The 2004 EA Sports 500 was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race that took place on October 3, 2004, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. It was the 29th race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the third in the ten-race, season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup.
Results Source:FinSt#DriverSponsorMakeLapsLedStatusPts1108Dale Earnhardt Jr.BudweiserChevy18878running16521529Kevin HarvickGM GoodwrenchChevy1883running1753388Dale JarrettUPSFord1880running16542677Brendan GaughanKodak, Jasper Engines & TransmissionsDodge1887running1655897Kurt BuschSharpie, Irwin Industrial ToolsFord1884running16063020Tony StewartHome DepotChevy1884running1557101Joe NemechekU.S. ArmyChevy1881running15183441Casey MearsTargetDodge1885running14793631Robby GordonCingular WirelessChevy1880running13810280Ward BurtonNetZero Hi Speed, Shark TaleChevy1881running13911410Scott RiggsZerex, ValvolineChevy1881running13512221Ricky RuddMotorcraft, Rent-A-CenterFord1880running127131330Jeff BurtonAmerica OnlineChevy1886running12914717Matt KensethSmirnoff Ice, DeWaltFord1880running12115176Mark MartinViagraFord1880running118161912Ryan NewmanAlltelDodge1881running120172442Jamie McMurrayTexaco, HavolineDodge1880running112184109Mike WallaceMiccosukee Gaming & ResortsDodge1884running11419524Jeff GordonDuPontChevy18812running111203749Ken SchraderSchwan's Home ServiceDodge1881running10821385Terry LabonteKellogg's, DelphiChevy1880running10022638Elliott SadlerM&M'sFord1881running102231102Hermie SadlerEast Tennessee TrailersFord1881running99242233Kerry EarnhardtBass Pro Shops, Tracker BoatsChevy1880running91251415Michael WaltripNAPA Auto PartsChevy1887running9326332Rusty WallaceMiller LiteDodge18815running9027239Kasey KahneDodge Dealers, UAWDodge1870running57281216Greg BiffleNational Guard, SubwayFord1870running54293545Kyle PettyGeorgia-Pacific, BrawnyDodge1870running76302011Ricky CravenOld SpiceChevy1870running73312922Scott WimmerCaterpillarDodge1870running7032431Kenny WallaceAaron'sChevy1850running67334298Larry GunselmanMach One Inc.Ford1830running64343240Sterling MarlinCoors Light, Rascal FlattsDodge1780crash61352718Bobby LabonteInterstate BatteriesChevy1780crash58362125Brian VickersGMAC Financial ServicesChevy1640overheating55371648Jimmie JohnsonLowe'sChevy15735engine5738919Jeremy MayfieldDodge Dealers, UAWDodge1470crash49391843Jeff GreenCheerios, Betty CrockerDodge1420crash4640404Jimmy SpencerLucas OilChevy1421crash48413106Chad BlountMobil 1Dodge1310engine40422599Carl EdwardsRoush RacingFord1220engine37433932Bobby Hamilton Jr.TideChevy1200crash34Failed or qualify or driver changePOSNAMENBRSPONSOROWNERCAR44Kevin Lepage37Carter's Royal Dispos-allJohn CarterDodge45Kirk Shelmerdine72Vote for BushKirk ShelmerdineFord46Carl Long80Commercial Truck & TrailerStan HoverFordDCDave Blaney99Roush RacingJack RoushFord
Profanity controversy Following the race, Earnhardt Jr. was asked about the importance of his then-fifth win at Talladega, to which he replied, "It don't mean shit right now. Daddy's won here 10 times." He was fined $10,000 and docked 25 driver points for the violation; without the penalty, he would have still finished fifth in that year's championship, finishing only six points behind Mark Martin for fourth.
Earlier in the year, NASCAR president Mike Helton warned drivers to not use profanity during radio and television interviews (in light of the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy). A similar penalty was delivered to Johnny Sauter after he swore during a radio interview that occurred after a Busch Series race at Las Vegas in March, as well as Ron Hornaday Jr. for comments following a Busch race at Dover in June.
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