2003 Checker Auto Parts 500

34th race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series February 2025 NASWINSTON November 2 The 2003 Checker Auto Parts 500 program cover, featuring Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck promoting Looney Tunes: Back In Action. Penske Racing South Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Roush Racing Kurt Busch 98 Ryan Newman NBC Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Wally Dallenbach Jr. 8 Motor Racing Network 93.984 mph km/h 36 Avondale, Arizona, Phoenix International Raceway 34 502.115 312 1.6 1 16th Annual Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Havoline Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Havoline 2003 26.931 312 100,000 2003 Checker Auto Parts 500.jpeg The 2003 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Havoline was the 34th stock car race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 16th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, November 2, 2003, before an audience of 100,000 in Avondale, Arizona at Phoenix International Raceway, a 1-mile (1.6 km) permanent low-banked tri-oval race track. The race took the scheduled 312 laps to complete. Within the final laps of the race, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. would manage to defend the field on the final restart with nine to go to take his ninth career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory and his second and final victory of the season.Poole David November 2, 2003 It wasn't Alabama, but it was a win for Earnhardt Jr., 8 team http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7166641.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040328180246/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7166641.htm March 28, 2004 October 4, 2022 That's Racin' The Charlotte ObserverHarris Mike November 3, 2003 Timely victory for Junior 22 The Times https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110680033/timely-victory-for-junior/ October 4, 2022 Newspapers.com To fill out the top three, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson and Penske Racing South driver Ryan Newman would finish second and third, respectively. Heading into the penultimate race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, the 2003 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400, Roush Racing driver Matt Kenseth was considered the heavy favorite that season's driver's championship, only needing a seventh-place finish in the race to clinch the championship.Harris Mike November 9, 2003 Kenseth can wrap up title today 41 The Macon Telegraph https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121861169/kenseth-can-wrap-up-title-today/ March 29, 2023 Newspapers.com Background thumb|The layout of Phoenix International Raceway, the venue where the race was held. Phoenix International Raceway is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. It is named after the nearby metropolitan area of Phoenix. The motorsport track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the IndyCar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series. The raceway is currently owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation. The raceway was originally constructed with a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) road course that ran both inside and outside of the main tri-oval. In 1991 the track was reconfigured with the current 1.51 mi (2.43 km) interior layout. PIR has an estimated grandstand seating capacity of around 67,000. Lights were installed around the track in 2004 following the addition of a second annual NASCAR race weekend. Entry list (R) denotes rookie driver. #DriverTeamMake0Ward BurtonHaas CNC RacingPontiac1John AndrettiDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet01Joe NemechekMB2 MotorsportsPontiac2Rusty WallacePenske Racing SouthDodge02Brandon AshAsh MotorsportsFord4Kevin LepageMorgan–McClure MotorsportsPontiac5Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet6Mark MartinRoush RacingFord7Jimmy SpencerUltra MotorsportsDodge8Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet9Bill ElliottEvernham MotorsportsDodge09Mike WallacePhoenix RacingDodge10Johnny Benson Jr.MB2 MotorsportsPontiac12Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge14Larry Foyt (R)A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDodge15Michael WaltripDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet16Greg Biffle (R)Roush RacingFord17Matt KensethRoush RacingFord18Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet19Jeremy MayfieldEvernham MotorsportsDodge20Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet21Ricky RuddWood Brothers RacingFord22Scott WimmerBill Davis RacingDodge23Kenny WallaceBill Davis RacingDodge24Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet25Brian VickersHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet30Steve ParkRichard Childress RacingChevrolet31Robby GordonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet32Ricky CravenPPI MotorsportsPontiac37Derrike CopeQuest Motor RacingChevrolet38Elliott SadlerRobert Yates RacingFord40Sterling MarlinChip Ganassi RacingDodge41Casey Mears (R)Chip Ganassi RacingDodge42Jamie McMurray (R)Chip Ganassi RacingDodge43Jeff GreenPetty EnterprisesDodge45Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet49Ken SchraderBAM RacingDodge54Todd BodineBelCar MotorsportsFord74Tony Raines (R)BACE MotorsportsChevrolet77Dave BlaneyJasper MotorsportsFord88Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFord97Kurt BuschRoush RacingFord99Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFordOfficial entry list Practice First practice The first practice session was held on Friday, October 31, at 12:20 PM EST. The session would last for two hours. Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2003 Phoenix Race Info Page http://jayski.thatsracin.com/next/2003/2003phoenix.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20031204181906/http://jayski.thatsracin.com/next/2003/2003phoenix.htm December 4, 2003 October 4, 2022 That's Racin' Brian Vickers, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 26.882 and an average speed of 133.919 mph km/h. NASCAR.com - Races - 2003 Phoenix Practice 1 Results http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/34/data/practice1_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040214155607/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/34/data/practice1_speeds.html February 14, 2004 October 4, 2022 NASCAR Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed125Brian VickersHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet26.882133.919201Joe NemechekMB2 MotorsportsPontiac26.949133.586312Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge26.983133.417Full first practice results Second practice The second practice session was held on Saturday, November 1, at 11:30 AM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes. Jeff Gordon, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 27.539 and an average speed of 130.724 mph km/h.November 1, 2003 Gordon, Newman and Biffle out front in first practice http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7159090.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040328170506/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7159090.htm March 28, 2004 October 4, 2022 That's Racin' Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed124Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet27.539130.724212Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge27.572130.56736Mark MartinRoush RacingFord27.603130.421Full second practice results Final practice The final practice session, was held on Saturday, November 1, at 1:10 PM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes. Jeff Burton, driving for Roush Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 27.537 and an average speed of 130.733 mph km/h.November 1, 2003 Jeff Burton, Biffle, Vickers at top of speed chart in final practice http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7159430.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040328172821/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7159430.htm March 28, 2004 October 4, 2022 That's Racin' Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed199Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFord27.537130.733216Greg Biffle (R)Roush RacingFord27.541130.714325Brian VickersHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet27.596130.454Full Happy Hour practice results Qualifying Qualifying was held on Friday, October 31, at 4:05 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap. Positions 1-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional. Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2003 Provisional Land Page http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/2003prov.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20050204083118/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/2003prov.htm February 4, 2005 January 8, 2022 Jayski's Silly Season Site Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing South, would win the pole, setting a time of 26.931 and an average speed of 133.675 mph km/h.Poole David October 31, 2003 Newman edges Vickers for polein Sunday's race at Phoenix http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7153011.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040328175540/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/archives/7153011.htm March 28, 2004 October 4, 2022 That's Racin' The Charlotte Observer Two drivers would fail to qualify: Derrike Cope and Brandon Ash. Full qualifying results Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed112Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge26.931133.675225Brian VickersHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet26.938133.640348Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet26.950133.581424Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet26.983133.41752Rusty WallacePenske Racing SouthDodge27.037133.151620Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet27.056133.057797Kurt BuschRoush RacingFord27.056133.057877Dave BlaneyJasper MotorsportsFord27.062133.028941Casey Mears (R)Chip Ganassi RacingDodge27.135132.6701001Joe NemechekMB2 MotorsportsPontiac27.147132.611118Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet27.148132.607126Mark MartinRoush RacingFord27.161132.5431329Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet27.173132.4841438Elliott SadlerRobert Yates RacingFord27.176132.4701540Sterling MarlinChip