Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s Victory at Michigan's Lifelock 400 Breaks Winless Streak

It was one of those races that had Junior fans on the edge of their seats wondering if this would be it. Would he break his two-year winless streak or would victory be stolen away again?

Around lap 180, Tony Eury Jr. was estimating that Dale Jr. would be two laps short on fuel, not too much to be impossible to save, but enough to be risky if a caution came out.

After a long green-flag run, it seemed like Junior was on his way to victory lane with no problems. Most of the leaders had to pit because they were short on fuel. The Amp Energy driver had been slowly gaining positions as these pit stops cycled through. 

After a short back and forth race with Jamie McMurray, Junior finally cinched first place and McMurray was forced to pit. The only real threat remaining was Kasey Kahne who had enough fuel to make it, and a fast car.

Amazingly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. managed to pull away and with four laps to go was still leading the race at Michigan International Speedway. Then, things got interesting.

With three laps to go, the yellow flag flew. Junior fans everywhere had to have been anxious. It's happened too many times before—a few laps from victory and some random misfortune happens to take it away from him.

After five laps under caution, Junior was already about four laps over his estimated gas mileage. Earnhardt Jr. only had to make it two laps around the track to claim the victory knocking at his door, but would his gas allow him to go that far? 

Dale Jr. maintained the lead around the track and back to the finish line. With the white flag in the air, it seemed that there was a momentary sputter from the Amp Energy Impala, with Junior losing just a little bit of speed and Kasey Kahne beginning to gain on him. Junior gained back his speed just in time for the caution to come out when Michael Waltrip spun onto the grass.

The only thing that stood between Earnhardt Jr. and a trip to victory lane was the ability to coast around the track back to the line. He was able to pull it off and claim his long-deserved victory. 

It almost seemed that Kasey Kahne was ready to help Junior out just in case he stopped a little short of the finish line. Not only did he make it, he had enough to do a U-turn and get to his crew on pit road.

With a push from his pit-crew, Dale Jr. rolled into victory lane. 

When he got ready to climb out of the car, he looked like a kid in a candy store. He finally got that feeling back. He was greeted with a shower of Amp Energy drinks, confetti, and a trophy for his triumphant return to the world of winners in NASCAR.

It's so good to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. back to the enthusiastic, happy guy he used to be. It seems like he's been progressively becoming more stressed with every race because he'd been craving a trip to victory lane. Finally, that burden has been lifted off of Junior's shoulders. He's proven to himself and anyone who doubted him that he still has what it takes and will for many years to come. 

Junior fans all around America will be holding their heads a little higher for the next few days. He's finally back on top.