After 33 years, Winston decided not to renew its sponsorship. Winston had been the title sponsor for NASCAR since 1971. This was the final year for Winston being the title sponsor of the Cup Series. Ford finished the year third with seven wins and 200 points, and Pontiac finished fourth with one win and 125 points.
Chevrolet took home the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship after capturing 19 wins and 264 points over second-place finisher Dodge, who had nine wins and 203 points. His only win came in the third race of the 36 race season. Despite only winning one race throughout the whole season, Matt Kenseth, driving the No.17 Ford for Roush Racing, was strongly consistent following the lone win, and was crowned the Winston Cup champion. The season began on February 8 at the Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and ended on November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 400.
The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 55th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 32nd modern-era Cup Series season.
