03/24/2017 – As we maintain the theme of restrictor plate racing…
Pontiac’s last restrictor plate race was the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on September 28, 2003 (this was a month prior to the announcement of Pontiac’s withdrawal from NASCAR).
The decline in performance from 2002’s levels (Joe Gibbs Racing had switched over to Chevrolet for 2003) continued to be in evidence as 2 out of 5 Pontiacs fielded failed to qualify (Kevin Lepage in the McClure Kodak Grand Prix and Jason Leffler in Gene Haas’ NetZero Hi Speed Grand Prix). Of the 3 remaining Pontiacs that did qualify, the highest qualifier was Ricky Craven (17th) in Cal Wells’ Tide Grand Prix who also was the highest finishing Pontiac (8th, which turned out to be Pontiac’s final top-10 finish at a restrictor plate as well as Craven’s last career Cup top-10); Johnny Benson Jr had a miserable day in James Rocco’s Valvoline Grand Prix as he started and finished 41st, and Mike Skinner started 28th and finished 27th in Nelson Bowers’ USG Sheetrock Grand Prix. Craven was the only finisher on the lead lap; Pontiac led no laps on the day.
Pontiac Racing 