2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (Start Your Engines!)

Category:Start Your Engines!
The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 57th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 34th modern-era Cup series season.
The 2005 season was the first year of competition for the Dodge Charger, which replaced the Dodge Intrepid, a model that Dodge dropped from its consumer lineup for the 2005 model year (though the identity of the 2004 car is still being debated to this day, whether it was an Intrepid or a Stratus).
The 2005 season was the final year for the Ford Taurus, which was replaced by the Ford Fusion in the 2006 season. In addition, three prominent drivers announced that this would be their final season in NASCAR: Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, and Ricky Rudd. Wallace and Rudd would stay with their word and retire at season's end, but Martin, however, would return for 2006 due to circumstances with Roush Racing and Kurt Busch at the end of 2005. He would then run a limited schedule in 2007 and 2008, then drive full-time again before officially retiring after the 2013 season.
The number of cars entered for each race was up slightly from the previous year. The increase was in part attributable to a new NASCAR rule that allowed hard liquor brands to become sponsors on its race cars. Roush Racing (Crown Royal), Richard Childress Racing (Jack Daniels), and Robby Gordon Motorsports (Jim Beam) were the first to sign such deals.
==Teams and drivers==
===Complete schedule===
Manufacturer	Team 	No.	Race driver 	Crew chief 	Model
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	1 	Steve Park 	Pete Rondeau 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	8 	Dale Earnhardt 	Tony Eury Jr. 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	17 	Michael Waltrip 	Tony Gibson 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	48 	Jimmie Johnson 	Chad Knaus 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 	81 	Ron Fellows 	Gil Martin 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Stanton Barrett (R)	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Tony Raines 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Hermie Sadler 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Eric McClure (R) 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Kenny Wallace 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Johnny Miller 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Joey McCarthy 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Mike Skinner 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	P. J. Jones 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Front Row Motorsports 	92 	Chad Chaffin 3 	Fred Wanke 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Haas CNC Racing 	0 	Mike Bliss 	Bootie Barker 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	5 	Kyle Busch (R) 	Alan Gustafson 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	25 	Ricky Hendrick 	Robbie Loomis 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	35 	Casey Atwood 	Steve Letarte 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	50 	Brian Vickers 	Lance McGrew 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	11 	Jason Leffler 	Dave Rogers
Mike Ford	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	11 	Terry Labonte 	Dave Rogers
Mike Ford	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	11 	J.J. Yeley 	Dave Rogers
Mike Ford	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	11 	Denny Hamlin 	Dave Rogers
Mike Ford	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	18 	Dale Jarrett 	Steve Addington 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Joe Gibbs Racing 	20 	Tony Stewart 	Greg Zipadelli 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	MB2 Motorsports 	01 	Joe Nemechek 	Ryan Pemberton 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	MBV Motorsports 	10 	Scott Riggs 	Doug Randolph 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Morgan-McClure Motorsports 	4 	Mike Wallace 	Chris Carrier 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Morgan-McClure Motorsports 	4 	P. J. Jones 	Chris Carrier 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Morgan-McClure Motorsports 	4 	Todd Bodine 	Chris Carrier 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	PPI Motorsports 	32 	Jerry Nadeau 	Harold Holly 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	07 	Clint Bowyer (R) 	Phillipe Lopez 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	3 	Kevin Harvick 	Kevin Hamlin 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	30 	Dave Blaney 	Todd Berrier 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	31 	Jeff Burton 	Slugger Labbe 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Robby Gordon Motorsports 	107	Robby Gordon 	Bob Temple 	2005 Monte Carlo
