Earnhardt’s team, Earnhardt’s car, racing hard against and winning against the 24, as the first win after his death. The Intimidator wanted the last word against Wonder Boy and he got it. What. A. Race.
When Gordon broke into the Cup circuit I was 7 years old. I have spent two decades as a diehard fan of the 24 car. I can honestly say the last couple laps of this race are the only time I ever actively hoped he'd not win. RIP Dale. NASCAR never has been and never will be the same without you.
I know what you mean. I think we're the same age because Jeff became my driver when I was 6 years old after we lost Davey Allison. Right there in the stands, I wouldn't say I was rooting *against* Jeff to win, but I knew I would be happy either way. And when the moment of Harvick edging him out occurred, the feeling was something more surreal than happiness. It was one of both healing and delirium after seeing the exciting and tense racing that had taken place those last few laps.
So easy to forget this was a 5 car battle before it became two. Such an incredible race. Incredible call by Jaws and company too. I love how they cover races. Like they're fans in the stands narrating the race and talking to each other. Almost ranting xD I love it.
Anyone else here after today's announcement? While I didn't start watching nascar until 2007 this is still one of the most epic finishes I've watched and probably one of the most emotional first win's a driver could have. Proud that I've seen Harvick become such a success over the years with his races wins and championship and while I am sad over his retirement news I look forward to what the future may bring #4EVER
+stonewall01 Not to mention, there was no chase, there was no championship on the line, (at least, in that particular race, anyways) and there was not bogus stuff that there is nowadays. Truly one of the greatest finishes of all time. And not because of bogus rules; because of good, hard racing. Brian France, watch this finish. Do you see what happens when you let the drivers just do their own thing?
Yep. There are a lot of boring races from this time period though, however that makes races like this one that much more memorable, exciting, and special. Who can forget this race, the 2003 Darlington race (Craven/Busch finish), the 2000 Talladega race (Earnhardts last win, where he went from 16th to 1st in five laps), 1993 Daytona 500 (Dale and Dale show), etc.? NASCAR is shooting themselves in the foot trying to manipulate the racing as an attempt to create these types of moments every race.That and drastically changing the rules year after year is also
+stonewall01 Yeah, not every race from the early 1990's 'til 2003 was that, that exciting, but I think the quantity of those races were fair, and the quality of those races were amazing. There's other finishes from the 1990's that still hold up for me, too. As a kid, the first race I ever saw was the 1999 Daytona 500. That race... words cannot describe how exciting that race was. Not to mention, it was the day I officially became a Jeff Gordon fan. I watched clips of other races, and they had some other very exciting races in the 90's I remember. The 1992 battle of Atlanta, the Inaugural Brickyard 400, the 1995 and 1999 Bristol races, and I remember the 4 year span of good races, as well. 2002 wasn't exactly that exciting of a year, but it was definitely a solid one as far as watching. Probably one of the other things I liked about 2001 was how competitive it was as a whole. I mean, you'll look at the point difference between Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, nobody would guess that; but look at the number of winners in 2001. And the 2003 Darlington race is probably my favorite of all time. While there are/can be good races nowadays, it comes at a rare occurrence. As you mentioned, not helping is how NASCAR will manipulate the outcome of races, the chase, etc. What takes the cake for me, though, is incidents like the Martinsville incident w/ Kenseth/Logano. In that situation, IDK who's side I'm supposed to be on. I mean, I know who's side I AM on, it's just that how you're supposed to look at that situation. If you look at it from a Chase standpoint, then it's fair play, because Logano ended Kenseth's run at the title, so that was just karma. If you look at it from a traditional standpoint, it's uncalled for because Kenseth would've more than likely been out of the championship hunt, while Logano might've had a realistic shot under traditional format rules. NASCAR looked at this through the former, but treated it like the ladder. That alone was a double-standard.
nascarfanatic2425 True. I think that the 1990's - early 2000's was the golden age of NASCAR. The 1997 Daytona 500, Gordon's first 500 win, was another great race. I agree that there is still some good racing today, but I think you only find that on the road courses and martinsville, with Darllington improving. The racing just seems to be better there and not so good on the speedways and superspeedways. After all (can't remember if it was this year or last) Daytona 500 was follow the leader for about 188 of the 200 laps. I have only watched a couple of races the last year, and I might see more this season but I really don't know. Like you said the quality of racing seems to be poorer now than it has been.
