NASCAR 2003 Race Recap

10.11.2003 - Atlanta / UAW-GM 500:

10.05.2003 - Kansas / Banquet 400:

09.28.2003 - Talladega / EA Sports 500:

09.21.2003 - Dover / MBNA 400:

09.14.2003 - New Hampshire / Sylvania 300:
Gas mileage plays a part, but tempers cool. Jimmie Johnson wins with pit strategy, and Ricky Rudd grabs another strong finish with second and Joe Nemecheck collects a strong third place finish. Story of the day was when Johnson's car owner Jeff Gordon tried to duck under Michael Walltrip entering the pits, and with the collision he lost control of the car and ended up hitting several members of the #48 pit crew. Fortunately everyone was fine. Lack of fuel cost many drivers a better finish including Harvick, R. Gordon, J. Gordon, and Terry Labonte.

09.13.2003: NASCAR

Bill France Jr announced today that he would be stepping down and handing over control of the NASCAR business to his son Brian France.

Only 1 day after Bill France Jr. denied rumors that he would be leaving NASCAR, France announced that his son would be taking over the reins of control. Some rumors had the elder France leaving NASCAR to work for DEI, some stated that it was Operations director Mike Helton that was headed to DEI, others simply stated he would be stepping down. Bill Jr. laughingly told everyone that those rumor mills were ridiculous - and that he wasn't going anywhere, although he did concede that he may be handing some duties over to son Brian; .... then 24 hours later he announced that son Brian would be taking over as CEO and chairman of the board.

Bill France Jr. took control of the NASCAR business in 1972 from his father and founder Bill France Sr. 1972 was considered to be the beginning of the 'modern-era' of NASCAR racing, as newly acquired sponsor "Winston" stepped on board in 1971, and a newly formatted schedule of races took effect.

Brian France will be leading NASCAR into a new era as the 2004 season will see major changes: No more Southern 500 at Darlington on Memorial Day, and a new primary sponsor NEXTEL replaces Winston as the namesake for the company's premier series.

Brian, the grandson of founder Bill France Sr., does have a strong background in the family business. He was responsible for launching the Craftsman Truck series a few years ago, worked closely with the marketing departments, and the R&D divisions. Recently he has headed up a new "diversity" program within NASCAR as well.

09.6.2003 - Richmond / Chevy 400:
Another "Hot" Saturday night. Ryan Newman avoids the bumps and pulls in his 6th win of the season. Jeremy Mayfield grabs a solid second place finish, and Ricky Rudd nudges his way into third. Kevin Harvick and Rudd (along with all the crew members) exchanged words after the race, and NASCAR handed out over $60,000 in fines to the teams along with a few suspensions for crew members, and probation for Harvick through December. Harvick was well on his way to another strong top 5 finish, when Rudd got into the rear of the 29 putting him in the wall. Robby Gordon also had some strong words for Jeff Burton who put Robbie into the wall late in the race.

This was all along side the hot-tempered Craftsman truck race, and a Kenseth, Harvick, John Sauter disagreement after the Friday night Bush race.

08.31.2003 - Darlington / Southern 500: (Mountain Dew)
The last "Southern 500". Spencer returns with apology. Terry Labonte grabs an emotional win in the final laps of this 'bang-em-up' demo derby. Kevin Harvick nets the runner-up spot (AGAIN!), and Jimmie Johnson gets the third spot.

08.23.2003 - Bristol / Sharpie 500:
Saturday night short track racing. With Jimmy Spencer being suspended, Kurt Busch goes on to win after spinning Sterling Marlin. Busch has not made any friends lately, but has made the news. 2nd place Kevin Harvick was unable to catch Busch in the closing laps, and Jammie McMurray gathers in a great 3rd place finish.

08.17.2003 - MIS / Marketplace 400:
Ryan Newman bests Harvick and Stewart at an exciting Michigan race. Normally a dull race due to the wide lanes, Michigan saw it's share of accidents in this one as Earnhardt Jr. got bumped by Rusty Wallace, Rusty goes up in flames, and Todd Bodine gets a flaming airborne ride with Kenny Wallace.

An altercation after the race got Jimmy Spencer suspended from the Bristol races, and Kurt Busch a sore face and fine. Spencer took exception to a few crude remarks that Busch made from his car seat, and slapped the young gun across the face - NASCAR 'slapped' Spencer with the suspension.

08.10.2003 - Sirius at the Glen:
Back to road racing. Robbie Gordon takes the win, and captures "all" the road race wins in 2003. The 'other' Gordon (Jeff) gets roughed up on the first and last laps. Scott Pruett takes a second, and Earnhardt Jr. finishes third. Jeff Gordon, who sat on the pole got spun out going into the first turn on the first lap by Greg Biffle, and after fighting his way back to a top 5 spot, he ran out of gas on the last lap, and got blasted by Kevin Harvick - putting him into the wall.

08.03.2003 - Indy / Brickyard 400:
Kevin Harvick blisters the track in speeds, and goes on to win the race. Kenseth adds to his points lead with a second place finish, and Jamie McMurry finishes a season best third.

07.27.2003 - Pocono / Pennsylvania 500:
Ryan Newman wins a wilder than usual race at Pocono. A gamble on fuel mileage pays off as Newman gathers his 4th win of the year over 2nd place Kurt Bush, and number 3 DE Jr. A late caution makes it interesting, but Newman holds on for the win.

