S
stridsberry
Guest
I bet just about all of you remember this one.
http://www.teamracin.com/Articles/2003/SS405.htm
EARNHARDT MAGIC: THE 2000 WINSTON 500
Sharon Sherwood -- TR Staff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flashback: Talladega, October 15, 2000. I can still hear Benny Parsons’ incredulous call during the final moments of the Winston 500:
“And here comes Earnhardt . . .How did he get through all those cars?! I don’t understand . . .how he did that!”.
Racing returns to Talladega this Sunday and my memories are bittersweet, as I remember my personal favorite Dale Earnhardt victory and surely one of his most incredible performances.
Unbeknownst to the 170,000 fans who packed the stands that day, and to me, seven states away and jumping up and down in front of the TV in post race euphoria, it was to be Dale’s 76th and final victory.
It had been a nerve-wracking afternoon, featuring 49 lead changes among 21 drivers. The race was winding down to the final laps and Earnhardt appeared to be out of contention for the win. Dejectedly, I started gathering up the empty soda bottles, lunch plates and generally straightening up the living room, which tends to become a little disheveled on race days, still keeping my eye on the race…still hoping. Dale had never won the No Bull event and I wanted to see him claim that million-dollar bonus and make a millionaire out of some lucky fan, too. I knew better than to count him out, ever, but it would take a miracle now – he was running in 18th position with just five laps to go.
Suddenly, the roar of the crowd intensified. I did not catch the first moments of Dale’s relentless drive to the front, because he was so far behind that the cameras were not picking him up. Then: “The Intimidator is scraped and beaten on the right side, but he will not be denied…”
Inexplicably, the black three was back in the hunt!
Drafting with Kenny Wallace, Earnhardt fought his way through the middle of a tightly bunched pack of cars, snaking through openings where none seemed to exist. With the fans now screaming themselves hoarse, he tore into the lead from a three-wide off turn four with two laps to go, holding on for a victory that can only be described as impossible.
The champagne-drenched scene in victory lane was a joyous blur of raining confetti. Dale, standing on the car door, held out his hands and pulled dazed No Bull winner Rick Sturtz up to celebrate. Even now my eyes tear up as I recall the look of joy and disbelief on Sturtz’ face, Dale’s excitement as he gave him a hug and a pat, and the courteous way he helped the man down from the car.
Dale’s last win was quintessential Earnhardt: powerful yet crafty, inspiring, magical. I like to think of #76 as a parting gift he gave to us all -- one final thrill, as if to say, ‘Here… remember me like this.’
Richard Childress said it best during the post race interview – “I never count Dale Earnhardt out…he makes impossible things possible.”
That he did, Richard. That he did.
http://www.teamracin.com/Articles/2003/SS405.htm
EARNHARDT MAGIC: THE 2000 WINSTON 500
Sharon Sherwood -- TR Staff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flashback: Talladega, October 15, 2000. I can still hear Benny Parsons’ incredulous call during the final moments of the Winston 500:
“And here comes Earnhardt . . .How did he get through all those cars?! I don’t understand . . .how he did that!”.
Racing returns to Talladega this Sunday and my memories are bittersweet, as I remember my personal favorite Dale Earnhardt victory and surely one of his most incredible performances.
Unbeknownst to the 170,000 fans who packed the stands that day, and to me, seven states away and jumping up and down in front of the TV in post race euphoria, it was to be Dale’s 76th and final victory.
It had been a nerve-wracking afternoon, featuring 49 lead changes among 21 drivers. The race was winding down to the final laps and Earnhardt appeared to be out of contention for the win. Dejectedly, I started gathering up the empty soda bottles, lunch plates and generally straightening up the living room, which tends to become a little disheveled on race days, still keeping my eye on the race…still hoping. Dale had never won the No Bull event and I wanted to see him claim that million-dollar bonus and make a millionaire out of some lucky fan, too. I knew better than to count him out, ever, but it would take a miracle now – he was running in 18th position with just five laps to go.
Suddenly, the roar of the crowd intensified. I did not catch the first moments of Dale’s relentless drive to the front, because he was so far behind that the cameras were not picking him up. Then: “The Intimidator is scraped and beaten on the right side, but he will not be denied…”
Inexplicably, the black three was back in the hunt!
Drafting with Kenny Wallace, Earnhardt fought his way through the middle of a tightly bunched pack of cars, snaking through openings where none seemed to exist. With the fans now screaming themselves hoarse, he tore into the lead from a three-wide off turn four with two laps to go, holding on for a victory that can only be described as impossible.
The champagne-drenched scene in victory lane was a joyous blur of raining confetti. Dale, standing on the car door, held out his hands and pulled dazed No Bull winner Rick Sturtz up to celebrate. Even now my eyes tear up as I recall the look of joy and disbelief on Sturtz’ face, Dale’s excitement as he gave him a hug and a pat, and the courteous way he helped the man down from the car.
Dale’s last win was quintessential Earnhardt: powerful yet crafty, inspiring, magical. I like to think of #76 as a parting gift he gave to us all -- one final thrill, as if to say, ‘Here… remember me like this.’
Richard Childress said it best during the post race interview – “I never count Dale Earnhardt out…he makes impossible things possible.”
That he did, Richard. That he did.
