2002 New Hampshire 300
The 2002 New Hampshire 300 was the 27th stock car race of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the sixth iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, September 15, 2002, in Loudon, New Hampshire, at New Hampshire International Speedway, a 1.058-mile (1.703 km) permanent, oval-shaped, low-banked racetrack. The race was shortened from its scheduled 300 laps to 207 due to darkness. At race's end, Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing, would dominate the race until the end to win his first career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his only win of the season.[1] To fill out the podium, Kurt Busch of Roush Racing and Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing would finish second and third, respectively.
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 27 of 36 in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series | |||
 The 2002 New Hampshire 300 program cover. | |||
| Date | September 15, 2002 | ||
| Official name | Sixth Annual New Hampshire 300 | ||
| Location | Loudon, New Hampshire, New Hampshire International Speedway | ||
| Course |
Permanent racing facility 1.058 mi (1.703 km) | ||
| Distance | 207 laps, 219.006 mi (352.455 km) | ||
| Scheduled Distance | 300 laps, 317.4 mi (510.805 km) | ||
| Average speed | 105.081 miles per hour (169.111 km/h) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Penske Racing | ||
| Time | 28.802 | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Ryan Newman | Penske Racing | |
| Laps | 143 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske Racing | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | TNT | ||
| Announcers | Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Wally Dallenbach Jr. | ||
| Radio in the United States | |||
| Radio | Motor Racing Network | ||
Background
New Hampshire International Speedway is a 1.058-mile (1.703 km) oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as an IndyCar weekend and the oldest motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic. Nicknamed "The Magic Mile", the speedway is often converted into a 1.6-mile (2.6 km) road course, which includes much of the oval. The track was originally the site of Bryar Motorsports Park before being purchased and redeveloped by Bob Bahre. The track is currently one of eight major NASCAR tracks owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports.
Entry list
- (R) denotes rookie driver.
Practice
First practice
The first practice session was held on Friday, September 13, at 11:20 AM EST, and would last for 2 hours.[2] Ryan Newman of Penske Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.799 and an average speed of 132.255 miles per hour (212.844 km/h).[3]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ryan Newman (R) | Penske Racing | Ford | 28.799 | 132.255 |
| 2 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 28.881 | 131.879 |
| 3 | 55 | Greg Biffle | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 28.895 | 131.815 |
| Full first practice results | ||||||
Second practice
The second practice session was held on Saturday, September 14, at 9:30 AM EST, and would last for 45 minutes.[2] Ward Burton of Bill Davis Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.421 and an average speed of 129.459 miles per hour (208.344 km/h).[4]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 29.421 | 129.459 |
| 2 | 12 | Ryan Newman (R) | Penske Racing | Ford | 29.422 | 129.454 |
| 3 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 29.440 | 129.375 |
| Full second practice results | ||||||
Third and final practice
The third and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, September 14, at 11:15 AM EST, and would last for 45 minutes.[2] Greg Biffle of Andy Petree Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.350 and an average speed of 129.772 miles per hour (208.848 km/h).[5]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 | Greg Biffle | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 29.350 | 129.772 |
| 2 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 29.500 | 129.112 |
| 3 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 29.524 | 129.007 |
| Full Happy Hour practice results | ||||||
Qualifying
Qualifying was held on Friday, September 13, at 3:05 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.[2] Positions 1-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champion needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[6]
Ryan Newman of Penske Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 28.802 and an average speed of 132.241 miles per hour (212.821 km/h).[7]
Carl Long was the only driver to fail to qualify.
