2003 NASCAR Busch Series
The 2003 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series season began February 15 and ended November 15. Brian Vickers of Hendrick Motorsports won the championship.
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| 2003 NASCAR Busch Series | |||
| Previous: | 2002 | Next: | 2004 |
| Champions | Seasons | |||
2003 teams and drivers
Full schedule
Limited schedule
Races
Koolerz 300
The Koolerz 300 was held on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 4–Mike Wallace
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 43–Johnny Sauter
- 27–Chase Montgomery
Failed to qualify: Mark Day (#81), Jay Sauter (#75), C. W. Smith (#67), Joe Buford (#84), Brad Teague (#52), Larry Hollenbeck (#82), Ron Barfield (#91)
Rockingham 200
The Rockingham 200 was scheduled for February 22, but rain pushed it back to February 24 at North Carolina Speedway. David Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 37–David Green
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 7–Randy LaJoie
- 57–Jason Keller
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 26–Kevin Grubb
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 43–Johnny Sauter
- 21–Kevin Harvick
Failed to qualify: Justin Ashburn (#61), Michael Dokken (#72), Jeff Fultz (#86)
Sam's Town 300
The Sam's Town 300 was held on March 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Stanton Barrett won the pole.
Top ten results
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 8–Steve Park
- 57–Jason Keller
- 37–David Green
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 60–Stanton Barrett
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 23–Scott Wimmer
Failed to qualify: Steadman Marlin (#30), Wayne Jacks (#52), Troy Cline (#0), Mike McLaughlin (#01), Morgan Shepherd (#00), Scott Lynch (#08)
darlingtonraceway.com 200
The darlingtonraceway.com 200 was held on March 17 at Darlington Raceway. Stanton Barrett won the pole as the field was set by 2002 Busch Series owner points . The end of the race was wild as Jamie McMurray slipped past Todd Bodine for the top spot on the last turn of the last lap, the two banged fenders and McMurray was spun as Bodine took the checkers. The day before, the closest finish in NASCAR Winston Cup Series history happened.
Top ten results
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 21–Johnny Sauter
- 27–Hank Parker Jr.
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 57–Jason Keller
Failed to qualify: none
- Final Busch Series win for Todd Bodine
Channellock 250
The Channellock 250 was held on March 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. David Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 33–Tony Raines
- 57–Jason Keller
- 37–David Green
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 7–Randy LaJoie
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 43–Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: none
O'Reilly 300
The O'Reilly 300 was held on March 29 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jason Keller won the pole. Chad Blount received a 25–point penalty for illegal modifications to his car's rear hubs found after the race.
Top ten results
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 19–Chad Blount
- 82–Jimmy Spencer
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 10–Coy Gibbs
Failed to qualify: Troy Cline (#00), Robby Benton (#85)
Aaron's 312 (Talladega)
The Aaron's 312 was held on April 5 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole. This race was Lyndon Amick's last career start
Top ten results
- 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 4–Mike Wallace
- 18–Coy Gibbs
- 22–Tina Gordon
Failed to qualify: Bobby Gerhart (#55), Kevin Ray (#95), Gus Wasson (#84)
Pepsi 300
The Pepsi 300 was held on April 12 at Nashville Superspeedway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
- 37–David Green
- 21–Johnny Sauter
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 87–David Reutimann
- 60–Stanton Barrett
- 1–David Stremme
- 19–Chad Blount
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
Failed to qualify: John Hayden (#85), Jeff Streeter (#83), Joe Buford (#8), Dion Ciccarelli (#04), Norm Benning (#84), Gus Wasson (#96)
1–800–Pitshop.com 300
The 1–800–Pitshop.com 300 was held on April 26 at California Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 57–Jason Keller
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 37–David Green
Failed to qualify: Jason Hedlesky (#91), Brad Teague (#52), Greg Pursley (#84)
Hardee's 250
The Hardee's 250 was held on May 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 33–Tony Raines
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 43–Johnny Sauter
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 37–David Green
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
Failed to qualify: Brad Baker (#28), Kenny Hendrick (#91), Justin Ashburn (#61), Randy MacDonald (#72), Dion Ciccarelli (#84), Jason Rudd (#01)
Charter Pipeline 250
The Charter Pipeline 250 was held on May 10 at Gateway International Raceway. Ashton Lewis won the pole.
