| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 26 of 36 in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series | |||
 The 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 program cover, featuring several Looney Tunes sponsored cars. | |||
| Date | September 7, 2002 | ||
| Official name | 45th Annual Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 with The Looney Tunes | ||
| Location | Richmond, Virginia, Richmond International Raceway | ||
| Course |
Permanent racing facility 0.75 mi (1.21 km) | ||
| Distance | 400 laps, 300 mi (482.803 km) | ||
| Scheduled Distance | 400 laps, 300 mi (482.803 km) | ||
| Average speed | 94.787 miles per hour (152.545 km/h) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Hendrick Motorsports | ||
| Time | 21.404 | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Ryan Newman | Penske Racing | |
| Laps | 145 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush 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 | ||
The 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 with The Looney Tunes was the 26th stock car race of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 45th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, September 7, 2002, in Richmond, Virginia, at Richmond International Raceway, a 0.75 miles (1.21 km) D-shaped oval. The race took the scheduled 400 laps to complete. At race's end, Matt Kenseth, driving for Roush Racing, would come back from a two-lap deficit to win his fifth career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his fourth of the season.[1][2] To fill out the podium, Ryan Newman of Penske Racing and Jeff Green of Richard Childress Racing would finish second and third, respectively.
Background
Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is a 3/4-mile (1.2 km), D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series. Known as "America's premier short track", it formerly hosted a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, an IndyCar Series race, and two USAC sprint car races.
Entry list
- (R) denotes rookie driver.
Practice
First practice
The first practice session was held on Friday, September 6, at 11:20 AM EST, and lasted for 2 hours.[3] Ryan Newman of Penske Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.279 and an average speed of 126.886 miles per hour (204.203 km/h).[4]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ryan Newman (R) | Penske Racing | Ford | 21.279 | 126.886 |
| 2 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 21.287 | 126.838 |
| 3 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 21.292 | 126.808 |
| Full first practice results | ||||||
Second practice
The second practice session was held on Friday, September 6, at 4:45 PM EST, and lasted for 45 minutes.[3] Jeff Green of Richard Childress Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.577 and an average speed of 125.133 miles per hour (201.382 km/h).[5]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 21.577 | 125.133 |
| 2 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 21.634 | 124.803 |
| 3 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson (R) | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 21.645 | 124.740 |
| Full second practice results | ||||||
Third and final practice
The third and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, September 6, at 6:15 PM EST, and lasted for 45 minutes.[3] Rusty Wallace of Penske Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.590 and an average speed of 125.058 miles per hour (201.261 km/h).[6]
During the session, Jeff Gordon would careen his car into the outside wall in Turn 2, causing substantial damage to his car and forcing Gordon to use a backup. The special Bugs Bunny scheme that was planned to run was instead replaced by Gordon's regular "Flames" scheme, with Gordon saying "We're going to go with the flames. [My firesuit] is about all that is left of Bugs for the day."[7]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 21.590 | 125.058 |
| 2 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 21.618 | 124.896 |
| 3 | 55 | Greg Biffle | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 21.619 | 124.890 |
| Full Happy Hour practice results | ||||||
Qualifying
Qualifying was held on Friday, September 6, 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.[3] 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.[8]
Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports would win the pole, setting a time of 21.404 and an average speed of 126.145 miles per hour (203.011 km/h).[9]
Carl Long was the only driver to fail to qualify.
