2000 is Earnhardt’s breakout seasons regarding Cup Collection, he competed with the Raybestos NASCAR Rookie of the season Honor from inside the 2000. Kenseth outran Earnhardt on year-beginning Daytona 500. Earnhardt obtained 1st win on the DirecTV 500 from the Tx System Speedway, breaking the list held from the his father Earnhardt Sr. for fewest initiate by the a driver to make 1st win for the NASCAR’s “modern point in time” by successful within his twelfth start, and at Richmond In the world Raceway. The guy turned into the original newbie so you’re able to winnings new All the-Celebrity exhibition battle.
Earnhardt played a member in recreating you to definitely Winston Mug milestone for the 2000 as he competed together with dad and you will 50 % of-sibling Kerry from the Pepsi eight hundred in the Michigan Globally Speedway. You to definitely celebration was only the following day you to definitely a father got raced up against two sons – Lee Petty and his awesome a few sons Richard and you will Maurice had in past times done the brand new task.[9]
For the 2001, the big experiences of the season happened with the Daytona 500. Since the Earnhardt and his awesome teammate Michael Waltrip raced towards end up range, he finished second to Waltrip. Their dad had damaged therefore 4 shortly after Sterling Marlin made contact with his left rear bumper. Earnhardt Sr. increased the newest track with the outside wall surface trailing Waltrip and you can their son and you may amassed Ken Schrader in the act. Earnhardt Sr. is noticable lifeless at 5:sixteen pm on account of good basilar skull crack.
From the aftermath, of many disgruntled fans delivered demise threats to help you ing your toward crash; Earnhardt and you will Waltrip both requested you to fans averted blaming somebody for Earnhardt Sr.’s the reason death and you will both regional cops and you may NASCAR comparison for the the fresh new freeze eliminated Marlin of any involvement. Earnhardt raced during the Rockingham another week-end, however sugar daddy York craigslist, finished in 43rd-set after an effective wreck into the basic lap that searched eerily similar to his father’s wreck just per week prior to. Later on about season, Earnhardt undergone a revival, starting with a difficult profit on Pepsi 400, which had been also the basic competition held during the Daytona while the his dad’s passing.
Earnhardt encountered the dominant vehicle of one’s battle, best 115 of 160 laps. Towards the history resume, the guy was able to make a move from 6th to beginning throughout the course of two laps, having Waltrip holding off the community once the Earnhardt got the checkered flag. eight hundred from the Dover, which was the original Mug race following the Sep 11 symptoms given that unique booked battle at the The fresh Hampshire Engine Speedway is defer till the end of the season. Adopting the competition, he performed a polish winnings lap whenever you are carrying a big Western banner out the driver’s top screen.
He won the brand new MBNA Cal Ripken Jr
In the Slide, Earnhardt got his second restrictor dish earn as he won the EA Recreations five hundred within Talladega because the a fail unfolded to the right back straightaway one to caused Bobby Labonte to help you flip over as well as have amassed 15 most other automobiles. This new Talladega winnings made Earnhardt good Winston Zero Bull 5 $one million bonus. He was docked 25 affairs, although not, immediately following their automobile unsuccessful post-battle check. With this earn, DEI swept about three of the five restrictor dish races getting 2001, just failing woefully to win new spring season Talladega race. The guy accomplished brand new 2001 12 months eighth in the activities standings that have three gains, nine Greatest 5s, and you will fifteen Best tens, along with a couple posts.[10]
2002-03
From inside the 2002, Earnhardt Jr. had a roller-coaster 12 months. He struggled immediately after enduring a good concussion regarding a head-to the collision towards the outside wall surface at the Ca battle inside the April – a personal injury he didn’t know to until middle-Sep. Regarding three racing after the California, the guy done zero much better than 30th. But not, Earnhardt Jr. rallied in order to brush one another Talladega racing (leading a dominating 133 away from 188 laps about spring season competition), a pair of Bud Pole Awards and you may an enthusiastic 11th-set wind up throughout the standings that have 11 best-fives and you will sixteen top-10 finishes.