That's right.Twenty-five years ago this weekend, Junior returned to Daytona International Speedway six months after the track killed his father and won the Pepsi 400.Remember? Of course you do.
How could you not?Earnhardt Jr.diced his way through the field in the waning laps in the iconic No.
8 Budweiser Chevy, and conquered more than one demon along the way.Dale Earnhardt, Jr.celebrates his Pepsi 400 win at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL Saturday July 7, 2001.
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)NBC's Allen Bestwick delivered arguably the greatest line in sports history.Certainly the greatest line in motorsports history."It's going to be Dale Earnhardt Jr., using lessons learned from his father to go from sixth to first and score the victory in the Pepsi 400!"DALE JR REVEALS HEARTBREAKING FINAL TEXT MESSAGE FROM KYLE BUSCH, NASCAR GETS A WIN & DRIVER TEASES REVENGEEverything about it was perfect.
The roar from the crowd.The call.
The track.The finishing order (Junior won, while Michael Waltrip finished second).The celebration that finally got to take place."It’s as storybook as it can get," Junior once told me years ago.NASCAR is once again at a crossroads.I spoke to Junior about that very moment back in 2021.
We talked for nearly an hour.He didn't know me from Adam, but boy, did he enjoy reliving that race.The key, he said, was embracing the track.
It was his dad's favorite place.His playground, of sorts.Dale Earnhardt Sr.
won just the one Daytona 500 (1998), but he dominated the track in every other way.He won 34 times at Daytona International Speedway.Thirty-four.
Busch Clashes.Busch races.
Duel races.Shootouts.
Twin 125s.July races.
IROC races.You name it, Dale Earnhardt won it.DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Dale Earnhardt Sr.(b.
April 29, 1951 d.February 18, 2001) driver of the #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet celebrates in the infield grass after winning the 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Daytona 500 at the Daytona Internation...