Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 12, 2003 Another Season of Nascar Racing is back and it all starts this Sunday at the 45th Daytona 500. NASCAR continues to grow thanks to new tv deals and larger corporate sponserships. The 2003 season promises to be a crapshoot for the Championship race...So many argueable contenders are in line this season...Let's Evalute the Top 15 drivers of the 2003 Season... Tony Stewart ---------------- Last Season: 1st in Pts. The defending champion battled alot of Adversity last season and managed to Triumph with the NASCAR Championship. It's harder to repeat then to win it the first time. All eyes will be on the #20 Home Depot Chevy. Jeff Gordon ----------------- Last Season: 4th in Pts. Only for Jeff Gordon can a 4th place finish in the points and Three victories be considered an disapointment. Jeff Gordon has argueably become NASCAR's lead spokesman following the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Already obtaining 4 NASCAR championships, He stands alone against all other drivers. Although He continues to battle outside of the Track with his Divorced Wife, Brooke, He is expected to return to Championship form for 2003. Jimmie Johnson ------------------ Last Season: 5th in Pts. Under the pressure of a Rookie season under Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick, he performed better then anyone could've possibly imagined. Taking three victories and contending for the Championship late in the season, shows that this young man is a threat for the future. Now let's see if he can avoid the sophmore curse. Kurt Busch ----------------- Last Season: 3rd in Pts. "If only he had A couple more weeks", Kurt Busch came from nowhere last season and was the hottest driver of the second half of the 2002 season. Now, Busch is dealt with remarkably high expecations...Can he live up to it? Mark Martin --------------------- Last Season: 2nd in Pts. 2nd again. 4 times. Once again, Mark Martin, fell short of realizing his dream of becoming an NASCAR Champion. With a resurging comeback from an Dismisal 2001 season, Martin threated to finally go home with the title but for the fourth time in his accomplished career, he fell short. Once again, Martin will be the sentimental favorite, but will 2003 be another year of Shattered Dreams? Rusty Wallace ------------------- Last Season: 7th in Pts. The streak came to an end. Rusty Wallace, whom won at least once in 16 straight seasons, saw that streak come to a end. However, Wallace, now driving a Dodge is an earl season favorite to recapture the title, which he narrowly won over Dale Earnhardt in 1989 Dale Earnhardt Jr. ----------------------- Last Season: 11th in Pts. Although He has become Nascar's spokesmen for the young generation of fans, Earnhardt hasn't felt contistent success on the track as of yet. Fighting a media constroversy for covering up his Concussion, he managed to pull back in the second half and made an run for the top 10. He is expected to finally break through and challenge for the title and give the Earnhardt name it's Eighth Championship. Other contenders include Ryan Newman Dale Jarrett Bobby Lobonte Jeff Burton Sterling Marlin Ricky Rudd It looks to be an exciting 2003 season! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
