500 DAYS - By inches: The story of the 2001 Cracker Barrel 500 at Atlanta

[@turgid_member8717]

So many things I miss about this era. Certainly not the sadness about losing Earnhardt and the lack of safety overall, but a proper starting grid, races (including the Busch race) taken seriously, battles shown all throughout the field, the rolling ticker at the top of the screen. Wow you don't realize just how bad Fox is now until you compare them to Fox in 2001.

[@dustykh]

The one thing I don't miss is the rolling ticker. Barely know whats happening throughout the field.

[@BoomerangC10]

Agreed.

[@SiVlog1989]

I agree about races being taken seriously. With subsequent gimmicks like the Chase and more recently the Playoffs, they took away the importance of individual races. Yes, a season long points format can be anticlimactic, with the championship being decided before the end of the year (in the case of 2001, Jeff Gordon secured it one race early), but when it does go to the Finale, most spectacularly in 1992 of course, it makes it that much more special. I think if NASCAR is to rebuild its dam of legitimacy, then reinstating a year long points format would be a good start

[@Stapleton42]

You're the man Brock. I had no idea guys like DW and Larry Mac advocated for the black 3 car to stay. I am sort of glad it didn't. The glue setting on Harvick's own identity gave kids like me something unique to them to grow up with. When Shell Pennzoil came along I loved that car too. Crazy enough now we are sponsored by Pennzoil and I didn't seek that out. Some things just happen the way they're supposed to

[@Billy-ot8mk]

The fact that it took NASCAR until October of 2001 after Biase Alexander's death at Charlotte to mandate the HANS device is nuts to me.

[@KevinJL]

That was the final straw for me.

[@SamGarrett]

The way you showed the two photo finishes in tandem was absolutely phenomenal. Every race fan at the time had that image in their heads, but I've never seen someone show it visually in such an accurate and emotional way until this video. Absolutely amazing film making, Brock. You really have something to be proud of.

[@85me262]

Playing that last lap together with the last lap from the year prior....will make a grown man cry.

[@toms.5932]

In 20+ years, nobody else has ever represented the final moments of 2000/2001 Atlanta as beautifully as this. Truly amazing work Brock. I've listened to this in my work truck 3 times today, and the emotion remains the same. Brilliant work sir.

[@BSfromCS]

Me: *sees part 6 in my feed* "Yep, gonna cry..." *hits play*

[@SiVlog1989]

Even taking the emotional significance of Kevin Harvick's first win in Cup aside, the Spring Atlanta race was one of the best races Atlanta Motor Speedway has ever run. In my view it's up there with the 1992 Hooters 500

[@TheRyan597]

Absolutely phenomenal work as always. The deafening crowd noise and Mike Joy choking up in the post race truly put things into perspective. The finish of that Cup race was certainly one of the biggest mood whiplashes in a long time, perhaps ever. Also, Tim Sauter blacking out and his helmet cracking after his wreck is wild. I never knew about that part. Would've been even worse if the collision had been a direct t-bone. Interestingly, FOX actually included that wreck in their opening package for the Busch series race at Darlington the following week.

[@daveyhight]

I'm here after Kevin and Richard just did a parade lap together at Atlanta in honor of Kevin's final race hard to believe how things have changed so much and only about 22 years good job as always on the videos Brock

[@psychlops924]

Showing the Bobby Labonte/Dale Earnhardt finish over the top of the Jeff Gordon/Kevin Harvick finish was an incredible thing to see. One of your best films of all time. Great job Brock, thank you so much for the work that you do.

[@MarkOliveras215]

Showing the Earnhardt/Labonte finish simultaneously with the Harvick/Gordon finish made me cry too as I had just turned 7 when he passed as he was my 1st driver and was the year I began watching NASCAR so it was a rough introduction to the sport and an awful birthday for me as a kid so I never got a true legitimate shot with The Intimidator and on top of that, I had that same blanket at 1:11:35 and still do to this day which makes me cry every time I see that. I’m almost 30 and yet here I am crying again. Bless you Brock!

[@toms.5932]

Brock, you are one of the best documentary producers ive seen in years. This one really pulled the heart strings. Thanks for what you do. Someday a documentary is going to be made about you. Great stuff man.

[@dwest9cubs]

So many goosebumps, but also the top 5 running under a blanket with 10 to go is so spectacular. One of the greatest all time races.

[@aaronfontaine5501]

The way you narrated the final restart was perfect. Continuously building up the excitement until the final two laps and then just letting to footage speak for itself was exactly what I was expecting, but it didn’t fail to get me exited for the finish. Since that day, I hadn’t really watched that race and don’t really remember it all that well aside from the final lap, so this felt really new to me. Thank you for continuing this series for the entirety of the 2001 season. I don’t remember much of the season as I was only 6, so I’m exited for what’s to come.

