The 2002 NASCAR Busch Series began February 16 and ended November 16. Greg Biffle of Roush Racing was crowned champion.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited Schedule

Note: If under "team", the owner's name is listed and in italics, that means the name of the race team that fielded the car is unknown.

Races

EAS/GNC Live Well 300

The EAS/GNC Live Well 300 was held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (No. 32), Mike Wallace (No. 4), C. W. Smith (No. 67), Mike Harmon (No. 44), David Ray Boggs (No. 22)

1-866RBCTerm.com 200

The 1-866RBCTerm.com 200 was held February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Cam Strader (No. 84), Lance Hooper (No. 89) Note: Sammy Potashnick was scheduled to drive the No. 49 but he was arrested earlier that week and he was replaced in the race by Robbie Faggart.

Sam's Town 300

The Sam's Town 300 was held March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Jeff Fuller (No. 88), Mike Laughlin Jr. (No. 34), A. J. Alsup (No. 72), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Dion Ciccarelli (No. 84) Note: Kelly Denton qualified the No. 54 but he was replaced in the race by Kevin Grubb.

darlingtonraceway.com 200

The darlingtonraceway.com 200 was held March 16 at Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Phil Bonifield (No. 90), Shane Hall (No. 84)

Channellock 250

The Channellock 250 was held March 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Scott Riggs won the pole. This race was known for several major story lines. There were two separate altercations post-race, the most notable being a physical confrontation between Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle following an incident between the two drivers on lap 241 in which Harvick crashed hard; Harvick was placed on probation for the incident, which saw him being parked from the Virginia 500 Cup Series race when he collided against Coy Gibbs during the Martinsville Trucks race, in violation of the probation. The other happening just on the other end of pit road in a verbal confrontation between Jimmy Spencer and Jack Sprague after Spencer turned Sprague, who was five laps down, in the last turn on the last lap while chasing down Jeff Green for the win. Green would ultimately win while Spencer lost two spots in that incident to drop to fourth. It was also known for privateer driver Ken Alexander and rookie Johnny Sauter causing or getting caught up in multiple incidents with Alexander being a nuisance on the track throughout the race, both finally dropping out before the race's end as well as a hard crash on the last lap between Mark Green and Larry Foyt with Green suffering a broken left foot. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none

O'Reilly 300

The O'Reilly 300 was held April 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole. The race ended after 116 laps due to rain. Michael Waltrip flipped over on lap 45. He was uninjured. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Dan Pardus (No. 32), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Dwayne Leik (No. 81) Note: Andy Kirby qualified the No. 77 but he was replaced in the race by Brad Teague.

Pepsi 300 presented by Kroger

The Pepsi 300 presented by Kroger was held April 13 at Nashville Superspeedway. Shane Hmiel won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none Note: Mike Chase qualified the No. 59 for Stacy Compton.

Aaron's 312 at Talladega

The Aaron's 312 at Talladega was held April 20 at Talladega Superspeedway. Johnny Sauter won the pole. The race was most remembered for "the Big One" on lap 15 which was the largest crash in series history, which involved about 30 cars. This occurred when Shane Hmiel got into Scott Riggs and he hit Johnny Sauter. Sauter tumbled end over end while cars trying to avoid the wreck braked and slammed into each other. Only three cars finished on the lead lap. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Rick Markle (No. 96)

Auto Club 300

The Auto Club 300 was held April 27 at California Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Jack Sellers (No. 15)

Hardee's 250

The Hardee's 250 was held May 3 at Richmond International Raceway. Jack Sprague won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Christian Fittipaldi (No. 30), Ron Young (No. 71), Toby Robertson (No. 13), Billy Morris III (No. 22), Brian Weber (No. 8)

Busch 200

The Busch 200 was held May 11 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Shane Hmiel won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none

Stacker 2 200

The Stacker 2 200 was held May 18 at Nazareth Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole. The race is known for a severe crash by Jeff Purvis, who blew his engine, spun out, and was slammed into by Greg Biffle, causing severe head trauma. Purvis has never fully recovered from the injuries he suffered, although he would return to drive a NASCAR stock car two years later at the final Busch race at Nazareth. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none Note: Mike Johnson qualified the No. 34 for Daniel Johnson.

