The 2003 edition of The Winston was the second exhibition stock car race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 19th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, May 17, 2003, in Concord, North Carolina at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) permanent quad-oval. The race took the scheduled 90 laps to complete. Within the final segment of the race, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson would manage to make a charge to the front within the last 20 laps of the segment to earn a US$1,017,604 (adjusted for inflation, US$1,685,453) payout and his first career The Winston victory.[1][2] To fill out the top three, Roush Racing driver Kurt Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte would finish second and third, respectively.

2003 The Winston
Race details
DateMay 17, 2003 (2003-05-17)
LocationConcord, North Carolina, Lowe's Motor Speedway
CoursePermanent racing facility
1.5 mi (2.4 km)
DistanceOpen: 30 laps, 45 mi (72 km)
Segment 1: 20 laps
Segment 2: 10 laps
The Winston: 90 Laps, 135 mi (217 km)
Segment 1: 40 laps
Segment 2: 30 laps
Segment 3: 20 laps
Avg SpeedOpen: N/A
The Winston: 91.889 mph (147.881 km/h)
Winston Open
PoleSteve Park (Richard Childress Racing)
Time29.309
WinnerJeff Burton (Roush Racing)
The Winston
PoleBill Elliott (Evernham Motorsports)
Pole2:03:192
Most laps ledTony Stewart (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Laps led39
WinnerJimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports)
Television
NetworkFX
AnnouncersMike Joy, Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip
NetworkMotor Racing Network

Background

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The layout of Lowe's Motor Speedway, the venue where the race was held.

Lowe's Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, as well as the UAW-GM Quality 500. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) with Marcus G. Smith (son of Bruton Smith) as track president.

Format and eligibility

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The popularity of the reality show Survivor influenced Winston to make changes to the format in 2002, adding a new elimination format ("Survival of the Fastest"), and the final segment returned to 20 laps to make tire wear an issue.

Only race winning drivers and owners from the previous year would be in the field, and all former Cup titleholders and the past five winners of The Winston would be added to the field, plus the winner of the qualifying races.

The No Bull Sprint was eliminated after 2002, and for 2003, The Winston Open would become a 20-lap race with pit stops, and then a 10 green flag lap sprint after pit stops.

If the caution flag waved on Lap 40 of the first segment, two green flag laps or the next yellow flag would be run to finish the segment.

In The Winston, only the top 20 cars advanced to the second segment, and 10 cars (in 2002) or 14 cars (in 2003 planned, but was 12 after crashes) advanced to the third segment.

A green flag pit stop for four tires was mandatory in the first segment, but after Frank Stoddard beat the system in 2002 by changing four tires on the car driven by Jeff Burton just feet from the finish line on the last lap, the rule was changed to mandating tire stops at a specific point in the race.

Also, the inversion is moved to the final 20 lap sprint, and the ten-minute break is restored between the second and final segment.

  • Segment 1: 40 Laps / Must take a four-tire pit stop during race (In 2003, must be between Laps 10–30) / only top 20 cars advance.
  • Segment 2: 30 Laps / Only 14 cars (2003) / 10 cars (2002) advance / full field inversion at end of segment
  • Segment 3: 20 Green Flag Laps (no caution laps count)

Entry list

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Winston Open

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# 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
02 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Pontiac Virginia Tech Hokies
4 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac Kodak
7 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge Sirius Satellite Radio
11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford Hooters
14 Larry Foyt (R) A. J. Foyt Racing Dodge Harrah's "Oh Yeah!"
16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford Grainger
19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dodge
23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge Stacker 2
30 Jeff Green Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet America Online
31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Reverse Cingular Wireless
37 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet Great Barrier Reef
41 Casey Mears (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Target
43 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge Cheerios
45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge Georgia-Pacific Brawny
46 Carl Long Glenn Racing Dodge Al Smith Dodge
49 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge BAM Racing
54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford National Guard
71 Kevin Lepage Marcis Auto Racing Ford Speedway Children's Charities
72 Kirk Shelmerdine Kirk Shelmerdine Racing Ford Freddie B's
74 Tony Raines (R) BACE Motorsports Chevrolet BACE Motorsports
77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford Jasper Engines & Transmissions Panther Power
89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford Racing with Jesus
90 Jason Hedlesky Donlavey Racing Ford Superior Logistic Services, Accu-turn
99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford Velveeta
Official Winston Open entry list

The Winston

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# Driver Team Make Sponsor
2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing Dodge Miller Lite, Goo Goo Dolls
5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Kellogg's, Got Milk?
6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford Reverse Viagra
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Budweiser
9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dodge
10 Johnny Benson Jr. MB2 Motorsports Pontiac Valvoline
12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing Dodge Alltel
15 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet NAPA Auto Parts, Nilla
17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford Smirnoff Ice Triple Black
18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet Interstate Batteries, Advair
20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet The Home Depot
21 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford Motorcraft
22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge Caterpillar Acert Technology
24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet DuPont, Wright Brothers First Flight 100th Anniversary
25 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet UAW, Delphi
29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet GM Goodwrench, Snap-on
32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac Tide
38 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford Pedigree
40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Coors Light, Brooks & Dunn
42 Jamie McMurray (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Texaco, Havoline
48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Lowe's Power of Pride
88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford UPS
97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford Rubbermaid, Sharpie
Official The Winston entry list

