2003 Aaron's 499 [22/24] (Finish)

[@NigarT]

Thanks Larry Mac for constantly reminding us where the start/finish line is at Talladega.

[@skippingrhyme4386]

I know to this day they fucking do it lmao

[@easyenetwork2023]

It matters though. Only track like that really. Rest are pretty much middle of the final straightaway.

[@skippingrhyme4386]

The #8 with the Black tape across the Nose will forever be #Iconic

[@rubenmartinez1652]

Miss these Nascar days!! These were the best years! 3, 8

[@vidEvWill]

this race was epic, i got to stay over at Grandma's house just like I did exactly 10 years ago then and watch this same race back in 2003 and I went to school the next day, epic race.

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

Even as an RYR guy, who believed in Yates horsepower, and Harvick was my favorite non-Yates driver, on the final lap, even thought they were 2nd and 3rd, I didn't feel either Harvick/Sadler were gonna swipe the lead from Junior. This was when DEI was impossible to beat at Dega (even when Junior's streak ended, Waltrip still kept DEI in victory lane)

[@fatpatlives1998]

D.E.I was too powerful it started speedweeks 2001 from what ive heard of the years it was something they found in the transmissions add that with Jr and waltrip being top 5 plate drivers of all time and the wins are what happened

[@treadmozzott2373]

the great dale earnhardt the best stock car driver ever#3 will always be in my heart forever. godspeed.

[@MegaHarvickFan29]

This is back when restrictor plate racing was REALLY competitive

[@DaytonaPrototypes]

I just love seeing Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr. and Biffle battling for the win with torn up cars.

[@day500champ15]

The yellow rule is the worst rule ever because it's a JUDGEMENT call. Any rule that allows for a subjective response is a bad rule.

[@skylerhorner8796]

When Mike Joy says “NASCAR has called Junior’s pass a clean pass… THIS…. is for the win”, that gives me chills every single time, and I’ve watched this finish more times than I can count.

[@blewett76]

2003 was by far my absolute favorite year of racing. The racing was so much more exciting and as soon as Winston was dropped, it kind of all fell apart in a way. I miss the Looney Tunes paint jobs the guys would do for the Monte Carlo 400, and I never loved the dodges more than when they were in NASCAR as the intrepid. So much more variety in it all, like in the fall race here, later this year Kenny freaking Wallace was near the front. You can't ever have cool stuff like that anymore.

[@mattkowal90]

Well, the only thing that sucked about 2003 was the fact that two of NASCAR's crown jewel events were rain-shortened. The Super Bowl of NASCAR, the Daytona 500 was called due to rain after just 109 of 200 laps (even though Michael dominated leading 68 laps), not even the distance of the February Xfinity event! Then the Coca-Cola 600 gets cut short after 276 of 400 laps. Season had the Daytona 272.5 and the Coca-Cola 414. It irritates me to see a crown jewel event get truncated, especially the Daytona 500.

[@cpcomedy314]

@MIBFreakPack Well, Jr was just trying to avoid a wreck. He was forced half way below the line.

[@Twelve5s]

What Darrel said was key. "It would be very unpopular to black flag him". talking about jr. of course

[@budlite8]

jr was already passing kenseth when he got forced under the line. i dont know why people think any different.

[@nascarfanatic2425]

Regan Smith was passing Tony Stewart when Stewart forced him below the line, but that resulted in a black flag. As did Hamlin's when he was already passing Newman. The problem with the Yellow Line rule is that NASCAR has not been consistent with it. Jr. was not the only guy to get a gift from NASCAR on this one. Kyle Busch got a gift in 2008 when he passed Jimmie Johnson below the Yellow Line for the lead. And like Jr. did here, Busch won that race. The other problem with the rule is that they choose pretty bad times to "enforce" this rule. For example, when Carl Edwards was trying to avoid a wreck in the 2006 Budweiser Shootout.

[@Jwal98]

nascarfanatic2425 they made the right call with Jr. but didn’t with Regan, I really wish NASCAR was more consistent with the yellow line.

[@TravisMSimpson]

Jr also made the right choice because Kenseth got ran downhill by Jimmie Johnson. If he didn't give him the room, possiblity of having a big ass mess.

