2002 NASCAR Busch Series
| 2002 NASCAR Busch Series season | |||
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The 2002 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series season began February 16 and ended November 16. Greg Biffle of Roush Racing was crowned champion.
Teams and drivers
List of full-time teams at the start of 2002.
EAS/GNC Live Well 300
The EAS/GNC Live Well 300 was held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 57-Jason Keller
- 47-Shane Hmiel
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 71-Kevin Lepage
- 92-Andy Houston
- 48-Kenny Wallace
Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (No. 32), Mike Wallace (No. 4), C. W. Smith (No. 67), Mike Harmon (No. 44), David Boggs (No. 22)
1-866RBCTerm.com 200
The 1-866RBCTerm.com 200 was held February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 57-Jason Keller
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 33-Tony Raines
- 14-Larry Foyt
Failed to qualify: Cam Strader (No. 84), Lance Hooper (No. 89)
Sam's Town 300
The Sam's Town 300 was held March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.
Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 2-Johnny Sauter
- 71-Kevin Lepage
- 21-Jeff Green
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 59-Stacy Compton
Failed to qualify: Jeff Fuller (No. 88), Mike McLaughlin (No. 34), A. J. Alsup (No. 72), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Dion Ciccarelli (No. 84)
darlingtonraceway.com 200
The darlingtonraceway.com 200 was held March 16 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.
Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 21-Jeff Green
- 57-Jason Keller
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 33-Tony Raines
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 59-Stacy Compton
Failed to qualify: Phil Bonifield (No. 90), Shane Hall (No. 84)
Channellock 250
The Channellock 250 was held March 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Scott Riggs won the pole. The post-race was marred by an altercation between Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle following an incident between the two drivers on lap 241 in which Harvick crashed hard.
Top ten results
- 21-Jeff Green
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 47-Shane Hmiel
Failed to qualify: none
O'Reilly 300
The O'Reilly 300 was held April 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole. The race ended after 116 laps due to rain. Michael Waltrip flipped over on lap 45. He was uninjured.
Top ten results
- 37-Jeff Purvis
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 21-Jeff Green
- 29-Kevin Harvick
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 17-Matt Kenseth
- 9-Jeff Burton
Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (No. 32), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Dwayne Leik (No. 81)
Pepsi 300 Presented by Kroger
The Pepsi 300 Presented by Kroger was held April 13 at Nashville Superspeedway. Shane Hmiel won the pole.
Top ten results
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 57-Jason Keller
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 12-Kerry Earnhardt
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 19-Tim Sauter
Failed to qualify: none
Aaron's 312 at Talladega
The Aaron's 312 at Talladega was held April 20 at Talladega Superspeedway. Johnny Sauter won the pole. The race was most remembered for "the Big One" on lap 15 which was the largest crash in series history, which involved about 30 cars. This occurred when Shane Hmiel got into Scott Riggs and he hit Johnny Sauter. Sauter tumbled end over end while cars trying to avoid the wreck braked and slammed into each other. Only three cars finished on the lead lap.
Top ten results
- 57-Jason Keller
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 07-Tim Fedewa
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 66-Casey Mears
- 49-Andy Kirby
- 77-Jimmy Kitchens
- 14-Larry Foyt
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
Failed to qualify: Rick Markle (No. 96)
Auto Club 300
The Auto Club 300 was held April 27 at California Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.
Top ten results
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 21-Jeff Green
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 57-Jason Keller
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 19-Tim Sauter
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 60-Greg Biffle
Failed to qualify: Jack Sellers (No. 15)
Hardee's 250
The Hardee's 250 was held May 3 at Richmond International Raceway. Jack Sprague won the pole.
Top ten results
- 57-Jason Keller
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 54-Kevin Grubb
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 40-Brian Vickers
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 19-Tim Sauter
Busch 200
The Busch 200 was held May 11 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Shane Hmiel won the pole.
