Ford can clinch at Atlanta UPDATE clinched and Stuff: Ford can clinch its third manufacturer’s championship in the last four years and 15th overall by finishing first, second or third among the four car makes in Sunday’s race. The only way Ford will not clinch the title in Atlanta is if Chevrolet wins and Ford finishes fourth among the manufacturers. A Ford has not won on the Atlanta track since Dale Jarrett’s Taurus took the checkered flag in the 1997 spring race, the last event run before the track was redesigned.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(10-24-2002) UPDATE the NAPA 500 at AMS was won by #97-Kurt Busch driving a Ford, thus clinching the Manufacturers Championship for Ford. For standings and race by race coverage, see my Manufacturers Championship page.(10-27-2002) STUFF – facts: Kurt Busch’s first-place finish the NAPA 500 enabled Ford Racing to clinch the 2002 manufacturer’s championship. Ford now holds an insurmountable 26-point lead over second-place Chevrolet with three races remaining. The championship marks the third time in Taurus’ five-year history that Ford has won the manufacturer’s top prize and 15th overall. Ford’s depth proved to be a key factor this season as 9-of-13 full-time drivers scored points, led by Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch. Those three have been Ford’s highest finisher six times each. Tidbits: Ford has won the manufacturer’s championship three times in the last four years (1999, 2000, 2002). Ford is the only manufacturer to have at least one car finish in the Top 5 of every race. Ford has had only one fourth-place manufacturer finish and has been either first or second 27 times. Ford has won a series-best six manufacturer’s championships since 1992. Ford has had nine different drivers score manufacturer points. Season Highlights Ford leads the NASCAR Winston Cup Series with 12 wins. Ford driver Matt Kenseth leads all drivers with four wins this season. Ford has had six different drivers win races most among manufacturers. Ford drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman registered their first series wins. Ford’s Pevious Manufacturer Championships (Modern Era Only) 1992 Clinched at North Wilkesboro by Geoffrey Bodine (Won Holly Farms 400) 1994 Clinched at Martinsville by Rusty Wallace (Won Goody’s 500) 1997 Clinched at Martinsville by Jeff Burton (Won Hanes 500) 1999 Clinched at Phoenix by Mark Martin (Finished 2nd in Checker Auto Parts/DuraLube 500K) 2000 Clinched at Rockingham by Dale Jarrett (Won Pop Secret 400) 2002 Clinched at Atlanta by Kurt Busch (Won NAPA 500) Ford Drivers Who Scored Manufacturer’s Points This Season: #17-Matt Kenseth (six times); #12-Ryan Newman (six times); #97-Kurt Busch (six times); #2-Rusty Wallace (four times); #6-Mark Martin (three times); #88-Dale Jarrett (three times); #28-Ricky Rudd (two times); #21-Elliott Sadler (two times); #99-Jeff Burton (once). Ford’s Manufacturer Championship Seasons (15): 1956, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002.(Ford Racing), for standings and race by race coverage, see my Manufacturers Championship page(10-29-2002)
