2001 NASCAR Busch Series

NASCAR seasonTemplate:SHORTDESC:NASCAR season

The **2001 NASCAR Busch Series season** began February 17 and ended November 10. Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing was champion.

## Teams and drivers

List of full-time teams at the start of 2001.

## Races

### NAPA Auto Parts 300

The NAPA Auto Parts 300 was held February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

**Top ten results**

Failed to qualify: Christian Elder (#38), Andy Kirby (#49)

### Alltel 200

The Alltel 200 was held February 24 at North Carolina Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.

**Top ten results**

Failed to qualify: none

### Sam's Town 300

The Sam's Town 300 was held March 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

**Top ten results**

Failed to qualify: none

### Aaron's 312

The Aaron's 312 was held March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 99-Michael Waltrip
4. 10-Jeff Green
5. 00-Todd Bodine
6. 18-Jeff Purvis
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 2-Kevin Harvick
9. 92-Jimmie Johnson
10. 33-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: none

### SunCom 200

The SunCom 200 was held March 17 at Darlington Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 10-Jeff Green
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 57-Jason Keller
4. 48-Kenny Wallace
5. 20-Mike McLaughlin
6. 26-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
7. 31-Steve Park
8. 2-Kevin Harvick
9. 98-Elton Sawyer
10. 18-Jeff Purvis

Failed to qualify: none

### Cheez-It 250

The Cheez-It 250 was held March 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 17-Matt Kenseth
2. 66-Tim Fedewa
3. 7-Randy LaJoie
4. 92-Jimmie Johnson
5. 48-Kenny Wallace
6. 02-Ryan Newman
7. 2-Kevin Harvick
8. 33-Tony Raines
9. 61-Tim Sauter
10. 99-Michael Waltrip

Failed to qualify: none

### Jani-King 300

The Jani-King 300 was held March 31 at Texas Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 2-Kevin Harvick
2. 9-Jeff Burton
3. 43-Jay Sauter
4. 87-Joe Nemechek
5. 17-Matt Kenseth
6. 34-David Green
7. 60-Greg Biffle
8. 92-Jimmie Johnson
9. 21-Mike Skinner
10. 71-Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Mike Harmon (#44)

### Pepsi 300

The inaugural Pepsi 300 was held April 14 at Nashville Superspeedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 23-Scott Wimmer
4. 7-Randy LaJoie
5. 98-Elton Sawyer
6. 21-Mike Skinner
7. 2-Kevin Harvick
8. 10-Jeff Green
9. 20-Mike McLaughlin
10. 00-Todd Bodine

* This was Biffle’s first of 20 career Busch Series wins.

Failed to qualify: none

### Subway 300

The Subway 300 was held April 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 20-Mike McLaughlin
2. 1-Jimmy Spencer
3. 10-Jeff Green
4. 00-Todd Bodine
5. 21-Mike Skinner
6. 98-Elton Sawyer
7. 43-Jay Sauter
8. 37-Kevin Grubb
9. 60-Greg Biffle
10. 48-Kenny Wallace

* The race was marred for a big wreck which wrecked multiple cars.
* This would turn out to be McLaughlin’s sixth and final Busch Series win.

Failed to qualify: none

### Auto Club 300

The Auto Club 300 was held April 28 at California Speedway. Bobby Hamilton, Jr. won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
2. 18-Jeff Purvis
3. 10-Jeff Green
4. 71-Kevin Lepage
5. 2-Kevin Harvick
6. 60-Greg Biffle
7. 1-Jimmy Spencer
8. 33-Tony Raines
9. 87-Joe Nemechek
10. 20-Mike McLaughlin

Failed to qualify: none

* This was Hank Parker Jr’s first of 2 Busch Series wins.

### Hardee's 250

The Hardee's 250 was held May 4 at Richmond International Raceway. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 1-Jimmy Spencer
2. 33-Tony Raines
3. 21-Mike Skinner
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 2-Kevin Harvick
6. 10-Jeff Greenn
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 48-Kenny Wallace
9. 31-Steve Park
10. 43-Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: none

### CVS Pharmacy 200 Presented by Bayer

The CVS Pharmacy 200 Presented by Bayer was held May 12 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 57-Jason Keller
2. 2-Kevin Harvick
3. 21-Mike Skinner
4. 10-Jeff Green
5. 48-Kenny Wallace
6. 31-Steve Park
7. 26-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
8. 7-Randy LaJoie
9. 98-Elton Sawyer
10. 20-Mike McLaughlin

