2002 NASCAR Busch Series

The EAS/GNC Live Well 300 was held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 99-Michael Waltrip
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 47-Shane Hmiel
6. 10-Scott Riggs
7. 24-Jack Sprague
8. 71-Kevin Lepage
9. 92-Andy Houston
10. 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)

• Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s number 3 car marked the first race for the 3 car since the tragic 2001 Daytona 500. Junior would also run the 3 car at Charlotte later that year.

The 1-866RBCTerm.com 200 was held February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 57-Jason Keller
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 7-Randy LaJoie
4. 10-Scott Riggs
5. 18-Mike McLaughlin
6. 24-Jack Sprague
7. 1-Jimmy Spencer
8. 46-Ashton Lewis
9. 33-Tony Raines
10. 14-Larry Foyt

Failed to qualify: Cam Strader (No. 84), Lance Hooper (No. 89)

The Sam's Town 300 was held March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 99-Michael Waltrip
3. 2-Johnny Sauter
4. 71-Kevin Lepage
5. 21-Jeff Green
6. 24-Jack Sprague
7. 7-Randy LaJoie
8. 48-Kenny Wallace
9. 60-Greg Biffle
10. 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)

The darlingtonraceway.com 200 was held March 16 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 21-Jeff Green
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 48-Kenny Wallace
6. 18-Mike McLaughlin
7. 33-Tony Raines
8. 92-Todd Bodine
9. 24-Jack Sprague
10. 59-Stacy Compton

Failed to qualify: Phil Bonifield (No. 90), Shane Hall (No. 84)

The Channellock 250 was held March 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Scott Riggs won the pole. This race was known for several major story lines. There were two separate altercations post-race, the most notable being a physical confrontation between Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle following an incident between the two drivers on lap 241 in which Harvick crashed hard. The other happening just on the other end of pit road in a verbal confrontation between Jimmy Spencer and Jack Sprague after Spencer turned Sprague, who was five laps down, in the last turn on the last lap while chasing down Jeff Green for the win. Green would ultimately win while Spencer lost two spots in that incident to drop to fourth. It was also known for privateer driver Ken Alexander and rookie Johnny Sauter causing or getting caught up in multiple incidents with Alexander being a nuisance on the track throughout the race, both finally dropping out before the race's end as well as a hard crash on the last lap between Mark Green and Larry Foyt with Green suffering a broken left foot.

Top ten results

1. 21-Jeff Green
2. 18-Mike McLaughlin
3. 23-Scott Wimmer
4. 1-Jimmy Spencer
5. 60-Greg Biffle
6. 48-Kenny Wallace
7. 7-Randy LaJoie
8. 92-Todd Bodine
9. 10-Scott Riggs
10. 47-Shane Hmiel

Failed to qualify: none

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

1. 37-Jeff Purvis
2. 24-Jack Sprague
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 10-Scott Riggs
5. 21-Jeff Green
6. 29-Kevin Harvick
7. 7-Randy LaJoie
8. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
9. 17-Matt Kenseth
10. 9-Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (No. 32), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Dwayne Leik (No. 81)[1]

• This was Jeff Purvis' final career win before his hard crash at Nazareth.

The Pepsi 300 Presented by Kroger was held April 13 at Nashville Superspeedway. Shane Hmiel won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 10-Scott Riggs
2. 24-Jack Sprague
3. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
4. 23-Scott Wimmer
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 7-Randy LaJoie
7. 27-Jamie McMurray
8. 12-Kerry Earnhardt
9. 59-Stacy Compton
10. 19-Tim Sauter

Failed to qualify: none[2]

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

1. 57-Jason Keller
2. 59-Stacy Compton
3. 07-Tim Fedewa
4. 92-Todd Bodine
5. 66-Casey Mears
6. 49-Andy Kirby
7. 77-Jimmy Kitchens
8. 14-Larry Foyt
9. 48-Kenny Wallace
10. 36-Hank Parker Jr.

Failed to qualify: Rick Markle (No. 96)

The Auto Club 300 was held April 27 at California Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 10-Scott Riggs
2. 21-Jeff Green
3. 59-Stacy Compton
4. 24-Jack Sprague
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 18-Mike McLaughlin
7. 19-Tim Sauter
8. 99-Michael Waltrip
9. 7-Randy LaJoie
10. 60-Greg Biffle

Failed to qualify: Jack Sellers (No. 15)

The Hardee's 250 was held May 3 at Richmond International Raceway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 57-Jason Keller
2. 46-Ashton Lewis
3. 60-Greg Biffle
4. 99-Michael Waltrip
5. 54-Kevin Grubb
6. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
7. 40-Brian Vickers
8. 23-Scott Wimmer
9. 27-Jamie McMurray
10. 19-Tim Sauter

• Johnny Benson crashed hard in turn 3 early in the race. He suffered broken ribs, causing him to miss 3 Winston Cup races.

