Чемпионат NASCAR Winston Cup 1995: Триумф Джеффа Гордона

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The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 47th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 24th modern era Cup series season. The season began on February 12 in Daytona Beach and concluded on November 12 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his first career championship.

The major story heading into the 1995 season was Dale Earnhardt's attempt to make history. After winning his seventh Winston Cup Championship in 1994, Earnhardt tied Richard Petty's record for Cup Championships. Going into the 1995 season, Earnhardt had won four of the last five Winston Cup points titles, and was considered the favorite to win his eighth in 1995. As the season progressed, the race for the series championship became a battle between Earnhardt, Sterling Marlin and Jeff Gordon. The majority of the spotlight soon shifted on the 24 year old Gordon. Gordon, who had won two of 1994’s biggest races (Coca Cola 600 and the Inaugural Brickyard 400), visited victory lane in three of the first six races of 1995. Gordon would become the most consistent driver of the season. During one stretch of the season, he rattled off 14 straight top ten finishes, winning four times during that stretch. Despite a late season challenge by Earnhardt, Gordon would win the season's championship by 34 points. In doing so, he became the youngest Winston Cup Champion of the modern era (post 1971). Gordon made light of this at the season ending banquet, toasting Earnhardt with a glass of milk instead of champagne. However, there were several other major stories in 1995. 1995 saw the Lumina, which had been Chevrolet's official car in NASCAR since the 1989 Winston 500, being replaced by the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo would prove to be the dominant car in 1995, winning 21 of the season's 31 races. After winning each of the season's first seven races, NASCAR gave advantages to the two other makes: Ford and Pontiac. In contrast to its GM counterpart, Pontiac continued to struggle. The manufacturer won only twice in 1995, and did not have a single driver in the top ten in points (12th place Michael Waltrip was the highest). Goodyear was the sole tire supplier in 1995, after winning the "tire war" against Hoosier. Despite three wins in 1994 with driver/owner Geoff Bodine, Hoosier decided to leave NASCAR after the 1994 season. Its reasoning, according to Hoosier president Bob Newton, was "to concentrate our efforts in short track racing, which remains our bread and butter."