Top ten results
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 37–David Green
- 57–Jason Keller
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 21–Johnny Sauter
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 60–Stanton Barrett
- 99–Kenny Wallace
Failed to qualify: none
Goulds Pumps/ITT Industries 200
The Goulds Pumps/ITT Industries 200 was held on May 18 at Nazareth Speedway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 37–David Green
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 1–David Stremme
- 7–Randy LaJoie
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 21–Johnny Sauter
Failed to qualify: Brian Conz (#70)
Carquest Auto Parts 300
The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held on May 24 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole. Kyle Busch made his first Busch series start, and surprised many by finishing 2nd to race winner Matt Kenseth.
Top ten results
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 87–Kyle Busch
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 8–Hank Parker Jr.
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 99–Michael Waltrip
Failed to qualify: Casey Atwood (#82), Morgan Shepherd (#0), Lance Norick (#90), Brad Baker(#39), Jason Schuler (#73), Kenny Hendrick (#91)
MBNA Armed Forces Family 200
The MBNA Armed Forces Family 200 was held on May 31 at Dover International Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 37–David Green
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
Failed to qualify: Gus Wasson (#96), Brian Weber (#84)
Trace Adkins Chrome 300
The Trace Adkins Chrome 300 was held on June 7 at Nashville Superspeedway. Johnny Sauter won the pole.
Top ten results
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 37–David Green
- 1–David Stremme
- 7–Randy LaJoie
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 60–Stanton Barrett
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 75–Jay Sauter
- 5–Brian Vickers
Failed to qualify: Brian Weber (#84)
This was Scott Riggs’ final Busch Series win.
Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo Happy
The Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo Happy was held on June 14 at Kentucky Speedway. Stacy Compton won the pole.
Top ten results
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 57–Jason Keller
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 27–David Green
- 14–Casey Atwood
- 1–David Stremme
Failed to qualify: Jason Rudd (#01), Rick Markle (#68), Jamie Mosley (#39), Justin Ashburn (#61), Stan Boyd (#72), Mike Potter (#52), John Hayden (#85)
GNC Live Well 250
The GNC Live Well 250 was held on June 29 at The Milwaukee Mile. Johnny Sauter won the pole.
Top ten results
- 57–Jason Keller
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 1–David Stremme
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 87–David Reutimann
- 37–David Green
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- This was Jason Keller's last career NASCAR victory.
Failed to qualify: none
Winn-Dixie 250
The Winn-Dixie 250 was held on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole, and would lead all 100 laps to win this third superspeedway race of the season.
Top ten results
- 8–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 21–Johnny Sauter
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 92–Todd Bodine
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 48–Shane Hmiel
Failed to qualify: Jason Schuler (#73), Joe Aramendia (#79), Dan Pardus (#39), Jimmy Kitchens (#70), Jason Hedlesky (#91)
- Earnhardt Jr’s win marked a season sweep for DEI in the Busch Series restrictor plate races as well as DEI’s 5th straight restrictor plate win across NASCAR as a whole.
Tropicana Twister 300
The Tropicana Twister 300 was held on July 12 at Chicagoland Speedway. Casey Mears won the pole.
Top ten results
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 19–Casey Mears
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 57–Jason Keller
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 33–Tony Raines
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 20–Mike Bliss
Failed to qualify: none
New England 200
The New England 200 was held on July 19 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
- 37–David Green
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 57–Jason Keller
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 59–Stacy Compton
Failed to qualify: none
TrimSpa Dream Body 250
The TrimSpa Dream Body 250 was held on July 26 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Bobby Hamilton Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 57–Jason Keller
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 21–Johnny Sauter
- 27–Joey Clanton
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 26–Kevin Grubb
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 38–Kasey Kahne
Failed to qualify: Drew White (#28)
Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held on August 2 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Shane Hmiel won the pole.