+stonewall01 Auto Club Speedway's getting more exciting, too. 2013's most exciting finish was there. Of course, I really wish Denny Hamlin didn't get hurt. Or even crashed like that, for that matter. I remember the 2013 Daytona 500 was like that, so when I say that the 2013 Daytona 500 was boring, and a Jimmie Johnson fan calls me out for being a hater, I just roll my eyes. While I might have a distaste for Jimmie Johnson, I would've hated that race even if Jeff Gordon won, 'cause it was so boring. The plate tracks could be good again if they would make for a high-drag package that would allow sling-shots and a lot of lead changes. I think the reason why the high drag package failed at Indy and Michigan is because the engines could let out as much horsepower as possible. W/ a restrictor plate, however, I don't think that's as likely. Of course, I would hope they wouldn't make it hard for the drivers to breathe, if they did bring such a package back. Bring back the roof fin, make the grills bigger. Something.
So many things about this race make it one of, if not my favorite ever. 1. The pure emotion of Harvick winning in Earnhardt's car, in his 3rd ever start 2. The racing over those past 10 laps were phenomenal - something we may never see again in current day NASCAR - 5 cars under a blanket with 5 laps to go? Haven't seen that in a long time. 3. The amazing side by side finish. 4. After Harvick won, listening to the deafening roar of the crowd for several minutes 5. TV coverage capturing it all.
I was there that day. TV cant do it justice. Everybody there was a Dale Earnhardt fan that day! Over 100,000 people just erupted and raised hell at the same time!
There have been great finishes/races in Atlanta throughout the years, Jeff Gordon's 85th win, Carl Edwards getting both his 1st Nationwide and Sprint Cup wins in 2005, Dale Earnhardt's final non restrictor plate win over Labonte the year before, Bobby Labonte's last lap win over Jerry Nadeau, Nadeau's lone win the race before (2000 NAPA 500), Bobby Labonte winning the fall race in 1996, while Terry Labonte got the championship, Bill Elliott wins the 1992 fall race but Alan Kulwicki got the championship, But the finish between Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick is by far the greatest finish that Atlanta Motor Speedway has ever had.
+mcr2124 These days, NASCAR is too paranoid about safety to just let 'em race. They NEVER should have switched to the CoT. When the CoT was introduced, the racing became worse. I mean, watch a Nationwide Series race from 2009 at a restrictor plate track to a Cup Series race at the same track. The Gen-4 car produced spectacular racing. The CoT only produced spectacular borefests, except when the rear wing caused a car to go airborne. It was like the pre-roof flap era all over again. I *LOVE* when a car goes on its roof, because it looks cool.
I think Kevin's first win was his most popular, and why shouldn't it be? Kevin Harvick won in Dale Earnhardt's car in only the 3rd race that machine was being motored by somebody other than Dale himself. As a Jeff Gordon fan, I wanted Jeff to win, but looking back on this race, I'm kinda glad he didn't win. Just being within reach of the win was enough for me as a Jeff Gordon fan to appreciate, and Kevin Harvick winning was plenty for me to admire as a NASCAR fan. 2001 would've been a spectacular season if it wasn't for Dale Earnhardt's death.
It would have been marred by 9/11, but this would have been an incredible season. Dale would have been hard to beat and I think he and Jeff may have raced for the title.
2001 was the craziest season ever. Lost Dale Earnhardt, Steve Park his teammate won the next week, Kevin Harvick won his first race his the 3RD start, Dale's son Jr. won the 2001 Pepsi 400 with Michael who won the 500 in second , months after Dael died at the same track, and Dale's best friend Jeff Gordon won the championship. The irony of life
No matter how many times I watch this video, I am still amazed by the finish. This never gets old. And to think after all this time Harvick's still doing it.
And for Harvick. He won at Atlanta, and later on, at Chicago on the Cup side, after getting the ride following Dale's death, won Rookie Of the Year, and The Nationwide Championship, all in the same year.
All 3 races since the Daytona 500 have had a caution on lap #3. Dale Earnhardt's birthday was 4-29-51... This is race 4 of 2001, Kevin Harvick now drives car #29, he started 5th, and ironically.. finished 1st.
im glad i found a video with like 10 laps before the dragrace. people should appreciate that kind of great racing before the finish between those 5 drivers, because you dont see that kind of stuff anymore
One big difference in these cars and the shit they are putting on the track today? Air could actually get under the front of the cars in 2001. This let the drivers drive the cars instead of being stuck to the track like Velcro and being so aero dependent
12 years later to the day and I still get tears in my eyes. I was not an Earnhardt fan - to the contrary - but that was a tremendous loss for all of us and I was grieving. Rockingham (though Park won) and Las Vegas, I think we were still a little lost after those races. Harvick winning in Earnhardt's car, getting that team to victory lane, that's what started the healing process for the rest of us (July at Daytona did for Earnhardt fans). It showed that it was gonna be alright, I suppose.
