Petty Has Been Named Honorary Starter And Gordon The Grand Marshal For The Oct. 28 Pep Boys Auto 500
Commemorating the 15th anniversary of what many call the single greatest race in NASCAR history, Jeff Gordon will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Oct. 28 Pep Boys Auto 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, giving the command for the drivers to start their engines. Joining Gordon in pre-race honors, Richard Petty has been named as the race’s honorary starter, waving the green flag and signaling the start of the race.
The fall race at AMS on Nov. 15, 1992, saw seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty take the checkered flag for the final time in his long, storied career and 21-year-old rookie driver Jeff Gordon take the green flag for his first start in a NEXTEL Cup Series event.
“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, ” Petty said. “It was my last race, Jeff Gordon’s first race and the championship battle came down to just a few points. I will never forget that day in Atlanta and it is an honor to serve at the Honorary Starter in October. “
In recognition of his 15th anniversary in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and his 31st start at AMS, Gordon will give the infamous command, “Gentlemen, start your engines, ” prior to the start of the Pep Boys Auto 500.
“It’s an honor to give the command prior to the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway—the track where my NASCAR Cup Series career began 15 years ago, ” said Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet. “For the first time, the entire crowd may actually cheer for something I did. “
Adding to the fanfare of Petty’s last ride, the championship points battle came down to a mere 10-point deficit with eventual champion Alan Kulwicki beating Bill Elliott for the title. Petty’s day ended with a fiery crash on lap 95, but he came back to complete the final three laps, eventually taking the checkered flag.
While Petty’s career ended, Jeff Gordon was just shifting out of first gear. To date, the California native has earned 79 victories, including four at AMS, 310 top-10 finishes and four championships in NASCAR’s elite series.
“A lot of great things have happened to me at Atlanta Motor Speedway, ” Gordon said. “We won our first Busch Grand National race there. I sat on the pole that day and Rick Hendrick just happened to be watching. If he hadn’t been watching, he might not have hired me. The track has been real good to us. ”
UPDATE: October 27, 2007 07:59 am
Fifteen years ago next month at Atlanta Motor Speedway, site of this Sunday’s Pep Boys Auto 500 (1 p. m. ET, ABC), 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 Cup champion Richard Petty took the checkered flag for the final time in his storied career, while 21-year-old rookie driver Jeff Gordon made his first career start in NASCAR’s top racing series. That afternoon, The King made his 1,185th and final 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.
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, although Elliott won the race with Kulwicki finishing second.
“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, ” Petty said.
“It’s an honor to give the command prior to the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway—the track where my Cup Series career began 15 years ago, ” Gordon said. “For the first time, the entire crowd may actually cheer for something I did. ” NASCAR.com
Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon will be honored at Atlanta Speedway
This Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be the 15th anniversary of what has to be considered one of the greatest if not the greatest race in the history of NASCAR Racing.
The King’s final ride and the championship battle was definitely enough to set this race apart but unknown to everyone in attendance and watching that day, a star was being born when a young 21-year-old rookie by the name of Jeff Gordon took the green flag. As it turned out, Petty had someone to pass his torch to that day and this Sunday when the two of them return to the site of that famous race both will be honored for their part in that historic event.
Gordon will serve as the Grand Marshall for the Pep Boys Auto 500 and will give the command for the drivers to start their engines. Petty will also be involved in the start of the race as he has been named the race’s honorary starter, waving the green flag to begin the race.
It will be emotional for both drivers as they look back at that day for different reasons. Gordon will not get to caught up in the hoopla surrounding the event, as he has to stay focus on protecting his lead in this year’s point chase as he goes for his fifth title. As for Petty, when he waves the flag to start the race, you can’t blame him if his eyes get a little misty behind his ever- present sunglasses. In so many ways he is still the poster boy for the sport and even though he may deny it, you can’t help but believe that he would like to be buckled in one more time and trade a little paint. News-Expressky.com
That race was also the farewell to competition for NASCAR King Richard Petty, the biggest star in the sport and winner of seven championships and 200 races.
The late Dale Earnhardt is the only other seven-time champion, and only the long-retired David Person, with 105 wins, has gotten into triple figures with Petty, who is now a team owner.
Unfortunately, Petty ended his 35-year career on a downer, crashing and completing only 93 of 328 laps, finishing 39th in his 1,185th and final start.
“Looking back, it was a race that will always be a significant part of NASCAR history,’’ Petty said. That race was also the farewell to competition for NASCAR King Richard Petty, the biggest star in the sport and winner of seven championships and 200 races.
The late Dale Earnhardt is the only other seven-time champion, and only the long-retired David Person, with 105 wins, has gotten into triple figures with Petty, who is now a team owner.
Unfortunately, Petty ended his 35-year career on a downer, crashing and completing only 93 of 328 laps, finishing 39th in his 1,185th and final start.
“Looking back, it was a race that will always be a significant part of NASCAR history,’’ Petty said. CNN.com
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