2003 Darlington Raceway: 'No, I've never!' | NASCAR Classic Full Race Replay

Relive the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history that saw Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven go door-to-door in a finish that was "Too Tough to Tame." Enjoy this upload of the 2003 race from Darlington Raceway.
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[@samclosetech]

So nice watching a race naturally develop, pure racing no gimmicks, stages or bullshit. Strategy, tire wear, fuel mileage all so much more important. Miss this a lot.

[@GeneWagner-wl7od]

I can understand the stages as they help prevent the field from getting to spread out and they also prevent the race from having 100-150+ boring green flag runs but yea the rest of the gimmicks they try are bullshit

[@rolux4853]

@@GeneWagner-wl7oddon’t you think it’s weird? No other racing series would dare to artificially alter a race. The outcry would’ve been heard around the world! NASCAR is the only series that’s not about racing anymore, but a made up concept of „entertainment“. Isn’t it a weird coincidence that popularity decreased after they started this stuff? (Let’s ignore Dale’s tragedy accident) NASCAR almost became something like wrestling. Pure show.

[@jenniferkorus5638]

​@@GeneWagner-wl7odyyyytyy7yyy88

[@iBolt07]

still love the sport but 100% agree

[@1USACitizen192]

@@rolux4853 nfl football is the same.

[@joncokejones9318]

Even tho Kurt lost you can tell how much fun he had

[@IgorFonseca244]

He just couldn't stop smiling. You don't see that kind of joy in Kyle Busch, when he loses for so much little. Despite having a hard fought racing.

[@RobKeenan826]

Went straight to victory lane to congratulate Ricky👍 nobody ever talks about that stuff though

[@quentinparhiala9415]

Kurt couldn't stop smiling

[@Ibelikemj]

You could tell the difference guys like Craven, Benson, Blaney, etc that Kurt had fun racing with over Jimmy Spencer. Those guys had respect for each other over Spencer.

[@BilobateDrip]

I like to say I'd rather battle for second to last than walk away with a win. Good racing should be enjoyable, Busch shows that

[@wwetnabamafan194]

LarryMac: "And both these cars are driving terrible right now, half a lap to go." DW: "Naw, they're driving good!"

[@stormrigsng]

Nobody said that

[@anubeia]

Yes. Yes they did.

[@badcornflakes6374]

@@stormrigsng lol, I get it because his name is Mr. Nobody

[@danielblaise156]

Every single time I watch this finish and hear that exchange it makes me laugh every time lol, "NAW! naw they're drivin good!" lol.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

lol

[@OoferMotorsports]

"They didn't even need seats in these grandstands Because nobody was sitting down!" -Larry Mac

[@ChrisPlatt9740]

I was at that race on the front straight. The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

Larry Mac was right about that

[@ChrisMolyneaux93]

"It's gonna be a drag race!" "WOW!" "They touch! They touch!" "CRAVEN GOT HIM!!!!"

[@brettwiseman6010]

NO I’VE NEVER

[@jeremyramberger5198]

Chris Molyneaux your right about that

[@mikehushie4840]

Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle TT Uncle Uncle TT Uncle TT Uncle TT

[@quentinparhiala9415]

No I've never

[@QF_Dan72]

No i've never

[@visionflows861]

I remember being about 5 or 6 when this race happened. My dad and a bunch of his coworkers loved Nascar and made a bet on it every week. They would draw a number from a hat and whatever number they got was the starting position of the driver. My Dad got Ricky Cravens number and that was the only time that he won the bet. I've never seen that man jump as high as he did when they were coming to the finish!

[@daddyschainsjewelry]

I was about the same age them were great times… nascar was huge then!!

[@quentinparhiala9415]

I was 7 when this race happened

[@penguincamp]

"Gatorade Victory Lane" >giant bottle of Powerade on Craven's car

[@thesoniclion6023]

I prefer Gatorade

[@Jardbig]

I only just noticed😂😂

[@ro3521]

"Presented by Michelin" >Everybody racing on Goodyear tyres

[@badcornflakes6374]

Powerade no longer exists lol

[@ethanwilcock7661]

@@badcornflakes6374 yeah it does

[@jacekatalakis8316]

Considering the build up to the race, the (at the time) last Southern 500 in the fall, the rumblings at the time of Darlington losing the date, this race saved the track's future in NASCAR. Thanks Ken Squier for ezplaining that on the year in review documentary

[@BaddogSports]

It was nice to see both Craven & Blaney have a great run! Both of those guys had a lot of bad luck! Back when NASCAR was an event! Thank God for KZbin. I can relive the good ol days!