Until the 2002 fall Charlotte race, Harvick held the record for fewest starts before getting first win in what was the Winston Cup Series. Now, Jamie McMurray and Trevor Bayne both share the recorded with getting their first win in their second start. Who knows if anyone will ever win In their Sprint Cup Series debut.
A Twitter account posted a question today asking "What's the most memorable race you have been to in person?" This immediately came to my mind. I have only been to a handful of Cup races live, in addition to several Busch/Nationwide/Xfinity and Truck races, but I don't know many other races that could top this. I was a huge Jeff Gordon fan ever since we lost Davey, but as soon as Harvick edged him at the line, my reaction wasn't disappointment or rage, it was to throw up three fingers. I didn't even realize I had done it until I saw the 29 at the top of the leaderboard and my three fingers next to it. I know some believe that there's not a God, but days like that day make it a lot harder to believe that.
I was at Daytona when Dale was killed. Standing at the fence by the exit off turn 4. Saw the crash happen. I was a Gordon fan and thought about leaving early because jeff was in the big one. But waited. Saw that crash and was speechless. I already had my tickets for the Atlanta race. Almost didn't go. Sat on the back stretch for this race. Coolest thing i ever had seen. It was healing for ALL race fans. No matter who you cheered for. This was a good day.
While the circumstances of how he got the ride are sad, this is how you win your first cup race. And nobody does a burnout like Happy. Also one of the most memorable calls too.
Damn straight! Probably the best race post-Earnhardt race. Just the whole race at the end made me long for those days again. Harvick was the man that day.
I remember watching this. Harvick won in his THIRD start, on the year of the silent THIRD laps in memory of #3, in #3's car? Sports have a way of sending goosebumps up your spine, but this had me choking up. And heck, I'm a Gordon fan...
I read somewhere that there was some coincidental numbers that went into this race associated with Earnhardt and and the win. It was the 4th race of the season Earnhardt was born in the 4th month the car number was 29 Earnhardt was born on the 29th, Harvick started 5th finished 1st Earnhardt was born in 51 it was Harvick's 3rd career race the car number use to be 3. It was meant to be
Jeff Gordon fan for life, but that year was the start of healing for DEI, Dale Earnhardt Sr is and will be the GREATEST Nascar driver EVER to race. There is no doubt in my mind about that
Big reason he is my current fav. but many people didn't see how well he ran back in the 2000 Busch series, plus earnhardt had picked him for the 30 car for 5 races in 01 and then fulltime in 02, so we know he had it back then. still hard to believe this has been over 7 years
The emotional tension grew exponentially as that race wound down. I remember vividly pulling my hair, wanting to jump out of my skin. Simply a glorious moment and whether you care for Harvick, Childress, Earnhardt, or not... its a moment of greatness that can never be erased.
As THE Jeff Gordon fan, I didn’t want him to win that day. I had a special feeling about Harvick with 10 to go. We needed some form of comfort, Something to help with that pain that still hasn’t fully healed today. But Harvick sure did help us gain a little closure that day.
How much do you think that it was Harvick edged out Gordon to pull off this huge upset added to the incredible finish? Do you think it would have been a bit differently if, say, Jarrett or Nadeau had been in Gordon's spot for that finish?
If it were Jarrett or Nadeau in Gordon's position, they wouldn't have been as close. Their cars weren't as good as Harvick's. Only guy who could keep up with Harvick (only guy who was faster than Harvick) was Gordon. So if it were Jarrett or Nadeau in Gordon's position, it wouldn't have been that incredible of a finish. But still, that racing in the final 10 laps was incredible.
2001 probably the most emotional year in nascar... harvick winning this race, steve park winning rockingham, waltrip winning the 500, and earnhardt jr winning the pepsi 400
one thing i've noticed is that in 2001, you can look at Rockingham where Park won, or you can look at Daytona where Dale Jr won, or you can look at Atlanta where Harvick won. who is the first driver/team to congratulate the winner every time? Michael Waltrip and the 15 crew.
Honestly, when was the last time that there was this much racing at a 1.5 mile track? It shows that you don't need an epic points battle to have a good racing series, as 2001 had some great races.