Top ten results
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 57–Jason Keller
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 37–David Green
- 7–Mike Skinner
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 55–Paul Menard
- 20–Mike Bliss
Failed to qualify: Norm Benning (#84), Brett Oakley (#07), Bill Hoff (#93)
Cabela's 250
The Cabela's 250 was held on August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Kasey Kahne won the pole. The race was shortened to 110 laps due to rain.
Top ten results
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 37–David Green
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 87–David Reutimann
- 19–Casey Mears
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 31–Dave Blaney
Failed to qualify: Rick Markle (#68), Justin Ashburn (#61), Larry Hollenbeck (#62), Mike Potter (#52)
Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held on August 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jason Keller won the pole.
Top ten results
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 6–Ted Musgrave
- 48–Shane Hmiel
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 81–Martin Truex Jr.
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 33–Tony Raines
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 46–Ashton Lewis
Failed to qualify: Caleb Holman (#78), Justin Ashburn (#60), John Hayden (#85), Jason White (#70), Dion Ciccarelli (#84), Butch Jarvis (#53), Brett Oakley (#07), Norm Benning (#8), Daniel Johnson (#94)
Winn-Dixie 200 Presented by PepsiCo
The Winn-Dixie 200 Presented by PepsiCo was held on August 30 at Darlington Raceway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 87–Kyle Busch
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 57–Jason Keller
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 19–Casey Mears
- 14–Casey Atwood
Failed to qualify: none
Funai 250
The Funai 250 was held on September 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
- 43–Johnny Sauter
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 37–David Green
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 33–Tony Raines
- 31–Dave Blaney
- 48–Shane Hmiel
Failed to qualify: Dion Ciccarelli (#84), Jimmy Kitchens (#91), Paul Menard (#55), Kenny Hendrick (#94), Franklin Butler (#13), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Hermie Sadler (#02), Jimmy Henderson (#63)
Stacker 200 Presented by YJ Stinger
The Stacker 200 Presented by YJ Stinger was held on September 20 at Dover International Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 57–Jason Keller
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 4–Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: Kenny Hendrick (#94), Jeff Streeter (#83), Martin Truex Jr. (#81), Jason Rudd (#01), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Jimmy Henderson (#63), Jimmy Kitchens (#41)
Mr. Goodcents 300
The Mr. Goodcents 300 was held on October 4 at Kansas Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
- 37–David Green
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 7–Greg Biffle
- 57–Jason Keller
- 8–Hank Parker Jr.
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 59–Stacy Compton
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 1–Jamie McMurray
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#9), Ron Young (#71), Jeff Streeter (#83), John Hayden (#85), Stanton Barrett (#91), Justin Ashburn (#61), Jamie Mosley (#39)
Little Trees 300
The Little Trees 300 was held on October 11 after rain postponed it from October 10th at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole.
Top ten results
- 7–Greg Biffle
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 37–David Green
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 57–Jason Keller
Failed to qualify: Jeff Streeter (#22), Shane Hall (#15), Wayne Anderson (#35), Justin Ashburn (#61), Mike Harmon (#44), Jamie Mosley (#39), Brad Teague (#52), Gus Wasson (#70)
Sam's Town 250
The Sam's Town 250 was held on October 18 at Memphis Motorsports Park. David Reutimann won the pole.
Top ten results
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 57–Jason Keller
- 21–Johnny Sauter
- 2–Ron Hornaday Jr.
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 14–Casey Atwood
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 1–David Stremme
- 46–Ashton Lewis
Failed to qualify: John Hayden (#85), Justin Ashburn (#61), Brent Moore (#96), Jason Hedlesky (#72), Butch Jarvis (#53), Dana White (#39), Dude Teate (#70)
Aaron's 312 (Atlanta)
The Aaron's 312 was held on October 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 7–Greg Biffle
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- 8–Hank Parker Jr.
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 37–David Green
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 31–Dave Blaney
Failed to qualify: John Hayden (#85), Jimmy Henderson (#63), Justin Ashburn (#61), Dwayne Leik (#81), Wayne Anderson (#35), Jeff Fuller (#91)
Bashas' Supermarkets 200
The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 was held on November 1 at Phoenix International Raceway. Kevin Harvick won the pole. The race was shortened to 181 laps due to rain.
