The Brickyard 400 may not be the longest race of the season. It may not even be the one everyone wants to win; after all, the Daytona 500 and Southern 500 are much richer in history. But this race quickly grabbed the attention of drivers whose career path led them away from possible participation in the Indy 500.
Jeff Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994, followed by Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Jarrett, and Ricky Rudd in the following years. Gordon became the first two-time winner in 1998.
One would be tempted to say this race has never been won by a dark horse, but Gordon’s victory in ’94 was only the second in his career. Jarrett’s 1996 win was the seventh of his career. Kevin Harvick scored his fourth Cup victory in this race in 2003, Jamie McMurray scored his fifth win in 2010, and Paul Menard got his first taste of NASCAR Big League victory in 2011.
It is possible for a surprise winner to take the checkers. Then again, the average on this track is for the winner to score about his 31st career victory.
Experience counts much more than enthusiasm.
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