A lot of people remember Harvick beating out Gordon just barely but man how close were they top 5 3 car lengths with 6 laps to go for the lead. Greatest racing besides 2003 Darlington race between Craven and Busch.
Also, he won the SAME race Dale won the year before, by the SAME margin of victory, in his THIRD start. Add that to what you said, and well, let's just say I don't believe on coincidence of that magnitude. One more thing, in BOTH cases the guy that finished 2nd won the championship that year. It's really kind of weird when you consider all the similarities.
Dear New NASCAR fans this is the kind racing I loved and millions others did before you came in and bitched and moaned about a playoff system and a safter, boxier car. Hope your god damn happy. >.
Harvick is so lucky this wasn't Talladega or Gordon would have had him. Beautiful finish and race on the whole. North Carolina, Atlanta, Daytona, it was all fitting. I don't anyone could have wished for a better or certainly, more emotional year. Still chills me to watch these races now.
This day, I would've been happy whether Kevin Harvick OR Jeff Gordon won. Would've been awesome either way. A photo finish between them of 0.006 of a second is amazing.
5 cars battling for the lead. I miss those days. Now one driver pulls away for a 4 second lead. Things have changed so much. I remember when there were grandstands on the backstretch and turn three before the tornado there.
The COT has NOT ruined NASCAR, but it is a setback. What it has done is level the playing field and make engines the most important part of the car now and thats why Hendrick is dominating, their engines are the best, no question. And I could watch this video all day long, HARVICK IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!
Still tear up watching this thinking about how the 2001 season started, losing Dale, then Park winning, then Harvick. Somehow, it was simply meant to happen.
![2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 [24/25] (Finish--Victory Lane)](/img/1.gif)
Earnhardt’s team, Earnhardt’s car, racing hard against and winning against the 24, as the first win after his death.
The Intimidator wanted the last word against Wonder Boy and he got it. What. A. Race.
And the second straight year at Atlanta they edge out the season's eventual champion (Bobby the year before)
When Gordon broke into the Cup circuit I was 7 years old. I have spent two decades as a diehard fan of the 24 car. I can honestly say the last couple laps of this race are the only time I ever actively hoped he'd not win.
RIP Dale. NASCAR never has been and never will be the same without you.
I know what you mean. I think we're the same age because Jeff became my driver when I was 6 years old after we lost Davey Allison. Right there in the stands, I wouldn't say I was rooting *against* Jeff to win, but I knew I would be happy either way. And when the moment of Harvick edging him out occurred, the feeling was something more surreal than happiness. It was one of both healing and delirium after seeing the exciting and tense racing that had taken place those last few laps.
Without Dale and Jeff with their friendly rivalry, and all the other drivers, it was not the same.
The thing that always gets me is that HUGE burst of cheering when the crowd at Atlanta saw the replay at 5:58.
So easy to forget this was a 5 car battle before it became two. Such an incredible race.
Incredible call by Jaws and company too. I love how they cover races. Like they're fans in the stands narrating the race and talking to each other. Almost ranting xD I love it.
23 years later: SUAREZ BY INCHES! SUAREZ BY INCHES! SUAREZ BY INCHES! WHAT A RACE! WHAT A FINISH!
Anyone else here after today's announcement?
While I didn't start watching nascar until 2007 this is still one of the most epic finishes I've watched and probably one of the most emotional first win's a driver could have. Proud that I've seen Harvick become such a success over the years with his races wins and championship and while I am sad over his retirement news I look forward to what the future may bring
#4EVER
That reverse victory lap, Mike Joy's voice cracking up, how can you not get teary eyed? This was a huge moment.
2:40 All five, all fighting for the lead with five to go. How amazing is that!!!!!
+stonewall01 Not to mention, there was no chase, there was no championship on the line, (at least, in that particular race, anyways) and there was not bogus stuff that there is nowadays. Truly one of the greatest finishes of all time. And not because of bogus rules; because of good, hard racing. Brian France, watch this finish. Do you see what happens when you let the drivers just do their own thing?
Yep. There are a lot of boring races from this time period though, however that makes races like this one that much more memorable, exciting, and special.
Who can forget this race, the 2003 Darlington race (Craven/Busch finish), the 2000 Talladega race (Earnhardts last win, where he went from 16th to 1st in five laps), 1993 Daytona 500 (Dale and Dale show), etc.?