[@JJRacer43]

@@nascarfanatic2425 Or Justin Haley in 2018 at Daytona

[@andrewr7982]

Problem is NASCAR is not consistent

[@lilygrahamcakes4199]

JOHNSON, Just stay in Line !! OMG... 6.27 you blew it for everyone !!~

[@brookstheump]

Wait i think Denny Hamlin was in the "act of passing" when he was forced below the line in the Bud Shootout the other night. Oh never mind, consistency isn't one of NASCAR's strong suits.

[@cpcomedy314]

@MIBFreakPack Correction: You MAY go below the yellow line if you do not advance your position.

[@SUPEREEVEEMASTER]

It looks like Dale Jr thought he wasn't going to have enough room to make a clean pass on Matt Kenseth so he had to put both of his tires below the yellow line.

[@tiddiesattic]

The two greatest restrictor plate races of all-time were both named Dale Earnhardt..just imagine the battles we missed out on when 3️⃣ died

[@tiddiesattic]

* restrictor plate racERS might've made more sense 🥴

[@TheBaseballLiker]

And I hope people who stopped watching and going to races in 2008 because of the COT decide to start watching again because of these cool new cars.

[@GaHullbillyRanch]

that red bud car was magical at Daytona & Talladega. almost 20 years ago

[@wild1nc2000]

I was there!! It was an awesome race!!!

[@ctskifreaks]

It's amazing home much more the cars moved around.

[@DaelzGG]

this was my favorite talladega race that jr won

[@cpcomedy314]

Damn. 43rd to 1st & won the damn thing.

[@jobckts682]

Ol Glory days. Till Jr left DEI.

[@caleb505]

I miss Elliot Sadler in that #38 M&M's car. Kyle Busch gives M&M's a bad name, Elliot was the perfect guy to drive that car!

[@cpcomedy314]

@MIBFreakPack Because Jr wasn't completely below the line. He still had 2 tires above it.

[@flyer2359]

lol. "What happened was... oh boy!"

[@collectingsoda8571]

Love how jrs number is half gone.lol

[@AutoRockinRacing94]

What happened at 8:07, isn't Mike Joy suppose to say Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4 wins in a row at Talladega or so and so! His part was cut? Or I'm thinking different.

[@racingmalachi18]

i like the 2007 cars

[@tylercochran902]

Best cars ever

[@JBR24Chevy]

Jeez, what happened to rear of Johnson's car?

[@AdrianCasillas1109]

I miss these cars SO BAD.

[@BurnNotice2023]

Hopefully, they're coming back starting today. It was the best package they've had.

[@imapopo2924]

That pass was legal. Jr was already passing Matt when he came down and almost hit him. Jr went down that far so he didnt get hit.

[@taufiqutomo]

Why wasn't Dale Jr. disqualified for crossing the yellow line at 5:11?

[@SDRacing88]

Watch the 17 car come down and try and block. Jr was already there. Kenseth knew it too. It was legal.

[@TonyH2468]

The rule is, if you're in the process of making a pass, and during the pass, you're forced down below the line, your position gain still stands. Kenseth threw the block on Jr that pushed him below the line while Jr was already under Kenseth making a pass attempt. Therefore Jr's pass was clean. Years later and people are still debating this ? Come on now. Get Smarter than that people. I'm certainly not one of those crazy Dale Jr obsessed fans. But there's no denying this pass was clean.

[@justinkrizenesky]

Tony H nah, dont buy it. JR had room to not dodge

[@jasonvaivada4998]

Because he's Dale Jr. I mean they would have started a riot if they did it, DW alluded to it. Then they penalized him points for swearing in victory lane. Lol basically their way of saying "you only won because we had to avoid a riot"

[@howardhall9384]

he was force below the yellow line if you drive under the yellow nascar can black flag you

[@dantejackson5905]

damn didn't know they still used the concrete walls in 03, they must've installed saferwalls in 04 if i remember correctly

[@jacobbecker1905]

Give Junior these old cars and Hendrick power like he has now....And I think he could get back to how dominant he once was on these tracks.

[@slimshady5757]

Jacob Becker He earned a few plate wins since you made this comment. Pretty cool.

[@tnwhiskey68]

I watched that pass on Kenseth over and over, I dont have a problem with what Jr did. I feel it was legit. He was passing anyway

[@JJRacer43]

Justin Haley had a win taken from him in 2018 for doing the exact same thing. How is Jr.'s win legit but Haley's isn't?

