By Zane Miller
On Sunday, November 19th, 2006, the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Jimmie Johnson defeating Matt Kenseth by 56 points to win the 58th championship in Cup Series history. It was the first Cup Series championship for Johnson. Matt Kenseth claimed the regular season championship.
The 2006 Daytona 500 was won by Jimmie Johnson, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the most laps with 32. It was the first Daytona 500 win for Johnson.
2006 playoff results
10. #5 Kyle Busch (-448 points)
9. #6 Mark Martin (-307)
8. #9 Kasey Kahne (-292)
7. #31 Jeff Burton (-247)
6. #24 Jeff Gordon (-219)
5. #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-147)
Earnhardt Jr. took the fifth spot, as he had one win, 10 top-fives and 17 top-10s, getting an average finish of 13.5 while leading the most laps in two races.
4. #29 Kevin Harvick (-78)
Harvick earned fourth with five wins, 15 top-fives and 20 top-10s for an average finish of 12.2, leading the most laps in three races.
3. #11 Denny Hamlin (-68)
Hamlin got third in points in his rookie season with two wins, eight top-fives and 20 top-10s, taking an average finish of 12.5. Hamlin also led the most laps in two races.
2. #17 Matt Kenseth (-56)
Kenseth claimed runner-up with four wins, 15 top-fives and 21 top-10s. Kenseth also got an average finish of 9.8 while leading the most laps in four races.
1. #48 Jimmie Johnson
Johnson got the championship as he had five victories, 13 top-fives and 24 top-10s, getting an average finish of 9.7 while also leading the most laps in two starts.
Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)
Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/2006/W
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