2000 are Earnhardt’s breakout seasons in the Mug Show, the guy competed to the Raybestos NASCAR Rookie of the season Award within the 2000. Kenseth outran Earnhardt about year-opening Daytona 500. Earnhardt obtained his first earn on the DirecTV five hundred at the Tx System Speedway, damaging the checklist stored because of the their dad Earnhardt Sr. to own fewest starts by the a driver to make his first win into the NASCAR’s “modern era” from the effective in his twelfth begin, and also at Richmond Global Raceway. He became the original rookie to win the fresh All of the-Star expo battle.
Earnhardt played a part inside the reproducing you to Winston Cup milestone during the 2000 as he competed with his father and you will half of-sis Kerry on the Pepsi eight hundred from the Michigan All over the world Speedway. One celebration was only the second date one to a dad got raced against a couple sons – Lee Petty and his two sons Richard and Maurice got previously complete the brand new feat.[9]
In the 2001, the big feel of the year happened on Daytona five-hundred. Since Earnhardt and his awesome teammate Michael Waltrip raced toward wind up range, the guy done next in order to Waltrip. Their dad got damaged consequently cuatro shortly after Sterling Marlin made connection with their left rear bumper. Earnhardt Sr. shot up new track for the external wall surface behind Waltrip https://sugardaddydates.net/sugar-daddies-usa/tx/ and you can his man and obtained Ken Schrader in the act. Earnhardt Sr. try pronounced deceased within 5:sixteen pm on account of a good basilar head crack.
Regarding the aftermath, of many disgruntled admirers sent demise risks so you’re able to ing him for the crash; Earnhardt and you may Waltrip each other questioned one fans avoided blaming individuals for Earnhardt Sr.is why demise and you will both regional cops and NASCAR investigations into the the brand new freeze removed Marlin of every engagement. Earnhardt raced in the Rockingham the following weekend, but completed in 43rd-set shortly after good damage to your first lap that checked eerily exactly like his dad’s damage simply a week prior to. Later about season, Earnhardt made a comeback, you start with a difficult victory from the Pepsi eight hundred, that was plus the earliest race stored at the Daytona once the his dad’s death.
Earnhardt met with the dominating auto of race, top 115 of 160 laps. Towards past restart, he were able to take action from sixth so you’re able to first place on span of one or two laps, that have Waltrip holding from the industry since Earnhardt grabbed the fresh new checkered banner. eight hundred at Dover, that was the first Mug competition following September 11 episodes since amazing planned competition on Brand new Hampshire System Speedway was delayed before the end of the season. Pursuing the race, he did a shine win lap if you’re holding a large Western banner the actual driver’s front screen.
He won brand new MBNA Cal Ripken Jr
From the Slip, Earnhardt got his second restrictor plate winnings when he obtained new EA Activities five-hundred at Talladega since the a crash unfolded on the right back immediately you to brought about Bobby Labonte so you can flip more as well as have obtained 15 almost every other vehicles. Brand new Talladega victory attained Earnhardt an excellent Winston Zero Bull 5 $one million extra. He was docked twenty-five circumstances, yet not, shortly after his automobile failed blog post-race examination. With this specific earn, DEI swept three of four restrictor dish racing getting 2001, merely failing continually to victory the brand new spring season Talladega battle. He finished the latest 2001 year eighth regarding the products standings having three wins, 9 Greatest 5s, and 15 Most readily useful tens, as well as several poles.[10]
2002-03
Within the 2002, Earnhardt Jr. had a good roller-coaster season. He battled just after enduring a beneficial concussion away from a head-on collision towards the exterior wall structure from the California battle within the April – an accident the guy didn’t know in order to until middle-Sep. Regarding about three races adopting the California, he complete zero better than 30th. Although not, Earnhardt Jr. rallied to help you sweep each other Talladega racing (best a prominent 133 off 188 laps in the springtime race), a pair of Bud Pole Prizes and you can a keen 11th-set wind up from the standings that have eleven most useful-fives and you can 16 top-10 ends up.