2006 NASCAR Busch Series


The 25th season of the NASCAR Busch Series opened on February 18, 2006, at Daytona International Speedway, and concluded on November 18, 2006, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kevin Harvick, driving for his own team, Kevin Harvick, Inc., as well as for Richard Childress Racing, was declared champion.
This was the last year that Fox Sports/FX, TNT, and NBC covered the Busch Series. Starting in 2007, as part of a new TV contract with the television networks of The Walt Disney Company, ESPN2 televised the entire Busch season with select races on ABC.

Invasion of the "Busch Whackers"

There has been some controversy of the use of NEXTEL Cup teams with their drivers in Busch Series races, most notably at NEXTEL Cup tracks where there are Busch Series support races. This has been dubbed by Fox Sports announcer Mike Joy as "Busch Whacking", and many underfunded teams have failed to qualify for these races because of this. The 2006 season has been notable for those "double duty" drivers even traveling to sites where there are stand-alone races at Nashville Superspeedway, Kentucky Speedway, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and The Milwaukee Mile just to name a few, even on the rare weeks where there are no NEXTEL Cup races. Kentucky was the big upset where one of the underfunded one-car teams took advantage and pulled off the big upset.
In the end, Kevin Harvick, who at the time drove for Richard Childress Racing in the Cup series, won the 2006 championship on October 13, the second of his career having previously won in 2001. After Harvick won the title, talk began about limiting the number of "Busch Whackers" in each race or capping the double-dippers appearances for the entire season or even having a "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup" playoff system in place for the 2007 season since Harvick was so dominant during 2006 as NEXTEL Cup drivers won every race but two in the season. Ultimately, no changes were made until 2011, where NASCAR announced that Cup drivers could only run for points in one series. A limit over the number of races Cup drivers could run was not put into effect until over a decade later in 2017. The Busch/Nationwide/Xfinity Series did not have a playoffs until 2016, ten years later.

Schedule

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Races

Hershey's Kissables 300

The Hershey's Kissables 300 race was held on February 18, 2006, at Daytona International Speedway. J. J. Yeley won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #33 Tony Stewart
  2. #77 Burney Lamar
  3. #2 Clint Bowyer
  4. #47 Jon Wood
  5. #29 Kevin Harvick
  6. #32 Jason Leffler
  7. #06 Todd Kluever
  8. #18 J. J. Yeley
  9. #41 Reed Sorenson
  10. #4 Mark Green
Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis, Jay Sauter, Kevin Lepage, Chad Chaffin, Larry Hollenbeck, Chris Wimmer.

Stater Brothers 300

On February 25, 2006, the Busch Series took to California Speedway for this 300-mile race. Carl Edwards was the polesitter. Matt Kenseth suffered a 25-point penalty for an unapproved adjustment found in his car during opening day inspection.
Top ten results
  1. #16 Greg Biffle
  2. #39 Ryan Newman
  3. #60 Carl Edwards
  4. #21 Jeff Burton
  5. #64 Jamie McMurray
  6. #17 Matt Kenseth
  7. #18 J. J. Yeley
  8. #33 Kevin Harvick
  9. #57 Brian Vickers
  10. #20 Denny Hamlin
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope, David Gilliland, Chris Wimmer.

Telcel-Motorola 200

This road-course race took place on March 5, 2006 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. Boris Said won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #20 Denny Hamlin
  2. #9 Boris Said
  3. #21 Kevin Harvick
  4. #18 J. J. Yeley
  5. #11 Paul Menard
  6. #00 Johnny Sauter
  7. #5 Kyle Busch
  8. #60 Carl Edwards
  9. #90 Marc Goossens
  10. #64 Jamie McMurray
Failed to qualify: Eduardo Goeters, Stan Silva Jr., and Chris Wimmer.

