2001 EA Sports 500
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s first win at Talladega came in dramatic fashion at the 2001 EA Sports 500. After having a dominate car for the majority of the event Earnhardt Jr. was mired back in the field with just under 40 laps remaining. A number of drivers stayed on track instead of pitting when Earnhardt Jr. and the rest of the leaders came down pit road.
Earnhardt Jr. overcame this challenge and took the lead with just over 20 laps remaining in the race. However, once the racing got three-wide Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t hold off Bobby Labonte and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart. Dale Earnhardt Jr. once again overcame the odds and made a last lap pass on Bobby Labonte for the win.
Prior to the 2001 EA Sports 500 Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s best finish at Talladega was 8th in the spring of 2001. Bobby Hamilton went to victory lane that day in a caution free race. After the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 drivers didn’t push the envelope quite as much when they rolled into Talladega in the spring.