4 of the Most Anticipated Wins in Auto Racing History (Our 100th post!)

 

4 of the Most Anticipated Wins in Auto Racing History

By Brian Cotnoir

Lewis Hamilton is one win away from tying F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s record for most career wins in Formula One.  No doubt that the next two race victories in Hamilton’s career will be the most anticipated wins in racing history.  That got me thinking what were some of the other most anticipated wins in racing history?  I’ve compiled a list of 4 other anticipated race victories (in chronological order)

1.) Ayrton Senna wins the Brazilian Grand Prix

Ayrton Senna had won just about everything in Formula 1 by the start of the 1991 season.  He was coming off his 2nd career drivers’ championship and a race win at the opening round on the Phoenix Street Circuit before heading to his home race in Brazil.  In his seven prior attempts Senna had never won his home race in front of his adoring home crowd.


1991 seemed like it might be his year; Senna started on his pole he was leading by a commanding lead when his car suffered a catastrophic gearbox failure.  Senna had to run the last few laps in 6th gear losing tons of ground with each passing lap.  Senna managed to keep his car running through the last several laps to win by 2.9 seconds over Riccardo Patrese.  An elated and elastic Senna was so physically exhausted that he needed to be helped from his car. 



Senna’s home win 1991 is one of the most legendary racing performances to date, and Senna was able to win again in Brazil just 2 years later. 

2.) Dale Earnhardt Sr wins the Daytona 500

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Sr. found every possible way to lose the Daytona 500.   Every year Earnhardt was a contender and heavily favored to win and had come within a quarter of a lap of winning the race in 1990, but just couldn’t get it done.  Howe after “20 years of trying [and] 20 years of frustration” Dale Earnhardt Sr. finally won the Daytona 500.  Tragically Dale Sr. would lose his life 3 years later on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500




3.) Danica Patrick’s 1st IndyCar win

Danica Patrick became a household name when she finished 4th place as a Rookie at the 2005 Indianapolis 500.  For the first time in the History of Open Wheel Racing in America a woman competitor showed great potential of winning.  In 2007 while driving for Andretti Green Racing Danica finished on the podium 3 times, including a 2nd place to her teammate Tony Kanaan at the penultimate race in Detroit. 

In early 2008 Danica Patrick finally silenced all the doubters when she won her first IndyCar race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.  That day in Japan Danica Patrick became the first—and so far only—woman to win a race in IndyCar.  Although Danica would never win again in her final 3 full-time seasons in IndyCar, she would finish on the podium 3 more times, including a 3rd place at the 2009 Indianapolis 500.   

4.)  Max Verstappen first Formula 1 win

Max Verstappen made his F1 debut at a remarkable 17-years-old, so it was highly anticipated when the young future superstar would get his 1st win.   After great rookie season with Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso, where he scored 49 points, Verstappen was promoted to the Red Bull F1 team for the 5th round of the 2016 F1 season.  In his debut with Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen shocked the world by winning his first Formula 1 race.

 


Since joining the main Red Bull team, Verstappen has won 8 more races (as of 10/6/2020) and is one of the best drivers on the grid.  Many believe that with the right team and car, Verstappen could go on to be the next great Formula 1 World Champion (once Lewis Hamilton retires of course).

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