[@pirate772009]

Funny story about this race, I was 12 when it happened and I was at my grandparents’ house for spring break. My aunt, uncle, and cousins were also over at their house and everyone was trying to get me to come outside but I just wanted to watch the race. My favorite drivers are/were Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte who were both involved in an early crash so they were non factors and Kurt Busch, who I couldn’t stand, led a good chunk of the race so I made a deal with my grandma that if Kurt Busch was still leading with 20 laps to go, I’d turn it off and come outside. Busch was still out front with 20 laps to go so I turned the race off and went outside with my family. Later that night, we were all sitting around in the living room watching the news and I remember the anchor saying “When we come back from break, your weather forecast for this week and more on the closest finish in NASCAR history” and I basically just sat there like 😐😑😤

[@chad2831]

Gordon was in the lead with 20 to go.

[@chad2831]

kurt busch only led 23 laps

[@1234KeithB]

@@chad2831 for real this story doesn’t really add up lol

[@quentinparhiala9415]

This story dosen't add up

[@KabutoKat]

I learned my lesson about never turning off a sporting event until it is over when Reggie Miller single-handedly murdered the entire Knicks franchise by scoring 8 points in the final 8 seconds to come from down 6 to win by 2. I almost, almost walked out of the room to refill my drink but at the last moment, I turned and looked back at the TV. Then the first 3 went in. Then he stole the ball and drained another. HFS! A John Starks choke job and two Miller FTs later and that was all she wrote. If there is even the tiniest chance a miracle can happen, you never leave any sporting event early.

[@SylSavior]

I don’t think anyone expected Darlington to stay on the schedule until this race ended.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

I agree

[@bernardpomes8147]

I'm glad Darlington and Martinsville are still on the calendar.I truly love the old school tracks and the cool throwback paint color s. Way to cool❤

[@SGTStubble]

I remember being 10 years old watching this race, absolute classic. Courage.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

Same

[@tideride6828]

Timeless. Classic. 😉

[@bondedwithpotatoes0076]

Wow. It's really you.

[@ChazISfat]

I'm 28. This happen when I was a kid. Considered a classic????

[@jraybay]

👀

[@thesoniclion6023]

You should sponsor more full time drivers

[@ryanralph7494]

@@ChazISfat it's a classic because it ain't ever gonna be forgotten. The finish felt like something out of a movie lol

[@lurkintomgaming397]

I hope anyone about to watch nascar for the first time just watches the last 60 laps of this race and they’ll understand why they’re going to enjoy this track. This is the best

[@anubeia]

Where I'm from, NASCAR is called V8 Supercars. I wanted to dip my feet into America's motorsport scene though, and it just so happens that this *was* the first NASCAR race I watched. If time really does fly by when you're having fun, then those three-and-a-half hours went very, very quickly.

[@Ravenforce3]

Love that Tide Ride no matter who's in it.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

me to

[@austinreed5805]

The greatest finish in NASCAR history.

[@danielschell6523]

I say top 5 not greatest ever

[@48fanfromky]

I'd have to be the greatest in my opinion at least. Many great finishes, but no other one captures the feeling of hard-fought stock car racing like this one!

[@fulldump9834]

KY Gamez Racing DIARRHEAAAAAAAAAAA

[@skilledthrasher4705]

It’s still to this day the closest finish in NASCAR history

[@umm..mmmidk183]

Yes

[@nascarfinisher6082]

This was the greatest finishes in NASCAR history and it’s in the top5

[@quentinparhiala9415]

your right

[@racingmhf9157]

2007&2016 Daytona 500 were close too

[@ChevchukRacing]

the fact that craven won because the pontiac's nose is a little longer is wild

[@oliversoderberg299]

DW's commentary at the end of this race was so good haha he called it!

