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Counting down the nine best All-Star Race moments
By Staff report | Published: June 10, 2021 9
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9. The one that started it all
Darrell Waltrip certainly made the inaugural NASCAR All-Star Race in 1985 one for the books: The driver of the Junior Johnson-owned No. 11 Chevrolet crossed the start-finish line for the victory, only to have his engine expire moments later. The following day, he won his third Coca-Cola 600 (then World 600) title at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Darrell Waltrip certainly made the inaugural NASCAR All-Star Race in 1985 one for the books: The driver of the Junior Johnson-owned No. 11 Chevrolet crossed the start-finish line for the victory, only to have his engine expire moments later. The following day, he won his third Coca-Cola 600 (then World 600) title at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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8. Teammate tussle
A flat right-front tire took Kyle Busch out of contention in the 2010 All-Star Race. But it was previous on-track action that had Busch fuming post-race; the No. 18 driver had attempted to pass his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin in the closing laps only to be blocked, causing Busch to hit the wall. Busch walked into the No. 11 hauler post-race to wait for Hamlin, and team owner Joe Gibbs had to mediate the encounter.
A flat right-front tire took Kyle Busch out of contention in the 2010 All-Star Race. But it was previous on-track action that had Busch fuming post-race; the No. 18 driver had attempted to pass his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin in the closing laps only to be blocked, causing Busch to hit the wall. Busch walked into the No. 11 hauler post-race to wait for Hamlin, and team owner Joe Gibbs had to mediate the encounter.
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7. Backup to the victory
Heavy rain made for a slippery start to the 2001 All-Star Race, causing several cars to slip and wreck in Turn 1. Being that it was a non-points race and no laps had been completed, NASCAR decided to let damaged cars switch to backup vehicles when the race went green again, leaving the door open for Jeff Gordon to take the checkered flag in a backup No. 24 Chevrolet.
Heavy rain made for a slippery start to the 2001 All-Star Race, causing several cars to slip and wreck in Turn 1. Being that it was a non-points race and no laps had been completed, NASCAR decided to let damaged cars switch to backup vehicles when the race went green again, leaving the door open for Jeff Gordon to take the checkered flag in a backup No. 24 Chevrolet.
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6. What underdog?
Kasey Kahne won the Fan Vote in 2008, making him eligible to compete in that year's running of the All-Star Race. Using a pit strategy that gambled with a no-tire call on the final stop, Kahne made history by becoming the first driver voted in by fans to win the All-Star Race.
Kasey Kahne won the Fan Vote in 2008, making him eligible to compete in that year's running of the All-Star Race. Using a pit strategy that gambled with a no-tire call on the final stop, Kahne made history by becoming the first driver voted in by fans to win the All-Star Race.
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5. A family affair
Dale Earnhardt Jr. became the first rookie to win the All-Star Race, passing leader Dale Jarrett on the second-to-last lap in the 2000 event. Third-place finisher and father Dale Earnhardt memorably celebrated with his son in Victory Lane, approximately nine months before 'The Intimidator's' untimely death in the 2001 Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. became the first rookie to win the All-Star Race, passing leader Dale Jarrett on the second-to-last lap in the 2000 event. Third-place finisher and father Dale Earnhardt memorably celebrated with his son in Victory Lane, approximately nine months before 'The Intimidator's' untimely death in the 2001 Daytona 500.
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4. Prehistoric power
Jeff Gordon's 1997 All-Star Race car was anything but ordinary; dubbed 'T-Rex' for its special Jurassic Park paint scheme, the No. 24 Chevrolet was indeed a predator, winning every segment and eventually earning the victory. Because of it, NASCAR revised its rule book and No. 24 crew chief Ray Evernham was eventually banned from bringing that car to the track again.
Jeff Gordon's 1997 All-Star Race car was anything but ordinary; dubbed 'T-Rex' for its special Jurassic Park paint scheme, the No. 24 Chevrolet was indeed a predator, winning every segment and eventually earning the victory. Because of it, NASCAR revised its rule book and No. 24 crew chief Ray Evernham was eventually banned from bringing that car to the track again.
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3. 'Tide Slide'
Rusty Wallace didn't make many friends in the 1989 All-Star Race; the No. 27 driver bumped leader Darrell Waltrip on the final turn while trying to pass, sending Waltrip's No. 17 Tide ride across the grass and nabbing the victory. An angry Waltrip spewed out post-race, "I hope he chokes on the $200,000," referring to the race's prize.
Rusty Wallace didn't make many friends in the 1989 All-Star Race; the No. 27 driver bumped leader Darrell Waltrip on the final turn while trying to pass, sending Waltrip's No. 17 Tide ride across the grass and nabbing the victory. An angry Waltrip spewed out post-race, "I hope he chokes on the $200,000," referring to the race's prize.
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2. 'Pass in the Grass'
Bill Elliott and Dale Earnhardt were the top two drivers in the 1987 standings entering that season's All-Star Race. With eight laps to go, the pair was fittingly running 1-2 and racing hard for the lead. Leader Earnhardt's No. 3 Chevrolet got sideways, but 'The Intimidator' made a miraculous save, cutting across the grass to maintain the lead and making 'The Pass in the Grass' one of the most memorable All-Star moments. Earnhardt would go on to win the 1987 All-Star Race and the $200,000 prize.
Bill Elliott and Dale Earnhardt were the top two drivers in the 1987 standings entering that season's All-Star Race. With eight laps to go, the pair was fittingly running 1-2 and racing hard for the lead. Leader Earnhardt's No. 3 Chevrolet got sideways, but 'The Intimidator' made a miraculous save, cutting across the grass to maintain the lead and making 'The Pass in the Grass' one of the most memorable All-Star moments. Earnhardt would go on to win the 1987 All-Star Race and the $200,000 prize.
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1. 'One Hot Night'
The first All-Star Race run under the lights, the 1992 event brought plenty of excitement. Leader Dale Earnhardt spun, leaving way for third-place Davey Allison to battle Kyle Petty for the lead on the final lap. During a drag race on the final stretch, Allison hit the wall hard, knocking him unconscious while sparks flew -- but his car crossed the start-finish line first, giving Allison's No. 28 team the victory. This event marked the first night race at a large track, as experts developed a reflector system for drivers to see past infield light poles. The success paved the way for future night races at speedways to come.
The first All-Star Race run under the lights, the 1992 event brought plenty of excitement. Leader Dale Earnhardt spun, leaving way for third-place Davey Allison to battle Kyle Petty for the lead on the final lap. During a drag race on the final stretch, Allison hit the wall hard, knocking him unconscious while sparks flew -- but his car crossed the start-finish line first, giving Allison's No. 28 team the victory. This event marked the first night race at a large track, as experts developed a reflector system for drivers to see past infield light poles. The success paved the way for future night races at speedways to come.