Dodge 	AK Racing 	7 	Alan Kulwicki 	Paul Andrews 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	BAM Racing 	49 	Ken Schrader 	David Hyder 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	22 	Jeff Gordon 	Tommy Baldwin Jr.	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	23 	Bobby Labonte 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Bill Davis Racing 	24 	Ward Burton 	Derrick Finley 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	40 	Sterling Marlin 	Steve Boyer 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	41 	Kenny Irwin Jr. 	Jimmy Elledge 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates	42 	Jamie McMurray 	Donnie Wingo 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Evernham Motorsports 	9 	Kasey Kahne 	Kenny Francis 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Evernham Motorsports 	19 	Casey Elliott 	Ernie Elliott 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Kelman Racing 	86 	Ryan Kelman 	Scott Searle 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	McDuffie Racing 	170	Crissy Hillsworth 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Moroso-Rudd Racing 	82 	Rob Moroso 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Moroso-Rudd Racing 	83 	Ricky Rudd 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Moroso-Rudd Racing 	84 	Shawna Robinson 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	60 	Chloe Johnson 	Jed Luke 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	69 	Jenny Smith 	Barry Baker 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	80 	Tim Johnson 	Charlie Davis 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	85 	Belle Armstrong 	Scott Smith 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Penske-Jasper Racing 	2 	Rusty Wallace 	Larry Carter 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Penske-Jasper Racing 	12 	Tim Richmond 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Penske-Jasper Racing 	39 	Ryan Newman 	Matt Borland 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Penske-Jasper Racing 	77 	Blaise Alexander 	Shane Wilson 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Petty Enterprises 	43 	John Andretti 	Greg Steadman 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Petty Enterprises 	44 	Kyle Petty 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Petty Enterprises 	45 	Adam Petty 	Paul Andrews 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	R&J Racing 	137	Kevin Lepage 	Billy Poindexter 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	R&J Racing 	137	Anthony Lazzaro 	Billy Poindexter 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	R&J Racing 	137	Tony Raines 	Billy Poindexter 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	R&J Racing 	137	Mike Garvey 	Billy Poindexter 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	R&J Racing 	137	Jimmy Spencer 	Billy Poindexter 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	R&J Racing 	137	Mike Skinner 	Billy Poindexter 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Ford 	Orr Motorsports 	37 	Rodney Orr 	 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Peak Fitness Racing 	166	Hermie Sadler 	James Ince 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Peak Fitness Racing 	166	Mike Garvey 	James Ince 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Peak Fitness Racing 	166	Johnny Borneman III	James Ince 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Peak Fitness Racing 	166	Jimmy Spencer 	James Ince 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Peak Fitness Racing 	166	Kevin Lepage 	James Ince 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	28 	Clifford Allison 	 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	38 	Elliott Sadler 	Todd Parrott
Kevin Buskirk	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Robert Yates Racing 	88 	Ernie Irvan 	Mike Ford
Bill Wilburn
Todd Parrott	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Roush Racing 	06 	Greg Biffle 	Doug Richert 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Roush Racing 	6 	Mark Martin 	Pat Tryson 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Roush Racing 	66 	Matt Kenseth 	Robbie Reiser 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Roush Racing 	97 	Kurt Busch 	Jimmy Fennig 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Roush Racing 	97 	Kenny Wallace 	Jimmy Fennig 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Roush Racing 	99 	Carl Edwards (R) 	Bob Osborne 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Steele Racing with Brett Favre	15 	Tim Steele 	 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Steele Racing with Brett Favre	90 	Davey Allison 	 	2005 Taurus
Ford 	Wood Brothers Racing 	21 	Bill Elliott 	Michael McSwain 	2005 Taurus
Pontiac 	Kennedy Racing 	03 	Melvin Kennedy 	Mark Cutter 	2005 Grand Prix
Pontiac 	Kennedy Racing 	04 	Willy T. Ribbs 	 	2005 Grand Prix
=== Limited schedule ===
Manufacturer	Team 	No.	Race driver 	Crew chief 	Model
Chevrolet 	Braun Racing 	08 	Shane Hmiel 	Keith Montgomery	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	McGlynn Racing 	08 	Ryan McGlynn 	Keith Montgomery	2003 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	McGlynn Racing 	08 	Derrike Cope 	Keith Montgomery	2003 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Conley Racing 	79 	Stan Boyd 	 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Conley Racing 	79 	Derrike Cope 	 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Conley Racing 	79 	Bryan Reffner 	 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Competitive Edge Racing 	51 	Stuart Kirby 	Bob Schacht 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Competitive Edge Racing 	51 	Bryan Reffner 	Bob Schacht 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Competitive Edge Racing 	51 	Mike Garvey 	Bob Schacht 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Furniture Row Racing 	78 	Kenny Wallace 	Tim Weiss
