The 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup was a ten-race series that commenced with the Sylvania 300 on September 17, 2006 at New Hampshire International Speedway and concluded with the Ford 400 on November 19 of that same year at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first ten drivers in the championship standings (and any other drivers with teams within 400 points of the leader) qualified after the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 on September 9, 2006 at Richmond International Raceway. The 2006 Chase had a strong Chevrolet presence, with seven of the ten teams making the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup fielding Chevrolets. This was the final season for NBC to cover the Chase along with TNT. Starting in 2007, ABC carried the Chase in its entirety, while TNT televised mid-season races. Races Sylvania 300 The Sylvania 300 was held on September 17, 2006 at New Hampshire International Speedway The 2005 winner was Ryan Newman, who failed to make the chase this year. The defending track champion was Kyle Busch. Kevin Harvick won the pole and the race. Finishing order of Chase drivers Kevin Harvick (1) Jeff Gordon (3) Denny Hamlin (4) Jeff Burton (7) Matt Kenseth (10) Mark Martin (11) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (13) Kasey Kahne (16) Kyle Busch (38) Jimmie Johnson (39) Points changes after race Kevin Harvick (+2) Denny Hamlin (+3) Matt Kenseth (-2) Jeff Gordon (+5) Jeff Burton (+3) Mark Martin (+1) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-1) Kasey Kahne (+2) Jimmie Johnson (-7) Kyle Busch (-6) Dover 400 The Dover 400 was held on September 24, 2006 at the Dover International Speedway. The 2005 winner was Jimmie Johnson who started the chase second in points. Matt Kenseth won the spring event. At this year's race, Jeff Gordon won the pole and Matt Kenseth led the most laps. But it was Jeff Burton, who hadn't won in over 175 races, that prevailed and took the lead in the standings. Finishing order of Chase drivers Jeff Burton (1) Jeff Gordon (3) Denny Hamlin (9) Matt Kenseth (10) Jimmie Johnson (13) Mark Martin (14) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (21) Kevin Harvick (32) Kasey Kahne (38) Kyle Busch (40) Points changes after race Jeff Burton (+4) Jeff Gordon (+2) Matt Kenseth (0) § Denny Hamlin (-2) Kevin Harvick (-4) Mark Martin (unchanged) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (unchanged) Jimmie Johnson (+1) Kasey Kahne (-1) Kyle Busch (unchanged) § - Holds tiebreaker with more wins Banquet