HAMPTON, Ga. — When Jeff Gordon arrived for his first-ever NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1992, much of the attention was on one of the greatest point races in NASCAR history and the fact that it was the final race in Richard Petty’s career.
Gordon was a much-heralded 21-year-old driver with a mullet haircut and a mustache driving a rainbow-colored Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. But the spotlight was not directed at him as fans came to bid farewell to Petty, “The King” of NASCAR racing with 200 victories and seven Cup titles.
There were six drivers in position to win the title in what was then the final race of the season, and it would go down as one of the most pivotal races in NASCAR history when underdog driver Alan Kulwicki drove his Ford “Underbird” to the title by just 10 points over race winner Bill Elliott.
Gordon finished 31st after crashing out of the race and little was written about his effort. But over time, it was quite evident the torch had been passed from “The King” to Gordon, who has laid claim to the throne as NASCAR royalty.
So 15 years later, the name of the series has been changed from Winston Cup to Nextel Cup, but Gordon is on top of the standings and if he is able to close out the season on top, it would be his fifth Cup title in 15 years.
“I was with Richard Petty today, we did a photo together, neither one of us could believe that it had been 15 years ago,” Gordon said Saturday. “It is pretty amazing from where I stand, of how much has gone on in my life and my career for those past 15 years.
“I was so young and naive and clueless as to what was ahead. How could you be any different? I was just excited to get the opportunity.”
It was the beginning of an outstanding Cup career that all started on a crisp November day in 1992 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Just being part of Petty’s last race was a thrill to the youngster at that time. Today, Gordon is mentioned in the same class as Petty as one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers.
At 36, Gordon has 81 wins. He is primed to pass Cale Yarborough’s 83 career wins with Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip each with 84 career wins.
If Gordon wins 25 more races in his career, he will surpass David Pearson’s 105 wins and become the No. 2 driver in career wins in NASCAR Cup history.
“Probably the coolest thing that I carry with me was the driver’s meeting,” Gordon recalled. “I don’t remember a driver’s meeting quite like that. They introduced, whether it is a celebrity and official from a big company and that day it was all about Richard (Petty) and he spoke. I can’t really remember the things that he said, but I remember his handing out these money clips that had an insignia of him with his cowboy hat and each starting position was inscribed on there.
“I have one that has 21 on it. I still have it. To me, that was the coolest part of the day just to be able to be a part of that. I know that I am one of a very few guys, I think, that has one of those money clips. I never used it, but I still have it.”