Not only was Blacker Jeff Gordon's favorite car, it was also one of his winningest. The car was built way ahead of its time with an ability to compete at different tracks. Blacker was given its name due to the fact that it was a Black car originally. Because of its design it could run on a long wide flat track like California and on a rough challenging track like North Carolina and Darlington.
They are just "reformatting" it, but it will never be the same again. I think its because the track is so wide, wrecks never happen. So instead of doing the logical and cheaper option of narrowing the track, they decided to make it a 1/2 mile.
Hard to believe they are still racing on that pavement. I have to admit I'm happy to see the track go though after years of boring racing and turning it into a short track
Honestly I think they finally got it back in 2019 more so in 2020. It’s a shame they didn’t get to race on it in 2021 because I think it would’ve shown that it’s still a great track and it’s just done dirty by Fox’s poor broadcast. I’d like to see NBC do Auto Club before they change it
Im rewatching this season right now…because I miss real NASCAR so much…stage races?…Playoffs!?! Nascar doesn’t have playoffs! I’m debating weather to watch 98 next or go back in time and watch like the mid 80’s sometime?…what do you think?
Doing the same. Started with 1996 as that was the first season I remember watching every race flag to flag. Going to go up to the chase. Maybe a bit further as the racing was still good, just dumb points system.
Drove past this track the other day. Parking lot getting ripped up, billboards torn down already, piles of concrete, garages coming down. Truly sad
Aside from the brand new asphalt not much changed at the track from 1997 to its final days right?
Not only was Blacker Jeff Gordon's favorite car, it was also one of his winningest. The car was built way ahead of its time with an ability to compete at different tracks. Blacker was given its name due to the fact that it was a Black car originally. Because of its design it could run on a long wide flat track like California and on a rough challenging track like North Carolina and Darlington.
I was there that day and have been going every year from the start. Hot as all hell that day, but man. What a day and so many legends on the track.
God how I miss the thunderbirds.
Appreciate you posting this, brings back so many good memories.....as Merle Haggard would say, back when the Country was Strong.
I see those San Bernardino mountains everyday a work, It’s a beautiful site to see 😁😁
This was the only race at this track in June. It swapped dates w/ Sonoma in 1998
38:23 That crewman on the left has some giant balls, he came so close to getting clipped by the #17
First race at California Speedway was a parade for 3 hours. Took over a decade for things to become less mundane.
So was the First Race at Las Vegas, Texas, Chicagoland, Kansas and Kentucky…
Boy you would have absolutely hated North Wilkesboro three years before this Fontana race when Geoff Bodine lapped the field!
Does anyone know the name of the song that plays throughout the beginning of the race, especially in the starting grid? Thanks!
everyone complains about the schedule now but in 97 NASCAR put Michigan and California back to back lmao
Sadd to see this racetrack do as many b4 it and be demolished for commercial property.
Making all the cars identical was/is NASCAR's unforgiveable sin.
Another Fun Fact: Natalie Decker was born 3 days after the 1997 California 500 occurred
And another fun fact the Speedway is the site of the steel mill where the final scenes of Terminator 2 were shot over 6 years earlier.
Great grid
Anybody knows the name of the song at the beginning? Many thanks in the advance!
Why are they going to destroy this race track?
They are just "reformatting" it, but it will never be the same again. I think its because the track is so wide, wrecks never happen. So instead of doing the logical and cheaper option of narrowing the track, they decided to make it a 1/2 mile.
@@themosquito8404 just awful...😮💨
@@themosquito8404 if they were going to turn it into an oval of a mile, I'd even accept it... But 1/2 mile...? Bristol and Martinsville not enough?
Hard to believe they are still racing on that pavement. I have to admit I'm happy to see the track go though after years of boring racing and turning it into a short track
Honestly I think they finally got it back in 2019 more so in 2020. It’s a shame they didn’t get to race on it in 2021 because I think it would’ve shown that it’s still a great track and it’s just done dirty by Fox’s poor broadcast. I’d like to see NBC do Auto Club before they change it
@@The8112 covid was the reason 2023 will be the last race at this facility b4 demo.
I mean its been repaved a couple of times
Im rewatching this season right now…because I miss real NASCAR so much…stage races?…Playoffs!?! Nascar doesn’t have playoffs!
I’m debating weather to watch 98 next or go back in time and watch like the mid 80’s sometime?…what do you think?
Doing the same. Started with 1996 as that was the first season I remember watching every race flag to flag. Going to go up to the chase. Maybe a bit further as the racing was still good, just dumb points system.
Jeff Gordon great driver Terry Laboding Car Chevy 5
Fun Fact: Dinah Jane was born the same day the 1997 California 500 occurred
Who is Dinah Jane?
@@jebediahgentry7029 Former Fifth Harmony member and one of my favorite singers
3:52:05 “what an idiot”