25 Winning Years: Roush Fenway Sets Record in 1997 Talladega Victory

Roush Fenway Racing scored its second victory at Talladega on May 10, 1997 and in doing so set a record for the fastest NASCAR race.

In a caution-free event, former RFR driver Mark Martin took the checkered flag in the Winston Select 500 Cup event with an average speed of 188.4mph; the fastest average speed of any NASCAR race ever. It was the first race in Talladega history to go caution free.

The race was a makeup race, having been rained out two weeks prior. The teams returned to Talladega on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. It was also the second win in a row for Martin and Roush Fenway, having taken the checkered flag a week earlier on the road course of Sonoma.

Roush Fenway placed two cars in the top 10 that day; with Jeff Burton finishing eighth.

The victory would be one of four for RFR and Martin in 1997 and one of seven Cup victories for the organization in 1997.

Roush Fenway has won a total of three Sprint Cup events at Talladega and six NASCAR events overall. Martin drove Roush Fords to victory lane in all three major NASCAR series at Talladega.

RFR