2003 Food City 500

January 2016 January 2016 NASWINSTON Food City 500 The Race: Food City 500 http://www.jayski.com/next/2003/2003bristol1.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures November 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20050204154206/http://www.jayski.com/next/2003/2003bristol1.htm February 4, 2005Poole David Newman wins another pole, this time in under 15 seconds http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5450680.htm That's Racin' The Charlotte Observer March 21, 2003 December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20040306092013/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5450680.htm March 6, 2004 2003 3 23 2003 6 36 Bristol Motor Speedway map.png Map of the Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tennessee 0.533 0.858 500 266.5 428.89 Temperatures up to 62.6 F C; wind speeds up to 1.96 mph km/hWeather Information for Bristol, Tennessee http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/TN/Bristol/2003-03-23 Old Farmer's Almanac Yankee Publishing November 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20141222150456/http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/TN/Bristol/2003-03-23 December 22, 2014 76.185 mi/h Ryan Newman Penske Racing 14.908 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports 174 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Fox Broadcasting Company Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds 5.1/11 (Final) 5.2/10 (Overnight)2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series TV Ratings http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2003.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20050207192126/http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2003.htm February 7, 2005 The 2003 Food City 500 was the sixth stock car race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. It was held on March 23, 2003, before a crowd of approximately 160,000, in Bristol, Tennessee, at Bristol Motor Speedway, a short tracks that holds NASCAR races. The 500-lap race was won by Kurt Busch of the Roush Racing team after starting from 9th position. Matt Kenseth of Roush Racing finished 2nd and Joe Gibbs Racing's Bobby Labonte finished 3rd. Entering the event, Kenseth led the Drivers' Championship by 57 points over Tony Stewart in second position. Although Ryan Newman won the pole position with the fastest recorded lap time in qualifying, he was immediately passed by Jeff Gordon at the start of the race. Twenty-eight laps later Rusty Wallace became the leader of the race. Gordon reclaimed the lead on lap 34 and led the most laps with 174. Jimmy Spencer passed Gordon for the lead on lap 161, and kept the position for a total of 139 laps. After the final pit stops, Busch became the leader of the race and maintained the position to lead a total of 116 laps, and to win his first race of the season. There were seventeen cautions and eleven lead changes among seven different drivers during the course of the race. The race victory was Busch's first win in the 2003 season and the fifth of his career. The result advanced Busch from joint 5th with Ricky Craven to second in the Drivers' Championship, 138 points behind Kenseth, and nine ahead of Stewart, who fell to 3rd. Ford maintained its lead in the Manufacturers' Championship, eight ahead of Chevrolet, and eighteen ahead of Pontiac, who demoted Dodge to 4th place, with thirty races of the season remaining. Background 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series#Teams and drivers thumb|200px|left|alt=A picture of the Bristol Motor Speedway.|Bristol Motor Speedway, where the race was held. The Food City 500 was the sixth scheduled stock car race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, out of 36, and the 2000th in Winston Cup Series history.Woodson Brian March 23, 2003 Busch wins 2,000th race Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BHC/MGArticle/BHC_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031768967541&path=!sports dead March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030623134345/http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BHC/MGArticle/BHC_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031768967541&path=!sports June 23, 2003 It was held on March 23, 2003, in Bristol, Tennessee, at Bristol Motor Speedway, a short track that holds NASCAR races.NASCAR Race Tracks http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ August 17, 2010 NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. https://web.archive.org/web/20100815005030/http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ August 15, 2010 dead The standard track at Bristol Motor Speedway is a four-turn short track oval that is 0.533 mi km long.NASCAR Tracks—The Bristol Motor Speedway http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/track_info/track_facts/ Bristol Motor Speedway November 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20100809234259/http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/track_info/track_facts/ August 9, 2010 dead The track's turns are banked from twenty-four to thirty degrees, while both the front stretch (the location of the finish line) and the back stretch are banked from six to ten degrees. Before the race, Matt Kenseth led the Drivers' Championship with 760 points, with Tony Stewart in second place with 703 points. Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were third and fourth with 698 and 634 points respectively, with Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven were tied for fifth place with 617 points. Dave Blaney, Jimmie Johnson, Joe Nemechek and Johnny Benson Jr. rounded out the top ten.Driver's Championship Classification http://jayski.com/stats/2003standings/mar16.