Michael Waltrip right behind Jr still brings me to tears to this day. He took up the place of Earnhardt Sr that day, he protected Jr the same way Sr had protected them both.
I was 10 years old on my first ever vacation in Florida. My dad woke me up one morning and told me that for my birthday I got to choose the Pepsi 400, or Disneyworld. I will never regret my decision. For this to be my first Nascar race and to have it all on home video is amazing. Absolutely incredible.
Waltrip didn't even think, for a second. He stayed behind Junebug, not even considering trying any attempt to win. He just stayed behind Jr. guaranteeing that no-one would even attempt to get the win.
It doesn't matter whether he drives like his father or not. This man carries himself with great class week in and week out. How could you not root for him?
@@j9vlikz683 Yeah but just once and that was his only win in the Car of Tomorrow and if you say "Well actually he won Michigan in 2012 with the Car of Tomorrow" im just gonna be on the record here is that i pefer the Car of Tomorrow and Gen 5 to be seperate and people say that the COT is the Gen 5 car
What's even more impressive is MW going from 14th to 2nd. He drove the wheels off that car, and made sure no one passed him to rain on Juniors parade. He did what did Dale Sr did for them at the 500. Very impressive driving by Michael. Dale would have been proud
I love how the vast majority of the whole crowd was wanting him to win. These are the moments that make sports truly special when a man who just had his heart ripped from him puts everything he has in a performance because it means so much to him in that moment.
i'm almost 30 and i'm the same way. Dale Sr was my favorite driver growing up and i bawled my eyes out when he got killed in that crash in the 500. Pretty much sucked the life and mood out of me. Haven't really watched much Nascar since that day
Could you imagine if someone passed junior for the win on the last lap of this race? They would have been the most hated driver on the face of the earth.
when Dale took the lead in turn 4. Chills. When Waltrip takes second, CHILLS. They crossed the line 1-2, TEARS. Perfect moment, perfect win, it was like Dale Sr used God's power and made it happen. At this moment Dale Jr was not ready to hold NASCAR on his shoulders, but the fans immediately jumped to him and he just wasnt ready.
Quentin Diaz Like the fallen Goku coming to distract Cell as he fought Gohan, or James McCloud helping Fox escape Venom, this was a perfect example of divine intervention. Scary that I am looking at this for the first time in my life and I could only imagine what Jr. and the team were going through, including putting Dale Sr. to rest by winning and nailing the fourth turn.
Thomas C. Did you watch nascar in the early 2000’s? From 2001-2004 DEI won 10 out of 16 superspeedway races Dale Jr accounting for 7 of those. This race wasn’t coincidence Jr just had dominate cars at Daytona and Talladega in this era of nascar and if you believe otherwise your ignorant as hell
@@88fanforlife when something is too good to be true. That means it is. If you dont think moments and games in sports arent rigged than you must be new to watching sports. Juniors was always gonna win the next Daytona race. They were either gonna do what they did or if he got wrecked or blew a engine they were having him win the next years 500. You dont think Nascar knows how many eyes and how much more money comes their way if this story happens? Nascar's owner was a piece of shit since day one. He was obsessed with becoming a mega mainstream program not just a sport. He wanted the fairytale stories to happen. It's why he made the playoffs a d chase. He couldnt control who wins a title for over the course of season and he wanted drama. With the playoffs, he could control for the most part what he wanted to happen or least have more of a hand in it than what the old Winston system did. He wanted Kyle busch to win the one year and he did. A driver who misses 18 races wins a title... but yeah keep believing the sport isnt fixed. Jr was never a great driver. Good yeah but never great. Also he never was known for having a strong mental fortitude to get over things. Easy to get in his head and it messes him up. But he can have the biggest win of his career up to that point at the track where his dad died cause he was blocking for him. So the very next race at that track where he probably still grieving hard. He has to pass the spot where he died 250 times in just that race plus all week it was all over the news and he probably couldnt get away from it. You really think he be able to win a race like that in his mental shape? Well guess what. You could if you already heard that people are making sure you win. Makes it much easier.
Thomas C. You need to go outside and find some hobbies or something dude lol. Lemme guess the NFL told the Seahawks Falcons and Rams to let Tom Brady win those Super Bowls. Or the NBA told the Warriors “hey let Lebron get one on you guys.” What about Brett Farve winning that Monday night game like right after his father passed away that was set up too right? Also of course Jr would let stuff get to him mentally towards the end of his career that’s what having 20 plus concussions will do to a person but this race. It’s just common knowledge that in this era of nascar DEI was a powerhouse at these tracks. If he just had this performance and no other success then there’s merit to saying nascar was up to something but when he goes onto win 6 outta the next 16 superspeedway races and is always in contention at those races always leading a ton of laps it turns from fix to that team was just that good at those tracks. Lastly I’m not gonna get into everything you said about the owners and the chase and all that mess cause there’s so many false things you said there but if nascar was really wanting to fix everything wouldn’t it be Dale Jr that had Jimmie Johnson’s success?