[@deejayferguson5015]

It's funny I scrolled down to the comments because I knew people would be complaining about Jr's pass. There's no question he was below already in the act of passing when Kenseth pulled the block and saying NASCAR helped him win is a ridiculous statement. He was dead last at the start of the race, got a little damage but made it through the big one, and you don't win 4 straight at Talladega without serious skill and a fast car

[@luisy.gonzalez6469]

As a non-diehard Jr fan, I saw that Jimmie forced Kenseth towards Jr, making the pass legal. That said, it makes no sense arguing over a ruling from 15 years ago.

[@johnw1052]

Why is the most famous line “four straight wins at talladega!” Not in this?

[@awesomeredneck01]

does anybody else agree that we all miss that kinda racin and those cars

[@easyenetwork2023]

Jr also only had two tires below the line, not all four and he was leading as he did that.

[@jdwKeselowskiFan]

The two races happened five years apart. You can't really make an argument for consistency between events that are that far apart.

[@bigrooster6893]

NASCAR wasn’t stupid enough to black flag him for going way below the yellow line 😂

[@brandynhenry7107]

1:18 US flag, Bud sponser, inside jr.'s car. cant get more 'Murican that that lol. unless earnhardt was holding a loaded shotgun outside the window while he was racing lmfao.

[@NrdsWthGns]

@coltcub64 true, but what about the 100+ races in which other drivers have actually WON races? it's one thing to have a fan base, but when eveyone is silent for the other 42 drivers that lead and eveybody goes crazy in the stands when junior leads one lap, thats a problem.

[@KingCuervo88]

@MIBFreakPack Regan Smith won that race..i don't care what the results say..

[@ryanmorrison3699]

I don’t really have an issue with NASCAR allowing Jr’s pass below the line. I do think he still might’ve had room above the line to squeeze past him though, but when you’re going 190 mph, you don’t have much time to think about where you are on the track. You see a car swerve in your direction at those speeds like Kenseth did, your natural reaction is to try and move away from that car.

[@Nocstaa]

Jr could have easily fit his car without going under the yellow line. He clearly drove under the line

[@rcracer8872]

No moron he was clearly forced

[@CyclonexxxIce]

if it was really "given" to Jr. then they would've thrown the yellow when Jimmie wrecked.

[@jgjfnxdnsdnsns]

@AndyMarquisLIVE how am i incorrect the line rule is the whole car must be under the yellow line ive seen happen to many drivers who nascar hates and no penalty given.

[@nascar9and88]

We all do man. I understand the safety concerns, but the racing is way less exciting. I hope the new 2013 cars attempt to fix that problem.

[@TheFinlander11]

Back then they made huge savings to avoid crashes, and today a small bumb and they got a 10 car pileup immediately

[@m140m]

Four wins in a row at a drafting track. I don't think we'll ever see a feat like that accomplished again.

[@brandenfusaro6777]

wish we could have these bodies again they looked normal and better

[@FANJG24]

For heaven's sake, Kenseth wasn't leading, Johnson was. And Jr. wasn't even close to being past Johnson when he went under the yellow. NASCAR gave Jr. that win just because he was/is so popular.

[@whippersnapper6456]

It had nothing to do with who the leader was.

[@rcracer8872]

Jr was forced you're an idiot

[@AMPxITxUP18]

Love how people say that Jr's pass was illegal... it as completly legal, he was forced down below the line. He was at Matts door when he got pused down below the yellow line.. and if he didnt go below th eyellow line, he wouldve caused a huge wreck, porbably taking out half of the field or more.. So this race was earned not given!

[@BurnNotice2023]

We'll see how they perform tonight

[@bf7504]

Anyone know why jrs bumper is black like that?

[@rcracer8872]

Tape on the grill

[@brandonwagner4719]

COOL

[@brooksseverson1734]

The move was illegal and here's why. I saw an interview with Jim Hunter, Nascar's executive at the time, and he said the move stood because "he advanced his position on Kenseth before he reached turn 3." After watching the replays, he's right. However, he did not advance his position on the 48 car before entering turn 3. Based on what Hunter said, the move shouldn't have been legal. He passed more than 1 car below the yellow line. And to the people that say "he was forced below the line," what about Elliot Sadler? He was right behind Jr, passed Kenseth in the turn, and did not go below the yellow line. Nascar did not want to deal with the unpopularity of their decision had they black flagged Jr.

