Discussion

Kurt Busch held on in inaugural Chase the old-fashioned way

The Chase was new, and so was the champion in 2004. How did Kurt Busch hang on? One huge break and good old-fashioned consistency, writes Ed Hinton.

Updated: September 8, 2008, 9:47 PM ET
By Ed Hinton | ESPN.com

The inaugural Chase, in 2004, remains the only one that can be remembered in absolute terms.

There is no doubt about its low point. It came on the dismal morning of Oct. 24, with an eerily low ceiling of clouds over south-central Virginia, when a Hendrick Motorsports team plane crashed into a mountainside near Martinsville, killing all 10 people aboard.

And there is no questioning the high point, Jimmie Johnson's inspirational storm out of his team's grief ...

Read full story

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.

CHASE FOR THE SPRINT CUP PREVIEW

Monday

• Hinton: How the Chase was born
• Hinton: How the 2004 Chase was won
• Willis: Ancient Chaseology: 1975-79
• Chat wrap: Jayski insider Mark Garrow Insider
• Chat wrap: NASCAR Now's Andy Petree Insider

Tuesday

• Newton: Stewart does it old and new in '05
• Newton: How the 2005 Chase was won
• Willis: Ancient Chaseology: 1980-84
• Chat wrap: Terry Blount Insider

Wednesday

• Blount: Jimmie took 'em to school
• Blount: How the 2006 Chase was won
• Willis: Ancient Chaseology: 1985-89
• SportsNation chat: David Newton Insider

Thursday

• Smith: No Chase breaks for Gordon
• Smith: How the 2007 Chase was won
• Willis: Ancient Chaseology: 1990-94
• SportsNation chat: Tim Cowlishaw Insider

Friday

• McGee: This Chase thing is all Kenseth's fault
• McGee: So who do we think will win?
• Willis: Ancient Chaseology: 1995-99

Saturday

• Hinton: Dale Jr.'s burden
• Hinton: Gordon & Co. working on it
• Newton: Fast start nice, not necessary
• Willis: Ancient Chaseology: 2000-03

ALSO SEE

MORE RACING HEADLINES

HOTTEST CONVERSATIONS

ESPN Community »