2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

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.

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

ManufacturerTeamDriverCrew chief Chevrolet BACE Motorsports74 Tony Raines (R) Larry Carter Dale Earnhardt, Inc.1 Steve Park Tony GibsonJeff Green Ron Fellows John Andretti Jason Keller 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.Tony Eury Tony Eury Jr. 15 Michael Waltrip Slugger Labbe Hendrick Motorsports5 Terry Labonte Jim Long24 Jeff Gordon Robbie Loomis25 Joe Nemechek Peter SospenzoBrian Vickers 48 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 Mike BeamSteve Park 31 Robby Gordon Kevin Hamlin DodgeA. J. Foyt Racing14 Larry Foyt (R)Ben Holm P. J. Jones Mark Green BAM Racing49 Ken Schrader Scott Eggleston Bill Davis Racing22 Ward Burton Frank StoddardScott Wimmer 23 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 Gary PutnamChristian Fittipaldi (R) Shane Hmiel Scott Maxwell Jeff Green 45 Kyle Petty Greg SteadmanChristian Fittipaldi (R) Ultra Motorsports7 Jimmy Spencer Tommy Baldwin Jr.Ted Musgrave 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) Tony FurrJohn Andretti Jason Leffler Ward Burton MB2 Motorsports01 Jerry Nadeau Ryan PembertonJason Keller Mike Wallace Boris Said Mike Skinner Joe Nemechek 10 Johnny Benson Jay Guy Morgan-McClure Motorsports4Mike Skinner Tim Brewer Johnny Miller Stacy Compton Johnny Sauter (R) Brett Bodine Robert Pressley P. J. Jones Kevin Lepage PPI Motorsports32 Ricky Craven Scott Miller

Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamRace driverCrew chiefRound(s) Chevrolet Andy Petree Racing 33 Christian FittipaldiNewt Moore Paul Menard BC Motorsports 78 Mike Harmon Bill McAnally Racing00 Jim Inglebright Michael Waltrip Racing Buckshot JonesBobby Kennedy Mike Skinner Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 81 Jason Keller John Andretti FitzBradshaw Racing 83 Kerry EarnhardtBobby Temple Hendrick Motorsports 60 David Green Gary DeHart Brian Vickers Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing 80 Mike BlissJimmy Makar Joe Varde Racing 35 Joe Varde Marcis Auto Racing 71 Tim Sauter Jim Sauter Mike Starr Racing 75 David Starr Quest Motor Racing 37 Derrike Cope Ernie Cope Richard Childress Racing 90 John AndrettiBobby Leslie Ron Hornaday Jr. Dodge Conely Racing 78 Rich Bickle 79 Billy Bigley Rich Bickle Arnold Motorsports Derrike Cope Bill Davis Racing 27 Scott Wimmer Shelby Howard Chip Ganassi Racing 39 Scott Pruett Matt Chambers Evernham Motorsports 91 Casey Atwood Sammy Johns Glenn Racing46Carl LongPetty Enterprises 44 Christian Fittipaldi (R)Greg Steadman Phoenix Racing 09 Mike WallaceMarc Reno Scott Pruett Buckshot Jones Ultra Motorsports 07 Ted Musgrave FordAsh Motorsports 02 Brandon Ash BelCar Racing 66 Hideo FukuyamaGary Cogswell Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett BodineMike Hillman Geoff Bodine CLR Racing 57 Jeff FultzJoey Cudmore Brett Bodine Kevin Lepage Donlavey Racing 90 Kirk Shelmerdine Harrah Racing 55 Jeff Fultz Matrix Motorsports 71 Kevin Lepage Robert Yates Racing 98 Jason Jarrett Shepherd Racing Ventures 89 Morgan Shepherd Team Rensi Motorsports 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Pontiac Morgan-McClure Motorsports 04 David Reutimann Garth Finley Johnny Miller ChevroletPontiacSCORE Motorsports02 Hermie SadlerJeff Buckner

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 driverBudweiser 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

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.