Starting from the back row, a part-time driver from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. faced long odds at Watkins Glen International in 2004. The field was full of full-time stars, and road course passing was never easy. But one Canadian specialist in the No. 1 Chevrolet was about to change expectations. Armed with skill and quiet determination, he moved through the pack. By the final laps, the impossible looked close—maybe too close. What followed still echoes in NASCAR Cup Series history.
Starting Last, Finishing Legendary
The 2004 Sirius at The Glen stands out as one of the most dramatic and memorable races in NASCAR’s road course history—not because of who won, but because of how close someone else came. On August 15, 2004, Canadian road course specialist Ron Fellows climbed from 43rd to 2nd at Watkins Glen International, narrowly missing out on what could have been a historic NASCAR Cup Series victory.
Qualifying was rained out that weekend, and the starting grid was set by owner points. As a part-time driver for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. without a full-time points position, Fellows was forced to start dead last. At a track where passing is notoriously difficult, and in a field packed with Cup regulars, the odds were stacked against him. But what followed was a masterclass in road racing that still resonates with fans two decades later.
A Ruthless Charge Through the Field
Driving the No. 1 Nutter Butter/Nilla Wafers Chevrolet, Fellows wasted no time slicing through traffic. Lap after lap, the Canadian ringer picked off cars with a mix of strategic patience and aggressive precision. His knowledge of braking points, corner exits, and tire conservation gave him a critical edge.
By the closing stages of the race, Fellows had raced all the way to second. His charge had chewed through tire life and fuel margins, but he kept Tony Stewart—who was leading and visibly struggling—within sight. On the final restart, Fellows mounted one last attack, but ultimately came up just 1.5 seconds short after 90 laps. Still, it was a performance few in the sport will forget.
NASCAR Fans Still Remember—and Wonder
For many fans, Fellows’ drive that day stands as one of the best non-winning performances in NASCAR Cup history.
“Always liked Fellows, especially as a Corvette fan. I’ve always hated that he never could get his Cup win to go with the Busch and Truck wins. He was so close a few times!”
Others looked back on strategy decisions in prior races that may have cost him a deserved victory elsewhere:
“He would have won Sonoma if the crew chief hadn’t left him out while everyone else started pitting.”
Some fans even drew tongue-in-cheek comparisons to another road course phenom:
“Ron ‘SVG’ Fellows.”
The DEI car he piloted that day also left a mark:
“That car was gorgeous. Only got 2nd because Jeff Gordon was on his road course rampage at that time lol.
And while some acknowledged Tony Stewart’s win, they couldn’t help but feel Fellows’ near-miss deserved more historical weight:
“Man I wish Ron had won this race. It probably wouldn’t have made any major difference in NASCAR’s history but it would have been cool.”
Tony Stewart’s Gutty Win Can’t Overshadow Fellows’ Brilliance
To be fair, Stewart’s win was nothing short of heroic. Battling severe stomach issues, headaches, and even soiling himself during the race, he considered getting out of the car. Boris Said was on standby to take over, but Stewart gritted it out, led the most laps (46), and skipped victory lane to collapse in his motorcoach. It remains one of the toughest wins of his career.
But even amid Stewart’s resilience, the buzz has never fully left Fellows’ performance. In a race where most expected the ringer to be competitive but not a factor, he nearly shocked the field. And in a sport that often celebrates the winner alone, 2004’s trip to The Glen proved that greatness can come without a trophy.
News in Brief: Ron Fellows’ Incredible Drive at Watkins Glen 2004
Ron Fellows never scored a Cup Series victory, but his legacy as one of NASCAR’s most skilled road racers is secure. With wins at Watkins Glen in both the Xfinity and Truck Series, and a resume that includes success in Trans-Am and Le Mans, Fellows was no stranger to elite competition. But it was that Sunday afternoon in upstate New York that etched his name into NASCAR lore.
A last-to-second run at one of the sport’s most challenging venues. A performance still cited by fans as one of their all-time favorites. And a reminder that sometimes, the story isn’t about who won—but who amazed us the most.
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