NASCAR is shooting themselves in the foot trying to manipulate the racing as an attempt to create these types of moments every race.That and drastically changing the rules year after year is also
+stonewall01 Yeah, not every race from the early 1990's 'til 2003 was that, that exciting, but I think the quantity of those races were fair, and the quality of those races were amazing. There's other finishes from the 1990's that still hold up for me, too. As a kid, the first race I ever saw was the 1999 Daytona 500. That race... words cannot describe how exciting that race was. Not to mention, it was the day I officially became a Jeff Gordon fan. I watched clips of other races, and they had some other very exciting races in the 90's I remember. The 1992 battle of Atlanta, the Inaugural Brickyard 400, the 1995 and 1999 Bristol races, and I remember the 4 year span of good races, as well. 2002 wasn't exactly that exciting of a year, but it was definitely a solid one as far as watching. Probably one of the other things I liked about 2001 was how competitive it was as a whole. I mean, you'll look at the point difference between Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, nobody would guess that; but look at the number of winners in 2001. And the 2003 Darlington race is probably my favorite of all time. While there are/can be good races nowadays, it comes at a rare occurrence. As you mentioned, not helping is how NASCAR will manipulate the outcome of races, the chase, etc. What takes the cake for me, though, is incidents like the Martinsville incident w/ Kenseth/Logano. In that situation, IDK who's side I'm supposed to be on. I mean, I know who's side I AM on, it's just that how you're supposed to look at that situation. If you look at it from a Chase standpoint, then it's fair play, because Logano ended Kenseth's run at the title, so that was just karma. If you look at it from a traditional standpoint, it's uncalled for because Kenseth would've more than likely been out of the championship hunt, while Logano might've had a realistic shot under traditional format rules. NASCAR looked at this through the former, but treated it like the ladder. That alone was a double-standard.
nascarfanatic2425
True. I think that the 1990's - early 2000's was the golden age of NASCAR.
The 1997 Daytona 500, Gordon's first 500 win, was another great race.
I agree that there is still some good racing today, but I think you only find that on the road courses and martinsville, with Darllington improving.
The racing just seems to be better there and not so good on the speedways and superspeedways. After all (can't remember if it was this year or last) Daytona 500 was follow the leader for about 188 of the 200 laps.
I have only watched a couple of races the last year, and I might see more this season but I really don't know. Like you said the quality of racing seems to be poorer now than it has been.
+stonewall01 Auto Club Speedway's getting more exciting, too. 2013's most exciting finish was there. Of course, I really wish Denny Hamlin didn't get hurt. Or even crashed like that, for that matter. I remember the 2013 Daytona 500 was like that, so when I say that the 2013 Daytona 500 was boring, and a Jimmie Johnson fan calls me out for being a hater, I just roll my eyes. While I might have a distaste for Jimmie Johnson, I would've hated that race even if Jeff Gordon won, 'cause it was so boring. The plate tracks could be good again if they would make for a high-drag package that would allow sling-shots and a lot of lead changes. I think the reason why the high drag package failed at Indy and Michigan is because the engines could let out as much horsepower as possible. W/ a restrictor plate, however, I don't think that's as likely. Of course, I would hope they wouldn't make it hard for the drivers to breathe, if they did bring such a package back. Bring back the roof fin, make the grills bigger. Something.
So many things about this race make it one of, if not my favorite ever.
1. The pure emotion of Harvick winning in Earnhardt's car, in his 3rd ever start
2. The racing over those past 10 laps were phenomenal - something we may never see again in current day NASCAR - 5 cars under a blanket with 5 laps to go? Haven't seen that in a long time.
3. The amazing side by side finish.
4. After Harvick won, listening to the deafening roar of the crowd for several minutes
5. TV coverage capturing it all.
Goosebumps every time I watch this, The fox guys have never been as excited as this moment here
Mike Joy getting choked up... don't cry... don't cry...
I was there that day. TV cant do it justice. Everybody there was a Dale Earnhardt fan that day! Over 100,000 people just erupted and raised hell at the same time!
There have been great finishes/races in Atlanta throughout the years, Jeff Gordon's 85th win, Carl Edwards getting both his 1st Nationwide and Sprint Cup wins in 2005, Dale Earnhardt's final non restrictor plate win over Labonte the year before, Bobby Labonte's last lap win over Jerry Nadeau, Nadeau's lone win the race before (2000 NAPA 500), Bobby Labonte winning the fall race in 1996, while Terry Labonte got the championship, Bill Elliott wins the 1992 fall race but Alan Kulwicki got the championship, But the finish between Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick is by far the greatest finish that Atlanta Motor Speedway has ever had.
