NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr (88) celebrates winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. clearly had enough of being the second racer to see the checkered flag in Daytona. After finishing second place in three of the last four Daytona 500s — and having failed to notch up a victory in 55 races — Earnhardt and the 88-car crossed the finish line first during the opener of the NASCAR season on Sunday.
Earnhardt’s victory came after the Great American Race was held up by a 6 hour and 22 minute rain delay.
According to AP, Earnhardt told his crew that “this is better than the first one” — a reference to his 2004 win.
The track has also brought tragedy to the Earnhardt racing clan. Earnhardt’s father was killed at the track during the final lap of the 2001 race.
[AP]