Matt Kenseth's DOMINANT 2003 Championship Season Forced NASCAR to Change Rules | Dale Jr. Download

In the 2003 Winston Cup Season, Matt Kenseth and Robbie Reiser were so dominant that they lead the points standings from the 4th race of the season until they eventually clinched the championship at Rockingham, with a full race at Homestead left to be run.
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[@Tommy23269]

NASCAR would rather manufacture gimmicks and entertainment than reward legitimate consistency

[@eldiablort1461]

That’s why nobody gives an actual damn about nascar as a sport anymore

[@Brewers232829]

Spot on post!

[@tallmike6598]

That is why they have lost a lot of old school fans.. I'd much rather watch a good local short track race..

[@Foxdidnothingwrong]

​@@tallmike6598 the old fans are what are holding back nascar because you boomers won't accept anything new like dirt Bristol and the street course

[@tallmike6598]

​@@Foxdidnothingwrong I love dirt racing grew up next to a 1/4 mile dirt track in upstate NY watching big block modifieds. South of me down in PA are some of the best sprint car racers in the whole country so I'm all about dirt racing in any form any type car. As for the street course I'm all about that too. Street course or road course it doesn't matter to me, Watkins Glen is like a second home. NASCAR has only themselves to blame for its current state because they are the ones that turned great racing into pro wrestling on wheels...

[@hetzlerracing5490]

2003 was the last legitimate champion in NASCAR. The sport has been circling the bowl ever since they changed the points system.

[@_dell137]

Nah 2017 was deserving for truex. 78 had the field covered that year

[@bryonkidder6199]

I actually thought it was after NASCAR suspended Kenseth for wrecking Logano at Martinsville is when things started to change...lol

[@teebob21]

The entire reason to have a points system is to minimize the randomness of a single race having a disproportionate impact on a given driver. The champion would be the driver with the best overall season performance, within the rules and rewards of the points system. So NASCAR being NASCAR, they went to a system where are single race is the difference between being a season champion or being a footnote. I'd love to see the sport go back to a system that rewards not only season-long performance but also in-race strategy and aggression to the front. 1 point per place, up to 40 points for the winner, and 1 point for last place. 10 bonus points for winning the race. 2 bonus points for qualifying on the pole, 1 bonus point for qualifying in the Top Ten. 1 bonus point for leading any single lap, 3 bonus points for leading the most laps. 1 bonus point for finishing on the lead lap. 2 bonus points for a stage win, and 1 point each for finishing a stage in the Top Ten...but NO stage cautions, EVER. Now, qualifying matters again. Getting to the front to lead matters again. Leading consistently matters again. Staying on the lead lap matters again. Stages matter in the middle of the race, even if you're fighting for 8th.

[@WarthunderDude69]

Idgaf what you say Jimmie Johnson is a legit 7 time champion no matter how you try and spin it.

[@obamabigears734]

@@_dell137 Truex who?

[@Sam-zb3ho]

Man, Robbie seems like such an awesome, down to earth guy.

[@kristenwhite2701]

Everyone is when they’re on this podcast. So fun to see the different personalities and hear all the stories. I love it when so many have Dale Sr stories Jr has never heard

[@chief3378]

The story about Robby and Matt building shocks that's pretty funny

[@BadGrandpa2024]

This Robbie Reiser interview is awesome!, Definately in the top 10 best of Dirty Mo history and I've watched them all, Robbie Reiser's detailed recollection of events along with Dale Jr's brings back so many memories from way back then. Time has flown by it seems like such a long time ago now, truly the tail end of the "Glory Years" for NASCAR and an end of an era in American History and Televised Motor Sports.

[@d.w.5551]

Maybe most exciting guest ever. The excitment & enthusiasm Robbie exhibited while talking about the '90's & 2000's was very moving. What a great time they must of had!

[@eliaspolychronopoulos4333]

Prior to 2004, NASCAR had 5 different champions in the past 5 years. Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Matt Kenseth. Apparently this wasn't competitive enough for NASCAR which is crazy. So they implemented the chase and started receiving the same champions over and over again. In an effort to chase parody, NASCAR killed its own parody.

[@kharnthebetrayer1575]

At least Tony and Marks duel came down to the last race. The others where petty boring. Hell jeff had 400 points over Tony in 2nd . And Matt made it a Snoozefest.

