The year was 1999. The race was the Goody’s Headache Powder 500. What better name for a race especially at a track named Bristol Motor Speedway. A headache is exactly what Texas Terry Labonte had after the race along with the other 7 drivers who were caught up in the 7 car pile up. Bristol has always been one the most exciting races of the season. It’s like taking your dad’s 70 country Squire station wagon and trying to race it around a 5.66 mile asphalt blender. Race fans expect more out of Bristol then any other track in the series. Bristol has always been known for it’s upside down, helmet throwing, get the h e c k out of my way rockem sockem, sucker punch style of racing.
Looking back at 1995. Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt were racing each other hard in typical Bristol fashion. Earnhardt living up to his nickname “The Intimidator,” ran Wallace into the wall. After the race. Wallace walked up to Earnhardt and hit him with his water bottle. This is the attitude that Bristol brings out in some of NASCAR’s calmest drivers. And of course who could forget 1999 when Sr would once again upset a driver this time it was Terry Labonte. On the last lap with Labonte running in front of Earnhardt. With no where to go. Earnhardt gently tapped Labonte in the rear sending him into the wall. One minute Labonte has his eyes set on the checkers and a win. The next he is staring at a white wall coming straight at him and an 8th place finish.
We all remember Earnhardt’s famous last words as he was exiting his car. Was he rattling his cage? Or was he doing what any other driver would have done for a win? Even his son Dale Jr has had his moments. A few years back while battling for the 12th spot. He and Ward Burton got tangled up and Ward ran back out on the track and threw his heel pads into Jr’s race car. There are many other stories of drivers going after one another during and after the race.
Kurt Busch in winning 5 times at this half mile boxing ring had one his worst nightmares come true. When the hot headed Jimmy Spencer confronted him after a race and knocked him in the head. If you had high blood pressure. This was not the place to be racing at. Because if you got out of the groove or got hit from behind. You would easily be passed by 10 or 12 cars. But what happened to all this excitement that was once Bristol? Where did it go? Who stole Bristol’s identity?
Thunder Valley is not what it used to be. We saw back in 2007 when Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne led 487 out of the 500 laps. And earlier this year when Harvick and Stewart wrecked on lap 498. After Stewart had led a race high 267 laps. Harvick got underneath Stewart sending him spinning into the turn 2 wall. Then on the green-white restart. Denny Hamlin had a fuel pickup problem giving the win to Jeff Burton. There were a total of 21 cars on the lead lap. These are hardly what Bristol memories are made of. Fans expect the unexpected from a track that has never disappointed. Do you blame it on the new surface? Or do you blame it on the new car?
No matter who takes the blame? Bristol is not the track that it used to be. Bristol had a certain magic to it that made it so unique. Gone is the mystique and the excitement that made it a one of a kind race track. A race that every driver knew was going to be a knockout drag out crash fest. The carnage that was left behind resembled a Saturday night demolition derby at your local race track. 165,000 fans will still flock to 151 Speedway Blvd., Bristol, Tennessee to see Nascars finest battle it out in what won’t be the season’s most exciting race. Fans were cheated last year. And they will be cheated again this year.
There will be no helmet throwing, 20 cautions, 12 cars on the lead lap, watch out for the guy behind you type racing. But instead it will be your typical single file, everyday walk in the park racing that we have been watching week after week ever since the newer car was brought into race full time this season. Until NASCAR gives these teams more freedom to express themselves with different setups and chassis adjustments. All that we fans can expect is a repeat of what we have been watching all season. Another race filled with the excitement of watching grass grow. It is what it is. It’s just to bad that we the fans are the ones that have to suffer. I’m Out
3fan, I blame it on the COT. NASCAR needs to loosen its parameters, and let the TEAMS tinker with setups, chassis, etc. I'd prefer they scrap the COT altogether; it's been one gigantic cluster____. (you fill in the blank!)
I remember that 1995 race, when Terry Labonte won skidding sideways as a result of an Earnhardt tap. And after that 1999 race, I've not seen any driver as pissed off as Labonte was. But Bristol at night is still special.
RACE WINNER: Kevin Harvick.
Last edited by jon_464 on August 20th at 12:33 AM.
I'm with you on this... NASCAR grew and grew on the shoulders of the grind it out, get out of my way type of racing you extoll. It is the reason for the sport's popularity... If the people that run NASCAR aren't careful, they will see this popularity ebb and die off. The latest rule changes halfway through the season in NWS concerning Toyota horsepower are unbelieveable. The Chase format has taken the edge off of two thirds of the season... The best teams are playing it safe and that doesn't bode well for the sanctioning body...
Sometimes a few steps back is progress when one has headed down the wrong road...
jon- Your right about the I'll fill in the blank part. Nascar has really blown it with the newer car and they are afraid to admit it. Nascar for once should have stepped in and told the owners NO and not let them talk them into bringing the car into the series so soon.
As far as a race winner. LOL Its gonna be any driver who doesnt get dizzy driving around making left hand turns with no cautions.