I turned 11 years old a little over 3 months after Dale SR was killed so I remember it quite well. In fact I saw the death anouncement on the news before my mom did and told her about it.
"It's going to be Dale Earnhardt Jr. USING LESSONS LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER to go from sixth to first to score the victory at the Pepsi 400!" Gives me chills every time.
It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
@@thomasc.5219 Stupid theory. The rest of 2001 was dominated by DEI - at least in the restrictor plate races. Get your tinfoil hat and shove it up your ass
This was the moment I became a huge fan of NASCAR and of Dale Junior. I'd been a casual fan and still remember screaming in my living room when Dale Earnheart captured his 500. I didn't watch the 2001 500, and wasn't really a Dale fan, per se. But after his death, I started watching more and more, and I saw what his son went through and gained a lot of respect for how he did his job in spite of the spotlight's glare. Then I watched this race. And man, was I screaming at my TV. The whole neighborhood knew something was up. At that moment I became a pretty hardcore fan of NASCAR and a diehard fan of Junior. This year, I made my pilgrimage to Daytona and saw him dominate the field. It's a great year to be a long-time fan of the driver. Cost of trip to Daytona and a day spent at the trailers--$1400. Sitting on the front stretch watching that finish--PRICELESS.
It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
@@thomasc.5219 Shut the fuck up the only reason no tried to pass cause Michael Waltrip would block them and Teammates could do that now why not you step in a car and run 400 miles around daytona with 42 cars chasing you at over a 190 MPH trying to pass you
You were there?! Man, that had to be the most incredible thing to see. It feels like in that moment everyone was one team, all teams crews, people in the stands, everyone was for Jr. What did it feel like being there and seeing it in person? To you did it feel like everyone came together?
Nicole Slater damn that had to be a once on a lifetime moment. I watched on this race on tv and loved every min. of it. Just wished he could be this good again.
87Jaws Seriously! We know he's got it in him, but that fire inside him hasn't been visible for awhile. Although he seems to have started to get it back these past few seasons. Maybe this will be the year? Either way, I'll be watching every race to see what happens lol :)
+Nicole Slater i still say the fire in him would return 100% if DEI was brought back, being in the #8, Austin being #3 i think has fueled Dale to getting better out of his little slump. He won the 500 when the 3 returned after all.
You are so lucky to have experienced this. A once in a lifetime experience. The spirit there, with everyone so happy and overjoyed that Jr won. The entire crowd was cheering, crying and hugging one another.
I remember watching this live. When I saw Waltrip come barreling in behind Jr I knew there was some magic in the air. I cried when he came out of turn 4 and heard "using lessons he learned from his father to go from 6th to first". What a moment.
Only nascar race I ever been to. Sitting in the backstretch grandstand. After the race they shot fireworks that were in the shape of 3's it was an experience.
The thing that gives me chills every single time I watch this is when the announcer says "180,000 on their feet, screaming wildly! Two and a half miles to go!" along with the cars screaming past the grandstands.
It's so crazy & rare to HEAR a nascar crowd over the broadcast bc of just how loud the cars themselves are, & it's just rare so many are behind one driver. The eruption when Jr. took the lead & then the checkered has to be one of the loudest reactions in sports history. Especially considering it's a wide open grandstand. No acoustic stadium setup to artificially inflate the decibels, just thousands of people, in unison, letting out their pain, their hope, their joy together. Easily the most underrated moment in all of sports history.
Awesome as this moment is, my favorite part is Chocolate _booking_ it across the infield. Not only because, of course he's gonna be the first one to the car. But also because, headstart or not, he outran everyone there! Always loved seeing him on race days. Even though we had Jr, I feel like seeing Chocolate in that fire suit every week _really_ helped carry on Sr's memory.
Man this was way back in the day. Saw it live when I was 10, on summer break from school. Me and the family were so thrilled to watch Jr. and Waltrip win. It was amazing.
I was watching this with my dad today and he said, "Look at that smile." And then, "They love that kid." I thought he was just repeating what was said, but then I realized that he was saying it before they did. I guess we've both watched this over and over. One of the greatest moments in NASCAR history. #20Years
There are times when finishing 2nd is a victory. This is one of them. Michael Waltrip understood what this meant to Dale Jr. and the NASCAR family in general.
It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
I remember both Dale Sr passing and Dale Jr winning this Daytona. I was 6 and 7 years old and I cried for Jr after he won this race when me and my stepfather watched this race. Bless both Sr and Jr both great drivers and good old southern boys.
