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1995:

Gordon Beats Earnhardt

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By Ben White

Driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon recorded seven victories, 23 top-10 finishes and eight pole positions en route to the first NASCAR Cup Series titles for himself and Hendrick Motorsports.

After arriving on the scene in 1992, Gordon, a former USAC open-wheel racer, steadily found his place in the NASCAR Cup Series, winning his first race in the 1994 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He also topped the inaugural Brickyard 400 that year, establishing himself as an up-and-coming star.

In 1995, it was as if a switch had been flipped. Gordon and crew chief Ray Evernham had found the magic, and they made winning look commonplace. Gordon had finally found the consistency he needed to contend on a weekly basis, not just during the select big events in which he excelled the previous season. 

Gordon began the schedule 22nd in points after finishing outside the top 20 in the Daytona 500. A win at Rockingham Speedway the next week moved him to seventh, followed by a drop to 13th after a fuel pump failed at Richmond.

From there, Gordon was able to maintain his place among the top 10 in points. He assumed command in the championship battle after winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 9 and never looked back.

Dale Earnhardt, driving the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, led a portion of the season in points but ultimately finished second, 34 markers behind Gordon. Earnhardt logged five wins with 23 top-10 finishes. DNFs at both Michigan races severely impacted his title hopes.

1995

PRESIDENT: BILL CLINTON

NO. 1 AT THE BOX OFFICE: BATMAN FOREVER

MOVIES TO WATCH: TOY STORY AND BRAVEHEART

NO. 1 SONG: “GANGSTA’S PARADISE” BY COOLIO FEATURING L.V.

GALLON OF GAS: $1.21POP CULTURE: ON APRIL 19, A TRUCK RIGGED WITH A DIESEL FUEL/FERTILIZER-DERIVED BOMB EXPLODED OUTSIDE THE ALFRED P. MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY, KILLING 168 PEOPLE.

BEST DRIVER

Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, won seven NASCAR Cup Series races with six coming on superspeedways and one on a short track. His Concord, North Carolina-based team owned by Rick Hendrick and led by crew chief Ray Evernham was strong both on the track and in the pit area. Gordon’s 5.0 average start and 9.5 average finish were enough for the native of Vallejo, California, to secure his first Cup Series championship.

BEST RACE

Driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Terry Labonte won the Goody’s 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway by crashing across the start-finish line after being punted by Dale Earnhardt in the No. 3 RCR Chevrolet. Labonte crashed into the wall but was able to drive his badly damaged car into Victory Lane. Seeing that he wasn’t going to win, Earnhardt tagged Labonte’s rear bumper and sent him spinning under the checkered flag.

TOP CARS

Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet notched seven wins with 23 top-10 finishes in 31 series starts.

The No. 3 RCR Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt went to Victory Lane five times and had 23 top-10 results.

1995 Season Recap

DATE | LOCATION | WINNER

Feb. 19 | Daytona International Speedway | Sterling Marlin

Feb. 26 | Rockingham Speedway | Jeff Gordon

March 5 | Richmond Raceway | Terry Labonte

March 12 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Jeff Gordon

March 26 | Darlington Raceway | Sterling Marlin

April 2 | Bristol Motor Speedway | Jeff Gordon

April 9 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | Dale Earnhardt

April 23 | Martinsville Speedway | Rusty Wallace

April 30 | Talladega Superspeedway | Mark Martin

May 7 | Sonoma Raceway | Dale Earnhardt

May 28 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Bobby Labonte

June 4 | Dover Motor Speedway | Kyle Petty

June 11 | Pocono Raceway | Terry Labonte

June 18 | Michigan International Speedway | Bobby Labonte

July 1 | Daytona International Speedway | Jeff Gordon

July 9 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Jeff Gordon

July 16 | Pocono Raceway | Dale Jarrett

July 23 | Talladega Superspeedway | Sterling Marlin

Aug. 5 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Dale Earnhardt

Aug. 13 | Watkins Glen International | Mark Martin

Aug. 20 | Michigan International Speedway | Bobby Labonte

Aug. 26 | Bristol Motor Speedway | Terry Labonte

Sept. 3 | Darlington Raceway | Jeff Gordon

Sept. 9 | Richmond Raceway | Rusty Wallace

Sept. 17 | Dover Motor Speedway | Jeff Gordon

Sept. 24 | Martinsville Speedway | Dale Earnhardt

Oct. 1 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | Mark Martin

Oct. 8 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Mark Martin

Oct. 22 | Rockingham Speedway | Ward Burton

Oct. 29 | Phoenix Raceway | Ricky Rudd

Nov. 12 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Dale Earnhardt

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