Sports

Motorsports 2006

A look at the drivers

A glance at the drivers competing in the Nextel Cup Series, listed alphabetically:

By Times Staff
Published February 17, 2006

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GREG BIFFLE

BORN: Dec. 23, 1969

HOMETOWN: Vancouver, Wash.

IN 2005: Second in points with six wins, no poles, 15 top fives, 21 top 10s and earned $5,729,930. ... Made a run at the Nextel Cup title and won a series-high six races. ... Should be a top title contender again this year.

DAVE BLANEY

BORN: Oct. 24, 1962

HOMETOWN: Hartford, Ohio

IN 2005: 26th in points with no poles, no top fives, two top 10s and earned $3,342,290. ... The 1995 World of Outlaws Sprint Series champion had a rough go in Richard Childress' third car. ... Let go at the end of the season. ... Rejoined Bill Davis Racing, where he drove 1999-2001.

CLINT BOWYER

BORN: May 30, 1979

HOMETOWN: Emporia, Kan.

IN 2005: 69th in points with one start. ... Second in the Busch Series standings with two wins to earn promotion to Nextel Cup series. ... Replaces Dave Blaney. ... Will run for Rookie of the Year and run full Busch Series schedule.

JEFF BURTON

BORN: June 29, 1967

HOMETOWN: South Boston, Va.

IN 2005: 18th in points with no wins, no poles, three top fives, six top 10s and earned $4,265,670. ... Starts first in Sunday's Daytona 500, his third career pole and first since 2000. ... Scott Miller took over as crew chief with three races remaining last season. ... The two hope to turn things around and become contenders - Burton hasn't won since 2001.

KURT BUSCH

BORN: Aug. 4, 1978

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

IN 2005: Was 10th in points in 34 starts, had three wins, no poles, nine top fives, 18 top 10s and earned $6,516,320. ... Had a terrible fall from grace as the reigning series champion when he was suspended for the final two races following an incident with Phoenix police. ... Got his release from Roush Racing to replace Rusty Wallace at Penske.

KYLE BUSCH

BORN: May 2, 1985

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

IN 2005: 20th in points with two wins, one pole, nine top fives, 13 top 10s and earned $4,185,240. ... Won Rookie of the Year. ... Earned first win in September at California Speedway and followed with another in November at Phoenix. ... Expects to make the Chase for the Championship this season.

DALE EARNHARDT JR.

BORN: Oct. 10, 1974

HOMETOWN: Kannapolis, N.C.

IN 2005: 19th in points with one win, no poles, seven top fives, 13 top 10s and earned $5,761,830. ... Missed the Chase for the Championship, leaving NASCAR's marquee event without its most popular star. ... Has Tony Eury Jr. back as crew chief and is expected to be a contender again.

CARL EDWARDS

BORN: Aug. 15, 1979

HOMETOWN: Columbia, Mo.

IN 2005: Finished third in points with four wins, two poles, 13 top fives, 18 top 10s and earned $4,889,990. ... Edged Jimmie Johnson in a dramatic spring finish at Atlanta for his first victory. ... Won three more times and marked each with a celebratory back flip. ... Was also Busch Series Rookie of the Year. ... Will compete in both series.

JEFF GORDON

BORN: Aug. 4, 1971

HOMETOWN: Vallejo, Calif.

IN 2005: 11th in points with four wins, two poles, eight top fives, 14 top 10s and earned $6,885,440. ... Failed to make the Chase for the Championship and replaced crew chief Robbie Loomis with 10 races left in the season. ... Won third Daytona 500, but slumped in summer. ... Four-time series champion looks to rebound.

ROBBY GORDON

BORN: Jan. 2, 1969

HOMETOWN: Bellflower, Calif.

IN 2005: 37th in points with 29 starts, no wins, no poles, one top five, two top 10s and earned $2,271,310. ... Had a rough go as driver-owner. ... Missed the Daytona 500 and six other races. ... Considered one of the most versatile and talented racers in all forms of racing.

JEFF GREEN

BORN: Sept. 6, 1962

HOMETOWN: Owensboro, Ky.

IN 2005: Finished 29th in points with no poles, no top 10s and earned $4,040,430. ... A decent qualifier, Green struggled to finish it out. ... Released from Petty Enterprises at the end of the season. ... Landed with Haas CNC Racing, where he replaces Mike Bliss.

DENNY HAMLIN

BORN: Nov. 18, 1980

HOMETOWN: Chesterfield, Va.

IN 2005: 41st in points with seven starts, no wins, one pole, no top fives, three top 10s and earned $610,030. ... Competed full time in the Busch Series, then climbed into the No. 11 Chevrolet after Jason Leffler was fired. ... The Brandon-born driver showed immediate ability at Daytona, winning Sunday's Budweiser Shootout. ... Will compete for Rookie of the Year.

KEVIN HARVICK

BORN: Dec. 8, 1975

HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, Calif.