Top ten results
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 47-Shane Hmiel
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 54-Kevin Grubb
Failed to qualify: none
Stacker 2 200
The Stacker 2 200 was held May 18 at Nazareth Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole. The race is known for a severe crash by Jeff Purvis, who blew his engine, spun out, & was slammed into by Greg Biffle, causing severe head trauma. Purvis has never fully recovered from the injuries he suffered, although he would return to drive a NASCAR stock car two years later at the final Busch race at Nazareth.
Top ten results
- 57-Jason Keller
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 5-Ron Hornaday
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 21-Jay Sauter
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 33-Tony Raines
Failed to qualify: none
Carquest Auto Parts 300
The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 25 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday won the pole.
Top ten results
- 21-Jeff Green
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 37-Kevin Lepage
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 54-Kevin Grubb
- 2-Jay Sauter
- 24-Jack Sprague
Failed to qualify: Christian Fittipaldi (No. 30), Carl Long (No. 64), Stanton Barrett (No. 91), Larry Gunselman (No. 84), Phil Bonifield (No. 90)
MBNA Platinum 200
The MBNA Platinum 200 was held June 1 at Dover International Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 21-Jeff Green
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 5-Ron Hornaday
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 54-Kevin Grubb
Failed to qualify: none
Inside Traxx 300 Presented by Met-Rx
The Inside Traxx 300 Presented by Met-Rx was held June 8 at Nashville Superspeedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 21-Jay Sauter
- 57-Jason Keller
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 47-Shane Hmiel
- 66-Casey Mears
Kroger 300 Presented by Oreo
The Kroger 300 Presented by Oreo was held June 15 but finished on June 16 at Kentucky Speedway due to rain. Scott Riggs won the pole.
Top ten results
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 33-Tony Raines
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 12-Kerry Earnhardt
- 5-Ricky Hendrick
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 63-Shane Hall
Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (No. 16), Brad Baker (No. 96), Dwayne Leik (No. 81), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Dion Ciccarelli (No. 84), Brian Weber (No. 84), Jason Schuler (No. 73)
The race was delayed a day by rain, but the broadcast of the race was aired on tape delay because of a NASCAR rule prohibiting two national series from being broadcast simultaneously.
GNC Live Well 250
The GNC Live Well 250 was held June 30 at The Milwaukee Mile. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 57-Jason Keller
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 26-Ron Hornaday
- 33-Tony Raines
- 63-Shane Hmiel
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 19-Tim Sauter
- 7-Randy LaJoie
Failed to qualify: Brian Ross (No. 62)
Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250
The Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 was held July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 37-Kevin Lepage
- 57-Jason Keller
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 2-Johnny Sauter
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 54-Kevin Grubb
- 59-Stacy Compton
Failed to qualify: none
Tropicana Twister 300
The Tropicana Twister 300 Presented by Sam's Club was held July 13 at Chicagoland Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole. Christian Elder, and Dan Pardus suffered hard crashes during qualifying. Elder sustained a concussion and a broken collarbone, which effectively ended his racing career. Pardus escaped his crash uninjured.
Top ten results
- 2-Johnny Sauter
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 26-Ron Hornaday
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 21-Jeff Green
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 57-Jason Keller
Failed to qualify: Richard Mitchell (No. 56), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Larry Hollenbeck (No. 22), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Dan Pardus (No. 32)
Charter Pipeline 250
The Charter Pipeline 250 was held July 20 at Gateway International Raceway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 26-Ron Hornaday
- 54-Kevin Grubb
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 33-Tony Raines
- 57-Jason Keller
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 37-Kevin Lepage
- 19-Tim Sauter
Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (No. 0), Drew White (No. 22)
NetZero 250
The NetZero 250 was held July 27 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Jason Keller won the pole.
Top ten results
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 57-Jason Keller
- 26-Ron Hornaday
- 54-Kevin Lepage
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 59-Stacy Compton
Failed to qualify: none
Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held August 3 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 57-Jason Keller
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 2-Johnny Sauter
- 22-Kenny Wallace
- 9-Jon Wood
- 5-Ricky Hendrick
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 33-Tony Raines
- 26-Ron Hornaday
Failed to qualify: none
Cabela's 250
The Cabela's 250 was held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.
