Closest finishes in WC history

S

stridsberry

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These were posted in the espn.com race article; only points-counting races are included.

.002 seconds -- Ricky Craven over Kurt Busch, March 16, 2003 at Darlington, S.C..

.005 seconds -- Dale Earnhardt over Ernie Irvan, July 25, 1993 at Talladega, Ala.

.006 seconds -- Kevin Harvick over Jeff Gordon, March 11, 2001 at Atlanta

.010 seconds -- Dale Earnhardt over Bobby Labonte, March 12, 2000 at Atlanta

.025 seconds -- Jimmy Spencer over Bill Elliott, July 24, 1994 at Talladega
 
That was awesome. It had to be less than 6 inches.
 
I calculated it for ya, using some basic physics. I'll spare the gory details. At an estimated speed of 160 mph, it comes out to 5.632 inches. And I'm being a little generous with the speed, so it's probably a little less than that. Wow. :blink: :blink:
 
Interesting list. This was the closest finish I ever remember.

But I recall a few that should be checked against ESPN's list. Some of them may not have time available given that the transponders have not been around that long.

1985 - Rockingham - Neil Bonnett beat Harry Gant by what seems to me to have been less than 10 inches.

1991 - Michigan - Dale Jarrett over Davey Allison by less than a foot.

1995 - Dover - Kyle Petty, yes that Kyle, over Bobby Labonte again by inches.

Don't know off top of my head where this could be checked, maybe someone does.
 
The list only counts the races where electronic timing and scoring were used, which is why the older races don't show up.
 
Did a little quick looking around.

Found one answer:

Dover 1995 Kyle Petty over Bobby Labonte - margin of victory .220 seconds.

ESPN needs to do a little more research, that was too easy!
 
How does other series stack up to these?

What is the record for the closest finish in IRL history?
 
This is from this years Daytona Bike week.

BMW Boxer Cup (BMW 1100's)
ROBERTO PANICHI over BRIAN PARRIOTT by 0.052 and over MARKUS BARTH by 0.074

Superbike(1000cc)
MIGUEL DUHAMEL over BEN D BOSTROM by 0.069

Superstock(750cc)
TOMMY HAYDEN OWENSBORO over LEE ACREE by 0.009
 
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