The Busch 200 was held May 11 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Shane Hmiel won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
2. 92-Todd Bodine
3. 24-Jack Sprague
4. 47-Shane Hmiel
5. 18-Mike McLaughlin
6. 7-Randy LaJoie
7. 10-Scott Riggs
8. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
9. 27-Jamie McMurray
10. 54-Kevin Grubb

Failed to qualify: none

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

1. 57-Jason Keller
2. 10-Scott Riggs
3. 5-Ron Hornaday Jr.
4. 27-Jamie McMurray
5. 7-Randy LaJoie
6. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
7. 21-Jay Sauter
8. 46-Ashton Lewis
9. 18-Mike McLaughlin
10. 33-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: none

The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 25 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 21-Jeff Green
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 10-Scott Riggs
4. 18-Mike McLaughlin
5. 92-Todd Bodine
6. 37-Kevin Lepage
7. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
8. 54-Kevin Grubb
9. 2-Jay Sauter
10. 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)

The MBNA Platinum 200 was held June 1 at Dover International Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 21-Jeff Green
3. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
4. 23-Scott Wimmer
5. 24-Jack Sprague
6. 5-Ron Hornaday Jr.
7. 48-Kenny Wallace
8. 18-Mike McLaughlin
9. 7-Randy LaJoie
10. 54-Kevin Grubb

Failed to qualify: none

The Inside Traxx 300 Presented by Met-Rx was held June 8 at Nashville Superspeedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 24-Jack Sprague
2. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
3. 60-Greg Biffle
4. 21-Jay Sauter
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 48-Kenny Wallace
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
9. 47-Shane Hmiel
10. 66-Casey Mears

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. 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.

Top ten results

1. 92-Todd Bodine
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 33-Tony Raines
4. 10-Scott Riggs
5. 23-Scott Wimmer
6. 27-Jamie McMurray
7. 12-Kerry Earnhardt
8. 5-Ricky Hendrick
9. 48-Kenny Wallace
10. 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 GNC Live Well 250 was held June 30 at The Milwaukee Mile. Greg Biffle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 23-Scott Wimmer
4. 26-Ron Hornaday Jr.
5. 33-Tony Raines
6. 63-Shane Hmiel
7. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
8. 18-Mike McLaughlin
9. 19-Tim Sauter
10. 7-Randy LaJoie

Failed to qualify: Brian Ross (No. 62)

The Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 was held July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 37-Kevin Lepage
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 27-Jamie McMurray
6. 2-Johnny Sauter
7. 18-Mike McLaughlin
8. 1-Jimmy Spencer
9. 54-Kevin Grubb
10. 59-Stacy Compton

Failed to qualify: none

The Tropicana Twister 300 Presented by Sam's Club was held July 13 at Chicagoland Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole while Christian Elder and Dan Pardus suffered hard crashes during qualifying. Elder sustained concussion and a broken collarbone, which effectively ended his racing career while Pardus escaped his crash uninjured.

Top ten results

1. 2-Johnny Sauter
2. 92-Todd Bodine
3. 9-Jeff Burton
4. 87-Joe Nemechek
5. 26-Ron Hornaday Jr.
6. 1-Jimmy Spencer
7. 21-Jeff Green
8. 60-Greg Biffle
9. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
10. 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)

The Charter Pipeline 250 was held July 20 at Gateway International Raceway. Randy LaJoie won the pole. The week was marked by tragedy as Andy Kirby was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 18.

Top ten results

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 26-Ron Hornaday Jr.
3. 54-Kevin Grubb
4. 24-Jack Sprague
5. 33-Tony Raines
6. 57-Jason Keller
7. 18-Mike McLaughlin
8. 27-Jamie McMurray
9. 37-Kevin Lepage
10. 19-Tim Sauter

Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (No. 0), Drew White (No. 22)

• Future Busch Series champion and Cup superstar Carl Edwards made his debut in the #9 Chevy for Bost Motorsports. Edwards exited on lap 35 with valve issues and wound up 38th in the field of 43.

