NASCAR Cup

News #3 97-12-12

NASCARFans E-Mail Newsletter ===== Someone (sorry, I deleted the mail) asked for this, and I thought the rest of you might like to know also. Explanation of the ESPN2 Christmas Marathon Special (significance of each race) (all comments on each ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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NASCARFans E-Mail Newsletter ===== Someone (sorry, I deleted the mail) asked for this, and I thought the rest of you might like to know also.

Explanation of the ESPN2 Christmas Marathon Special (significance of each race) (all comments on each race taken from the Speedworld site):

1983 Carolina 500, Rockingham, NC, 9pm I believe this was the first race ESPN broadcast live.

1985 Southern 500, Darlington, SC, 12:30pm The first Winston Million race.

1987 Winston 500, Talladega, AL, 5am The race that Bobby Allison crashed in that led to restrictor plates at Talladega and Daytona. A very popular first time winner in his rookie season.

1988 Budweiser 400, Riverside, CA, 8:30am The last race at Riverside

1988 Bud at the Glen, Watkins Glen, NY, 11:30am A spirited four lap duel to the checkers by the best road course racers of the era.

1988 Checker 500, Phoenix, AZ, 2pm The first race at Phoenix, and another very popular first time winner.

1989 Holly Farms 400, North Wilkesboro, NC, 5:30pm Another dash for the cash, another controversial crash and look for ESPN to edit out a string of 5000 dollar words from one of the principals originally broadcast live, though the driver was never fined.

1990 Valleydale Meats 500, Bristol, TN, 8:30pm One of the best finishes in the history of auto racing. If you don't know who won already you'll have to wait for the instant replay after the event in slow motion because it was impossible to tell. This one is a definite keeper must see, Code Red VCR alert. Also keep an eye on Ricky Rudd and Sterling Marlin after the race wishing to discuss the last lap.

========== The following are the races that will be run on The ESPN2 New Years Eve marathon and a quick note about their historical importance.(All times EST)

1991 Champion Spark Plug 400, Michigan, 6:30pm - A very close finish, and a first time winner who is now a title contender. Bonus essay: Compare and contrast the announcers reactions at this race and the 1993 Daytona 500.

1991 Goody's 500, Martinsville, VA 10:00pm - Mr. September's finest moment.

1992 Savemart Supermarkets 300, Sears Point, CA, 1:30am A stirring run >from the back of the field by a driver who would switch rides before the season was over. (NOTE: At least one reliable source says that this is a misprint and it will actually be the 1991 Sears Point Race in which the first driver to the line didn't get the checkered flag)

1992 Bud 500, Bristol, TN, 4:30am Last win to date for a popular driver who practically owned Bristol for a decade.

1992 Hooters 500, Atlanta, GA, 7:30am All right, here it is. This is the race I labeled the greatest ever, and a lot of you agreed with me. The deciding battle for the 1992 points championship, the King's Last Ride, and Jeff Gordon's first WC start. Red Hot Smoking Five Star VCR Alert. Buy a rabid pit bull to protect the tape once you finish it. It doesn't get any better then this.

1994 Pepsi 400, Daytona, FL, 11:30am Mr. Excitement, meet Mr. Swervin Irvan. Hey is that the checkered flag I see ahead?

1995 Goody's 500, Bristol, TN 2:30pm Shades of the 1976 Daytona 500. Maybe the last race car to go from victory lane to the junkyard. Can you define "intimidation". Hold on to those water bottles folks.

1996 Pontiac Excitement 400, Richmond, VA, 6:30pm An odd choice, but I guess newer fans will get a charge out of it.

•1997 Mountain Dew Southern 500, Darlington, SC 10:00pm The second Winston Million Race. This isn't history, just old news.

Thanks to Jayski for the link, and to Speedworld for the information. ===== ===== As promised:

T minus 37 days 'til the Craftsman Truck Chevy Trucks Challenge T minus 58 days 'til the Winston Cup Bud Shootout T minus 64 days 'til the Busch Series NAPA Auto Parts 300 T minus 65 days 'til the Winston Cup Daytona 500

BTW, for those of you who need to be exact on this, Jayski has a up-to-the-second countdown to the start of the Daytona 500 (http://www.jayski.com) down near the bottom of his main page. Looks cool, Jay! ===== Mike Irwin (mailto:mike@nascarfans.com) NASCAR Fans _______________________________________

NASCAR Fans Website http://www.nascarfans.com _______________________________________

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