The 2004 Pepsi 300 was the seventh stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series and the fourth iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, April 10, 2004, in Gladeville, Tennessee at Nashville Superspeedway, a 1.333 miles (2.145 km) permanent D-shaped racetrack. The race took its scheduled 225 laps to complete. With two laps to go, the four leaders in the race, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Johnny Benson Jr., and Robby Gordon were involved in an accident when Bowyer tapped Busch exiting turn two. At the last second before the caution, then sixth-place driver, Michael Waltrip Racing driver Michael Waltrip, would pass then fifth-place driver, Brewco Motorsports driver Johnny Sauter, to take the lead when the caution was thrown by NASCAR. NASCAR would hand Waltrip the victory, and Sauter would earn second place.[1][2] The win was Waltrip's 11th and to date, final career NASCAR Busch Series win and his only win of the season. To fill out the podium, Kasey Kahne, driving for Akins Motorsports, would finish third.

2004 Pepsi 300
Race details
Race 7 of 34 of the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series
Date April 10, 2004
Official name 4th Annual Pepsi 300
Location Nashville Superspeedway, Gladeville, Tennessee
Course Permanent racing facility
1.333 mi (2.145 km)
Distance 225 laps, 299.925 mi (482.682 km)
Scheduled Distance 225 laps, 299.925 mi (482.682 km)
Pole position
Driver Chance 2 Motorsports
Time 28.819
Most laps led
Driver Clint Bowyer Richard Childress Racing
Winner
No. 99 Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing
Television in the United States
Network FX
Announcers Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds
Radio in the United States
Radio Motor Racing Network

Background

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The layout of Nashville Superspeedway, the venue where the race was held.

Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee, United States (though the track has a Lebanon postal address), about 30 mi (48 km) southeast of Nashville. The track was built in 2001 and is currently hosting the Ally 400, a NASCAR Cup Series regular season event, the Tennessee Lottery 250, and the Rackley Roofing 200.[3]

It is a concrete oval track 113 miles (2.145 km) long. Nashville Superspeedway is owned by Speedway Motorsports, which acquired the track's previous owner Dover Motorsports in December 2021. Nashville Superspeedway is the longest concrete oval in NASCAR. Current permanent seating capacity is approximately 25,000, but will reach up to 38,000 for the NASCAR Cup Series event in 2021.[4] Additional portable seats are brought in for some events, and seating capacity can be expanded to 150,000.[5] Infrastructure is in place to expand the facility to include a short track, drag strip, and road course.

Entry list

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  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
# Driver Team Make Sponsor
0 Greg Sacks Davis Motorsports Chevrolet Davis Motorsports
00 Jason Leffler Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet Haas Automation
1 Johnny Benson Jr. Phoenix Racing Dodge Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
2 Ron Hornaday Jr. Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet ACDelco
02 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet The FanZCar
4 Mike Wallace Biagi Brothers Racing Ford GEICO
5 Kyle Busch (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Lowe's, Pella
8 Martin Truex Jr. Chance 2 Motorsports Chevrolet Taco Bell
10 Gus Wasson Davis Motorsports Chevrolet Davis Motorsports
12 Tim Fedewa FitzBradshaw Racing Chevrolet NBS 24/7
14 Casey Atwood FitzBradshaw Racing Chevrolet United States Navy
16 Justin Ashburn Day Enterprises Racing Chevrolet 31-W Insulation, Spectra Metal Sales
18 J. J. Yeley (R) Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet The Home Depot, Vigoro
20 Mike Bliss Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet Rockwell Automation
21 Clint Bowyer (R) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Reese's
22 Jason Keller ppc Racing Ford ppc Racing
23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Chevrolet Stacker 2
24 Mike Harmon GIC–Mixon Motorsports Chevrolet GIC–Mixon Motorsports
25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Team Rensi Motorsports Ford United States Marine Corps
27 Johnny Sauter Brewco Motorsports Pontiac Kleenex, Dollar General Market!
30 David Stremme Braun Racing Dodge TrimSpa
32 Mike Garvey Competitive Edge Motorsports Chevrolet Negotiations Seminar
33 Paul Menard (R) Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet Menards, Pittsburgh Paint
36 Travis Geisler DCT Motorsports Chevrolet DCT Motorsports
37 David Green Brewco Motorsports Chevrolet Timber Wolf
38 Kasey Kahne Akins Motorsports Dodge Great Clips
39 Andy Ponstein Jay Robinson Racing Ford Yahoo!
43 Aaron Fike Curb Agajanian Motorsports Dodge Ollie's Bargain Outlet
46 Ashton Lewis Jr. Lewis Motorsports Chevrolet Lewis Motorsports "Advertise Here!!!"
47 Robert Pressley ST Motorsports Ford Clorox, Dollar General
49 Derrike Cope Jay Robinson Racing Ford Advil
50 David Starr Holigan Racing Chevrolet Enzyte
51 Stan Boyd (R) Ware Racing Enterprises Dodge TheKobra.com
53 Brad Teague Tennessee Mountain Boys Racing Chevrolet Tennessee Mountain Boys Racing
55 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet Fruit of the Loom
56 Regan Smith Mac Hill Motorsports Chevrolet Mac Hill Motorsports
59 Stacy Compton ST Motorsports Ford Kingsford, Dollar General
60 Greg Biffle Roush Racing Ford Charter Communications
63 Shane Wallace Shane Wallace Motorsports Chevrolet Speed Racer
72 Randy MacDonald MacDonald Motorsports Chevrolet MacDonald Motorsports
74 Tony Raines BACE Motorsports Chevrolet BACE Motorsports
75 Jay Sauter Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet Food Country USA, Lay's
77 Chad Chaffin Moy Racing Ford BG Products
84 Norm Benning Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet Norm Benning Racing
85 Brad Baker Premier Motorsports Chevrolet Premier Glass
87 David Reutimann NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet Natural Gear
88 Jeff Fuller NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet NEMCO Motorsports
89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford Racing with Jesus
91 Stanton Barrett Stanton Barrett Motorsports Pontiac Stanton Barrett Motorsports
94 Eddie Beahr Beahr Racing Enterprises Dodge Beahr Racing Enterprises
95 David Keith Sadler Brothers Racing Chevrolet Sadler Brothers Racing
96 Caleb Holman Ortec Racing Chevrolet Ortec Racing
97 Jimmy Kitchens Stanton Barrett Motorsports Chevrolet Stanton Barrett Motorsports
99 Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing Chevrolet Aaron's
Official entry list

