More of this Feature • Part 2: Rushing To Catch Up

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Dateline: February 10, 2003

NASCAR Winston Cup racing features some new looks this year as Chevrolet is introducing an all-new Monte Carlo for its race teams, all of the manufacturers have a new nose and NASCAR itself has changed to a common body position and template. How has that affected NASCAR so far?

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is the first real test of the new Winston Cup 2003 body changes. While it's far from conclusive evidence, it certainly is a clue as to where the different manufacturers currently stand.

Bowties Ones To Beat

The early returns are in and clearly the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a winner. Strong off-season testing performance had teams excited and now we know why. The Bowtie Bunch have an excellent race car for the 2003 season.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had the car to beat during the Bud Shootout with fellow Chevy driver Jeff Gordon leading the other line to a solid second. Dale Jr. made some very strong moves late in the race. He was able to pass with a lot less help than the others.

Now Daytona 500 qualifying is in the books and the story is much the same. Monte Carlos sit in the top four spots and six of the top eight. Clearly the Chevy drivers have nothing to complain about. As usual, the DEI and Hendrick drivers should be the guys to beat at Daytona.

Dodge Definitely Strong

The Dodge R/T gang are off to a solid start as well. They were well represented in final finishing order of the Bud Shootout, claiming three of the top six spots.

Their qualifying effort wasn't quite as strong, but that's more of a factor of the younger motor program than it is the body changes. The R/T seems to draft well and I'm confident that we'll see Dodge drivers Sterling Marlin and Jamie McMurray near the front for a good portion of Sunday's race.

Rusty Wallace may well figure in there too with his new Dodge, but problems during the Shootout and a weak qualifying effort leaves a lot of questions about his potential on Sunday.

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