Atlanta Motor Speedway and One of NASCAR's Greatest Races

The story lines were many; six drivers had a mathematical chance to become the Cup series champion with one driver behind the wheel of an "Underbird."

The 1992 Hooters 500 had it all, including seven-time NASCAR Cup title winner, Richard Petty, running his last race while a young driver, Jeff Gordon, debuted in the Winston (Sprint) Cup Series.

The late Davey Allison led the point standings heading into the race. He had won five races, including the Daytona 500 during the season.

Under the old points system, Allison led Kulwicki by 30 points and Bill Elliott by 40 points.

Kulwicki was an owner/driver who ran his team to the beat of his own drum. It was not unusual to see the Wisconsin native carrying a briefcase while walking through the garage area in his firesuit.

Kulwicki thought of himself as an underdog. He received approval from Ford and NASCAR to cover the first two letters on the identifying word, Thunderbird, on the front of his car making it the Underbird.

Every space in the stands and infield appeared packed with a crowd estimated in excess of 150,000 fans who looked forward to the final race of the 1992 season.

Elliott, Allison and Kulwicki ran near the front, but it was the "Intimidator" battling Ernie Irvan for the first 60 laps.

Jeff Gordon's foray into the premier series of NASCAR ended when his poor handling car hit the wall on lap 164. The future NASCAR champ finished 31st.

Allison's hopes for a title came to a sudden end when Irvan blew a tire with some 70 laps remaining. Irvan spun into his path and the damage to Allison's car kept him in the garage more than 40 laps before the car was repaired.

A battle ensued between Elliott and Kulwicki as the race headed for the finale.

Kulwicki managed to hold the lead, but he and his crew chief, Paul Andrews, were planning for gas and go stops while staying on the track long enough to get five bonus points for leading the most laps.

Elliott was able to execute faster pit stops because Kulwicki had lost first gear. As the checkered flag fell, Elliott was declared the winner, but Kulwicki had led 103 laps to the 102 of Elliott.

Kulwicki won the 1992 NASCAR Winston (Sprint) Cup title by a mere 10 points over Elliott.

Petty's car was mangled in a crash during the race and an oil cooler line broke, causing the car to burst into flames. Petty wanted to return to the track for his final Cup race.

The crew for the famous No. 43 got the car running and Petty brought it back on the track despite the absence of sheet metal on the front of the car.

The driver known as "The King" finished in 35th place. Petty made one last ceremonial lap after the race to honor the fans.

Who would have thought that Kulwicki would die the following April in a plane crash. Kulwicki was aboard a Hooters corporate plane when it crashed on the way to the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Many drivers have paid tribute to Kulwicki with the traditional reversed victory lap known as the Polish Victory Lap that Rusty Wallace began after that spring race in Bristol.

Without a doubt, the 1992 Hooters 500 is one of NASCAR's great races with the drama, Gordon's first race, Petty's last and the memories of what some of the sports greatest stars gave us that day.