Only five times in the modern era (1972-present) has the eventual champion not won in the first six races. The winners in the first 6 races of 2004: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #17-Matt Kenseth, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #97-Kurt Busch. When did a driver win the Championship and not win a race in the first six? 1973-Benny Parsons; 1984 and 1996-Terry Labonte; 1985-Darrell Waltrip; and 1999-Dale Jarrett.(4-7-2004)
