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Bobby Labonte once dominated AMS (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
It is difficult to believe that a decade has passed since the late Dale Earnhardt and Bobby Labonte dash to the finish line at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was one of the most exhilarating finishes in the sport’s rich history. Do you recall where you were ten years ago?
I was crashing at a friend’s place in Florida, indolently lounging on the couch as I watched the entire 500-mile event. I was in my very early twenties, without a job, and the only two things that triggered my enthusiasm were NASCAR and the fast approaching Spring Break in Daytona Beach.
As an Earnhardt fan, I monitored his whereabouts throughout the race; however, I secretly pulled for Mike Skinner, Earnhardt’s Richard Childress Racing teammate. Skinner dominated the race, leading a whopping 191 of 325 laps, but a blown engine late in the race ended any hope of his first Winston Cup victory lane celebration, a celebration that never occurred. Skinner never won a Sprint Cup race, and to this day, he is one of the best drivers never to win a Cup race. In 1999 and 2000, he saw multiple races slip through his fingers.
After Skinner’s engine expired, Earnhardt inherited the lead on lap 306. I almost stated that he grabbed the lead and ‘never looked back’, but that axiom is inaccurate. Earnhardt had to observe his rear view mirror quite repeatedly as a particular green Pontiac Grand Prix began to stalk the Intimidator. Labonte’s last gasp effort to bypass Earnhardt came up just 0.10 seconds short, as Earnhardt celebrated his 75th career Winston Cup victory.
Most of our lives have drastically changed since this race. The sport of NASCAR is unrecognizable to many. Earnhardt tragically passed away less than a year later. Labonte would ironically fend off Earnhardt for the 2000 title, but his career began a downhill slide following his last win at Homestead in 2003. He left Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2005 season for Petty Enterprises, and has since piloted cars for underfunded teams such as Hall of Fame Racing, and now TRG Motorsports.
The non-traditional championship format no longer rewards season-long consistency, at least not to the extent as the previous format. The current format is stick and ball playoff-style. Double-file restarts (without lapped cars on the inside of lead lap cars) and lucky dog allowances were nonexistent.
Jeff Gordon, still married to Brooke, donned the old Rainbow paint scheme. Dale Jarrett still had a mustache. Dave Marcis still raced, so did Darrell Waltrip. Tony Stewart was a young gun, and Dale Earnhardt Jr and Matt Kenseth were rookies. Jeremy Mayfield and Jerry Nadeau were considered up and comers. Kevin Harvick was a Busch Series rookie. Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch were still developing in the Craftsman Truck Division, while Jimmie Johnson was a struggling Busch Series driver. Chad Knaus was working for Melling Racing. Heck, Joey Logano was in grade school.
As I mentioned, much has changed. Imagine how much could change within the next ten years.
Comments
I remember that Atlanta race very well. A lot has changed since then. I used to be a diehard race fan and went to 5 or 6 races a year, Not anymore.
I remember a question asked to Dale Earnhardt Sr about which driver he hates to see in his rear view mirror and he said Bobby Labonte. I guess you can see why.
That was a memorable race and a truly great finish.
I've said before - put Bobby in a Gibbs, Roush, RCR or Hendrick car and I'm positive he'd do just as well, if not better than Mark martin.
After all, Bobby has the ring to prove he's a top class racer!
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