22 Years Ago Today, Dale Earnhardt Jr Started His Historic Talladega Run With a $1 Million Bonus to His Name

The thrilling crescendo of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series is on the horizon, with just three races remaining. Amidst the palpable anticipation, Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr has made an unforeseen return to the Xfinity Series, already having graced the Bristol track and now gearing up to dazzle at Homestead. But there’s an added layer of poignancy to his Homestead run.

The date holds a special place in the annals of racing history, marking the day Dale Jr clinched the coveted Winston No Bull $1 million bonus. It was also the beginning of his unparalleled streak of four consecutive Cup victories in Talladega. The win held profound significance, as it was his inaugural triumph following the passing of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt, making it an exceptionally poignant moment in his storied career.

Two decades later, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s victory remains an iconic NASCAR moment, glittering in racing lore

The year 2000 saw Dale Earnhardt Sr claim his final victory before the tragic accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. Amid the emotional whirlwind that followed, his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, showcased a remarkable blend of resilience and skill, saving his most spectacular performance for a crucial moment in Talladega.

In the thrilling climax of the NASCAR EA Sports 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, Dale Jr executed a masterful move, slipping beneath Bobby Labonte on the final lap. The move pushed Labonte perilously close to the wall, resulting in a catastrophic collision—a 16-car pileup that transformed the backstretch into a vehicular maelstrom, involving legends like Ricky Rudd, Sterling Marlin, Dale Jarrett, and Rusty Wallace, among others.

Yet, looming threats from racing titans Tony Stewart and Jeff Burton couldn’t deter Dale Jr, who clinched the victory by a razor-thin margin of 0.388 seconds over Stewart. The triumph had an added sweetener: he was among the few eligible for the Winston No Bull 5’s $1 million bonus, which he clinched.

The NASCAR Legends handle recently took a nostalgic trip down this memorable lane, tweeting, “Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the 2001 EA Sports 500 at Talladega 22 years ago today. 🏁 The win earned Dale Jr the Winston No Bull 5 million dollar bonus, and was the first of a record four straight Cup wins at Talladega for @DaleJr. #Dega 🏁”

While it was a great day for Junior, not everyone was happy, especially the 16 drivers who got involved in the wreck. Reflecting on that fateful day, even the usually stoic Tony Stewart expressed gratitude for the simple gift of life.

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Tony Stewart’s relief was palpable after surviving that adrenaline-charged race

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Leading up to the much-anticipated event, all eyes were on Tony Stewart during the Talladega race in 2001, not just for his racing prowess but for his aversion to wearing a head-and-neck restraint. Adopting a calculated approach to the race, he lingered towards the back, biding his time among the 43 contenders. But as the final 50 laps dawned, Stewart unleashed his racing fury, propelling himself into the limelight and securing a commendable second place.

Stewart’s initial resistance to wearing protective gear like the HANS or Hutchens device became even more significant when NASCAR mandated its use just days before the race. His displeasure was evident, culminating in a heated altercation with NASCAR officials. But, respecting the new rule, Stewart debuted with the Hutchens device.

After the tragic demise of Dale Earnhardt Sr, witnessing his teammate Labonte’s harrowing crash deeply affected Stewart, who had maintained a media silence throughout the weekend. Breaking his silence, he expressed, “I’m just glad to be alive after this one’s over. I’m not frustrated because Junior won. I’m happy for Junior because he had the strongest car all day and he deserved to win. But when you come off of Turn 2 after the checkered flag is waving and you see your teammate’s car upside down, it scares you to death. And there is no reason that we, as drivers, should be put in that position.”

Read More: “Take Nothing for Granted”: Dale Earnhardt Jr Unsure as “Ripping the Fence” Leaves Him Disappointed