Full qualifying results
Race results
| Fin[8] | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 12 | Ryan Newman (R) | Penske Racing | Ford | 207 | 143 | running | 185 | $202,550 |
| 2 | 6 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 207 | 7 | running | 175 | $144,300 |
| 3 | 10 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 207 | 0 | running | 165 | $138,328 |
| 4 | 2 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 207 | 53 | running | 165 | $113,625 |
| 5 | 3 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 207 | 0 | running | 155 | $113,578 |
| 6 | 8 | 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 150 | $70,150 |
| 7 | 23 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 146 | $94,625 |
| 8 | 14 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 207 | 2 | running | 147 | $66,025 |
| 9 | 19 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson (R) | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 207 | 0 | running | 138 | $56,225 |
| 10 | 17 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 134 | $73,875 |
| 11 | 37 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 207 | 0 | running | 130 | $70,425 |
| 12 | 18 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 127 | $94,442 |
| 13 | 16 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 207 | 0 | running | 124 | $74,525 |
| 14 | 21 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 207 | 0 | running | 121 | $101,803 |
| 15 | 28 | 41 | Jimmy Spencer | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 207 | 0 | running | 118 | $66,250 |
| 16 | 7 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 115 | $85,433 |
| 17 | 29 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 207 | 1 | running | 117 | $76,731 |
| 18 | 30 | 23 | Kenny Wallace | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 207 | 0 | running | 109 | $49,975 |
| 19 | 15 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 106 | $90,425 |
| 20 | 22 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 207 | 0 | running | 103 | $94,092 |
| 21 | 24 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 207 | 0 | running | 100 | $88,067 |
| 22 | 11 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 207 | 0 | running | 97 | $76,108 |
| 23 | 20 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 206 | 1 | running | 99 | $74,781 |
| 24 | 9 | 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 206 | 0 | running | 91 | $56,425 |
| 25 | 25 | 77 | Dave Blaney | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 206 | 0 | running | 88 | $64,514 |
| 26 | 33 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 206 | 0 | running | 85 | $48,225 |
| 27 | 4 | 55 | Greg Biffle | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 206 | 0 | running | 82 | $56,000 |
| 28 | 12 | 44 | Jerry Nadeau | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 206 | 0 | running | 79 | $47,325 |
| 29 | 39 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 206 | 0 | running | 76 | $76,425 |
| 30 | 31 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 206 | 0 | running | 73 | $73,158 |
| 31 | 40 | 14 | Mike Wallace | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Pontiac | 206 | 0 | running | 70 | $43,625 |
| 32 | 34 | 25 | Joe Nemechek | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 205 | 0 | running | 67 | $51,425 |
| 33 | 32 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 205 | 0 | running | 64 | $89,003 |
| 34 | 36 | 7 | Casey Atwood | Ultra-Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 205 | 0 | running | 61 | $43,000 |
| 35 | 38 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 205 | 0 | running | 58 | $50,800 |
| 36 | 41 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 204 | 0 | running | 55 | $42,600 |
| 37 | 42 | 02 | Hermie Sadler | SCORE Motorsports | Chevrolet | 204 | 0 | running | 52 | $42,450 |
| 38 | 27 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 191 | 0 | running | 49 | $85,300 |
| 39 | 13 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 139 | 0 | running | 46 | $42,225 |
| 40 | 26 | 37 | Kevin Lepage | Quest Motor Racing | Ford | 84 | 0 | engine | 43 | $42,145 |
| 41 | 43 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Shepherd Racing Ventures | Ford | 53 | 0 | brakes | 40 | $42,050 |
| 42 | 35 | 26 | Todd Bodine | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 52 | 0 | engine | 37 | $67,187 |
| 43 | 5 | 4 | Mike Skinner | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 40 | 0 | engine | 34 | $42,164 |
| Failed to qualify | ||||||||||
| 44 | 51 | Carl Long (R) | Ware Racing Enterprises | Dodge | ||||||
| Official race results | ||||||||||
References
- "Dominance, rain helps Newman to win at NHIS". NASCAR.com. September 16, 2002. Archived from the original on September 17, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- "Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2002 New Hampshire 2 Race Info Page". Jayski's Silly Season Site. 2005-02-04. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- "NASCAR.com - Races - 2002 New Hampshire 2 Practice 1 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- "NASCAR.com - Races - 2002 New Hampshire 2 Practice 2 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- "NASCAR.com - Races - 2002 New Hampshire 2 Practice 3 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- "Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2002 Provisional/Owners Points Page". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on 2005-02-05. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
- Rodman, Dave (September 13, 2002). "Newman overwhelms field to take Bud Pole". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on October 15, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- "2002 New Hampshire 300 - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2022-04-20.