[@quentinparhiala9415]

I agree

[@Diecastbuffet]

Greatest nascar race ever!!! The true mountain top peak of the sport

[@quentinparhiala9415]

I agree with you

[@032adjutantreflex]

The race that saved Darlington

[@Happymars24]

**Overwhelming Nostalgia.**

[@AlonsoRules]

this is one race that will NEVER get old

[@DumpedClutch]

Its crazy to me that if it had not been for this race Darlington more likely than not would have been off the schedule

[@renamamiya2023]

Pontiac’s last win

[@marycornett3165]

You sure on that wasn't Tony Stewart driving one at the time

[@loonatykofficial]

JGR changed from Pontiac after the 2002 season. Tony never raced a Pontiac again in NASCAR.

[@marktucker208]

I dont understand, why does everything seem so much better? The sounds, the colour schemes, the cars running so close to each other, drivers even seem like they have to actually drive or they'll wreck. Now? Now it seems so easy.

[@TheTwotimezz]

i like how neither driver complained about the contact and respected each other at the end

[@davids.7567]

Do any of you wish Pontiac was still around today?

[@chrissnyder3430]

One of their worst decisions ever!!! Bring it back!

[@x-90]

Studebaker and Pontiac are the two American brands I want back the most.

[@AR-uz4ek]

Nope

[@JayFreezeBoston]

From the Judge to the Trans Am WS6 Ram Air, Pontiacs were awesome!

[@ronmartin3755]

Of Course! The 1964 Pontiac GTO was the very first Muscle Car and it started the Muscle Car Craze!

[@EbluestarE]

The tide was my favorite car since I was a little kid. I love when they run one these days

[@seahawks2483]

Fantastic race. I remember this like it was yesterday

[@ryandesain5090]

This one never gets old

[@ahighervibe4086]

I watched this live …it still is the Best finish I EVER SAW!

[@KabutoKat]

I've watched hundreds of NASCAR races over the years but there are only a handful that I can remember like it happened yesterday, where I was, what I was doing, in perfectly crystal clear detail. It's been over 20 years now but I still remember it as clear as day. I was living in Phoenix at the time and working at a sports bar called McDuffy's and they had some massive 12x12 projection screens on one side of the room. You wanna talk about watching on a big screen. This was before all the modern day fancy smart TVs. We're talking old school projectors hanging from the ceiling and no 4k super detailed screen could top that experience. There was a large crowd that day and the entire room exploded when Craven beat Busch to the line. Simply incredible. Top 5 all time finish in NASCAR history. All hail Ricky Craven. The fact that he had to run Busch down from so far back, caught him, passed him, then got passed back, only to get him at the last possible moment. Just an absolute masterpiece. Have you ever?! NO I'VE NEVER!!!!!!!!

[@codybrownlee6234]

I remember watching this when I was 8 with my dad. This is the race that made me a Nascar fan cheering for Craven being from Maine.

[@Loganbeecham]

Thank you for posting this I have wanted to watch this race for a while now but I couldn’t find it until now

[@kyleisrowdy4901]

Still the best finish in history. Probably will always be. Love this so much!

[@samdilworth1989]

I watched that race live as a young kid and I'll never forget it. I liked that Tide car because my Driver Ricky Rudd use to have that sponsor. Now a days Logano is my driver and he Just won today at Nashville. He risked running out of gas to get the W.

[@yaicotee2437]

FINALLY, THE FULL RACE.

[@roberthanson579]

Possibly the best NASCAR race ever. NASCAR, more of these archive races for us broke shut-ins, please! :)

[@scottpeters371]

Ok NASCAR, now upload the Busch race from the next day that had an even wilder finish between Todd Bodine and Jamie McMurray

[@ryanhowell4492]

I miss Dodge Intrepid and Pontiac Grand Prix

[@negtivecreep6642]

DW's commentary is the best.

[@idaho1959kkidd]

What a drag race 🏁finish between Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven 👏

[@JayFreezeBoston]

Way to win a race without dumping a racer, he easily coulda wrecked him, but chose to beat him pedal to the metal! AWESOME!!

[@Thomas1651]

20 years ago today! Have you ever?

