2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

American motorsport season November 2025 March 2016 NASCAR Winston Cup Series NASCAR Winston Cup Series 2003 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champions | Seasons thumb|Matt Kenseth, the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion. thumb|Jimmie Johnson came in second behind Kenseth by 90 points. thumb|Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished third in the championship. thumb|Jamie McMurray, the 2003 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 55th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 32nd modern-era Cup Series season. The season began on February 8 at the Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and ended on November 16 at Homestead–Miami Speedway with the Ford 400. Despite only winning one race throughout the whole season, Matt Kenseth, driving the No.17 Ford for Roush Racing, was strongly consistent following the lone win, and was crowned the Winston Cup champion. His only win came in the third race of the 36 race season. Chevrolet took home the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship after capturing 19 wins and 264 points over second-place finisher Dodge, who had nine wins and 203 points. Ford finished the year third with seven wins and 200 points, and Pontiac finished fourth with one win and 125 points.http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2003/data/standings_manufacturer.html Standings: 2003 Manufacturer Standings NASCAR; Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network September 12, 2009 This was the final year for Winston being the title sponsor of the Cup Series. Winston had been the title sponsor for NASCAR since 1971. After 33 years, Winston decided not to renew its sponsorship. NASCAR went to work to find a sponsor immediately, and on June 19, 2003, NASCAR announced that the telecommunications firm Nextel would be the new title sponsor of the Cup Series starting in 2004. This was also the final season for Unocal 76 Brand as the official fuel for NASCAR. Unocal had been the official fuel since the sport's inception in 1948. Sunoco would replace Unocal 76 as the official fuel of NASCAR. This was also the last full-time season for Pontiac. Pontiac had been with NASCAR on 2 different occasions. The first was from 1949 to 1964, then they returned in 1981 and continued full-time until the end of 2003, though a few teams ran Pontiacs on a limited basis in 2004, and they continued running in the Busch Series through 2005 and ARCA as late as 2007. Pontiac folded entirely in 2009 when parent company General Motors shuttered it during their chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. In addition, NASCAR instituted a new points system after this season entitled the Chase for the Cup, in which after 26 races, all the points standings in the top ten as well as any position within 400 points of the lead, would be reset, so the drivers in those positions would be eligible for the championship. This was done primarily because of the huge lead Kenseth accumulated during 2003 despite winning one race. Teams and drivers Complete schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew chief Chevrolet BACE Motorsports74 Tony Raines (R) Larry Carter Dale Earnhardt, Inc.1 Steve Park 11 1–11 Tony GibsonJeff Green 12 12–15, 17–21, 23–25Ron Fellows 2 16, 22John Andretti 10 26–28, 30–36Jason Keller 1 298 Dale Earnhardt Jr.Tony Eury 33 1–15, 19–36 Tony Eury Jr. 3 16–1815 Michael Waltrip Slugger Labbe Hendrick Motorsports5 Terry Labonte Jim Long24 Jeff Gordon Robbie Loomis25 Joe Nemechek 32 1–32Peter SospenzoBrian Vickers 4 33–3648 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Joe Gibbs Racing18 Bobby Labonte Michael "Fatback" McSwain20 Tony Stewart Greg Zipadelli Richard Childress Racing29 Kevin Harvick Todd Berrier30 Jeff Green 11 1–11 Mike BeamSteve Park 25 12–3631 Robby Gordon Kevin Hamlin DodgeA. J. Foyt Racing14 Larry Foyt 33 1–15, 17–30, 33–36 (R)Ben Holm P. J. Jones 1 16 Mark Green 2 31–32 BAM Racing49 Ken Schrader Scott Eggleston Bill Davis Racing22 Ward Burton 32 1–32Frank StoddardScott Wimmer 4 33–3623 Kenny Wallace Phillipe Lopez Chip Ganassi Racing40 Sterling Marlin Lee McCall41 Casey Mears (R) Jimmy Elledge42 Jamie McMurray (R) Donnie Wingo Evernham Motorsports9 Bill Elliott Mike Ford19 Jeremy Mayfield Kenny FrancisPenske Racing2 Rusty Wallace Bill Wilburn12 Ryan Newman Matt BorlandPetty Enterprises43 John Andretti 14 1–14Gary PutnamChristian Fittipaldi (R) 11 15–16, 18–21, 23–27Shane Hmiel 1 17Scott Maxwell 1 22Jeff Green 9 28–3645 Kyle Petty 35 1–6, 8–36Greg SteadmanChristian Fittipaldi (R) 1 7 Ultra Motorsports7 Jimmy Spencer 35 1–23, 25–36 Tommy Baldwin Jr.Ted Musgrave 1 24 Ford BelCar Motorsports54 Todd Bodine Gary Cogswell Jasper Motorsports77 Dave Blaney Mark Harrah Robert Yates Racing38 Elliott Sadler Raymond Fox Jr.88 Dale Jarrett Shawn Parker Roush Racing6 Mark Martin Pat Tryson16 Greg Biffle (R) Doug Richert17 Matt Kenseth Robbie Reiser97 Kurt Busch Jimmy Fennig99 Jeff Burton Paul Andrews Wood Brothers Racing21 Ricky Rudd Ben LesliePontiacHaas CNC Racing0 Jack Sprague (R) 18 1–18Tony FurrJohn Andretti 3 19–20, 22Jason Leffler 11 21, 23–32Ward Burton 4 33–36 MB2 Motorsports01 Jerry Nadeau 10 1–10Ryan PembertonJason Keller 1 11Mike Wallace 8 12–15, 17–20Boris Said 2 16, 22Mike Skinner 11 21, 23–32Joe Nemechek 4 33–3610 Johnny Benson Jay Guy Morgan-McClure Motorsports4Mike Skinner 15 1–15 Tim Brewer Johnny Miller 1 16Stacy Compton 2 17, 23Johnny Sauter (R) 6 18–19, 24, 26–27, 30Brett Bodine 1 20Robert Pressley 1 21 P. J. Jones 1 22Kevin Lepage 9 25, 28–29, 31–36 PPI Motorsports32 Ricky Craven Scott Miller Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberRace driverCrew chiefRound(s) Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 33 Christian FittipaldiNewt Moore 1 1 Paul Menard 2 16, 22 BC Motorsports 78 Mike Harmon 1 1 Bill McAnally Racing00 Jim Inglebright 1 16Michael Waltrip Racing Buckshot JonesBobby Kennedy 2 29, 33 Mike Skinner 1 36 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 81 Jason Keller 1 18 John Andretti 1 18 FitzBradshaw Racing 83 Kerry EarnhardtBobby Temple 3 7, 10, 17 Hendrick Motorsports 60 David Green Gary DeHart 4 1, 8, 17, 29 Brian Vickers 1 31 Kyle Busch 1 36 Joe Gibbs Racing 80 Mike BlissJimmy Makar 2 17, 29 Joe Varde Racing 35 Joe Varde 1 22 Marcis Auto Racing 71 Tim Sauter 3 19, 28, 35 Jim Sauter 1 21 Mike Starr Racing 75 David Starr 1 7 Quest Motor Racing 37 Derrike Cope Ernie Cope 26 1–3, 6, 9–15, 18–21, 23–25, 27–28, 30–35 Richard Childress Racing 90 John AndrettiBobby Leslie 1 29 Ron Hornaday Jr. 1 36 Dodge Conely Racing 78 Rich Bickle 1 36 79 Billy Bigley 5 21, 24, 26, 28, 33 Rich Bickle 1 35 Arnold Motorsports Derrike Cope 1 36 Bill Davis Racing 27 Scott Wimmer 3 24, 27–28 Shelby Howard 1 33 Chip Ganassi Racing 39 Scott Pruett Matt Chambers 1 22 Evernham Motorsports 91 Casey Atwood Sammy Johns 2 14, 21Glenn Racing46Carl Long2 19, 27Petty Enterprises 44 Christian Fittipaldi (R)Greg Steadman 5 17, 22, 28–29, 31 Phoenix Racing 09 Mike WallaceMarc Reno 8 1, 8, 26, 29–30, 33–34, 36 Scott Pruett 1 16 Buckshot Jones 1 17 Ultra Motorsports 07 Ted Musgrave 2 3, 21 FordAsh Motorsports 02 Brandon Ash 3 3, 16, 34 BelCar Racing 66 Hideo FukuyamaGary Cogswell 4 3, 10–11, 16 Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett BodineMike Hillman 9 1, 4, 6–8, 11–13, 21 Geoff Bodine 1 15 CLR Racing 57 Jeff FultzJoey Cudmore 1 4 Brett Bodine 1 5 Kevin Lepage 2 21, 23 