Top ten results
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 21-Jeff Green
- 92-Todd Bodine
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 98-Kasey Kahne
Failed to qualify: Richard Mitchell (No. 56), Michael Vergers (No. 07), Keith Murt (No. 79), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Rick Markle (No. 84), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Brian Ross (No. 62), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Wayman Wittman (No. 93)
Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jason Keller won the pole.
Top ten results
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 21-Jeff Green
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 33-Tony Raines
- 57-Jason Keller
- 7-Randy LaJoie
Failed to qualify: Ron Young (No. 71), Josh Richeson (No. 11), Kasey Kahne (No. 98), Tim Bainey (No. 15), Joe Buford (No. 84), Butch Jarvis (No. 53)
Gatorade 200
The Gatorade 200 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole. The race was shortened to 74 laps due to rain.
Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 57-Jason Keller
- 21-Jeff Green
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 33-Tony Raines
- 10-Scott Riggs
Failed to qualify: Gus Wasson (No. 96), Ron Young (No. 71)
Funai 250
The Funai 250 was held September 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the pole. This race was marred by several large accidents, the hardest involved Derrike Cope, whose car suffered a stuck throttle, and slammed the turn 1 wall with such force that the A pillar snapped and the roof was partially ripped off. Cope suffered minor injuries.
Top ten results
- 8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 33-Tony Raines
- 57-Jason Keller
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 48-Kenny Wallace
Failed to qualify: Michael Vergers (No. 07), Brian Vickers (No. 40), Martin Truex, Jr. (No. 56), Shayne Lockhart (No. 22), Dion Ciccarelli (No. 84), Chris Fontaine (No. 41), Ron Young (No. 71), Josh Richeson (No. 11), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Dan Pardus (No. 32)
MBNA All-American Heroes 200
The MBNA All-American Heroes 200 was held September 21 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.
Top ten results
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 21-Jeff Green
- 57-Jason Keller
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 19-Tim Sauter
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 47-Shane Hmiel
Failed to qualify: Chris Fontaine (No. 41), Bill Hoff (No. 93), Richard Mitchell (No. 56), Donnie Neuenberger (No. 52)
- This was Wimmer's first career NNS victory.
Mr. Goodcents 300
The Mr. Goodcents 300 was held September 28 at Kansas Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 12-Kerry Earnhardt
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 33-Tony Raines
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 21-Jeff Green
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 15-Lyndon Amick
- 27-Jamie McMurray
Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (No. 4), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Ryck Sanders (No. 52)
Little Trees 300
The Little Trees 300 was held October 12 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
- 9-Jeff Burton
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 21-Jeff Green
- 5-David Green
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 6-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 47-Shane Hmiel
Failed to qualify: Justin Labonte (No. 04), Brad Baker (No. 28), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Jason White (No. 95), Carl Long (No. 22), Chad Chaffin (No. 16), John Hayden (No. 85), Larry Gunselman (No. 94), Brian Vickers (No. 84), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Cam Strader (No. 52)
Sam's Town 250 Benefitting St. Jude
The Sam's Town 250 Benefitting St. Jude was held October 20 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 12-Kerry Earnhardt
- 19-Tim Sauter
- 26-Ron Hornaday
- 21-Jay Sauter
- 5-David Green
- 57-Jason Keller
Failed to qualify: Jason Schuler (No. 73), Bryan Reffner (No. 70), John Hayden (No. 85), Tim Bainey (No. 15), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Chris Fontaine (No. 41), Jody Lavender (No. 84), Chad Chaffin (No. 16), Michael Dokken (No. 55), Dan Pardus (No. 32), Justin Ashburn (No. 61), Butch Jarvis (No. 53)
Aaron's 312
The Aaron's 312 was held October 26 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 18-Mike McLaughlin
- 10-Scott Riggs
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 57-Jason Keller
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 2-Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: David Reutimann (No. 88), Roberto Guerrero (No. 09), Lyndon Amick (No. 15), Hermie Sadler (No. 43), Justin Labonte (No. 04), Keith Murt (No. 79)
Sam's Club 200
The Sam's Club 200 was held November 2 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 27-Jamie McMurray
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 5-David Green
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 21-Jeff Green
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 63-Shane Hmiel
- 48-Kenny Wallace
- 24-Jack Sprague
Failed to qualify: Justin Labonte (No. 04), Cam Strader (No. 52), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Dan Pardus (No. 32), C. W. Smith (No. 67), Jody Lavender (No. 08), Clay Dale (No. 09), Brad Baker (No. 28)
Bashas' Supermarkets 200
The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 was held November 9 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 59-Stacy Compton
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 57-Jason Keller
- 5-David Green
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 2-Johnny Sauter
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 6-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
- 12-Kerry Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: Jay Sauter (No. 02), Jimmy Kitchens (No. 72)
Ford 300
The Ford 300 was held November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 23-Scott Wimmer
- 36-Hank Parker Jr.
