Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares a lighthearted moment with Tony Stewart while Earnhardt conducted a TV interview after winning at Martinsville in 2014.

Best of Victory Lane celebrations from Martinsville playoff races

By Staff report | Published: November 1, 2020 41

Robert Laberge | NASCAR via Getty Images

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Robert Laberge | NASCAR via Getty Images

There's winning at Martinsville Speedway and then there's winning at Martinsville Speedway during the heat of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Since NASCAR's implementation of an elimination-style postseason in 2014, the October race at the .526-mile Virginia short track has been full of intense, memorable moments as drivers vie to make the championship round in Miami -- all of which makes the celebration sweeter for the winner. Here, we'll look back on the best celebratory moments since 2014.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes the checkered flag ahead of Jeff Gordon to win at Martinsville in 2014.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. crosses the start/finish line ahead of Jeff Gordon to win at Martinsville in October of 2014.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick share a moment after Earnhardt won at Martinsville in 2014.

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Earnhardt shares a special moment with team owner Rick Hendrick after taking the checkered flag.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates with a burnout after winning at Martinsville in 2014.

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Teamwork made that dream work for Earnhardt and the No. 88 crew that day.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates winning at Martinsville in 2014.

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Earnhardt celebrates in the makeshift Victory Lane on the fronstretch for all the fans to witness. It served as Earnhardt's only victory at NASCAR's oldest track as he finally earned the coveted grandfather clock awarded to each winner.

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Jeff Zelevansky | Getty Images

Earnhardt relishes the moment with now-wife Amy, showing appreciation for all the fans cheering during Victory Lane celebrations.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Steve Letarte pose with the grandfather clock after winning at Martinsville in 2014.

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Although crew chief Steve Letarte, Dale Jr. and the No. 88 team had been knocked out of the playoffs in the Round of 12 that year, their fourth victory of the season served as redemption.

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Jeff Gordon crosses the finish line to win at Martinsville in 2015.

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Jeff Gordon flies under the checkered flag to win at Martinsville in 2015. His 93rd and final Monster Energy Series victory locked him into the Championship 4 round in his final full-time season.

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Jeff Gordon celebrates winning at Martinsville in 2015.

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A thumbs-up to all the fans in the stands.

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Checkered flag in hand, Gordon celebrates with the No. 24 crew as darkness falls on Martinsville.

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Jeff Gordon celebrates winning at Martinsville in 2014.

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It was an emotional victory for Gordon and his team.

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Jeff Gordon takes time to soak in the moment after winning at Martinsville in 2015.

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Gordon takes a moment to collect himself.

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Jeff Gordon celebrates winning at Martinsville in 2015 with Jimmie Johnson.

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Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson embraces Gordon, sharing the excitement.

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Jeff Gordon waves to the crowd in jubilation as the confetti flies in Victory Lane.

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Jeff Gordon fist pumps after winning at Martinsville to lock himself into the Championship 4 in 2015.

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"We're going to Homestead!" -- Gordon during his Victory Lane interview.

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Jeff Gordon douses himself with champagne after winning at Martinsville in 2015.

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A champagne bath for the ages.

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Jonathan Moore | Getty Images

Jeff Gordon, wife Ingrid, daughter Ella and son Leo pose with the grandfather clock, the ninth one he collected in his career.

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Jimmie Johnson crosses the finish line to win at Martinsville in 2016.

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Jimmie Johnson crosses the start/finish line to win his ninth career race at Martinsville, tying Jeff Gordon in career victories at the track.

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Jimmie Johnson performs a burnout at Martinsville.

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The victory solidified Johnson's spot in the Championship 4 at Homestead. He would go on to win a record-tying seventh Cup championship.

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Jimmie Johnson celebrates winning at Martinsville in 2016.

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That winning feeling.

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Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane at Martinsville in 2016.

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There's nothing like a Victory Lane celebration at Martinsville after a championship bid was earned.

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Jimmie Johnson, with help from daughter Lydia, puts the winner's sticker on his No. 48 car after winning at Martinsville in 2016.

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Johnson's daughter, Lydia, helps dad place the winner's sticker on the No. 48 Chevrolet.

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Kyle Busch crosses the finish line ahead of Martin Truex Jr. to win at Martinsville in 2017.

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Kyle Busch edges out Martin Truex Jr. to take the checkered flag at Martinsville in October 2017, punching his ticket into the Championship 4 at Homestead.

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Kyle Busch celebrates in Victory Lane after winning at Martinsville in 2017.

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The victory was Rowdy's second at Martinsville, meaning he had to make room for another grandfather clock.

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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 27: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #19 Auto Owners Insurance Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, 2019 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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Kyle Busch drinks some champagne after winning at Martinsville in 2017.

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A grandfather clock and some celebratory champagne is a perfect way to end a chilly October Martinsville night.

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Kyle Busch celebrates with his wife in Victory Lane at Martinsville in 2017.

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After placing the winner's sticker on the No. 18 Toyota, Busch and wife Samantha celebrate in Victory Lane on the start/finish line.

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Kyle Busch poses with the No. 18 crew in Victory Lane at Martinsville in 2017.

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The gang's all here for a nighttime Martinsville Victory Lane festivities.

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Kyle Busch signs autographs for his loyal fans after winning at Martinsville in 2017.

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Thanks to the installation of LED lights at Martinsville, Busch was able to continue celebration into the night, signing autographs for his loyal "Rowdy Nation" fans in the grandstands.

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 5-hour ENERGY/Bass Pro Shops Toyota, race during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 28, 2018 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. made contact in the final turn with Logano edging ahead coming to the checkered flag in the 2018 playoff race. Both drivers were in the Round of 8.

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, takes the checkered flag ahead of Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 5-hour ENERGY/Bass Pro Shops Toyota, to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 28, 2018 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

A look at Joey Logano coming to the start/finish line with Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. in close pursuit.

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 28, 2018 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Logano's smoke show is extra special after Martinsville.

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 28, 2018 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Logano's win locked him into the Championship 4. Without it, the Tem Penske driver perhaps would have missed the title battle and not won the championship.

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