The ovation when Jr. took the lead is something that will live with me forever. That wasn't just the moment Jr., DEI, & Nascar needed, but also the moment every Nascar fan needed to begin the healing process. I feel like the entire sport was in a fog until that moment. I know in many aspects it's never fully recovered, but without this moment, I don't know that it would've ever bounced back even as much as it did.
i miss the good ol days. ill tell you what idc how long time passes this race clip always chokes me up. anyone who was a true nascar fan will get emotional when they see these race clips. deffinatly miss the old days. love it when i c mikey and jr running together. RIP DALE.
Every year around Daytona and Talladega I rewatch all of juniors Talladega/Daytona wins. There was nothing like watching a plate race when junior took the lead. I pull for chase now and even when he takes the lead you hear the crowd roar but not like when junior would especially in that red 8. It was something special and will never be anything like it again. Every time I watch this I get choked up.
My Grandfather always listened to the race on the radio. This was the one race I remember him not only making it a point to watch on TV, but staying up past his usual bedtime to watch it. When the finish came up, he pointed out something that to my knowledge no one else ever has. In 3rd Place, the #21. 2 + 1 = 3.
Man, i wasn’t even born yet when Dale Sr died or when Jr won this race but this finish gets me emotional every time I watch it, one of the most beautiful moments in NASCAR history right here
"I'll be crying sooner or later. I don't know, I feel so good right now." I love that quote from Jr. He just won! There's no reason to cry, because his dad is right there with him.
Every now and then I come back to this moment. I was there. Just a young 6 year old who had grew up to that point watching Dale Sr tear it up. When Jr entered 1st it was the loudest I've ever heard a crowd and I was wearing noise cancelling headphones.
+William Smith Waltrip definitely let him win, he can say other wise in his book "blink of an eye", that was he was going but he just didn't, he KNEW Dale needed that win, especially since it was at Daytona. Waltrip saved DEI that year, if Dale Jr hadn't won that race, i believe he would have had 0 wins that year with #15 having the 500 win #1 having the win from the second race, and not having Jr lead DEI in wins bring backing DEI from a horrible incident.
@@quentindiaz9418 I don't think he could have passed him if he wanted to; Juniors car was so much better through the corners than everyone else's during that race, nobody could pass him.
I second jrs car was phemonial! No car in the field could hang with him. I remember jr talking about it later in week/weeks and he was saying car was so fast he was mostly 3/4 throttle leading. If anymore he just pulled away until the field caught him. No one was passing that all star car that night.
I remember watching this live.... and bawling like a baby, watching it now at work 19years later.... I’m bawling, if this didnt hit u in the feels you are not human
The shout out to his stepmom is something most would overlook, but for him bring her up just shows Jr. had his heart in the right place the whole time. One of the absolute greatest moments in sports history, no question. Dads win is ranked right there with this.
Even after so long, I remember watching this at home. Its been several years and watching junior get first place and when at the place of his fathers death still sends chills down my spine. Awesome!
I became hooked on NASCAR this year of 2001 following the tragedy. What a sublime moment for the sport, Junior, DEI. I'm so disappointed to see the awful, hurtful things so many NASCAR '"fans" have said about Junior in his final season of 2017. Junior provide us many exciting moments like this. Always took the time to speak thoughtfully and frankly in interviews. Thanks for memories like this, Junior!
I was 12 years old when this happened but now looking back as an adult you can just see the way he tries to hide his emotions in that post race interview. Can't imagine being an introvert and having an entire sport thrown on your shoulders under those circumstances
This makes me cry like a baby. Every. Single. Time. This is the definition of joy and celebration. All 200k people in that stadium, on their feet, shouting, crying, hugging each other. What an experience that must have been with Dale Sr looking down on it all.
What like one year. Get over yourself. No one be saying that only reason they do is cause Sr died. It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
February 1998: there can never be a better moment in sports than this February 2001; there can never be a worse moment in sorts than this July 2001; there can never be a better moment in sports than this.
I was just a 6 year old kid, but I will never forget going to this race, Dale Sr. Was a hero to me as a child. I like to think my parents took me because they felt bad about how sad I was following his death. When Jr took that final turn you couldn't hear the cars roaring, you couldn't hear anything but the cheers of a hundred thousand with tears in their eyes all the same.
Look, i’m just getting into NASCAR, and this happened before i was born, never watched a full race, but this is such an impactful moment. I feel like everyone in the audience, even deep inside, hoped Junior would win this.
From the worst moment in race history when Dale Sr passed to the greatest moment when his son put it on their ass. Nothing will ever surpass this night in racing. NOTHING!!!!
MrJimmy3459, i honestly think it doesn't compare. It was a special night for him to win in the 3 car after years of not being in it in from the busch series, but it just didn't have the, "feel" or something to it.
"Using lessons learned from his father to go from sixth to first" is the greatest sports call ever in my opinion.
@Elon Musk He did use lessons from his father, it goes a lot deeper than just racing.
Love it. Definitely up there with "Do you believe in Miracles? YES!"
