Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Winner of The 2004 Nextel Cup

Yesterday marked the start of NASCAR season.

The Dayton 500 is considered by many as the "Super Bowl" of stock-car racing.

73 million people around the world, including those in Tallahassee, live vicariously through the 200,000 fans who get to experience the race first-hand in the grandstand or infield, or via President Bush, who was invited to give the command "Gentlemen, start your engines," or better yet, through the 43 guys prepared to race up to 200 mph around the tri-oval.

Yesterday, the one we most wanted to be like was Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver of Budweiser Chevrolet Car #8, winner of the 46-annual first-ever Nextel Cup Series.

Also basking in the glory yesterday, today and forever is team sponsor, Budweiser, owner of the car, Teresa Earnhardt, Junior's stepmother, Chevrolet, the maker of the vehicle, Crew Chief, Tony Eury, and team, and perhaps most of all, Earnhardt's late-father, legend Dale Earnhardt.

Total time to win: 3 hours, 11 minutes, 53 sec.
Margin of Dale Jr's victory: 0.273 seconds.
His average speed to win: 156.345 mph
Nextel's 1st place purse: $1,495,070.

The twenty-nine year old, third-generation driver is now on to "The Chase for the Championship." Having won yesterday's race, he has the opportunity to achieve what only four other drivers in NASCAR's history have done -- winning the Great American Race and the series championship in the same year.

The third-annual candlelight service in honor of Earnardt's dad will surely be flickering brighter in Mooresville, NC at Dale Earnardt Inc. headquarters in Mooresville, NC, this Wednesday.

Winner of two of the last three Daytona 500s, Michael Waltrip lost his chance to defend his crown on lap 70 when a multi-car wreck resulted in his No. 15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet flipping upside down on the backstretch. The car landed upside down and made it awkward for the 6’5” Michael to get out of the car until emergency workers flipped the car upright. Fortunately, Waltrip was able to climb out of the car with no injuries.

Both Waltrip and Dale Jr. are driving in the Busch Series race today which can be seen live on TNT. Dale Jr. will be leading with Martin Truex, Jr. lined up in 13th.

Meanwhile, No. 8 Chevrolet remains back in Daytona USA on display for one year.

Congratulations to Dale Jr., the entire Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) Bud Team, Teresa, and Tony!

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NASCAR.com, Earnhardt wins Daytona 500 for first time, 2/15/04