DALE EARNHARDT JR.’S EMOTIONAL WIN AT DAYTONA IN JULY 2001

ONE OF THE MOST EMOTION-FILLED WEEKENDS IN NASCAR history took place in July 2001 at Daytona International Speedway where the Cup Series returned to compete less than five months after the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500.

Racing with the heaviest hearts of all were Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had finished 1-2 in the Daytona 500 just seconds after Earnhardt – their team owner – crashed into the Turn 4 wall while running just behind them on the race track. Racing in memory of the man who had given them so much, Earnhardt Jr. and Waltrip swept the top two finishing positions in the July Daytona race just as they did in February – only this time, it was Earnhardt Jr. coming out on top and Waltrip finishing second.

After the race, the two teammates celebrated together on top of Waltrip’s car, as their pit crews joined in the fun just below and a jam-packed grandstand bellowed its approval.