Ah, the much fretted open-ended question which has answers that can range from the specific to the general. These can be the hardest questions to answer, and often when we do answer them, we realize another one that contends as strong or is a far more stronger response to a case like this.

In either way, opinions count and I'm curious, BR writers and fans, as to what you think got the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, on the map of relevancy and fandom across America and the world. I'm interested in hearing your responses to what you think got NASCAR relevant or as they say these days, "happpening" in our world of sports.

Quite honestly, if it wasn't for the 1994 Brickyard 400, NASCAR probably wouldn't have grown into the popular, widely accepted motorsport spectacle that it is today.

Sure, NASCAR had its own prestigious track down in Daytona Beach, Florida, had a "King" that won 200 races and seven titles, an Intimidator who was seeking to tie Richard Petty's championship count 14 years ago, and many sentimental stories that have captivated fans across the country for 46 years.

But for these 43 stock cars, which were seen in the eye of Indy purists as invaders, to race on America's beloved 2.5 mile track, where many drivers in their Indycar counterparts have risked all and their lives to win there, was a huge accomplishment.

The sights and sounds of 3400 pound NASCAR Winston Cup machines coming to life and negotiating around the rectangular shaped track affirmed the series' status as a nationally accepted, household sport and motorsport.

Though many unofficial stock car tests took place at the track in the past, it wasn't until a fateful announcement on April 13, 1993 when the late NASCAR President Bill France Jr. and current Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George told the motorsports world that the Winston Cup Series was going to race at the famed Brickyard in the following year on Saturday, August 6th.

The 81-year-old speedway went under a massive renovation, with the implemention of a warm up lane, which eliminated the wide corners of the track. Every wall and catchfence was replaced to be stock car strong in case of any accidents in the 400 miler in the '94 event.

Indy 500 veterans and champions wanted a piece of the action too, as AJ Foyt and Danny Sullivan, among notables, competed in the spectacle.

Media passes were hard to come by if a journalist didn't grab one as soon as the announcement was made. More credentials were requested for this race than in any other race at the time - and considering how NASCAR was starting to gain its national audience, the prospects and fact that the series was able to race at the one race a year track was nothing short of amazing.

Fans weren't lucky either. Searching for any temporary lodging was like hoping for Major League Baseball to avoid the impending strike of '94. It was the hottest show in Speedway, Indiana.

If there was one word to describe the inaugural running of the Brickyard 400, it would have to be groundbreaking. Very slowly, the sport started to define itself after the tragedies in '93 with 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup champ Alan Kulwicki and much loved and 19 time race winner Davey Allison.

A then 23-year-old Jeff Gordon was making his presence known, coming into the race with a triumph in the Coke 600 at Charlotte, his debut trip to Victory Lane.

Ernie Irvan had finally harnessed some of his "swervin'" skills and became a polished but still aggressive front runner, Rusty Wallace was giving Ford another reason to go crazy at the track with wins, and veterans like Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin and Ricky Rudd were having quite a year and showing that their experience and perserverence would pay off.

And of course there was "The Intimidator." Surely, he and his No. 3 Goodwrench team were having quite a year and were going to do whatever it took to win the first one at Indy while watching his spot in what was a tight points battle that summer.

The race had a surprise pole sitter in Rick Mast, a sadly publicized sibling rivalry between Geoff and Brett Bodine, and late race drama that thrilled fans all across the track with veteran Irvan and upstart Gordon dueling for the win.

Both drivers went at it, trading positions for the lead and trying to play a racing game of cat and mouse or who'd blink first. With some veteran leadership calls by Gordon's crew chief Ray Evernham to stay in striking distance of the 28 car, JG pressured Irvan in the closing laps of the race. That was when a little bit of the unusual happened.

A cut tire did Ernie Irvan in unfortunately with less than a handful of laps left in the 400. Gordon successfully passed the helpless Texaco Ford for the lead and went on to win in front of his "second" hometown fans in Indiana, defeating Brett Bodine, Bill Elliott, Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt among others to the stripe.

How perfect were those storylines for the 400 at Indy? America witnessed history in stock cars conquering the Brickyard and saw the sport's rising star in Jeff Gordon possibly the moment that got the ex-open wheel star and racing series on the map of relevancy with sports.