2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400

The 2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 was the 13th stock car race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 35th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, June 1, 2003, in Dover, Delaware at Dover International Speedway, a 1-mile (1.6 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 400 laps to complete. At race's end, Penske Racing South driver Ryan Newman would manage to dominate the late stages of the race to take his third career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory and his second victory of the season.[1][2] To fill out the top 3, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte would finish second and third, respectively.

2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400
Race details
Race 13 of 36 in the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
The 2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 program cover.
The 2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 program cover.
Date June 1, 2003
Official name 35th Annual MBNA Armed Forces Family 400
Location Dover, Delaware, Dover International Speedway
Course Permanent racing facility
1 mi (1.6 km)
Distance 400 laps, 400 mi (643.737 km)
Scheduled Distance 400 laps, 400 mi (643.737 km)
Average speed 109.514 miles per hour (176.246 km/h)
Pole position
Driver Penske Racing South
Time 22.682
Most laps led
Driver Ryan Newman Penske Racing South
Laps 162
Winner
No. 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South
Television in the United States
Network FOX
Announcers Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip
Radio in the United States
Radio Motor Racing Network

Background

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The layout of Dover International Speedway, the venue where the race was held.

Dover International Speedway is an oval race track in Dover, Delaware, United States that has held at least two NASCAR races since it opened in 1969. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosted USAC and the NTT IndyCar Series. The track features one layout, a 1-mile (1.6 km) concrete oval, with 24° banking in the turns and 9° banking on the straights. The speedway is owned and operated by Dover Motorsports.

The track, nicknamed "The Monster Mile", was built in 1969 by Melvin Joseph of Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, Inc., with an asphalt surface, but was replaced with concrete in 1995. Six years later in 2001, the track's capacity moved to 135,000 seats, making the track have the largest capacity of sports venue in the mid-Atlantic. In 2002, the name changed to Dover International Speedway from Dover Downs International Speedway after Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment split, making Dover Motorsports. From 2007 to 2009, the speedway worked on an improvement project called "The Monster Makeover", which expanded facilities at the track and beautified the track. After the 2014 season, the track's capacity was reduced to 95,500 seats.

Entry list

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  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
# Driver Team Make Sponsor
0 Jack Sprague (R) Haas CNC Racing Pontiac NetZero HiSpeed
1 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Pennzoil
01 Mike Wallace MB2 Motorsports Pontiac U.S. Army
2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing South Dodge Miller Lite
4 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac Kodak
5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Kellogg's, Finding Nemo
6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford Viagra
7 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge Sirius Satellite Radio
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Budweiser
9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dodge
10 Johnny Benson Jr. MB2 Motorsports Pontiac Valvoline
11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford Hooters
12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge Alltel
14 Larry Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dodge Harrah's "Oh Yeah!"
15 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet NAPA Auto Parts
16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford Grainger
17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford DeWalt
18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet Interstate Batteries, Advair
19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dodge
20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet The Home Depot
21 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford U.S. Air Force
22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge Caterpillar
23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge Stacker 2
24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet DuPont
25 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet UAW, Delphi
29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet GM Goodwrench
30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet America Online
31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Cingular Wireless
32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac Tide
37 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet Friendly's
38 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford M&M's
40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Coors Light
41 Casey Mears (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Target
42 Jamie McMurray (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Texaco, Havoline
43 Jeff Green Petty Enterprises Dodge Cheerios
45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge Georgia-Pacific Brawny
48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Lowe's
49 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge BAM Racing
54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford National Guard
74 Tony Raines BACE Motorsports Chevrolet America's Second Harvest
77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford Jasper Engines & Transmissions, 2 Fast 2 Furious
88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford UPS
97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford Rubbermaid, Sharpie
99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford Citgo Peel Out, Reel Out, And Win!

Practice

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Originally, three practice sessions were scheduled to be held, with one practice on Friday, May 30, and two on Saturday, May 31. However, due to rain, the final Saturday session was cancelled.[3]

First practice

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The first practice session was held on Friday, May 30, at 11:05 AM EST. The session would last for one hour and 55 minutes.[3] Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing South, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 22.738 and an average speed of 158.325 miles per hour (254.799 km/h).[4]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 22.738 158.325
2 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 22.836 157.646
3 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 22.838 157.632
Full first practice results

Final practice

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The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, May 31, at 9:30 AM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes.[3] Sterling Marlin, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 23.263 and an average speed of 154.752 miles per hour (249.049 km/h).[5]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 23.263 154.752
2 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 23.299 154.513
3 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 23.428 153.662
Full Happy Hour practice results

Qualifying

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Qualifying was held on Friday, May 30, at 2:35 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.[3] Positions 1-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[6]

Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing South, would win the pole, setting a time of 22.682 and an average speed of 158.716 miles per hour (255.429 km/h).[7]

Derrike Cope was the only driver to fail to qualify.

