All About Nascar

By Nancy Martin

Every few years a star rises, and one legend steps aside to make way. This often goes unnoticed in real life, but in NASCAR, this kind of pattern is highly visible, Richard petty won his last title in'79, Dale Earnhardt took his first the next year. Dale went on to win 6 more before passing on the prize to Jeff Gordon in'95, These three men are on the top of the list of all time Winston cup winners. Let's look at the men who single handedly sold NASCAR tickets to millions over the years.

Richard petty

There have been few drivers as celebrated as him in NASCAR. The King started his career at the age of 21 in'58, and by the time he hung his driving gloves in'92 thirty-five years later he had amassed records that would take generations to break. He won 7 Winston cups (a record tied with Dale Earnhardt SR.) and won 200 races (another record), nearly twice as that of his closest rival David Pearson.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Dale Earnhardt drove his first race in'75, and competed in 8 more races until his first full season in'79. He showed signs of class early on by finishing in 7th place in overall points standings and was declared the Rookie of the season. He won his first Winston cup in next year, coincidently winning the title after Richard Petty's 7th and final win , a NASCAR record that Earnhardt went on to equal later in his career. Dale died in a tragic car accident at the 2001 Daytona 500 at the age of 49.

David Gene Pearson

Born in South Carolina in'34, David Gene Pearson was the first driver to win 3 Winston cup titles. Nicknamed 'The Silver Fox', he won many accolades over his 26 year long career including being declared the Rookie of the Year in'60, and winning the career grand slam at NASCAR, a feat achieved by only 8 people until now. Pearson is also remembered for his outstanding clashes with The King Richard Petty which resulted in 63 one-two finishes between the two in a-- year period.

Jeff Gordon

A four time NASCAR sprint cup champion, Jeff showed a lot of promise from his first season in'93, at the end of which he was declared the rookie of the season. He defeated Earnhardt Sr. to win his first title in'95 and repeated the feat three more times, last of which came in 2001. Although Gordon has not won a championship ever since, he is till formidably present on the track, running in third position in the current championship.

Jimmie Johnson

Born in El Cajon, California, Jimmie Johnson began his driving career in 2001. His first race win came next year in NAPA Auto parts 500, California. It took him five more years before he could win his first sprint cup, but since then he has not relinquished the title. An interesting point is that he drives for a Jeff Gordon, a man whose record he is set to equal if he wins the NASCAR championship at the end of the season.

If you are not a fan of NASCAR already, chances are after reading this you will have become one. There is so much more to these men than we could have told you in a few words, and there is so much more to the sport, than you can understand from reading a few pages. So go buy yourself NASCAR tickets, or find a dealer to find your NASCAR TIX for you and begin your affair with the sport. - 30406

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