Fifteen years ago next month at Atlanta Motor Speedway, site of this Sunday’s Pep Boys Auto 500, a legendary era of NASCAR racing was coming to a close while a new chapter was being ushered in.
Looking back on it now, the fall race at Atlanta on Nov. 15, 1992 was quite a historic event. Seven-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Richard Petty took the checkered flag for the final time in his storied career, while 21-year-old rookie driver Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont/Nicorette Chevrolet) made his first career start in NASCAR’s top racing series. That afternoon saw “The King” make his 1,185th and final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup start, spanning a 35-year career of racing that featured a record 200 victories. It didn’t matter that Petty finished 35th that day or that Gordon finished 31st.
Fast forward 15 years and Gordon’s legend continues to evolve. The current points leader in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup is seeking his fifth series championship and the 82nd victory of his career as the circuit heads to this ultra-fast 1.54-mile oval located on the outskirts of Atlanta.
Atlanta Motor Speedway will recognize Petty and Gordon at this Sunday’s event. Gordon will serve as the Grand Marshal, while Petty will be in the role of the Honorary Starter. The race is also the 15th anniversary of one of NASCAR’s most memorable races, as the 1992 championship battle came down to a slim 10-point deficit with Alan Kulwicki edging out Bill Elliott for the title.
“Looking back on that race in November, 1992 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, it was a race that will always be a significant part of NASCAR history, ” said Petty.
“It’s an honor to give the command prior to the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway – the track where my NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series career began 15 years ago, ” said Gordon. “For the first time, the entire crowd may actually cheer for something I did. ”
Gordon is in the throes of putting together one of the finest seasons of his stellar career. He enters the sixth event in the 2007 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup with a 53-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet). Gordon has posted six wins this year and his 81 victories are sixth best all-time. With two victories and five top fives through the first six races in the Chase, Gordon has clearly established himself as the man to beat for the 2007 title.
“We’re always trying to gain, but if we can’t gain, then we want to maintain or keep it to a minimum, ” said Gordon following his third-place finish last Sunday at Martinsville. “I’m excited about going to Atlanta. It’s a good track for us; there are a lot of good tracks left for us. Any top-five finish, in my opinion, is a good one right now. ”
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