o one needs to remind the seven-time champion that his twin 35th-place finishes at the 1995 Michigan races cost him a record-setting eighth Winston Cup. Dale's finishes in those two races, combined with Jeff Gordon's second and third places, meant a difference of 234 points -- Gordon won his first crown by only 34 markers.

Dale's determination to win a record-tying, third-consecutive championship was evident in his stretch- run finishes -- including a scintillating twice-through-the-field run at the night Bristol race in August and a thorough domination of the season finale at Atlanta. But even 10 straight top-nine finishes at the end of the year, including seven top-three finishes in that string, could not overcome the points lost at the two Michigan races.

One of the 1995 highlights for Dale and the Richard Childress-owned team was their victory in the second running of the Brickyard 400, accomplishing one of the team's goals for the season. For 1996, the team has re-dedicated itself to returning to the champion's throne and will pull out all the stops in its attempt to win its first Daytona 500. Crew chief Andy Petree left at the end of the '95 season and returned to the Leo Jackson team to work with Robert Pressley, but Childress merely reached into his team's pool of talent and named David Smith as the new at-track leader of the crew.

Winner of seven NASCAR Winston Cup titles; missed his eighth (and third consecutive) by 34 points in 1995.

Since joining Richard Childress in 1984, has won 59 races and $19 million.

Has won more money than any other driver in history of racing, worldwide. Career total is nearly $26 million.

Has won nearly every major event and title available to NASCAR Winston Cup drivers except for Daytona 500.

Triumphed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1995 (one of his five wins), putting his name into the record books at the famed track.

Unbelievable run in final third of season (eight of final 10 races, finished seventh or better, including two wins and three seconds); not enough to make up for poor Michigan finishes.