Ricky Craven - 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 - 75 Years: The Moments

Ricky Craven - 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 - 75 Years: The Moments Ricky Craven’s performance with Cal Wells’s PPI team had been hit-and-miss since the two joined forces in 2001. Craven and team had picked up a win at Martinsville in 2001, but struggled for consistency ever since. In the first four races in a new Pontiac for 2003, Craven claimed a top five, but two finishes lower than 25th. Craven looked to have another tough race ahead of him after qualifying 31st for the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington, but quickly found his groove during the race. As contenders Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon fell by the wayside, the race came down to Craven and Kurt Busch in the closing laps. As Busch nursed a car that was losing power steering, Craven zeroed in. Craven 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. The win would be Craven’s and Pontiac’s last in Winston Cup. This paint represents Craven’s number 32 Tide car as it appeared that day. The 75 Years project is a series of paints dedicated to the history of NASCAR racing. Follow me for updates: twitter.com/iam27paul