2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400

35th MBNA Armed Forces Family 400:

Welcome everyone to the Dover International Speedway in Delaware. Today, that dark day, 42 cars will make a great race for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Green flag is in the air, the race started!



Early in the race, there was a major dispute on track and after 15 laps, four cars were on the front: Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch. Driving errors allowed position changes, and in the lap 30 Kurt Busch took the lead of the Interstate Batteries #18.



Busch was gradually increasing his lead, including making laggards like Jamie McMurray. On lap 60, the laggard Dale Jarrett touched Ryan Newman and Roger Penske car ended up spinning.



With the yellow flag, all cars have decided to go make pit stops for tire changes and refueling. Missing a few meters to restart, Jimmie Johnson had problems and was forced to go into the pits. The restart came on lap 64.



Because of the laggards in the inside line, the leadership has become highly contested. Kenseth took the lead on the same lap 65, and on the next lap Ricky Rudd came in first position. Gradually, the #21 was increasing his advantage.

Until after a relative amount of laps, Rudd arrived at the car of Jeremy Mayfield. The #19 would not Rudd let go, and this allowed the approximation of who was in second, third, fourth and fifth.



Ricky Craven took advantage of it to take the top spot on lap 101, and a few laps later Mark Martin got there. He was one of the few with the power to pass Mayfield, while others were trapped.

On lap 144, the pit-stops restarted and Greg Biffle abandoned by problems in the ignition. Four laps later, the second yellow flag came: Sterling Marlin was touched and saved the car perfectly, but Dale Jarrett at the exit of the pits was hit by Michael Waltrip and pounded the wall.



In the race back to the line, the big one: Jeff Burton was coming out of the pits when it was touched by Michael Waltrip and spin along with Jeremy Mayfield. With cold brakes, Ward Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson nailed the stopped cars.



The restart came on lap 153, and from there the race seemed to be a quiet walk to Mark Martin until the rain came on lap 212. Was increasing, and because of that NASCAR officials decided to end the race with the results of lap 211. Mark Martin is the winner of the 2003 MBNA Armed Forces Family 400!