[@trottingfoxinc]

Amazing work, as always...as a nuanced compliment: I really appreciate that you let the Fox clips play out as much as they need to. I'm sure it adds to runtime, and I'm sure assholes will call it lazy, but it really is necessary to tell the whole story, and you've definitely mastered the art of editing these races together. Contextualizing and commentating as needed, but often letting the moments speak for themselves. This series is a masterpiece.

[@leokicklighter8287]

At last, the healing can begin, as we finally make peace with what I'm *_certain_* will be the worst tragedy of *_2001_* - oh. This series is going to go all the way through September and October isn't it? I'm going to cry again at least twice.

[@mols89]

This series is indescribable. Phenomenal just doesn't say enough. Thank you, Brock.

[@jimscarlett]

These are so good. I put these on and I'm 14 again. Even though I know what happens, I find myself getting into the race and pulling for Blaney, and feeling everything I felt when Harvick won. Man, this was a good race. Thank you for all your hard work making this series. It really captures the emotions and stories and brings everything back.

[@barneyward6448]

1:04:20 Wow, ironic that isn't it. Given what they then did to the track 21 years later.

[@bobbybrandon584]

Great job as usual, Brock. Pointing out that the 32 crew had on helmets was a nice little nugget.

[@NotSteveCook]

Team owner Cal Wells had come from CART, where helmets were already mandatory for pit crews.

[@PG2248CoasterNews]

this might have been previously mentioned in part 4, i can't be sure about that but I have a recollection of hearing Cal Wells requiring his pit crews to wear helmets in an earlier episode

[@renlysotherlover294]

Man this was really the golden era of nascar sometimes i wish we could go back to those cars they just look great and most had one primary sponsor back then so you could really identify with the car and root for the car

[@rockypc24]

IMO this is NASCAR's greatest race. You can tell how emotional everyone is, I am sure there is a reason that Larry Mac wasn't talking all that much during the burnout. You nailed this one as you always do Brock.

[@PG2248CoasterNews]

GORDON GOT LOOSE, IT'S HARVICK!

[@KR_Diecasts]

Harvick by inches!

[@hourlardnsaver362]

Harvick by inches!

[@LeonheartDelta]

I'm a Jeff Gordon fan, and I was happy he lost. Harvick's victory meant more to NASCAR than Gordon's would have. It was needed to help the healing along.

[@philipdawson7800]

Still gives me chills down my spine, man. 🥲

[@kellytolliver2390]

It hard to relive this I was at Dayton that day. I worked at Roush racing truck team at time Dale was the most down to earth man I ever met he drove a 1996 Chevy w/t k2500 base truck with ac a man with that much money he still drove same crap as us u gotta love a guy like that

[@jmichaelhpaul]

“Dave Blaney, Jerry Nedeau, Kevin Harvick. This is the future of Winston Cup Racing.” Flash forward 22 years … Harvick is retiring, Young RYAN Blaney is hitting his stride, Jerry Nadeau is retired due to injury.

[@Weezy10580]

I didn’t know Nadeau retired 😂

[@stephenholloway6893]

He tried testing the car after his injury but he couldn't handled it and was forced to retire.

[@quasimoto7662]

Brock Beard I’ll watch as many of these as you put out, several times over. If I have to by myself, I’ll get these to a million views lol

[@albertshivers]

Overlapping the 2000 and 2001 finishes was such a great choice, Brock! Watching that footage, and hearing how the commentary was almost interchangeable, gave me chills while watching. Thank you for all the work you do on these!

[@craiglindecamp9589]

Thank you so much for this series, this is one of the races I remember watching with my grandfather from start to finish. We watched a ton of races together, always cheering for the Roush and Yates Fords but both of us were pulling for Harvick and Blaney that Sunday

[@donetalkN]

This series has brought me tears multiple times bringing back great memories I had with my old man. Thank you!

[@adampatterson5475]

Really cool Kevin is running that paint scheme and even #29 this weekend

[@fogalicious2644]

No lucky dogs, no stages, no chase, no tapered spacers, no overbearing rules, just great racing.

[@KevinJL]

Yep, sure miss this.