The NetZero 250 was held July 27 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Jason Keller won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 57-Jason Keller
4. 26-Ron Hornaday Jr.
5. 54-Kevin Lepage
6. 23-Scott Wimmer
7. 18-Mike McLaughlin
8. 27-Jamie McMurray
9. 46-Ashton Lewis
10. 59-Stacy Compton

Failed to qualify: none

The Kroger 200 was held August 3 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Greg Biffle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Greg Biffle
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 23-Scott Wimmer
4. 2-Johnny Sauter
5. 22-Kenny Wallace
6. 9-Jon Wood
7. 5-Ricky Hendrick
8. 27-Jamie McMurray
9. 33-Tony Raines
10. 26-Ron Hornaday Jr.

Failed to qualify: none

The Cabela's 250 was held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 99-Michael Waltrip
2. 9-Jeff Burton
3. 21-Jeff Green
4. 92-Todd Bodine
5. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
6. 10-Scott Riggs
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 59-Stacy Compton
9. 1-Jimmy Spencer
10. 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)

The Food City 250 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jason Keller won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 1-Jimmy Spencer
2. 23-Scott Wimmer
3. 60-Greg Biffle
4. 18-Mike McLaughlin
5. 21-Jeff Green
6. 48-Kenny Wallace
7. 99-Michael Waltrip
8. 33-Tony Raines
9. 57-Jason Keller
10. 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)

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

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 21-Jeff Green
4. 60-Greg Biffle
5. 24-Jack Sprague
6. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
7. 23-Scott Wimmer
8. 18-Mike McLaughlin
9. 33-Tony Raines
10. 10-Scott Riggs

Failed to qualify: Gus Wasson (No. 96), Ron Young (No. 71)

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

1. 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. 27-Jamie McMurray
3. 9-Jeff Burton
4. 33-Tony Raines
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 60-Greg Biffle
7. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
8. 99-Michael Waltrip
9. 23-Scott Wimmer
10. 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)

The MBNA All-American Heroes 200 was held September 21 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 23-Scott Wimmer
2. 18-Mike McLaughlin
3. 24-Jack Sprague
4. 21-Jeff Green
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 1-Jimmy Spencer
7. 7-Randy LaJoie
8. 19-Tim Sauter
9. 48-Kenny Wallace
10. 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 NASCAR Busch Series victory.

The Mr. Goodcents 300 was held September 28 at Kansas Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 12-Kerry Earnhardt
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 60-Greg Biffle
5. 33-Tony Raines
6. 1-Jimmy Spencer
7. 21-Jeff Green
8. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
9. 15-Lyndon Amick
10. 27-Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (No. 4), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Ryck Sanders (No. 52)

The Little Trees 300 was held October 12 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. The top three finishers were the only cars to finish on the lead lap.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 99-Michael Waltrip
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 21-Jeff Green
5. 5-David Green
6. 60-Greg Biffle
7. 6-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
8. 18-Mike McLaughlin
9. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
10. 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)

The Sam's Town 250 Benefitting St. Jude was held October 20 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Greg Biffle won the pole. The race was scheduled for October 19, but was postponed a day for rain, and was broadcast on tape delay due to a conflict with the Old Dominion 500.

Top ten results

1. 23-Scott Wimmer
2. 59-Stacy Compton
3. 27-Jamie McMurray
4. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
5. 12-Kerry Earnhardt
6. 19-Tim Sauter
7. 26-Ron Hornaday Jr.
8. 21-Jay Sauter
9. 5-David Green
10. 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)

The Aaron's 312 was held October 26 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 27-Jamie McMurray
2. 99-Michael Waltrip
3. 18-Mike McLaughlin
4. 10-Scott Riggs
5. 60-Greg Biffle
6. 87-Joe Nemechek
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
9. 46-Ashton Lewis
10. 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)

The Sam's Club 200 was held November 2 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 27-Jamie McMurray
2. 60-Greg Biffle
3. 7-Randy LaJoie
4. 5-David Green
5. 59-Stacy Compton
6. 21-Jeff Green
7. 99-Michael Waltrip
8. 63-Shane Hmiel
9. 48-Kenny Wallace
10. 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)

The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 was held November 9 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 23-Scott Wimmer
2. 59-Stacy Compton
3. 60-Greg Biffle
4. 57-Jason Keller
5. 5-David Green
6. 1-Jimmy Spencer
7. 2-Johnny Sauter
8. 46-Ashton Lewis
9. 6-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
10. 12-Kerry Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: Jay Sauter (No. 02), Jimmy Kitchens (No. 72)

The Ford 300 was held November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 23-Scott Wimmer
2. 36-Hank Parker Jr.
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 60-Greg Biffle
5. 25-Bobby Hamilton Jr.
6. 7-Randy LaJoie
7. 99-Michael Waltrip
8. 1-Jimmy Spencer
9. 46-Ashton Lewis
10. 21-Jeff Green

Failed to qualify: Geoff 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)