Even 20 years later I still tear up watching dale Sr crash or dale jr win @ Daytona. & I loved the call by Allen bestwick here
Dale said he didn't really talk much about racing with Sr. I thought?
I agree remember this race like it was yesterday
Michael Waltrip right behind Jr still brings me to tears to this day. He took up the place of Earnhardt Sr that day, he protected Jr the same way Sr had protected them both.
Well said sir! The Goat laid this foundation
Dedicated to Dale Earnhardt Sr from Jr.
Hot damn man! I’m sitting here today all tears up watching this video! It was a great moment in NASCAR, it was a great moment in any sport!
@christopherfoland1104 I can not agree more!
I was 10 years old on my first ever vacation in Florida. My dad woke me up one morning and told me that for my birthday I got to choose the Pepsi 400, or Disneyworld. I will never regret my decision. For this to be my first Nascar race and to have it all on home video is amazing. Absolutely incredible.
+Neal Faulkner upload it!
I was 10 also...went camping that weekend and have the entire race recorded on VHS. Listened to the finish on the finish on the radio that night.
I was there Too...I AGREE AWESOME!!
I really want to like this comment, but it's at 88 right now.
what wonderful story
I can imagine Waltrip to Junior when they started the last lap
"I've got your back Junior"
Waltrip didn't even think, for a second. He stayed behind Junebug, not even considering trying any attempt to win. He just stayed behind Jr. guaranteeing that no-one would even attempt to get the win.
No way Michael was going to try to pass Dale on the last lap
i remember seeing him go 2nd and knowing Jr had the win. Waltrip won the 500 when dale died and wanted this win for jr so bad. best nascar race ever
Jr did the same for Michael in the 500, Michael paid him back. That's team work, ladies and gents.
Michael said I wasn't even gonna try to pass. This was my redemption. This was my way of making it right.
It doesn't matter whether he drives like his father or not. This man carries himself with great class week in and week out. How could you not root for him?
Jr deserved a championship but just couldn't make it happen damn concussions
@@j9vlikz683 Plus *Coughs* Theresa *Cough* And The Car of Tomorrow
@@DixietheGoat9 theresa yeah the cot though nah he did win with the cot
@@j9vlikz683 Yeah but just once and that was his only win in the Car of Tomorrow and if you say "Well actually he won Michigan in 2012 with the Car of Tomorrow" im just gonna be on the record here is that i pefer the Car of Tomorrow and Gen 5 to be seperate and people say that the COT is the Gen 5 car
@@j9vlikz683 Like in 2011-2012 cars those were Gen 5 and the 2008-2010 cars were COT
"Alright mikey you celebrate too. You never got to celebrate your win in February, you celebrate now."
What's even more impressive is MW going from 14th to 2nd. He drove the wheels off that car, and made sure no one passed him to rain on Juniors parade. He did what did Dale Sr did for them at the 500.
Very impressive driving by Michael. Dale would have been proud
I'm not Dale Senior, I'm Dale Earnhardt, this is Dale Jr.
Exact quote.
The man hated to be called senior so why do we do it?
@@mastercarpenter1970so we dont confuse the two, we call him Earnhardt when we aren’t mentioning Jr.
“He was with me tonight I dunno how I did it”
Those words of him saying his dad helped him just have me in tears
I love how the vast majority of the whole crowd was wanting him to win. These are the moments that make sports truly special when a man who just had his heart ripped from him puts everything he has in a performance because it means so much to him in that moment.
I agree even if you had a favorite driver in that race you still wanted that win for Jr and the extra with mw making sure it happened
We need a movie.
The Oppermans from Texas will always love and miss you Dale Earnhardt Sr, your devoted fans forever
All things considered this has got to be one of the greatest moments in sports history
40 yrs old, and STILL cry every time I watch this!
Yeah buddy I get choked up myself
I'm tearing up right now just watching it
Damn! Me too!
Who ever put this damn onion factory in next door is going to catch some hell from me.
i'm almost 30 and i'm the same way. Dale Sr was my favorite driver growing up and i bawled my eyes out when he got killed in that crash in the 500. Pretty much sucked the life and mood out of me. Haven't really watched much Nascar since that day
Could you imagine if someone passed junior for the win on the last lap of this race? They would have been the most hated driver on the face of the earth.
Christopher Lucas would have been murdered
CrumblyCookie96 exactly
mikey wasnt gonna let that happen
@@crumblycookie9624 Not so much murdered, he would just conveniently go missing.
pretty sure Waltrip wasnt gonna let that happen
when Dale took the lead in turn 4. Chills.
When Waltrip takes second, CHILLS.
They crossed the line 1-2, TEARS.
Perfect moment, perfect win, it was like Dale Sr used God's power and made it happen. At this moment Dale Jr was not ready to hold NASCAR on his shoulders, but the fans immediately jumped to him and he just wasnt ready.
