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DOVER, DE – OCTOBER 01: Jeff Gordon (L), driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talks with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Citizen Solider 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 1, 2016 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
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DOVER, DE – OCTOBER 01: Jeff Gordon (L), driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talks with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Citizen Solider 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 1, 2016 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
The 1992 Hooters 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway was pretty a defining moment in NASCAR history. There were so many significant events happening on that day, the season finale. First and foremost, an era was coming to an end, with this race being Richard Petty’s final race. In addition to that, another legend was just beginning, with the debut of none other than Jeff Gordon.
30 years ago today:
The 1992 Hooters 500 was held at Atlanta.– Bill Elliott won the race but Alan Kulwicki won the Winston Cup championship over Elliott by 10 points.
– Richard Petty made his final start.
– Jeff Gordon made his Winston Cup debut. pic.twitter.com/IDYnhtLAW7
— NASCAR Memories (@NASCARMemories) November 15, 2022
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Alan Kulwicki won his only Cup Series championship, before his untimely passing in a plane crash. Bill Elliott went on to win the race but was 10 points shy of Kulwicki in the standings. Another star-studded racer present was Dale Earnhardt, so Gordon was pretty much in the presence of racing royalty. Admittedly, he did finish the race in 31st, but that mattered little, especially in a field chock full of bonafide NASCAR legends.
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Jeff Gordon is not the only NASCAR legend to fondly remember this date
It is worth mentioning that November 15 is also significant for another NASCAR driver. On this very day 24 years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr won the 1998 NASCAR Xfinity Series title. This would be his first of two Xfinity titles, and the only two championships he would win in his NASCAR career. His Cup Series career wasn’t so spectacular, but he does have 26 career wins in the premier series.
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NORTH WILKESBORO, NC – AUGUST 31: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3) smiles on the starting grid just before the Cars Tour LMSC 125 on Aug 31, 2022, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The best part about his 1998 Xfinity triumph is that he was driving the iconic #3 car, decked in his father’s livery. However, the difference was that the car was dark blue instead of black like Dale Earnhardt Jr. This particular race was held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Dale Jr finished in a lowly 42nd. However, that did not matter in end, as he was declared the victor. One thing is for sure, November 15th is a special day in NASCAR for a number of people in the community.
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WATCH THIS STORY: $100 Million Worth Actor Insulted NASCAR Fans for Stupid Reason They Hate Hendrick Motorsports Star Jeff Gordon a Few Years Back
