SPEED READING: Top five 'NASCAR Dad' moments in stock car racing history
Ryan McGee / FOX Sports Net
Posted: 1 day ago
NASCAR Dads: Much more than a political catchphrase
NASCAR Dads. When I first heard America's newest buzz phrase, I thought it was the coolest title ever. Then the politicians got hold of it. Now, from city councilmen to Kerry and Dubya, America's greatest new demographic label is being covered in bipartisan mud that will be slung from sea to shining sea from now until November 2.
That fact made me even angrier when I recently found out that November 2 is the same day that my wife and I are supposed to have our first child — in other words, the day I myself will officially become a NASCAR Dad.
Baby McGee
So, now, in an effort to save this cherished designation from being buried under a sea of tacky election posters, we here at FOXSports.com are proud to present the top five NASCAR Dad moments in stock car racing history.
5. "Y'all know who I'm pulling for!" — Daytona, 2/14/93
How great would it be if every kid got to hit his first home run while his Dad called the action live on network television? For Dale Jarrett, that happened twice. The first came at Michigan in August 1991. D.J. took the checkered flag inches ahead of Davey Allison while his Pops was providing color commentary for ESPN.
But the big one came two years later. Dale was desperately fighting off the other Dale, as in Earnhardt. Meanwhile, Ned Jarrett was in the booth for CBS Sports. As the Dales headed into the final two turns, play-by-play man Mike Joy handed the call over to Ned.
"Y'all know who I'm pulling for! It's Dale Jarrett. Take her to the inside Dale, don't let him get down there. He's going to do it! Dale Jarrett is going to win the Daytona 500! Alright!"
As broadcasters we are constantly told to be objective and try not to show favoritism for any one team or driver. But sometimes, you just have to throw that out the window. Ned did, and we didn't mind one bit.
4. One more for Julian — Bristol, 8/22/98
On August 10, 1998, Mark Martin's father, Julian, was killed in a private plane crash near the Great Basin National Park in Nevada, along with Mark's stepmother and stepsister. One week later, Martin led 57 laps at Michigan before fading late and finishing 4th. As Mark sat in his car with tears in his eyes, winner Jeff Gordon told the media in Victory Lane he wished that Martin had won instead of himself.
But Martin left no doubt six days later at Bristol, leading 190 laps and dominating on the way to his 27th career win. This time he climbed from the car and stood in the window with his arms raised, later admitting that he had spent the closing laps of the race thinking about his father and all that Julian Martin had sacrificed so his boy could become a racing superstar.
3. Outta the way, Pop — Richmond, 5/6/00
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s first career Cup win had already happened at Texas on April 2, five weeks earlier. But this victory seemed to mean a little more. Why? Because he passed his old man for the lead with 30 laps to go.
At Texas, Dale Sr. showed up in Victory Lane to give his boy a hug. At Richmond, he faded on old tires to finish 10th and bolted for his helicopter, sending word to Dale Jr. that he would need to find another ride home to North Carolina.
2. This hurts me more than it hurts you... not — Atlanta, 6/14/59
One week before Father's Day 1959, 21-year old Richard Petty crossed the finish line first at the Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta. But the runner-up finisher filed a protest claiming that he was the rightful winner and that track scorers had messed up. The scorecards were recounted and the protester was found to be in the right, so Richard was bumped to second and the original runner-up was handed the trophy and a check for $2,200.
Who was this exonerated protester? Richard's dad, Lee Petty.
The King would have to wait another 18 races before finally picking up his first win, coming at Charlotte on February 28, 1960. For the record, pole sitter Lee finished 20th with a rotten spark plug.
1. Allison vs. Allison — Daytona, 2/14/88
Easily the greatest father-son moment in NASCAR history was played out on NASCAR's biggest stage. Fifty-year old Bobby Allison was gunning for his third win in The Great American Race, behind the wheel of his famous Miller High Life Buick. But hot on his heels was a familiar sight — the toothy grin of his first-born son, Davey, driving his soon-to-be equally famous Havoline Ford.
Father and son battled hard over the closing laps, with son closing in on his dad's golden back bumper, but never able to make a move for the lead. In front of 140,000 fans, Bobby topped his boy by two car lengths to take the checkers.
That's when CBS on-board cameras captured one of the most enduring images in the history of racing. Son waved to father at 180 miles per hour ,and father waved back, their hands extended and tears in their eyes.
"I know this is Valentine's Day," Davey said standing in Victory Lane next to his old man. "But I guess it really turned out to Father's Day, didn't it?"
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In honor of Father's Day
Posted - 06/19/2004 : 11:13:03 PM