07.20.2003 - New Hampshire / New England 300:
Jimmie Johnson wins the, temper filled, short track, New England 300. Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth finish 2nd and 3rd as Kenseth pulls to a 234 point lead in the quest for the cup.

07.12.2003 - Chicago:
Ryan Newman wins, as Kevin Harvick runs out of gas with 2 laps to go while trying to chase him down. Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson round out the top 3 finishers.

07.05.2003 - Daytona / Pepsi 400:
At the end of the first half of the season, Rookie Greg Biffle grabs his first win in only his 23rd WC start. Biffle won on fuel mileage as Earnhardt Jr. (5th) and Mikey Waltrip (11th) fail to make fuel stops during a yellow, and Bobby Labonte (7th) runs out of gas on the last lap. Jeff Burton and Ricky Rudd finish second and third.

06.22.2003 - Sanoma / Dodge - Save Mart 350:
Robbie Gordon wins the first road race of the season. Robbie held off namesake Jeff Gordon in the final laps with a strong run, as Jeff finished second, and Kevin Harvick notches third. Road course vets Boris Said and Ron Fellows both finish in the top 10.

06.15.2003 - Michigan / Sirius 400:
Kurt Bush grabs the lead from Jeff Gordon with 24 laps to go and holds off Bobby Labonte in the closing laps for his third win of the season. B. Labonte second, and J. Gordon finishes third.

06.08.2003 - Pocono 500:
Tony Stewart finally gets a win in 2003. After 3 weeks of strong runs without a victory, Stewart bests Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth at the Long Pond raceway.

06.02.2003 - Dover / Armed Forces 400:
Ryan Newman 'strong arms' his way to a win over Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte without the benefit of power steering.

05.25.2003 - Lowes / Charlotte:
The loooong 600. Jimmy Johnson wins again - make it two in a row, but his first win in a points race.

05.17.2003 - The Winston - Charlotte / Lowes:
Jimmy Johnson wins at his sponsors home track in the final segment. Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart take their toll on the rest of the field.

05.03.2003 - Richmond:
Short track racing - and Joe Nemecheck gets his first win of 2003. His 2 pervious wins came when he had already lost his ride for the following season. Bobby Labonte get another 2nd place run, and Earnhardt Jr. closes in just a little bit more on point leader Kenseth with a 3rd place victory.

04.27.2003 - California:
Can the Roushe Cars reclaim their spots at one of their typically better tracks?. YEP - Kurt Bush manages to be the first driver with 2 wins this season - besting Bobby Labonte, and Rusty Wallace (who had his best run of the 2003 season)

04.13.2003 - Martinsville:
Jeff Gordon wins for the first time this year in one of the best races Martinsville has ever put on. Bobby Labonte, and Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top 3 as Tony Stewart and Elliott Sadler exchange paint and a few choice words in the closing laps.

04.06.2003 - Talladega:
Earnhardt Jr. recovers from early sheet metal damage to win. "The Big One" happened early, as a lap 4 pile up involved half the field. Harvick, Elliott Sadler, Craven, and Terry Labonte rounded out the top 5.

03.30.2003 - Texas Radio Shack 500:
Ryan Newman 'steers' to a victory in Texas. The final laps saw Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon battle for the second place honors, with Earnhardt Jr. getting 2nd by a bumper. Mark Martin made it into the top 10 with a season best 6th place finish. The race was filled with controversy due to a 'race to the yellow' issue. Gordon tried to keep a few lapped cars down, while leader Kenseth attempted to allow teammate Kurt Bush and Rickey Rudd to get their laps back. JG got to the yellow first, but NASCAR gave the lead to Kenseth, AND did allow Bush and Rudd to go back to the lead lap. Helton takes heat on the mixed call.

03.23.2003 - Bristol Food City 500:
Kurt Bush pulls out the win in a typical Bristol paint swapping slugfest. A late round of partial green flag pit stops caught several favorites (including Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace) a couple laps down when the yellow flew half way through the series of stops.

03.16.2003 - Darlington Carolina Dodge 400:
In one of the most exciting finishes in years, Ricky Craven snatches a .02 second win from Kurt Bush in the closing laps. as the two drivers trade paint, tire smoke, and just about everything except chewing gum.

03.09.2003 - Atlanta Bass Pro MBNA 400:
Bobby Labonte grabs a long overdue win, edging out Jeff Gordon in the final laps. Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top 3. While Kenseth finished in the top 5, other Roush cars lost engines as Martin, Burton, and Kurt Bush were relegated to the garage area prior to the end of the race.

03.02.2003 - Vegas Chrysler 400:
Matt Kenseth gets the checkered for the first time in the 2003 season. Last years winningest driver continues to put the Roush team in victory circle. The final lap saw the 'typical Sterling Marlin' "wreckem if ya can't beat em" move as the #40 took out Jimmy Johnson in the closing lap.

02.23.2003 - Rockingham Subway 400:
Dale Jarrett pulls out a win over Kurt Bush as the two swap the lead several times in closing laps.

02.16.2003 - Daytona 500:
Mikey and the NAPA #15 pull off another Daytona win in a rain shortened race (very shortened). Favorite DE Jr. loses the alternator to send him to the end of the field. And Ryan Newman takes a scary looking flip.

02.13.2003: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Robbie Gordon pull out wins in the 125 qualifying races at Daytona.

02.07.2003: Dale Earnhardt Jr. powers by Jeff Gordon to win the Bud Shoot-out.

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Items in red boxes are non-point races.