2001 a memorable year in the Busch Series
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
November 26, 2001
12:13 PM EST (1713 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- With the NASCAR Busch Series championship trophy sitting on his mantle, Kevin Harvick can be satisfied with a season full of remarkable achievements.
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Kevin Harvick celebrates his Busch Series Championship.
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Frequently leading races, coming from behind with the determination to win or just keeping the fans on their feet, Harvick was the story in the Busch Series from the start. On the way to the championship, he left rings of victory smoke signals and left some of his fellow competitors smoking mad at him.
The one thing the 25-year-old native of Bakersfield, Calif. had en route to his first NASCAR championship was consistency.
Four Bud Pole Awards, five trips to Victory Lane, 20 top-fives and 24 top-10s gave him the championship with a margin of 124 points over runner-up Jeff Green.
But Harvick's impressive stats are dotted with fines and probations. A post-race "discussion" with Greg Biffle at New Hampshire last May may have been the first clue that Harvick was literally the man to beat this season.
After the Darlington race in September, Harvick and Chad Little had a confrontation that cost Harvick $10,000. He was also placed on probation until Dec. 31st. Toss in few bumps to gain victories or positions, and it’s safe to say Harvick isn’t on the track just to do laps.
He’s there to win.
Coming off Busch rookie of the year honors in 2000, the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet team hit the ground running. It took seven races, but Harvick found Victory Lane at Texas in March for win number one.
After that, the wins seemed to pour in -- Kentucky, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Bristol. Each time, a tire-tearing, engine-screaming, smoke show burnout capped it off to the cheering crowd’s delight.
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Jeff Green
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Making all this even more notable is the fact Harvick competed in the Winston Cup Series this year, as well. He will be taking home 2001 rookie of the year honors in that division. While doing double-duty, Harvick led the points battle in all but six of the 33 Busch races this year.
Meanwhile, Jeff Green didn’t successfully defend his 2000 Busch Series title, but he notched a respectable follow-up to his championship year and prelude to his foray into Winston Cup.
Capturing the first of his of four victories at Darlington, he left the Lady in Black leading in points.
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Jason Keller
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The glory was short-lived, however, as mechanical problems and accidents dropped him to fourth-place for a few weeks. But Green and the No. 10 Nesquik Ford team rebounded to second, then first for a week, before falling to fourth again.
Then, on the strength of 13 top-10 finishes to end the season, Green rallied to second. Not a bad way to close out one’s Busch career.
Jason Keller put the No. 57 Albertson’s Ford in Victory Lane one time and finished the year one spot behind his teammate, Green. With 14 top-fives and 22 top-10s, he will take home the third-place trophy.
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Greg Biffle
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Behind Keller is Greg Biffle. With five victories in the No. 60 Grainger Ford, Biffle also earned rookie of the year honors.
Coming off the 2000 Craftsman Truck Series championship, the Jack Roush-owned team was a threat from the beginning. Biffle broke many rookie records en route to his fourth-place finish that could stand for quite awhile.
Rounding out the top-five point earners was Elton Sawyer. Although he never got a glimpse of Victory Lane, the No. 98 Starter Ford was finished near the top most weeks. His six top-fives and 19 top-10s put him right where he needed to be.
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Elton Sawyer
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Rounding out the top-10 in points was, in order: Tony Raines, Mike McLaughlin, Jimmie Johnson, Chad Little and Kenny Wallace.
With Harvick and Green already announcing they will not be racing full time in the Busch Series, it could be anyone’s game in next year’s championship. Early odds point to Biffle, but about 42 other drivers may have something to say about that
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