Photos of history: Lasting images from The Greatest Race

By Staff Report | Published: 17 Mar, 2023 14

NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Alan Kulwicki was a hard-working independent driver who was an unlikely champion in 1992. Kulwicki's second-place run and calculated effort at Atlanta vaulted him to the title in what is remembered as The Greatest Race. Read on to see images from that race and those involved.

Tune in to NASCAR RaceDay on Sunday at 2:20 pm ET on FOX to watch a feature video on this race.

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Alan Kulwicki was one of six drivers entering the 1992 finale who could mathematically clinch the Cup Series title.

Tune in to NASCAR RaceDay on Sunday at 2:20 pm ET on FOX to watch a feature video on this race.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Here, a younger Alan Kulwicki prepares for his second career NASCAR Cup Series start at Dover Motor Speedway. Kulwicki drove this Hardee's-sponsored Ford Thunderbird for car owner Bill Terry.

Tune in to NASCAR RaceDay on Sunday at 2:20 pm ET on FOX to watch a feature video on this race.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Alan Kulwicki (No. 7) races with Bill Elliott at Rockingham in the AC Delco 500. Kulwicki finished three laps down and lost valuable points to then-leader Elliott. They would battle again for the title in the season-finale.

Tune in to NASCAR RaceDay on Sunday at 2:20 pm ET on FOX to watch a feature video on this race.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Driving his own Hooters Ford Thunderbird, Alan Kulwicki was known for doing things his way.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Richard Petty won 200 NASCAR Cup Series races and seven Cup titles, and probably signed a million autographs along the way. The 1992 Atlanta finale was his final NASCAR race.

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Richard Petty's last year as a Cup driver was labeled his 'Fan Appreciation Tour', thanking all his fans and celebrating his 200 NASCAR Cup wins. Here King Richard salutes the fans one last time prior to starting the race.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Petty's driving career ended when The King's Pontiac crashed, resulting in this fire. The blaze was extinguished, Petty was unhurt and finished 35th in the final race of his legendary career.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Meanwhile, young hotshot Jeff Gordon's first career NASCAR Cup Series start was in this iconic race.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Alan Kulwicki drove his Hooters Ford Thunderbird to a fourth-place finish at Phoenix in the race before the season-finale. He trailed Davey Allison in points after this race.

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Alan Kulwicki and Dale Earnhardt, shown here in 1989, both were competing for a title in 1992.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Alan Kulwicki's Ford ride for 1992 was frequently referred to as the 'Underbird' given that Kulwicki was seen as an underdog and unlikely title contender.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Alan Kulwicki's 'Underbird' Ford Thunderbird battled with eventual race winner Bill Elliott until late in the Hooters 500 when Kulwicki fell back into a comfortable second-place finish. Second at Atlanta was enough to earn Kulwicki the title.

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NASCAR Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Tragically, Kulwicki would race in only five more NASCAR Cup Series races in 1993 before his untimely death following an airplane crash. He's a member of the 2019 NASCAR Hall of Fame class.

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Photos of history: Lasting images from The Greatest Race