05.17
Not surprisingly, Dale Earnhardt Sr. was involved in it.
Welcome to the Pass in the Grass.
The phantom advance happened in the All-Star race – then called the Winston – May 17, 1987 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
It occurred in the 10-lap shootout that ended the race, and the drama ultimately involved four of the best drivers of the time – Bill Elliott, Geoff Bodine, Terry Labonte and Earnhardt.
The drama began on the first lap of the final 10 as Bodine and Earnhardt, bitter rivals, tangled while racing Elliott for the lead in tight quarters, sending Bodine into a spin and out of the battle for the win.
With Bodine’s trouble, Elliott, who had led the event’s first two segments, inherited the role as Earnhardt’s major challenger, and the two showcased some of the best racing ever seen in the race’s history.
For the next two laps, they raced bumper to bumper and side by side, Elliott seeking every possible avenue to pass Earnhardt. As they exited turn four with seven laps to go, they made contact, and Earnhardt slipped to the left and onto the grass adjacent to the frontstretch.
Remarkably, he retained control of his Chevrolet and jumped back onto the racing surface, still in front of Elliott. Although he never lost the lead, the maneuver quickly picked up the “Pass in the Grass” name, and it stuck.
Two laps later, Earnhardt forced Elliott high on the backstretch and into the wall, and Elliott soon fell off the lead pace with a tire problem.
Labonte stepped forward to briefly challenge Earnhardt for first place. They raced side by side for a while, but Earnhardt stubbornly refused to be beaten, and he finished first with Labonte trailing.
On the race’s cool-down lap, Elliott slammed into the rear of Earnhardt’s car.
“We’re not Saturday night wrestlers,” Elliott said after the race. “We’re racers. He liked to wreck me and several others on the track. If that’s the way he wants to win the race, I hope he wins a thousand of them on Saturday night.
“If a man has to run over you to beat you, it’s time to stop. I’m sick of it. Time and time again. If that’s what it takes to be a Winston Cup champion, I don’t want it.”
Earnhardt admitted that the racing went over the edge, “but when there’s that much money on the line, you have to expect that.”
The race was the third All-Star event. Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural race in 1985 at Charlotte, and Elliott won the second event in 1986 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In 1987, the race returned to CMS, and the track has been its home since.
Earnhardt’s victory, the first of three wins (also 1990 and 1993) he would score in the All-Star race, helped to solidify the non-points event as one of the key races of the season.
Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
Earnhardt always drove with his bumper….. Bill drove with his head! The “Pass in the Grass” wasn’t a pass at all, but gave NASCAR something to run with. Earnhardt may have more championships but Bill Elliott was the greatest driver of that era. Chase is learning from the best driver in the business, hands down!
Go #9
I remember watching that race, bills car was the best and nobody could catch him, I think that’s why dale drove so dirty he caused a bunch of problems for everyone so bill didn’t have a chance to get away and then the banging started. I thought what bill did after the race was perfect, a little payback without going overboard.
At least the title of story says it well, not a pass. I have always wondered if Bill let up on the gas so he would not get into Dale as he came back on track? I would have stepped on it and sent him spinning. But, Bill has been my favoite driver for 30 years and respect every mile he has driven. He always won fair and square. Best darn driver out there, then and now!
Cindy,
Is Bill on SPEED channel tonight? Geoff Bodine was last night and I missed the ticker at bottom of screen last night, it had something about Bill being on. I hope, I hope.
I remember that was the first time I’d ever seen Bill made or upset that I could remember at that point. Never forget his words “If that is how its going to be then wait till next weekend.” Or something along the lines of that. Ironhead had his own view of what happened which was so skewed it wasn’t funny. He blamed Elliott for all the wrecks he caused during that event when clearly you can see it was all him. Had Elliott not cut a tire during the exchange he would have blew the doors of Earnhardt….he by far had the best car that day….
Pass in the grass who ever came up with that had it bad. Bill you should have put the bumper to him
He was on Speed talking about Chase. Great to see & hear him. Such a proud Father.
Bill was also a gentleman as always when talking about the all star race. I like that he brought up that it was supposed to rotate to other tracks and he felt it would have been great to be held at Richmond. Had forgotten about that.
I have to say I loved it when Bill ran into Dale on the cool down lap. Bill was always calm and polite, it was great to see him show Dale that enough is enough.
Yes, he was sorry-I posted on twitter and facebook.
Was the most aggravating race I had watched. Also the most rewarding when Bill got revenge. Will never forget it. PASS IN THE GRASS translation = Dale Earnhardt wrecking himself in the grass while trying to wreck Bill because he knew it was the only way he could beat him!
Cindy, no problem, I am not on twitter and facebook, but I did see him on Speed. Tell Bill it was great seeing him on TV again.
does anyone know when they are going to announce who gets voted into the allstar race???
Always remember that the only time that Earnhardt has been 212.809 mph, he was in an airplane!
To Bills life time record he was not a Dirty bumper driver
Can’t help but see that the #43 car (who is almirola right now) is only a 1 year deal….would love to see Bill get in there next year for a couple seasons and run with a respectable team. Worse case i could even see him in the #78. Regan Smiths deal ends after this year too. Just a couple spots where I could see Bill landing if there is a chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM8Iu7QNyLI&feature=related
This is a great story I think on speed.
The greatest “WAXING” ever in Nascar.
“Fastest race car EVER in Nascar”
Thank you Bill!!
It never gets old…The Elliotts had them all covered…one great day. I still remember it, just wish I could still watch Bill race in a competitive car again.
Here’s a couple great videos of Bill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ4Gd9dkZo4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG5p73Px9_Q&feature=player_embedded
Thanks to Race Time at Walmart
Go #50
Would love to see Bill drive for Richard Petty,s team. Richard is another great respectable driver like Bill.
Another good memory for you Alabama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWuu4dBwl50&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Seems like yesterday…..
I remember that race very well. Bill was living up to his nickname his fans so affectionately remember him by, Awesome. Ironhead was being his usual self, banging people all over the place, and Bill was no exception. Ironhead would wreck his mother if he thought he would win. RIP Dale, no hard feelings, but we know who the real winner was that day. Bill, you will always be #1 in me and my wife’s hearts. You represent my way of life in the way you grew up, you worked hard, took the fame as best as you could, didn’t let it go to your head, and at the end of the day, you are still down to earth, even in the limelight. My kind of athlete that I want my kids to look up too.
legends of racing by walmart. This is great 6 through 10. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBBABD283E4E88C7D&feature=plcp
when do moments 1 through 5 come out
Are things looking up for more races, other than Daytona. I hope so , long time fan.
Very well said Jimmy, I agree with you entirely and my kids grew up as fans of Bills. Great role model Bill is.
I’ll second that Jimmy !!
Hmmm, Kurt suspended. Wonder if Finch remembers he owes Bill some races.