Checkered Countdown: Top-Five Richmond Finishes

No. 1 The famous “Clash of the Titans” between Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip (1986).

Probably the most vivid memory that most NASCAR fans have linked to Richmond is the infamous crash that happened in the 1986 race between two stars of the sport. Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt were fighting for the win and making a heavy use of the bumper in a pure short track racing style. Third ran Kyle Petty further back. When Waltrip was finally passing Earnhardt, the Intimidator tried to turn him into the wall. He cut dead left into Waltrip’s right rear tire and both cars went for a spin and a heavy impact on the outside guard-rail. This crazy turn of events gave a young Petty an unexpected win, the first of his career. Following this wreck NASCAR fined Earnhart 13000$ for his irresponsible driving.