Donlavey Racing 90 Kirk Shelmerdine 1 1 Harrah Racing 55 Jeff Fultz 1 31 Matrix Motorsports 71 Kevin Lepage 1 12 Robert Yates Racing 98 Jason Jarrett 1 29 Shepherd Racing Ventures 89 Morgan Shepherd 7 14, 19–20, 24, 27–28, 32 Team Rensi Motorsports 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 3 4, 30, 33 Pontiac Morgan-McClure Motorsports 04 David Reutimann Garth Finley 2 19, 21 Johnny Miller 1 22 ChevroletPontiacSCORE Motorsports02 Hermie SadlerJeff Buckner 19 1, 6, 8–9, 11–13, 15, 21, 24–28, 31–33, 35–36 Schedule No. Race title Track DateBudweiser ShootoutDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 8Gatorade 125sFebruary 131Daytona 500February 162Subway 400North Carolina Speedway, RockinghamFebruary 233UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las VegasMarch 24Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 95Carolina Dodge Dealers 400Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMarch 166Food City 500Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolMarch 237Samsung/RadioShack 500Texas Motor Speedway, Fort WorthMarch 30 8Aaron's 499Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaApril 69Virginia 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 1310Auto Club 500California Speedway, FontanaApril 2711Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondMay 3Winston OpenLowe's Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 17The Winston12Coca-Cola 600May 2513MBNA Armed Forces Family 400Dover International Speedway, DoverJune 114Pocono 500Pocono Raceway, Long PondJune 815Sirius 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 1516Dodge/Save Mart 350Infineon Raceway, SonomaJune 2217Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 518Tropicana 400Chicagoland Speedway, JolietJuly 1319New England 300New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonJuly 2020Pennsylvania 500Pocono Raceway, Long PondJuly 2721Brickyard 400Indianapolis Motor Speedway, SpeedwayAugust 322Sirius Satellite Radio at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1023GFS Marketplace 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1724Sharpie 500Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolAugust 2325Mountain Dew Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonAugust 3126Chevy Rock & Roll 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 627Sylvania 300New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonSeptember 1428MBNA America 400Dover International Speedway, DoverSeptember 2129EA Sports 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaSeptember 2830Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra FoodsKansas Speedway, Kansas CityOctober 531UAW-GM Quality 500Lowe's Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 1132Subway 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayOctober 1933Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonOctober 26–2734Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by HavolinePhoenix International Raceway, PhoenixNovember 235Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400North Carolina Speedway, RockinghamNovember 936Ford 400Homestead–Miami Speedway, HomesteadNovember 16 Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverManufacturer Winning manufacturerBudweiser ShootoutGeoff BodineJeff GordonDale Earnhardt Jr.ChevroletGatorade 125 #1Jeff GreenJeff GreenRobby GordonChevroletGatorade 125 #2Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet1Daytona 500Jeff GreenMichael WaltripMichael WaltripChevrolet2Subway 400Dave BlaneyRusty WallaceDale JarrettFord3UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400Bobby LabonteDale Earnhardt Jr.Matt KensethFord4Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500Ryan NewmanBobby LabonteBobby LabonteChevrolet5Carolina Dodge Dealers 400Elliott SadlerDale Earnhardt Jr.Ricky CravenPontiac6Food City 500Ryan NewmanJeff GordonKurt BuschFord7Samsung/Radio Shack 500Bobby LabonteElliott SadlerRyan NewmanDodge8Aaron's 499Jeremy MayfieldJimmie JohnsonDale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet9Virginia 500Jeff GordonDale Earnhardt Jr.Jeff GordonChevrolet10Auto Club 500Steve ParkTony StewartKurt BuschFord11Pontiac Excitement 400Terry LabonteJoe NemechekJoe NemechekChevroletWinston OpenSteve ParkMike SkinnerJeff BurtonFordThe WinstonBill ElliottTony StewartJimmie JohnsonChevrolet12Coca-Cola 600Ryan NewmanMatt KensethJimmie JohnsonChevrolet13MBNA Armed Forces Family 400Ryan NewmanRyan NewmanRyan NewmanDodge14Pocono 500Jimmie JohnsonSterling MarlinTony StewartChevrolet15Sirius 400Bobby LabonteSterling MarlinKurt BuschFord16Dodge/Save Mart 350Boris SaidRobby GordonRobby GordonChevrolet17Pepsi 400Steve ParkKevin HarvickGreg BiffleFord18Tropicana 400Tony StewartTony StewartRyan NewmanDodge19New England 300Matt KensethJeff GordonJimmie JohnsonChevrolet20Pennsylvania 500Ryan NewmanRyan NewmanRyan NewmanDodge21Brickyard 400Kevin HarvickTony StewartKevin HarvickChevrolet22Sirius Satellite Radio at The GlenJeff GordonRobby GordonRobby GordonChevrolet23GFS Marketplace 400Bobby LabonteJimmie JohnsonRyan NewmanDodge24Sharpie 500Jeff GordonJeff GordonKurt BuschFord25Mountain Dew Southern 500Ryan NewmanRyan NewmanTerry LabonteChevrolet26Chevy Rock & Roll 400Mike SkinnerJeff GordonRyan NewmanDodge27Sylvania 300Ryan NewmanDale Earnhardt Jr.Jimmie JohnsonChevrolet28MBNA America 400Matt KensethKevin HarvickRyan NewmanDodge29EA Sports 500Elliott SadlerJeff GordonMichael WaltripChevrolet30Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra FoodsJimmie JohnsonBill ElliottRyan NewmanDodge31UAW-GM Quality 500Ryan NewmanTony StewartTony StewartChevrolet32Subway 500Jeff GordonJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet33Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500Ryan NewmanTony StewartJeff GordonChevrolet34Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by HavolineRyan NewmanKurt BuschDale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet35Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400Ryan NewmanBill ElliottBill ElliottDodge36Ford 400Jamie McMurrayBill ElliottBobby LabonteChevrolet Budweiser Shootout 2003 Budweiser Shootout The Budweiser Shootout was held February 8 at Daytona International Speedway. Geoff Bodine started on the pole, which was decided by a random draw. The race featured drivers who have won a pole in the previous season or have won the event before. 