Rick Hendrick watched that race and decided he wanted Gordon in one of his Winston Cup Chevrolets. Their deal was announced that September, and at Atlanta in November of 1992, on the day Petty made his final Winston Cup start, Gordon made his first. Five years from that weekend, Gordon was back at Atlanta to wrap up the championship he celebrates tonight. He wrecked on pit road during practice, but finished 17th in his back-up car. Dale Jarrett and Mark Martin chased him to the end, but Gordon held on for the title by 14 points.
Nobody has that answer.
Hendrick has assembled for Gordon one of the best teams to ever prepare a car. Gordon and Evernham have an unmistakable chemistry. Their success indicates they should have access to the resources needed to continue to compete at the sport's highest level for as long as they'd like. Evernham's musings about the sacrifices that come with being at the mountaintop have led to one national newspaper suggesting he's going to step down as Gordon's crew chief. Gordon said he expects to work with Evernham for a long time.