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures March 17, 2003 November 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20050307171757/http://jayski.com/stats/2003standings/mar16.htm March 7, 2005 In the Manufacturers' Championship, Ford was leading with 36 points, five points ahead of their rivals Chevrolet. Pontiac, with 24 points, was five points ahead of Dodge in the battle for third place.Manufacturers' Championship Classification http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/manu2003.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures November 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20050204084345/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/manu2003.htm February 4, 2005 Busch was the race's defending champion.Gregory Allen March 23, 2003 Kurt Busch knows excitement Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BHC/MGArticle/BHC_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031768965940&path=!sports March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030422105944/http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BHC/MGArticle/BHC_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031768965940&path=!sports April 22, 2003 Ahead of the event, Speedway Motorsports unveiled an extended backstretch grandstand which added 43,826 to the track's capacity. Spectators at the track also planned a "patriotic rally" which showed support to troops serving in the Iraq War. This caused Speedway Motorsports to employ extra security during the event.Grifith Mike NASCAR beefing up security for its racetracks http://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20030320/News/303209921?template=printart The Standard-Times Local Media Group March 20, 2003 May 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150508151737/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20030320/News/303209921?template=printart May 8, 2015 NASCAR subsequently announced that a contingency plan was being prepared that included arrangements for travel and extra security for the next three races in the season.Mulhern Mike NASCAR making contingency plans in case war with Iraq breaks out http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/sports/MGBZCKGI9DD.html Winston-Salem Journal Berkshire Hathaway March 14, 2003 May 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20030414012809/https://www.journalnow.com/wsj/sports/mgbzckgi9dd.html April 14, 2003 The United States Government gave its consent to NASCAR and the other professional sporting associations to resume with their normal schedules.March 23, 2003 NASCAR on Fox Television production Bristol, Tennessee Fox Broadcasting Company Practice and qualifying thumb|left|upright|alt=A man in his early thirties wearing a blue jacket with sponsors' logos. His right arm and hand are elevated in a waving gesture.|Ryan Newman won the ninth pole position of his career with the fastest time, 14.908 seconds. Three practice sessions were held before the Sunday race—one on Friday and two on Saturday. The first session lasted 120 minutes, while the second and final sessions ran for 45 minutes. Jeff Gordon was fastest in the first practice session with a time of 15.149 seconds, ahead of Sterling Marlin in second and Ryan Newman in third. Ken Schrader (with a lap of 15.178) was fourth fastest, and Mike Skinner placed fifth. Busch, Kenny Wallace, Earnhardt, Jimmy Spencer and Nemechek rounded out the session's top-ten drivers.Practice One speeds http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/practice1_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20030402033240/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/practice1_speeds.html April 2, 2003 During the session, Jeff Green and Jamie McMurray both made contact with the wall, and both were required to switch to back-up cars for qualifying. Robby Gordon also hit the wall, after spinning sideways. A total of forty-five drivers were entered in the qualifier on Friday afternoon;Qualifying Order http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/qual_order.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20030410031540/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/qual_order.html April 10, 2003 according to NASCAR's qualifying procedure, forty-three were allowed to race. Each driver ran two timed laps to determine pole position to 36th. The remainder of the field qualified through the use of provisionals.May 12, 2003 2003 Winston Cup Provisional Page and Owners Points http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/2003prov.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050204083118/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/2003prov.htm February 4, 2005 December 4, 2019 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures Ryan Newman clinched the second pole position of his season, and the ninth of his career, with a time of 14.908 seconds.Pearce Al Newman has last laugh in breaking Gordon's mark http://www.dailypress.com/sports/motorracing/dp-73558sy0mar22,0,5749975.story?coll=dp-sports-auto Daily Press March 22, 2003 March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030401102925/http://www.dailypress.com/sports/motorracing/dp-73558sy0mar22,0,5749975.story?coll=dp-sports-auto April 1, 2003 dead The time beat Jeff Gordon's March 2002 track record,McLaurin Jim March 22, 2003 Newman upstages Schrader, Gordon The State http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/5454814.htm March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031231033253/http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/5454814.htm December 31, 2003 and it became the first sub-15 second lap in the Winston Cup Series.Renna Terry Bristol pole to Newman http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/bristol-pole-to-newman/article_18492372-33b6-5ba7-88c1-ff2ffbc25113.html Tulsa World BH Media March 22, 2003 January 20, 2015 September 4, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200904113013/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/bristol-pole-to-newman/article_18492372-33b6-5ba7-88c1-ff2ffbc25113.html