2003 marked changes to the race's format, for the first time the race ran at night. The 70-lap event was now split into two segments. After the first 20-lap segment a 10-minute intermission took place allowing drivers to make pit stops and repair their cars. The second segment featured a 50-lap race to the finish with cars restarting double file on all restarts. Drivers were also required to make at least one pit stop under the green flag. Top ten results: Pos.No. Driver Make Team 18 Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 224 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports 317 Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Racing 412 Ryan NewmanDodge Penske Racing 522 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing 649 Ken Schrader BAM Racing 748 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 821 Ricky Rudd Ford Wood Brothers Racing 929 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 1032 Ricky Craven Pontiac PPI Motorsports Gatorade Twin 125s The Gatorade 125s qualifying for the Daytona 500 were held on February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Race oneRace twoTop ten resultspos.No.driverpos.No.driver131 Robby Gordon18 Dale Earnhardt Jr.230 Jeff Green215Michael Waltrip321 Ricky Rudd354Todd Bodine440 Sterling Marlin42Rusty Wallace599 Jeff Burton520Tony Stewart688 Dale Jarrett648Jimmie Johnson724 Jeff Gordon743John Andretti825Joe Nemechek89Bill Elliott922 Ward Burton938Elliott Sadler1042Jamie McMurray1009Mike Wallace 45th Daytona 500 2003 Daytona 500 Top ten results #15 - Michael Waltrip* #97 - Kurt Busch #48 - Jimmie Johnson #29 - Kevin Harvick #6 - Mark Martin #31 - Robby Gordon #20 - Tony Stewart #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #09 - Mike Wallace #88 - Dale Jarrett Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#14), Brett Bodine (#11), Hermie Sadler (#02), David Green (#60), Kirk Shelmerdine (#90), Derrike Cope (#37), Mike Harmon (#78) Michael Waltrip became a two-time winner of the "Great American Race", even though the race was rain-shortened. Michael Waltrip scored his third of four career wins. His first three career wins, however, were all scored consecutively at Daytona under the NASCAR on FOX team (Feb. 2001, July 2002, and Feb. 2003), which included the support of FOX analyst and older brother Darrell. Ryan Newman had a crash in this race, in which his car got clipped by Ken Schrader coming off of turn 4 and slid down the front straightaway, flipping violently in the tri-oval and coming to a rest on its roof. At 109 laps and 272.5 mi km, this was the shortest Daytona 500 ever recorded. After they agreed to be the title sponsor for NASCAR's top series in 1971, this marked the 1,000th race for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and Winston. Subway 400 2003 Subway 400 The Subway 400 was held on February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. Dave Blaney was the pole winner. #88 - Dale Jarrett* #97 - Kurt Busch #17 - Matt Kenseth #32 - Ricky Craven #42 - Jamie McMurray #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #48 - Jimmie Johnson #38 - Elliott Sadler #77 - Dave Blaney Failed to qualify: none This would be Jarrett's only victory in 2003, and his last Cup Series victory until Talladega in October 2005, 2 years, and 100 races later. UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was held on March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte was the pole winner. Top ten results #17 - Matt Kenseth* #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #15 - Michael Waltrip #18 - Bobby Labonte #20 - Tony Stewart #99 - Jeff Burton #12 - Ryan Newman #40 - Sterling Marlin #25 - Joe Nemechek #1 - Steve Park Failed to qualify: Greg Biffle (#16), Brandon Ash (#02) This would be Kenseth's only Cup Series victory in 2003. Bass Pro Shops 500 The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held on March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. Top ten results #18 - Bobby Labonte #24 - Jeff Gordon #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #17 - Matt Kenseth* #20 - Tony Stewart #38 - Elliott Sadler #7 - Jimmy Spencer #77 - Dave Blaney #25 - Joe Nemechek #12 - Ryan Newman 1 lap down Failed to qualify: Bobby Hamilton Jr. (#35), Jeff Fultz (#57) After finishing 4th, Kenseth took the points lead and never looked back. He led the standings for 33 consecutive weeks en route to his first and only championship. His 33 consecutive week point lead is a NASCAR record. Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was held on March 16 at Darlington Raceway. Elliott Sadler sat on the pole. Top ten results #32 - Ricky Craven* #97 - Kurt Busch #77 - Dave Blaney #6 - Mark Martin #15 - Michael Waltrip #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #38 - Elliott Sadler #17 - Matt Kenseth #9 - Bill Elliott #20 - Tony Stewart Failed to qualify: none Ricky Craven edged out Kurt Busch by .002 seconds, the closest finish in NASCAR history until the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona when Tyler Reddick edged out Elliott Sadler by .0004 seconds, and the closest finish in Cup Series history until May 2024 when Kyle Larson edged out Chris Buescher at Kansas by .001 seconds. This was the 5th, and as of 2020, the last time in Darlington's history that a race was decided by a last-lap pass. This was Craven's final career Cup Series victory, as well as the 154th and final Cup Series victory for Pontiac. Food City 500 2003 Food City 500 The Food City 500 was held on March 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman was the pole winner for this race. Top ten results #97 - Kurt Busch* #17 - Matt Kenseth #18 - Bobby Labonte #21 - Ricky Rudd #16 - Greg Biffle #40 - Sterling Marlin #29 - Kevin Harvick 1 lap down #48 - Jimmie Johnson 1 lap down #24 - Jeff Gordon 1 lap down #23 - Kenny Wallace 1 lap down Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Larry Foyt (#14) NASCAR considered postponing the race due to the start of the War in Iraq. The Government gave all professional sporting associations their consent to continue. This was NASCAR's 2000th race run in Cup Series history. Kurt Busch finally won a race in 2003 after finishing second in three of the first five races of the season. This was the sixth race of 2003. This race was marred by a brutal crash involving Ward Burton and Kyle Petty, in which Petty's car hit the wall with a g-force of over 80 g, making it the hardest known crash in Cup history until 2010. Samsung/Radio Shack 500 The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was held at Texas Motor Speedway on March 30. Texas native Bobby Labonte was the pole sitter for this race. Top ten results #12 - Ryan Newman #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #24 - Jeff Gordon #01 - Jerry Nadeau #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Matt Kenseth #30 - Jeff Green #48 - Jimmie Johnson #97 - Kurt Busch #42 - Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (#83), David Starr (#75) This race was the first of several this season to have controversy with racing back to the caution flag. On lap 169, Matt Kenseth was leading when the caution came out. Kenseth slowed to let his teammate, Jeff Burton, have a lap back. Jeff Gordon was in second, and didn't want a bunch of drivers getting laps back, so he maintained his speed and passed Kenseth just before the start finish line, seemingly trapping Kurt Busch and Ricky Rudd a lap down. NASCAR ruled that as the leader when the caution flew, it was up to Kenseth to decide whether drivers should get laps back or not, and as he had slowed, Gordon should have slowed as well. Kenseth was given the lead back while Busch and Rudd were given their laps back as they had beaten Kenseth back to the line, but not Gordon. Aaron's 499 2003 Aaron's 499 The Aaron's 499 was held at Talladega Superspeedway on April 6. Jeremy Mayfield won the pole. Top ten results #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.