00-Tim Fedewa 9-Jeff Burton Failed to qualify: Dwayne Leik (#81)
This was Newman's 1st of 7 Busch Series victories as well as the first for Team Penske .
Food City 250 The Food City 250 was held August 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway . Mike Skinner won the pole.
Top ten results
2-Kevin Harvick 10-Jeff Green 48-Kenny Wallace 31-Steve Park 98-Elton Sawyer 23-Scott Wimmer 1-Jimmy Spencer 02-Ryan Newman 74-Chad Little 43-Jay Sauter Failed to qualify: Nate Monteith (#44), Randy Ratliff (#75), Ron Young (#71)
South Carolina 200 The South Carolina 200 was held September 1 at Darlington Raceway . Ryan Newman won the pole.[1] On lap 19 of this race, Steve Park lost control of his race car under caution and was T-boned by rookie Larry Foyt .[2] [3] Park suffered near-fatal injuries that made him miss the remainder of the 2001 racing season and the 2002 Daytona 500 .[4]
Top ten results
9-Jeff Burton 98-Elton Sawyer 18-Mike McLaughlin 02-Ryan Newman 26-Bobby Hamilton Jr. 57-Jason Keller 17-Matt Kenseth 1-Jimmy Spencer 10-Jeff Green 33-Tony Raines Failed to qualify: none
Autolite / Fram 250 The Autolite / Fram 250 was held September 7 at Richmond International Raceway . Jeff Green won the pole.[5] During the race, Greg Biffle and Jay Sauter tangled, resulting in Biffle running from his car to punch Sauter.[6] Both drivers were given a 100-point penalty for their actions.[7]
Top ten results
1-Jimmy Spencer 17-Matt Kenseth 37-Kevin Grubb 66-Geoff Bodine 21-Johnny Sauter 74-Chad Little 02-Ryan Newman 98-Elton Sawyer 9-Jeff Burton 4-Mike Wallace Failed to qualify: Steven Christian (#94), Randy Ratliff (#75), Dion Cicarelli (#84), A. J. Alsup (#72), Ron Young (#71), Robbie Faggart (#97), Chad Chaffin (#16), Jeff Oakley (#96), Eddie Beahr (#5)
Larry Foyt qualified the No. 14, but chose not to drive because he still felt sore after his hard crash in the previous week and felt he was in no condition to race, so he was replaced in the race by Mark Green .
MBNA.com 200 The MBNA.com 200 was held September 22 at Dover International Speedway . Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
10-Jeff Green 48-Kenny Wallace 1-Jimmy Spencer 74-Chad Little 60-Greg Biffle 71-Kevin Lepage 33-Tony Raines 36-Hank Parker Jr. 7-Randy LaJoie 17-Matt Kenseth Failed to qualify: none
Mr. Goodcents 300 The inaugural Mr. Goodcents 300 was held September 29 at Kansas Speedway . Kevin Lepage won the pole.
Top ten results
10-Jeff Green 36-Hank Parker Jr. 60-Greg Biffle 17-Matt Kenseth 57-Jason Keller 92-Jimmie Johnson 33-Tony Raines 00-Buckshot Jones 59-Mark Green 18-Mike McLaughlin Failed to qualify: Mike Swaim Jr. (#12), Jason Rudd (#85), A. J. Alsup (#72)
Little Trees 300 The Little Trees 300 was held October 6 at Lowe's Motor Speedway . Jeff Burton won the pole.
Top ten results
60-Greg Biffle 57-Jason Keller 9-Jeff Burton 2-Kevin Harvick 46-Ashton Lewis 1-Jimmy Spencer 36-Hank Parker Jr. 5-Ward Burton 98-Elton Sawyer 10-Jeff Green Failed to qualify: Jeff Fultz (#86), Dwayne Leik (#81), Jason Rudd (#85), J. R. Robbs (#89), Josh Richeson (#6)
Sam's Town 250 The Sam's Town 250 was held October 13 at Memphis Motorsports Park . Kevin Harvick won the pole. The race was supposed to be tape delayed and shown on TNT after the Cup race, but due to rain that also delayed the Winston Cup race at Martinsville, NBC showed this race live instead.
Top ten results
7-Randy LaJoie 10-Jeff Green 2-Kevin Harvick 43-Jay Sauter 59-Jeff Purvis 11-Tim Fedewa 57-Jason Keller 23-Scott Wimmer 46-Ashton Lewis 18-Mike McLaughlin Failed to qualify: Sammy Ragan (#78)
This was LaJoie's 15th and final win.
Outback Steakhouse 200 The Outback Steakhouse 200 was held October 27 at Phoenix International Raceway . Jimmy Spencer won the pole.
Top ten results
60-Greg Biffle 10-Jeff Green 2-Kevin Harvick 43-Ron Hornaday Jr. 92-Todd Bodine 57-Jason Keller 23-Scott Wimmer 36-Hank Parker Jr. 9-Jeff Burton 48-Kenny Wallace Failed to qualify: Lance Hooper (#75), Damon Lusk (#80)
Sam's Club 200 The Sam's Club 200 was held November 3 at North Carolina Speedway . Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results
48-Kenny Wallace 17-Matt Kenseth 18-Mike McLaughlin 57-Jason Keller 2-Kevin Harvick 34-David Green 02-Ryan Newman 36-Hank Parker Jr. 10-Jeff Green 98-Elton Sawyer 1 lap down Failed to qualify: Scott Hansen (#75), Drew White (#22)
Harvick's fifth-place finish was good enough to clinch the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series champion by 156 points over Jeff Green . This was Kenny Wallace's final Busch Series win.
GNC Live Well 300 The GNC Live Well 300 was held November 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway . Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
87-Joe Nemechek 98-Elton Sawyer 60-Greg Biffle 23-Scott Wimmer 17-Matt Kenseth 99-Michael Waltrip 5-Ward Burton 02-Ryan Newman 10-Jeff Green 59-Stacy Compton Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89), Tim Fedewa (#12), Martin Truex Jr. (#56), Dan Pardus (#32), Jeff Fultz (#86), Ron Young (#71), Tom Carey Jr. (#01), Mike Harmon (#44), Michael Dokken (#8), Dion Ciccarelli (#84), Brian Tyler (#94), Danny Bagwell (#22)
Results and standings
Race results
Drivers' Championship (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.
Rookie of the Year Greg Biffle of Roush Racing won the Rookie of the Year title in 2001, winning a record five races and finishing fourth in points, in addition to leading the championship standings at one point in the season. Runner-up was Scott Wimmer , who finished twenty-six points out of tenth in final standings. Jamie McMurray and Larry Foyt finished 3rd and 4th respectively, while Kelly Denton and Christian Elder signed to run limited schedules with their teams. Marty Houston , Tim Sauter , and David Donohue were either released during the season or had their team shut down due to sponsor issues.
See also
References ^ "Ryan Newman wins Busch pole". United Press International . August 31, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2024 . ^ "Park K'Od But Ok After Freak Accident". Orlando Sentinel . September 2, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2024 . ^ Korth, Joanne (September 20, 2001). "Steering wheel may have come off on Park". Tampa Bay Times . Retrieved April 2, 2024 . ^ "NASCAR's Steve Park out indefinitely". United Press International . September 7, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2024 . ^ "Jeff Green wins Busch pole". United Press International . September 6, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2024 . ^ "Richmond Gets A Spencer Sweep". The Washington Post . Associated Press . September 8, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2024 . ^ "Biffle, Sauter each lose 100 points". ESPN . Associated Press . September 12, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2024 .
External links Busch Series standings and statistics for 2001