Robert Yates Racing: After a practice crash at Michigan International Speedway in August 1994, Ernie Irvan spent the rest of the 1994 season recuperating from his injuries. While Irvan continued to make great progress in his recovery, it was becoming clear that he would have to sit out the 1995 season. Thus, RYR began to search for a new driver to take over the #28 Ford. After securing a buyout from his contract at Joe Gibbs Racing, it was announced that Dale Jarrett would be the driver for 1995. Joe Gibbs Racing: After the departure of Dale Jarrett, Joe Gibbs Racing was forced to find a new driver for the #18 Chevy. With encouragement from General Motors, JGR signed Bobby Labonte, who left Bill Davis Racing,
Elliott Hardy Racing: After struggling the last two years driving for Junior Johnson, Bill Elliott formed his own team for 1995, sharing ownership with Georgia businessman Charles Hardy. Elliott would reunite with brothers Ernie and Dan, with whom he had great success during his time at Melling Racing. Elliott selected 94 as the number for his Ford and McDonald's as his sponsor. The number had been used by Bill's nephew Casey Elliott, before Casey was diagnosed with cancer (Casey would ultimately lose his battle with the disease in 1996). Junior Johnson: For 1995, Johnson was forced to look for new drivers and sponsors for both of his cars. Budweiser, the long time sponsor of the #11, left to sponsor the #25 at Hendrick Motorsports and Bill Elliott took the sponsor of the #27, McDonald's, to his new team. For the #11 team, Johnson replaced driver Elliott with Brett Bodine and got sponsorship from Lowe's. For the #27 car, sophomore Loy Allen Jr. took over for Jimmy Spencer with sponsorship from Hooters. Before the April Bristol race, Allen left the team. Various drivers drove the #27 for the rest of 1995; the majority of starts went to veteran Busch Series driver Elton Sawyer. King Racing: Bodine would be replaced by sprint car legend Steve Kinser. Kinser, who had won 14 World of Outlaws championships, had limited exposure to stock car racing; his only experience had been in the IROC series. After failing to qualify for the spring races at Bristol and North Wilkesboro, Kinser and the team mutually split. Kinser returned to the WoO series, while Hut Stricklin was hired to replace him in the 26 car. Larry Hedrick Motorsports: LHM was left without a driver and sponsor for 1995. Former Busch Grand National Series Champion Joe Nemechek left to start his own team, Rookie Ricky Craven would drive the #41 Chevy. Craven won the Rookie of the Year award in 1995. Diamond Ridge Motorsports: Former Busch Grand National champ Steve Grissom would return for a second Cup season. NEMCO Motorsports: As he had done en route to the 1992 Busch Grand National Series Championship, Joe Nemechek formed his own team in 1995. Leo Jackson Motorsports: Harry Gant called it a career after the 1994 season. BGN series regular Robert Pressley would replace Gant in the Skoal Bandit Chevy, and would also compete for Rookie of the Year for 1995. Bill Davis Racing: BDR found itself in a similar position to many teams, needing to replace both a driver (Bobby Labonte) and a sponsor. BDR hoped to find success with manufacturer Pontiac with driver Randy LaJoie. However, the combo experienced lackluster results, and LaJoie was fired in July. After going through several drivers, Davis settled on Ward Burton, who had been let go from the Alan Dillard Jr. owned team earlier in the year. Burton shocked the stock car world by winning his first career Cup Series race at the North Carolina Motor Speedway in October. LaJoie would also find success, winning the Busch Grand National Title in 1996 and 1997. Melling Racing: After running part time for the last three seasons, Melling returned to full time competition in 1995. Mississippian Lake Speed was hired to be driver and general manager of the team. Bud Moore: After Lake Speed left the team at the end of 1994, Bud Moore hired short track legend (and Sportscenter favorite) Dick Trickle to drive the #15 Ford. Travis Carter Motorsports: After struggling during the 1994 season, the team parted ways with driver Hut Stricklin. He would be replaced by Jimmy Spencer, who had won two races driving for Junior Johnson in 1994. Petty Enterprises: John Andretti, who had replaced Wally Dallenbach Jr. midway through 1994, did not return in 1995. Replacing Andretti would be Tennessee driver Bobby Hamilton. SABCO Racing: After Hamilton left for Petty Enterprises, owner Felix Sabates hired Greg Sacks to drive the #40 Pontiac. After a dismal 14 race stint, Sacks was let go. Several drivers took the reins of the #40, with most of the duties going to Rich Bickle. Sabates' other car, the #42 driven by Kyle Petty, had new colors for 1995. Jasper Motorsports: Owner D. K. Ulrich hired veteran open wheel and sports car driver Davy Jones to pilot the #77 Ford. Bobby Hillin Jr. replaced Jones beginning at the June Dover race. Kranefuss Haas Racing: After racing part time in 1994, the team co owned by Michael Kranefuss and Carl Haas went full time in 1995. Former CART driver John Andretti was selected to drive the #37 Ford.