live He was joined on the grid's front row by Jeff Gordon who was 0.160 seconds slower than Newman and held pole position until Newman's lap. Schrader qualified third in the highest qualifying position for his team BAM Racing. Rusty Wallace took fourth, and Bill Elliott started fifth. Skinner, Spencer, Earnhardt, Busch and Stewart completed the top ten starters. Positions two through twenty-four were covered by almost two-tenths of a second.Long Dustin March 22, 2003 Newman leaves others in awe The Roanoke Times http://www1.roanoke.com/sports/racing/8559.html March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030402002209/http://www1.roanoke.com/sports/racing/8559.html April 2, 2003 Kenseth, Dale Jarrett, Casey Mears, Kenny Wallace, Todd Bodine, Jack Sprague and John Andretti used provisionals to qualify for the event. The two drivers who failed to qualify for the race were Larry Foyt for the second time in the 2003 season and Hermie Sadler.Blake Ben March 21, 2003 Newman Wows 'Em with Sub-15sec Lap http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/nascar/5569/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030413123848/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/nascar/5569/ April 13, 2003 March 4, 2022 Speed After the qualifier Newman said, "That's the most amazed I've ever been after a qualifying run to go that fast and not anticipate it. We picked up over a quarter of a second from practice, and that's just unheard of at Bristol." On Saturday morning, Kenseth was fastest in the second practice session with a lap of 15.683 seconds, ahead of Newman in second and Ward Burton in third. Busch was fourth quickest, and Rusty Wallace took fifth. Jeff Burton managed sixth. Kyle Petty, Mark Martin, Sprague and Nemechek followed in the top ten.Practice Two Speeds http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/practice2_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20030402180206/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/practice2_speeds.html April 2, 2003 During the final practice session, Busch was fastest with a time of 15.701. Stewart and Jeff Gordon followed in second and third with times of 15.722 and 15.723. Dave Blaney was fourth fastest, ahead of Earnhardt and Craven. Kenseth was seventh fastest, Martin eighth, Jerry Nadeau ninth, and Ward Burton tenth.Practice Three Speeds http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/practice3_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20030402180138/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/6/data/practice3_speeds.html April 2, 2003 The session was temporarily suspended when Marlin spun on the track, but managed not to collide with the barriers.Smith Marty Busch tops Food City 500 Happy Hour http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/preview/03/22/busch_hh/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 22, 2003 May 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20030324210645/http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/preview/03/22/busch_hh/index.html March 24, 2003 Qualifying results Grid No Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Time in seconds Speed Speed in MPH 112 Ryan Newman Penske Racing Dodge 14.908 128.709 224 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 15.068 127.343 349 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge 15.094 127.123 42 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing Dodge 15.106 127.022 59 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsport Dodge 15.108 127.006 64 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac 15.135 126.779 77 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge 15.158 126.587 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 15.160 126.570 997 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 15.161 126.562 1020 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 15.175 126.445 1122 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 15.181 126.395 1218 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 15.188 126.337 1301 Jerry Nadeau MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 15.200 126.237 1432 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac 15.226 126.021 1516 Greg Biffle Roush Racing Ford 15.228 126.005 1640 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 15.234 125.955 175 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 15.237 125.930 1819 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 15.240 125.906 196 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 15.251 125.815 2010 Johnny Benson Jr. MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 15.254 125.790 2130 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 15.254 125.790 2274 Tony Raines BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 15.260 125.741 2348 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 15.262 125.724 2437 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet 15.265 125.699 2525 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 15.270 125.658 2642 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 15.283 125.5511 2729 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 15.289 125.502 2815 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 15.297 125.436 2999 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 15.303 125.387 3038 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford 15.304 125.379 3177 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 15.314 125.297 3245 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 15.317 125.273 3311 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 15.317 125.573 3421 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford 15.341 125.077 351 Steve Park Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 15.348 125.020 3631 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 15.354 124.971Provisional 3717 