[@Wesker1213Gaming]

That may be, but one could argue that had Kenseth not come across 3 lanes to try and block he could/would have cleared both going into the corner, Sadler probably rolled out the throttle. If I'm Jr, this is my best chance to pass, I'm going for it. I ain't letting off. A lot of other drivers would have done the same. I dont think JJ was a factor here IMO

[@JJA1987]

The move was legal period. He was forced below the line and was already passed the 17.

[@SDRacing88]

what race were you watching?

[@Nocstaa]

SDRacing88 I don't know how you don't see that.

[@SDRacing88]

Nocstaa see what? The pass was legal.

[@JBK353]

Just wondering has anybody notice that 4 of Dale Jr.'s Talladega win either Tony Stewart or Kevin Harvick finished second.

[@sametozkan9175]

Earnhardt and Bonnett would have been proud of him.

[@Jedmac90]

Back when restricter-plate racing was an art and required real skill. I commend NASCAR for trying to bring pack racing back, but as long as the cars can literally push each other plate racing won't be as good.

[@cpcomedy314]

The Busch Series counts IF you make those wins & championships before you're a full-time Sprint driver

[@sesselfurzer2000]

Dude, Jr. was already next to Kenseth's door as Kenseth came down. Just look how close they were 3 wide behind Junior just after he passed Kenseth. If Junior stayed on the race track that would have been a big one. He was right next to Kenseth and prevented a big crash, the pass was legal. If they had thrown the caution when Jimmie spun, Junior would have won the race automatically because Junior was the leader and they didn't have GWC's yet in April 2003.

[@49erfan160880]

I was there for that race. It was absolutely amazing to watch Jr fight so hard to win this race. It’s just not the same without the true #8 or #88 out on the track. Long live the #3 car.

[@DiegoOspina86]

GO DALE JR GO!!!!

[@JJA1987]

Wrong Nocstaa

[@3intimid8or]

That Wreck at 7:04 alaways puts a smile on my face!!

[@CrazyTuco1]

Fuck off

[@TDDDDDDDO]

Why

[@keithrichards7033]

I miss the old rules they used to have, I call it old school racing it would be nice to see them bring it back now and then just to mice things up a bit.

[@BadBooking]

The freeze the field wouldn't have worked until September. Junior could have very well lost the race on this day.

[@hipster-doofus]

Jr was actually avoiding Kenseth's block and as a result passed Johnson below the yellow line. NASCAR should have made Jr give up first just for the fact he improved his position. But complaining about it now isn't gonna change a 7 year old result.

[@TheGoaltender94]

That doesn't make sense. If they called the caution Jr would have won automatically because this was before the GWC came into play. And obviously he is popular because of his father. You know how many Earnhardt fans there were when dale Sr died? Lots and when he died who is the logical person to got to after? And as for the pass, I think it was a good call...but hardly. It was close. I'm actually a Gordon fan so don't think I'm just some Jr Nation nutbag who just likes trolling people.

[@Mako_One]

If you're somebody who thinks NASCAR "gave" this win to Jr, you're completely out of touch.. I say that with the utmost amount of respect.. All I can tell you is to reevaluate the "yellow line" rule..

[@nascarfanatic2425]

I remember this race. It looked like they brought Bristol cars with Talladega engines. lol

[@TheEvilTrafficCone]

Another reason why Jr. isn't performing the way he should, is because this time period was when the REAL fucking NASCAR was taking place. Balls to the wall racing action. Let me put it like this: imagine a kid riding a bicycle, no helmet, no flash sticker things, no knee pads, or elbow pads, just him riding a bicycle. That would be these races. Now imagine the same kid, but with all of that stuff on and wrapped in layers of bubble wrap. That's today's NASCAR... and it's bullshit.

[@skippingrhyme4386]

If NASCAR was trying to Help Jr win, then Why not throw ths Caution when Johnson spun and seal the Deal?!? Why risk him running the Last lap which would be a HUGE risk Especially at Talledega!

[@TheGoaltender94]

Well I was close and will admit defeat on that one. He still could have lost indeed but the fact of the matter is he didn't and there's nothing you can do to change that. Nor the fact that he is the most popular driver in NASCAR.