[@eliaspolychronopoulos4333]

@@kharnthebetrayer1575 if I remember correctly, at no point did I ever feel that Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. in second and third in points were ever out of it completely. Another bad race or two by Kenseth and they are right back in it. Granted, not every single Championship battle we're going to be very exciting, but that point system did a far better job at crowning a legitimate Champion than the current point system ever did.

[@teebob21]

"Parity" The English language is dying faster than NASCAR.

[@CC.94]

Well said.

[@eliaspolychronopoulos4333]

@@teebob21 good, Let It Die

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Matt Kenseth did nothing wrong in 2003, NASCAR got all butthurt and changed to what they are nowadays since 2004 and made their system worse since. They should be mad at Ryan Newman for having his struggles besides having 8 wins. Matt was just the better driver. That’s auto racing, baby

[@jackkeithley4934]

PRetty much. Exact same with Jeff Gordon in 1996, who won 10 races and Terry Labonte, won one or two races that year and Terry won.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

@@jackkeithley4934 exactly. Terry’s season was just cleaner

[@zt5547]

Ironically, Newman later made the finals and was 1 position away from winning a championship despite 0 win season.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

@@zt5547 you’re talking to the wrong guy about the chase

[@jackkeithley4934]

@@zt5547 Yeah and that is the big consequence of the chase and playoff format. I was so rooting for Newman to win that. Not that I am a fan of his but if he did, could you imagine the uproar? I am certain NASCAR would of had to change the rules again had that happen.

[@jafopt]

Just noticed 18 minutes into this video I’ve been smiling the whole time. I’m not even a NASCAR guy but love these videos.

[@bbrcummins1984]

Wholesome is the word Dale not homley 😅😅😅😅

[@Angie-Pants]

"wholesome" + "comely" = "homely"! 😂

[@tjnak]

Jr. your humility is so grounded. It comes from hard learned lessons. Thank you for sharing this with us. Be well.

[@Gael78II]

Jr is pretty homely, if I do say so myself.

[@gonetrucking396]

Bring back the old points , and the fans will come back

[@jeffb2456]

So glad that Robbie, Matt, Dale Jr and others were a part of NASCAR prior to 2004 and NASCAR pissing it all away. There’s a huge difference in the talent back then and now.

[@rydplrs71]

Knowing someone who setup a late model for Matt for a single race I can attest he did his own shock setups. The car remained fast for several races afterwards until an unfortunate incident with a bumper then a wall.

[@stymiesnerdly771]

Documenting the death of NASCAR. Love it! I was a huge Kenseth fan and loved watching him & Jr battle together coming up through the ranks. It’s a shame NASCAR decided that consistency does not determine a champion. In other news, IndyCar has been fantastic the last couple decades. Can’t say I miss NASCAR. The rare occasions I watch, it’s utterly disappointing.

[@Artessnow]

It’s ironic that Nascar got the playoffs idea from the Hooters Pro Cup Series and many years later Jr. would go on to own that series with the Cars Tour.

[@wysetech2000]

He sure is an upbeat guy. I knew of him but this is the most I have ever seen him.

[@twoblacklabs904]

I never realized the Championship Banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in NY was so screwed up as to not permit the winning team and their families to enjoy that monumental achievement together. I understand now why they moved the NASCAR Cup Banquet to a different city and to a much bigger convention venue.

[@quasimoto7662]

What a mistake that ended up being for the sport. Not Kenseth’s championship but changing the system that drastically All they had to do was award like 10 more points to the winner.

[@j_prince_67]

They didn’t have to do anything they should have just kept it as is

[@brandynhenry7107]

2007-2010 scoring was like that. They figured out the minor tweak after they completely retooled the car though. I would have just made it 200 to win to 170 for 2nd. Winning should be highly weighted just not to the point where wreckers or checkers still rewards you

[@mikebartosch9892]

Robbie sounds like he is having a great time, remember and talking about the team. To this day, there has never been a rookie class that put asses in the seats and eyes on the track like Dale and Matt.

[@frsty5783]

Always liked Robbie...great history in the sport. Great dude, great conversation.

[@theexterminator6704]

Matt Kenseth will always be the last true Cup Series champion. And he’s a hell of a person, got to meet him at a charity golf outing almost 6 years ago and he couldn’t be any nicer, signed everything I brought him.

