PHOENIX, Ariz., 9 November 2004 — Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured the Checker Auto Parts 500 Nextel Cup race at the Phoenix International Raceway for the second consecutive year. The No.8 Budweiser Chevrolet crossed the finish line 1.431 seconds ahead of runner-up Ryan Newman.

The victory was Earnhardt Jr.’s sixth of the season and 15th of his cup career. “Junior” bounced back from two consecutive 33rd-place finishes to move into third in the Nextel Cup championship

Earnhardt Jr. had the best car all afternoon, as evidenced by his race-high 118 laps led, but he still had to hold off Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman in a green-white-checker finish for the win. He won the race despite taking an extra pit stop.

After Newman led the first 59 laps, Earnhardt Jr. took his first lead on lap 60. He continued to dominate through the middle portion of the race and led 104 of the first 200 laps.

While “Junior” was out front enjoying the cloudy Phoenix afternoon, a number of “Chase for the Nextel Cup” competitors fell by the wayside. Elliott Sadler (accident) and Matt Kenseth (engine) suffered problems which ended their championship hopes.

Two others, Newman and Jimmie Johnson suffered tire problems which put them one lap down to the leaders, but they each fought back and gained top-10 finishes to stay in the title hunt.

Leader Kurt Busch also had his problems running out of fuel early on, but he held it together to finish 10th and retain his lead in the championship.

The race came down to the final few laps with Earnhardt Jr. in third place, behind Gordon and Casey Mears.

Earnhardt Jr. made it past Mears with 15 laps to go and just before a Jamie McMurray crash brought out another caution.

When the race restarted, “Junior” ducked underneath Gordon in turn one and made the passing attempt stick. He built his lead up to 1.363 seconds and was cruising to victory when Mears left-rear tire blew and caused the race to go to a green-white-checker finish.

On the restart, Gordon was no match for Earnhardt Jr. and in fact lost second place to Newman on the white flag lap.

“The No. 8 had the dominant car all day long,” said Gordon. “We’ll take a third place today.”

“We’ve had good race cars and won races, but as far as covering the field that’s the best we’ve ever had,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Nobody could run with this car today.”

Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne completed the top-five.

Busch’s 10th-place result helped him maintain a 41-point cushion over Gordon (6,191-6,150).

Earnhardt Jr. (6,144) jumped one position to third and Johnson (6,143), winner of the previous three straight races, fell to fourth.

There are just two races remaining in the 2004 Nextel Cup championship.

Next Sunday the series travels to the historic Darlington Speedway for the Southern 500.