* #29 - Kevin Harvick #38 - Elliott Sadler #32 - Ricky Craven #5 - Terry Labonte #40 - Sterling Marlin #22 - Ward Burton #24 - Jeff Gordon #17 - Matt Kenseth #31 - Robby Gordon Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (#11), Larry Foyt (#14), David Green (#60) (Note: Phoenix Racing's Mike Wallace had originally failed to qualify, but Green's car was found too low and his time was disallowed.) Dale Earnhardt Jr. became the only driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive races at Talladega, breaking him out of a tie with Buddy Baker. Dale Jr. would also become the second driver in NASCAR history to win four straight superspeedway races at one track, joining Bill Elliott. Elliott won four Michigan races in a row when he pulled off season sweeps in 1985 and 1986. The "Big One" did not take long and collected 27 cars on lap 4, making this the largest crash in a Cup race in the modern era until the 2024 YellaWood 500, which collected 28 cars. The crash barely included Earnhardt Jr., who started in the back of the field and managed to race his way to victory lane anyway. Earnhardt was involved in a controversial decision at the end of the race where it appeared he went below the yellow line in an attempt to improve position. NASCAR ruled Earnhardt was forced down making it a clean pass. Virginia 500 The Virginia 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on April 13. Jeff Gordon won the pole. Top ten results #24 - Jeff Gordon #18 - Bobby Labonte #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #99 - Jeff Burton #38 - Elliott Sadler #20 - Tony Stewart #40 - Sterling Marlin #2 - Rusty Wallace #48 - Jimmie Johnson #49 - Ken Schrader Failed to qualify: none Championship leader Matt Kenseth would end up finished in 22nd, his 1st of only 4 finishes outside the top-20 all season. This would be Kenseth's worst finish until Talladega in September. Auto Club 500 2003 Auto Club 500 The Auto Club 500 was held at California Speedway on April 27. Steve Park won the pole. Top ten results #97 - Kurt Busch #18 - Bobby Labonte #2 - Rusty Wallace #9 - Bill Elliott #42 - Jamie McMurray #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #15 - Michael Waltrip #43 - John Andretti #17 - Matt Kenseth #40 - Sterling Marlin Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (#83), Hideo Fukuyama (#66) This was Jerry Nadeau's last race. Pontiac Excitement 400 The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held at Richmond International Raceway on May 3. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race was shortened with only 7 laps to go, due to rain. Top ten results #25 - Joe Nemechek #18 - Bobby Labonte #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.* #31 - Robby Gordon #6 - Mark Martin #29 - Kevin Harvick #17 - Matt Kenseth #97 - Kurt Busch #99 - Jeff Burton #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Derrike Cope (#37), Hideo Fukuyama (#66) Jerry Nadeau, driver of the #01 Pontiac for MB2/MBV Motorsports, was critically injured in a practice session for this race. Jason Keller drove in his place. Nadeau never ran another Cup Series race. After this race, Jeff Green was fired for his remarks about Kevin Harvick and swapped rides with Steve Park in the #1 who was fired a day later than Green was. Steve would drive the #30 for the rest of the year while Green drove the #1 until Bristol. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. finishing 3rd and collecting 5 bonus points, and Matt Kenseth finishing 7th with no bonus points, Kenseth lost 24 points to Dale Jr. in this race. Kenseth's point margin after Richmond was now only 20 points ahead of Earnhardt. This was the closest point margin all season for Matt Kenseth while he had the point lead. The Winston Top ten results (Winston Open) #99 - Jeff Burton #77 - Dave Blaney #4 - Mike Skinner #11 - Brett Bodine #16 - Greg Biffle #7 - Jimmy Spencer #23 - Kenny Wallace #30 - Steve Park #45 - Kyle Petty #0 - Jack Sprague Top ten results #48 - Jimmie Johnson #97 - Kurt Busch #18 - Bobby Labonte #25 - Joe Nemechek #15 - Michael Waltrip #17 - Matt Kenseth #29 - Kevin Harvick #24 - Jeff Gordon #99 - Jeff Burton* #32 - Ricky Craven Burton entered via winning the Winston Open Coca-Cola 600 2003 Coca-Cola 600 The Coca-Cola 600 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 25. Ryan Newman won the pole. The race was shortened to 276 laps due to inclement weather. Top ten results #48 - Jimmie Johnson #17 - Matt Kenseth* #18 - Bobby Labonte #7 - Jimmy Spencer #12 - Ryan Newman #15 - Michael Waltrip #40 - Sterling Marlin #24 - Jeff Gordon #88 - Dale Jarrett 1 lap down #22 - Ward Burton 1 lap down Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Brett Bodine (#11), Derrike Cope (#37) In addition to finishing 2nd, Kenseth lead the most laps, granting him 10 bonus points, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. finishing 41st with no bonus points, extending Kenseth's points lead to 160 points over Earnhardt. This would make Kenseth's point lead safe and locked up for the rest of the season, as he would continue to have a 160+ point lead for the next 24 weeks, between this race and when he clinched the title at Rockingham in November, which is also a NASCAR record. This would be the only race of the season that Matt Kenseth would lead the most laps. MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 The MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on June 1. Ryan Newman won the pole. Top ten results #12 - Ryan Newman #24 - Jeff Gordon #18 - Bobby Labonte #20 - Tony Stewart #10 - Johnny Benson #2 - Rusty Wallace #17 - Matt Kenseth #32 - Ricky Craven #31 - Robby Gordon #5 - Terry Labonte Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#37), Hermie Sadler (#02) Ryan Newman completed the last half of this race without power steering. Brett Bodine made his last career start in this race, finishing 42nd after crashing out. Pocono 500 The Pocono 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on June 8. Jimmie Johnson won the pole. This broke a 27-race winless streak for Stewart. Top ten results #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Matt Kenseth #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #12 - Ryan Newman #40 - Sterling Marlin #5 - Terry Labonte #22 - Ward Burton #38 - Elliott Sadler #32 - Ricky Craven Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#37), Morgan Shepherd (#89) This would be Tony Stewart's first win in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo. On lap 7 Ken Schrader gets loose and hits the wall and flips once before catching fire. He was uninjured. With 3 laps to go, Jeff Green hits the inside wall on the backstretch and smashes the front of the car. This would lead to Tony Stewart winning the race under caution. Terry Labonte and Greg Biffle were also shown to have damage afterward. Sirius 400 The Sirius 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on June 15. Bobby Labonte was the pole sitter. Top ten results #97 - Kurt Busch #18 - Bobby Labonte #24 - Jeff Gordon #17 - Matt Kenseth #15 - Michael Waltrip #40 - Sterling Marlin #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #20 - Tony Stewart #6 - Mark Martin #5 - Terry Labonte Failed to qualify: Mike Skinner (#4), Larry Foyt (#14) Brett Bodine was involving in a brutal crash in practice that left him severely injured. Brett's brother Geoff Bodine drove the #11 for this race, in what would be the last Cup start for Brett Bodine Racing. Dodge/Save Mart 350 The Dodge/Save Mart 350 was held at Infineon Raceway on June 22. Boris Said was the pole sitter. Top ten results #31 - Robby Gordon #24 - Jeff Gordon #29 - Kevin Harvick #9 - Bill Elliott #12 - Ryan Newman #01 - Boris Said * #1 - Ron Fellows * #2 - Rusty Wallace #18 - Bobby Labonte #19 - Jeremy Mayfield Failed to qualify: P. J. Jones (#14), Brandon Ash (#02), Paul Menard (#33), Jim Inglebright (#00) Three days prior to this race, on Thursday, June 19, NASCAR officially announced that the telecommunications firm Nextel would replace RJ Reynolds brand Winston as NASCAR's title sponsor for the Cup Series at the start of the 2004 season, thus ending a 33-year relationship between