[@ajthenascarexpert]

No I’ve never

[@pdxoregon1]

I miss Waltrip’s commentary SO much! His happy voice made the races fun and exciting. Boogity boogity boogity! Let’s go racin’ !🤣🤣🤣

[@VGF80]

3:15:19 Craven gotem

[@whatincarnation95]

CRAVEN GOT EEM

[@whoasked9500]

ALRIGHT! WHAT A FINISH!

[@dngnascar]

HAVE YOU EVER?

[@poppop2006]

What a finishes

[@racingmaniac2549]

Thanks NASCAR for the upload.

[@j.w.techchannel]

3:15:38 That laugh..

[@tomandjerrydatwoofanboy06]

Sounds like a crow to me XD

[@j.w.techchannel]

@@tomandjerrydatwoofanboy06 Yep, agreed 👍😂

[@vincentpellegrino789]

Great race. Thanks for showing it.

[@TgJ730]

51:48 volume up omg 😂😂😂

[@Warrenet1]

Greatest finish ever. Also R.I.P. John Andretti.

[@dadbodii]

Absolutely insane how few awfully timed ad breaks there are. I cant wait for cable to die

[@badcornflakes6374]

There will always be ad breaks because someone needs to advertise. Cable or not.

[@JackTheripper911]

Because as we all know. Advertising *only ever* happens on cable... 🤡 online advertising? Nah, doesnt exist. KZbin ads constantly? Nah not an advertisement. ONLY cable has advertisements 🤡🤡

[@SiVlog1989]

Three words to describe this race: what, a, race!

[@GodzillaGaming111]

Still the best NASCAR finish of All-Time.

[@Volan21]

Couldn´t stream a better race now that NASCAR is back baby!

[@TheZillaman89]

I miss great racing like this. I hope we can get the sport back on the right track before it fades into nothingness.

[@brandoncastro6731]

This new car will either make or break that. Hopefully it can bring the racing product somewhat closer back to this. But I do have confidence that the Next Gen car will produce a great season this year!

[@brendanschuett]

​@@brandoncastro6731 2022 had its ups and downs, but this season is shaping up to be one of the classics of nascar. At least 3 races that people have called one of the best races in nascar history. Even the short tracks have done pretty well as compared to what we saw last year.

[@zcams]

This is what this sport is all about watched this race from start to finish and enjoyed every minute

[@whoasked9500]

*YES* THE RACE, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND

[@jraybay]

Lol

[@MattGoelz]

3:10:08 in 2022: CAUTION! Gordon moving slowly and or driver scraped a wall. Yellow! Negating one of the best finishes ever

[@ssmoker48]

Best NASCAR race i've ever seen ... it's Darlington, so they're sideways half the time ... i could rewatch this every year, plus DW w the driver take, just f'in awesome

[@quentinparhiala9415]

one of the greatest finishes in Nascar history and a great win Ricky Craven got over Kurt Busch and a fantastic photo finish

[@salisburythefox8324]

DW: "It's like going to the fair doing bumper cars" XD

[@darrinjames744]

Incredible victory lane interview

[@dannytheseahorse5048]

This was the closest Blaney has ever came to winning a Cup race right?

[@lightningracing19]

Sadly yes. He should have won Atlanta a few years earlier but a loose wheel ended that

[@Pikashockdragon]

@@lightningracing19 If they hadn't restarted the 2012 Daytona 500 after JPM's Jet Drier crash, he would've won it since he was the leader at the time.

[@kainhall]

i was playing NASCAR 2003 and mark martin qualified 2nd (i was 1st because its only 87% dificulity and i tune the CRAP out of my car) . always.... i pushed mark to his first win always liked mark.... seems like a chill dude

[@TheVirtualSportsNetwork]

The first NASCAR race I ever watched. If this didn't get you hooked at 5 years old like me, nothing would've.

[@bradleydemnicki2003]

I thought Kurt Busch won that race. It was crazy!🏎

[@jaydenh922]

2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Location: Darlington, South Carolina Track: Darlington Raceway Type of race track: Speedway Starting cars: 43 Finishing cars: 38 Laps: 293 Cautions: 7 Pole Winner: Elliott Sadler (38) Most laps led: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8) (91 laps led) Race Winner: Ricky Craven (32)

[@PsyduckIsTheBest_]

I’m so glad nascar is back!

