2003 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 (March)

File:Atlanta_Motor_Speedway.svg, the venue where the race was held.]]

Atlanta Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta International Raceway) is a track in Hampton, Georgia, 20 miles (32 km) south of Atlanta. It is a 1.54-mile (2.48 km) quad-oval track with a seating capacity of 111,000. It opened in 1960 as a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track. In 1997, to standardize the track with Speedway Motorsports' other two 1.5-mile (2.4 km) ovals, the entire track was almost completely rebuilt. The frontstretch and backstretch were swapped, and the configuration of the track was changed from oval to quad-oval. The project made the track one of the fastest on the NASCAR circuit.

Originally, three practice sessions were going to be held, with one on Friday and two on Saturday. However, fog on Saturday would force NASCAR to combine the two practices on Saturday into one session.

The first practice session was held on Friday, March 7, at 11:20 AM EST, and would last for 2 hours. Ryan Newman of Penske Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.895 and an average speed of {{Convert|191.867|mph|km/h}}.{{Cite web|date=|title=NASCAR.com - Races - 2003 Atlanta 1 Practice 1 Results|url=http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/4/data/practice1_speeds.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209023058/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/4/data/practice1_speeds.html|archive-date=2005-02-09|access-date=2022-01-10|website=NASCAR.com}}

The second and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, March 8, at 10:15 AM EST, and would last for one hour and 45 minutes.{{Cite web|date=|title=Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2003 Atlanta 1 Race Info Page|url=http://www.jayski.com/next/2003/2003atlanta1.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206162027/https://www.jayski.com/next/2003/2003atlanta1.htm|archive-date=2005-02-06|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Jayski's Silly Season Site}} Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.570 and an average speed of {{Convert|187.487|mph|km/h}}.{{Cite web|date=|title=NASCAR.com - Races - 2003 Atlanta 1 Practice 2 Results|url=http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/4/data/practice2_speeds.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209023236/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2003/4/data/practice2_speeds.html|archive-date=2005-02-09|access-date=2022-01-10|website=NASCAR.com}}

Qualifying was held on Friday, March 7, at 3:05 PM EST. 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 champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.{{Cite web|date=|title=Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2003 Provisional Land Page|url=http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/2003prov.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204083118/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2003/2003prov.htm|archive-date=2005-02-04|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Jayski's Silly Season Site}}

Ryan Newman of Penske Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 31.211 and an average speed of {{Convert|173.016|mph|km/h}}.{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=2003-03-08|title=PLUS: AUTO RACING; Newman Wins Pole For Race in Atlanta|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/08/sports/plus-auto-racing-newman-wins-pole-for-race-in-atlanta.html|access-date=2022-01-10|issn=0362-4331}}

Two drivers would fail to qualify: Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Jeff Fultz.

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Category:2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Category:NASCAR races at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Category:March 2003 sports events in the United States

Category:2003 in sports in Georgia (U.S. state)