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 15.447 124.218 3888 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford 15.435 124.315 3941 Casey Mears Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 15.418 124.452 4023 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 15.383 124.735 4154 Todd Bodine BelCar Racing Ford 15.514 123.682 420 Jack Sprague Haas CNC Racing Pontiac 15.600 123.000 4343 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 15.448 124.210Failed to qualify 4414 Larry Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises Ford 15.598 123.016 4502 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Pontiac 15.481 123.946Sources:Starting lineup – Food City 500 https://www.crash.net/nascar/news/87310/1/starting-lineup-food-city-500 Crash March 21, 2003 March 4, 2022 March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220304092108/https://www.crash.net/nascar/news/87310/1/starting-lineup-food-city-500 live1 Moved to the back of the field for changing engines Race The race began at 1:00pm EST and was televised live in the United States on Fox.2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Schedule http://www.jayski.com/pages/2003wc_sched.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20051116082526/http://www.jayski.com/pages/2003wc_sched.htm November 16, 2005 January 20, 2015 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures Commentary was provided by Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, and Darrell Waltrip. At the start of the race, weather conditions were sunny and warm.Mulhern Mike March 24, 2003 Busch takes control late in race for first victory of the season Winston-Salem Journal http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/sports/MGBSIKUZNDD.html March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030422111638/http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/sports/MGBSIKUZNDD.html April 22, 2003 Reverend Mike Rife, of the Vansant Church of Christ in Vansant, Virginia, began pre-race ceremonies with an invocation. Country music singer Rebecca Lynn Howard performed the national anthem, and representatives of the United States Armed Forces commanded the drivers to start their engines. During the pace laps, McMurray had to move to the rear of the grid because of him changing his engine. Jeff Gordon accelerated faster than Newman off the line, getting ahead of him by the first turn. Rusty Wallace passed Newman for the second position one lap later. On the third lap, the first caution was given when Robby Gordon made contact with Petty, forcing him to spin sideways. Robby Gordon was cautioned for the collision. Kenny Wallace also made contact with Ricky Rudd, but escaped with minor damage. None of the drivers made pit stops during the caution. Jeff Gordon led the field back up to speed at the restart on lap seven.2003 Food City 500 http://www.racing-reference.info/race/2003_Food_City_500/W January 20, 2015 Racing-Reference Fox Sports Digital December 23, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141223164809/http://www.racing-reference.info/race/2003_Food_City_500/W live Jeremy Mayfield made contact with the wall leaving the second turn at around the tenth lap, and suffered a flat front right tire. No caution was given. Four laps later, Michael Waltrip experienced oversteer and collided with Dave Blaney. Jarrett had no room to negotiate through and struck the rear of Waltrip's car. The incident prompted the race's second caution. Waltrip's car suffered heavy damage to the rear end of his car. Almost immediately after the lap 20 restart, Andretti collided with the slowing Bodine, who in turn, struck Petty. Mears had no space to pass by and struck Andretti. The accident caused the event's third caution. Andretti's car sustained major damage to the front end. The race restarted on lap 29, with Rusty Wallace claiming the lead. One lap later, Busch and Stewart passed Schrader for seventh and eighth respectively. Earnhardt moved into third after passing Skinner on lap 33. One lap later, Jeff Gordon reclaimed the first position. On the 42nd lap, Earnhardt passed Rusty Wallace for second. Thirteen laps later, Tony Raines stopped on track due to an engine failure, and the fourth caution was given as a result. All of the leaders elected to make pit stops during the caution. Jeff Gordon maintained his lead at the restart on the 64th lap, followed by Terry Labonte and Green. Stewart made contact with Newman, who went up the circuit. Newman then came town the track and crashed into the side of Craven, who went into Bodine, which prompted the fifth caution on lap 68. Behind the trio, Steve Park hit the rear of Johnson, causing the latter to spin sideways. Most drivers stayed on track during the caution, allowing Jeff Gordon to remain the leader on the restart. Skinner fell to eighth after being passed by Busch and Earnhardt on the 75th lap. It was around this lap that Kenseth had advanced to fourth place.Maloof Denise N. March 24, 2003 Hard Charger – Matt Kenseth – No. 17 DeWalt Ford http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorsports/news/2003/03/23/bristol_charger/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030413084509/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorsports/news/2003/03/23/bristol_charger/ April 13, 2003 March 4, 2022 Sports Illustrated Five laps later, Earnhardt passed Busch to claim sixth. On lap 85, Skinner fell from eighth to twelfth position. Kenseth, who started the race in thirty-seventh, had moved up thirty-four positions to third by lap 91. By the 111th lap, Jeff Gordon had maintained a half second lead over Terry Labonte. Thirteen laps later, Spencer and Stewart passed Kenseth for fourth and fifth respectively. The pace car came out for the sixth caution on lap 136, after Skinner collided with the turn two outside wall due to a failed right-front tire and his car caught fire.Phillips Robbie March 23, 