Failed to qualify: none

### Nazareth 200

The Nazareth 200 was held May 20 at Nazareth Speedway. Tony Raines won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 2-Kevin Harvick
3. 10-Jeff Green
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 66-Tim Fedewa
6. 33-Tony Raines
7. 26-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
8. 59-Rich Bickle
9. 92-Jimmie Johnson
10. 27-Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: none

### Carquest Auto Parts 300

The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 26 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 10-Jeff Green
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 57-Jason Keller
4. 00-Todd Bodine
5. 21-Mike Skinner
6. 60-Greg Biffle
7. 9-Jeff Burton
8. 1-Jimmy Spencer
9. 34-David Green
10. 18-Jeff Purvis

Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (#32), Rich Woodland, Jr. (#65), Dave Blaney (#93), Dwayne Leik (#81)

### MBNA Platinum 200

The MBNA Platinum 200 was held June 2 at Dover International Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 1-Jimmy Spencer
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 2-Kevin Harvick
4. 21-Mike Skinner
5. 31-Steve Park
6. 98-Elton Sawyer
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 34-David Green
9. 60-Greg Biffle
10. 33-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: none

### Outback Steakhouse 300

The inaugural Outback Steakhouse 300 was held June 16 at Kentucky Speedway. Jay Sauter won the pole. In his first Busch Series start, Travis Kvapil flipped. Tim Sauter suffered a 60-point penalty after an illegal rollcage was found on his car after the race.

**Top ten results**

1. 2-Kevin Harvick
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 33-Tony Raines
4. 98-Elton Sawyer
5. 46-Ashton Lewis
6. 74-Chad Little
7. 7-Randy LaJoie
8. 37-Kevin Grubb
9. 43-Jay Sauter
10. 27-Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (#32), Jeff Falk (#8), Mike Harmon (#44)

### GNC Live Well 250

The GNC Live Well 250 was held July 1 at The Milwaukee Mile. Kevin Harvick won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 37-Kevin Grubb
4. 2-Kevin Harvick
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 98-Elton Sawyer
7. 18-Jeff Purvis
8. 11-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
9. 10-Jeff Green
10. 33-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: none

### GNC Live Well 200

The GNC Live Well 200 was held July 8 at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Scott Pruett won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 87-Ron Fellows
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 2-Kevin Harvick
4. 17-Boris Said
5. 21-Robby Gordon
6. 98-Elton Sawyer
7. 35-Lyndon Amick
8. 71-Scott Pruett
9. 57-Jason Keller
10. 11-Ron Hornaday, Jr.

Failed to qualify: none

### Sam's Club Presents Hill Bros. Coffee 300

The inaugural Sam's Club Presents Hill Bros. Coffee 300 was held July 14 at Chicagoland Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 92-Jimmie Johnson
2. 21-Mike Skinner
3. 9-Jeff Burton
4. 87-Joe Nemechek
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 10-Jeff Green
7. 00-Buckshot Jones
8. 98-Elton Sawyer
9. 37-Kevin Grubb
10. 71-Kevin Lepage

Failed to qualify: Mike Harmon (#44), Rich Woodland, Jr. (#40)

* This race stands as Jimmie Johnson’s lone Busch Series victory.

### Carquest Auto Parts 250

The Carquest Auto Parts 250 was held July 21 at Gateway International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 2-Kevin Harvick
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 37-Kevin Grubb
4. 60-Greg Biffle
5. 10-Jeff Green
6. 48-Kenny Wallace
7. 37-David Green
8. 98-Elton Sawyer
9. 7-Randy LaJoie
10. 23-Scott Wimmer

Failed to qualify: Mark Voigt (#30)

### NAPA Autocare 250

The NAPA Autocare 250 was held July 28 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Kenny Wallace won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 21-Jeff Purvis
2. 10-Jeff Green
3. 2-Kevin Harvick
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 60-Greg Biffle
6. 37-David Green
7. 92-Jimmie Johnson
8. 37-Kevin Grubb
9. 48-Kenny Wallace
10. 00-Tim Fedewa

Failed to qualify: Mark Voigt (#30)

### Kroger 200

The Kroger 200 was held August 4 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Kenny Wallace won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 2-Kevin Harvick
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 74-Chad Little
4. 98-Elton Sawyer
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 10-Jeff Green
7. 00-Tim Fedewa
8. 66-Geoffrey Bodine
9. 59-Rich Bickle
10. 27-Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: Wayman Wittman (#93), Mardy Lindley (#89)

