While the Daytona 500 has been a focal point of the NASCAR schedule since 1959, its place as the season opening event only dates back to 1982. Throughout the past four decades, a veritable who’s who of Hall of Fame drivers have claimed victory in the crown jewel of the Cup Series.
Yet, there is a particular accomplishment that only two of those winners have been able to claim: another win in the very next race.
The second race of the year doesn’t quite carry the level of prestige that the Daytona 500 does. But it does have the distinction of being a momentum killer. From Rockingham Speedway to Auto Club Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway to Phoenix Raceway, it would seem that the only thing harder than winning the 500 is following it up with another victory.
In 1997, Jeff Gordon was ready for vengeance. He stockpiled 10 wins in 1996 only to lose the championship to his two-win teammate Terry Labonte. With team owner Rick Hendrick at home to treat both his leukemia and legal issues, the No. 24 team was ready to go bring a smile to their boss’ face with some trophies.
While the end of the ’97 Daytona 500 couldn’t have turned out better for Gordon, it wasn’t without trouble. Early on, he had a flat tire, and the subsequent green flag pit stop put him a lap down. He stayed within striking distance of the leaders but couldn’t get in front of them.
Then a fortuitous caution flag in the later stages put Gordon back on the lead lap and he marched up through the field. A spectacular accident involving Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett and Ernie Irvan took those drivers out of contention and put Gordon right on the bumper of leader Bill Elliott.
On the restart with six laps to go, his teammates Labonte and Ricky Craven lined up behind him and gave Gordon the push he needed to get by Elliott. Another multi-car wreck with four laps left brought out the yellow, and the Hendrick trio cruised to the finish line, giving their owner a clean sweep of the top three positions.
Race number two on the 1997 schedule was at Rockingham. Jarrett was the class of the field on this day but it wouldn’t be enough. Despite leading 323 of the 393 laps, he wound up second.
Good fortune befell Gordon in back-to-back races and it resulted in back-to-back wins. Just like Daytona, a late race caution brought Gordon close enough to challenge the leader. When the green flag waved,…
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