History of NASCAR in the 1990's

The decade began with a stunning victory in the 1990 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt dominated the event, but cut a tire on the final lap, opening the door for Derrike Cope to pull of one of the biggest upsets in Daytona 500 history. While the loss was a huge letdown, it was not devastating for Earnhardt, as he clinched his fourth championship in 1990, becoming only the second driver to accomplish that feat. He captured championships 1991 and 1993 to move just one behind Richard Petty.

In 1994, Earnhardt ran away from Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace en route to his record-tying seventh championship.

Petty retired from driving following the 1992 season. He dubbed his final season as the "Fan Appreciation Tour". His career ended with a NASCAR record 200 wins.

Another familiar face retired after 1995. Junior Johnson sold his team to Brett Bodine after five decades in the sport. He won six titles as an owner with Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip as drivers.

The 1992 season would go down in the record books as one of NASCAR's most treasured. Bill Elliott and Davey Allison rapidly emerged as championship favorites early in the season. In fact, Elliott, now driving for Junior Johnson, won four consecutive races early in the season. Allison and Elliott each won five races in 1992 while another challenger surfaced in the form of Alan Kulwicki. Allison, who led the standings by 30 points over Kulwicki and 40 over Elliott, crashed out early in the season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Elliott won the race, but Kulwicki finished second. Kulwicki led one more lap than Elliott, giving him the 10 bonus points, earning his first and only title. Kulwicki was also the owner of his race team. Kulwicki's success as a driver and owner triggered a trend in which Elliott, Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Brett Bodine, became team owners. Darrell Waltrip began his endeavor in 1991 leaving Hendrick Motorsports.

Harry Gant also became the oldest winner in NASCAR at 51 years of age in 1992. He had won four consecutive races in the fall of 1991.

The 1992 Hooters 500 not only produced an exhilarating championship showdown, but it marked a figurative passing of the torch. This was Petty's final race, but it was the debut race for 21-year-old Jeff Gordon.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver materialized as a frequent winner in a short time, which began to irk the fans as well as the competitors. Gordon was the polar opposite of the "good old boys" image that dominated the garage for decades. The Californian was clean cut, well-spoken, and had top dollar sponsorship, therefore, many fans resented him. Gordon won his first championship in 1995 at age 24, become the youngest champion. He also denied Earnhardt of his record-breaking eighth championship.

He racked up titles in 1997 and 1998 as well, winning an astounding 47 races from 1995 to 1999. In 1998, Gordon tied Petty's modern era record of 13 wins in a single season. Along the way, the young driver developed some rivalries with veterans, most notably Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace. Hendrick Motorsports swept titles from 1995 to 1998, as Terry Labonte earned his second championship in 1996.

The 1990's were marred with several tragedies that shook the NASCAR world like an earthquake. In 1992, Bill France, Sr. the founding father of NASCAR, passed away at 82 years of age.

In 1993, defending champion Kulwicki suffered a fatal plane crash just months after celebrating his title. Four months later, Davey Allison passed away due to a tragic helicopter accident at Talladega. His brother Clifford died in a practice crash at Michigan a year earlier.

In 1994, Neil Bonnett was killed in a practice crash at Daytona.

Numerous fans will consider the deletion of North Wilkesboro Speedway from the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule following the 1996 campaign as a tragic death. The popular short track had been a constant on the NASCAR tour since 1949. Gordon won the final event at North Wilkesboro. NASCAR began moving races to modernized facilities in big city markets, hence the opening of Texas Motor Speedway, California Speedway, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In 1994, NASCAR held its first ever race at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 2.5-mile facility, which hosts the open-wheel crown jewel Indianapolis 500, had never hosted a stock car race, and many felt as if it would be impossible. The Brickyard 400 instantaneously became NASCAR's second highest paid race, only behind the Daytona 500. Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400.

The 1998 season marked NASCAR's 50^th season. NASCAR honored the anniversary by naming the sport's top 50 drivers of all-time. One of the drivers was Earnhardt. However, Earnhardt had difficulties winning NASCAR's biggest race, the Daytona 500. In his 20^th attempt, he finally captured the elusive victory, ending a winless streak that began in 1996.

The decade came to a conclusion with Dale Jarrett, son of two-time champion Ned, claiming his first championship, also a first for car owner Robert Yates. It was the Ford brand's first title since Kulwicki won in 1992. Chevrolet dominated the decade winning eight championships in 10 years. In 1999, Tony Stewart became the first rookie to win a Winston Cup race since Allison in 1987 driving for Joe Gibbs.

Star drivers from the 1990's include Earnhardt, Gordon, Elliott, Wallace, Davey Allison, Kulwicki, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd, Jeff Burton, Harry Gant

Champions from the 1990's include Earnhardt (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994), Kulwicki (1992), Gordon (1995, 1997, 1998), Terry Labonte (1996), Jarrett (1999)

Resource: NASCAR Chronicle