The NASCAR All-Star race, formerly known as The Winston, has fashioned some of the most memorable finishes in the sport’s abounding history.Needless to say, there was a plethora of choices when it came to selecting a race for this week.When it came down to it, the 1987 Winston topped them all.
In 1987, The Winston returned to the Charlotte (now Lowe’s) Motor Speedway where the inaugural event was held in 1985.In 1986, the race was moved to Atlanta Motor Speedway, and not only did Bill Elliott stink up the show, but the race was held on Mother’s Day weekend, and the attendance was a bitter disappointment. In 1985, Darrell Waltrip was so fast, his engine blew up as he crossed the finish line. In 1987, NASCAR altered the format, adding a ten-lap shootout for the final segment.
Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott were the two biggest names in the sport, and the two most victorious drivers over the previous two years.Earnhardt was the proverbial bad boy, the driver who everyone loved to hate; meanwhile Elliott was by far the most popular driver in NASCAR.The red-headed country boy was like the guy next door.Everyone loved Bill Elliott.It was the perfect good guy versus bad boy scenario, and both drivers played their role well.In this case, the nice guy finished last.
As you reminisce while watching the videos, you will see two drivers doing everything and anything they could to win the race that involved the best of the best.Earnhardt and Elliott almost seemed desperate in their attempts to outshine the other.Ultimately, one driver would bask in the glory of victory while the other felt that his shot at victory was wrongly ripped away from him.
After the race, Elliott was clearly infuriated as he rammed into Earnhardt several times on the cool down lap.This provoked a near brawl between the two crews.
“The aggressiveness has gotten out of hand.This is not Saturday night wrestling.I’ve been to Talladega, Daytona, and everywhere else and I’m beat up by the same guy,” Elliott complained.
Earnhardt’s retort was simple.“I’m not mad at Elliott.I know he was frustrated.(But) if he wants to carry this on, then we will.I will stand flatfooted against him,” he said with his trademark grin.
Earnhardt took the heat, as other drivers such as Geoff Bodine bemoaned his driving. Earnhardt even received death threats due to the confrontation with Elliott.
Earnhardt and Elliott were not the only drivers with beef following the race. Kyle Petty and Rusty Wallace came to blows before they were separated by Richard Petty.
This is the All-Star race that set the stage for many exhilarating finishes to come.Needless to say, the 1987 All-Star was everything a NASCAR fan could ask for.
Every February, I break out the old not-so-accurate crystal ball, attempting my annual preseason projections. Once again, I was off the mark in 2009. …
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Race of the week- 1987 'The Winston' at Charlotte
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