[@jacobbecker1905]

And it only makes sense

[@jgjfnxdnsdnsns]

Dale Jr. did NOT pass below the line he had 2 wheels on above the line which is legal.

[@DoSum4Me]

no look it up he was like 59th most pop after sr died he became 1st

[@TheMrstopmotion88]

HE WILL WIN THE 500 THIS YEAR WATCH IT

[@TheEvilTrafficCone]

I don't know why everyone is debating so badly over this, Junior was already under Kenseth, then Kenseth forced him under the yellow line because his dumbass spotter didn't tell him he was already there. If Junior didn't move under the line, then we wouldve had a Brad K and Carl Edwards incident.

[@SDRacing88]

For those of you that feel this pass was illegal, pause the vid at 5:10. He is already besides Kenseth, so whether he goes below the yellow line is irrelevant. Kenseth was coming down hard to block, and if JR hadnt gone below the line, there "could've" been a nice pileup.

[@justinkrizenesky]

DRT71 couldve. illegal if its unnecesaary

[@NascarNixon]

Yes pause it and look at the top of the screen. He's illegally passing Johnson.

[@MarkGaming_TV]

thats what everyone overlooks JOHNSON IS THERE AND HE PASSED JOHNSON ILLEGALLY but no one looks at johnson there

[@jeffrey678]

His pass was legal I agree but what i think he is trying to say is they would have black flagged any other driver that did it even if they were both legal passes

[@horsesboy]

@MIBFreakPack I could make two points one the rule is you cannot ADVANCE the your position under the line it's hard to tell but it almost looks like JR has his nose in front before he goes under the line which would make what he did legal, also the difference would be when JR went under the other cars were WELL to his outside and plenty of room when he moved to their inside and then came Smith went inside KNOWING that he would be under the line. That said bad rule and Smith should have won.

[@Kyle1224]

this was wen it used to be good

[@canadianblackhawk]

junior pass is ok because he already established position

[@Kylelaw11]

I think everyone in this video has changed cars except Jeff and Jimmie.

[@NrdsWthGns]

this is why attendance is down. all of the fans have dale jr's hands up their asses and now that he hasnt been winning nobody cares about the other more talented drivers.

[@bigsadcary]

8:59 oh god someone just died

[@ldog70]

I was at the 2011 Aaron's 499. NOTHING like this. The finish was ok, but the rest of the race stunk compared to this. I so miss the sound of these monte carlo engines. They reall made the car sound like it was wound out at max rpm. These new ones sound like they are sick going around the track. Like they have now power. I bet we never hear this sound again.

[@TonyH2468]

The rule is, if you're in the process of making a pass, and during the pass, you're forced down below the line, your position gain still stands. Kenseth threw the block on Jr that pushed him below the line while Jr was already under Kenseth making a pass attempt. Therefore Jr's pass was clean. Years later and people are still debating this ? Come on now. Get Smarter than that people. I'm certainly not one of those crazy Dale Jr obsessed fans. But there's no denying this pass was clean.

[@JJRacer43]

Justin Haley made the same kind of pass on Larson and Sadler at Daytona in 2018, but NASCAR didn't let him keep the win. How is Jr.'s win legit but Haley's isn't?

[@TonyH2468]

@@JJRacer43 Haley’s should have counted. I never said Nascar isn’t inconsistent w their rules lol that’s a for sure. I agree with you, but Jr’s pass was clean here

[@Noonecanknow879]

Don't worry.The new cars will bring it back.

[@Noonecanknow879]

Update: they did not bring it back

[@MrBurney12]

Just the first of many rules for them to be inconsistentet with. I love Dale Jr but I recall at daytona in july of 01 (the first race with yellow line rule)Tony Stewart was black flagged for doing the same thing to keep from spinning Johny Benson and wrecking the field. And had Dale stayed above it he and what remained of the field would have been in a smoldering heap most likely

[@JJA1987]

Inconsistent my ass. He was already ahead of the 17

[@BentleyBoy0807]

@MIBFreakPack Those are the reasons why I stopped watching NASCAR. And a few years back when Edwards was penalized for passing below the yellow....when he was avoiding a wreck that was in front of him. Or who could forget Jeff Gordon getting the "reckless driving" penalty at rockingham.