Quentin Diaz Like the fallen Goku coming to distract Cell as he fought Gohan, or James McCloud helping Fox escape Venom, this was a perfect example of divine intervention.
Scary that I am looking at this for the first time in my life and I could only imagine what Jr. and the team were going through, including putting Dale Sr. to rest by winning and nailing the fourth turn.
It was scripted as hell. NASCAR has this planned out
Thomas C. Did you watch nascar in the early 2000’s? From 2001-2004 DEI won 10 out of 16 superspeedway races Dale Jr accounting for 7 of those. This race wasn’t coincidence Jr just had dominate cars at Daytona and Talladega in this era of nascar and if you believe otherwise your ignorant as hell
@@88fanforlife when something is too good to be true. That means it is. If you dont think moments and games in sports arent rigged than you must be new to watching sports. Juniors was always gonna win the next Daytona race. They were either gonna do what they did or if he got wrecked or blew a engine they were having him win the next years 500. You dont think Nascar knows how many eyes and how much more money comes their way if this story happens? Nascar's owner was a piece of shit since day one. He was obsessed with becoming a mega mainstream program not just a sport. He wanted the fairytale stories to happen. It's why he made the playoffs a d chase. He couldnt control who wins a title for over the course of season and he wanted drama. With the playoffs, he could control for the most part what he wanted to happen or least have more of a hand in it than what the old Winston system did. He wanted Kyle busch to win the one year and he did. A driver who misses 18 races wins a title... but yeah keep believing the sport isnt fixed. Jr was never a great driver. Good yeah but never great. Also he never was known for having a strong mental fortitude to get over things. Easy to get in his head and it messes him up. But he can have the biggest win of his career up to that point at the track where his dad died cause he was blocking for him. So the very next race at that track where he probably still grieving hard. He has to pass the spot where he died 250 times in just that race plus all week it was all over the news and he probably couldnt get away from it. You really think he be able to win a race like that in his mental shape? Well guess what. You could if you already heard that people are making sure you win. Makes it much easier.
Thomas C. You need to go outside and find some hobbies or something dude lol. Lemme guess the NFL told the Seahawks Falcons and Rams to let Tom Brady win those Super Bowls. Or the NBA told the Warriors “hey let Lebron get one on you guys.” What about Brett Farve winning that Monday night game like right after his father passed away that was set up too right? Also of course Jr would let stuff get to him mentally towards the end of his career that’s what having 20 plus concussions will do to a person but this race. It’s just common knowledge that in this era of nascar DEI was a powerhouse at these tracks. If he just had this performance and no other success then there’s merit to saying nascar was up to something but when he goes onto win 6 outta the next 16 superspeedway races and is always in contention at those races always leading a ton of laps it turns from fix to that team was just that good at those tracks. Lastly I’m not gonna get into everything you said about the owners and the chase and all that mess cause there’s so many false things you said there but if nascar was really wanting to fix everything wouldn’t it be Dale Jr that had Jimmie Johnson’s success?
Damn. 15 years later and I still get choked up... I wasn't old enough to understand what happened when Dale Sr passed, I was only 2 1/2
I was like 4 months old when this happened
I turned 11 years old a little over 3 months after Dale SR was killed so I remember it quite well. In fact I saw the death anouncement on the news before my mom did and told her about it.
I Was 1 Year Old When Dale Sr. Died
Tim Wenger yes I know
It's fake. This was scripted as hell
"It's going to be Dale Earnhardt Jr. USING LESSONS LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER to go from sixth to first to score the victory at the Pepsi 400!" Gives me chills every time.
"He was with me tonight" man that chokes me up every time! The old man was looking down smiling =)
Parts of Dale Jr's driving that day were almost identical in style to Dale Earnhardt. Thrilling and memorable to watch again.
It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
Thomas C. You cant even speak proper english lol. Shut your mouth before I slap the shit out of you
@@thomasc.5219 you're a very stupid man
@@thomasc.5219 Stupid theory. The rest of 2001 was dominated by DEI - at least in the restrictor plate races. Get your tinfoil hat and shove it up your ass
@@thomasc.5219You live a miserable life
This was the moment I became a huge fan of NASCAR and of Dale Junior. I'd been a casual fan and still remember screaming in my living room when Dale Earnheart captured his 500. I didn't watch the 2001 500, and wasn't really a Dale fan, per se. But after his death, I started watching more and more, and I saw what his son went through and gained a lot of respect for how he did his job in spite of the spotlight's glare.
Then I watched this race. And man, was I screaming at my TV. The whole neighborhood knew something was up. At that moment I became a pretty hardcore fan of NASCAR and a diehard fan of Junior. This year, I made my pilgrimage to Daytona and saw him dominate the field. It's a great year to be a long-time fan of the driver. Cost of trip to Daytona and a day spent at the trailers--$1400. Sitting on the front stretch watching that finish--PRICELESS.