If only NASCAR could get back to racing like this! Greatest race in NASCAR history (excluding plate tracks)!
+mcr2124 These days, NASCAR is too paranoid about safety to just let 'em race. They NEVER should have switched to the CoT. When the CoT was introduced, the racing became worse. I mean, watch a Nationwide Series race from 2009 at a restrictor plate track to a Cup Series race at the same track. The Gen-4 car produced spectacular racing. The CoT only produced spectacular borefests, except when the rear wing caused a car to go airborne. It was like the pre-roof flap era all over again. I *LOVE* when a car goes on its roof, because it looks cool.
The racing is people just get butthurt if Johnson or Bush is the one winning
Scott Hageman people would be happy if Johnson could even make a top 5 now
Third best, behind 1998 Daytona 500 and 1992 Hooters 500.
I think Kevin's first win was his most popular, and why shouldn't it be? Kevin Harvick won in Dale Earnhardt's car in only the 3rd race that machine was being motored by somebody other than Dale himself. As a Jeff Gordon fan, I wanted Jeff to win, but looking back on this race, I'm kinda glad he didn't win. Just being within reach of the win was enough for me as a Jeff Gordon fan to appreciate, and Kevin Harvick winning was plenty for me to admire as a NASCAR fan. 2001 would've been a spectacular season if it wasn't for Dale Earnhardt's death.
never coulda said it better myself
More Popular Than His 2014 Championship
@@DupontandLowesWarrior Definitely.
It would have been marred by 9/11, but this would have been an incredible season. Dale would have been hard to beat and I think he and Jeff may have raced for the title.
2001 was the craziest season ever. Lost Dale Earnhardt, Steve Park his teammate won the next week, Kevin Harvick won his first race his the 3RD start, Dale's son Jr. won the 2001 Pepsi 400 with Michael who won the 500 in second , months after Dael died at the same track, and Dale's best friend Jeff Gordon won the championship. The irony of life
And who won Auto Club on Dale's 50th birthday? His good friend, Rusty 🏁
"What could be more fitting, what could be more special."
Got real choked up hearing that
No matter how many times I watch this video, I am still amazed by the finish. This never gets old. And to think after all this time Harvick's still doing it.
This was the day...that the healing began.
This and the week after Dale died, (When Steve Park won at Rockingham)
And when Dale Jr. won the Pepsi 400.
Dale Jr winning the Pepsi 400 was definitely the big medicine that started the healing process.
I hate Jr cut a tire with two or three to go, this was going to be a great race.
For RCR, anyways. For DEI, it was when Steve Park won at Rockingham. For NASCAR, it was when Jr. won at Daytona in July.
When I want to cry all I have to do is come here and watch this. Works every time.
Watching this in 2020 and still get cold chills on my arms. What a race.
Never was a Gordon fan but it was great seeing him sitting back on the last 10 laps just saving his car for a run. Great job.
And for Harvick. He won at Atlanta, and later on, at Chicago on the Cup side, after getting the ride following Dale's death, won Rookie Of the Year, and The Nationwide Championship, all in the same year.
I was a huge fan of Jeff Gordon. But I was cheering for Harvick all the way the last 10 laps of this race :)
he started saying "It's Harvick!" before the cars even crossed the line.
All 3 races since the Daytona 500 have had a caution on lap #3. Dale Earnhardt's birthday was 4-29-51... This is race 4 of 2001, Kevin Harvick now drives car #29, he started 5th, and ironically.. finished 1st.
Such an emotional and storybook finish for a race, Dale Earnhardt's legacy lives on!
One of my favorite nascar battles of all time these 5 put on a heck of a show
That race was how I became a harvick fan
im glad i found a video with like 10 laps before the dragrace. people should appreciate that kind of great racing before the finish between those 5 drivers, because you dont see that kind of stuff anymore
One big difference in these cars and the shit they are putting on the track today? Air could actually get under the front of the cars in 2001. This let the drivers drive the cars instead of being stuck to the track like Velcro and being so aero dependent
That and if the car traveled too low you weren’t going to necessarily wreck because your car got down on the splitter and skidded.
12 years later to the day and I still get tears in my eyes. I was not an Earnhardt fan - to the contrary - but that was a tremendous loss for all of us and I was grieving. Rockingham (though Park won) and Las Vegas, I think we were still a little lost after those races. Harvick winning in Earnhardt's car, getting that team to victory lane, that's what started the healing process for the rest of us (July at Daytona did for Earnhardt fans). It showed that it was gonna be alright, I suppose.