Winston Open practice

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First Winston Open practice

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The first practice for the Winston Open was held on Friday, May 16, at 1:30 PM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes.[3] Steve Park, driving for Richard Childress Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.293 and an average speed of 184.344 miles per hour (296.673 km/h).[4]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 29.293 184.344
2 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 29.525 182.896
3 01 Mike Wallace MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 29.584 182.531
Full first Winston Open practice results

Second Winston Open practice

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The second practice for the Winston Open was held on Friday, May 16, at 3:55 PM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes.[3] Todd Bodine, driving for BelCar Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.489 and an average speed of 183.119 miles per hour (294.701 km/h).[5]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford 29.489 183.119
2 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 29.544 182.778
3 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 29.564 182.655
Full second Winston Open practice results

Final Winston Open practice

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The final practice for the Winston Open was held on Friday, May 16, after the preliminary 2003 Hardee's 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. The session would last for 30 minutes.[3] Todd Bodine, driving for BelCar Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 30.017 and an average speed of 179.898 miles per hour (289.518 km/h).[6]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford 30.017 179.898
2 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 30.077 179.539
3 30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 30.088 179.473
Full Happy Hour Winston Open practice results

The Winston practice

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First The Winston practice

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The first practice for The Winston was held on Friday, May 16, at 2:20 PM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes.[3] Jimmie Johnson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.872 and an average speed of 180.771 miles per hour (290.923 km/h).[7]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 29.872 180.771
2 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 29.922 180.469
3 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 29.930 180.421
Full first The Winston practice results

Second The Winston practice

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The second practice for The Winston was held on Friday, May 16, at 4:45 PM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes.[3] Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.463 and an average speed of 183.281 miles per hour (294.962 km/h).[8]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 29.463 183.281
2 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 29.525 182.896
3 9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge 29.551 182.735
Full second The Winston practice results

Final The Winston practice

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The final practice for The Winston was held on Friday, May 16, at 10:30 PM EST. The session would last for 30 minutes.[3] Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing South, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 30.181 and an average speed of 178.921 miles per hour (287.945 km/h).[9]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 30.181 178.921
2 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 30.258 178.465
3 18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 30.297 178.236
Full Happy Hour The Winston practice results

Qualifying

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The Winston Open

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Qualifying for the Winston Open was held on Friday, May 16, at 6:05 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]

Steve Park, driving for Richard Childress Racing, would win the pole, setting a time of 29.309 and an average speed of 184.244 miles per hour (296.512 km/h).[10]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 29.309 184.244
2 54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford 29.401 183.667
3 7 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge 29.449 183.368
4 01 Mike Wallace MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 29.475 183.206
5 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 29.513 182.970
6 49 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge 29.522 182.914
7 4 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac 29.522 182.914
8 11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 29.531 182.859
9 74 Tony Raines (R) BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 29.560 182.679
10 77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 29.574 182.593
11 1 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 29.611 182.365
12 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 29.675 181.971
13 0 Jack Sprague (R) Haas CNC Racing Pontiac 29.688 181.892
14 31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 29.706 181.781
15 45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 29.736 181.598
16 43 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 29.753 181.494
17 14 Larry Foyt (R) A. J. Foyt Racing Dodge 29.785 181.299
18 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 29.848 180.917
19 41 Casey Mears (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 29.901 180.596
20 72 Kirk Shelmerdine Kirk Shelmerdine Racing Ford 30.210 178.749
21 37 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet 30.274 178.371
22 02 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet 30.297 178.236
23 71 Kevin Lepage Marcis Auto Racing Ford 30.424 177.492
24 46 Carl Long Glenn Racing Dodge 30.571 176.638
25 90 Jason Hedlesky Donlavey Racing Ford 31.412 171.909
26 89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford 34.061 158.539
27 16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford - -
Official Winston Open qualifying results

The Winston

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Qualifying for The Winston was held on Friday, May 16, at 8:05 PM EST. Each driver would run 3 laps each, with each driver having to do a mandatory pit stop following the driver's first or second lap.[3]

Bill Elliott, driving for Evernham Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 2:03.192 and an average speed of 43.834 miles per hour (70.544 km/h).[11]

Pos. # Driver Team Make Time Speed
1 9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge 2:03:192 43.834
2 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 2:03:764 43.631
3 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 2:04:825 43.261
4 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 2:05:014 43.195
5 40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 2:05:038 43.187
6 25 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 2:05:047 43.184
7 32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac 2:05:049 43.183
8 5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 2:05:103 43.164
9 15 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 2:05:105 43.164
10 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 2:05:358 43.077
11 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 2:05:417 43.056
12 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 2:05:668 42.970
13 22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 2:05:671 42.969
14 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 2:05:949 42.875
15 10 Johnny Benson Jr. MBV Motorsports Pontiac 2:06:012 42.853
16 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 2:06:013 42.853
17 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 2:06:396 42.723
18 2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing South Dodge 2:09:805 41.601
19 38 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford 2:09:959 41.552
20 21 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford 2:10:242 41.461
21 18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 2:23:340 37.673
22 88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford 2:23:623 37.598
23 42 Jamie McMurray (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge - -
Official The Winston qualifying results