2003 Yellow flags in abundance Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BHC/MGArticle/BHC_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031768967604&path=!sports March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030422110527/http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BHC/MGArticle/BHC_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031768967604&path=!sports April 22, 2003 During the caution, all of the leaders elected to make pit stops. Jeff Gordon led on the restart, followed by Nemechek and Spencer. On the 149th lap, the seventh caution came out, after Sprague spun 180 degrees when he attempted to pass Benson on the inside and the two made contact. Jeff Gordon led on the lap 154-restart, although he was passed by Skinner on lap 161. After starting the race in twenty-eighth, Kevin Harvick moved to sixth position by lap 169. Twelve laps later, Sprague spun sideways in the fourth turn and crashed against the inside barrier on the front stretch, prompting the eighth caution. Sprague was able to continue driving. During the caution, some of the leaders chose to make pit stops. Jeff Gordon led on the restart on the 187th lap. On the 198th lap, Jeff Burton made contact with Earnhardt, collecting Johnson, with all three cars escaping with minor damage. The ninth caution was prompted on the next lap, after Martin was sent spinning sideways from contact with Bill Elliott. Mears spun sideways before the caution was given. During the caution, some of the leaders elected to make pit stops. Harvick was the leader at the restart, followed by Spencer and Terry Labonte. Robby Gordon collided with the wall on lap 210, damaging his car and fell to twelfth position. Four laps later, Sadler passed Marlin for eighth. Spencer passed Harvick to reclaim the lead on the 217th lap. Nadeau was sent into the turn one inside barrier when he spun sideways from making contact with Newman and being struck by Brett Bodine, prompting the tenth caution one lap later. thumb|right|alt=A man in his mid thirties wearing a green-and-black baseball cap and a black jacket with sponsors' logos.|Kurt Busch won the race, after passing Bobby Labonte with ninety-five laps remaining.Spencer maintained his lead at the lap 223 restart. Bobby Labonte slowed and was hit at the rear by his teammate Stewart, just as Kenseth went into the rear of his teammate Busch.Pope Thomas March 24, 2003 Busch repeats at Food City 500 http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=motorsports&Story=5548614 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030425142645/http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=motorsports&Story=5548614 April 25, 2003 March 4, 2022 The Fayetteville Observer Both Bobby Labonte and Busch spun, and these accidents triggered the eleventh caution on the 226th lap. Spencer led when the race restarted on lap 241. Two laps later, a multi-car collision occurred at turn two when Brett Bodine made contact with Terry Labonte, causing Labonte to spin,Sheek Rick March 24, 2003 Gordon pleased with top-10 finish; Wallace fuming Johnson City Press http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ArticleDetail.asp?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=21375 March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030407213629/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ArticleDetail.asp?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=21375 April 7, 2003 and collect Kenny Wallace, Robby Gordon, Petty, and Schrader; this would prompt the twelfth caution. Spencer remained the leader at the restart on lap 250. On lap 256, McMurray made contact with Robby Gordon, slowed and was hit by Ward Burton, spinning sideways and causing the thirteenth caution. Stewart also made contact with Rudd, while Bobby Labonte spun sideways and managed to not collide with the barriers. Rudd was pushed by Stewart during the caution, earning Joe Gibbs Racing a warning to calm Stewart down. The race restarted on lap 263. On lap 265, Earnhardt lost two positions after being passed by Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kenseth. Eighteen laps later, Kenseth passed Jeff Gordon for the fifth position. By the 300th lap, Kenseth passed Johnson for third. On lap 315, Busch moved into the fifth position by passing Jeff Gordon. Green flag pit stops began on lap 327 when Harvick made a pit stop. Competitors who had not made a pit stop beforehand would be required to do so under green flag conditions.Poole David March 23, 2003 Busch beats 2nd by a spot to repeat as Bristol winner That's Racin' The Charlotte Observer http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5465166.htm dead March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030819123602/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5465166.htm August 19, 2003 Kenseth passed Spencer to claim the first position on the 334th lap. Spencer lost another position to Busch four laps later. On lap 348, Bobby Labonte moved into fifth position after passing Johnson. Eleven laps later, Busch passed Kenseth to claim the lead. On the 367th lap, Earnhardt began to run out of fuel and made a pit stop one lap later. Jeff Gordon entered the backstretch pit lane when his pit stall was on the frontstretch area during lap 371 and lost around two to three seconds worth of time.Pearce Al March 24, 2003 Busch hot at Bristol Daily Press http://www.dailypress.com/sports/motorracing/dp-74557sy0mar24,0,6208729.story?coll=dp-sports-auto March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030401114630/http://www.dailypress.com/sports/motorracing/dp-74557sy0mar24,0,6208729.story?coll=dp-sports-auto April 1, 2003 Bobby Labonte claimed the first position off Busch seven laps later. On lap 390, the fourteenth caution was prompted, after one of Jarrett's tires went flat; he spun into the turn two inside barrier. Schrader spun before the caution came out and damaged the