Sam's Town 300

On March 11, 2006, the Busch Series raced at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth started from the pole position.
Top ten results
  1. #9 Kasey Kahne
  2. #17 Matt Kenseth
  3. #21 Kevin Harvick
  4. #16 Greg Biffle
  5. #60 Carl Edwards
  6. #20 Denny Hamlin
  7. #64 Jamie McMurray
  8. #18 J. J. Yeley
  9. #2 Clint Bowyer
  10. #41 Reed Sorenson
Failed to qualify: Jorge Goeters, Kertus Davis, Chris Wimmer.
this race was the only NASCAR Busch series race for Spencer Clark. He would pass away two months later

Nicorette 300

The Nicorette 300 was held on March 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch was the polesitter.
Top ten results
  1. #21 Jeff Burton
  2. #9 Kasey Kahne
  3. #16 Greg Biffle
  4. #17 Matt Kenseth
  5. #18 J. J. Yeley
  6. #32 Jason Leffler
  7. #57 Brian Vickers
  8. #77 Burney Lamar
  9. #64 Jamie McMurray
  10. #11 Paul Menard
Failed to qualify: Jorge Goeters, Steadman Marlin, Chris Wimmer

Sharpie Mini 300

This race was held on March 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Qualifying was snowed out and the field was set by current owner points. As a result, Kevin Harvick started from pole. The race was also halted by snow and drivers, crews, and fans amused themselves by throwing snowballs and building a snowman. The race was restarted after a 90-minute delay and run full-distance.
Top Ten results
  1. #5 Kyle Busch
  2. #21 Kevin Harvick
  3. #17 Matt Kenseth
  4. #20 Denny Hamlin
  5. #60 Carl Edwards
  6. #9 Scott Riggs
  7. #33 Ron Hornaday Jr.
  8. #22 Kenny Wallace
  9. #10 John Andretti
  10. #00 Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: Caleb Holman, Brad Teague, Jerry Robertson, Shane Hall

O'Reilly 300

This race was held on April 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole, the first of his Busch series career. The race finished under a green-white-checker finish and was won by Kurt Busch in his first Busch Series start. Matt Kenseth suffered a 25-point penalty for an unapproved adjustment to his car found in post race inspection.
Top ten results
  1. Kurt Busch
  2. Greg Biffle
  3. Casey Mears
  4. Kyle Busch
  5. Matt Kenseth
  6. Jeff Burton
  7. Paul Menard
  8. Kevin Harvick
  9. Scott Wimmer
  10. Denny Hamlin
Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis, Jorge Goeters, Chris Wimmer

Pepsi 300

This race was on held April 15 at Nashville Superspeedway. Denny Hamlin won his second pole in a row.
Top ten results
  1. Kevin Harvick
  2. Clint Bowyer
  3. Denny Hamlin
  4. J. J. Yeley
  5. Carl Edwards
  6. Jon Wood
  7. Burney Lamar
  8. Kenny Wallace
  9. Paul Menard
  10. Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: Jason White

Bashas' Supermarkets 200

This race was held April 21 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole. The race finished under a green-white-checker finish as Kevin Harvick won his second race in a row.
Top ten results:
  1. Kevin Harvick
  2. Reed Sorenson
  3. Carl Edwards
  4. Kurt Busch
  5. Mark Martin
  6. Matt Kenseth
  7. Greg Biffle
  8. David Green
  9. Casey Mears
  10. Jamie McMurray
Failed to Qualify: Jay Sauter, Marc Mitchell, Jorge Goeters, Chris Cook

Aaron's 312

This race was held April 29 at Talladega Superspeedway. J. J. Yeley won the pole. Kevin Harvick, Burney Lamar, who finished 20th, and Tony Stewart, who finished 39th, all suffered 25 point penalties for unapproved adjustments to their cars.
Top ten results
  1. Martin Truex Jr.
  2. Kevin Harvick
  3. Kyle Busch
  4. Brian Vickers
  5. Clint Bowyer
  6. Greg Biffle
  7. Mark McFarland
  8. Johnny Sauter
  9. Paul Menard
  10. Carl Edwards
As there were the maximum of forty-three cars to race, there were no drivers or teams that failed to qualify.
This race was held May 5 and May 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole. The race start was delayed approximately 1 hour for rain, after 13 laps rain fell again and the race was stopped for approximately another 43 minutes. The race eventually finished after midnight local time, resulting in the race occurring over two days. Kevin Harvick won his third Busch race of the year.
Top ten results
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #29 Jeff Burton
  3. #17 Matt Kenseth
  4. #16 Greg Biffle
  5. #39 Ryan Newman
  6. #60 Carl Edwards
  7. #2 Clint Bowyer
  8. #11 Paul Menard
  9. #5 Kyle Busch
  10. #20 Denny Hamlin
Failed to Qualify: Jason Keller, Jorge Goeters, Shane Hall, Kevin Conway, Joel Kauffman, Kertus Davis, A. J. Foyt IV

Diamond Hill Plywood 200

This race was held May 12 at Darlington Raceway. Denny Hamlin won from the pole.
  1. #20 Denny Hamlin
  2. #17 Matt Kenseth
  3. #64 Jamie McMurray
  4. #6 Mark Martin
  5. #16 Greg Biffle
  6. #5 Kyle Busch
  7. #21 Kevin Harvick
  8. #60 Carl Edwards
  9. #18 J. J. Yeley
  10. #38 Jason Leffler
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope, Morgan Shepherd, Shane Hall

Carquest Auto Parts 300

This race was held May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #60 Carl Edwards
  2. #39 Kurt Busch
  3. #18 J. J. Yeley
  4. #42 Casey Mears
  5. #8 Martin Truex Jr.
  6. #29 Jeff Burton
  7. #48 Jimmie Johnson
  8. #21 Kevin Harvick
  9. #06 Todd Kluever
  10. #35 Regan Smith
Failed to qualify: Aaron Fike, David Gilliland, Stanton Barrett, Joel Kauffman, Eric McClure, Kertus Davis, Kevin Conway

Stonebridgeracing.com 200

This race was held June 3 at Dover International Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, and the field was set by the rulebook, with the top 30 teams taking the first fifteen rows. Because of that, Kevin Harvick was awarded the pole position.
Top ten results:
  1. #29 Jeff Burton
  2. #60 Carl Edwards
  3. #39 Kurt Busch
  4. #2 Clint Bowyer
  5. #33 Ron Hornaday Jr.
  6. #5 Kyle Busch
  7. #20 Denny Hamlin
  8. #16 Greg Biffle
  9. #18 J. J. Yeley
  10. #41 Reed Sorenson
As there were the maximum of forty-three cars needed to race, no drivers or teams failed to qualify.

Federated Auto Parts 300

This race was held June 10 at Nashville Superspeedway. Todd Kluever won the pole.
top ten results
  1. #60 Carl Edwards
  2. #2 Clint Bowyer
  3. #21 Kevin Harvick
  4. #20 Denny Hamlin
  5. #11 Paul Menard
  6. #99 David Reutimann
  7. #66 Greg Biffle
  8. #47 Jon Wood
  9. #25 Ashton Lewis
  10. #50 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
Failed to qualify: Jerry Robertson, John Hayden

Meijer 300

This race was held June 17 at Kentucky Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. In a stunning upset, David Gilliland became the first winner in the 2006 season that was not on a team with a Nextel Cup driver. Jeff Fuller was involved in a severe crash where, trying to avoid the spinning car of Jason Leffler, Fuller hit the inside wall at full speed, and the car practically imploded on impact. Fuller suffered a broken wrist and thumb.
Top ten results:
  1. #84 David Gilliland
  2. #18 J. J. Yeley
  3. #20 Denny Hamlin
  4. #1 Mike Wallace
  5. #25 Ashton Lewis
  6. #21 Kevin Harvick
  7. #66 Greg Biffle
  8. #99 David Reutimann
  9. #11 Paul Menard
  10. #90 Stephen Leicht
Failed to qualify: John Hayden, David Odell, Stan Boyd

AT&T 250

This race was held June 24 at The Milwaukee Mile. Aric Almirola won the pole in the car normally driven by Denny Hamlin who actually drove the race in the car and started from the back. As a result, Paul Menard started the race from the pole position. He then went on to capture his first Busch series victory. This race was strange for the fact that only 41 cars started the race, instead of the usual 43.
Top ten results
  1. #11 Paul Menard
  2. #20 Denny Hamlin
  3. #18 J. J. Yeley
  4. #38 Jason Leffler
  5. #1 Mike Wallace
  6. #59 Stacy Compton
  7. #50 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
  8. #22 Kenny Wallace
  9. #00 Johnny Sauter
  10. #99 David Reutimann
Failed to qualify: none

Winn-Dixie 250

The Winn-Dixie 250 was held June 30 at Daytona International Speedway. J. J. Yeley won the pole. Kevin Harvick and Burney Lamar, who finished 22nd, suffered 50 point penalties for unapproved adjustments found on their cars during post race inspection. This was the final race to be broadcast on FOX until the 2015 Alert Florida 300
Top ten results:
  1. #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. #57 Brian Vickers
  3. #21 Kevin Harvick
  4. #18 J. J. Yeley
  5. #60 Carl Edwards
  6. #2 Clint Bowyer
  7. #1 Mike Wallace
  8. #88 Martin Truex Jr.
  9. #16 Greg Biffle
  10. #10 John Andretti
As there were the maximum of forty-three cars needed to race, no drivers or teams failed to qualify.