[@bryonkidder6199]

RIP...Adam Petty May 12, 2000

[@thomaspritchard6571]

Now that was a GREAT Podcast!!! Katie, Dale's maturity in knowing what a word means before you use it, conversation with your biggest competition, laughing about mistakes, and showing Respect to this day to one another, Excellent Content Yes Sir!

[@HOTRODN]

Really Good Interview. I Was Big In 90s and 2000s and had no clue how cool Robbie and Matt were. Great Show.

[@rob924egan2]

Matt was so consistent in 03 that he only won one race that year (Vegas) to win the championship!

[@markgentry6688]

I learn something evertime i I watch you guys. Thank you guys so much !

[@garyelrod8856]

Always enjoy all the videos! Down to earth and informative! Really like em! A fan forever!

[@allenkarnes29]

Hey Dale I really liked you saying you know Clay Rogers real well I thought that was a great shout out! Clay was a wheel man that never really got a shot at it, to bad, I think he would have been successful! Love that podcast Robbie is a class act and hell of a man for putting Kenseth in the seat!

[@rgtug1]

Everyone needs to listen to this whole interview with Reiser. Its one of the best. Thanks to the dirty mo media for doing this one.

[@scotthovland7380]

I grew up in Milwaukee and was a fan of Robbies dad at Hales Corners Speedway🏁

[@ElPhenomenon]

I never understood how Matt’s pitcrew always was a full second faster then anyone else’s .

[@dahc2035]

Wisconsin is the gem for asphalt racing a lot of people don't understand that

[@officialzacht]

Hard working Wisconsin gentleman

[@yellowstoneloyal8186]

That rule change robbed Jeff Gordon of championships

[@CurlyHairQA]

At least 2.

[@Tommy23269]

And Harvick 3 titles

[@hangmann747tinmann8]

True to a point!, the other half of that is that Hendrick moved a lot a energy over to Johnson.

[@Foxdidnothingwrong]

If Jeff was so good he would have won regardless of the points systems

[@hangmann747tinmann8]

@@Foxdidnothingwrong yea, that's not true, take Jimmy Johnsons last cup championship, no where close to the top in points at the start of the playoffs, managed to squeak by into the final four, ran 15th all day in Miami, then in the last 1/4 of the race makes one spring rubber change and his car comes to life. Then on a very bad, and VERY controversial call, Nascar calls a caution for NO reason, and he somehow gets out in front of carl edwards (who had lead the whole race) to win the championship. Thus the best driver didn't win the championship. See what Nascar wanted was much like football, win and your in. The best football team rarely wins the big game. The Raiders won the SB one year being the lowest ranked wild card team that year (back when the wild card was a true wild card) While Johnson is a very good driver, he is no Dale Sr. or Richard Petty, he definitely knew how to work that playoff system, or should I say Chad Kinous did! Jeff was use to the old system of points consistency. Now a days wins are everything. This years points leaders all have DNF's, you just didn't have DNF's back then, you did anything to make that car run. DNF's are just not a big deal anymore.

[@scottbridger296]

Masterclass on the best era of NASCAR. Great drivers and sound relationships and sportsmanship. Chasing the playoffs weakened the series

[@psinclairjr]

Who could forget that smile on that pitbox.

[@stevewoolery9083]

Awesome show Saw you win your first Busch and cup race at Texas

[@ryanmorrison3699]

All points systems have their advantages and drawbacks. In the end, there really is no “right” or “wrong” way to crown your champion. It all comes down to personal preference, especially from a fan perspective. I loved the old Winston system, but I’ve found every iteration of the Chase/Playoffs to be enjoyable as well IMHO.

[@7viewerlogic670]

Great video!

[@ro-06]

I was there in 2000. Fan of Kenneth for long time. Left there at midnight . Whas back in NH by 7PM.

[@charlesbarry7479]

Thank you for the great interview. But I feel sad because you reminded me of the end of NASCAR.

[@JWD26]

Jamie McMurray would have finished 3rd in points in 2004 without the stupid chase. Miss ya JMac

[@mikesowell7969]

How did Matt have Mark Martin’s attention so early on in his racing career?

[@longjohn526]

Mark Martin was Rousch Racing and the proof of that is look at what happened once he left Rousch ...... He was the glue that held everything together and I'm hoping Keselowski can bring that back but that's a tall order because there is only one Mark Martin

[@Gael78II]

I want to say Matt got on Mark's radar through the ASA Series, if I remember correctly.

[@mikesowell7969]

@@Gael78II thanks!

