i had no idea that this race was still missing from youtube but for the highlights posted years ago. one of the great, charmed moments in nascar history. enjoy!
Doesn't matter how many times I watch the end of this race, I still get chills and a big smile. The Earnhardt family is always gonna be a part of NASCAR. Can't wait for the 2014 season to start.
I recently read an article where Elliott Sadler commented on the race and how he was committed to helping Waltrip and seeing Dale Jr finish 1st and Waltrip 2nd because that's the way he thought it should be. I went back and watched him those last few laps and he was a helluva wing man. I always like Sadler, wish he would have a better career.
46:19 THIS is what real cars looked like- Harvick's white Goodwrench #29, Rudd's badass Havoline #28, and Jeff Gordon's sweet Pepsi-fied #24. Back then, it was sometimes as fun to look at the cars as it was to pay attention to who was running where
and 2:24:59 just shows how much Benny Parsons cared about Dale Jr. "Junior!!!!, You're happy!!!!" Just says it all. Clear concern that Benny has notices Jr. UNhappy and is just thrilled to see him in a happy place. Father figure.
Back when NASCAR racing suits had 1 sponsor and not rotating from race to race. Jarrett was a UPS guy through and through not like today where I never know if Kyle Busch is driving Interstate Batteries or M&M's
Sitting in the Petty Tower all over again, Top Row. I witnessed this spectacular race. Thee feelings all returned as the laps wound down and JUNEBUG was on a run like never before in his life.. He was possessed and poised. Flawless entries and the momentum he carried kept that car on a rail under him. Lap after lap the car was that damn strong. Dales driving skill were top notch and he handled the ride of his life. Congratulations Dale. Thanks SKRacing.
TBS was supposed to join NBC as its broadcast partner for NASCAR coverage that season, but TNT joined the fray instead due to its "We Know Drama" slogan.
Well hey everyone this race was like a story book seeing dale jr win at the same track that took his dad's life in February im a lot of you guys wished dale Sr never got killed but hey sometimes things happen that you don't want to happen you know so yeah dale jr winning the Pepsi 400 that year was fantastic.😊
Only 6 drivers from this race are still active today- Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch (And it'll soon be 5 with Gordon's retirement full-time).
I don't think Mayfield gets enough credit for his draft push that got Junior from 6th to 1st. He played a crucial role in a race that'll never be forgotten.
It wasn't rigged. DEI's restrictor plate package between 2001 and 2005 was just that damn good.. Hendrick Motorsports finally started knocking away at their dominance in 2004.
It was clear dave blaney and johnny benson let jr, get by.. they both had multiple chances to pull up in front of jr but never did. Im glad he won tho I remember watching this race I was 11 years old
+keenen benton Yeah, I'm Sure Blaney and Benson said o themselves 'we don't need this money ...we can just donate it all to Junior!!' LOL Keep dreamin!!
I find it funny that burton said that nascar needed to stay out of the mandating business but his tone at rockingham was "we all need to step it up" WOW
nah, back then DEI had by far the best restrictor plate cars, even before this race they were dominant, it wasnt a surprise that a DEI car won, waltrip could have passed him, but he just defended
The only way that it was rigged, is because DEI was just DOMINANT at Talla-tona (or Day-dega, call it however you want)!!! Between 2001 & 2004, there were 16 races at Daytona & Talladega... DEI drivers Michael Waltrip & Dale Earnhardt Jr. won 11 (Dale Jr. won 7, Mikey won 4)!!! And 3 times they finished 1-2 (and it would be 4 if Dale Jr. didn't try to win the 2002 Pepsi 400, he slipped back to 6th)... DEI was THE team at Daytona & Talladega back then...
im a huge earnhardt fan, but i have to agree, even possible they had a different restrictor plate on the engines, just WAY to much power for this style of restrictor plate racing.
matt kenseth when he won the 500 with his last year at roush, was that race rigged because not 1 car even touched his bumper that day, and look at recent races with kenseth in the gibbs car,nobody could bump draft him
What an idiot. If you remotely believe this was rigged than you must also believe Scooby Doo was a real dog. Go back and watch the restrictor plate races from 2000-2005. The DEI cars were so dominant through that time period at Dega and Daytona. Jr won 4 straight at Talladega himself, and he also had the best car at each Daytona race from 02-04. Think with some sense next time before you speak.
***** skankuser What's funny is that the HANS device wasn't around back then. So, how about you shut the fuck up about things you obviously know nothing about.
JJ Davis The HANS device WAS around back then. Earnhardt refused to wear it. You should take your own advice, you fuckin' moron. sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=hinton_ed&id=6116145 Read for yourself.
skankuser And how about you go fuck off good sir. I, unlike you, know what I'm fucking talking about. The HANS device was not required, and most drivers chose NOT to wear it. Even if it was around, it wasn't widely used. So, you sir, can go fuck yourself. Mk? mk.
This is the most obviously rigged race in Nascar history. Of course Dale Jr is going to win. Storybook ending. Fastest car by a long shot. What an absolutely stupid race.