And this is why I'm such a huge Kevin Harvick fan. Love the kid
Until the 2002 fall Charlotte race, Harvick held the record for fewest starts before getting first win in what was the Winston Cup Series. Now, Jamie McMurray and Trevor Bayne both share the recorded with getting their first win in their second start. Who knows if anyone will ever win In their Sprint Cup Series debut.
Well a 16 Seed beat a 1 in NCAA Tournament. It’s bound to happen eventually.
Enter Shane van Gisbergen!
Just watched the race on FS1 Jan 9 2022, One of the best photo finish races of all time
One of the best races of all time.
It's amazing how it all fits together
I was there. Watching intently. Dale was looking down and smiling.
A Twitter account posted a question today asking "What's the most memorable race you have been to in person?" This immediately came to my mind. I have only been to a handful of Cup races live, in addition to several Busch/Nationwide/Xfinity and Truck races, but I don't know many other races that could top this. I was a huge Jeff Gordon fan ever since we lost Davey, but as soon as Harvick edged him at the line, my reaction wasn't disappointment or rage, it was to throw up three fingers. I didn't even realize I had done it until I saw the 29 at the top of the leaderboard and my three fingers next to it. I know some believe that there's not a God, but days like that day make it a lot harder to believe that.
I was at Daytona when Dale was killed. Standing at the fence by the exit off turn 4. Saw the crash happen. I was a Gordon fan and thought about leaving early because jeff was in the big one. But waited. Saw that crash and was speechless. I already had my tickets for the Atlanta race. Almost didn't go. Sat on the back stretch for this race. Coolest thing i ever had seen. It was healing for ALL race fans. No matter who you cheered for. This was a good day.
Is it safe to say that Harvick rewrote Nascar's history that day?
This was my 41st birthday, been a Harvick fan ever since!!!
While the circumstances of how he got the ride are sad, this is how you win your first cup race. And nobody does a burnout like Happy. Also one of the most memorable calls too.
i was there infield turn 4 top of a bus that day.Ive never heard that place louder than that day it was amazing i will never forget it.
Damn straight! Probably the best race post-Earnhardt race. Just the whole race at the end made me long for those days again. Harvick was the man that day.
"What could be more fitting, what can be more special?"
I remember watching this. Harvick won in his THIRD start, on the year of the silent THIRD laps in memory of #3, in #3's car? Sports have a way of sending goosebumps up your spine, but this had me choking up.
And heck, I'm a Gordon fan...
This is the most exciting 10 laps ever!
+Mitch Popiel Isn't Atlanta just great?
5:45 chocolate
I read somewhere that there was some coincidental numbers that went into this race associated with Earnhardt and and the win. It was the 4th race of the season Earnhardt was born in the 4th month the car number was 29 Earnhardt was born on the 29th, Harvick started 5th finished 1st Earnhardt was born in 51 it was Harvick's 3rd career race the car number use to be 3. It was meant to be
Jeff Gordon fan for life, but that year was the start of healing for DEI, Dale Earnhardt Sr is and will be the GREATEST Nascar driver EVER to race. There is no doubt in my mind about that
Big reason he is my current fav. but many people didn't see how well he ran back in the 2000 Busch series, plus earnhardt had picked him for the 30 car for 5 races in 01 and then fulltime in 02, so we know he had it back then. still hard to believe this has been over 7 years
So lucky that this was the first nascar race I ever seen, made me a Gordon fan.
The emotional tension grew exponentially as that race wound down. I remember vividly pulling my hair, wanting to jump out of my skin. Simply a glorious moment and whether you care for Harvick, Childress, Earnhardt, or not... its a moment of greatness that can never be erased.
The sound that engine was making during the burnout sounded like car was crying out to Dale.
What a race that was. Quite possibly one of the 10 best finishes in the history of Nascar.
How emotional, still get teary eyed watching this race.
The greatest finish in a non restrictor plate race ive ever seen
As THE Jeff Gordon fan, I didn’t want him to win that day. I had a special feeling about Harvick with 10 to go. We needed some form of comfort, Something to help with that pain that still hasn’t fully healed today. But Harvick sure did help us gain a little closure that day.
Good lord, why isnt there finishes like this anymore?
such an emotional victory
I'll never forget this race, and how I felt when Kevin won.👍
5 good ol boys having a good ol time
I remember this race. I remember it more than rockingham. And I’m a Jeff Gordon fan lifelong
How much do you think that it was Harvick edged out Gordon to pull off this huge upset added to the incredible finish?