[@billarvidson5125]

Mark Martin came to Wisconsin alot in his early years to race the short tracks. I remember him and Dick Trickle battle each other at Wisconsin Dells all the time. Best short track drivers in the world. Dave Marcus, Alan Kulwicki, Jay Sauter, Ted Musgrave and now Derek Krause and Natalie Decker. I think I read over 60 drivers from Wisconsin have raced in Nascar's top 3 series.

[@Kyle_Bush_Fan8]

Matt needs to be on this show!!!!

[@chrisfoxwell4128]

If i was responsible for the playoff nonsense i don't think I'd brag about it.

[@TyCathey]

It seems like nascar only changes the rules when the rules dont work in their favor. In the 2016 championship race at homestead they screwed carl edwards with a bullshit caution. They screwed him outta a title twice.

[@tripprogers4814]

I used to think that the word “homely“ meant the exact same thing Dale Junior did back then, and it got me in trouble too… Lol

[@EfBEye888]

Holy hell I thought that was Matt sitting there.

[@MLV3645]

First time me n my brother saw Matt ( racing his Super Late Model ) @ Madison , ( when he was 17/18YO ) we both looked at eachother and BOTH said “ THIS KID HAS IT “

[@ad206]

It didn't force NASCAR to do anything.

[@frankielasvegas5756]

One of the best crew chiefs ever.

[@johnnysechrist6313]

I thought all Tarheels knew what "Homely was..LOL Even us Randolph county guys.

[@chrisnielsen4241]

GOOD JOB

[@TheTheratfarmer]

When Matt K.(no sponser) beat Tony S. (shell sponsor) at Rokingham bush race. The look on all of thier faces, lol.

[@sahholsteins1]

Idk what year (2002 or 2003 it was but Dale Jr. And matt Kenseth were in our little small town "shooters" in ossian iowa (pop 800).and they stayed at Chase the adventure. I think it waa something for Featherlite trailers in nearly Cresco Iowa

[@Frank-the-Tank-13]

I feel like this points system now is like a god dam soap opera

[@jesuschristislord6790]

Those rule changes ruined NASCAR. The playoffs was the worst thing Nascar has ever done.

[@michaelmchugh2923]

QUESTION?? Mike DAVIS on the bracket challenge, do you only pick driver's one time in the beginning before Kansas ? Or do you re pick the remaining driver's for Darlington? It looks like you pick once and it runs itself for you.

[@JSkunk3223]

I would be okay going back to the old points or variation of it today. Playoffs are annoying. It’s sometimes a whos hot whos not moment in the last several weeks. The sport would be just fine with out it. We do t need to be the NFL, NBA, MLB. I only watch the last round of those sports bc the playoffs are long, drawn out, and way to many games.

[@ATK10155]

Robbie sounds like a Canadian George Lopez

[@oldermusiclover]

oh Jr open mouth insert foot sounds like something I would do

[@mikerentchler6889]

In my mind, the playoff concept in all sports (good/bad; in my mind bad) was hatched decades ago from what professional sports saw in collegiate level tournaments. While appropriate at that level due to number of teams, professional sports (i.e. baseball, football, etc.) saw the perceived opportunity for big end-of-season crowd draw to add this type of format making more $$$ while diluting the importance of the regular season performance, & allowing the opportunity for mediocre teams to have a “hot streak” at the end a season and win the “big prize”. Unfortunately, in my opinion, NASCAR has fell victim to the same $$$.

[@merrillvp]

Yes you stand up in a wedding Mike

[@trobbins88]

In my opinion, NASCAR would win a lot of fans back if they just went back to the old championship format...most points wins. Never really been a fan of the Chase. Stop trying to change this rule or that rule to create competition.

[@tidelovinyankee1368]

NASCAR should never have changed the points system. The old system rewarded consistency over an entire season. In NASCAR you run against all of your competitors every week, unlike stick and ball sports in which you play against one team per game, and perhaps two thirds of the teams over an entire system.

[@brandynhenry7107]

People lose sight the original point of a playoff was schedule incongruities. There's no incongruenties when the whole league plays against each other every week lol

[@ralphhorst3682]

The way Matt ended his career with NASCAR really was a disappointment. It seemed as NASCAR couldn’t give a dam about Matt!

[@walterdanner6372]

NASCAR has always been shitty if you were fan favorite

[@MikeCameramike]

need name plates - who are you talking with? really like your show!