Dwindy- Thanks. Your right about Nascars roots. It would be like pro football taking away the tackling and putting flags on them like how we played in elementary school. The popularity level has already started to drop.
ABC didnt even resign there contract to show the race on National T.V. this season. Look at all the empty seats at all the tracks this season. The Coca-Cola 400 which sells out every year at Daytona was only a little over three quarters full. The writing is on the wall. And the letters are just getting bigger.
3fan - The mystique is gone for several seasons. First of all - it still is a spectacle when run at night. But lets look at the fact that it really is a two-groove race track now. Although there still is a preferred line, cars can run two-wide on the straights and in the corners now.
Second, other than Jeff Gordon and perhaps Tony Stewart, it is a new generation of drivers that lack magnitude. Oh, they are very good drivers, but not personalities. How can they measure up in persona to Sr., Cale, Bobby, DW, Petty, Pearson, etc. Kevin Harvick has the right personality, but he doesn't measure up to the greatness of the others. Jimmie Johnson has the talent but not the presentation. And so on.
Lastly, I think the current chase for the championship takes away the focus from NASCAR legacy races and sustitutes the competition to make the playoff. They are now focused, more than ever, about trying not to end up on the roll-back and less about winning the race for the trophy.
Moseby- Thinking about what you said comparing the old school drivers to the new generation. Your right. Driving styles have changed as well as racing attitudes. That's what the mighty dollar does. They no longer race for pride but more for how much they can make. There's nothing wrong with that as long as you still give the fans what they want. The chase has really taken a lot of that away also. Its to bad that Nascar doesn't or refuses to see it that way. How much is to much? I'm sure Brians pockets are already bursting at the seams. At least give us fans back the old point system and we can deal with newer car.Thanks
Lori I'm still hoping to someday go see a race over there. Maybe next year. At least your first race there was the old Bristol. I'm sure one of these days the racing will get exciting again. As far as the grass. Hmmm maybe when I do go. I'll plant a small patch where no one can dig it out. LOL Thanks Lori
3fan, They resurfaced and now you have two grooves all the way around with side by side racing. But before you had to take a chance and get out of the groove to attempt a pass or knock the guy ahead of you out of the groove.
Also NASCAR has limited the drivers to much on the short track with the aggressive driving penalties. The old school drivers wouldn't be able to put on the show today that they used to.
elad- I think most of it is because of the aero package of the newer car. Since the cars front bumpers sit almost even with the rears. When the drivers bump each other they done send them into a spin. Also its hard to suck the air out of the car in front because of how the splitter is desgned. It almost scrapes the ground and doesn't allow the air to flow likw the old spoilers. I'm not ruling out the new surface. That to has a lot to do like you say know that they can race side by side without the problems they had in the past.Thanks
JW- Thanks. I still like the track but the racing lately hasnt been the same. Maybe once Nascar looks through the eyes of the fans. They just might do something right and let the owners have some fun again.
Photo- That's probably what they need right now. Smoke said it best last year comparing Nascar to the WWE. Its to bad that once he opened his mouth Nascar took action.
Once upon a time at a race track far far away. Ah forget it. It brings back to many good memories. Thanks Photo.
Ahh...Yes... Bristol brings out the Dogs of War. I hope there is alot of beating and ####ing. I also like the fact you can be side by side on the new surface.
Jeff Gordon is going to take Carl Edwards out for the win. After the checkard Carl is going to slam the #24 in to the wall and all HeII is going to break out....Ahh...Yes... Dreaming out loud again..
Pops- Theres nothing wrong with dreaming. My dream is that the old Bristol will be back. Hopefully I wake up and the it was all just a nightmare what happened to Bristol. Thanks Pops.
3fan - the last couple of Bristol races with the COT have definitely lacked the excitement of years past. I am hoping that with more racing with this car that Saturday's race may be better than Aprils. And yeah...night racing in itself always adds some more drama to the event.
We went to the Spring Bristol for 10 years, 1991 - 2001. And I saw the track really grow and evolve. I loved going there, but we quit going after Chicago and Indy were on the NASCAR schedule, as they are both MUCH closer to home!
Gerrel- Anytime you can go to races rather one is a good thing. Unless of course its Bristol. I havent been there yet but am hoping to make it next year. Even if the racing isnt like old Bristol. Its more for the reason of being there. Its to bad that Indy ended up the way it did this year. Thanks
I am a Nascar fan from Cali hoping to bring a diffrerent perspective to Nascar. And if not. At least I tried. I also love football, baseball, golf and basketball. I try to attend as many races a year as I can. Ive been to Kansas,Infine on,Phoenix,Ve gas,Californi a just to name a few. Ive been a fan going on about 20+ years. There is nothing like short track racing at Irwindale on saturday nights. Also love to watch and attend drag races. Of course John Force is my favorite driver. Im also a fan of Tony Schumacher. Maybe someday to be able to write about Nascar.
