Weekend That Was: PIR (cont'd)

Asked about Gordon around that time by reporters, Earnhardt shook his head and said he had trouble relating to the driver who was 20 years and four months younger and seemed, well, a whole lot different.

"We just don't like the same things. I like to hunt and fish. He likes them video toys," Earnhardt said with a grin.

As time went by, though, it seemed maybe they were a little more alike than either was willing to admit at first -- or their fans will ever be willing to admit. They both wanted to win races, for sure, and were better at it than just about anyone then, or since.

Lap-by-Lap

Tony Stewart made a gutsy move to take the lead, but Jeff Gordon wouldn't be denied in becoming the first driver to win from the pole at Phoenix.

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Gordon and Evernham eventually won 42 races and three points championships together, before Evernham left after the 1999 season to start Evernham Motorsports, a Dodge venture that has since witnessed what could best be described as mixed success. Some predicted that Evernham's departure would mark Gordon's demise.

The driver's critics were wrong. The Evernham split may have slowed his march toward destiny a little, but Gordon has since captured 34 more races and one more points title. When he won the Subway 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday night, it was the 76th victory of Gordon's 16-year Cup career, tying him with Earnhardt for sixth place on the all-time list of winningest drivers.

In a fitting tribute, Gordon grabbed a black flag bearing the No. 3 made famous by Earnhardt and took a victory lap around the 1-mile oval at Phoenix with the flag flapping out his driver's side window (watch video). Gordon later told reporters that he "wanted to do something cool for Dale," that he wanted to pay him the honor and respect that Earnhardt deserved.

When he got to Victory Lane, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was among the first to greet Gordon and congratulate him. That was cool, too.

In fact, the whole deal was cool. You've got to believe that Dale Sr. was looking down from somewhere up above and nodding his approval, too. Who would have thought any of this possible on that day back in 1992?

By the numbers

In his post-race comments, Gordon also said that he was afraid some fans might think he was now considers himself as good a driver as Earnhardt was "and that wasn't the case." Well, Earnhardt fans might not like to hear this: but a case could be made that Gordon is as good or better than the late Earnhardt, who passed away in a tragic wreck in the 2001 Daytona 500.

Earnhardt's seven points championship certainly trump Gordon's four, but it could be argued that it has become more difficult to win multiple championships in recent years as the playing field in the sport appears to have become a little more level. In fact, much of Gordon's stiffest competition comes from his own Hendrick Motorsports shop -- where many days he can be at his best, and one of his Hendrick teammates might be just a fraction better.

Gordon supporters have these numbers on their side: it took Earnhardt 671 races over nearly 26 seasons to earn his 76 race victories; Gordon now has his 76 in 481 starts and he is in the early stages of just his 16th Cup season. Plus he continues to lead in the points standings and looks like he'll be a strong contender for a fifth championship, with plenty of racing ahead of him unless he runs into some unexpected calamity -- which, of course, is always a possibility in stock-car racing. (Continued)