[@BIGBURT]

Robbie Reiser

[@MikeCameramike]

@@BIGBURT and other shows

[@robertconklin4657]

NASCAR changed the rules to keep Hendrick and Chevrolet strong

[@williamcampbell6589]

The chase still sucks. It ruined Nascar for me.

[@bryonkidder6199]

The new points system ruined NASCAR racing to you?

[@williamcampbell6589]

@@bryonkidder6199 that plus stage racing. That both suck. Just my opion. A lot of people like the chase and stage racing. I'm old school. I don't.

[@robertconklin4657]

Too bad Junior wasn’t able to get DEI. Who knows how many races he would have won. All those guys went over to Hendrick

[@seang1948]

Matt earned that Championship the way your supposed to....Consistently. Win and your in is a friggin joke. Takes spots away from more deserving drivers

[@markcrew3696]

Don't worry Dale I did the same thing I called a girl that I was seeing homely didn't even know really what it meant. Needless to say that ended that. Like you said today I do know the definition of homely.

[@ajdahun]

Junior has never been a wordsmith, he’d even agree with me if he knew what wordsmith means. “Homely” proves it.

[@walterdanner6372]

Get off junebugs nuts! He's truly a hella nice dude

[@walterdanner6372]

Get off junebugs nuts, he's definitely a hella good dude

[@ajdahun]

@@walterdanner6372 never stated he wasn't. Try reading for comprehension?

[@patmcassey6465]

I made this exact mistake with my high school girlfriend. Haven’t used the word homely since

[@djdrew24v28]

Where’s bloomquists die cast!?

[@tmr3513]

Robbie's Wisconsin accent is really apparent the longer I listen to him speak. Why do they all speak like that? Is it the beer?

[@kylee315]

Great show, now get jimmy fenning on the show.

[@QSRSimulations]

Mike is so annoying omg

[@BIGBURT]

Right, like what was the point of bringing that up

[@d.w.5551]

I thought I was the only one who thought this. He can. And does ruin the flow of so many guests.

[@QSRSimulations]

@@BIGBURT dude was literally just trying to stir the pot. I couldn’t go on this podcast if I was famous because I’d be enjoying my convo with Junior only for Mike to try to spark conflict 😂 Mike makes me laugh sometimes but majority of the time he gets on my nerves

[@walterdanner6372]

I second that sir

[@walterdanner6372]

Nerverackin mike

[@JohnReedy07163]

Legitimately, the worst change the sport ever made

[@terryhall907]

. Will someone PLEASE TELL ME WHERE THE ORANGE BUTTON IS ON PC???

[@racecar157]

am i the only one not familiar with the word homely either

[@j_prince_67]

The last real champion

[@markbulva4188]

Nascar drive this fan away. Not the teams or the drivers. It was nascar the body

[@willshamblin2728]

I agree with Robbie. The man with the most points at the end of the season won the championship. The play off crap was the beginning of the end of NASCAR popularity. Go back to traditional racing.

[@magdump7380]

He was so dominant that he won only one race.

[@TroySteele17]

I to have made the homely mistake.. I thought I was complimenting the Lady & felt so bad.

[@kristinmoore4624]

Dominance? No, Jeff's 98 season was dominant. 2003 was a snooze fest but I think the chase was an overreaction they'll never recover from.

[@JJA1987]

Not dominant at all just lucky with a massive point lead - That is the reason for the point system changing

[@stephenbreen7570]

The playoffs removed the legitimacy of the Championship...

[@TheReilNeil]

Nascar overreacted to a 1 win champion and created a system that saw Matt Crafton win a championship with a winless season. 2003 was the last legitimate championship.

[@kristinmoore4624]

The chase and segments killed nascar. Don't get me started on the cookie-cutter cars they drive today.

[@TheTheratfarmer]

Homely means natural, basic and real. Not made up- natural state. Open your mouth, no. lol.

[@dalebrooks304]

And ruined NASCAR

[@walterdanner6372]

Wholesomehomely

[@Rob_Moilanen]

I gave it a couple of years after you're dad died, then you got hurt and subsequently retired, I was done with the shitshow after that. I keep up with the drivers I pull for, but other than that I couldn't care less about the shitshow.

[@FJB8646]

I stopped watching soon after the chase format started.

[@marklane7106]

NASCAR talks about getting back to grass roots of racing, start by going back to the original point system.

[@dalebrooks304]

And ruined NASCAR