Editor’s Note: In this monthly photo essay feature, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame photographer John Mahoney shares his memories and images from some of the most amazing and historic sprint car and midget races. USAC Sprint Cars, Florence (Ky.) Speedway, May 20, 1989. Seventeen-year-old Jeff Gordon scored his first USAC victory in the 30-lap winged sprint car feature. Ten-lap heat races went to Danny Smith, Jim Moulis, Gordon and Brian Tobin. By virtue of his victory, Gordon took the lead in the USAC Loctite/Crestliner Vans Sprint Car Series standings. The 1989 season was the third of USAC’s venture into winged sprint car racing. USAC eventually pulled the plug and the sprint cars ran wings for the last time during the 1991 campaign.

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