Carquest Auto Parts 300

The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 25 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Christian Fittipaldi (No. 30), Carl Long (No. 64), Stanton Barrett (No. 91), Larry Gunselman (No. 84), Phil Bonifield (No. 90) Note: Jay Sauter ran the No. 2 replacing Johnny Sauter due to health concerns.

MBNA Platinum 200

The MBNA Platinum 200 was held June 1 at Dover International Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none

Inside Traxx 300 presented by Met-Rx

The Inside Traxx 300 presented by Met-Rx was held June 8 at Nashville Superspeedway. Greg Biffle won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Jason Schuler (No. 73), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Nick Woodward (No. 85), Kevin Prince (No. 4) Note: David Green qualified the No. 59 for Stacy Compton.

Kroger 300 presented by Oreo

The Kroger 300 presented by Oreo was held June 15 but finished on June 16 at Kentucky Speedway due to rain. Scott Riggs won the pole. The race was delayed a day by rain, but the broadcast of the race was aired on tape delay because of a NASCAR rule prohibiting two national series from being broadcast simultaneously. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (No. 16), Brad Baker (No. 96), Dwayne Leik (No. 81), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Dion Ciccarelli (No. 84), Brian Weber (No. 8), Jason Schuler (No. 73) Note: Mark Green qualified the No. 59 for Stacy Compton and David Reutimann qualified the No. 87 for Joe Nemechek.

GNC Live Well 250

The GNC Live Well 250 was held June 30 at The Milwaukee Mile. Greg Biffle won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Brian Ross (No. 62)

Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250

The Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 was held July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none

Tropicana Twister 300

The Tropicana Twister 300 was held July 13 at Chicagoland Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole while Christian Elder and Dan Pardus suffered hard crashes during qualifying. Elder sustained concussion and a broken collarbone, which effectively ended his racing career while Pardus escaped his crash uninjured. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Richard Mitchell (No. 56), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Larry Hollenbeck (No. 22), Dan Pardus (No. 32), Jason Schuler (No. 73) Note: Christian Elder suffered a career ending crash in the qualifying, Mark Green replaced Elder in the race.

Charter Pipeline 250

The Charter Pipeline 250 was held July 20 at Gateway International Raceway. Randy LaJoie won the pole. The week was marked by tragedy as Andy Kirby was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 18. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Kertus Davis (No. 0), Drew White (No. 22) Note: David Green qualified the No. 59 for Stacy Compton.

NetZero 250

The NetZero 250 was held July 27 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Jason Keller won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none

Kroger 200

The Kroger 200 was held August 3 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Greg Biffle won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: none

Cabela's 250

The Cabela's 250 was held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Richard Mitchell (No. 56), Michael Vergers (No. 07), Rick Markle (No. 84), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Keith Murt (No. 79), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Brian Ross (No. 62), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Wayman Wittman (No. 93)

Food City 250

The Food City 250 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jason Keller won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Ron Young (No. 71), Josh Richeson (No. 11), Kasey Kahne (No. 98), Tim Bainey Jr. (No. 15), Joe Buford (No. 84), Butch Jarvis (No. 53) Note: Sammy Potashnick qualified the No. 49 but he was replaced in the race by Derrike Cope. Mike Harmon was uninjured crash in practice despite his car was nearly full destroyed.

