Rusty Wallace recalls water bottle incident with Dale Earnhardt during a memorable post-race moment at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1995, describing a heated encounter that has become legendary among NASCAR fans. The altercation, sparked by intense racing and high emotions, reflects a defining chapter in NASCAR’s competitive spirit and enduring rivalries.
A Plot to Stop a Rising Star
During a candid interview with ESPN’s Ryan McGee, Rusty Wallace revisited the events at Bristol Motor Speedway, which turned into what NASCAR aficionados now call the “water-bottle race.” In 1995, Jeff Gordon, driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, was swiftly rising in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, clinching victories at Rockingham, Atlanta, and Bristol, despite a tough outing at the Daytona 500 to kick off his season. Both Wallace and Dale Earnhardt, experienced drivers facing the dominance of the younger Gordon, decided to form a temporary alliance aimed at leveling the playing field.
Wallace recalled the formation of that alliance, quoting Dale Earnhardt Sr.,
“He (Dale Sr.) came up to me, so he said, ‘Man, look. When we start this race, let’s bump this kid out of the way and let’s get out of here.’”
However, their agreement quickly unraveled, as the chaos of the Bristol short track took hold by just the 33rd lap.
Alliance Turns to Rivals
The camaraderie between Rusty Wallace and the driver of the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevy did not last long. As Wallace described it, he was coming out of Turn 4 when Dale Earnhardt made a move that would end any teamwork for the duration of the race:
“I’m coming off Turn 4 and got a little loose, and he (Earnhardt) stuck right into me and put me right into the wall.”
Wallace finished disappointingly in 21st place, 46 laps adrift, while Earnhardt secured a second-place spot, following Terry Labonte to the checkered flag. Tempers ran high, fueled by the competitive atmosphere and the unexpected betrayal. Rusty Wallace confronted the man known as the Intimidator, desperate for answers, but the Bristol crowd’s energy drowned out his demands.
The Water Bottle Incident
Unable to contain his frustration, Wallace resorted to an action that would be replayed in NASCAR highlights for years to come. In a fit of anger, he hurled a water bottle directly at Earnhardt, aiming for his forehead:
“I put my hand around the neck of the bottle and slung that bottle, and it went straight as an arrow, and it hit him dead in the forehead,” Wallace laughed (2:00).
This act resonated deeply with fans, encapsulating the fierce competition and heated emotions of that race. The incident cemented itself as an iconic moment in NASCAR’s history, showing Dale Earnhardt’s unwavering focus on victory at all costs, a mentality that defined his legendary career.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reflects on a Painful Loss
Years later, the Earnhardt legacy would take on a more somber tone. In the 2001 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., both competed in a race that ended in tragedy. Despite the immediate response from medical professionals, Earnhardt Sr. would not survive the day, passing away at the age of 49. His son, also a celebrated driver, shared the emotional toll of those moments in a recent docuseries, describing his rush through the hospital to see his father one last time:
“I’m hustling through halls, you know, looking in every room. And I look over and there’s dad on a table, seemed like eight or 10 doctors surrounded that table, and they’re all working. Finally, somebody grabbed me and told me that dad was gone or dad passed away or dad didn’t make it, and I could go back into this room. And so I go back into the room, and there’s no doctors. There’s just dad.”
“I didn’t want to go any closer. I stood at the door and, again, dad’s 15 feet away. I didn’t want to remember him that way, so I just left,” Dale Jr. said holding back tears.
The deep loss and raw emotion highlighted in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s words are explored further in the four-part docuseries now available on Amazon Prime Video, with its final episodes debuting on May 30.
Legacy of Competition and Emotion
The water bottle encounter between Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt at Bristol reflects more than just a rivalry—it points to the intense emotions and personalities that have shaped NASCAR’s history. As reminiscences from Wallace and the heartbreaking memories shared by Dale Earnhardt Jr. show, NASCAR’s legacy is built on more than just competition; it’s carried forward by the passion, connection, and sometimes pain experienced by its most renowned figures. These moments, both contentious and poignant, continue to resonate with fans and shape the sport’s lasting narrative.
