The 2003 Knoxville Nationals
Around Knoxville
Thousands of campers converged on Knoxville.
Some campsites were simpler than others.
This couple rode into town on a cool 3-wheeler with a 350 engine.
The main entrance to the frontstretch grandstand area.
The "Big Red Radio" greets the fans as they enter.
Knoxville Raceway promotor Ralph "Cappi" Capitani
Eldora Speedway promotor Earl Baltes with his buddy Cappi.
Earl tries to show Cappi the proper way to wear his hat.
Fans find a bit of shade on a hot afternoon.
Workers at the "Visit Australia" booth pose with Shane Stewart's car.
Live bands were featured under the grandstands after the races.
Fans enjoy a few laughs and more than a few beers after the races.
No trip to the Knoxville Nationals would be complete without a visit to the Dingus Lounge, which is located accross from the speedway.
The walls inside of Dingus are covered with the signatures of many drivers and fans.
One could spend an entire day looking for the signatures of many notables.
Fun and beverages in the patio section at Dingus.
A DJ keeps the crowd rockin' all day and well into the night.
More fun and beverage on the patio.
Driver Bruce Robenalt dances the night away with his girlfriend Carrie at Dingus.
Sprint great Doug Wolfgang chose to put his remarks on the ceiling.
Ohio race fans enjoying an afternoon at Dingus.
Guys like to line the fence across the street from Dingus in hopes of getting a special "greeting" from the ladies on the patio.
Outside of the Ford tent the Winston Cup car of Ricky Rudd is on display.
A section of the huge grandstands.
The back of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame faces the track in turn 2.
A peculiar looking bicycle with oversized wheels passes by the front of the Hall of Fame.
Sprint car great Jack Hewitt signs a young fan's shirt at the All Star trailer.
Jack Hewitt signed many copies of his outstanding book "Hewitt's Law".
Ted Johnson is now employed by Boundless, who purchased the series from him.
The Goodyear Tire company provided a free mounting service for any driver running Goodyears at Knoxville.
The driver's meeting in the pits prior to the Friday show.
Crew members pose in their grass skirts in the pits next to Jac Haudenschild's Race To Hawaii sprinter.
T-Shirts were available Saturday that featured the A-Main lineup on the back.
Shane Stewart's crew was named as the Best Dressed Crew.
The Karavan/Dolansky car of Jason Meyers was voted as the Best Appearing Car by the media.
A World of Outlaws merchandise trailer.
Knoxville Nationals Queen Patricia Mock, daughter of driver Kim Mock, and her court.
An on-board camera is mounted on Erin Crocker's car for use during the live broadcast on the Speed channel. Several drivers carried these packages, which weighed 22 pounds. Crocker's package also included a helmet-cam.
John Bankston's car is on display in the Media Room.
Drivers Bruce Robenalt, Jan Howard and Chad Kemenah prepare to sign autographs for fans at the All Star trailer.
A Trade Show is set up in a building near the main pit entrance.
Weld Racing was one of a number of manufacturers with displays at the Nationals.
Speedway Ministries provided the spiritual touch to the pits throughout the week.
Some racing teams set up canopies in the pits in order to provide an escape from the hot sun.
NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Tony Stewart explains that he has to keep running in NASCAR because "I have 4 stepchildren to support", referring to his 4 sprintcar teams. Stewart vowed that he would always own sprint car teams as long as he can afford to do so. Stewart said that Lasoski's win was bigger than anything that could possibly happen on Sunday.