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Race of the week- 1988 Bud at the Glen at Watkins Glen

Before Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart reigned supreme on the road courses, a duo of dynamic drivers owned the left and right turns.  In the late 1980’s, when the Winston Cup Series arrived at Watkins Glen, Riverside, or Sears Point, you could almost bet the either Ricky Rudd or Rusty Wallace would celebrate in victory lane. 

Rudd won five road course races from 1983 to 1990, while Wallace won five from 1987 to 1990.  They had some tremendous battles along the way; but the 1988 Bud at the Glen stands out as perhaps the best ever finish at Watkins Glen, a road course that NASCAR visited back in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, and then from 1986 onward. 

Bill Elliott led a race-high nineteen laps, but went on to finish third.  Rudd took the lead for the first and only time with four laps to go as he passed Darrell Waltrip.  Wallace was in hot pursuit, and nearly turned Rudd as they closed in on the finish line.  Wallace even ran off the track trying to wrestle the lead away from Rudd.  It was a classic finish between two of the best road racers of their generation. 

Racing at Watkins Glen has produced some of the most intense racing, often leading into confrontations.  The two bonus clips are a couple of the most memorable confrontation in NASCAR history- Jeff Gordon versus Tony Stewart, and Kevin Harvick versus Juan Pablo Montoya .



Previously featured races:


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, Atlanta NASCAR Examiner

Jeremy has covered NASCAR since 2005, and his articles have been featured on websites such as SpeedwayMedia, Suite101, and local magazines such as SpeedSouth. He is the author of the published book entitled 'Superstars Of Pro Football: Ray Lewis.'

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