[@RichieWilliams97]

If this race happened today, nascar would’ve thrown a yellow when Gordon hit the wall with 10 to go.

[@DanielLopez_17]

No… he immediately knew to get to the bottom.. the drivers of today should take notes.

[@RichieWilliams97]

@@DanielLopez_17 point is nascar would’ve seen the car in the wall and immediately hit the button to stack the field

[@JackCallSports]

It was beat today Wow

[@salisburythefox8324]

DW: "Let's see if we can get Sterling Marlin to talk to us" Me: Don't Do that! That's rude!

[@pendremacherald6758]

One of the greatest finishes ever. One of the best races of Ricky Craven’s career. One of the best races of Dave Blaney’s career.

[@250R1983lover]

This was peak NASCAR

[@emilyb6008]

Also, back in the 90s ESPN used to do a cool thing during the week leading up to the race weekend where they would replay old races on ESPN Classic. I think that would be cool. For example, Pocono week you could show this Pocono race from 1985 and people could see how great the racing at Pocono used to be. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZy5doibnZ2VsMk

[@bradthomas2742]

I remember ESPN doing that and your right, it was VERYcool.

[@kjambrose]

"HERE HE COMES, HERE HE COMES"

[@lucasblanton5203]

2:19:42 this crank it up to me was pretty satisfying

[@Pikashockdragon]

Fun Fact: 9 drivers (10 when Jimmie's eligible) in this race, (Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Dale Jr, Bobby & Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott, Tony Stweart, Mark Martin, & Dale Jarrett), will be inducted into the Nascar Hall of Fame. Edit: Make that 10 drivers with Kenseth getting into the hall this year.

[@Matthewsoftball]

That Michael Waltrip in car camera was spot on

[@alexknight1991]

Well now this finish has just been dethroned after that Kansas finish.

[@mrwatchthattone]

The greatest sports moment in New England history that doesn't involve Tom Brady

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Oh yes, I've been waiting for this!

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

I love this NASCAR opening theme!

[@Jdog2201]

My favorite driver was the polesitter!!

[@blizzardofmin7927]

Hey NASCAR with the Coke 600 coming up this week it would be awesome if you uploaded the 1994 & 2005 Coca-Cola 600’s those are absolute classics!

[@errolsimpson95]

Crazy finish for 32 and 97

[@travisdavid7606]

Yea this was a awesome race but NASCAR InCar was just as awesome I had 2 TV set up 1 for InCar and 1 for regular broadcast! Those were the days Go 8 go 15 Been a long time since I said that

[@liliango52]

Back when Darlington had more of an attitude!

[@jraybay]

👁👁 What a finish

[@Videofinder09]

2:19:38 How many people love this restart?

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

We need Dodge back in NASCAR

[@ellenreed5694]

1:23:54

[@ActionRacingNetwork]

I like this race it was wild at the end of the race

[@jeffreysanchez1996]

This is still the Greatest finish in NASCAR History and it's not even close 💯

[@jaymz86]

Quality content!

[@CarterCourtney]

+NASCAR can you guys upload Sterling Marlin’s final win at Darlington in 2002 someday plz? 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@chrissnyder3430]

Ask and ye shall receive!

[@mattrc1679]

And would ya look at that.. Newman on the front row.❤👍

[@hypesion2223]

Yes! My favorite win from my favorite driver. Also, that answer the question that nobody was asking : Will they upload races from the old calender or from the new one. That also mean they will probably upload the first Jeff Gordon win for Charlotte.

[@vidmasterK1]

I feel like these old classic race replays were just for the pandemic lockdown. Each week they uploaded classic races from the tracks that were on the normal 2020 schedule for that weekend. Now that the season will be back, and with two races a week, I think they'll be ditching the classic uploads and go back to uploading each most recent race from Cup, Xfinity and Truck series.

[@hypesion2223]

@@vidmasterK1 Probably. But they also said, answering my comment on their upload of the Busch Clan 1997, that they will be doing it all year. I think, as you said, that the 5 races a week was for the lockdown, but now, they will upload one race a week, like with 2003 Darlington and 1996 N. Wilkesboro. Of course, that could have change since their answer to my comment.