Do you think it would have been a bit differently if, say, Jarrett or Nadeau had been in Gordon's spot for that finish?
If it were Jarrett or Nadeau in Gordon's position, they wouldn't have been as close. Their cars weren't as good as Harvick's. Only guy who could keep up with Harvick (only guy who was faster than Harvick) was Gordon. So if it were Jarrett or Nadeau in Gordon's position, it wouldn't have been that incredible of a finish. But still, that racing in the final 10 laps was incredible.
2001 probably the most emotional year in nascar... harvick winning this race, steve park winning rockingham, waltrip winning the 500, and earnhardt jr winning the pepsi 400
one thing i've noticed is that in 2001, you can look at Rockingham where Park won, or you can look at Daytona where Dale Jr won, or you can look at Atlanta where Harvick won. who is the first driver/team to congratulate the winner every time? Michael Waltrip and the 15 crew.
Best Atlanta race ever. The final laps had the entire top 5 within a couple car lengths under the green. That's the way races should finish.
one of the best finishes ever, hands down.
This race is definitely in my top 5, all time.
Congratulations on an amazing career, Kevin Harvick. 😊🤟
Honestly, when was the last time that there was this much racing at a 1.5 mile track?
It shows that you don't need an epic points battle to have a good racing series, as 2001 had some great races.
This race still chokes me up after 7 years, prolly the best moment in NASCAR after Dale passed.
The Oppermans from Texas will always love and miss you Dale Earnhardt Sr
A lot of people remember Harvick beating out Gordon just barely but man how close were they top 5 3 car lengths with 6 laps to go for the lead. Greatest racing besides 2003 Darlington race between Craven and Busch.
Also, he won the SAME race Dale won the year before, by the SAME margin of victory, in his THIRD start. Add that to what you said, and well, let's just say I don't believe on coincidence of that magnitude.
One more thing, in BOTH cases the guy that finished 2nd won the championship that year. It's really kind of weird when you consider all the similarities.
Dear New NASCAR fans this is the kind racing I loved and millions others did before you came in and bitched and moaned about a playoff system and a safter, boxier car. Hope your god damn happy. >.
man so bad that we can't have racing like this anymore.
Still the best race finish I've ever seen.
Harvick is so lucky this wasn't Talladega or Gordon would have had him. Beautiful finish and race on the whole.
North Carolina, Atlanta, Daytona, it was all fitting. I don't anyone could have wished for a better or certainly, more emotional year.
Still chills me to watch these races now.
Yeah, but Harvick did what he needed to do to win the race. He deserved it
I totally forgot how the finish was set up. Wow, this race was awesome.
It's sad because we don't see this kind of racing anymore. It just seems like the sport is so different now.
@Kitty4809 It's very similar to the 07 Daytona 500 finish call.
Harvick was The Closer since day one lol
i remeber being at this race in the infield
one of the best races at atlanta ever
Everybody in NASCAR wanted Harvick to win that. Gordon fan or not, you have to admire what he did that day.
This day, I would've been happy whether Kevin Harvick OR Jeff Gordon won. Would've been awesome either way. A photo finish between them of 0.006 of a second is amazing.
Incredible racing. Incredible finish. Incredible emotion.
Harvick had Dale, SR. riding with him that day.
R.I.P. Dale...We Miss you
i was watching this race. very emotional race.
5 cars battling for the lead. I miss those days. Now one driver pulls away for a 4 second lead. Things have changed so much. I remember when there were grandstands on the backstretch and turn three before the tornado there.
You never see races like this anymore...
There's no one who was better suited to win this race than Harvick
Best 10 laps ever
17 years later, Harvick finally goes back to Atlanta's victory lane. Same tribute to Dale Earnhardt but the original version is better.
I wonder if we'll ever see a 10 lap shootout like this at an intermediate track again...
The COT has NOT ruined NASCAR, but it is a setback. What it has done is level the playing field and make engines the most important part of the car now and thats why Hendrick is dominating, their engines are the best, no question.
And I could watch this video all day long, HARVICK IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!
Still tear up watching this thinking about how the 2001 season started, losing Dale, then Park winning, then Harvick. Somehow, it was simply meant to happen.
That win was another medicine after Steve Park won a week after Dale died but the ultimate pill was Dale Jr’s 2001 Pepsi 400.
agree100%...besides the last lap of the first race and the final champion...it was a great season