2005 Chase For The NEXTEL Cup

The 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup served as the ten-race playoff series among the top ten drivers in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. After the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 on September 10, 2005, the ten drivers atop the standings were locked into the playoff, with the participants as follows:

1. Tony Stewart - Joe Gibbs Racing #20 (Joe Gibbs) — 5,050 points.
2. Greg Biffle — Roush Racing #16 (Geoff Smith ) - 5 points.
3. Rusty Wallace — Penske Racing #2 (Roger Penske) - 10 points.
4. Jimmie Johnson — Hendrick Motorsports #48 (Jeff Gordon ) - 15 points.
5. Kurt Busch — Roush Racing #97 (Georgetta Roush ) - 20 points.
6. Mark Martin — Roush Racing #6 (Jack Roush) -25 points.
7. Jeremy Mayfield — Evernham Motorsports #19 (Ray Evernham) -30 points.
8. Carl Edwards — Roush Racing #99 (Jack Roush) -35 points.
9. Matt Kenseth — Roush Racing #17 (Mark Martin ) -35 points.
10. Ryan Newman — Penske Racing #12 (Roger Penske) -45 points.

NOTE: Some NASCAR multiple car teams will have owners other than the official listed owner. In the past, NASCAR would limit one car owner to two teams, and teams would find ways around it by having personnel other than the owner register the car in their name, such as employees and family members of car owners. That, plus Roush Racing having five of the ten cars in the 2005 Chase, has resulted in a NASCAR rule change limiting teams to four cars in 2006.

– Geoff Smith, the official owner of the #16, is the president of Roush Racing.

– Jeff Gordon is the official owner of the #48, through his work in signing Johnson to Hendrick Motorsports, licencing of merchandising through Hendrick Gordon Licensing LLC, and holds minority interest in the team.

– Georgetta Roush is Jack's mother, and the official owner of the #97.

– Mark Martin is the official owner of the #17 because of his work in signing Kenseth, and holds minority interest in that team.

The most points that can be gained by a driver in a race is 156.