USG Durock 300

This race was held on July 8 at Chicagoland Speedway. Carl Edwards won the pole. Casey Mears captured his first NASCAR victory using an alternate fuel strategy.
Top ten results
  1. #42 Casey Mears
  2. #60 Carl Edwards
  3. #29 Jeff Burton
  4. #21 Kevin Harvick
  5. #17 Matt Kenseth
  6. #39 Kurt Busch
  7. #2 Clint Bowyer
  8. #41 Reed Sorenson
  9. #33 Tony Stewart
  10. #18 J. J. Yeley
Failed to Qualify: Derrike Cope, Justin Diercks, Carl Long

New England 200

The New England 200 was held July 15 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kyle Busch won the pole. Clint Bowyer dominated early in the race but Carl Edwards captured the victory.
Top ten results:
  1. #60 Carl Edwards
  2. #21 Kevin Harvick
  3. #20 Denny Hamlin
  4. #11 Paul Menard
  5. #2 Clint Bowyer
  6. #00 Johnny Sauter
  7. #9 Scott Riggs
  8. #18 J. J. Yeley
  9. #66 Scott Wimmer
  10. #16 Greg Biffle
As there were the maximum of forty-three cars needed to race, no drivers or teams failed to qualify.

Goody's 250

The Goody's 250 was held July 22 at Martinsville Speedway. Clint Bowyer won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #2 Clint Bowyer
  3. #20 Denny Hamlin
  4. #41 Reed Sorenson
  5. #00 Johnny Sauter
  6. #60 Carl Edwards
  7. #10 John Andretti
  8. #38 Jason Leffler
  9. #18 J. J. Yeley
  10. #01 Jay Sauter
Failed to qualify: Richard Landreth

Busch Silver Celebration 250

The Busch Silver Celebration 250 was held July 29 at Gateway International Raceway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. Tim Sauter, who finished 22nd, suffered a 50-point penalty for illegal shocks found on his car during post race inspection.
Top ten results
  1. #60 Carl Edwards
  2. #2 Clint Bowyer
  3. #20 Denny Hamlin
  4. #41 Reed Sorenson
  5. #21 Kevin Harvick
  6. #66 Scott Wimmer
  7. #27 David Green
  8. #5 Kyle Busch
  9. #22 Kenny Wallace
  10. #56 Kevin Grubb
Failed to qualify: Brad Teague, Shane Hall, Kevin Hamlin

Kroger 200

The Kroger 200 was held August 5 at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Denny Hamlin won his second pole in a row for the second time in 2006.
Top ten results
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #41 Reed Sorenson
  3. #18 J. J. Yeley
  4. #16 Greg Biffle
  5. #29 Jeff Burton
  6. #50 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
  7. #01 Jay Sauter
  8. #20 Denny Hamlin
  9. #11 Paul Menard
  10. #60 Carl Edwards
Failed to Qualify: Todd Shafer

Zippo 200

This race was held August 12 at Watkins Glen International. Kurt Busch won the race from the pole. Kurt Busch and Robby Gordon cut off track several times to duel on the final lap.
Top ten results: 202.45 miles/83 laps due to green-white-checkered rule.
  1. #39 Kurt Busch
  2. #7 Robby Gordon
  3. #64 Jamie McMurray
  4. #66 Greg Biffle
  5. #10 John Andretti
  6. #88 Martin Truex Jr.
  7. #21 Kevin Harvick
  8. #9 Boris Said
  9. #33 Ron Fellows
  10. #1 Scott Pruett
Failed to Qualify: Stan Silva Jr., Eduardo Troconis, John Finger

