Checkered Countdown: Top-Five Bristol Finishes

No. 5 Jeff Gordon uses the bumper to beat Rusty Wallace (2002).

After a couple bad seasons in 2002 both Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace were seeking revenge at Bristol. Gordon dominated the first part of the race while Wallace was able to take the lead from Kevin Harvick in the closing stages. The Hendrick driver soon passed him as well and the two leaders started battling for the win. Lapped traffic always plays a huge role in tight racetracks like Bristol and during that race in particular it was what gave Gordon the opportunity he needed to make a move for the win.

A lapped car slowed Wallace down enough to enable Gordon to get very close for the first time with four laps to go. The driver from California did not waste that chance and bumped Wallace out of the racing groove to take the lead and the win, to the amazement of the fans.

Next: 1991