### NAPAonline.com 250

The NAPAonline.com 250 was held August 18 at Michigan International Speedway. Jimmy Spencer won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 02-Ryan Newman
2. 2-Kevin Harvick
3. 33-Tony Raines
4. 92-Jimmie Johnson
5. 34-Mike McLaughlin
6. 21-Mike Skinner
7. 98-Elton Sawyer
8. 57-Jason Keller
9. 00-Tim Fedewa
10. 9-Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Dwayne Leik (#81)

* This was Newman’s 1st of 7 Busch Series victories as well as the first for Team Penske.

### Food City 250

The Food City 250 was held August 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 2-Kevin Harvick
2. 10-Jeff Green
3. 48-Kenny Wallace
4. 31-Steve Park
5. 98-Elton Sawyer
6. 23-Scott Wimmer
7. 1-Jimmy Spencer
8. 02-Ryan Newman
9. 74-Chad Little
10. 43-Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: Nate Monteith (#44), Randy Ratliff (#75), Ron Young (#71)

### South Carolina 200

The South Carolina 200 was held September 1 at Darlington Raceway. Ryan Newman won the pole. On lap 19 of this race, Steve Park lost control of his racecar under caution and was T-boned by rookie Larry Foyt. Park suffered near-fatal injuries that made him miss the 2002 Daytona 500.

**Top ten results**

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 98-Elton Sawyer
3. 20-Mike McLaughlin
4. 02-Ryan Newman
5. 26-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
6. 57-Jason Keller
7. 17-Matt Kenseth
8. 1-Jimmy Spencer
9. 10-Jeff Green
10. 33-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: none

### Autolite / Fram 250

The Autolite / Fram 250 was held September 7 at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Green won the pole. During the race, Greg Biffle and Jay Sauter tangled, resulting in Biffle running from his car to punch Sauter. Both drivers were given a 100-point penalty for their actions.

**Top ten results**

1. 1-Jimmy Spencer
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 37-Kevin Grubb
4. 66-Geoffrey Bodine
5. 21-Johnny Sauter
6. 74-Chad Little
7. 02-Ryan Newman
8. 98-Elton Sawyer
9. 9-Jeff Burton
10. 4-Mike Wallace

Failed to qualify: Steven Christian (#94), Randy Ratliff (#75), Dion Cicarelli (#84), A. J. Alsup (#72), Ron Young (#71), Robbie Faggart (#94), Chad Chaffin (#16), Jeff Oakley (#96), Eddie Beahr (#05)

### MBNA.com 200

The MBNA.com 200 was held September 22 at Dover International Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 10-Jeff Green
2. 48-Kenny Wallace
3. 1-Jimmy Spencer
4. 74-Chad Little
5. 60-Greg Biffle
6. 71-Kevin Lepage
7. 33-Tony Raines
8. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
9. 7-Randy LaJoie
10. 17-Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: none

### Mr. Goodcents 300

The inaugural Mr. Goodcents 300 was held September 29 at Kansas Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 10-Jeff Green
2. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
3. 60-Greg Biffle
4. 17-Matt Kenseth
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 92-Jimmie Johnson
7. 33-Tony Raines
8. 00-Buckshot Jones
9. 59-Mark Green
10. 18-Mike McLaughlin

Failed to qualify: Mike Swaim, Jr. (#12), Jason Rudd (#85), A. J. Alsup (#72)

### Little Trees 300

The Little Trees 300 was held October 6 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 9-Jeff Burton
4. 2-Kevin Harvick
5. 46-Ashton Lewis
6. 1-Jimmy Spencer
7. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
8. 5-Ward Burton
9. 98-Elton Sawyer
10. 10-Jeff Green

Failed to qualify: Jeff Fultz (#55), Dwayne Leik (#81), Jason Rudd (#85), J.R. Robbs (#89), Josh Richeson (#06)

### Sam's Town 250

The Sam's Town 250 was held October 13 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Kevin Harvick won the pole. The race was supposed to be tape delayed and shown on TNT after the Cup race, but due to rain that also delayed the Winston Cup race at Martinsville, NBC showed this race live instead.

**Top ten results**

1. 7-Randy LaJoie
2. 10-Jeff Green
3. 2-Kevin Harvick
4. 43-Jay Sauter
5. 11-Tim Fedewa
6. 57-Jason Keller
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 46-Ashton Lewis
9. 18-Mike McLaughlin

Failed to qualify: Sammy Ragan (#78)

* This was LaJoie’s 15th and final win.