Ganassi RacingDodge27.178132.4601619Jeremy MayfieldEvernham MotorsportsDodge27.189132.4061715Michael WaltripDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet27.191132.397189Bill ElliottEvernham MotorsportsDodge27.199132.358195Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet27.216132.275200Ward BurtonHaas CNC RacingPontiac27.232132.1972154Todd BodineBelCar MotorsportsFord27.237132.1732242Jamie McMurray (R)Chip Ganassi RacingDodge27.246132.1302309Mike WallacePhoenix RacingDodge27.246132.1302418Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet27.251132.1052516Greg Biffle (R)Roush RacingFord27.253132.0962623Kenny WallaceBill Davis RacingDodge27.261132.0572799Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFord27.268132.0232822Scott WimmerBill Davis RacingDodge27.275131.989297Jimmy SpencerUltra MotorsportsDodge27.292131.9073021Ricky RuddWood Brothers RacingFord27.303131.8543131Robby GordonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet27.335131.6993214Larry Foyt (R)A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDodge27.379131.488331John AndrettiDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet27.403131.3723449Ken SchraderBAM RacingDodge27.407131.3533510Johnny Benson Jr.MBV MotorsportsPontiac27.498130.9193645Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge27.507130.876Provisionals3717Matt KensethRoush RacingFord27.556130.6433832Ricky CravenPPI MotorsportsPontiac27.657130.1663988Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFord27.677130.0724074Tony Raines (R)BACE MotorsportsChevrolet27.670130.1054130Steve ParkRichard Childress RacingChevrolet27.702129.9544243Jeff GreenPetty EnterprisesDodge27.591130.477434Kevin LepageMorgan–McClure MotorsportsPontiac27.639130.251Failed to qualify4437Derrike CopeQuest Motor RacingChevrolet27.831129.3524502Brandon AshAsh MotorsportsFord28.669125.571Official qualifying results Race results FinSt#DriverTeamMakeLapsLedStatusPtsWinnings1118Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet31287running180$203,0172348Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet31284running175$173,6253112Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge31241running170$152,6254797Kurt BuschRoush RacingFord31298running170$142,58551715Michael WaltripDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet3120running155$100,92563717Matt KensethRoush RacingFord3120running150$86,0007424Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet3120running146$111,77882799Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFord3120running142$98,91792822Scott WimmerBill Davis RacingDodge3120running138$95,65610126Mark MartinRoush RacingFord3120running134$99,133111540Sterling MarlinChip Ganassi RacingDodge3120running130$100,000122242Jamie McMurray (R)Chip Ganassi RacingDodge3120running127$59,90013225Brian VickersHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet3120running124$58,90014189Bill ElliottEvernham MotorsportsDodge3120running121$90,633152516Greg Biffle (R)Roush RacingFord3120running118$56,13016331John AndrettiDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet3120running115$75,162173021Ricky RuddWood Brothers RacingFord3120running112$76,87518620Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet3120running109$102,128194174Tony Raines (R)BACE MotorsportsChevrolet3120running106$53,350201438Elliott SadlerRobert Yates RacingFord3120running103$89,225213510Johnny Benson Jr.MBV MotorsportsPontiac3120running100$79,900222154Todd BodineBelCar MotorsportsFord3120running97$65,57523434Kevin LepageMorgan–McClure MotorsportsPontiac3121running99$60,25024877Dave BlaneyJasper MotorsportsFord3120running91$68,589252623Kenny WallaceBill Davis RacingDodge3120running88$52,375262309Mike WallacePhoenix RacingDodge3120running85$48,450273449Ken SchraderBAM RacingDodge3120running82$51,625283214Larry Foyt (R)A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDodge3120running79$49,200293988Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFord3120running76$93,85330195Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet3100running73$77,706311001Joe NemechekMB2 MotorsportsPontiac3100running70$50,925323131Robby GordonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet3100running67$75,8623352Rusty WallacePenske Racing SouthDodge3050running64$85,217341329Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet2970running61$86,603353645Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge2800engine58$55,300362418Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet2670running55$92,233374243Jeff GreenPetty EnterprisesDodge2660engine52$82,803383832Ricky CravenPPI MotorsportsPontiac2071crash54$54,900394030Steve ParkRichard Childress RacingChevrolet2060crash46$54,77540297Jimmy SpencerUltra MotorsportsDodge1670crash0$46,62541200Ward BurtonHaas CNC RacingPontiac1670crash40$47,18542941Casey Mears (R)Chip Ganassi RacingDodge1170engine37$54,350431619Jeremy MayfieldEvernham MotorsportsDodge320engine34$54,471Official race results References 2003 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 (October) 2003 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Category:2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Category:NASCAR races at Phoenix Raceway Category:November 2003 sports events in the United States Category:2003 in sports in Arizona