It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
@@thomasc.5219 how about give us some proof that its true?
I think we can classify any dale jr or bill elliott fans as normies
Thomas C. Not everything is a conspiracy theory
@@thomasc.5219 Shut the fuck up the only reason no tried to pass cause Michael Waltrip would block them and Teammates could do that now why not you step in a car and run 400 miles around daytona with 42 cars chasing you at over a 190 MPH trying to pass you
Hollywood could NOT write a script like this... This moment was absolutely incredible
By far the best moment in nascar history past present &future !!!!!! I'm glad I was there!
You were there?! Man, that had to be the most incredible thing to see. It feels like in that moment everyone was one team, all teams crews, people in the stands, everyone was for Jr. What did it feel like being there and seeing it in person? To you did it feel like everyone came together?
Nicole Slater damn that had to be a once on a lifetime moment. I watched on this race on tv and loved every min. of it. Just wished he could be this good again.
87Jaws Seriously! We know he's got it in him, but that fire inside him hasn't been visible for awhile. Although he seems to have started to get it back these past few seasons. Maybe this will be the year? Either way, I'll be watching every race to see what happens lol :)
+Nicole Slater i still say the fire in him would return 100% if DEI was brought back, being in the #8, Austin being #3 i think has fueled Dale to getting better out of his little slump. He won the 500 when the 3 returned after all.
You are so lucky to have experienced this. A once in a lifetime experience. The spirit there, with everyone so happy and overjoyed that Jr won. The entire crowd was cheering, crying and hugging one another.
I remember watching this live. When I saw Waltrip come barreling in behind Jr I knew there was some magic in the air. I cried when he came out of turn 4 and heard "using lessons he learned from his father to go from 6th to first". What a moment.
Only nascar race I ever been to. Sitting in the backstretch grandstand. After the race they shot fireworks that were in the shape of 3's it was an experience.
hearing bp choke up when he said " i am speechless" that shows the power this win had on the whole world of nascar
The thing that gives me chills every single time I watch this is when the announcer says "180,000 on their feet, screaming wildly! Two and a half miles to go!" along with the cars screaming past the grandstands.
It's so crazy & rare to HEAR a nascar crowd over the broadcast bc of just how loud the cars themselves are, & it's just rare so many are behind one driver. The eruption when Jr. took the lead & then the checkered has to be one of the loudest reactions in sports history. Especially considering it's a wide open grandstand. No acoustic stadium setup to artificially inflate the decibels, just thousands of people, in unison, letting out their pain, their hope, their joy together. Easily the most underrated moment in all of sports history.
Awesome as this moment is, my favorite part is Chocolate _booking_ it across the infield.
Not only because, of course he's gonna be the first one to the car.
But also because, headstart or not, he outran everyone there!
Always loved seeing him on race days. Even though we had Jr, I feel like seeing Chocolate in that fire suit every week _really_ helped carry on Sr's memory.
He was haulin ass🤣
18 years later still gets tears in my eyes
Man this was way back in the day. Saw it live when I was 10, on summer break from school. Me and the family were so thrilled to watch Jr. and Waltrip win. It was amazing.
Moments like these make you love sports. All these years later & watching this still makes me cry.
Me too ....
I wasn't alive when this happened but my father told me that both him and my mom sobbed after this race. Powerful.
I was watching this with my dad today and he said, "Look at that smile." And then, "They love that kid." I thought he was just repeating what was said, but then I realized that he was saying it before they did. I guess we've both watched this over and over. One of the greatest moments in NASCAR history. #20Years
This was likely my greatest moment in sports history...
Probably one of the greatest moments in sports. I’ll never forget that year.
This is what I miss about nascar where the cars were actually race cars and not luxury sedans
Yes I wish they would go back this was my favorite time as a nascar fan
@@chasefan9814 Chevy and Ford have listened. Toyota has, but only in the Xfinity series.
uhm there still race cars
And I miss straight racing, not this stage 1,2 and 3 garbage.
??? Dude the whole point of NASCAR is to "win on Sunday, sell on Monday." They're SUPPOSED to resemble luxury sedans LMAO
This is the most iconic moment in NASCAR history.
I wouldnt say that cause that would belong to Sr winning the 500 to be that but this rival's that
Brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it. Truly one of the greatest moments in Nascar
There are times when finishing 2nd is a victory. This is one of them. Michael Waltrip understood what this meant to Dale Jr. and the NASCAR family in general.
What a way for Dale Jr. to honor his father. RIP Dale Sr.
It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
@@thomasc.5219 shut up fuckwit
I remember both Dale Sr passing and Dale Jr winning this Daytona. I was 6 and 7 years old and I cried for Jr after he won this race when me and my stepfather watched this race.
Bless both Sr and Jr both great drivers and good old southern boys.