Full qualifying results
Race results
| Fin[10] | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 400 | 134 | running | 180 | $163,595 |
| 2 | 2 | 12 | Ryan Newman (R) | Penske Racing | Ford | 400 | 145 | running | 180 | $127,340 |
| 3 | 29 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 400 | 2 | running | 145 | $80,930 |
| 4 | 24 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 400 | 0 | running | 160 | $87,205 |
| 5 | 7 | 26 | Todd Bodine | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 155 | $92,142 |
| 6 | 4 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 150 | $87,288 |
| 7 | 6 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 400 | 0 | running | 146 | $92,222 |
| 8 | 13 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 399 | 16 | running | 147 | $89,855 |
| 9 | 3 | 77 | Dave Blaney | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 399 | 0 | running | 138 | $72,655 |
| 10 | 21 | 19 | Jeremy Mayfield | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 399 | 0 | running | 134 | $60,755 |
| 11 | 38 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 399 | 31 | running | 135 | $79,230 |
| 12 | 39 | 14 | Mike Wallace | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Pontiac | 399 | 1 | running | 132 | $52,940 |
| 13 | 1 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson (R) | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 399 | 1 | running | 129 | $52,380 |
| 14 | 33 | 23 | Kenny Wallace | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 399 | 3 | running | 126 | $47,080 |
| 15 | 23 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 399 | 0 | running | 118 | $87,755 |
| 16 | 19 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 399 | 0 | running | 115 | $74,211 |
| 17 | 36 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 399 | 0 | running | 112 | $47,855 |
| 18 | 27 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 399 | 0 | running | 109 | $88,283 |
| 19 | 22 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 398 | 0 | running | 106 | $53,780 |
| 20 | 40 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 398 | 0 | running | 103 | $61,680 |
| 21 | 20 | 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 398 | 0 | running | 100 | $52,805 |
| 22 | 8 | 4 | Mike Skinner | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 398 | 0 | running | 97 | $55,080 |
| 23 | 43 | 02 | Hermie Sadler | SCORE Motorsports | Chevrolet | 398 | 0 | running | 94 | $41,305 |
| 24 | 34 | 7 | Casey Atwood | Ultra-Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 397 | 0 | running | 91 | $52,544 |
| 25 | 28 | 25 | Joe Nemechek | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 397 | 0 | running | 88 | $52,005 |
| 26 | 16 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 397 | 0 | running | 85 | $51,780 |
| 27 | 17 | 44 | Jerry Nadeau | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 397 | 0 | running | 82 | $40,755 |
| 28 | 11 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 397 | 0 | running | 79 | $66,686 |
| 29 | 31 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 397 | 0 | running | 76 | $67,593 |
| 30 | 14 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 396 | 34 | driveshaft | 78 | $88,478 |
| 31 | 12 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 392 | 0 | running | 70 | $60,365 |
| 32 | 18 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 371 | 0 | running | 67 | $86,108 |
| 33 | 37 | 55 | Greg Biffle | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 334 | 12 | running | 69 | $48,295 |
| 34 | 35 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 317 | 0 | running | 61 | $48,235 |
| 35 | 9 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 251 | 0 | crash | 58 | $66,950 |
| 36 | 26 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 217 | 21 | crash | 60 | $48,165 |
| 37 | 42 | 71 | Tim Sauter | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | 215 | 0 | engine | 52 | $40,130 |
| 38 | 41 | 09 | Geoff Bodine | Phoenix Racing | Ford | 116 | 0 | engine | 49 | $40,095 |
| 39 | 15 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 107 | 0 | running | 46 | $84,702 |
| 40 | 10 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 84 | 0 | engine | 43 | $92,953 |
| 41 | 5 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 15 | 0 | crash | 40 | $68,763 |
| 42 | 30 | 41 | Jimmy Spencer | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 8 | 0 | crash | 37 | $39,880 |
| 43 | 32 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | 8 | 0 | crash | 34 | $82,429 |
| Failed to qualify | ||||||||||
| 44 | 51 | Carl Long (R) | Ware Racing Enterprises | Dodge | ||||||
| Official race results | ||||||||||
References
- ↑ Smith, Marty (September 10, 2002). "Kenseth stays out, wins Monte Carlo 400 -". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on September 18, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ↑ Kurz, Hank (September 8, 2002). "Kenseth rules Richmond". Evansville Courier and Press. Associated Press. p. 49. Retrieved April 14, 2002 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site - 2002 Richmond 2 Race Info & Rundown". Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2002.
- ↑ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2002 Richmond 2 Practice 1 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2002.
- ↑ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2002 Richmond 2 Practice 2 Results". NASCAR.com. 2002-10-15. Archived from the original on October 15, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ↑ "NASCAR.com - Races - 2002 Richmond 2 Practice 3 Results". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ↑ Packman, Tim (September 6, 2002). "Gordon to backup after crashing in Happy Hour". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on October 1, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2002.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Packman, Tim (September 6, 2002). "Jimmie Johnson scores Bud Pole at Richmond". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on September 8, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2002.
- ↑ "2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2022-04-12.