In society we have a tendency to slap a label on something the moment anything of any consequence happens. Often the label being used involves words like “greatest ever,” the biggest disappointment,” and so forth.
Instead of letting an event marinate and allowing time to dictate its place in history, we instantly try and determine where a particular moment fits in the spectrum of record.
Too often without the proper amount of time to digest what’s transpired, our instant analysis is proved incorrect.
Now, 48 hours removed from Tony Stewart doing the unthinkable and outdueling Carl Edwards in a stirring head-to-head duel to not only win the Ford 400 but the championship, the easy thing to do is say this was the best championship-deciding race in NASCAR history.
Upon a little reflection, it very could well be. However, that proclamation will have to wait.
Just once previously had a championship battle come down to the degree it did on Sunday.
That day was of course, November 15, 1992. A race many smarter than I view as the best race in NASCAR’s rich history.
It was on that day, the super team of Bill Elliott and Junior Johnson were looking to fend off a surprising upstart from Wisconsin who went by the name of Alan Kulwicki.
As Stewart and Edwards did this past weekend, Elliott and Kulwicki were running first and second in the closing laps. But unlike this past Sunday, Kulwicki knew because he had already secured the points bonus for leading the most laps, it wasn’t paramount he win the race.
The stubborn, headstrong driver who owned his own team (sound familiar?) knew finishing second would be good enough to secure him his first Sprint Cup.
That wasn’t a luxury afforded to Stewart Sunday.
Because Edwards had led the most laps, and because the No. 99 Ford Fusion car was as good as the Chevy Stewart was wheeling, The owner-driver knew there was only one way to bring home his third series title.
Anything less than a victory would equate to a runner-up finish in the final standings. A prospect that was unacceptable to the man who had made it loud and clear to his opponent just days before that when the dust settled, it would be him walking away with the championship hardware and not the man who had been the most consistent driver throughout the season.
To talk a big game is one thing. To go out and back up your statements in the most damning way possible is entirely different thing altogether.
Stewart, through both his actions and his words, willed his team to the championship.
He twice drove through the field to get to the front after getting repairs for a damaged grille which had been punctured by a piece of debris early on. As if this adversity wasn’t enough, more hurdles were to come including a lengthier than normal pit stop due to a malfunctioning air gun, to be followed by Stewart later running out of fuel.
Yet, in a race that had far-reaching consequences like no other, there he was still in position to challenge for the race win and the championship.
With 30 laps to go, it was Stewart out in front leading Edwards, knowing that one bobble, wiggle or one corner where he simply drove it in too hard would erase everything he and his team had overcome.
When the checkered flag was rolled out and waved, Stewart not only officially claimed his 44th career win but most importantly, his third Sprint Cup title.
This triumph firmly secured Stewart’s place in an elite group which includes Lee Petty, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, David Pearson, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, as drivers who have three or more Sprint Cup championships to their name.
Accompanied with his accomplishments in open-wheel racing, where Stewart won the IndyCar title in 1997 and notched three victories in his two-plus years, it firmly cements him as one of the most diverse and accomplished drivers in a variety of disciplines of all-time.
But instead of trying to determine Stewart’s place in history and where this race may fall in the list of great NASCAR races, let’s just sit back and enjoy.
Let’s enjoy the gritty determination Stewart showed throughout the Chase which saw him win a record five playoff races and pass a total of 118 cars Sunday.
Let’s relish the class Edwards displayed despite losing the championship in the most painful way possible. I can’t image what Edwards is going through, knowing he did everything he could in the Chase – his 4.9 average finish was a Chase record and on Sunday he started on the pole, led the most laps and finished second – yet it still wasn’t good enough to overcome Stewart.
Let’s appreciate a race which showcased everything there is to love about stock car racing at its highest-level.
Let’s respect the efforts of Stewart’s crew chief, Darian Grubb, who just five weeks prior had been told that he would be out of a job at the end of the year.
As we do all these things, let’s also let time establish the hierarchy in which we will place Stewart’s win.
Although, to be honest, when everything is said and done and the time comes to judge this race, I have a fairly good idea where I’m going to put it.
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Photo courtesy of NASCAR Media/Getty Images
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