20 Years of Motorsports Magic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Rusty Wallace and Crew Shine in New Hampshire Inaugural Cup Series Race
Loudon, NH — On July 11, 1993, all eyes were on the Northeast as New Hampshire Motor Speedway held its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race, the Slick 50 300.
In arguably one of his most successful seasons, Rusty Wallace endured the 100 degree plus temperatures to take home the very first checkered flag at “The Magic Mile.”
Driving the No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac owned by Roger Penske, Wallace qualified 33rd at the speed of 123.618 mph. With lightening fast pit stops and great strategy, he gradually worked his way to the front, taking the lead on lap 168.
Rusty would lead the pack for next 75 laps until rookie Jeff Gordon made his move to the front. One lap later, Davey Allison showed everyone that he might have the car to beat.
It was the No. 2 pit crew that would make all of the difference for Wallace in the Slick 50 300. With just 29 laps to go, Rusty would take the lead after a pit stop which put him on the fast track to victory lane.
“I screwed up in qualifying, and we wound up in the back of the pack,” Rusty said. “Buddy (Parrott, his crew chief) chose to pit way down there in the last spot on pit road, sort of like back there in our own zone. When the race got under way, we really were in our own zone. The car was flying and we zoomed right on up there through the field. The pit stops were unbelievable all day and we kicked some major butt.”
Wallace took home the inaugural event trophy and a purse of $77,500. He would leave New Hampshire third in the series championship points standings. Rusty would end his 1993 season with 10 wins and a second place finish in the championship behind Dale Earnhardt.
Be a part of racing history, purchase your tickets now for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on Sunday, June 27 and the SYLVANIA 300 on Sunday, September 19 by visiting us online at www.nhms.com or by calling our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.
Sources: Fred Neergaard/New Hampshire Motor Speedway PR