Gatorade 200

The Gatorade 200 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole. The race was shortened to 74 laps due to rain. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Gus Wasson (No. 96), Ron Young (No. 71)

Funai 250

The Funai 250 was held September 6 at Richmond International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. This race was marred by several large accidents, the hardest involved Derrike Cope, whose car suffered a stuck throttle, and slammed the turn 1 wall with such force that the A pillar snapped and the roof was partially ripped off. Cope suffered minor injuries. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Michael Vergers (No. 07), Brian Vickers (No. 40), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 58), Shayne Lockhart (No. 22), Dion Ciccarelli (No. 84), Chris Fontaine (No. 41), Ron Young (No. 71), Josh Richeson (No. 11), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Dan Pardus (No. 32), Butch Miller (No. 75)

MBNA All-American Heroes 200

The MBNA All-American Heroes 200 was held September 21 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Lepage won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Chris Fontaine (No. 41), Bill Hoff (No. 93), Richard Mitchell (No. 56), Donnie Neuenberger (No. 52)

Mr. Goodcents 300

The Mr. Goodcents 300 was held September 28 at Kansas Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Mike Wallace (No. 4), Jason Schuler (No. 73), Steadman Marlin (No. 95), Ryck Sanders (No. 52) Note: Kevin Grubb qualified the No. 54 but he was replaced in the race by Tim Fedewa.

Little Trees 300

The Little Trees 300 was held October 12 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. The top three finishers were the only cars to finish on the lead lap. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Justin Labonte (No. 04), Brad Baker (No. 28), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Jason White (No. 95), Carl Long (No. 22), Chad Chaffin (No. 16), John Hayden (No. 85), Larry Gunselman (No. 94), Brian Weber (No. 84), Cam Strader (No. 52), Mike Harmon (No. 44)

Sam's Town 250 Benefitting St. Jude

The Sam's Town 250 Benefitting St. Jude was held October 20 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Greg Biffle won the pole. The race was scheduled for October 19, but was postponed a day for rain, and was broadcast on tape delay due to a conflict with the Old Dominion 500. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Jason Schuler (No. 73), Bryan Reffner (No. 70), John Hayden (No. 85), Tim Bainey Jr. (No. 15), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Chris Fontaine (No. 41), Jody Lavender (No. 84), Chad Chaffin (No. 16), Michael Dokken (No. 55), Dan Pardus (No. 32), Justin Ashburn (No. 61), Butch Jarvis (No. 53) Note: Christian Fittipaldi qualified the No. 30 but he was replaced in the race by Chad Chaffin, who DNQed his No. 16.

Aaron's 312

The Aaron's 312 was held October 26 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: David Reutimann (No. 88), Roberto Guerrero (No. 09), Lyndon Amick (No. 15), Hermie Sadler (No. 43), Justin Labonte (No. 04), Keith Murt (No. 79)

Sam's Club 200

The Sam's Club 200 was held November 2 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Justin Labonte (No. 04), Cam Strader (No. 52), Jeff Fultz (No. 86), Dan Pardus (No. 32), C. W. Smith (No. 67), Jody Lavender (No. 08), Clay Dale (No. 09), Brad Baker (No. 28)-Withdrew

Bashas' Supermarkets 200

The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 was held November 9 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Jimmy Kitchens (No. 72), Jay Sauter (No. 02)

Ford 300

The Ford 300 was held November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole. Top ten results Failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine (No. 51), Kertus Davis (No. 0), Stanton Barrett (No. 91), Bryan Reffner (No. 07), Mike Wallace (No. 4), Carlos Contreras (No. 09), Cam Strader (No. 52), Mike Harmon (No. 44), Larry Gunselman (No. 94), Jimmy Kitchens (No. 84), Dwayne Leik (No. 81), Norm Benning (No. 8)

Full Drivers' Championship

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points.

• – Most laps led. ** - All laps led.

NASCAR Rookie of the Year

Scott Riggs of ppc Racing took home the 2002 Rookie of the Year title, winning twice and finishing tenth in points. Johnny Sauter won at Chicagoland Speedway and finished 14th in points despite skipping the Carquest Auto Parts 300. Shane Hmiel and Casey Mears finished 16th and 21st respectively in their NASCAR debuts, while Kerry Earnhardt had two top-fives in his second bid for top rookie honors. Brian Vickers, Kasey Kahne, and Dan Pardus ran limited schedules during their rookie campaigns.