Practice

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First practice

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The first practice session was held on Friday, April 9, at 12:00 PM CST. The session would last for two hours.[6] David Green, driving for Brewco Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.985 and an average speed of 165.561 miles per hour (266.445 km/h).[7]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 37 David Green Brewco Motorsports Chevrolet 28.985 165.561
2 25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Team Rensi Motorsports Ford 29.003 165.459
3 8 Martin Truex Jr. Chance 2 Motorsports Chevrolet 29.040 165.248
Full first practice results

Second and final practice

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The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, April 9, at 6:15 PM CST. The session would last for one hour.[6] Martin Truex Jr., driving for Chance 2 Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.452 and an average speed of 162.936 miles per hour (262.220 km/h).[8]

During the session, Martin Truex Jr. would crash along with Jeff Fuller, forcing Truex Jr. to go to a backup car and to start at the rear for the race.[9]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 8 Martin Truex Jr. Chance 2 Motorsports Chevrolet 29.452 162.936
2 55 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet 29.619 162.018
3 25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Team Rensi Motorsports Ford 29.619 162.018
Full Happy Hour practice results

Qualifying

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Qualifying was held on Friday, April 9, at 3:35 PM CST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.[6] 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 champion needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[10]

Martin Truex Jr., driving for Chance 2 Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 28.819 and an average speed of 166.515 miles per hour (267.980 km/h).[11]

11 drivers would fail to qualify: Shane Wallace, Stan Boyd, Justin Ashburn, Chad Chaffin, Mike Harmon, Greg Sacks, Morgan Shepherd, Jimmy Kitchens, Eddie Beahr, Norm Benning, and Brad Baker.

