Top Row Seat - Atlanta

Dateline: 11/18/97

Well, the 1997 Winston Cup season has come to a close and Jeff Gordon has claimed his second championship. You don't have to like him. (and I don't) But you have to respect his ability and the amazing team that he has behind him. So although it pains me to say it I do have to congratulate Gordon and especially Ray Evernham, who I have a tremendous amount of respect for, on a fine season and a solid Championship win.

Championship Moments

Looking back over this season there are really three incidents that stand out in my mind as having significant Championship consequences.

Jarrett's Black Flag At Watkins Glen

I believe that this incident has turned out to be the single most critical point of the 1997 Winston Cup season. NASCAR believed that Dale Jarrett was leaking fluid onto the race track. They informed the crew and they vehemently denied it. NASCAR black flagged DJ and he pitted only to discover that he in fact was not leaking anything.

This innocent error on NASCAR's part cost Jarrett a number of positions and had it not occurred he might well have caught and passed Gordon during these last few races and clinched his first Winston Cup title.

Martin's Last Lap Wreck At Daytona

The last lap incident during the Pepsi 400 was unfortunate and in Mark Martin's case avoidable. Mark got overly aggressive and tried to stick it in a hole that closed up on him. If he had sat back and rode it out he would have finished fifth and earned a lot more points than he did by wrecking.

Gordon's Fortunate Wreck At Talladega

Although no wreck is ever a good thing. For Jeff Gordon to wreck at Talladega and take the second and third place drivers in the points out with him was extremely fortunate. If either Martin or Jarrett had slipped through that incident unscathed they might have had a commanding lead going into Atlanta.

Very Important?

While the above incidents definitely happened. Their effect on the points race is pure speculation. If Gordon had been trailing by 5 points instead of leading by 77 would he have coasted around to finish 16th at Atlanta? What do you think? :)

The point is, while the above incidents are great cause for debate, the fact of the matter is that Jeff Gordon is the 1997 Winston Cup Champion and he earned it. Coulda, shoulda, and woulda won't cash that $1,750,000 check at the banquet.

Quote Of The Week (Almost)

Right after the mandatory caution when Mark Martin only took two tires Benny Parsons said "If the race ended now, Mark Martin would be the 1997 Winston Cup Champion."

Oh! Don't tease me like that. Maybe we can put a Ford driver at the Waldorf Astoria's head table in 1998.

Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!

Send your tips, rumors and comments to me at nascar.guide@miningco.com.

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