Carfax 250

This race was held August 19 at Michigan International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.
Top ten results: 128 laps/256 miles due to green-white-checkered rule.
  1. #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  2. #42 Casey Mears
  3. #88 Robby Gordon
  4. #17 Matt Kenseth
  5. #6 Mark Martin
  6. #20 Denny Hamlin
  7. #41 Reed Sorenson
  8. #21 Kevin Harvick
  9. #18 J. J. Yeley
  10. #29 Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: Dexter Bean
This race was held August 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.
Top ten results:
  1. #17 Matt Kenseth
  2. #21 Kevin Harvick
  3. #33 Ron Hornaday Jr.
  4. #9 Kasey Kahne
  5. #38 Jason Leffler
  6. #39 Ryan Newman
  7. #5 Kyle Busch
  8. #60 Carl Edwards
  9. #99 David Reutimann
  10. #11 Paul Menard
Failed to qualify: Carl Long, Caleb Holman, D. J. Kennington, Brad Keselowski

Ameriquest 300

This race was held September 2 at California Speedway. Clint Bowyer won the pole. Brad Keselowski made his NASCAR debut in this race.
Top ten results:
  1. #9 Kasey Kahne
  2. #21 Kevin Harvick
  3. #6 Mark Martin
  4. #11 Paul Menard
  5. #25 Ashton Lewis
  6. #33 Tony Stewart
  7. #17 Matt Kenseth
  8. #47 Jon Wood
  9. #88 Robby Gordon
  10. #01 Jay Sauter
Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope

Emerson Radio 250

This race was held September 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.
Top ten results:
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #16 Greg Biffle
  3. #17 Matt Kenseth
  4. #11 Paul Menard
  5. #41 Reed Sorenson
  6. #20 Denny Hamlin
  7. #32 Dave Blaney
  8. #66 Scott Wimmer
  9. #60 Carl Edwards
  10. #9 Scott Riggs
Failed to qualify: Chris Cook, Hermie Sadler, Justin Diercks, Josh Krug, Shane Hall

Dover 200

This race was held September 23 at Dover International Speedway. Scott Riggs won the pole. Clint Bowyer held off Matt Kenseth in a green-white-checker finish.
Top ten results:
  1. #2 Clint Bowyer
  2. #17 Matt Kenseth
  3. #21 Kevin Harvick
  4. #64 Jamie McMurray
  5. #38 Jason Leffler
  6. #41 Reed Sorenson
  7. #5 Kyle Busch
  8. #16 Greg Biffle
  9. #18 J. J. Yeley
  10. #99 Michael Waltrip
As there were the maximum of forty-three cars needed to race, no drivers or teams failed to qualify.

Yellow Transportation 300

The Yellow Transportation 300 was held September 30 at Kansas Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.
Top ten results:
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #17 Matt Kenseth
  3. #5 Kyle Busch
  4. #33 Tony Stewart
  5. #2 Clint Bowyer
  6. #60 Carl Edwards
  7. #41 Reed Sorenson
  8. #16 Greg Biffle
  9. #77 Bobby Labonte
  10. #11 Paul Menard
Failed to qualify: Randy LaJoie, Steadman Marlin

Dollar General 300

This race was held October 13 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards started from the pole. Dave Blaney would earn his first career Busch Series win, and Kevin Harvick, despite failing to finish on the lead lap for the only time in the 2006 season, clinched the Busch Series Championship following a wreck involving second-place driver Carl Edwards and Casey Mears on lap 199 of a scheduled 200-lap race.
Top ten results: 203 laps/304.5 miles due to the green-white-checker rule
  1. #32 Dave Blaney
  2. #99 Michael Waltrip
  3. #59 Stacy Compton
  4. #17 Matt Kenseth
  5. #50 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
  6. #00 Johnny Sauter
  7. #2 Clint Bowyer
  8. #20 Denny Hamlin
  9. #33 Kevin Harvick
  10. #25 Ashton Lewis
Failed to qualify: Tim Sauter, Kertus Davis, Robert Richardson Jr., Eric McClure, Derrike Cope

Sam's Town 250

This race was held October 28 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Johnny Sauter won the pole. Juan Pablo Montoya made his NASCAR debut in this race.
Top ten results:
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #2 Clint Bowyer
  3. #60 Carl Edwards
  4. #00 Johnny Sauter
  5. #88 Shane Huffman
  6. #20 Denny Hamlin
  7. #41 Reed Sorenson
  8. #50 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
  9. #9 Kasey Kahne
  10. #18 J. J. Yeley
Failed to qualify: Ron Young, Stanton Barrett, Chris Wimmer, Shane Hall, Richard Landreth, Chuck Barnes Jr.

