Iconic NASCAR Picture Including Hendrick Motorsports Legend Jeff Gordon Taken Before Disastrous Race Resurfaces; Here Is Why the Race Was a Calamity

Every year, the NASCAR Cup Series has at least a few rookie drivers on the grid. In 1993, a certain Jeff Gordon made his full-time Cup Series debut. Also joining him were Bobby Labonte and Kenny Wallace, driving for Bill Davis Racing and SABCO Racing, respectively. This was also the era where relief drivers were utilized during races. If a driver was injured but cleared to race, they had the option of allowing another driver to race if they were unable to complete the race.

Gordon also partook in this practice in his debut season, during the 1993 Bud 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway. It is worth mentioning, though, that he was not the only one, as all of his fellow rookies, Labonte and Wallace, did the same. Apparently, Jeff Gordon made way for Todd Bodine, one Labonte exited and another hopped in, Terry Labonte. Finally, Kenny Wallace was swapped out for Dick Trickle. The last swap was because Wallace had broken his scapula in testing at Indianapolis.

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How did Jeff Gordon and his fellow rookies perform in the race?

Sadly, the duo of Gordon and Bodine could only muster 20th place. Interestingly, Bodine was not even supposed to be competing in the race, as he failed to qualify for the event. Nevertheless, Hendrick Motorsports gave him a second bite of the cherry by making him Gordon’s relief driver. Out of the three rookies, the Kenny Wallace and Dick Trickle partnership performed the best, with an impressive 10th place.

Meanwhile, the sibling duo of Bobby and Terry Labonte ended up in 15th place. In short, Gordon and Bodine were the worst-performing rookies in that race. Coincidentally, all three rookie drivers finished the 1993 Bud 500, exactly five places apart from each other. Jeff Gordon failed to win a single race in his rookie campaign, but he more than made up for it with the rest of his career.

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