NASCAR and Winston, which began back on January 10, 1971. Controversy erupted on lap 71. Kevin Harvick was leading race winner Robby Gordon when a caution came out for a crash at a different part of the track. Gordon kept charging, and passed Harvick in the keyhole turn, taking the lead before they crossed the start/finish line. Harvick called it a "chicken move" and Jeff Gordon said "I could not believe it when I saw it" and called his passing under the yellow "unheard of." The controversial pass, however, was entirely legal under NASCAR rules at the time, and Robby Gordon was assessed no penalty. The so-called "unethical breach of racing ethics" proved to be the winning edge, and Robby Gordon went on to win the race. He was subjected to considerable scrutiny and ridicule after the race. However, others considered the complaints to be hypocrisy or "sour grapes" by the losers. Boris Said won his first career NASCAR pole as a Road course ringer, also finishing his career-best Cup finish at the time. Ron Fellows came very close to winning his first Cup Series victory, leading over 21 laps late in the race after briefly taking the lead from Robby Gordon and Kevin Harvick. Fellows lost his chance at the win after a yellow came out with less than 30 laps to go, forcing him to make a pit stop. He dropped from 1st to 31st and recovered to finish 7th. Pepsi 400 2003 Pepsi 400 The Pepsi 400 was held at Daytona International Speedway on July 5. Steve Park won the pole. #16 - Greg Biffle* #99 - Jeff Burton #21 - Ricky Rudd #5 - Terry Labonte #18 - Bobby Labonte #17 - Matt Kenseth #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #29 - Kevin Harvick #88 - Dale Jarrett Failed to qualify: Kerry Earnhardt (#83), Tony Raines (#74), Shane Hmiel (#43), Christian Fittipaldi (#44) This was Biffle's first career Cup Series victory. This race marked the first time since 1993 that car #43 did not race at Daytona or did not race in a NASCAR points race. Tropicana 400 The Tropicana 400 was held at Chicagoland Speedway on July 13. Tony Stewart sat on the pole. #12 - Ryan Newman #20 - Tony Stewart #48 - Jimmie Johnson #24 - Jeff Gordon #15 - Michael Waltrip #99 - Jeff Burton #31 - Robby Gordon #42 - Jamie McMurray #38 - Elliott Sadler #19 - Jeremy Mayfield Failed to qualify: Jason Keller (#81) New England 300 The New England 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 20. Matt Kenseth won the pole. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #29 - Kevin Harvick #17 - Matt Kenseth #12 - Ryan Newman #31 - Robby Gordon #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 - Dale Jarrett #30 - Steve Park #99 - Jeff Burton #16 - Greg Biffle Failed to qualify: Tim Sauter (#71), David Reutimann (#04), Carl Long (#46), Larry Foyt (#50) Pennsylvania 500 The Pennsylvania 500 was held at Pocono Raceway on July 27. Ryan Newman won the pole. #12- Ryan Newman #97- Kurt Busch #8- Dale Earnhardt Jr. #15- Michael Waltrip #5- Terry Labonte #99- Jeff Burton #25- Joe Nemechek #54- Todd Bodine #77- Dave Blaney #40- Sterling Marlin Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (#4) Brickyard 400 2003 Brickyard 400 The Brickyard 400 was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 3. Kevin Harvick won the pole and the race. #29 - Kevin Harvick #17 - Matt Kenseth #42 - Jamie McMurray #24 - Jeff Gordon #9 - Bill Elliott #31 - Robby Gordon #97 - Kurt Busch #7 - Jimmy Spencer #6 - Mark Martin #2 - Rusty Wallace Failed to qualify: Brett Bodine (#11), Ken Schrader (#49), Billy Bigley (#79), Ted Musgrave (#07), Robert Pressley (#4), Jim Sauter (#71), Christian Fittipaldi (#43), David Reutimann (#04), Hermie Sadler (#02) This marked the first time that Ken Schrader failed to qualify for a race. Until this weekend, he had made 579 consecutive starts. Brett Bodine failed to qualify for this race by less than a thousandth of a second. This would be Bodine's last Cup Series attempt, as he would shut down his self-owned team afterwards. Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was held at Watkins Glen International on August 10. Jeff Gordon was the pole sitter. #31 - Robby Gordon* #39 - Scott Pruett* #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #29 - Kevin Harvick #22 - Ward Burton #88 - Dale Jarrett #17 - Matt Kenseth #12 - Ryan Newman #6 - Mark Martin Failed to qualify: Ken Schrader (#49), Joe Varde (#35), Scott Maxwell (#43), Larry Foyt (#50) Paul Menard made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in this race, finishing 29th. This was Robby Gordon's final Cup Series victory. Gordon got a sweep of the road courses in 2003. Scott Pruett picked up his career-best finish in the Cup Series, driving a fourth car for Chip Ganassi Racing. GFS Marketplace 400 2003 GFS Marketplace 400 The GFS Marketplace 400 was held at Michigan International Speedway on August 17. Bobby Labonte won the pole. #12 - Ryan Newman #29 - Kevin Harvick #20 - Tony Stewart #16 - Greg Biffle #30 - Steve Park #31 - Robby Gordon #15 - Michael Waltrip #49 - Ken Schrader #17 - Matt Kenseth #10 - Johnny Benson Failed to qualify: Stacy Compton (#4) An altercation occurred between Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer after the race and punches were thrown. A police report was filed and Jimmy Spencer was suspended for the next week's race at Bristol. Kurt would be on probation after this race. Sharpie 500 The Sharpie 500 was held at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 23. Jeff Gordon sat on the pole. #97 - Kurt Busch #29 - Kevin Harvick #42 - Jamie McMurray #17 - Matt Kenseth #48 - Jimmie Johnson #12 - Ryan Newman #88 - Dale Jarrett #32 - Ricky Craven #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #19 - Jeremy Mayfield Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Billy Bigley (#79), Derrike Cope (#37) This was the first race to include the "Victory Lap" tribute program to honor all the drivers who won a championship during the Winston Cup era, with several races for the rest of the season selecting a single active driver, and former driver, to perform a ceremonial lap around the track during the pace laps. The "Victory Lap" champions for this race were Alan Kulwicki (former), and Rusty Wallace (active). Kulwicki's car was driven by Jimmy Hensley for the lap. The fans' disagreement over the suspension of Jimmy Spencer and only placing Kurt Busch on probation stemming from the incident the previous week prompted fans to boo Busch as he exited his car in victory lane. Busch's sponsor Sharpie was none too happy with the fans' response to their driver in victory lane, as Sharpie was the sponsor of the race. Soon after, Sharpie began phasing themselves off of the #97 car.2006 Athlon Sports Racing Mountain Dew Southern 500 2003 Mountain Dew Southern 500 The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held at Darlington Raceway on August 31. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. #5 - Terry Labonte* #29 - Kevin Harvick #48 - Jimmie Johnson #42 - Jamie McMurray #9 - Bill Elliott #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #18 - Bobby Labonte #32 - Ricky Craven #38 - Elliott Sadler #16 - Greg Biffle Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#50) The "Victory Lap" champion for this race was Cale Yarborough. This was the last Southern 500 to be held on its traditional Labor Day weekend date until 2015. This was Terry Labonte's first win in 157 races, dating back to Texas Motor Speedway in March 1999. This race would also be Labonte's final career Winston Cup win. As of 2020, Terry Labonte is the only driver in NASCAR history to score his first and last career win in the same race. He is also the only driver in NASCAR history to make his debut (finishing 4th in 1978), score his first career win, and score his last career win, all in the same race. Chevy Rock and Roll 400 The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 was held at Richmond International Raceway on September 6. Mike Skinner sat on the pole. #12 - Ryan Newman #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #21 - Ricky Rudd #99 - Jeff Burton #2 - Rusty Wallace #18 - Bobby Labonte #17 - Matt Kenseth #5 - Terry Labonte #10 - Johnny Benson #24 - Jeff Gordon Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#50), Billy Bigley (#79) With 8 laps to go, Kevin Harvick got loose against Ricky Rudd and spun in the wall. After the race, both cars stopped on the pit road and both drivers began a scuffle between both teams. Harvick was fined $35,000, and crew chief Todd Berrier was fined $10,000 for the incident. In addition, two other pit crew members were fined $2,500 each and both pit crew members were suspended for the next week's race. Sylvania 300 The Sylvania 300 was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 14. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. This was the final race for Bill France Jr. as the CEO of NASCAR. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #21 - Ricky Rudd #25 - Joe Nemechek #9 - Bill Elliott #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #2 - Rusty Wallace #17 - Matt Kenseth #38 - Elliott Sadler #12 - Ryan Newman #42 - Jamie McMurray Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#50), Derrike Cope (#37), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Carl Long (#46) This was the final Cup race in which drivers raced back to the start-finish line as soon as a caution flag came out. Dale Jarrett's #88 Ford hit the wall exiting turn 4 and stopped in the middle of the track. Many cars entering the front straight swerved wildly trying to avoid Jarrett's car. MBNA America 400 The MBNA America 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on September 21. Qualifying was canceled due to Hurricane Isabel; as a result, Matt Kenseth sat on the pole on owner points. This was the first Cup race for Brian France as the new CEO of NASCAR, having taken over the role from his father Bill France Jr., who stepped down on September 16 due to his ailing health. #12 - Ryan Newman #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #20 - Tony Stewart #29 - Kevin Harvick #24 - Jeff Gordon #42 - Jamie McMurray #16 - Greg Biffle #48 - Jimmie Johnson #17 - Matt Kenseth #21 - Ricky Rudd Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#50), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Billy Bigley (#79), Scott Wimmer (#27), Christian Fittipaldi (#44), Tim Sauter (#71) This was the first race in which the field was frozen at the start of a caution period. Racing back to the caution was no longer allowed; NASCAR uses video replay and scoring loop data to determine the running order at the moment of caution. In conjunction with the change, NASCAR introduced the free pass, or Lucky Dog, in which the highest-placed driver who is one or more laps behind the leader gets a lap back when the caution period begins. After finishing 9th, Matt Kenseth left Dover with a 436-point lead over Kevin Harvick, the largest point lead to be recorded for the 2003 season. EA Sports 500 The EA Sports 500 was held September 28 at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole. Top ten results: Pos.No. Driver Make Team 115 Michael Waltrip Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 28 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 320 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 412 Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing 524 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 697 Kurt Busch Ford Roush Racing 729 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 832 Ricky Craven Pontiac PPI Motorsports 92 Rusty Wallace Dodge Penske Racing 1009 Mike Wallace Dodge Phoenix Racing Did not qualify: Jason Leffler (#0), Kevin Lepage (#4), Steve Park (#30), Kyle Petty (#45), Mike Bliss (#80), Todd Bodine (#54) This would be Waltrip's last career Cup Series victory, and his only victory outside of Daytona. Waltrip celebrated the win by popping out of his car's newly installed emergency roof hatch after doing donuts on the infield grass.NewYorkTimes.com: Waltrip Ends Streak of Earnhardt Jr. The "Victory Lap" champions for this race were Bobby Allison (former), and Terry Labonte (active). Dale Earnhardt Jr. would come up one spot short on his quest to win 5 straight Talladega races. He would also fail to break out of a tie with Bill Elliott by trying to win 5 straight superspeedway races at one track. Matt Kenseth experienced his first DNF of the 2003 season when he blew an engine with 30 laps to go. He finished the race in 33rd position. This would be only his 2nd finish outside of the top 20 so far during the season. Before this race, his worst finish of the year was 22nd at Martinsville back in April. With this DNF, Kenseth's 436 point lead dropped to a 354-point lead. Banquet 400 The Banquet 400 was held at Kansas Speedway on October 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole. #12 - Ryan Newman* #9 - Bill Elliott #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #20 - Tony Stewart #24 - Jeff Gordon #29 - Kevin Harvick #48 - Jimmie Johnson #42 - Jamie McMurray #2 - Rusty Wallace #21 - Ricky Rudd Failed to qualify: Larry Foyt (#14), Johnny Sauter (#4) This was Ryan Newman's eighth and final win of the season. He scored the most wins of 2003. This was the second consecutive week of problems for Championship leader Matt Kenseth. After blowing an engine at Talladega and finishing 33rd the previous week, he was involved in a crash on lap 69 with Michael Waltrip. He still managed to finish the race, but finished 47 laps down in 36th. After his 33rd and 36th-place finishes, Matt Kenseth lost a combined total of 177 points to 2nd place. He went from having a 436-point lead after Dover, to a 259-point lead after this event. UAW-GM Quality 500 The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 11. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. #20 - Tony Stewart #12 - Ryan Newman #48 - Jimmie Johnson #9 - Bill Elliott #24 - Jeff Gordon #18 - Bobby Labonte #42 - Jamie McMurray #17 - Matt Kenseth #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #29 - Kevin Harvick Failed to qualify: Ken Schrader (#49), Hermie Sadler (#02), Mark Green (#14), Jeff Fultz (#55) This was the first fall race at Charlotte to be held on a Saturday night. The "Victory Lap" champions for this race were Dale Earnhardt (former), and Jeff Gordon (active). Earnhardt's car was driven by Richard Childress for the lap. Brian Vickers made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in this race, finishing in 33rd. Subway 500 The Subway 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on October 19. Jeff Gordon sat on the pole. #24 - Jeff Gordon* #48 - Jimmie Johnson #20 - Tony Stewart #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #12 - Ryan Newman #5 - Terry Labonte #29 - Kevin Harvick #42 - Jamie McMurray #9 - Bill Elliott #99 - Jeff Burton Failed to qualify: Mark Green (#14), Morgan Shepherd (#89) The "Victory Lap" champion for this race was Darrell Waltrip. Jeff Gordon became the first driver since Rusty Wallace in 1994 to pull off the season sweep at Martinsville. That was last race of former Daytona 500 Champion Ward Burton in the No. 22 car for Bill Davis Racing before moving to 0 team. Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 26 – October 27. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. #24 - Jeff Gordon #20 - Tony Stewart #48 - Jimmie Johnson #9 - Bill Elliott #18 - Bobby Labonte #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #97 - Kurt Busch #7 - Jimmy Spencer #01 - Joe Nemechek Failed to qualify: Jeff Green (#43), Buckshot Jones (#00), Larry Foyt (#14), Mike Wallace (#09), Billy Bigley (#79), Shelby Howard (#27) The "Victory Lap" champion for this race was Bill Elliott. Jeff Gordon would be the only driver of 2003 to win back-to-back races. The race was suspended after 39 laps due to rain and resumed the following day. Silly Season 2004 would actually start a little bit prematurely, as many drivers who have signed for new teams starting in 2004, would actually end up in their rides starting with this race. Ward Burton would drive the #0, followed by Joe Nemechek in the #01, John Andretti in the #1, Kevin Lepage in the #4, and finally, 2004 Rookie of the year contenders Scott Wimmer in the #22 and Brian Vickers in the #25. Checker Auto Parts 500 The Checker Auto Parts 500 was held Phoenix International Raceway on November 2. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. #8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. #48 - Jimmie Johnson #12 - Ryan Newman #97 - Kurt Busch #15 - Michael Waltrip #17 - Matt Kenseth #24 - Jeff Gordon #99 - Jeff Burton #22 - Scott Wimmer #6 - Mark Martin Failed to qualify: Derrike Cope (#37), Brandon Ash (#02) The "Victory Lap" champion for this race was Dale Jarrett. With Junior's win in this race, Matt Kenseth's points lead was reduced to 228 points between the two drivers. For Kenseth to clinch the Winston Cup championship at Rockingham, he would have to finish 7th or better if Junior wins and leads the most laps, or be over 186 points ahead of whoever will be 2nd in the standings. Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was held at North Carolina Speedway on November 9. Ryan Newman sat on the pole. Matt Kenseth would clinch the final NASCAR Winston Cup Championship. #9 - Bill Elliott* #48 - Jimmie Johnson #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #17 - Matt Kenseth* #12 - Ryan Newman #74 - Tony Raines #99 - Jeff Burton #18 - Bobby Labonte #20 - Tony Stewart #40 - Sterling Marlin Failed to qualify: Hermie Sadler (#02), Tim Sauter (#71), Rich Bickle (#79) This was Bill Elliott's 44th and final career win. This was the final Rockingham race in the fall. The "Victory Lap" champions for this race were Benny Parsons (former), and Bobby Labonte (active). Kenseth 4th-place finish gave him a 226-point lead over Jimmie Johnson, enough to lock up the championship, as the maximum amount of points earned in a race under the Bob Latford points system was 185. Kenseth won the title after winning just one race, becoming only the 4th driver in Cup Series history to accomplish this feat. The other 3 were Bill Rexford in 1950, Ned Jarrett in 1961, and Benny Parsons in 1973. Out of these four, Kenseth is the only one to win under the Bob Latford Winston Cup points system. This was Matt Kenseth's 31st race of 2003 where he finished on the lead lap. 31 lead lap finishes in a season is a NASCAR record. Matt Kenseth became the 5th different NASCAR Winston Cup Champion in the last 5 years. 2003 marked 5 out of the last 6 seasons that a driver would clinch the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship with one race to go, with the only exception being 2002. The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season would be the final season ever that a NASCAR driver could clinch the Cup Series championship title before the final race of the season. Ford 400 2003 Ford 400 The Ford 400, the final race of the season, and the last race ever under the "Winston Cup" name were held at Homestead–Miami Speedway on November 16. Jamie McMurray sat on the pole. #18 - Bobby Labonte* #29 - Kevin Harvick #48 - Jimmie Johnson #10 - Johnny Benson #24 - Jeff Gordon #19 - Jeremy Mayfield #20 - Tony Stewart #9 - Bill Elliott* #42 - Jamie McMurray #40 - Sterling Marlin Failed to qualify: Ken Schrader (#49), Kyle Petty (#45), Mike Wallace (#09), Derrike Cope (#79), Rich Bickle (#78) This was the first Cup race at Homestead–Miami with the new configuration. The "Victory Lap" champions for this race were Richard Petty (former), and Tony Stewart (active). This was the 21st and final career Cup Series victory for Bobby Labonte. This would also be 2 races in a row where 2 drivers would score their final career Cup wins. Bill Elliott dominated this race by leading 189 of 267 laps, but while leading on the final lap, Elliott cut a tire between turns 1 and 2, handing the win to Labonte. Labonte only led one lap, which would be the last lap. Elliott would end up with an 8th-place finish. This would be Bill Elliott final start as a full-time driver. Matt Kenseth, who had already clinched the Winston Cup Championship at Rockingham one week earlier, suffered a blown engine on lap 29 and would finish last. This would be only his 2nd DNF of 2003, along with Talladega back in September. Even though Kenseth clinched the title at Rockingham with a 226-point lead over Jimmie Johnson, Johnson finished 3rd and collected 5 bonus points, and Kenseth finished 43rd with no bonus points. This resulted in a 136-point loss for Kenseth, the largest one all season. Kenseth officially won the title over Johnson by just 90 points. The last time Kenseth had his lead under 100 points was back in May after Richmond when he was ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. by only 20 points. Kenseth won $4,250,000 from Winston and RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, the most money for a winning champion in Winston's history. This would be the 2nd straight season that a driver who won the most races would finish outside of the top 5 in points (Matt Kenseth won 5 races in 2002 but finished 8th, and Ryan Newman would win 8 races in 2003, but finished 6th). This marked the final race for Winston as NASCAR title sponsor for the Cup Series after 33 seasons (1,035 races). This marked the final race for Unocal 76. It had been the official fuel of NASCAR since the sport's inception in 1948 (all 2,030 races). This marked the final full-time race for Pontiac. Johnny Benson was the highest finishing Pontiac driver in this race by finishing 4th, giving Pontiac its final top 5 finish ever in the series. Final points standings List of NASCAR points scoring systems (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings. * – Most laps led. Pos Driver DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX TAL MAR CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL PHO CAR HOM Points 1 Matt Kenseth 20 3 1 4 8 2 6 9 22 9 7 2* 7 3 4 14 6 12 3 13 2 8 9 4 14 7 7 9 33 36 8 13 11 6 4 43 5022 2 Jimmie Johnson 3 8 11 32 27 8 8 15* 9 16 19 1 38 12 16 17 18 3 1 15 18 4 27* 5 3 11 1 8 34 7 3 2 3 2 2 3 4932 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 36 33 2* 3 6* 16 2 1 3* 6 3 41 11 4 7 11 7 38 6 3 14 3 32 9 25 17 5* 37 2 18 9 4 6 1 13 24 4815 4 Jeff Gordon 12 15 37 2 33 9* 3 8 1 11 16 8 2 13 3 2 14 4 24* 36 4 33 30 28* 32 10* 19 5 5* 5 5 1* 1 7 22 5 4785 5 Kevin Harvick 4 25 13 19 36 7 15 2 16 29 6 13 27 25 18 3 9* 17 2 12 1 5 2 2 2 16 13 4* 7 6 10 7 20 34 15 