ManufacturerTeamRace DriverCrew ChiefChevroletA. G. Dillard Motorsports 31 Ward Burton Philippe Lopez Greg Sacks Jimmy Hensley Gary Bradberry (R) DarWal Inc. 17 Darrell Waltrip Pete PetersonDiamond Ridge Motorsports 29 Steve Grissom Bryant FrazierHendrick Motorsports 5 Terry Labonte Gary DeHart 24 Jeff Gordon Ray Evernham 25 Ken Schrader Ken HowesJoe Gibbs Racing 18 Bobby Labonte Jimmy MakarLarry Hedrick Motorsports 41 Ricky Craven (R) Rick RenLeo Jackson Motorsports 33 Robert Pressley (R) Charley PressleyMarcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Bob MarcisMorgan McClure Motorsports 4 Sterling Marlin Tony GloverNEMCO Motorsports 87 Joe Nemechek Mike BoerschingerRichard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Andy PetreeFordElliott Hardy Racing 94 Bill Elliott Tony Gibson
Mike Beam Bobby Allison Motorsports 12 Derrike Cope Jimmy FennigBud Moore Engineering 15 Dick Trickle Donnie WingoButch Mock Motorsports 75 Todd Bodine Troy SelbergCale Yarborough Motorsports 98 Jeremy Mayfield Tony FurrDonlavey Racing 90 Mike Wallace Junie DonlaveyGeoff Bodine Racing 7 Geoff Bodine Paul AndrewsJasper Motorsports 77 Davy Jones (R) Paul Wise Bobby Hillin Jr. Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Brett Bodine Dean Combs 27 Loy Allen Jr. Mike Hill Jeff Purvis Elton Sawyer Jimmy Horton Greg Sacks King Racing 26 Steve Kinser (R) Richard Broome Hut Stricklin Kranefuss Haas Racing 37 John Andretti Tim BrewerMelling Racing 9 Lake Speed Peter SospenzoPenske Racing South 2 Rusty Wallace Robin PembertonPrecision Products Racing 1 Rick Mast Kevin HamlinRobert Yates Racing 28 Dale Jarrett Larry McReynoldsRoush Racing 6 Mark Martin Steve Hmiel 16 Ted Musgrave Howard ComstockRudd Performance Motorsports 10 Ricky Rudd Bill IngleTravis Carter Enterprises 23 Jimmy Spencer Cecil GordonStavola Brothers Racing 8 Jeff Burton Donnie RichesonWood Brothers Racing 21 Morgan Shepherd Eddie WoodPontiacBahari Racing 30 Michael Waltrip Doug HewittBill Davis Racing 22 Randy LaJoie (R) Chris Hussey Jimmy Hensley Wally Dallenbach Jr. Ward Burton Dick Brooks Racing 40 Greg Sacks Jeff Hammond Andy Hillenburg Rich Bickle Randy LaJoie (R) Butch Leitzinger Shane Hall Petty Enterprises 43 Bobby Hamilton Robbie LoomisTeam SABCO 42 Kyle Petty Keith Simmons

ManufacturerTeamRace driverCrew chiefRound(s)ChevroletActive Motorsports 32 Mike Chase (R) Doug Williams Jimmy Hensley Chuck Bown Greg Sacks Ed Berrier Michael Ritch Canaska Racing 68 Ron Fellows Hendrick Motorsports 58 Jeff Purvis Phil Hammer 59 Jack Sprague JTC Racing 45 Ron Hornaday Jr. O'Neil Racing 65 Steve Seligman Parker Racing 72 Tracy Leslie Phoenix Racing 44 Jeff Purvis Marc Reno 51 Kerry Teague Marcis Auto Racing 72 Jim Sauter Russell Racing 70 Alan Russell Skillen Racing 14 Richard Brickhouse Waters Racing 79 Doug French Bradberry Racing 93 Gary Bradberry (R) 88 FordRobert Yates Racing Ernie Irvan Todd Parrott A. J. Foyt Enterprises 50 A. J. Foyt Barkdoll Racing 73 Phil Barkdoll Bill Strait Motorsports 68 Bob Strait Byers Racing 82 Terry Byers (R) CPR Motorsports 99 Shawna Robinson Cunningham Racing 67 Ken Bouchard FILMAR Racing 81 Kenny Wallace Gil Martin H. L. Waters Racing 0 Delma Cowart Hover Motorsports 80 Joe Ruttman H. S. Die Racing Team 02 Tim Steele Mark Rypien Motorsports 97 Chad Little Gary Cogswell Petty Brothers Racing 53 Ritchie Petty Means Racing 52 Gary Bradberry (R) Brad Teague Randy MacDonald 62 Ronnie Sanders Moroso Racing 20 Bobby Hillin Jr. Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning Phoenix Air Racing 61 David Murry RaDiUs Motorsports 66 Ben Hess Sandy Jones Sandy Miller Billy Standridge Terry Fisher 67 Billy Standridge Johnny Chapman 76 Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Doug Heveron Jimmy Hensley Loy Allen Jr. Smith Racing 49 Eric Smith Standridge Motorsports 47 Billy Standridge Triad Motorsports 78 Jay Hedgecock Tex Powell Pancho Carter Hut Stricklin TriStar Motorsports 19 Phil Parsons Loy Allen Jr. Ultra Motorsports 08 Mike Bliss PontiacHagan Racing 14 Randy MacDonald Hylton Motorsports 48 James Hylton Virtue Racing 99 Danny Sullivan

