Photo – AP
Ricky Rudd was in his second full season with Robert Yates Racing (RYR) and looked for his first win since 1998.
The Virginia driver finished runner-up twice up until Michigan in June 2001 since his last win at Martinsville Speedway in September 1998, where he was given oxygen after the race. Continue reading
Photo – Charlotte Motor Speedway
Rick Hendrick took a chance on Jeff Gordon and it paid off. The 22-year-old driver found himself in victory lane after NASCAR’s longest event, the Coca-Cola 600.
Gordon’s crew chief, Ray Evernham, used a two-tire strategy to get him out in front for good. The No. 24 car had the best view of Charlotte Motor Speedway, starting on the pole.
The two dominant cars on the night were Geoffrey Bodine and Rusty Wallace. Neither driver won the Coca-Cola 600 up to that point. Both drivers together led 288 of the 400 laps of the race. Continue reading
Photo – Getty Images
With Nextel becoming the sponsor of the Cup Series in 2004, NASCAR introduced a new points system as well.
The top-ten drivers in points after 26 races go on to battle it out for the championship over the last ten races of the season.
MB2 Motorsports drier Joe Nemechek missed the Chase field and was only racing for pride during the last ten races in 2004. The only bright spot in his season was grabbing the pole the week before at Talladega. Along with his own Busch Series team, Nemechek ran double-duty at Kansas. Continue reading
As this week’s race at Homestead quickly approaches, Tony Stewart has the opportunity to become a three time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and the first driver-owner to win it all since Alan Kulwicki in 1992. Continue reading