Joe Garone	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Furniture Row Racing 	78 	Jerry Robertson 	Tim Weiss
Joe Garone	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	144	Terry Labonte 	Peter Sospenzo 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	MB Sutton Motorsports 	36 	Boris Said 	Frank Stoddard 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Randy LaJoie 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Steve Portenga 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Jeff Fuller 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	P.J. Jones 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Joey McCarthy 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Ted Christopher 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Eric McClure (R) 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Motorsports 	34 	Chad Chaffin 	Mike Steurer 	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	NEMCO Motorsports 	87 	Chris Cook 	Gary Putman 	2004 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Raabe Racing Enterprises 	73 	Eric McClure (R) 	Tim Brewer 	2003 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	Stanton Barrett Motorsports 	95 	Stanton Barrett 	David Ifft
Mike Dayton	2005 Monte Carlo
Chevrolet 	S.W.A.T. Racing 	55 	Derrike Cope 	 	2004 Monte Carlo
Dodge 	Arnold Motorsports 	50 	Jimmy Spencer 	Buddy Sisco 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Arnold Motorsports 	50 	Jorge Goeters 	Buddy Sisco 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Bobby Hamilton Racing 	04 	Bobby Hamilton 	Danny Rollins 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Buddy Sisco Racing 	61 	Jeff Fuller 	 	2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Buddy Sisco Racing 	61 	Tony Raines 	 	2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Buddy Sisco Racing 	61 	Wayne Anderson 	 	2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates	139	Bill Elliott 	Lee McCall 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates	139	Scott Pruett 	Lee McCall 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates	139	David Stremme 	Lee McCall 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates	139	Reed Sorenson 	Lee McCall 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Evernham Motorsports 	91 	Bill Elliott 	Chris Andrews 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	GIC-Mixon Motorsports 	93 	Geoff Bodine 	Lee McCall 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	02 	Dennis Malone 	 	2005 Charger
2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Pacific Coast Racing 	70 	Ace Johnson 	 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Phoenix Racing 	09 	Johnny Sauter 	Tony Liberati
Ralph Wingfield
Marc Reno
Joe Shear Jr.	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Phoenix Racing 	09 	Bobby Hamilton 	Tony Liberati
Ralph Wingfield
Marc Reno
Joe Shear Jr.	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Phoenix Racing 	09 	Reed Sorenson 	Tony Liberati
Ralph Wingfield
Marc Reno
Joe Shear Jr.	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Rick Ware Racing 	52 	Larry Gunselman 	Rick Ware 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Rick Ware Racing 	52 	Derrike Cope 	Rick Ware 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Rick Ware Racing 	52 	José Luis Ramírez	Rick Ware 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Rinaldi Racing 	75 	Wayne Anderson 	Barry Haefele 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Rinaldi Racing 	75 	Mike Garvey 	Barry Haefele 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Sacks Motorsports 	13 	Greg Sacks 	Paul Sacks 	2005 Charger
Dodge 	Shepherd Racing Ventures 	89 	Morgan Shepherd 	Troy Kelly 	2004 Stratus
Dodge 	Shepherd Racing Ventures 	89 	Jason Jarrett 	Troy Kelly 	2004 Stratus
Ford 	Kirk Shelmerdine Racing 	27 	Kirk Shelmerdine 	Phil Harris 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Kirk Shelmerdine Racing 	27 	Brad Teague 	Phil Harris 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Kirk Shelmerdine Racing 	27 	Tom Hubert 	Phil Harris 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	Kirk Shelmerdine Racing 	27 	Ted Christopher 	Phil Harris 	2004 Taurus
Ford 	ppc Racing 	14 	John Andretti 	Dave Charpentier	2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	David Reutimann 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Johnny Benson 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Michael Waltrip Racing 	00 	Kenny Wallace 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Mach 1 Motorsports 	00 	Mike Skinner 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	McGlynn Racing 	00 	Carl Long 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	McGlynn Racing 	00 	Derrike Cope 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	McGlynn Racing 	180	Carl Long 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Hover Motorsports 	180	Carl Long 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Hover Motorsports 	180	Andy Belmont 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford	Joe Gibbs Racing 	180	J.J. Yeley 	 	2005 Monte Carlo
2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
Dodge
Ford 	Ash Motorsports 	102	Brandon Ash 	Ed Ash 	2005 Charger
2005 Taurus
== Schedule ==
No.	Race title 	Track 	Date 	TV
1 	Dodge/Save Mart 350 	Infineon Raceway, Sonoma 	January 30 	FX
 	Budweiser Shootout 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 12 	CBS