- 87-Joe Nemechek
- 60-Greg Biffle
- 25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- 7-Randy LaJoie
- 99-Michael Waltrip
- 1-Jimmy Spencer
- 46-Ashton Lewis
- 21-Jeff Green
Failed to qualify: Geoffrey Bodine (No. 51), Kertus Davis (No. 0), Stanton Barrett (No. 91), Bryan Reffner (No. 07), Mike Wallace (No. 4), Carlos Contreras (No. 09), Cam Strader (No. 52), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Larry Gunselman (No. 94), Dwayne Leik (No. 81), Jimmy Kitchens (No. 84)
Final points standings
- Greg Biffle - 4924
- Jason Keller - 4644
- Scott Wimmer - 4488
- Mike McLaughlin - 4253
- Jack Sprague - 4206
- Jamie McMurray - 4147
- Kenny Wallace - 4078
- Bobby Hamilton, Jr. - 4058
- Stacy Compton - 4042
- Scott Riggs - 4023
- Randy LaJoie - 4021
- Tony Raines - 3804
- Tim Sauter - 3644
- Johnny Sauter - 3543
- Hank Parker Jr. - 3540
- Shane Hmiel - 3416
- Ashton Lewis - 3279
- Ron Hornaday - 3268
- Jeff Green - 3209
- Larry Foyt - 3158
- Casey Mears - 3148
- Kerry Earnhardt - 3145
- Todd Bodine - 3071
- Kevin Grubb - 2885
- Kevin Lepage - 2594
- Jimmy Spencer - 2454
- Michael Waltrip - 2397
- Ricky Hendrick - 2125
- Shane Hall - 1971
- Brian Vickers - 1914
- Jeff Burton - 1902
- Mark Green - 1896
- Kasey Kahne - 1887
- Joe Nemechek - 1773
- Chad Chaffin - 1643
- Jay Sauter - 1525
- Mike Wallace - 1506
- Mike Harmon - 1321
- Jeff Purvis - 1309
- David Green - 1257
- Larry Gunselman - 1094
- Brad Teague - 1066
- Jimmy Kitchens - 981
- Lyndon Amick - 960
- Ron Young - 945
- Stanton Barrett - 908
- Butch Miller - 907
- Andy Kirby - 818
- Dan Pardus - 780
- Brian Weber - 714
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
Scott Riggs of ppc Racing took home the 2002 Rookie of the Year title, winning twice and finishing tenth in points. Johnny Sauter won at Chicagoland Speedway and finished 14th in points despite skipping the Auto Club 300. Shane Hmiel and Casey Mears finished 16th and 21st respectively in their NASCAR debuts, while Kerry Earnhardt had two top-fives in his second bid for top rookie honors. Brian Vickers, Kasey Kahne, and Dan Pardus ran limited schedules during their rookie campaigns.