front of his car. Jarrett stopped at the pit road entrance on the backstretch in his unsuccessful attempt to exit the track. Pit road was closed until cleanup crews removed debris. At the time, just Bobby Labonte, Busch, Marlin, Rudd and Greg Biffle had not made a pit stop under green flag conditions and were expected to make them.Minter Rick March 24, 2003 Busch's gamble pays off The Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.accessatlanta.com/coxnet/nascar/text/0324_minterrace.html March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030414175249/http://www.accessatlanta.com/coxnet/nascar/text/0324_minterrace.html April 14, 2003 Since speeds during caution laps were limited to 35 mph km/h on, the five lead teams would be able to make pit stops and avoid falling one or two laps behind than drivers who had made their pit stops under racing conditions. Jimmy Fennig, Busch's crew chief, requested over the radio to Busch that he make a pit stop two laps earlier. When he noticed debris on the track in the second turn due to a legacy of Jarrett's crash, Busch decided not to make a pit stop.Harris Mike March 24, 2003 Busch is best of the battered; He triumphs again in another bruising affair at Bristol Richmond Times-Dispatch http://timesdispatch.com/sports/auto/MGBGXCCUNDD.html March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030413131901/http://timesdispatch.com/sports/auto/MGBGXCCUNDD.html April 13, 2003 The race restarted on lap 404, with Busch overtaking Bobby Labonte for the lead. On lap 406, the fifteenth caution was given; Petty drove onto the apron and made contact with Nemechek, causing Petty to spin sideways. Busch remained the leader at the restart on the 412th lap, ahead of Bobby Labonte and Rudd. Kenseth passed Biffle for fifth on lap 420. Four laps later, the sixteenth caution was prompted, when Ward Burton made contact with Robby Gordon exiting turn four. Ward Burton struck the inside barrier on the frontstretch and went up the circuit. He made contact with Petty's car, sending Petty spinning 180 degrees backwards driver's-side and struck the turn one outside barrier driver's side. Petty remained in his car until he was extricated by rescue workers. Busch led the field back up to speed on the lap 439 restart. On the 456th lap, Kenseth passed Rudd to claim third position. Nine laps later, Biffle passed Rudd for fourth position. Martin was spun in front of the race leaders on lap 470, but managed to continue. Two laps later, the pace car came out for the seventeenth and final caution; as competitors ahead of him slowed, Nemechek made rear-end contact with Stewart, (who just before made contact with the slowing Andretti) because of reduced visibility caused by smoke from when Martin spun on track. Stewart sustained heavy damage to the front of his vehicle. Busch remained the leader at the lap 482 restart. Bobby Labonte was passed by Kenseth for second during the same lap. Kenseth damaged his car's right-front fender during the pass;Poole David March 23, 2003 Lapped cars again play role in the carnage, race outcome That's Racin The Charlotte Observer http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5465595.htm March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030625134632/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5465595.htm June 25, 2003 it affected his car's handling until the metal on the fender became worn out. On the 488th lap, Rudd reclaimed fourth position from Biffle. Kenseth was unable to get close enough to effect an overtake on his teammate Busch, who achieved his first victory of the 2003 season, his second successive in the event,McLaurin Jim March 24, 2003 Busch wins first race of the season The State http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/5468017.htm March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030422113522/http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/5468017.htm April 22, 2003 and the fifth of his career.Sturbin John March 24, 2003 Busch scores repeat Food City 500 win Fort Worth Star-Telegram http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/motorsports/5468611.htm March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031229234014/http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/motorsports/5468611.htm December 29, 2003 Kenseth finished second, ahead of Bobby Labonte in third, Rudd in fourth, and Biffle a then-career best fifth. Only the first six finishers were on the same lap as Busch. There were seventeen cautions and eleven changes of lead among seven different drivers during the race. Jeff Gordon more often than any other driver with 174 laps led during three different periods. Busch led twice for a total of 116 laps. Post-race "I'm out here having fun, living a dream and driving cars for a living. I don't know what it is about me, I don't know what it is about Bristol. I love this place and I love that I got another win." Busch, speaking after the race.Associated Press Associated Press Busch now second in points https://www.espn.com/rpm/wc/2003/0323/1528322.html ESPN ESPN Internet Ventures March 24, 2003 January 20, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20030417085826/http://espn.go.com/rpm/wc/2003/0323/1528322.html April 17, 2003 33% left Busch appeared in victory lane to celebrate his first win of the season in front of approximately 160,000 people who attended the race, earning $162,790 in race winnings. Afterward, Fennig praised his performance, "Kurt Busch is awesome, so awesome. He gets up on the wheel and drives the hell out of that race car, and he made a call today that won him the race." Kenseth was happy with his second-place finish, commenting, "I feel lucky. Started provisional here at Bristol and coming home second. So, it was a great race. Me and Bobby had to go there a little at the end, and I got my fender knocked in there a little. I was hoping I could make a run at Kurt before that