NASCAR's Greatest Moments

Big-time stock car racing started in 1949, and since then, every race weekend has provided something to remember.

NASCAR's Greatest Moments

Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough — Bobby Allison, left, holds Cale Yarborough's foot after Yarborough kicked him following an incident on the final lap of the 1979 Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

NASCAR — more or less as we know it — started in 1949, and since then, every race weekend has provided something to remember for the millions of fans who have walked through the track gates and millions more who have watched at home.

President Ronald Reagan showed up on July 4, 1984, and witnessed history. Passes were made, some remarkable, some botched, but always entertaining.

Feuds and rivalries sprang up, friendships were forged while races and championships were won and lost.

But the beauty of it all is you won’t see the glorious outshine the mundane unless you watch. You can’t bear witness to greatness without using your eyes or ears.

The rewards can be great, and NASCAR offers more pageantry than just about any other sport. But in 70 years of big-time stock car racing, some moments stand above the rest.

And they never will be forgotten as long as the NASCAR story is told.

25. Edwards Channels Ricky Bobby

Carl Edwards climbs out of his burning car after wrecking on the last lap the 2009 Aaron's 499 race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.

Event: Aaron’s 499

Date: April 26, 2009

Location: Talladega Superspeedway

Why it’s memorable: Brad Keselowski went low, and Carl Edwards tried to block on the final lap of the race at the monstrous 2.6-mile track in Talladega.

Edwards' car went flying into the catch fence and was shredded while Keselowski sprinted to the win.

Edwards climbed out of his mangled machine and ran across the finish line to a roaring crowd’s approval.

24. Gant Wins Fourth Straight

Harry Gant was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers.

Event: Goody’s 500

Date: Sept. 22, 1991

Location: Martinsville Speedway

Why it’s memorable: It hadn’t been done before or since, but when Harry Gant rolled home a winner at Martinsville, the finish capped his fourth victory in as many races.

He even finished second the following week at North Wilkesboro, his worst result of September 1991, after winning at Darlington, Richmond, Dover and Martinsville.

23. The First Brickyard

Jeff Gordon celebrates in victory lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after winning the first Brickyard 400 NASCAR event in 1994.

Event: Brickyard 400

Date: Aug. 6, 1994

Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Why it’s memorable: There is no more hallowed racing ground than Indy, and NASCAR finally got invited to play in 1994.

Jeff Gordon, who had grown up dreaming of racing in the Indy 500, instead won the first Brickyard, leading 93 of 160 laps in front of one of the largest crowds in speedway history.

22. The First Race

Event: A race

Date: June 19, 1949

Location: Charlotte Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Bill France had a dream, that race car drivers could get a fair shake from track owners and fellow competitors and run "strictly stock" cars. As long as France was firmly in charge.

An estimated 15,000 curious onlookers saw Jim Roper beat Fonty Flock at the old 3/4-mile dirt track known as Charlotte Speedway.

21. The Tide Slide

Darrell Waltrip spins backward across the grass at The Winston in 1989.

Event: The Winston (All-Star Race)

Date: May 21, 1989

Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Darrell Waltrip was the driver people loved to hate. Rusty Wallace was a driver everybody seemed to like.

That changed when Wallace sent Waltrip spinning into the infield grass in his No. 17 Tide Chevrolet.

Wallace won, to a chorus of boos, and Waltrip was suddenly a sympathetic figure.

20. Cope With It

Derrike Cope drives his Chevrolet across the finish line ahead of Terry Labonte's Oldsmobile to win the Daytona 500 in 1990.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 18, 1990

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Dale Earnhardt had the race won, cruising to victory by about 40 seconds in the waning laps, before a caution came out.

After the late restart, Earnhardt was back up front on the final lap when he ran over a piece of metal from a blown engine, shredding his right rear tire.

Derrike Cope flashed by and pulled off the biggest upset in NASCAR history.

19. What Are You Doing!?

Wade Burton — Ward Burton crosses the finish line to win the 2002 Daytona 500.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 17, 2002

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Sterling Marlin had the car to compete for the win, but late contact had given him a tire rub.

With the race red-flagged with four laps to go and Marlin leading, he got out of his car and tried to pull the offending fender away from his tire — a violation of NASCAR rules.

Ward Burton won, and Marlin is still trying to live it down.

18. Scott Wins

Wendell Scott sits in a race car in 1969.