[@carrsllccarrillo6507]

Thank you Brock for everything you have been doing here. Your voice as narrating each one of these gems fills what that era of Nascar was all about: Excitement. As a Earnhardt fan, after the events of Daytona it all became a blurr to me, having to half heartily watch each race thereafter. However, this one. This one had a different feel. Having to relieve those moments through this documentary sent me back to that very day in '01 when i was still living with my parents at home. I was alone watching the race in my room instead of watching it in the living room with my dad as it use to be part of our tradition each Sunday. The race itself was the Atlanta track that i knew and loved. Multi-lanes, side by side racing and 800+ hp engines going hard into the turns. Great to see guys like Johnny Benson & Dave Blaney up in the front. However, those last 10 laps was the defining moments what Nascar was all about. You didn't need gimmic segment racing here. It's all about strategy of calculating fuel milage, how to conserve tires, and when to kick it up a level when the time is right. Didn't need to make this track a superspeedway, it was fine the way it was but that was just my opinion. Then that last lap. I teared up then as I did now. They say time heals all wounds, but to me, it's one wound that will never really close, but the memory of this race helped me move on with my life and continued to support the sport with a new driver in Harvick and I'm ever so grateful because Richard needed that win and so did the fans.

[@wearethebashers]

Brock you need to make it on tv, I had youtube autoplay when the intro of this great production sent chills down my spine from the next room. I had to sit through the rest of the video and am very glad I did. Hats off to you Brock 🏆

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

KZbin is better than TV…but i understand what you mean…Brock wouldn’t have final say and control though if he did a TV deal…would love to see him join with the Scene Vault Podcast and/or the Downforce crew

[@NASCARFAN93100]

Part 6 of The 500 Days Series is a really good Birthday present

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Happy Birthday!

[@santinopucheta1111]

​@@LASTCARonBROCK will make the parts 7 and 8?

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

@@santinopucheta1111 They're in the works. No release date set.

[@santinopucheta1111]

@@LASTCARonBROCK ok. Keep going, and also i'll be waiting on episode 10 of ROTFF

[@edd17sp74]

Man, talk about an action-packed Cup race. I loved your recounting of this NASCAR classic. Great episode of 500 Days!

[@jacobmcmillen7390]

Mentioned at 17:07 is Gary Cogswell. He is now a fabrication instructor at NASCAR Technical Institute. Excellent man to learn a lot from. I was not one of his better students.

[@DesmondHobson]

Another beautiful video! I can't wait to see the rest of the series. In particular, I want to see your coverage of the Daytona summer race and the first race after 9/11, both of which Dale Jr. won.

[@mattwichelman]

Brock is, and always has been, one of the best in the business. After all these years of putting out amazing content with his vast knowledge of the sport I find it hard to believe that he hasn't gotten a look for a role within Fox or NBC

[@racegrubb2152]

Wow. Amazing job on this series. Unbelievable, to me these should be up for an Emmy.

[@danielsutyak1318]

That was awesome!!! Thank You!! Because of this race and so many others is the reason I will be a NASCAR fan forever. The memories and the feelings of reliving this race from this amazing BA documentary was AF!!! Again….. Thank You!!!

[@joshchilds9409]

I love this series so much. I've watched the first 4 Episodes many many times LoL

[@braedonshelton2305]

So good. Thanks for creating and posting! The race play by play is amazing!

[@rapgamestevejobs]

Thank you for your hard work on this. Amazing content as always

[@timothycrunkleton5822]

Great series I've enjoyed it alot THANK YOU proud to be a Patreon

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@MichaelMammi]

Another fantastic video Brock! The best race i have ever seen so far( i have only watched 1996-2001 thus far). How unlucky was Dave Blaney had an absolute rocket. Cannot wait for the next part mate

[@Pwrsongs]

Watta amazing job! This episode took me some emotions. Thank you Brock!

[@brettturner671]

Thank you so much for another amazing production brings back so many happy memories you do such a great job

[@jeffktown]

Interestingly, 17 years to the date, Kevin Harvick would score his 40th career win at Phoenix.

[@patrickracer43]

I feel like the changes they made to the 29 paint scheme was good as it gave him more identity, which is why what Larry Mac and DW saying that the 3 should have returned was dumb

[@stephenholloway6893]

They were only concerned with the Dale Earnhardt fans they felt if the number returned sooner they thought the fans would heal sooner. I agree with the decision not running the number but at the same time I do understand their point as well.

[@stewpuddy4161]

Incredible as always.

[@utjason8]

I was there that weekend! What an amazing memory!

[@Angus316]

Mr beard, you sir, delivered another masterpiece

[@Jeyrod]

Two great videos in a week?! Good job Brock!

[@benjaminlewis671]

Another BANGER!! Gosh darn you sure know how to make a boy cry.

[@VoodooDangerbird]

Fantastic video!

[@chriselliott1483]

I’ve been watching since 89 Was a rusty fan then Kenny fan then just love racing lol

[@jonathonpoloski917]

Chassis# 70 wasn't a car that Earnhardt drove in a race, Kevin Harvick tells the whole story on DaleJr download, #70 was a chassis that Harvick constantly tested for Earnhardt, and this chassis had springs that Sr. didn't like using, and he ended up not using this chassis in the November race. Harvick used this chassis because it was hiss cup car he was comfortable with.