No. Race Title Track DateBusch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 12Gatorade Twin 125sFebruary 161Daytona 500February 192Goodwrench 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamFebruary 263Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondMarch 54Purolator 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 125TranSouth Financial 400Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMarch 266Food City 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 27First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 98Hanes 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 239Winston Select 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaApril 3010Save Mart Supermarkets 300Sears Point Raceway, SonomaMay 7Winston OpenCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 20The Winston Select11Coca Cola 600May 2812Miller Genuine Draft 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverJune 413UAW GM Teamwork 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 1114Miller Genuine Draft 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 1815Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 116Slick 50 300New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonJuly 917Miller Genuine Draft 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 1618DieHard 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaJuly 2319Brickyard 400Indianapolis Motor Speedway, SpeedwayAugust 520The Bud at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1321GM Goodwrench 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 2022Goody's 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2623Mountain Dew Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 324Miller Genuine Draft 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 925MBNA 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 1726Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2427Tyson Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroOctober 128UAW GM Quality 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 829AC Delco 400North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2230Dura Lube 500Phoenix International Raceway, PhoenixOctober 2931NAPA 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonNovember 12

No. RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverBusch ClashGeoff BodineDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevroletGatorade Twin 125 #1Dale JarrettSterling MarlinSterling MarlinChevroletGatorade Twin 125 #2Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet1Daytona 500Dale JarrettSterling MarlinSterling MarlinChevrolet2Goodwrench 500Jeff GordonJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet3Pontiac Excitement 400Jeff GordonRusty WallaceTerry LabonteChevrolet4Purolator 500Dale EarnhardtJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet5TranSouth Financial 400Jeff GordonJeff GordonSterling MarlinChevrolet6Food City 500Mark MartinJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet7First Union 400Jeff GordonDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet8Hanes 500Bobby LabonteRusty WallaceRusty WallaceFord9Winston Select 500Terry LabonteMark MartinMark MartinFord10Save Mart Supermarkets 300Ricky RuddMark MartinDale EarnhardtChevroletWinston OpenMichael WaltripTodd BodineTodd BodineFordThe Winston SelectBobby LabonteJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet11Coca Cola 600Jeff GordonKen SchraderBobby LabonteChevrolet12Miller Genuine Draft 500Jeff GordonKyle PettyKyle PettyPontiac13UAW GM Teamwork 500Ken SchraderJeff GordonTerry LabonteChevrolet14Miller Genuine Draft 400Jeff GordonJeff GordonBobby LabonteChevrolet15Pepsi 400Dale EarnhardtJeff Gordon Sterling MarlinJeff GordonChevrolet16Slick 50 300Mark MartinJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet17Miller Genuine Draft 500Bill ElliottRusty WallaceDale JarrettFord18DieHard 500Sterling MarlinJeff GordonSterling MarlinChevrolet19Brickyard 400Jeff GordonBill ElliottDale EarnhardtChevrolet20The Bud at The GlenMark MartinMark MartinMark MartinFord21GM Goodwrench Dealer 400Bobby LabonteJeff GordonBobby LabonteChevrolet22Goody's 500Mark MartinDale JarrettTerry LabonteChevrolet23Mountain Dew Southern 500John AndrettiDale EarnhardtJeff GordonChevrolet24Miller Genuine Draft 400Dale EarnhardtRusty WallaceRusty WallaceFord25MBNA 500Rick MastJeff GordonJeff GordonChevrolet26Goody's 500Jeff GordonDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet27Tyson Holly Farms 400Ted MusgraveMark MartinMark MartinFord28UAW GM Quality 500Ricky RuddRicky RuddMark MartinFord29AC Delco 400Hut StricklinRick MastWard BurtonPontiac30Dura Lube 500Bill ElliottErnie IrvanRicky RuddFord31NAPA 500Darrell WaltripDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet

The 1995 Busch Clash, kicked off the season on February 12, at Daytona International Speedway. Geoff Bodine drew the pole. As an exhibition race, no points are awarded. The race was between 1994 Winston Cup pole winners. Also, in a first for the event, the driver who collected the most poles in the 1994 Busch Season was also invited. This honor went to David Green. Dale Earnhardt got the season off to a dominating start, leading 18 of 20 laps to collect his 6th Clash win. Aside from that, the most noteworthy event happened on the first lap, when Loy Allen Jr. made contact with Greg Sacks in turn 3, sending Sacks into the wall. Sacks also collected Mark Martin, ending Martin's day. Sterling Marlin finished second, Bill Elliott was third. Jeff Gordon and Todd Bodine rounded out the top five.