Full qualifying results

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Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 22.682 158.716
2 2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing South Dodge 22.883 157.322
3 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 22.901 157.198
4 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 22.929 157.006
5 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 22.981 156.651
6 40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 22.982 156.644
7 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 22.984 156.631
8 5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 22.991 156.583
9 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 23.064 156.087
10 30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 23.072 156.033
11 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 23.073 156.027
12 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 23.095 155.878
13 18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 23.098 155.858
14 9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge 23.098 155.858
15 16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford 23.104 155.817
16 15 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 23.128 155.656
17 38 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford 23.139 155.581
18 01 Mike Wallace MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 23.166 155.400
19 42 Jamie McMurray (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 23.185 155.273
20 32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac 23.212 155.092
21 54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford 23.224 155.012
22 41 Casey Mears (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 23.226 154.999
23 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 23.228 154.985
24 21 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford 23.237 154.925
25 49 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge 23.240 154.905
26 77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 23.243 154.885
27 45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 23.263 154.752
28 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 23.277 154.659
29 88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford 23.295 154.540
30 10 Johnny Benson Jr. MBV Motorsports Pontiac 23.308 154.453
31 7 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge 23.316 154.400
32 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 23.323 154.354
33 1 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 23.339 154.248
34 11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 23.393 153.892
35 4 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac 23.415 153.748
36 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 23.423 153.695
Provisionals
37 25 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 23.442 153.570
38 31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 23.446 153.544
39 22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 23.645 152.252
40 43 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 23.468 153.400
41 0 Jack Sprague (R) Haas CNC Racing Pontiac 23.640 152.284
42 74 Tony Raines (R) BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 23.668 152.104
43 14 Larry Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dodge 23.632 152.336
Failed to qualify
44 37 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet 23.813 151.178
Official qualifying results

Race results

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Fin[8] St # Driver Team Make Laps Led Status Pts Winnings
1 1 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 400 162 running 185 $199,325
2 9 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 400 53 running 175 $176,228
3 13 18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 400 34 running 170 $139,333
4 11 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 400 67 running 165 $145,253
5 30 10 Johnny Benson Jr. MBV Motorsports Pontiac 400 0 running 155 $110,975
6 2 2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing South Dodge 400 41 running 155 $110,097
7 4 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 400 0 running 146 $87,985
8 20 32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac 400 0 running 142 $95,565
9 38 31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 400 3 running 143 $99,747
10 8 5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 400 0 running 134 $97,641
11 12 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 400 2 running 135 $106,692
12 21 54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford 400 0 running 127 $83,110
13 19 42 Jamie McMurray (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 400 0 running 124 $68,970
14 28 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 399 0 running 121 $98,652
15 7 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 399 1 running 123 $95,685
16 16 15 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 399 1 running 120 $78,935
17 24 21 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford 399 0 running 112 $82,950
18 32 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 399 0 running 109 $97,968
19 18 01 Mike Wallace MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 398 0 running 106 $72,199
20 26 77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 398 0 running 103 $73,335
21 3 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 398 0 running 100 $71,885
22 14 9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge 398 0 running 97 $98,668
23 36 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 398 0 running 94 $63,785
24 37 25 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 397 0 running 91 $62,630
25 33 1 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 396 0 running 88 $84,942
26 25 49 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge 396 0 running 85 $62,205
27 23 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 395 0 running 82 $97,833
28 43 14 Larry Foyt A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dodge 394 0 running 79 $58,880
29 31 7 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge 393 0 running 76 $61,230
30 15 16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford 387 0 crash 73 $59,090
31 42 74 Tony Raines (R) BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 382 0 running 70 $58,430
32 10 30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 367 0 running 67 $66,270
33 17 38 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford 331 0 running 64 $93,270
34 40 43 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 309 0 running 61 $93,688
35 6 40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 301 0 crash 58 $101,695
36 35 4 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac 298 0 running 55 $57,580
37 39 22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 279 0 engine 52 $93,526
38 5 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 277 36 crash 54 $76,760
39 29 88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford 255 0 engine 46 $103,028
40 22 41 Casey Mears (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 244 0 crash 43 $65,120
41 41 0 Jack Sprague (R) Haas CNC Racing Pontiac 215 0 crash 40 $56,995
42 34 11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 213 0 crash 37 $56,890
43 27 45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 207 0 crash 34 $65,028
Failed to qualify
44 37 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet
Official race results

References

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  1. ^ David, Scott (June 1, 2003). "Newman leads the most laps, right one, too, for Dover win". That's Racin'. The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on April 28, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Fleischman, Bill (June 2, 2003). "Entertaining race certainly fills the thrill bill at Dover". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 86. Retrieved September 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b c d "Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2003 Dover 1 Race Info Page". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Newman leads the way in Friday's practice session". That's Racin'. May 30, 2003. Archived from the original on October 5, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  5. ^ "Sterling Marlin quick early; rain scrubs Saturday's 2nd practice". That's Racin'. May 31, 2003. Archived from the original on June 8, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2003 Provisional Land Page". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on 2005-02-04. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  7. ^ Scott, David (May 30, 2003). "Newman again leads the way in Winston Cup qualifying". That's Racin'. The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on March 30, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 - The Third Turn". The Third Turn. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
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