Top ten results
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 10–Scott Riggs
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 14–Casey Atwood
- 43–Johnny Sauter
- 7–Greg Biffle
Failed to qualify: Stan Boyd (#51), Blake Mallory (#39), Josh Richeson (#67), Jeff Fuller (#97), Randy MacDonald (#72), John Hayden (#85), Alfredo Tarne Jr. (#73), Jeff Streeter (#83), Clint Vahsholtz (#90)
- This would be Hamilton’s 5th and final Busch Series win as well as his fourth of the season.
Target House 200
The Target House 200 was held on November 8 at North Carolina Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole.
Top ten results
- 1–Jamie McMurray
- 8–Martin Truex Jr.
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 79–Jeremy Mayfield
- 30–David Stremme
- 5–Brian Vickers
- 87–Kyle Busch
- 23–Scott Wimmer
- 43–-Johnny Sauter
- 37–David Green
Failed to qualify: Josh Richeson (#67), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Rich Bickle (#94), Brad Teague (#52), Jason Schuler (#73), Justin Ashburn (#61), Caleb Holman (#78), Dion Ciccarelli (#84), Norm Benning (#81), Jerry Reary (#22), Justin Hobgood (#80)
Ford 300
The Ford 300 was held on November 15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 38–Kasey Kahne
- 8–Martin Truex Jr.
- 25–Bobby Hamilton Jr.
- 00–Jason Leffler
- 46–Ashton Lewis
- 21–Kevin Harvick
- 20–Mike Bliss
- 19–Casey Mears
- 37–David Green
- 99–Michael Waltrip
- This was Kahne's first Busch series victory.
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#9), Jason Schuler (#73), Clint Vahsholtz (#39), Justin Ashburn (#61), Mike Harmon (#44), Stan Boyd (#51), Joe Aramendia (#79), Brad Baker (#28)
Final points standings
- Brian Vickers – 4637
- David Green – 4623
- Ron Hornaday Jr. – 4591
- Bobby Hamilton Jr. – 4588
- Jason Keller – 4528
- Scott Riggs – 4462
- Kasey Kahne – 4104
- Johnny Sauter – 4098
- Scott Wimmer – 4059
- Mike Bliss – 3932
- Stacy Compton – 3893
- Ashton Lewis – 3801
- Mike Wallace – 3489
- Coy Gibbs – 3213
- Shane Hmiel – 3160
- Kevin Harvick – 3077
- Todd Bodine – 2763
- Michael Waltrip – 2637
- Kevin Grubb – 2498
- Jamie McMurray – 2478
- Larry Gunselman – 2371
- David Stremme – 2354
- Mike Harmon – 2207
- Matt Kenseth – 1925
- Stanton Barrett – 1877
- Randy LaJoie – 1863
- Kerry Earnhardt – 1767
- Jason Schuler – 1765
- Jason White – 1754
- Joey Clanton – 1716
- Joe Nemechek – 1704
- Brad Teague – 1647
- Chad Blount – 1581
- Casey Mears – 1525
- Greg Biffle – 1502
- Tim Fedewa – 1491
- Casey Atwood – 1422
- Regan Smith – 1313
- Tony Raines – 1230
- Martin Truex Jr. – 1228
- Chase Montgomery – 1219
- Ron Young – 1201
- Dave Blaney – 1133
- Hermie Sadler – 1066
- Tammy Jo Kirk – 1062
- Tim Sauter – 1028
- Damon Lusk – 950
- Kyle Busch – 827
- Jay Sauter – 818
- David Reutimann – 805
Rookie of the Year
Despite not completing a full schedule and running for two different teams, David Stremme was named the 2003 Busch Series Rookie of the Year, posting three top-five finishes. Runner-up Coy Gibbs ran the full schedule and finished 14th in points, but did not accumulate enough rookie points to overtake Stremme. He would retire from racing at the end of the year. Third-place finisher Joey Clanton shared the #27 Brewco Motorsports ride with fellow rookie Chase Montgomery, while Chad Blount finished fourth running part-time with Braun and Carroll Racing. Regan Smith, Damon Lusk, and Chris Bingham were released from their rides during the season.