From Tragedy To Triumph: Junior Exorcises The Demons of Daytona in 2001

Qualifying 13th for the race, it would not take long before Junior Nation saw their driver race his way to the front.

Taking the lead on lap 27, the MLB All-Star-Budweiser Chevy would lead for 22 circuits in its first stint as the "Pied Piper."

Under that season's rules package for the restrictor plate races, the cars had a gurney strip placed on the roofs as well as a spoiler flare to enhance the drafting and passing at Daytona and Talladega.

As a result, it seemed like no lead was safe at these tracks; and typically, that would mean that Junior's lead would not last for too long. However, on that night of July 7, not even the aerodynamic standards of the cars would deny Junior from leading as many laps as possible.

How strong was the No. 8 car?

Junior led for 116 of 160 laps, clearly having the class of the field in that year's 400-miler. He could pass any competitor on the track at will, with or without drafting help, including an impressive pass for the lead without the aid of another car trailing his Chevrolet.

Surrendering the lead only during rounds of pit-stops and a late-race gamble by Johnny Benson, Jr.'s No. 10 team made sure it was not to be for the Valvoline group, or for any of the 40 drivers and competitors who gave it their all against this Dale Earnhardt, Inc. entry. Passing the defenseless Pontiac, Junior got a friendly assist to the lead from Waltrip, who he helped push to victory for the 500 in February.

This time around, Waltrip repaid the favor for his grieving comrade, playing defense for the No. 8 car en route to another 1-2 DEI finish at Daytona.

Tears fell among the collective eyes in the No. 8 and 15 pit boxes, but unlike in February, they were tears of joy and happiness. Not even the strongest of men, emotionally and/or physically, could stop themselves from shedding those tears for a scene that seemed "written from Heaven."

Whether you rooted Gordon, Wallace, the Labonte brothers, or for a good race, you could not help but feel elated and thrilled for Junior. From his victory doughnuts in the grass with Waltrip, to the emotional scene in Victory Lane, the moments that preceded a classic 400 at Daytona are immortalized. Not only were they forever etched in the minds of not only Junior and his team, but for any race fan who saw a stricken, young man who saw a bit of his burden and pain wash themselves away with his dominant win.

However, that win was not without its moments of cheating accusations, as well as the most bizarre of all claims—that the 2001 Pepsi 400 was fixed.

If so, it's pretty amazing to wonder if the 43 drivers in the field that night were willing to race each other's guts off with knowledge of who was going to win the race. Never mind the dangers of crashing alone or into multiple contenders in multi-million dollar equipment.

As Junior would say in defending his win and the race, "It's all a bunch of crap."

The rest of the 2001 season was a learning experience, but a time that proved successful for "Little E." He would go on to win two more races and place ninth in the overall points standings for his first trip to the awards banquet in New York City.

Eight years have passed since that memorable race and season for NASCAR fans and Junior fans. Both have gone on to reach new highs, experience new lows, but certainly, weather the storm by a tragedy that could have consumed either entity.

Instead, the sport and Junior have pressed on, with hope and optimism for more memories to be built for the fans.

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