NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Sunday’s long-awaited Window World 450 marks the NASCAR Cup Collection’ first factors race at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996 — and for eight NASCAR legends, it’ll even be a reunion.
NASCAR Corridor of Fame inductees Richard Childress, Ray Evernham and Chad Knaus will be a part of fellow luminaries Jeff Hammond, Larry McReynolds, Kyle Petty, Kenny Wallace and Eddie Wooden in participating in pre-race driver introductions previous to the inexperienced flag on Sunday night time at 7 p.m.
Rusty Wallace – a three-time North Wilkesboro race-winning driver and NASCAR Corridor of Fame inductee – will function grand marshal for Sunday’s race, offering further star energy for one of the extremely anticipated race weekends in latest reminiscence.
Wallace led 43 laps and completed tenth in North Wilkesboro’s most-recent Cup factors race. With eight extra legends becoming a member of him for pre-race festivities, right here’s a take a look at their assorted roles within the fall of 1996:
RICHARD CHILDRESS: The 2017 NASCAR Corridor of Fame inductee was the automobile proprietor for the late Dale Earnhardt, who led 35 laps and completed second within the race. Childress-owned vehicles have received 5 Cup Collection factors races at NWS since 1972, with Earnhardt having claimed all 5. Childress fields two vehicles for this weekend as nicely, piloted by Austin Dillon and Austin Hill.
RAY EVERNHAM: North Wilkesboro’s fall race in 1996 was a particular one for Evernham, a 2018 NASCAR Corridor of Fame inductee, who was the race-winning crew chief for Jeff Gordon. Gordon led a race-high 207 of 400 laps and recorded his and Evernham’s solely win at NWS.
JEFF HAMMOND: “Hollywood” Hammond knew tips on how to arrange a automobile for North Wilkesboro. Finest often known as the longtime crew chief for Darrell Waltrip – successful 43 races as a crew chief, together with seven at NWS – Hammond served as Waltrip’s group supervisor in 1996.
CHAD KNAUS: In a sterling profession as crew chief, the 2023 NASCAR Corridor of Fame inductee received seven Cup Collection titles with Jimmie Johnson – however in 1996, Knaus was removed from a family identify. He was the right-rear tire changer on Jeff Gordon’s race-winning, Ray Evernham-led Hendrick Motorsports group.
LARRY MCREYNOLDS: “America’s Crew Chief” captured two Cup Collection wins at NWS, in 1990 and ‘92. By 1996, the legend who goes by “Larry Mac” was crew chief for Ernie Irvan’s No. 28 Ford out of the potent Robert Yates Racing secure.
KYLE PETTY: The son of seven-time Cup Collection champion Richard Petty scored eight victories in his Cup Collection profession, with a pole in 1990 and a pair of runner-up finishes being his finest outcomes at NWS. In 1996, Petty was wrapping up a stellar, eight-year run as driver of SABCO Racing’s No. 42 entry.
KENNY WALLACE: The longtime Cup Collection campaigner – and youthful brother of Rusty Wallace – drove a No. 81 Ford for FILMAR Racing in 1996, scoring a Fifteenth-place end in a stable displaying for one of many collection’ most likable underdog outfits.
EDDIE WOOD: Now the CEO of the venerable Wooden Brothers Racing group, Wooden – the son of group co-founder Glen Wooden – was a member of WBR’s No. 21 Ford group, pushed by Michael Waltrip in 1996.
