“For whatever reason, my time coming into the sport and being able to go up against one of the all-time greats, if not the greatest, and have his fan base and my growing fan base kind of going toe-to-toe, put me on the map and changed my life forever,” Jeff Gordon said on the documentary Unrivaled: Earnhardt vs. Gordon.

The HMS star was the young kid on the block chasing the legacy that Dale Earnhardt had built for himself in NASCAR. The 90s was a time when Hendrick Motorsport’s star was eager to trade blows with the Intimidator. Back then you were either team Gordon or team Earnhardt, there was no in-between. But things changed after Dale Sr. lost his life in a tragic accident during the 2001 Daytona 500.

Now, Gordon had closed the gap on the Cup Series title down to four and during the 2007 Phoenix race, he was on the cusp of getting level with the Intimidator. A win at the Hot Mile and the driver of the No. 24 Dupont Chevy would reach 76 career wins, matching Dale Sr. tally. Ideally getting on par with your rival would lead to team celebrations, but Gordon chose to pay a tribute to the legendary driver after he crossed the finish line. The HMS driver headed to the pit road and grabbed the black flag that had Dale Sr.’s No. 3 printed on it.

But what followed next was a rebellious response to this tribute by the ardent Intimidator supporters. Thins escalated to the extent that Dale Jr. had to intervene and defend Gordon’s post-race actions at Phoenix.

Jeff Gordon’s tribute to Intimidator wasn’t appreciated by the fans in Phoenix

The second Gordon grabbed that No. 3 flag, Earnhardt’s iconic digit, you could practically hear the collective gasp from Earnhardt loyalists. The TV announcer’s voice crackled with drama: “Jeff Gordon finally gets his first Phoenix win… and ties Dale Earnhardt!.”

Aaron Kuehn, a technician on Gordon’s team was the one who handed the special package on the pit road. “I’ve got a special flag for you at the start-finish line if you want it, bud, come and get it!” Gordon, ever the showman, waved the flag like he’d just won a medieval joust. But to some fans, it was less touching homage and more how dare you? Although this was a class act by Jeff Gordon appreciating his rival’s racing legacy, the rival fan base not so much.

As the No. 24 Dupont Chevy ran a victory with the No. 3 flag, a few fans hurled bottles and cans aimed at the driver and the car. Just like that, a special occasion was ruined by some salty fans, who couldn’t bear the sight of Jeff Gordon honoring Dale Earnhardt. Matter of fact, even Dale Jr. appreciated the tribute and had a chat with Gordon after his victory lap at Phoenix Raceway.

“He was trying to make a good gesture. That’s all that was. I don’t think anybody in the world could find anything wrong with what he did. That’s a shame he didn’t get all the credit he deserved for it. [Gordon] decided to split [his victory] down the middle, 50/50, and give my father some respect and take half of his moment and give it to my dad. I thought that was really classy.” Dale Jr. said this during an appearance at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

All it took was one flag to upset a whole NASCAR fan base. But surprisingly, this tribute was planned well in advance before the Phoenix race in 2007. The traces of the origins story go way back to the fall race in Atlanta back in 1993.

Trending

1

Three Years After NASCAR Exit, Kurt Busch Announces 7-Word Devastation as He Eyes Cup Series Return

2

Joey Logano Lets Out Major Inferiority to Kyle Larson, Blames NASCAR’s Controversial Brainchild for It

3

Stars Finally Align for Richard Petty’s Iconic $14.1 Billion Manufacturer to Make Their Return to NASCAR

4

“Fake News Network”: Tony Stewart’s Rival Hammers FOX on Air for Offending NHRA Community With False Claims

5

Calls Mount Against Joe Gibbs’ “Generational Bust” as Fans Point Fingers at True Phoenix Culprit

Kuehn wanted to recreate the memory of the iconic 1993 post-race celebration

Kuehn who worked as a tire specialist on the #24 team had memories from the peak years of NASCAR racing. Back in 1993, Rusty Wallace won the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and on the other hand, Earnhardt bagged his sixth NASCAR crown. What happened after the race ultimately sowed the seeds for the Gordon celebration at Phoenix Raceway in 2007.

Both Wallace and Earnhardt did a joint victory lap with Intimidator flying the No. 7 flag in memory of Alan Kulwicki and Wallace displaying the No. 28 flag for Davey Allison. For Kuehn, Allison was his NASCAR hero and a touching tribute by the legends of the sport meant the world to him. Both drivers had lost their lives in a tragic accident earlier that year. Right after Gordon won his 75th race, Kuehn knew what the post-race celebration could be like.

Unfortunately, the on-track rivalry somewhat muddied the special moment in Phoenix, but this tribute by Gordon to Dale Earnhardt is etched in eternity.