Full qualifying results

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Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 8 Martin Truex Jr. Chance 2 Motorsports Chevrolet 28.819 166.515
2 1 Johnny Benson Jr. Phoenix Racing Dodge 28.826 166.475
3 25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Team Rensi Motorsports Ford 28.966 165.670
4 22 Jason Keller ppc Racing Ford 28.995 165.504
5 27 Johnny Sauter Brewco Motorsports Pontiac 29.006 165.442
6 38 Kasey Kahne Akins Motorsports Dodge 29.021 165.356
7 59 Stacy Compton ST Motorsports Ford 29.054 165.168
8 00 Jason Leffler Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet 29.084 164.998
9 20 Mike Bliss Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 29.097 164.924
10 37 David Green Brewco Motorsports Chevrolet 29.126 164.760
11 55 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet 29.133 164.720
12 5 Kyle Busch (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 29.144 164.658
13 46 Ashton Lewis Jr. Lewis Motorsports Chevrolet 29.165 164.540
14 30 David Stremme Braun Racing Dodge 29.232 164.163
15 87 David Reutimann NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet 29.239 164.123
16 60 Greg Biffle Roush Racing Ford 29.240 164.118
17 12 Tim Fedewa FitzBradshaw Racing Chevrolet 29.290 163.837
18 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Chevrolet 29.300 163.782
19 21 Clint Bowyer (R) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 29.310 163.726
20 43 Aaron Fike Curb Agajanian Motorsports Dodge 29.331 163.609
21 74 Tony Raines BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 29.338 163.569
22 99 Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing Chevrolet 29.391 163.275
23 36 Travis Geisler DCT Motorsports Chevrolet 29.395 163.252
24 33 Paul Menard (R) Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet 29.396 163.247
25 18 J. J. Yeley (R) Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 29.460 162.892
26 47 Robert Pressley ST Motorsports Ford 29.518 162.572
27 14 Casey Atwood FitzBradshaw Racing Chevrolet 29.529 162.511
28 2 Ron Hornaday Jr. Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 29.589 162.182
29 50 David Starr Holigan Racing Chevrolet 29.711 161.516
30 4 Mike Wallace Biagi Brothers Racing Ford 29.717 161.483
31 88 Jeff Fuller NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet 29.724 161.445
32 91 Stanton Barrett Stanton Barrett Motorsports Chevrolet 29.765 161.223
33 02 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet 29.802 161.023
34 56 Regan Smith Mac Hill Motorsports Chevrolet 29.868 160.667
35 32 Mike Garvey Competitive Edge Motorsports Chevrolet 29.871 160.651
36 75 Jay Sauter Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet 29.878 160.613
37 95 David Keith Sadler Brothers Racing Chevrolet 29.898 160.506
38 53 Brad Teague Tennessee Mountain Boys Racing Chevrolet 29.975 160.093
Provisionals
39 49 Derrike Cope Jay Robinson Racing Ford 30.740 156.109
40 96 Caleb Holman Ortec Racing Chevrolet 30.666 156.486
41 10 Gus Wasson Davis Motorsports Chevrolet 30.198 158.911
42 72 Randy MacDonald MacDonald Motorsports Chevrolet 30.095 159.455
43 39 Andy Ponstein Jay Robinson Racing Ford 30.592 156.865
Failed to qualify
44 63 Shane Wallace Shane Wallace Motorsports Chevrolet 30.148 159.175
45 51 Stan Boyd (R) Ware Racing Enterprises Dodge 30.167 159.074
46 16 Justin Ashburn Day Enterprises Racing Chevrolet 30.167 159.074
47 77 Chad Chaffin Moy Racing Ford 30.180 159.006
48 24 Mike Harmon GIC–Mixon Motorsports Chevrolet 30.323 158.256
49 0 Greg Sacks Davis Motorsports Chevrolet 30.388 157.918
50 89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford 30.443 157.632
51 97 Jimmy Kitchens Stanton Barrett Motorsports Chevrolet 30.538 157.142
52 94 Eddie Beahr Beahr Racing Enterprises Dodge 31.187 153.872
53 84 Norm Benning Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet 32.133 149.342
54 85 Brad Baker Premier Motorsports Chevrolet 34.252 140.103
Official qualifying results