happened. But, it was a good race. It's always physical out there, and we didn't have a scratch on the car there until right at the end, so it was pretty good."Bristol: Ford drivers race quotes http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-ford-drivers-race-quotes/ motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. March 27, 2003 January 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150120232702/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-ford-drivers-race-quotes/ January 20, 2015 Bobby Labonte was happy with finishing third, commenting, "I got spun out twice and finished third. "It's a great day. How much greater could you want it to get?"Hinton Ed Ed Hinton (sportswriter) Busch Finds The Route To Victory Lane https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/03/24/busch-finds-the-route-to-victory-lane/ Orlando Sentinel Tribune Publishing March 24, 2003 January 20, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150505065700/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-03-24/sports/0303240264_1_busch-kurt-robby-gordon May 5, 2015 Spencer, who led 139 laps of the race, was candid about his performance, "It should have been a first, but the Sirius Dodge boys are doing a good job. I wouldn't trade 'em. We made some mistakes, but we'll get better."Notebook: Redemption day for Roush teams http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/wc/03/23/notebook_bristol/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 24, 2003 January 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20030324212909/http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/wc/03/23/notebook_bristol/index.html March 24, 2003 Mears, who was involved in the lap 20 collision with Andretti and Todd Bodine, commented, "I don't know what happened. I was just going through the gears taking my time and it looked like somebody up front may have missed a shift or somebody may have got into somebody else."Bristol: Casey Mears race report http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-casey-mears-race-report/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc March 27, 2003 January 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150505065912/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bristol-casey-mears-race-report May 5, 2015 Terry Labonte, who was part of the race's biggest crash when Bodine made contact with him on lap 243, said that, "Any time you're in a race with a Bodine, you're liable to get in a wreck, and I did." Rudd said his team possibly had a car that could have finished between positions four and six that was dependent on alterations and pit stops.Utter Jim March 23, 2003 Rudd, Wood team finish 4th, more of what they're after That's Racin The Charlotte Observer http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5465595.htm March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030625135922/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5465669.htm June 25, 2003 Stewart remarked that he had "never been hit so much in one day" and called it "a bad day" for himself. During the race, Jerry Nadeau and Ryan Newman were involved in a battle for position that resulted in the two colliding on the 219th lap. Once Nadeau returned to pit road, he was talking out of anger to Newman's team personnel about the incident.Smith Marty Nadeau irate at Newman following accident http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/wc/03/23/jnadeau_mad/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 24, 2003 January 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20030402044300/http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/wc/03/23/jnadeau_mad/index.html April 2, 2003 Once the argument ended, Nadeau commented, "It's a shame. It was a great car for us, the U.S. Army Pontiac. Damn lapped-car can't use his head. I don't know what Ryan (Newman) was thinking. He just kept coming down, kept coming down." Newman argued, "It looked to me like the 11 (Bodine) got into the back of the 01 (Nadeau) on that one deal." Kyle Petty, who was involved in the crash on lap 425, was taken to the circuit's infield medical center, and later taken for a precautionary visit at the Bristol Regional Medical Center to undergo medical evaluations.Montgomery Lee Petty alert after hard crash in Food City 500 http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/wc/03/23/kpetty_crash/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. https://web.archive.org/web/20030413183927/http://www.nascar.com/2003/news/headlines/wc/03/23/kpetty_crash/index.html April 13, 2003 Petty's crash was measured at 80G, and he suffered injuries to his ribs and abdomen. Petty was released from hospital during the night; he was replaced by former CART driver Christian Fittipaldi for the next round, the Samsung/Radio Shack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.Jenkins Chris Petty's Bristol crash hardest recorded by NASCAR black box http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2003-03-31-petty-crash_x.htm USA Today Gannett Company March 31, 2003 January 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150122185201/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2003-03-31-petty-crash_x.htm January 22, 2015 The race result left Kenseth leading the Drivers' Championship with 935 points. Busch, who finished first, moved to second on 797, nine points ahead of Stewart and eleven ahead of Waltrip. Earnhardt Jr. fell to fifth with 749 points. In the Manufacturers' Championship, Ford maintained the lead with 45 points. Chevrolet remained second on 37 points. Pontiac followed with 27 points, four points ahead of Dodge in fourth. Having increased his points lead, Kenseth said that he was happy and he would not change his driving style because of this change. He also added that his team would "have another six to eight months" before they would start to worry about their rivals making