The Reaction Lap

🏁 Crazy Close finish in the 1999 Touchstone Energy 300! 🏁

One of the wildest days in Busch Series history happened at Talladega Superspeedway on April 24, 1999. Terry Labonte edged out Joe Nemechek in a photo finish for the ages, winning by just 0.002 seconds one of the closest finishes in Busch Series history.

🏁 Close finish in the 1995 Fas Mart Supertruck Shootout! 🏁

This one goes down as one of the tightest finishes in NASCAR Truck Series history. At Richmond International Raceway on September 7, 1995, Terry Labonte held on for his only career Craftsman Truck Series win beating Geoffrey Bodine to the line by a razor-thin 0.006 seconds!

🏁 Throwback to the 1983 Busch Clash! 🏁

Neil Bonnett didn't win a pole in 1982, but he snuck into the next season's exhibition race thanks to a wild card spot picked by blind draw from the fastest second-round qualifiers that year. Remember that rule?

Bonnett didn't waste the opportunity. He blew past Darrell Waltrip in Turn 3 on the final lap to steal the win, but the move triggered a wreck that collected Baker, Terry Labonte, and Dale Earnhardt.

Wild finish to a wild race! 🏎️💨

🏁1996 Tyson/Holly Farms 400 🏁

September 29, 1996. a bittersweet day in NASCAR history. This race marked the final Winston Cup event at North Wilkesboro Speedway before the beloved short track went dark, and over 40,000 fans packed the stands to say goodbye.

Jeff Gordon started 2nd, surged past pole-sitter Ted Musgrave early, and never looked back leading 207 of 400 laps in his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy for his 10th win of the season and 19th of his career. Dale Earnhardt gave chase but came up 1.73 seconds short in 2nd, with Dale Jarrett rounding out the podium in 3rd.
It was the end of an era for one of NASCAR's original short tracks a fitting stage for Gordon's rise as the sport's brightest young star. North Wilkesboro wouldn't host another Cup event until 2023. 🏆

Were you there for NASCAR's farewell to North Wilkesboro?

Neil Bonnett HELD OFF Darrell Waltrip for the Win!

Check out the ending of the 1985 Northwestern Bank 400 at North Wilkesboro. Neil Bonnett who led 214 of 400 lap held off a an anxious Darrell Waltrip to put the Junior Johnson team in Victory Lane!

Who did you root for in this one?

1984 Northwestern Bank 400 🏁

On April 8, 1984, North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted the Northwestern Bank 400, and it delivered classic short-track drama!
Ricky Rudd won the pole and dominated most of the day, leading an impressive 290 laps. But with the finish line in sight, Tim Richmond would get out of the pits in front of Rudd and go on to steal the win.

What's your favorite North Wilkesboro memory?

🏁1982 Northwestern Bank 400 at North Wilkesboro 🏁

April 18, 1982, Darrell Waltrip and the Junior Johnson team dominated at North Wilkesboro, leading 345 of 400 laps. The race ended under caution after 2 hours and 33 minutes of hard short-track racing on that tight .625-mile bullring.

How many cautions flew during this race? 👇
Drop your answer in the comments!

Heartbreak for Nadeau in 2001!

Jerry Nadeau ran out a fuel with a half a lap to go and lost the 2001 NAPA 500 to Bobby Labonte. on the flip side Nadeau's teammate Jeff Gordon took home the NASCAR Cup Championship.

Gordon vs Johnson in 2011 at Atlanta.

Teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson where slideways at the end of the 2011 Advocare 500, both drivers look like they were just hanging on. Jeff stayed out front and got his 85th career win.

Nadeau WINS his First Race at Atlanta!

Jerry Nadeau in the Hendrick Motorsports No.25 Won his First and only NASCAR CUP Race in the 2000 NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Leading 155 laps and outrunning Dale Sr late in the race to secure his Victory.