Race results

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Fin[12] St # Driver Team Make Laps Led Status Pts Winnings
1 22 99 Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing Chevrolet 225 2 running 185 $36,875
2 5 27 Johnny Sauter Brewco Motorsports Pontiac 225 0 running 170 $34,985
3 6 38 Kasey Kahne Akins Motorsports Dodge 225 17 running 170 $24,155
4 19 21 Clint Bowyer (R) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 225 104 running 170 $32,030
5 11 55 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet 225 9 running 160 $17,595
6 12 5 Kyle Busch (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 225 6 running 155 $30,425
23 1 8 Martin Truex Jr. Chance 2 Motorsports Chevrolet 219 0 running 94 $28,105
7 2 1 Johnny Benson Jr. Phoenix Racing Dodge 225 9 running 151 $21,505
27 3 25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Team Rensi Motorsports Ford 214 78 running 87 $19,630
9 8 00 Jason Leffler Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet 224 0 running 138 $26,155
10 10 37 David Green Brewco Motorsports Chevrolet 223 0 running 134 $18,280
11 26 47 Robert Pressley ST Motorsports Ford 223 0 running 130 $18,205
12 17 12 Tim Fedewa FitzBradshaw Racing Chevrolet 223 0 running 127 $23,960
8 9 20 Mike Bliss Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 225 0 running 142 $18,055
13 4 22 Jason Keller ppc Racing Ford 223 0 running 124 $15,330
14 7 59 Stacy Compton ST Motorsports Ford 222 0 running 121 $17,905
15 21 74 Tony Raines BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 222 0 running 118 $12,630
16 24 33 Paul Menard (R) Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet 222 0 running 115 $16,575
17 34 56 Regan Smith Mac Hill Motorsports Chevrolet 222 0 running 112 $12,480
18 18 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Chevrolet 222 0 running 109 $16,900
19 25 18 J. J. Yeley (R) Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 222 0 running 106 $16,700
20 27 14 Casey Atwood FitzBradshaw Racing Chevrolet 221 0 running 103 $16,360
21 13 46 Ashton Lewis Jr. Lewis Motorsports Chevrolet 220 0 running 100 $18,855
22 33 02 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet 220 0 running 97 $14,270
24 23 36 Travis Geisler DCT Motorsports Chevrolet 219 0 running 91 $12,325
25 15 87 David Reutimann NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet 218 0 running 88 $12,190
26 35 32 Mike Garvey Competitive Edge Motorsports Chevrolet 216 0 running 85 $21,675
28 40 96 Caleb Holman Ortec Racing Chevrolet 212 0 running 79 $14,125
29 29 50 David Starr Holigan Racing Chevrolet 210 0 running 76 $12,085
30 42 72 Randy MacDonald MacDonald Motorsports Chevrolet 210 0 running 73 $12,120
31 28 2 Ron Hornaday Jr. Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 201 0 running 70 $21,500
32 14 30 David Stremme Braun Racing Dodge 200 0 overheating 67 $15,980
33 41 10 Gus Wasson Davis Motorsports Chevrolet 187 0 engine 64 $21,460
34 43 39 Andy Ponstein Jay Robinson Racing Ford 145 0 too slow 61 $11,915
35 39 49 Derrike Cope Jay Robinson Racing Ford 100 0 brakes 58 $15,915
36 36 75 Jay Sauter Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet 98 0 ignition 55 $11,875
37 31 88 Jeff Fuller NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet 68 0 vibration 52 $17,345
38 30 4 Mike Wallace Biagi Brothers Racing Ford 55 0 crash 49 $13,810
39 20 43 Aaron Fike Curb Agajanian Motorsports Dodge 53 0 crash 46 $11,790
40 16 60 Greg Biffle Roush Racing Ford 24 0 engine 43 $11,770
41 32 91 Stanton Barrett Stanton Barrett Motorsports Chevrolet 21 0 handling 40 $11,750
42 38 53 Brad Teague Tennessee Mountain Boys Racing Chevrolet 3 0 engine 37 $11,730
43 37 95 David Keith Sadler Brothers Racing Chevrolet 2 0 clutch 34 $11,676
Failed to qualify
44 63 Shane Wallace Shane Wallace Motorsports Chevrolet
45 51 Stan Boyd (R) Ware Racing Enterprises Dodge
46 16 Justin Ashburn Day Enterprises Racing Chevrolet
47 77 Chad Chaffin Moy Racing Ford
48 24 Mike Harmon GIC–Mixon Motorsports Chevrolet
49 0 Greg Sacks Davis Motorsports Chevrolet
50 89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford
51 97 Jimmy Kitchens Stanton Barrett Motorsports Chevrolet
52 94 Eddie Beahr Beahr Racing Enterprises Dodge
53 84 Norm Benning Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet
54 85 Brad Baker Premier Motorsports Chevrolet
Official race results

Standings after the race

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References

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  1. ^ Walker, Teresa (April 12, 2004). "Waltrip takes crash-filled win at Nashville". NASCAR. Archived from the original on July 23, 2004. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "Rookies' eagerness leads to costly lesson". The Tennessean. April 11, 2004. pp. C10. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule release: Dirt track racing returns, road racing set at COTA and Road America". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  4. ^ Welcome to Nashville Superspeedway
  5. ^ Welcome to Nashville Superspeedway
  6. ^ a b c "Jayski's Silly Season Site - April 2004 Busch Series Archives". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on September 2, 2004. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2004 Pepsi 300 Practice 1 Results". NASCAR. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2004 Pepsi 300 Practice 2 Results". NASCAR. Archived from the original on July 3, 2004. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Crash ruins Truex's record qualifying time". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  10. ^ "Jayski's Silly Season Site - Provisional Land Page". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on 5 February 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  11. ^ Walker, Teresa (April 9, 2004). "Truex races to pole, then wrecksin the final Busch practice". ThatsRacin. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "2004 Pepsi 300 - The Third Turn". The Third Turn. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
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2004 O'Reilly 300
NASCAR Busch Series
2004 season
Next race:
2004 Aaron's 312 (Talladega)