When the NASCAR community headed back to Daytona in 2001 for the Fourth of July race, they did so with heavy hearts. In February earlier that year, Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life on the last lap of the Daytona 500 and sent shockwaves throughout the entire NASCAR Nation. In a thrilling and emotional conclusion, Dale Earnhardt Jr. honored his father's memory with a win and a one-two finish for Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI).

Dale Jr. took the lead for the first time on Lap 27 and remained there for the majority of the night. On a restart with just six laps to go, Earnhardt Jr. was running sixth with his DEI teammate Michael Waltrip mired in 14th-spot.

As the field took the green flag, Dale Jr. jumped up on the wheel. Making moves reminiscent of his late father, Junior powered the No. 8 Chevrolet to the front with ease as the crowd in the grandstands exploded. While Junior was making his charge to the front, Waltrip was making a charge of his own.

Dale Jr. took the point once again as the field came to four laps to go. As the field bunched up behind him, Waltrip worked his way past Bobby Labonte to take the second spot. From there on out, there was no looking back for the pair that finished one-two in the Daytona 500. Waltrip returned the favor he received in February as he kept the rest of the field at bay.

Coming to the checkered flag, NBC's Alan Bestwick made the call, "It's going to be Dale Earnhardt Jr., using lessons learned from his father as he goes from sixth to first and scores the victory in the Pepsi 400!"

Dale Jr. could be heard over the in-car camera screaming for joy and had a smile that hadn't been seen in months. Instead of taking the car to victory lane, Junior celebrated on the infield grass in front of the grandstands as the flashbulbs went off. Junior was joined by Michael Waltrip and the entire DEI team. For the first time since the loss of Dale Earnhardt, Junior, Waltrip and the entire organization was able to celebrate and smile.

The first race back at Daytona after the loss of Dale Sr., the finish could not have played out more appropriately. Almost storybook-like, Dale Jr. eased the minds of the NASCAR community that night and helped them take that first step in moving on.