Two observations: 1. Pretty mind-blowing that Junior had only led 5 laps all year before the last 11 here. To put that in perspective, going into Chicagoland the prior year, he had led 577 laps and led at least 2 laps in 9 different races! 2. After Junior passes him for the lead, watch how far back Wimmer falls. From leading with 11 laps left to a 17th place finish. And it wasn't a Daytona/Talladega track where positions can change that quickly!
Dale Earnhardt Jr's. only win of 2005. I thought 2005 was a horrible year for him, but after seeing his 2009 & 2010 campaigns, that made his 2005 & 2007 seasons look like a success despite the fact he didn't win in 2007. In 2005, 2007, and 2011 he had cars that could win, but it never worked out, but at least he made the Chase in 2011, and it looks like he will definitely make the 2012 Chase, just has to get more wins, and he's got cars to do it.
0:50 I really thought Vickers was gonna pass Junior. I wish this had been his lone Hendrick win- would have been much more well-received than what happened at Dega the following year.
Swap around this race with the 2006 Fall Talladega race, to where Vickers wins here and then Jr wins the 2006 Fall Talladega race, and you have a perfect situation.
"I'm glad I got a win, I thought I was going to go winless this year" -Dale Earnhardt Jr. 7/10/2005. He wasn't kidding around when he said that in his interview, because if they didn't make that gamble he would have gone winless that year. After the win, he didn't win again until Richmond in May 2006. Afterwards he was only in contention to win at Bristol under the lights, and at Atlanta that Fall after he was running away with the race and leading the most laps. Unfortunately, Kenseth was unstoppable at Bristol leading 415/500 laps, and Carl Edwards set sail once he got by the 8 car at Atlanta.
I just realized something: Just after Junior takes the checkered-flag, you will see a beverage fly through the air from the grandstand to the fence as Junior starts the cooldown lap. Around the 5:30 mark.
Still remember this day....Matt Kenseth actually had the best car jr ran top 5 all race until they gambled on tires ....the next year Kenseth had the best car again until Gordon bump and spun him 💪🤣
Led 176 of 267 laps. Both he and Junior were looking to snap long winless droughts. In addition to Junior winning for the first time since Phoenix in November 2004 which seemed like an eternity to Junior Nation, Kenseth was looking for his first in 50 races because his last win at the time was Las Vegas in March 2004. Glad Gordon won Chicagoland in 2006, despite the controversy, but Kenseth finally won at Chicagoland his home track on the circuit (closest to Wisconsin) in 2013.
One of the most memorable Nascar days of my life! I remember screaming at the top of my lungs "He Won! He Won!!" I was so happy man!
Love the screaming engine of these cars
Two observations:
1. Pretty mind-blowing that Junior had only led 5 laps all year before the last 11 here. To put that in perspective, going into Chicagoland the prior year, he had led 577 laps and led at least 2 laps in 9 different races!
2. After Junior passes him for the lead, watch how far back Wimmer falls. From leading with 11 laps left to a 17th place finish. And it wasn't a Daytona/Talladega track where positions can change that quickly!
really puts into perspective circumstance in nascar he won a lot in 04 and did really well its not like he became less talented the year after
That gen 4 was different you had to have clean air and if the leaders took tires most of the time you had to take them or get the doors blown off
That dei engine sounded legendary that day.. sounded like an Indy car
Dale Earnhardt Jr's. only win of 2005. I thought 2005 was a horrible year for him, but after seeing his 2009 & 2010 campaigns, that made his 2005 & 2007 seasons look like a success despite the fact he didn't win in 2007. In 2005, 2007, and 2011 he had cars that could win, but it never worked out, but at least he made the Chase in 2011, and it looks like he will definitely make the 2012 Chase, just has to get more wins, and he's got cars to do it.
As a Matt Kenseth fan, this one hurt.
I think what makes it jr's shitty year it is because tony eury sr wasn't there to call the shots for him thats why
DEI swapping the 8 and 15 teams is what killed the 05 season
This would be Steve Hmiel's last win as a crew chief.
Pretty thrilling last restart if you ask me.
Look at all the fans in the stands
0:50 I really thought Vickers was gonna pass Junior.
I wish this had been his lone Hendrick win- would have been much more well-received than what happened at Dega the following year.
Swap around this race with the 2006 Fall Talladega race, to where Vickers wins here and then Jr wins the 2006 Fall Talladega race, and you have a perfect situation.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 16th Career NASCAR Nextel Cup Victory
"I'm glad I got a win, I thought I was going to go winless this year" -Dale Earnhardt Jr. 7/10/2005. He wasn't kidding around when he said that in his interview, because if they didn't make that gamble he would have gone winless that year. After the win, he didn't win again until Richmond in May 2006. Afterwards he was only in contention to win at Bristol under the lights, and at Atlanta that Fall after he was running away with the race and leading the most laps. Unfortunately, Kenseth was unstoppable at Bristol leading 415/500 laps, and Carl Edwards set sail once he got by the 8 car at Atlanta.
I just realized something: Just after Junior takes the checkered-flag, you will see a beverage fly through the air from the grandstand to the fence as Junior starts the cooldown lap. Around the 5:30 mark.
Still remember this day....Matt Kenseth actually had the best car jr ran top 5 all race until they gambled on tires ....the next year Kenseth had the best car again until Gordon bump and spun him 💪🤣
Led 176 of 267 laps. Both he and Junior were looking to snap long winless droughts. In addition to Junior winning for the first time since Phoenix in November 2004 which seemed like an eternity to Junior Nation, Kenseth was looking for his first in 50 races because his last win at the time was Las Vegas in March 2004. Glad Gordon won Chicagoland in 2006, despite the controversy, but Kenseth finally won at Chicagoland his home track on the circuit (closest to Wisconsin) in 2013.
and that was an mlb car
Second time he won a race in a MLB All-Star Game paint scheme. Here at Chicagoland in 2005, and his emotional win in the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona.
Nascar 07 challenge
Dale Earnhardt JR 8 DALE JR Chevy
2 × 4
6:32
I want to know about Brian Vickers involvement in Epsteins deal!