 	Gatorade Duel 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 17 	CBS
2 	Daytona 500 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 20 	CBS
3 	Subway 400 	North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham 	February 27 	Fox
4 	San Jose 500 	San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy 	March 6 	Fox
5 	UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 	Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas 	March 13 	Fox
6 	Golden Corral 500 	Atlanta Motor Speewday, Hampton 	March 20 	Fox
7 	Diet Coke 500 	Coca-Cola Superspeedway 	March 27 	FX
8 	Food City 500 	Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol 	April 3 	Fox
9 	Advanced Auto Parts 500 	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway 	April 10 	Fox
11 	Samsung/RadioShack 500 	Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth 	April 17 	Fox
11 	Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 	Darlington Raceway, Darlington 	April 23 	Fox
12 	Aaron's 499 	Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln 	May 1 	Fox
13 	Auto Club 500 	California Speedway, Fontana 	May 7 	Fox
14 	Chevy American Revolution 400 	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond 	May 14 	FX
 	Nextel Open 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	May 21 	FX
 	Nextel All-Star Challenge 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	May 21 	FX
15 	Coca-Cola 600 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	May 29 	CBS
16 	MBNA RacePoints 400 	Dover International Speedway, Dover 	June 5 	FX
17 	Pabst Blue Ribbon 400 	The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis 	June 12 	CBS
18 	Dodge Charger 400 	Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth 	June 19 	CBS
19 	Budweiser 400 	Riverside International Speedway, Riverside 	June 26 	CBS
20 	Pepsi 400 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	July 2 	CBS
21 	USG Sheetrock 400 	Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet 	July 10 	CBS
22 	New England 300 	New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon 	July 17 	CBS
23 	Pennsylvania 500 	Pocono Raceway, Long Pond 	July 24 	CBS
24 	Music City USA 420 	Music City Motorplex, Nashville 	July 31 	CBS
25 	Allstate 400 at the Brickyard 	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway 	August 7 	NBC
26 	Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen 	Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen 	August 14 	NBC
27 	GFS Marketplace 400 	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn 	August 21 	TBS
28 	Sharpie 500 	Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol 	August 27 	TBS
29 	Mountain Dew Southern 500 	Darlington Raceway, Darlington 	September 4 	NBC
30 	Chevy Rock & Roll 400 	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond 	September 10	TBS
31 	Tyson Holly Farms 400 	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro 	September 18	TBS
32 	MBNA NASCAR RacePoints 400 	Dover International Speedway, Dover 	September 25	TBS
34 	UAW-Ford 500 	Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln 	October 2 	NBC
35 	Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods	Kansas Speedway, Kansas City 	October 9 	NBC
36 	UAW-GM Quality 500 	Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord 	October 15 	NBC
37 	Subway 500 	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway 	October 23 	NBC
38 	Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 	Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton 	October 30 	NBC
TBS
39 	ACDelco 400 	North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham 	November 6 	NBC
40 	Checker Auto Parts 500 	Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale 	November 13 	NBC
41 	Ford 400 	Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead 	November 20 	NBC
42 	iPod 500 	San Jose Motorplex, Gilroy 	November 27 	NBC
43 	Sprite 500 	Coca-Cola Superspeedway, Denver 	December 3 	TBS
44 	Los Angeles Times 500 	Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario 	December 11 	NBC
==Technical changes==
2005 saw Dodge launch its newly-reintroduced Charger, both on the market and in NASCAR competition since 1977. From the start, the car had numerous problems, namely a notch in its nose meant to better resemble its street counterpart, which was a pony car whose shape couldn't be replicated without violating numerous NASCAR rules. The nose caused problems with both aero and downforce, especially on intermediates.
Before preseason testing was over, all Dodge teams began following Pacific Coast Racing's lead in exploiting loopholes in the rulebook to make the Chargers viable, much like what PCR did with the Magnum and Mirada in the late 70s-early 80s. PCR, however, went a step further and refused to run the Charger at intermediates, instead running the 2004 Stratus, which they felt was more aero-friendly. As the car will still being sold and was still good under NASCAR's three-year homologation rule, Dodge allowed it.
== Cars Used in 2005 ==
File:2005 chevrolet monte carlo.png|Chevrolet Monte Carlo (final year with this trim)
File:2004 ford fusion.png|Ford Taurus (final year with factory support)
File:2005 dodge charger.png|Dodge Charger (RETURNING)
File:2004 dodge stratus.png|2004 Dodge Stratus (only used by Pacific Coast Racing at intermediates)
File:2005 pontiac grand prix.png|Pontiac Grand Prix (only used by Kennedy Racing; no factory support)