Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 Daytona 500 victory

Dale Earnhardt finally found Victory Lane in the Daytona 500 in 1998. The weekend started with some appearances with team owner Richard Childress and the No. 3 GM Goodwrench Plus Chevrolet.

Wessa Miller met Dale Earnhardt on Valentine's Day 1998, a day before the Daytona 500, as part of the Make-A-Wish program. She gave him a lucky penny and a hunting video.

Earnhardt had not been happy with the No. 3 Chevrolet in practice right before meeting Wessa. He placed her lucky penny on the dash before the race.

Bobby Labonte (No. 18) won the pole and led the field off pit road for the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt (No. 3) started fourth.

Dale Earnhardt slipped past Bobby Labonte on Lap 45 and led 34 laps in the first half of the race. He led for a total of 107 laps during the race.

Earnhardt kept the intimidating black No. 3 out front for 107 of the 200 laps, including the last 61 circuits.

Dale Earnhardt's '98 Daytona 500 win also marked the 40th running of stock car racing's most prestigious event and NASCAR's 50th anniversary.

Tearing up the grass at Daytona is a tradition Dale Earnhardt enjoyed participating in after his victory.

Every crew member of every team lined up to congratulate Earnhardt after his long-anticipated Daytona 500 victory.

Earnhardt guides the No. 3 into Daytona International Speedway's Victory Lane.

'The Intimidator' celebrates with race fans following his 1998 victory.

Dale Earnhardt and Richard Childress celebrate their hard-fought victory.

Earnhardt soaks in the victorious moment at Daytona.

The 1998 victory broke Earnhardt's 59-race winless streak, which had dated back to 1996. He celebrates with Richard Childress' grandsons, Ty Dillon and Austin Dillon, along with Taylor Nicole Earnhardt, Earnhardt's daughter.

Following a tradition begun in 1996, Dale Earnhardt's famous No. 3 Chevy was added to the Daytona USA display immediately after his 1998 victory.

Fans visit a statue at Daytona International Speedway that depicts Dale Earnhardt's victory in the 1998 Daytona 500.