Kurt Busch - 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 - 75 Years: The Moments ***2024 Updated***

Kurt Busch - 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 - 75 Years: The Moments After blowing an engine in practice, Kurt Busch started the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington at the rear of the field. Busch put in a gutsy performance tearing through the pack with a failing power steering system. Jeff Gordon looked to have the strongest car in the closing stages of the race, but a drastic handling change opened the door to a host of underdogs. On lap 270, Elliott Sadler pulled alongside Gordon, but both cars’ momentum stalled out while battling, opening the door for Busch to streak by in a thrilling three-wide pass. Busch opened up a lead but as his power steering issues worsened, Ricky Craven entered the fray. Craven chased down Busch and made a move into turn one with two laps remaining. The two cars collided with Busch pounding the wall. As Busch bounced off the barrier, he turned his car hard left, hooking Craven’s bumper and sending him sideways, propelling Busch back to the lead. Craven still had the upper hand however. Entering turn three on the final lap, Craven got a run to the inside. By the exit of turn four, the cars were even. Busch’s car swerved left just as Craven’s slid right and the two collided again. The cars locked together as they grinded to the finish line where Craven’s bumper crossed just inches ahead of Busch’s in one of the closest and most thrilling finishes in NASCAR history. This paint represents the number 97 Rubbermaid Ford as it appeared that day for Kurt Busch. The 75 Years project is a series of paints dedicated to the history of NASCAR racing. Follow me for updates: twitter.com/iam27paul