This page is about the Pepsi 400 at Daytona on July 7, 2001.  This race was very special not only because it was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s first win of the 2001 season, but it was his first win since the death of his father in the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001.  What made it even more special was that Dale Jr. was the first driver to win at the track since the death of his father there earlier in the season.

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Dale Earnhardt is remembered by all fans during lap three.
 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. led for much of the race,
gaining five bonus points toward the championship.
 

On a late race pit stop with seven laps to go, during
caution, Dale Jr. dropped all the way back to sixth place...
 

But with his strong car, Dale Jr. had retaken the lead by lap five!
 

Michael Waltrip pushes Dale Jr. to victory, pay back for when Jr.
did the same for him at the Daytona 500 earlier in the season.
 

Chocolate Meyers, long time gas man for Dale Earnhardt, was the first to get to
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and give him a big hug!  His team mate, Waltrip, pulled up next to
Jr. in the grass after Jr. was done whipping doughnuts!
 

Waltrip, who never got a chance to celebrate after his Daytona victory
due to Dale Earnhardt's tragic passing, gets a big hug from Dale Jr.
 

Dale Earnhardt Incorporated team mates celebrate in the infield.
 

Dale Jr. pulls into victory lane.
 

This BUD is for you, DALE EARNHARDT JR.!
 

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Dale Jr. celebrates in victory lane, where he is presented with his first Daytona trophy.
 

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Dale Jr. poses with friends, crew members, and others in victory lane.
 

After the race, Jr. gets congratulations and a hug from
Mike Helton, NASCAR president.
 

Dale Jr. gets a congratulatory hug from Ken Schrader, a friend of his father who
was involved in the crash that took Dale Earnhardt's life at Daytona earlier in the year.
 

Aside from celebrating the accomplishments of Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Daytona, fans take time to remember Dale Earnhardt at the first Daytona race after his death here earlier in the year.  Earnhardt is the most winning driver in the history of this track.

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Large number threes are painted on the grass outside the track in memory of Dale Earnhardt.
 

This large three in the grass is visible from a parking area.
 

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Memorial banners are displayed on qualifying day.
 

Fans camping in the infield remember Dale.
 

This fan memorializes Dale Earnhardt with a home made blanket.