2 4770 6 Ryan Newman 43 14 7 10 14 22 1 39 38 42 39 5 1* 5 41 5 22 1 4 1* 11 9 1 6 23* 1 9 1 4 1 2 5 29 3 5 37 4711 7 Tony Stewart 7 20 5 5 10 26 34 25 6 41* 41 40 4 1 8 12 21 2* 22 37 12* 11 3 23 12 27 20 3 3 4 1* 3 2* 18 9 7 4549 8 Bobby Labonte 41 16 4 1* 37 3 37 32 2 2 2 3 3 17 2 9 5 36 14 30 22 14 37 27 7 6 16 31 11 17 6 41 5 36 8 1 4377 9 Bill Elliott 32 32 14 39 9 18 43 13 13 4 20 26 22 19 24 4 16 11 31 17 5 20 15 16 5 37 4 14 13 2* 4 9 4 14 1* 8* 4303 10 Terry Labonte 30 27 16 20 24 39 16 5 14 12 21 21 10 7 10 25 4 15 20 5 19 18 13 11 1 8 18 20 22 16 18 6 33 30 12 15 4162 11 Kurt Busch 2 2 38 40 2 1 9 19 28 1 8 15 15 36 1 28 36 39 11 2 7 12 18 1 13 24 15 38 6 40 41 39 8 4* 17 36 4150 12 Jeff Burton 11 12 6 33 42 13 20 35 4 19 9 18 14 14 11 38 2 6 9 6 27 31 11 32 11 4 42 12 32 13 20 10 23 8 7 14 4109 13 Jamie McMurray (R) 31 5 32 36 22 11 10 27 39 5 22 25 13 32 14 20 37 8 40 28 3 22 36 3 4 19 10 6 16 8 7 8 15 12 35 9 3965 14 Rusty Wallace 25 6* 40 15 16 14 14 37 8 3 10 12 6 16 12 8 28 32 17 11 10 37 38 43 36 5 6 10 9 9 13 29 19 33 23 23 3950 15 Michael Waltrip 1* 19 3 27 5 25 17 24 23 7 12 6 16 18 5 13 11 5 28 4 16 13 7 42 37 32 26 42 1 39 14 26 38 5 37 41 3934 16 Robby Gordon 6 29 23 17 28 17 18 10 21 27 4 17 9 28 22 1* 40 7 5 18 6 1* 6 35 28 29 21 23 12 25 38 36 21 32 20 30 3856 17 Mark Martin 5 7 43 42 4 29 5 26 17 17 5 29 18 2 9 19 20 14 18 41 9 10 17 36 33 13 28 22 23 20 11 14 39 10 41 33 3769 18 Sterling Marlin 17 40 8 14 39 6 29 6 7 10 13 7 35 6* 6* 18 19 21 39 10 34 43 19 17 31 22 29 13 39 34 15 43 16 11 10 10 3745 19 Jeremy Mayfield 8 41 21 22 30 23 25 18 40 35 25 43 21 15 13 10 8 10 34 38 41 16 28 10 6 2 11 2 38 3 12 33 7 43 3 6 3736 20 Greg Biffle (R) 21 22 DNQ 13 12 5 28 22 18 18 17 16 30 20 31 37 1 20 10 27 21 30 4 22 10 20 43 7 24 12 17 19 34 15 11 35 3696 21 Ward Burton 38 18 25 18 29 33 12 7 25 21 11 10 37 8 30 16 30 19 25 19 26 6 14 13 19 15 39 29 14 21 28 18 13 41 18 32 3550 22 Elliott Sadler 23 9 42 6 7 21 41* 3 5 23 37 36 33 9 17 22 24 9 27 14 42 15 12 38 9 39 8 19 30 42 43 28 17 20 21 21 3525 23 Ricky Rudd 15 11 19 35 15 4 26 42 11 24 34 33 17 37 43 15 3 13 12 39 38 21 29 33 16 3 2 11 36 10 23 15 31 17 40 31 3521 24 Johnny Benson 19 13 12 11 25 19 32 41 32 36 15 24 5 24 26 30 27 18 26 20 13 27 10 14 40 9 25 21 41 35 16 34 24 21 29 4 3448 25 Joe Nemechek 22 23 9 9 13 27 35 21 15 32 1* 11 24 38 21 35 38 42 29 7 37 17 20 19 21 26 3 43 25 37 31 20 10 31 25 17 3426 26 Dale Jarrett 10 1 41 21 18 36 13 12 20 37 36 9 39 42 32 42 10 30 7 21 39 7 23 7 34 21 41 18 19 33 22 11 12 29 38 26 3358 27 Ricky Craven 26 4 36 12 1 15 21 4 27 15 38 38 8 10 15 21 43 25 21 40 17 28 40 8 8 30 38 40 8 41 19 32 35 38 39 29 3334 28 Dave Blaney 24 10 34 8 3 38 36 23 31 13 18 14 20 26 38 32 35 31 13 9 28 25 25 30 30 33 14 24 17 43 24 37 37 24 27 28 3194 29 Jimmy Spencer 40 28 17 7 21 12 33 38 19 33 42 4 29 39 29 36 12 23 15 22 8 23 26 22 36 23 15 42 15 26 38 9 40 14 25 3147 30 Kenny Wallace 16 38 30 26 23 10 23 17 12 22 29 42 23 29 25 29 15 24 38 32 24 34 42 15 24 23 36 28 20 31 32 16 30 25 31 22 3061 31 Todd Bodine 18 42 20 28 43 40 11 28 37 25 23 23 12 11 37 23 13 33 19 8 23 35 43 37 17 42 35 17 DNQ 11 29 40 42 22 16 11 2976 32 Steve Park 29 21 10 16 20 30 39 20 24 40 43 27 32 35 27 41 39 26 8 25 15 26 5 29 20 31 34 26 DNQ 22 36 12 36 39 34 19 2923 33 Tony Raines (R) 33 37 24 24 41 42 42 16 33 31 14 37 31 30 33 31 DNQ 22 33 16 25 41 24 20 42 35 33 30 31 26 25 23 18 19 6 13 2772 34 Jeff Green 39 31 27 25 19 20 7 29 26 26 40 19 25 33 28 29 16 30 31 20 21 40 18 16 18 27 27 24 DNQ 37 19 40 2656 35 Casey Mears (R) 27 30 15 23 34 32 27 40 36 34 28 35 40 21 20 26 25 34 16 35 29 32 41 21 35 41 17 36 37 24 42 17 28 42 33 27 2638 36 Ken Schrader 42 24 28 38 17 37 24 33 10 30 24 28 26 43 42 33 41 28 36 26 DNQ DNQ 8 12 38 25 37 33 21 28 DNQ 22 26 27 36 DNQ 2451 37 Kyle Petty 13 35 31 34 26 34 INQ 11 34 28 27 30 43 27 34 27 23 27 32 34 40 42 16 34 27 34 30 32 DNQ 23 40 25 25 35 32 DNQ 2414 38 John Andretti 34 39 18 29 38 31 19 14 30 8 30 39 34 23 41 33 43 19 14 12 34 15 19 30 31 22 16 30 42 2379 39 Mike Skinner 37 17 39 30 11 41 40 31 35 20 35 20 36 34 DNQ 35 22 18 29 18 22 41 27 29 39 21 39 1960 40 Jack Sprague (R) 14 34 26 37 40 35 22 34 29 39 26 22 41 22 19 39 31 40 1284 41 Larry Foyt (R) DNQ 36 35 43 32 DNQ 30 DNQ Wth 38 33 34 28 41 DNQ 34 41 DNQ 29 32 DNQ 39 39 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 43 DNQ DNQ 28 28 16 1228 42 Mike Wallace 9 30 31 19 31 23 42 37 42 23 12 10 32 DNQ 26 DNQ 1189 43 Kevin Lepage 32 30 31 15 27 DNQ 21 35 14 23 42 18 877 44 Christian Fittipaldi 35 38 35 40 DNQ 29 37 24 DNQ 40 33 41 43 43 31 DNQ 28 34 857 45 Jerry Nadeau 28 26 22 31 35 28 4 36 41 14 QL 844 46 Derrike Cope DNQ 43 29 43 42 43 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 40 43 35 42 36 34 DNQ 39 Wth DNQ 35 38 37 42 40 DNQ 43 DNQ 822 47 Jason Leffler 33 35 26 26 28 27 25 DNQ 30 35 27 764 48 Scott Wimmer 24 24 DNQ 32 9 26 12 599 49 Brian Vickers 33 43 13 24 34 379 50 Hermie Sadler DNQ DNQ 43 43 DNQ DNQ Wth 36 DNQ DNQ 41 40 40 39 DNQ 30 41 Wth DNQ 38 373 51 Johnny Sauter 35 23 25 38 32 DNQ 356 52 Brett Bodine DNQ 41 31 24 31 DNQ 31 DNQ 42 QL DNQ DNQ Wth Wth 308 53 Scott Pruett 34 2 236 54 Bobby Hamilton Jr. DNQ 14 27 203 55 Boris Said 6 39 201 56 Ron Fellows 7 38 200 57 Buckshot Jones 17 40 DNQ 160 58 Jason Keller 32 DNQ 26 152 59 Johnny Miller 24 36 146 60 David Green DNQ DNQ 32 35 125 61 Casey Atwood 43 31 113 62 Ron Hornaday Jr. 20 103 63 Hideo Fukuyama (R) 33 DNQ Wth 43 98 64 P. J. Jones DNQ 24 91 65 Mike Bliss 26 DNQ 85 66 Paul Menard DNQ 29 76 67 Jason Jarrett 29 76 68 Ted Musgrave Wth DNQ 31 70 69 Morgan Shepherd DNQ 43 43 Wth Wth DNQ DNQ DNQ Wth DNQ Wth 68 70 Geoff Bodine 39 46 71 Stacy Compton 33 DNQ 39 72 Kirk Shelmerdine DNQ 73 Mike Harmon DNQ 74 Jeff Fultz DNQ DNQ 75 David Starr DNQ 76 Kerry Earnhardt DNQ DNQ DNQ 77 Jim Inglebright DNQ 78 Brandon Ash Wth DNQ DNQ 79 Shane Hmiel DNQ Wth 80 David Reutimann DNQ DNQ 81 Carl Long Wth DNQ Wth DNQ 82 Tim Sauter DNQ DNQ DNQ 83 Jim Sauter DNQ 84 Robert Pressley DNQ 85 Billy Bigley DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 86 Joe Varde DNQ 87 Scott Maxwell DNQ 88 Mark Green DNQ DNQ 89 Shelby Howard DNQ 90 Rich Bickle Wth Wth Wth DNQ DNQ 91 Norm Benning Wth 92 Kyle Busch Wth 93 Dennis Setzer QL Pos Driver DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX TAL MAR CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL PHO CAR HOM Points Rookie of the Year The easy favorite for Rookie of the Year heading was Jamie McMurray, who had won the previous year in just his second start, and he did not disappoint, posting thirteen top-tens and a pole position despite not winning again. Runner-up Greg Biffle finished in the top-25 in the first two races, failed to qualify at Las Vegas, then won the Pepsi 400, while Tony Raines posted just one top ten finish in BACE Motorsports' only full season in Winston Cup. Casey Mears could not finish higher than 15th in his debut season. Former Craftsman Truck Series champion Jack Sprague only lasted eighteen races before being released from his No. 0 ride, while Larry Foyt's best finish in 20 starts was a sixteenth at the season ending race at Homestead. The only other declared candidate, Hideo Fukuyama, dropped out early due to a lack of funding from his BelCar Racing team. See also 2003 NASCAR Busch Series 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series 2003 NASCAR Goody's Dash Series References 30em External links 2003 Winston Cup drivers standings Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons