NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Five Most Significant Wins
By Mike Hutton
Number 3: Daytona International Speedway, February 2014
Significance: Emotionally charged win, first to qualify for Chase under current format, Daytona win for retiring crew chief Steve Letarte
The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season began with yet another new Chase format. This (and the current) format all but guaranteed a spot in the Chase if you were a race winner in the first 26 races. While exciting, this format also increased the pressure on teams to win, and win early because nothing can be taken for granted. Adding to the pressure for Dale this day was that it began the final season for his crew chief Steve Letarte, and therefore the final opportunity for him to earn a Daytona win in the season’s marquee event.
Dale did not waste this opportunity. Pole-sitter Austin Dillon led the first lap, with Dale starting in 9th-place. Martin Truex, Jr.’s engine blew on lap 33, bringing out a caution period that would eventually become a red flag for rain for 6 hours and 22 minutes, the longest rain-delay in Daytona 500 history. When the race restarted, a handful of drivers moved to the front and led some laps, but none was able to establish themselves as a clear threat. Near the end, Dale battled with Greg Biffle, and to a lesser extent Carl Edwards. After having any threats to his lead interrupted by a series of late caution periods, Dale crossed the finish line under caution almost 10 hours after the race first began.
Next: #2 - Texas, April 2000