I was only 3 years old when he passed i was too young to remember watching a race live with Dale Sr in it and i was born 30 days before Sr won the 500
Perhaps the greatest moment of all of nascar! My favorite moment ever! Go Mikey
2019, and still brings a tear to my eye
Easily one of the most emotionally satisfying Motorsport victories in history
I watched this race live in some cantina in southern baja mexico, so so so lucky that had Directv!!!!! Was in heaven!
I was never a racing fan but this was by far the coolest moment in sports history
This and Dee Gordon’s Home Run are the two most emotional sporting events I witnessed in my life.
Tremendous! 🙏🏾
GOAT J.R. 🐐💪🏾
That's the moment we knew, as fans, everything was going to be ok.
Yes.
The ovation when Jr. took the lead is something that will live with me forever. That wasn't just the moment Jr., DEI, & Nascar needed, but also the moment every Nascar fan needed to begin the healing process. I feel like the entire sport was in a fog until that moment. I know in many aspects it's never fully recovered, but without this moment, I don't know that it would've ever bounced back even as much as it did.
i miss the good ol days. ill tell you what idc how long time passes this race clip always chokes me up. anyone who was a true nascar fan will get emotional when they see these race clips. deffinatly miss the old days. love it when i c mikey and jr running together. RIP DALE.
I love watching chocolate outrun everyone to juniors car
Indeed. God bless Chocolate Myers.
@@seanbush5056 Chocolate Myers belongs in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
@@seanbush5056 Yes, Chocolate is in my opinion a NASCAR legend.
@@NickWuebker I met him at the nascar ball of fame 😂
He was like a brother to Dale Sr
Every year around Daytona and Talladega I rewatch all of juniors Talladega/Daytona wins. There was nothing like watching a plate race when junior took the lead. I pull for chase now and even when he takes the lead you hear the crowd roar but not like when junior would especially in that red 8. It was something special and will never be anything like it again. Every time I watch this I get choked up.
One of the greatest moments in sports history. 21 years later and I still get chills watching this.
can you explain why? im new to nascar, thanks
This is my favorite nascar moment. Not only Jr's comeback, but how Michael Waltrip raced his ass off to get to second for his teammate.
My Grandfather always listened to the race on the radio. This was the one race I remember him not only making it a point to watch on TV, but staying up past his usual bedtime to watch it.
When the finish came up, he pointed out something that to my knowledge no one else ever has.
In 3rd Place, the #21. 2 + 1 = 3.
This race and the 2000 Talladega race was absolute peak NASCAR. You wanna talk about emotionally invested...
Man, i wasn’t even born yet when Dale Sr died or when Jr won this race but this finish gets me emotional every time I watch it, one of the most beautiful moments in NASCAR history right here
To this god damn day, CHILLS. Its amazing to see that Jr could keep his fathers plate racing legacy alive.
"I'll be crying sooner or later. I don't know, I feel so good right now." I love that quote from Jr. He just won! There's no reason to cry, because his dad is right there with him.
Purely amazing. I may have been a Tony Stewart fan back then but without a doubt this is my favorite summer NASCAR race ever.
This still gives me chills.. Gosh i miss these days. I loved the sport SO much. I love how happy the commentators are that Jr won. Chills!
Every now and then I come back to this moment. I was there. Just a young 6 year old who had grew up to that point watching Dale Sr tear it up. When Jr entered 1st it was the loudest I've ever heard a crowd and I was wearing noise cancelling headphones.
I wasn't a huge Dale fan growing up but I remember when Sr passed. You don't have to love Nascar to get choked up in this moment.
So proud of Mike and Junior even after more than 20 years. We needed that race.
They didn't let him win, Waltrip did but the other people didn't
+William Smith i think waltrip new he needed this to gain some confidence back. The others as well but nobody just let him win
+William Smith i think waltrip new he needed this to gain some confidence back. The others as well but nobody just let him win
+William Smith Waltrip definitely let him win, he can say other wise in his book "blink of an eye", that was he was going but he just didn't, he KNEW Dale needed that win, especially since it was at Daytona. Waltrip saved DEI that year, if Dale Jr hadn't won that race, i believe he would have had 0 wins that year with #15 having the 500 win #1 having the win from the second race, and not having Jr lead DEI in wins bring backing DEI from a horrible incident.
@@quentindiaz9418 I don't think he could have passed him if he wanted to; Juniors car was so much better through the corners than everyone else's during that race, nobody could pass him.
I second jrs car was phemonial! No car in the field could hang with him. I remember jr talking about it later in week/weeks and he was saying car was so fast he was mostly 3/4 throttle leading. If anymore he just pulled away until the field caught him. No one was passing that all star car that night.
I remember watching this live.... and bawling like a baby, watching it now at work 19years later.... I’m bawling, if this didnt hit u in the feels you are not human
I remember this finish from when I was 10. The sport healed that day.
