Just to counteract some of these worst ones here are some of the best an more memorable IMO.....
1993 - Atlanta, final race of the year when Rust Wallace, winner, & Dale Earnhardt, Champion, together take a Polish Victory Lap in honor of both Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison lost earlier that year.
1998 - Daytona 500 when every crew member from every team lined up to congratulate Dale Earnhardt on his long awaited D500 victory.
^
I used to have an old photo somewhere I took of that victory lap.
Other good ones: Rusty's tribute to Alan.
It's Bristol spring of 93, and the numbness and pain of losing Alan Kulwicki was still very fresh, sore, and overwhelming.
It was on either Thursday of Friday that Alan was killed in route to Bristol, just a few days prior. The Hooter's hauler leaving Polish lap style, on Friday mourning coming down, and no #7 at Bristol for Sundays race.
Rusty fittingly won at Bristol. Rusty was a short track ace, and he came up through the old ASA school of short track aces with Alan. Alan was the old yellow 97, the special K in the day. Rusty was there too in those old # 66 cars, and fast.
Rusty did the backward Polish lap. Tears would have been worthy that day, there's nothing sissy about mourning such a loss. But like or hate Rusty, there were no tears from him just a very respectful tribute, well done by Wallace. Not a celebration just the bittersweet memory.
Just a few years earlier Alan did the 'Polish ' victory lap at Phoenix. I am not sure if that was the beginning of the modern day victory lap, but it seemed original, cool, and most of all, Alan Kulwicki.
Alan publicly carried himself in a low key manner. Quietly and understated, he was great for Hooters but wasn't flashy or a showman. He battled economics and had the nerve to try win on a budget, and he did.
The privateer beat Hendrick/ Waltrip, Earnhardt/Rousch, Jr Johnson/Elliott, Yates/Allison, Wallace and more to win it all. If you add in Petty there were 24 (by my count) championship years represented that Alan bested in 92.
All noted just to specify the understated grace and humility of Alan's Polish victory lap. Maybe a signature moment of Alan's understanding he was really David against Goliath.
When you are humble you can't say it, nobody ever penned: "Humility and how I attained it". To me whether intended or not that was Alan's best to remind us, he was a warrior, a hell of a man, his story needs to be told.
Nascar needs to make an exception and put the man in the HoF. (in due time after the pioneers). I doubt, almost know that we will never see another like him.
No more little man racers winning and less heroes, big owners and business rule now.
Thanks for the patience to read, sorry to the O.P for the off topic references. I just believe the context was needed.