a challenge for the championship.Kenseth Stays at Top http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2003/03/Kenseth-Stays-On-Top.aspx Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation March 25, 2003 May 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150508215106/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2003/03/Kenseth-Stays-On-Top.aspx May 8, 2015 The race took three hours, twenty-nine minutes and twenty-two seconds to complete, and the margin of victory was 0.390 seconds. Race results Pos Position Car Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps run Points 197 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 500 1801 217 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 500 1751 318 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 500 1701 421 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford 500 160 516 Greg BiffleRoush Racing Ford 500 155 640 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 500 150 729 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 499 1511 848 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 499 142 924 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 499 1382 1023 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 499 134 1142 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 499 130 127 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge 498 1321 1399 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 498 124 142 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing Dodge 498 1261 1532 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac 498 118 168 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 498 115 1731 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 498 112 189 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsport Dodge 497 109 1910 Johnny Benson Jr. MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 497 106 2030 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 497 103 2138 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford 497 100 2212 Ryan Newman Penske Racing Dodge 496 97 2319 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 494 94 2411 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 494 91 2515 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 488 88 2620 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 487 85 2725 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 469 82 2801 Jerry Nadeau MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 456 79 296 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 451 76 301 Steve Park Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 446 73 3143 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 440 70 3241 Casey Mears Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 423 67 3322 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 422 64 3445 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 422 61 350 Jack Sprague Haas CNC Racing Pontiac 409 58 3688 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford 397 55 3749 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge 385 52 3877 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 371 49 395 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 349 46 4054 Todd Bodine BelCar Racing Ford 342 43 414 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac 310 40 4274 Tony Raines BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 52 37 4337 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet 31 341 Includes five bonus points for leading a lap2 Includes ten bonus points for leading the most laps Sources:Bristol Race Results: March 23rd, 2003 http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003standings/mar23results.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20050207182746/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003standings/mar23results.htm February 7, 2005 deadRace Result – Food City 500 https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/85926/1/race-result-food-city-500 Crash March 25, 2003 March 4, 2022 March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220304102020/https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/85926/1/race-result-food-city-500 liveNASCAR Cup Series 2003 Food City 500 Race Classification https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series/2003/food-city-500/classification/race Motorsport Stats March 4, 2022 March 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220304100501/https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series/2003/food-city-500/classification/race live Standings after the race + Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points 10px 1 Matt Kenseth 935 10px 3 2 Kurt Busch 797 (−138) 10px 1 3 Tony Stewart 788 (−147) 10px 1 4 Michael Waltrip 786 (−149) 10px 1 5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 749 (−186) 10px 2 6 Jimmie Johnson 743 (−192) 10px 1 7 Ricky Craven 735 (−200) 10px 5 8 Bobby Labonte 732 (−203) 10px 8 9 Ricky Rudd 695 (−240) 10px 5 10 Jeff Gordon 694 (−241)Sources:Point Standings http://jayski.com/stats/2003standings/mar23.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures March 17, 2003 December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20050307171757/http://jayski.com/stats/2003standings/mar23.htm March 7, 2005 thumb|right|upright|alt=A man in his late thirties wearing a blue-and-white baseball cap and black sunglasses along with a blue jacket with sponsors' logos.|Matt Kenseth remained the points leader with 935 points, after finishing 2nd in the race. + Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Manufacturer Points 10px 1 Ford 45 10px 2 Chevrolet 37 (−8) 10px 3 Pontiac 27 (−18) 10px 4 Dodge 23 (−22)Source: References 30emSports United States Winston Cup Series 2003 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 2003 Samsung/Radio Shack 500 Food City 500 Food City 500 Category:NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway Food City 500