Event: Jacksonville 200

Date: Dec. 1, 1963

Location: Speedway Park, Jacksonville., Fla.

Why it’s memorable: Wendell Scott was an African-American in a sport based in the segregated south, and when he won in Jacksonville, he did it by two laps. He wasn’t declared the winner until two days later and never got the trophy before he died in 1990.

His win still is the only NASCAR Cup victory by an African-American.

17. Who The Heck Won?

Johnny Beauchamp and Lee Petty — Lee Petty (42), left, driving an Oldsmobile, and Johnny Beauchamp (73), driving a 1959 Thunderbird, are neck and neck on the last lap of the 1959 Daytona 500.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 22, 1959

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Many thought Big Bill France’s new Daytona International Speedway was a money-sucking boondoggle.

Then, Lee Petty edged Johnny Beauchamp by about two feet — a photo finish in those days — in the inaugural 500.

But Beauchamp was declared the winner, and France had all the headlines he could dream of. Until Petty challenged the result and was declared the official winner three days later.

16. Million Dollar Bill

Event: Southern 500

Date: Sept. 1, 1985

Location: Darlington Raceway

Why it’s memorable: Series sponsor Winston offered $1 million from 1985 to 1997 to any driver who could win three out of four "majors": the Daytona 500, Winston 500 at Talladega, Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte and Southern 500 at Darlington.

Bill Elliott won the three 500s the first year and became "Million Dollar Bill."

15. The Silver Fox Beats The King

Richard Petty and David Pearson — Richard Petty, left, and David Pearson spin out before an incredible surprise finish at the 1976 Daytona 500.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 15, 1976

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: If you’ve ever seen the movie "Cars," you’ve seen a version of the finish of this race.

Racing, beating and banging, David Pearson and Richard Petty are sprinting to the finish line when they both spin out into the infield grass 50 yards short of victory.

Pearson is able to get his car fired back up, and all Petty can do is watch him limp across the finish line for the win. Petty finishes second after his team pushes him home.

14. The Terrible T-Rex Roars

Event: The Winston (All-Star Race)

Date: May 17, 1997

Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, Ray Evernham, asked chassis engineer Rex Stump to push every gray area, but stay within the rules. With a Tyrannosaurus Rex from "Jurassic Park: The Ride" bursting through the hood, Gordon took the field for a ride.

NASCAR was so impressed, it told Evernham never to bring those innovations to the track again.

13. The Polish Victory Lap

Alan Kulwicki drives clockwise around the track after his first series win.

Event: Checker 500

Date: Nov. 6, 1988

Location: Phoenix International Raceway

Why it’s memorable: Alan Kulwicki had no trouble being different, and when the Wisconsin native won his first NASCAR Cup race, he did a victory lap in the opposite way cars race on the track. All the better to see the celebrating fans — and they know how to celebrate in Phoenix.

Instead of being angry, NASCAR brass were delighted, and the "Polish Victory Lap" still is done in the late Kulwicki’s honor today.

12. Stewart, Edwards Tie, But Stewart Crowned

Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards — Tony Stewart, left, and Carl Edwards shake hands by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship trophy in 2011.

Event: Ford 400

Date: Nov. 20, 2011

Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Why it’s memorable: NASCAR liked the 1-2 finish in the race and for the championship so much they essentially made it a rule soon after.

Tony Stewart held off Carl Edwards in a thrilling battle down the stretch to win and tie in points after the final race of the season.

Stewart was crowned champion based on more season victories, 5-1.

11. Super Mario

Mario Andretti celebrates with his wife, Dee Ann, after winning the 1967 Daytona 500.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 26, 1967

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Mario Andretti is arguably the greatest driver ever, and his Daytona 500 victory is part of that legend.

He’s the only driver to win the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500 and Grand Prix of Monaco in a career.

His joy in Daytona’s victory lane at the age of 26 remains one of the best images in the history of NASCAR.

10. Bayne Rules Daytona

Trevor Bayne crosses the finish line to win the 2011 Daytona 500.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 20, 2011

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: In the brief period when 2-by-2 racing was king on restrictor-plate tracks, no one ever worked it better than Trevor Bayne.

Getting a push from past champion Bobby Labonte, Bayne nudged out to the lead over the final 100 yards of the race and edged Carl Edwards by .118-seconds.

It’s still Bayne’s only career victory.