IN 2005: 14th in points with one win, two poles, three top fives, 10 top 10s and earned $4,970,050. ... In the final year of his contract with RCR. ... Won't agree to new deal unless he's convinced organization is a strong contender. ... Could be top free agent at the end of the season.

DALE JARRETT

BORN: Nov. 26, 1956

HOMETOWN: Hickory, N.C.

IN 2005: 15th in points with one win, one pole, four top fives, seven top 10s and earned $4,705,440. ... Came out of nowhere to win at Talladega. ... Gets another new crew chief, Slugger Labbe. ... Aims for Chase after missing first two.

JIMMIE JOHNSON

BORN: Sept. 17, 1975

HOMETOWN: El Cajon, Calif.

IN 2005: Fifth in points with four wins, one pole, 13 top fives, 22 top 10s and earned $6,796,660. ... Started season as the favorite to win the title, came close but slipped in the season finale. ... Only Tony Stewart had more top-10 finishes. ... Will again contend for the title.

KASEY KAHNE

BORN: April 10, 1980

HOMETOWN: Enumclaw, Wash.

IN 2005: 23rd in points with one win, two poles, five top fives, eight top 10s and earned $4,874,840. ... Earned first career win by beating Tony Stewart in a close finish at Richmond in May. ... Inconsistent and missed the Chase. ... A restructuring under car owner Ray Evernham shook up the leadership of the teams, removing crew chief Tommy Baldwin.

MATT KENSETH

BORN: March 10, 1972

HOMETOWN: Cambridge, Wis.

IN 2005: Seventh in points with one win, two poles, 12 top fives, 17 top 10s and earned $5,790,770. ... Had one of his better statistical seasons including a career high in top fives but never emerged as a title contender. ... Signed long-term extension to stay with Roush.

TRAVIS KVAPIL

BORN: March 1, 1976

HOMETOWN: Janesville, Wis.

IN 2005: 33rd in points with no wins, no poles, no top fives, two top 10s and earned $3,293,450. ... Drove for Penske-Jasper Racing and competed for Rookie of the Year. Team folded when sponsor Kodak pulled out. ... Replaces Bobby Hamilton Jr.

BOBBY LABONTE

BORN: May 8, 1964

HOMETOWN: Corpus Christi, Texas

IN 2005: 24th in points with no wins, no poles, four top fives, seven top 10s and earned $4,627,400. ... Parted ways with Joe Gibbs Racing after one of his worst seasons. ... Making a fresh start with Petty Enterprises. ... Will work with Todd Parrott and team manager Robbie Loomis, who both won Cup titles as crew chiefs.

STERLING MARLIN

BORN: June 30, 1957

HOMETOWN: Columbia, Tenn.

IN 2005: 30th in points with 35 starts, no wins, no poles, one top five, five top 10s and earned $4,080,120. ... Production has plummeted since he finished third in points in 2001. ... Gone from Chip Ganassi Racing and in a new ride with MB2. ... Could be the final stop in his career.

MARK MARTIN

BORN: Jan. 9, 1959

HOMETOWN: Batesville, Ark.

IN 2005: Fourth in points with one win, no poles, 12 top fives, 19 top 10s and earned $5,994,350. ... Wanted to retire last season, but was persuaded to stay on another year when a suitable replacement was not found. ... Will call it quits after 2006.

JEREMY MAYFIELD

BORN: May 27, 1969

HOMETOWN: Owensboro, Ky.

IN 2005: Ninth in points with one win, no poles, four top fives, nine top 10s and earned $4,566,910. ... Qualified for Chase in consecutive seasons, but never made a run at the title. ... Avoided finishing 10th because Kurt Busch didn't compete in the final two events.

JAMIE McMURRAY

BORN: June 3, 1976

HOMETOWN: Joplin, Mo.

IN 2005: 12th in points with no wins, one pole, four top fives, 10 top 10s and earned $3,923,970. ... Barely missed the Chase for the second straight season. ... Pushed for a release from Chip Ganassi Racing so he could join Roush Racing. ... Takes over Kurt Busch's car. Number changed to 26 from 97.

CASEY MEARS

BORN: March 12, 1978

HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, Calif.

IN 2005: Finished 22nd in points with no wins, no poles, three top fives, nine top 10s and earned $4,234,170. ... Nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears. ... Was probably NASCAR's most improved driver last season. ... Shifted into the No. 42 Dodge that Jamie McMurray vacated.

JOE NEMECHEK

BORN: Sept. 26, 1963

HOMETOWN: Lakeland.

IN 2005: 16th in points with no wins, one pole, two top fives, nine top 10s and earned $4,223,380 ... Improved three spots in the standings from 2004. ... Veteran Sterling Marlin is a teammate. ... Could contend for a win or two.

RYAN NEWMAN

BORN: Dec. 8, 1977

HOMETOWN: South Bend, Ind.

IN 2005: Sixth in points with one win, eight poles, eight top fives, 16 top 10s and earned $5,578,110. ... Didn't win until Sept. 18 at New Hampshire and barely made the Chase. ... Hopes to benefit from new teammate Kurt Busch better than he did with former teammate Rusty Wallace, who retired.

