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NASCAR: 5 fantastic Atlanta finishes in the modern era

By Marty Czekala

HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 24: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Little Hug Ford, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, lead the field at the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 24, 2019 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 24: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Little Hug Ford, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, lead the field at the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 24, 2019 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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11 Mar 2001: Kevin Harvick in the #29 Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Digital Image. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/ALLSPORT
11 Mar 2001: Kevin Harvick in the #29 Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Digital Image. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/ALLSPORT /

5. 2001 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500

  • Sunday, March 11, 2001
  • Winner: Kevin Harvick
  • Margin of victory: .006 seconds

Of course, the first finish I think of when I think of Atlanta is the incredible finish between Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon, when Harvick stunned the then three-time champion in only his third start after taking over for the late Dale Earnhardt, who had passed away a few weeks earlier in a last-lap crash in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

When the field came by the start/finish line with 10 laps to go, there were five cars under a blanket in the battle for the lead. In order, they were Jerry Nadeau, Dale Jarrett, Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Gordon.

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Any line, low or high, worked, creating incredible racing. In fact, with six laps to go, the top three drivers went three-wide in turns one and two. In turns three and four, they went three abreast again and Harvick took the lead. The pack split, though, and Gordon got by Nadeau. Then it was “The Closer” vs. “The Wonder Boy” for the win.

On the final lap, entering turns three and four, Harvick had about a two-car length lead over Gordon, and he did what Earnhardt had done in 2000: committed to the outside while Gordon got a run on the bottom. Gordon approached Harvick’s front bumper coming to the checkered flag, but he was not ahead at the finish line, and with that, Harvick began an illustrious, future Hall of Fame career.

At the time, the finish was the second closest finish in Cup Series history, and I still get chills watching it and hearing Mike Joy yell, “It’s Harvick!”, hearing Darrell Waltrip say “Harvick by inches!” twice, seeing the pit crew jump up and down, seeing Danny “Chocolate” Myers, Earnhardt’s long-time gas man, as well as team owner Richard Childress hold back tears, seeing Harvick do a burnout with three fingers out the window for Earnhardt and seeing the crowd go nuts and not want to leave the race track.

In my opinion, this was the race that allowed NASCAR to begin to heal following Earnhardt’s tragic crash, and it was incredible.

Next. Every NASCAR track from the 2010s no longer on the schedule. dark

Atlanta Motor Speedway is an amazing NASCAR track for close racing and photo finishes. What finishes are your favorite? This weekend’s Truck Series and Xfinity Series race at the track are scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 14, and the Cup Series race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 15.

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