Pole sitter Jeff Gordon in the
#24 Rick Hendrick Chevy and surprise outside front row qualifier Rich Bickle in the
#98 Cale Yarborough Motorsports Ford await the signal to leave pit road before the start of the June 6, 1998 Pontiac Excitement 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Richmond.
19 years ago, on June 6, 1998, there was an overflow sellout crowd at Richmond with all 109,000 seats sold out months in advance for the spring Winston Cup night race. This race will revert to the night time in 2019 after miserly attendance on Sunday afternoon in 2018. One thing for sure, none of us expected to see Rich Bickle on the front row in skinflint, Cale Yarborough's car.
Terry Labonte was flagged the winner, under the yellow flag, of this June 6, 1998 Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond over Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, Ken Schrader and Mark Martin. When it was discovered that Terry's 1st place payout would be $99,975, the press box offered to take up a collection to raise $25 to bump the check to an even $100,000!
[quote="Dave Fulton"] 19 years ago, on June 6, 1998. This race will revert to the night time in 2019 after miserly attendance on Sunday afternoon in 2018. [/quote] Dave, This don't look right? The dates: night time in 2019 and Sunday afternoon in 2018. Dennis Garrett Richmond,Va.
You're right Dennis. I got a year ahead of myself. Old timers. Thanks for the catch.
Here's the exciting yellow flag finish to Richmond's June 6, 1998 Pontiac Excitement 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race that featured a multi-car battle in the closing laps with "The Ice Man" Terry Labonte driving from 3rd place with 3 laps to go to take the checkers first: