Double Clutchin’-When’s The Last Time NASCAR Had A Great Moment?
Written by Rocky Kitts · May 15, 2008
Let me explain.
I just finished reading Joe Garner’s, book-Speed, Guts, and Glory: 100 Unforgettable Moments In NASCAR History, and while I found it an excellent read, it also turned my thoughts in another direction, and prompted me to ask the following question:
When is the last time that NASCAR had a truly great moment? And by great, I mean a moment so big that it transcends the sport and becomes the talk of the entire sports community. Something so big that ESPN actually spends time talking about it, instead of talking about whose crew chief got caught for cheating, or about when will Junior finally break through and win another race. It could be one shining moment, or it could be the perfect storm of events, that results in a remarkable season for one remarkable driver.
Garner’s book had some great moments listed, moments that took me back in time; like:
- Richard Petty’s 200th win at the 1984 Firecracker 400. This may be the first race that I actually remember watching, and even at eight years old, you could just tell that this was a huge deal. Even people who don’t know what NASCAR is about, would have no problem picking Petty out of a line-up of sports stars, and this race had everything it needed. A record was reached that will never be broken, the president (Reagan) attended a NASCAR event for the first time, and Petty beat old rival Cale Yarborough for the win.
- The death of Dale Earnhardt. Not a positive moment for NASCAR, but in terms of an event that will always be a part of the sport, the death of the Man in Black may be the most well-known and important moment in NASCAR history. Not only did NASCAR lose the face of it’s sport, but there are many people who believe that had Dale lived that NASCAR would have a different look than what it has today; and that Earnhardt would have fought tooth and nail the corporate feel that NASCAR has adopted over the past several years.
- Other moments included: the first photo finish at Daytona, Wendell Scott getting robbed of victory at Jacksonville because of his race, Junior’s victory at Daytona after the death of his father, and many, many more.
As I stated above, the book really got me to thinking about when was the last time that an event happened in NASCAR that really felt important? The book was published in ‘06 and most of what it covers happens prior to 2004, and really most of it is prior to 2000. Has NASCAR had a super moment in the last five years? Has anything come close?
Some things feel like they should have been great moments. Jimmy Johnson winning the points championship back-to-back in 2006 and 2007 should be considered a great accomplishment; but how much did the cheating allegations and NASCAR’s punishment of his crew hurt his achievement? Why is it that no one really talks about Johnson winning 10 races in ‘07 the same way that they talk about Jeff Gordon’s 13 wins in ‘98?
Why is this so important? It’s simple; great moments get publicity for your sport, and publicity brings new fans, and fans bring revenue. If you think that I’m wrong, think about this: almost every major sport has had a great, great moment in the past five years that gave their sport a boost. MLB had the White Sox and the Red Sox winning World Series titles for the first time in 88 and 86 years, respectively. The NFL had a team go 18-0 and take a run at an “impossible” perfect season. In other sports; the NHL is on the verge of seeing it’s best player, Sydney Crosby, get a shot at the Stanley Cup, and the NBA is praying that the Celtics and the Lakers meet in the NBA Finals. Why? Because people will watch expecting something great to happen. The NBA and the NHL are both sports that have had drops in popularity over the last decade or so, and their people know how important something grabbing the interest of the public, would be to their future.
Do you watch NASCAR right now expecting something great to happen? Or do you just watch to enjoy the racing and hope that your guy wins. I watch all sports hoping that something will happen that I will be able to tell my future kids, “I was watching when…” I don’t see many of those moments in the last few years of NASCAR. Am I wrong?
Seriously, this is one time that I want an answer, so I’m going to challenge you. That’s right, you, the person that took the time to read this. I want you to tell me some great moments that have happened in the past five years. Great moments, that I’ve forgotten about or that I don’t realize how important that they were. It’s easy to leave a comment, and isn’t the fun part about sports, just talking about them? If you’re like me and you think that NASCAR really hasn’t had that great moment for awhile, let me know that you agree, and tell me what is your idea of a great moment.
I’d like to do more posts with questions that encourage reader feedback, so don’t make me look like anymore of an idiot than I am, by leaving me empty. If I know anything about NASCAR fans, it’s that y’all remember everything that you ever saw happen on a race-track, and you love talking about it. What made you go “Wow, that was big!”? Comment. I dare you. And anyone who won’t take a dare will suck eggs. So there.
Also, if you buy the book, you won’t be disappointed. It’s worth it for the pictures alone.
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How about Ernie Irvan coming back to win at Michgan after it just about killed him,I think that was a great moment!
Your right, I can’t remember anything that big that has happened other than Dale jr. switching teams,that was pretty big.
Tony Stewart winning the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2005 was a huge moment. As someone who loves IMS and a Stewart fan, it is one of my favorite racing moments. Even non-Stewart fans appreciated how meaningful it was for him to win at that historic track. And, of course, the second win in 2007 was icing on the cake. (Just wish it was still possible for drivers to “do the double” so I could see Smoke win in an IRL car as well - now that would be a GREAT moment!)
The Irvan one was a great spot. The Dale/Teresa thing was big too, but for the wrong reasons. I also think that Stewart racing at Indy and at the Coca-Cola 600 was a huge deal and that it really wasn’t capitalized on enough by either racing organization. Good job so far folks!
Probably the biggest things I can come up with are Toyota moving into the fray, and the COT. While I think the safety aspects of the COT are excellent, I don’t like the cookie cutter approach to these vehicles. But I do hope they will encourage more new teams to get involved… with less emphasis on “mega-teams.” I’d like to see more Alan Kulwicki-types and less 4 car teams.
As for simply good things for the sport, the victory back flips, and the victory fence climb (even though not original) are both positives, though not huge.
I so agree on the less four car teams. I would also like to see an end to drivers thanking a million sponsors everytime that they get out of the car. That gives racing a real minor league, money grubbing feel. NASCAR’s big enough now to stop that.