20 years ago today, the NASCAR Cup Series took the checkered flag for the very last time at Rockingham Speedway. The D-shaped 1.017-mile oval hosted Cup races from 1965 to 2004.
Now, 2004 was a year of change for NASCAR, utilizing a playoff format for the first time in its history. As the sport evolved and moved into the future, ‘The Rock’ was soon to be one of the things it left in the past. As fate would have it, the track would give us something to remember it by as the race for the win that day came down to the reigning series champion and a rookie driver, appropriately giving us a battle between the sport’s past and its future.
The 2004 Subway 400 was the 78th Cup race run at Rockingham. Ryan Newman, known then as ‘Rocket Man’ for his incredible prowess in qualifying, claimed pole position in the No. 12 Penske Dodge (156.475mph). The Penske driver would start the race alongside Chip Ganassi’s Jamie McMurray in a front row lockout for Dodge.
Tires, tires, tires
Tire conservation was always key at the abrasive track and drivers would be pitting for fresh rubber long before they needed fuel. Just how important were tires? Rusty Wallace’s team bought 16 sets for that race, and intended to use them all.
It didn’t take McMurray long to snatch the lead away from the pole-sitter, beaming with confidence after winning the Xfinity (then Busch) race one day earlier.
Jeff Gordon made the most out of an early yellow, jumping from third to first in the pitlane. Although tire conservation was paramount, hitting rogue tires was just as important. Two wayward wheels escaped their boxes during the first round of stops. The first was struck by John Andretti, bouncing wildly through the air before coming to rest in the field. Jeff Green was the unfortunate driver to find the other one, and both cars suffered right-front damage as a result.
After just a handful of green-flag laps since their last stop, another caution meant another round of pitstops with how significant the tire fall-off was. Robby Gordon chose not to take tires and paid the price for it as Newman tried and failed to hold back (Jeff) Gordon in the battle for the lead.
Kenseth arrives at the front
Matt Kenseth started deep in the field (23rd), but showed promise early, running laps faster than the leaders while mired back in traffic. He eased by Gordon and claimed the lead for the first time on Lap 90 of 393. The defending Cup champ was blistering fast and quickly drove…
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