O'Reilly Challenge

This race was held on November 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.
Top ten results:
  1. #21 Kevin Harvick
  2. #19 Tony Stewart
  3. #29 Jeff Burton
  4. #6 Mark Martin
  5. #33 Ron Hornaday Jr.
  6. #18 J. J. Yeley
  7. #60 Carl Edwards
  8. #20 Denny Hamlin
  9. #77 Bobby Labonte
  10. #06 Todd Kluever
Failed to qualify: Justin Diercks, Robert Richardson Jr., Jerry Robertson, Derrike Cope, Jorge Goeters

Arizona.travel 200

The Arizona.travel 200 was held November 11 at Phoenix International Raceway. Sam Hornish Jr., the 2006 IRL champion, made his NASCAR debut here. Matt Kenseth won race from the pole.
Top ten results: 203 miles/203 laps due to green-white-checkered rule.
  1. #17 Matt Kenseth
  2. #21 Kevin Harvick
  3. #20 Denny Hamlin
  4. #2 Clint Bowyer
  5. #60 Carl Edwards
  6. #18 J. J. Yeley
  7. #41 Reed Sorenson
  8. #88 Shane Huffman
  9. #33 Ron Hornaday Jr.
  10. #5 Kyle Busch
Failed to qualify: Mike Skinner, D. J. Kennington, Shane Hall, Josh Krug

Ford 300

The Ford 300 was held November 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results:
  1. #17 Matt Kenseth
  2. #60 Carl Edwards
  3. #11 Paul Menard
  4. #20 Denny Hamlin
  5. #18 J. J. Yeley
  6. #21 Kevin Harvick
  7. #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  8. #9 Kasey Kahne
  9. #06 Todd Kluever
  10. #00 Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: Robert Richardson Jr., Justin Diercks, D. J. Kennington, Kertus Davis, Kraig Kinser, Dawayne Bryan, Morgan Shepherd, Trevor Boys, Brett Rowe

Final standings

Drivers

;The top 10
Pos.DriverWinsTop 5Top 10PolesPointsDifference
1Kevin Harvick9233215648
2Carl Edwards4152534824-824
3Clint Bowyer1121724683-965
4Denny Hamlin2122364667-981
5J. J. Yeley092234487-1161
6Paul Menard171604075-1573
7Kyle Busch141223921-1727
8Johnny Sauter02913794-1854
9Greg Biffle191803466-1859
10Reed Sorenson051403451-1978

Declaring for points in one series: Rules change for 2011

This was the fifth-to-last season where Cup Series drivers could run for points in another series. NASCAR implemented this change after Cup drivers were winning the Busch/Nationwide championships over the series regulars for 5 years straight. If the change had been implemented for the 2006 season, Menard would have been the champion. The rest of the top 10 in the standings would have been Johnny Sauter in 2nd, Kenny Wallace, John Andretti, Jason Leffler, Jon Wood, Ashton Lewis, Stacy Compton, Todd Kluever, and Danny O'Quinn Jr..

Rookies

Also, John Andretti was officially considered a Busch Series rookie of the year contender for 2006, even though he is a Winston/Nextel Cup veteran.
ROTY favorite Lamar was released early from his ride at KHI while leading the standings. Eventually, the ROTY came down to a fight between NEXTEL Cup veteran John Andretti and former USAR Pro Cup driver Danny O'Quinn Jr. Eventually, O'Quinn Jr., despite being pulled from his ride for two races in favor of David Ragan to prepare him for his full time Cup season in 2007, still managed to hold off Andretti to win the award by only a single point. Another preseason favorite and 2005 NCTS Rookie of the Year, Tood Kluever, struggled in his transition to the Busch Series. Another USAR driver, Mark McFarland, had an up and down year and was replaced by Shane Huffman. Joel Kauffman and Chris Wimmer made bids for ROTY, but were released from their rides. A. J. Foyt IV, in his transition to stock cars, was released due to a Dodge development deal.