I shed a tear that night and I along with all of my buddies were just raising all kinds of hell cheering for Jr......
I remember watching this and bein overwhelmed by how great it was to see
The shout out to his stepmom is something most would overlook, but for him bring her up just shows Jr. had his heart in the right place the whole time. One of the absolute greatest moments in sports history, no question. Dads win is ranked right there with this.
Even after so long, I remember watching this at home. Its been several years and watching junior get first place and when at the place of his fathers death still sends chills down my spine. Awesome!
I still get chills and tears in my eyes damn near 20 years later
CHILLS. CHILLS.
20 years this July I will always remember this moment
21 years this coming July
When Michael and Jr hug on top of Michael's car, that gets me every time!
20
Years
Wow time flys. I hope he comes back and does something special one more time
I became hooked on NASCAR this year of 2001 following the tragedy. What a sublime moment for the sport, Junior, DEI. I'm so disappointed to see the awful, hurtful things so many NASCAR '"fans" have said about Junior in his final season of 2017. Junior provide us many exciting moments like this. Always took the time to speak thoughtfully and frankly in interviews. Thanks for memories like this, Junior!
I was 12 years old when this happened but now looking back as an adult you can just see the way he tries to hide his emotions in that post race interview. Can't imagine being an introvert and having an entire sport thrown on your shoulders under those circumstances
It's been 20 years to this day, that this happened (the 400 was on July 4, 2001), and it still makes me smile
Most legendary moment in Nascar. Son coming back to same track that year and winning. Goddamn boys
It’s rare to see a grown man cry, but seeing dale jr win after his father passed away, that will make a grown man cry.
Still the most storybook moment in NASCAR history..watching this happen live was incredible!
When JR jumps up there and he and Mikey hug... gives me chills
I can't begin to tell you how much all nascar fans, drivers and Earnhardt Sr fans needed this
2022 - 21 years later and I’m still balling my eyes out 😭😭😭
the smile on mikey's face says it all.
This makes me cry like a baby. Every. Single. Time. This is the definition of joy and celebration. All 200k people in that stadium, on their feet, shouting, crying, hugging each other. What an experience that must have been with Dale Sr looking down on it all.
"He was with me tonight, I don't know how I did it"
This is my favorite race of all time
When waltrip pushed labonte out of the way so he could help junebug, my heart skipped a beat. What a wonderful day in nascar.
After all these years the emotions still there had my speakers up about in tears
2020 and I still can’t find the strength to hold back these tears.
I miss the old days of watching Earnhardt sr. and Earnhardt jr. race together.
What like one year. Get over yourself. No one be saying that only reason they do is cause Sr died. It was fake. Nascar scripted the hell out of this. Jr acting was terrible after the race, it's almost like he knew he be winning the whole day. Plus the reporter over selling the story of it really let's you know it's all bullshit and Nascar just wanted a story so they scripted the race.
@@thomasc.5219 Imagine being this sad. You comment the same shit everywhere. Fucking pathetic loser.
@@thomasc.5219 LMAO did someone piss in your Cheerios 5 years ago? Your comment replies have me dying laughing.
February 1998: there can never be a better moment in sports than this
February 2001; there can never be a worse moment in sorts than this
July 2001; there can never be a better moment in sports than this.
I was just a 6 year old kid, but I will never forget going to this race, Dale Sr. Was a hero to me as a child. I like to think my parents took me because they felt bad about how sad I was following his death. When Jr took that final turn you couldn't hear the cars roaring, you couldn't hear anything but the cheers of a hundred thousand with tears in their eyes all the same.
this is my first time watching this and got dangit I'm choking up, pure joy
These are the historical sports moments that you just can’t make up. Absolutely incredible
Look, i’m just getting into NASCAR, and this happened before i was born, never watched a full race, but this is such an impactful moment. I feel like everyone in the audience, even deep inside, hoped Junior would win this.
The full race is on TH-cam if you want to watch it
From the worst moment in race history when Dale Sr passed to the greatest moment when his son put it on their ass. Nothing will ever surpass this night in racing. NOTHING!!!!
and then waltrip in second just to make it completely perfect
woulda been better if Steve park finished 3rd but it was still good to see JR win that night an Mike come in 2ed
What about when Jr. won with the no. 3 car?
MrJimmy3459, i honestly think it doesn't compare. It was a special night for him to win in the 3 car after years of not being in it in from the busch series, but it just didn't have the, "feel" or something to it.
This was the first race back to Daytona? Nothing will compare
Dale SR Smiled down on his boy this day !!!!!
I've watched this many times, but the moment that Chocolate got to Junior always sends me to tears
That big napa hood behind him had to be one of the best sights jr had ever seen
But when he went for the lead he saw a GM Goodwrench hood and no it wasnt Kevin Harvick