The Gatorade 125s, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held on Thursday, February 16, at Daytona International Speedway. The lineups for the 125s were determined by qualifying the previous Sunday. The first race would consist of drivers who qualified in odd numbered positions (1st fastest, 3rd fastest, 5th fastest, etc. ), while the second race would be formed from even numbered qualifiers. As the fastest driver, Dale Jarrett would start from the pole in the first race, and second fastest driver Dale Earnhardt would lead the field in the second race. Sterling Marlin would dominate the first race, leading 44 of 50 laps. His victory would ensure the 1994 Daytona 500 winner the 3rd starting spot on Sunday. Good finishes for Dave Marcis (10th), Joe Nemechek (12th), and Joe Ruttman (14th) assured them spots in the 500. In race 2, Earnhardt made it two for two for his Speedweeks, edging out Jeff Gordon for the victory. The race also contained two crashes. The first, on lap 15, collected Jimmy Spencer, Billy Standridge, and Loy Allen Jr. Allen was forced to fall back on his qualifying time, while Spencer and Standridge went home. The second crash occurred on lap 42, and involved Chad Little, Phil Barkdoll, Phil Parsons, and Jim Sauter. Fortunately for Parsons, his qualifying time was good enough to get him into the 500. Little, Barkdoll, and Sauter weren't so lucky, and all three were forced to watch the 500 on TV.

The second Brickyard 400 was held Saturday, August 5, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The popular event returned for a second year, after the tremendous success of the first running. The weekend was expanded by the addition of practice on Wednesday afternoon.

Defending champion Jeff Gordon won the pole position on Thursday, August 3, with a track record speed of 172.536 mph. A hot day saw most speeds down, and Gordon was the only driver to break the existing track record. Bobby Hamilton put the fans on their feet when he put the popular Petty #43 STP Pontiac on the outside of the front row with a run of 172.222 mph.

On Friday, August 4, the remnants of Hurricane Erin overtook the midwest, and rain settled in for two days. Friday morning practice was lost, and second round qualifying was also rained out. As a result, all cars reverted to their time trials speed from the first round, and the field was filled accordingly. Without a chance in second round qualifying, A. J. Foyt notably failed to qualify, the first time he failed to qualify in a race he attempted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1958. The field managed a brief "happy hour" practice late Friday evening, and rain began to fall again.

On Saturday, August 5, steady rain fell all morning, and threatened to wash out the day. The forecast was marginal for Sunday as well, threatening to washout the whole weekend. Many fans left the grounds as local media speculated (and some erroneously reported) that the race would be postponed. In an unexpected turn of events, at approximately 3:30 p. m. EST (4:30 p. m. EDT), the skies suddenly cleared, and track drying efforts began in earnest. The teams scrambled to get their cars prepared, and the field hastily lined up in the garage area. The Chevrolet C/K pace truck led them on to the track and the race began with many fans still scurrying to their seats. Many of the pit crews were also scrambling to get their equipment set up in the pit area. Some fans driving home on the interstate reportedly turned around and drove back to the track when the radio reported the race was starting. The green flag dropped at 4:25 p. m. EST (5:25 p. m. EDT) with live coverage only on the radio. ABC TV had already signed off and by then had decided to air the race on ESPN on tape delay on Sunday afternoon. It stands as one of the last NASCAR races not aired live on television. Dale Earnhardt beat Rusty Wallace to the finish line in a race slowed by only one caution for 4 laps. Jeff Burton spun off turn two right in front of eventual winner Earnhardt with 27 laps to go. The race was completed at 7:03 p. m. EST (8:03 p. m. EDT), shortly before sunset.

29 year old Ricky Craven from Newburgh, Maine received the 1995 Rookie of the Year award. Craven took the #41 Chevy owned by Sue and Larry Hedrick to four top tens and finished 24th in the points. Runner up was Craven's former Busch Series opponent Robert Pressley, posting one top ten in the Leo Jackson Motorsports Chevy. The next runner up, Randy LaJoie, began the year in the 22 car, but struggled and was released midway through the year. Steve Kinser and Davy Jones, a pair of open wheel veterans who struggled in their transition to stock cars, were both released from their rides before the season reached the one third point, while Mike Chase was released by his team after failing to qualify for the Daytona 500. Gary Bradberry and Terry Byers filed for Rookie of the Year contention but only ran limited schedules.