1998: A deserving win for Dale

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt was proof positive about the adage, "If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again."

Of course, he didn't expect to try for 20 years.

Winner of 11 qualifying races, two Pepsi 400s, seven Busch Series events, three Busch Clashes and four IROC races, Earnhardt was very familiar with Daytona's Victory Lane. But for some reason, when it came to the Daytona 500, he couldn't find the place with a hunting dog and a compass.

	Credit: ISC Publications, Inc. Archives

But in an emotionally satisfying victory, concluding with high-fives and infield donuts, Earnhardt erased all the memories of his near-misses as The Intimdator became The Winner.

"We won it! We won it! We won it!," Earnhardt yelled as he climbed from his car. "The Daytona 500 is ours!"

Luck had not smiled on Earnhardt, who seemed to be Daytona's perennial bridesmaid.

He had led 17 of the previous 19 races, including twice on the final lap -- once the victim of a freak flat tire, the other passed by Dale Jarrett. He had four second-place finishes.

But not today. Not this time.

"I've said before that those things didn't bother me," he said. "I lied. You don't come that close to winning the Daytona 500 and not feel it. It hurt."

KNOW YOUR NASCAR  1998 Daytona 500 Results  50 Greatest Drivers: Dale Earnhardt  1998 Season Recap

Earnhardt led the final 61 laps but was chased all the way by Bobby Labonte, Jeremy Mayfield, Ken Schrader and Rusty Wallace. As the laps dwindled, Labonte tried low and he tried high, but couldn't find the key to passing the No. 3 Chevrolet.

And when John Andretti and Lake Speed tangled on lap 198, bringing out the day's final caution, Earnhardt was able to coast to the long-awaited victory.

"I'll admit it," Earnhardt said. "My eyes watered up in the race car coming to take the checkered. It's something I've always wondered what it might feel like."

Earnhardt's excitement was shared by nearly everyone in the stands, on pit road and by his competition.

	Dale Earnhardt Credit: Daytona Racing Archives

Crew members mobbed Earnhardt as he drove slowly down pit road after his impromptu celebratory skid through the grass, slapping his hand or shaking it vigorously. No matter which team they represented, they all were No. 3 fans at the end.

"It's kinda neat," Wallace said. "As much as he's meant to the sport, he deserves it."

"I'm excited for him," Jeff Gordon said. "He got the lead when he needed to, and from then on, he controlled the race. As many times as he's been so close, he deserves it."

Earnhardt led 34 of the first 58 laps, then fell back with handling problems as Gordon took the point. However, the defending race winner hit some debris, damaging his front air dam. Then he burned a piston and ended up 16th.

"I think the car we had today was better (than last year)," Gordon said. "We had one of the best cars on the race track."

Earnhardt and Wallace swapped the lead for several laps, then Earnhardt passed teammate Mike Skinner for the lead on lap 140 and was never headed.

Jerry Nadeau wound up 21st in his first Daytona 500. Two other rookies had a tough day: Steve Park finished 41st and Kevin Lepage was 43rd.

This is one in a series of articles counting down to the 2003 Daytona 500.