Winston Open results

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Fin St # Driver Team Make Laps Led Status Winnings
1 18 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 30 10 running $52,388
2 10 77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 30 0 running $42,388
3 7 4 Mike Skinner Morgan–McClure Motorsports Pontiac 30 11 running $38,388
4 8 11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 30 0 running $36,388
5 27 16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford 30 0 running $35,388
6 3 7 Jimmy Spencer Ultra Motorsports Dodge 30 0 running $33,388
7 5 23 Kenny Wallace Bill Davis Racing Dodge 30 5 running $32,388
8 1 30 Steve Park Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 30 1 running $31,788
9 15 45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 30 0 running $31,288
10 13 0 Jack Sprague (R) Haas CNC Racing Pontiac 30 0 running $31,038
11 16 43 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 30 0 running $30,788
12 19 41 Casey Mears (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 30 0 running $30,538
13 6 49 Ken Schrader BAM Racing Dodge 30 0 running $30,288
14 14 31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 26 0 overheating $30,188
15 11 1 Jeff Green Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 20 0 did not advance $30,088
16 4 01 Mike Wallace MB2 Motorsports Pontiac 20 0 did not advance $29,988
17 17 14 Larry Foyt (R) A. J. Foyt Racing Dodge 20 0 did not advance $29,888
18 12 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 20 0 did not advance $29,788
19 9 74 Tony Raines (R) BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 20 0 did not advance $29,688
20 24 46 Carl Long Glenn Racing Dodge 20 0 did not advance $29,588
21 21 37 Derrike Cope Quest Motor Racing Chevrolet 20 0 did not advance $29,488
22 20 72 Kirk Shelmerdine Kirk Shelmerdine Racing Ford 20 0 did not advance $29,388
23 26 89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford 20 0 did not advance $29,288
24 25 90 Jason Hedlesky Donlavey Racing Ford 19 0 did not advance $29,188
25 22 02 Hermie Sadler SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet 18 0 handling $29,088
26 23 71 Kevin Lepage Marcis Auto Racing Ford 16 0 overheating $28,988
27 2 54 Todd Bodine BelCar Motorsports Ford 4 3 accident $28,912
Official Winston Open results

The Winston results

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Fin St # Driver Team Make Laps Led Status Winnings
1 16 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 90 16 running $1,017,604
2 11 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 90 7 running $265,104
3 21 18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 90 0 running $130,104
4 6 25 Joe Nemechek Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 90 0 running $85,104
5 9 15 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 90 0 running $81,104
6 17 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 90 0 running $77,104
7 3 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 90 19 running $93,104
8 10 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 90 4 running $72,104
9 24 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 90 0 running $123,492
10 7 32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Pontiac 90 0 running $70,104
11 20 21 Ricky Rudd Wood Brothers Racing Ford 90 0 running $69,104
12 5 40 Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 90 0 running $68,104
13 8 5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 69 0 accident $67,104
14 2 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 69 39 accident $126,604
15 14 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 69 0 accident/eliminated $66,104
16 1 9 Bill Elliott Evernham Motorsports Dodge 69 0 accident/eliminated $116,004
17 4 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 69 5 accident/eliminated $65,904
18 22 88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford 69 0 accident/eliminated $65,804
19 12 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge 65 0 accident $65,704
20 13 22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 55 0 accident $65,604
21 18 2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing South Dodge 40 0 eliminated $65,504
22 23 42 Jamie McMurray (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 40 0 eliminated $65,404
23 19 38 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford 40 0 eliminated $65,304
24 15 10 Johnny Benson Jr. MBV Motorsports Pontiac 40 0 eliminated $65,208
Official The Winston results

References

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  1. ^ Poole, David (May 17, 2003). "Johnson moves from 4th, pulls away for Winston win". That's Racin'. The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on August 30, 2004. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  2. ^ Pearce, Al (May 18, 2003). "All-star win earns Johnson $1 million". The Orlando Sentinel. pp. C3. Retrieved October 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Jayski's Silly Season Site - The Winston 2003 Race Info Page". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on December 3, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2003 Winston Open Practice 1 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2003 Winston Open Practice 2 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2003 Winston Open Practice 3 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "Speeds from the first Winston practice". That's Racin'. May 16, 2003. Archived from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Stewart, Newman, Elliot lead way in 2nd practice for The Winston". That's Racin'. May 16, 2003. Archived from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "Stewart, B. Labonte top chart in midnight hour session". That's Racin'. May 16, 2003. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Scott, David (May 16, 2003). "Winston Open pole goes to Park on first time out with RCR". That's Racin'. The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2004. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Fabrizo, Tony (May 17, 2003). "Elliott Wins Pole For The Winston". The Tampa Tribune. p. 36. Retrieved October 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.