Thunder and Glory: The 25 Most Memorable Races in Winston Cup History (NASCAR)

In 1972, Winston took over as the presenting sponsor of NASCAR's most competitive stock car racing circuit. With a powerful sponsor in place, NASCAR's elite drivers and teams entered a period of growth and excitement that saw stock car racing emerge as America's fastest-growing spectator sport. From 1972 to 2003, NASCAR Winston Cup racing weathered an energy crisis, pioneered corporate sponsorships, prioritized safety and made the transition from regional to international phenomenon. More than anything else, the appeal of Winston Cup racing lies in its accessibility. It is, in many ways, a sport for the common man, NASCAR fans find drivers and their cars easily identifiable. During the Winston Cup era, fans followed the exploits of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliot, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and many others -- usually on the edges of their seats. Determining the 25 most memorable Winston Cup races of all time is no easy task. With so many worthy candidates, we at Street & Smith's Specialty Publications and NASCAR Scene surveyed an expert panel of NASCAR journalists and broadcasters to narrow the field. The responsibility of listing the races 1 -- 25 then fell to the editors of NASCAR Scene. With unlikely exception, we have compiled the definitive list of the most memorable races in Winston Cup history.