The 1995 NASCAR Cup Series season is considered to be one of the best in the sport for a multitude of reasons. After winning the Cup Series for a seventh time in 1994, the late great Dale Earnhardt was considered a favorite to break Richard Petty’s record. However, his hopes were dashed by a fresh-faced Jeff Gordon. After he won the title, the then-Hendrick Motorsports star toasted Earnhardt with a glass of milk, making for a hilarious but iconic moment in NASCAR history.

Jeff Gordon was all the rage during the late 1990s and the early 2000s. During that time, he won 4 Cup Series championships and etched his name in history. 1995 was when he began his journey to the top and it was one for the ages.

Jeff Gordon and his fitting tribute to one of the greatest of all time

The Hendrick Motorsports star was one of the few drivers who was probably not intimidated by The Intimidator as he held his nerve against the great throughout that season. In the post-season award ceremony, the then-24-year-old Jeff Gordon raised a toast to the 7-time Cup champion with a glass of milk.

People at the time didn’t believe that he could legally drink as he looked so young. It was a fitting end to a great title fight as Earnhardt raised his glass and acknowledged the man who would dominate the Cup Series from that point on.

“Before I go any further, I’d like to recognize a man who never let up on his efforts to win his eighth championship. Dale Earnhardt is a true competitor and a great champion and at this time, I would like to offer a toast to the man. Dale, great effort man, here’s some milk,” Gordon said at the time.

With Earnhardt and Gordon’s back and forth still fresh in their memory, many fans consider 1995 to be one of the best years of the competition. Both drivers were exceptionally consistent throughout.

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A title fight for the ages

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Jeff Gordon started the season strong, winning three out of the first six races, at North Carolina, Atlanta, and Bristol. Earnhardt was not far behind as he finished in the top five in 5 of those races. The Intimidator finally won his first race of the season at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. The two shared several on-track battles, and it was incredible to see the fearless youngster go against the seasoned veteran.

Gordon didn’t win in 8 races since Bristol and The Intimidator had claimed victory in Sonoma. However, the HMS man kept up the pace with consistent finishes in the top 5. Gordon would then go on to win the summer race at Daytona, following it up with a consecutive victory at New Hampshire to assert his dominance once again.

Earnhardt, on the other hand, won at Indianapolis and later on at Martinsville while Gordon won at Darlington and Dover. The Intimidator won the season finale in Atlanta but with a whopping 7 wins to his name that year, Jeff Gordon denied Dale Earnhardt this eighth title. At 24, he also became the youngest Cup Series champion of the modern era.

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