### Outback Steakhouse 200

The Outback Steakhouse 200 was held October 27 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jimmy Spencer won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 10-Jeff Green
3. 2-Kevin Harvick
4. 43-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
5. 92-Todd Bodine
6. 57-Jason Keller
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
9. 9-Jeff Burton
10. 48-Kenny Wallace

Failed to qualify: Lance Hooper (#75), Damon Lusk (#80)

### Sam's Club 200

The Sam's Club 200 was held November 3 at North Carolina Speedway. Ryan Newman won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 48-Kenny Wallace
2. 17-Matt Kenseth
3. 18-Mike McLaughlin
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 2-Kevin Harvick
6. 34-David Green
7. 02-Ryan Newman
8. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
9. 10-Jeff Green
10. 98-Elton Sawyer 1 lap down

Failed to qualify: Scott Hansen (#75), Drew White (#22)

* Harvick's fifth-place finish was good enough to clinch the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series champion by 156 points over Jeff Green.
* This was Kenny Wallace's final Busch Series win.

### GNC Live Well 300

The GNC Live Well 300 was held November 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

**Top ten results**

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 98-Elton Sawyer
3. 60-Greg Biffle
4. 23-Scott Wimmer
5. 17-Matt Kenseth
6. 99-Michael Waltrip
7. 5-Ward Burton
8. 02-Ryan Newman
9. 10-Jeff Green
10. 59-Stacy Compton

Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#89), Tim Fedewa (#12), Martin Truex Jr. (#56), Dan Pardus (#32), Jeff Fultz (#86), Ron Young (#71), Tom Carey, Jr. (#01), Mike Harmon (#44), Michael Dokken (#8), Dion Ciccarelli (#84), Brian Tyler (#94), Danny Bagwell (#55)

## Final points standings

See also: List of NASCAR points scoring systems
1. Kevin Harvick - 4813
2. Jeff Green - 4689
3. Jason Keller - 4642
4. Greg Biffle - 4509
5. Elton Sawyer - 4100
6. Tony Raines - 3975
7. Mike McLaughlin - 3962
8. Jimmie Johnson - 3871
9. Chad Little - 3846
10. Kenny Wallace - 3799
11. Scott Wimmer - 3773
12. Randy LaJoie - 3578
13. David Green - 3554
14. Kevin Grubb - 3533
15. Hank Parker Jr. - 3341
16. Jamie McMurray - 3308
17. Bobby Hamilton, Jr. - 3267
18. Matt Kenseth - 3167
19. Jay Sauter - 3084
20. Ashton Lewis - 2904
21. Jeff Purvis - 2863
22. Larry Foyt - 2673
23. Shane Hall - 2624
24. Rich Bickle - 2595
25. Tim Fedewa - 2403
26. Jimmy Spencer - 2329
27. Mike Skinner - 1999
28. Ryan Newman - 1978
29. Todd Bodine - 1915
30. Kelly Denton - 1863
31. Kevin Lepage - 1687
32. Tim Sauter - 1611
33. Jeff Burton - 1600
34. Geoffrey Bodine - 1582
35. Joe Nemechek - 1541
36. Ron Hornaday, Jr. - 1346
37. Marty Houston - 1294
38. Brad Baker - 1270
39. Christian Elder - 1228
40. Mark Green - 1198
41. Michael Waltrip - 1195
42. Chad Chaffin - 967
43. David Donohue - 935
44. Andy Santerre - 928
45. Randy Tolsma - 924
46. Steve Park - 840
47. Brad Teague - 754
48. Buckshot Jones - 736
49. Clay Rogers - 677
50. Mike Wallace - 663

## Rookie of the Year

Greg Biffle of Roush Racing won the Rookie of the Year title in 2001, winning a record five races and finishing fourth in points, in addition to leading the championship standings at one point in the season. Runner-up was Scott Wimmer, who finished twenty-six points out of tenth in final standings. Jamie McMurray and Larry Foyt finished 3rd and 4th respectively, while Kelly Denton and Christian Elder signed to run limited schedules with their teams. Marty Houston, Tim Sauter, and David Donohue were either released during the season or had their team shut down due to sponsor issues.

## See also

* 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
* 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

## External links

* Busch Series standings and statistics for 2001