2000 is actually Earnhardt’s breakout seasons on the Mug Show, the guy competed with the Raybestos NASCAR Novice of the year Prize into the 2000. Kenseth outran Earnhardt on the year-beginning Daytona five hundred. Earnhardt obtained 1st profit from the DirecTV five hundred at the Tx Motor Speedway, breaking the checklist held from the his father Earnhardt Sr. having fewest starts of the a motorist to earn his first profit into the NASCAR’s “modern time” by effective inside the twelfth start, as well as Richmond Globally Raceway. He turned the original novice so you’re able to earn the All the-Celebrity exhibition race.
Earnhardt starred a part inside the reproducing you to definitely Winston Cup milestone during the 2000 when he competed together with father and half of-sister Kerry in the Pepsi eight hundred from the Michigan All over the world Speedway. One to affair was sugar babies New Orleans LA just the next day you to definitely a dad had raced up against one or two sons – Lee Petty along with his a few sons Richard and you can Maurice had prior to now finished new accomplishment.[9]
Into the 2001, the big enjoy of the year took place with the Daytona five hundred. As the Earnhardt along with his teammate Michael Waltrip raced into wind up line, the guy accomplished second to Waltrip. Their dad had crashed consequently 4 immediately following Sterling Marlin made contact with his remaining butt bumper. Earnhardt Sr. raised the newest song to your outside wall at the rear of Waltrip and you can his boy and you may collected Ken Schrader in the act. Earnhardt Sr. is actually pronounced inactive on 5:16 pm because of a great basilar skull break.
Regarding aftermath, of a lot disgruntled fans delivered death threats to ing him to your crash; Earnhardt and Waltrip each other questioned one fans avoided blaming individuals to own Earnhardt Sr.is the reason death and you can the local cops and you will NASCAR analysis to your the fresh crash cleaned Marlin of every involvement. Earnhardt raced within Rockingham the second week-end, but finished in 43rd-set once an excellent wreck toward earliest lap you to definitely looked eerily the same as his father’s destroy only per week earlier. Later about seasons, Earnhardt undergone a revival, starting with a difficult win at Pepsi 400, which had been and the very first battle stored at Daytona since the their father’s dying.
Earnhardt met with the principal automobile of the competition, top 115 off 160 laps. Towards the history restart, the guy were able to do something of 6th to beginning in the course of a couple of laps, that have Waltrip holding off of the career given that Earnhardt got the newest checkered flag. 400 on Dover, that has been the first Mug competition following September 11 attacks because totally new booked competition in the This new Hampshire Engine Speedway try put off till the avoid of the year. Pursuing the race, the guy did a gloss win lap when you are carrying a massive American banner out the driver’s front window.
He obtained the new MBNA Cal Ripken Jr
On Slide, Earnhardt grabbed their 2nd restrictor dish victory as he acquired the latest EA Football five hundred in the Talladega because a fail unfolded toward right back straightaway one to brought about Bobby Labonte to flip over and get gathered 15 almost every other automobiles. Brand new Talladega winnings gained Earnhardt a great Winston No Bull 5 $1 million added bonus. He was docked twenty-five things, yet not, just after his automobile failed blog post-competition evaluation. With this particular winnings, DEI swept around three of one’s five restrictor dish racing having 2001, merely failing woefully to winnings this new spring Talladega competition. The guy completed the fresh 2001 season eighth regarding the activities standings having three gains, nine Most useful 5s, and you can fifteen Better 10s, along with two posts.[10]
2002-03
In 2002, Earnhardt Jr. had an excellent roller-coaster year. The guy struggled shortly after lasting a concussion out-of a mind-towards the crash toward external wall surface in the California competition when you look at the April – an injury the guy didn’t accept to help you up to middle-Sep. In the around three races following California, the guy finished no better than 30th. Although not, Earnhardt Jr. rallied in order to sweep each other Talladega races (best a principal 133 out-of 188 laps on the springtime race), a couple of Bud Pole Awards and you may an 11th-lay finish about standings which have 11 finest-fives and sixteen best-ten ends up.