Crisis in Gordon and the fragile edge of fame
Gordon the racer and his spouse face a highly publicized divorce amid fan intrigue. The article notes real emotions behind a high profile relationship and touches on safety incidents and injuries in the early 2000s NASCAR context, including Earnhardt Jr, Sterling Marlin, Johnny Benson, Bobby Hamilton, and Mike Harmon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnny Benson
Bobby Hamilton
Richmond
Mike Harmon
Bristol
Old School Racing Struggles At Yates And Childress In 2002
Robert Yates and Richard Childress faced a rough 2002 season as their old-school teams stalled. Ricky Rudd split with Yates, Elliott Sadler was pegged as the future, while Dale Jarrett won twice after a difficult start. Todd Parrott returned as crew chief. Kevin Harvick claimed one win at Chicagoland but was briefly suspended for a Martinsville incident. All three RCR teams failed to crack the top 15 in points amid talk of further changes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Yates
Richard Childress
Yates
Ricky Rudd
Elliott Sadler
Dale Jarrett
Todd Parrott
Childress
Kevin Harvick
Chicagoland
Harvick
Martinsville
Jeff Green
RCR
Top 11 stories from 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season
Recap of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup year highlighting the season's biggest stories. It compares the countdown approach to a late night show, noting the obsession with a ten count yet delivering a broad review of notable events and outcomes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
David Letterman
Where There's Smoke There's Usually Fire in NASCAR Rivalry
Tony Stewart earned the season championship amid a volatile year that saw six DNFs and a last place Daytona finish. After a Brickyard 400 shove incident, he faced fines and probation from NASCAR and The Home Depot. He rebounded with a Watkins Glen win and steady results to clinch the title.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tony Stewart
Stewart Nascar
Home Depot
Indianapolis
Stewart
Watkins Glen
Indy
Roush Revival Sparks Strong Racing Season
Roush Racing roared back with 10 wins led by Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch after a two-win 2001, with Mark Martin taking the Coca Cola 600 bonus. Owner Jack Roush survived a near fatal aircraft crash on April 19 aided by ex Marine Larry Hicks who rescued him from a pond, a near miraculous comeback.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Roush Racing
Matt Kenseth
Kurt Busch
Mark Martin
Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Jeff Burton
Greg Biffle
Jack Roush
Roush
Troy
Ala
Larry Hicks
Providence
Hicks
Ferko Sues Over NASCAR IRL Ties Threatening 2003 Plans
Francis Ferko of Plano Texas filed a federal suit alleging NASCAR and International Speedway Corp act as an illegal monopoly harming Speedway Motorsports Inc He seeks damages and a Winston Cup date for Texas Motor Speedway as a bargaining chip The piece notes overall stock-car health while warning of team cutbacks and industry uncertainty into 2003.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis Ferko
Plano
Texas
Speedway Motorsports Inc
Nascar
International Speedway Corp
SMI
Texas Motor Speedway
Ferko
Newman Slated as Dodge’s Top Bet for 2003 Cup
The Penske Dodge switch marks a major business move but the headline is 2002 rookie of the year Ryan Newman. Among Dodge teams, Bill Elliott finished highest in Cup standings at 13th as DaimlerChrysler backs the push, with Newman set to become Dodge’s leading challenger in 2003.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Roger Penske
Ford
Dodge
Ryan Newman
Bill Elliott
DaimlerChrysler
Newman
Darbyism Rampant in the Garage Area
John Darby rose to Winston Cup Series director ushering new inspection policies. His reforms standardized body locations and fairness across manufacturers. Under his leadership teams faced points penalties in addition to fines, exemplified by Roush Racing's 25 point deduction late season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Darby
Darby
Roush Racing
Location Aero Push Changes NASCAR Strategy
Aero push reshapes competition as cars rely on clean air and downforce. Track position dominates, forcing crew chiefs to weigh tires versus fuel and optimal stop timing at every restart. Riding the edge, teams must decide whether to extend stints or risk losing ground with each pit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nascar
Those Darned Kids Winston Cup Rising Stars 2002
The 2002 Winston Cup season featured a record young lineup with drivers under 31 claiming 23 wins while older racers over 40 won 10. Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman secured multiple victories as Kurt Busch joined Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty as the few to win more than once before age 25. Johnny Benson earned a late breakthrough at Rockingham, at a time when Jamie McMurray remained a 2003 rookie.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jimmie Johnson
Ryan Newman
Kurt Busch
Jeff Gordon
Richard Petty
Junior Johnson
Johnny Benson
Rockingham
Jamie McMurray
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gordon
Jeff
Brooke Gordon
Ken
Barbie
Marlin
Dale Earnhardt Jr
California
Kansas
Sterling Marlin
David Poole
Knight Ridder Newspapers
Fox
NBC
TNT
Andy Petree
Travis Carter
Petty Enterprises
Mpus Drie
Garden City
Eric Dunlap
Ainton
Goodwrench
Cook
Matt Tabor
Vin Butte Arts
Manane
Gary Nuzum
Mark Dunia
Asst ParteMar
Darte Gnania
Vy Luebbers
Ernie
East Hwy
Ser
Vers
Alean
Lois
Tyden City
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