KYLE PETTY

BORN: June 20, 1960

HOMETOWN: Trinity, N.C.

IN 2005: Finished 27th in points with no poles, no top fives, two top 10s and earned $3,465,690. ... Petty earned a rare top-10 finish when he placed eighth in the spring race at Bristol. ... Team made small - yet significant - strides in 2005. ... Strives to log consistent top-20 and top-15 showings in 2006.

TONY RAINES

BORN: April 14, 1964

HOMETOWN: LaPorte, Ind.

IN 2005: 50th in points with six starts, no poles, no top 10s and earned $420,500. ... Joins new team owned by former NFL stars Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. ... Will take over at sixth race; Terry Labonte will start the first five plus both road courses. ... Joe Gibbs Racing to supply cars and engines.

SCOTT RIGGS

BORN: Jan. 1, 1971

HOMETOWN: Bahama, N.C.

IN 2005: 34th in points with no wins, one pole, two top fives, four top 10s and earned $4,030,680. ... Drives a new car partly owned by Evernham. ... Teammates with Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield.

ELLIOTT SADLER

BORN: April 30, 1975

HOMETOWN: Emporia, Va.

IN 2005: 13th in points with no wins, four poles, one top five, 12 top 10s and earned $5,024,120. ... Dropped off from 2004 season, when he was a career best ninth in points with two victories. ... With new crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., hopes to rebound after failing to make the Chase.

KEN SCHRADER

BORN: May 29, 1955

HOMETOWN: Fenton, Mo.

IN 2005: 31st in points with no poles, no top fives, three top 10s and earned $3,057,530. ... Drove for underfunded BAM Racing. ... Moves to the Wood Brothers, one of NASCAR's original teams.

BRENT SHERMAN

BORN: May 24, 1974

HOMETOWN: St. Paul, Minn.

IN 2005: Did not start a Cup race. ... Made 24 starts in the Busch Series with one top-10. ... Also dabbled in the ARCA series. ... Has no Nextel Cup experience, so he could struggle in the single-car BAM organization. ... Replaces veteran Ken Schrader.

REED SORENSON

BORN: Feb. 5, 1986

HOMETOWN: Peachtree City, Ga.

IN 2005: 67th in points with two starts, no poles, no top 10s and earned $137,575. ... Fourth in the Busch Series standings with two wins. ... Moves up to Cup in the flagship car for Ganassi. ... Will compete with teammate David Stremme for Rookie of the Year. ... Will compete in full Busch schedule.

TONY STEWART

BORN: May 20, 1971

HOMETOWN: Rushville, Ind.

IN 2005: First in points with five wins, three poles, 17 top fives, 25 top 10s and earned $6,987,530. ... Won second series title. ... Won five times in a seven-race stretch and easily led the series in top 10s. ... Fulfilled boyhood dream of winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by taking the Brickyard 400.

DAVID STREMME

BORN: June 19, 1977

HOMETOWN: South Bend, Ind.

IN 2005: 57th in points with four starts, no poles, no top 10s and earned $268,150. ... Drove for FitzBradshaw Racing in the Busch Series and finished 13th in points. ... Replaced Sterling Marlin.

MARTIN TRUEX

BORN: June 29, 1980

HOMETOWN: Mayetta, N.J.

IN 2005: 47th in points in seven starts, no top fives, one top 10 and earned $929,028. ... Earned consecutive Busch Series titles and won six races. ... Will run for Rookie of the Year.

BRIAN VICKERS

BORN: Oct. 24, 1983

HOMETOWN: Thomasville, N.C.

IN 2005: 17th in points with no wins, one pole, five top fives, 10 top 10s and earned $3,982,130. ... 2003 Busch Series champion was in the hunt for a few wins but fell short. ... Had hernia surgery in the offseason.

MICHAEL WALTRIP

BORN: April 30, 1963

HOMETOWN: Owensboro, Ky.

IN 2005: 25th in points with no wins, one pole, three top fives, seven top 10s and earned $4,375,090. ... Two-time Daytona 500 champion struggled in a down season for Dale Earnhardt Inc. ... Moved to Bill Davis Racing and took sponsor NAPA with him. ... Will form own team in 2007.

SCOTT WIMMER

BORN: Jan. 26, 1976

HOMETOWN: Wausau, Wis.

IN 2005: 32nd in points with no poles, no top 10s and earned $3,682,980. ... Cut ties with Bill Davis Racing and moved to underfunded Morgan-McClure Motorsports. ... Will drive 13 Busch races for Brewco Motorsports.

J.J. YELEY

BORN: Oct. 5, 1976

HOMETOWN: Phoenix

IN 2005: 56th in points with four starts, no poles, no top 10s and earned $290,115. ... 11th in points with 12 top 10s in the Busch Series and filled in a bit in the Cup car. ... Comes from a sprint car background.

[Last modified February 16, 2006, 09:46:05]