9. The Ickey Shuffle

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 19, 1989

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Darrell Waltrip had tried to win the Daytona 500 for 16 seasons, but the 17th was the charm for his first and only 500 win.

Using fuel strategy, he cruised home to a win by more than seven seconds, but his post-race dance was the best part. Channeling Cincinnati Bengals running back Ickey Woods, Waltrip shuffled, spiked his helmet, and the crowd went wild.

8. The Fight and the Perfect Storm

Bobbie Allison and Cale Yarborough — Bobby Allison, left, stands over Cale Yarborough after a collision between Yarborough and Bobbie's brother Donnie on the last lap of the 1979 Daytona 500. Donnie was leading the race until the collision with Yarborough.

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 18, 1979

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: With millions of snowed-in households tuned into a rare live race broadcast, Richard Petty won.

But the real story was Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough furious on the backstretch after they had wrecked battling for the last-lap lead.

Then, Bobby Allison rolled up. "And there’s a fight!" intoned broadcaster Ken Squier, and modern NASCAR would soar from the spectacle and publicity.

7. Bump and Run, Just for Fun

Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte — Dale Earnhardt wrecks Terry Labonte at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Event: Goody’s Headache Powder 500

Date: Aug. 28, 1999

Location: Bristol Motor Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Talk about your hot August nights. Dale Earnhardt had been "The Intimidator" for a while, but he was never more menacing than this night.

Having the best car but starting back in the field late in the race, Big E shredded through the field and ran over leader Terry Labonte to win.

"I didn’t mean to wreck (him)," Earnhardt said afterward. "I just wanted to rattle his cage a little." Yeah, right.

6. Jimmie Johnson wins No. 7

Event: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Date: Nov. 20, 2016

Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Why it’s memorable: It was a mark few thought would ever be equaled, a driver tying "The King" and "The Intimidator" with seven Cup championships.

But after five straight from 2006 to 2010 and another in 2013, there stood Jimmie Johnson, winner at Homestead and champion once again.

And he accomplished the feat in a sport far more competitive than Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt raced in.

5. Petty, the President and Fried Chicken

Ronald Reagan and Richard Petty — President Ronald Reagan congratulates Richard Petty at Daytona International Speedway on July 4, 1984, after Petty won the Firecracker 400.

Event: Firecracker 400

Date: July 4, 1984

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Air Force One landed just behind the backstretch as the race roared, President Ronald Reagan watched the finish and Richard Petty won his 200th and final race.

Then the president and "The King" dined together on fried chicken.

It was a signature American moment, not just a NASCAR one.

4. Junior Wins One for Dad

Dale Earnhardt Jr. crosses the finish line as Michael Waltrip comes in second and Elliott Sadler finishes third in the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Event: Pepsi 400

Date: July 7, 2001

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: In the first race at Daytona since the death of Dale Earnhardt at the end of the season-opening Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. dominated on his way to victory lane.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. teammates Michael Waltrip and Elliott Sadler came in second and third, respectively, with 25 million viewers watching at home.

3. The Intimidator Finally Takes Daytona

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 15, 1998

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Why it’s memorable: Dale Earnhardt had won just about everything possible at Daytona, but a season-opening 500 win had eluded him in 19 tries.

It all finally came together on his 20th attempt, a victory so popular rival crews and driver lined up on pit road to give him high fives as he drove by in celebration.

2. By a Nose

Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven — Kurt Busch, right, and Ricky Craven (32) collide after crossing the finish line at the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400.

Event: Carolina Dodge Dealers 400

Date: March 16, 2003

Location: Darlington Raceway

Why it’s memorable: Injuries hampered Ricky Craven’s career, but his win against Kurt Busch at Darlington was one for the ages.

Tapping and rubbing down the stretch, Craven nosed past Busch by about 4 inches, or .002 seconds, the narrowest victory in Cup series history.

1. The Pass in the Grass

Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott — Dale Earnhardt, right, passes Bill Elliott in the grass and goes on to win the 1987 All-Star race.

Event: The Winston (All-Star Race)

Date: May 17, 1987

Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Why it’s memorable: It’s been imitated in movies, but to witness it at the time was simply unbelievable.

Bill Elliott was trying to get by Dale Earnhardt with eight laps to go and clipped him, sending Earnhardt into the grass infield coming out of Turn 4.

Earnhardt made a miraculous save and went on to win the race.

Related: Greatest NASCAR Drivers