Nicknamed the “Pied Piper of Daytona,” Dale Earnhardt Jr is one of the most adored figures in the modern NASCAR era. Son to the 7-time Cup Series Champion and NASCAR legend, Dale Earnhardt Sr, Junior bagged NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award 15 consecutive times from 2003 to 2017. Retiring from full-time racing in 2017, Junior occasionally competes in the Xfinity Series for his co-owned team JR Motorsports.

Dale Jr has earned many titles and accolades throughout his career, including two Xfinity championships, but one he could not add was a Cup Series championship title. Although many consider that a disappointment, Junior still has made an indelible mark in NASCAR, carrying his late father’s legacy forward. 

Recently, speaking to RMT’s Jim Green, Junior talked about the struggles of his first-ever Cup Series win, reminiscing the touching reaction of his father. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr surmounted an off-track obstacle to make his father proud

Fresh off the consecutive championship victories in the Xfinity Series, Dale Jr set out to race alongside “The Man in Black” in the 2000 Winston Cup Series. Junior, then young and insecure, was apprehensive of ever securing a win in the Cup Series. All that would change on April 2nd, 2000, at the Texas Motor Speedway. Driving the #8 Chevy for the newly formed Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Junior bagged his first Winston Cup Series race win. Leading 106 of the 334 laps, Dale Earnhardt Jr clinched the title, beating Jeff Burton by 5.92 seconds. The victory was a major breakthrough for young Dale Jr, but the week leading up to the race was not easy as Junior was down with the flu. 

“It was pretty straightforward, I had the flu most of that week, but that didn’t bother me once we got going. There weren’t any omens or superstitious feelings or signs. The car was good all day” revealed Dale Jr.

He further added, “To win at Cup took a huge weight off my shoulders. You never know what you can do until you do it. Everything that came before in Xfinity didn’t prove anything about winning in Cup. Texas helped lift that uncertainty.”

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While Junior achieved the historic feat, Dale Earnhardt Sr was all puffed with pride.

He’s something else!: Dale Sr beamed with pride as he hugged his son

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A father is the only person who will be happy losing to his children—these words could not be more true for Dale Earnhardt Sr. With his son bagging the win at Texas, ‘The Intimidator’ finished in the 7th position. Rushing towards Victory Lane, Dale Sr helped his son step down from atop the car, pulling him in for a big hug. One could really see the pride in Dale Earnhardt Sr’s eyes.

When asked about his feeling at Victory Lane, Dale Sr said, “He’s something else. I mean, he was talking about coming to Texas and winning his first Cup race. He won his first Busch race here!”

With the sudden and unfortunate passing of Dale Sr, it warms the heart to see Dale Earnhardt Jr’s achievements do justice to his late father’s legacy.

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