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Are you sure that was the right chassis? I thought I'd listened to that episode. I know there was the story that Earnhardt didn't like a setup Harvick tested, and told the team to put it back on the truck. It sounded more like the car Harvick ran at Las Vegas in 2001, which sources at the time indicated Harvick had tested it a bunch at Kentucky. Maybe the detail from the story I heard about Earnhardt then running it at Homestead 2000 was incorrect.

[@Bitterman5868]

We all know that next race in a few months and video will be, in fact it will be the sole reason of why NASCAR enforced HANS and new seats on everyone. What happened to Tim Sauter today after Dale's death should had been a warning call early on, but it seems that God works in his own ways to show what is the right way.

[@stephenholloway6893]

Had Sauter passed away that would have been 5 drivers who passed away between Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup in less than a year. It could have been the last straw for NASCAR to force the Hans device sooner then October. But remember ARCA wasn't under NASCAR at the time so rather or not they would have made it mandatory before October as well would have been questioned.

[@ethantracy337]

Excellent!

[@BoomerangC10]

DW constantly pointing out the HANS device on drivers got annoying. I understand the sentiment and that we're only a handful of weeks out from Dale's death but the repetition was annoying. Also even though I know who won I found myself pulling for Blaney and then was upset when the wheel came off. Thanks for this series.

[@stanisawkaczmarczyk5312]

Thank You

[@NotSteveCook]

I can't watch that finish with dry eyes. Billy Jones must have been talking about Todd Bodine OFF the track to say he stays out of trouble 😆

[@tnwhiskey68]

Amazing how empty those stands were back then

[@Mentally_Will]

Excellent work Brock, but I do find myself wondering something, will this series only be glossing over the Truck series and Arca? The latter seems particularly relevant given what occurred that October.

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

That's a very good question. After tinkering with the format, I've decided to have each episode include the support events, similar to Episode Two. Basically, each episode will end with the next Cup race in order. I hope to include all the Busch and Truck races. In fact, I already have a Truck race I skipped when I was considering another format. ARCA, Winston West, Southwest Tour, etc. will also be included if it occurred at the same track on the same weekend, depending on what video or other material is available. So, yes, the episode on the fall Charlotte race will absolutely include ARCA.

[@briceromero5590]

Still feel the pain for Dave Blaney.... Best car and was his best chance at a Cup win.

[@joshawott331]

This here was my very first race

[@Jerm--]

Back when Nascar was great!

[@sametozkan9175]

But, it was not great since their mascot died in Black #3 car.

[@nazcarcup]

God is good. Thank you so much Brock

[@mejn10]

When the next part

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Would love to finish it in the next few weeks. It's recorded and editing is underway.

[@mejn10]

@@LASTCARonBROCK I can’t wait

[@ROWDYBatrulha]

HARVICK GOT EM!

[@TommyToboggan611]

I hope kevin gets a royalty check from cletus cause god damn did he do it first lol!

[@tylerhmiel6417]

On the Tim Sauter comment a HANS doesn’t help side impact

[@bronzecookie7888]

When will rise of the field fillers return or will it not?

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Good news - "Rise of the Field Fillers" is nowhere near done. I completed the interview for Episode 11, and after a stand-alone video I'm finishing, it will likely be my next upload.

[@bronzecookie7888]

@@LASTCARonBROCK I’m very excited

[@NotSteveCook]

​@@LASTCARonBROCK Awesome; that's probably my favorite series you've done!

[@SeanRoberts]

Anyone else getting Avengers vibes from the soundtrack

[@danieltroxell8558]

I honestly think that Richard did the correct thing by painting the car white placing a new number on the car and getting away from the black and silver. I think he went wrong when he brought the number back for austin dillon and is currently running the 3 again in cup is just wrong

[@DuddleBug5]

Hello

[@stormkelleh]

🤦🏻‍♂️ Blaney dude. Wow.

[@aaronrowland8259]

Soon Are You Make 500 Days Parts 7 and 8

[@susangenereux6483]

Hey anybody out there that collects NASCAR items my late husband and I were major NASCAR drivers more so him he passed away almost 5 years ago and I have full box large box of NASCAR ranging from dalhart Earnhardt Junior Senior Tony Stewart. Ranging from cars and other if you're interested leave me comment it'll take me a little bit of time to get the box out storage I'll have to see if my son-in-law or grandson can help me locate it several boxes and other items have to be moved someone that loves NASCAR I think would be happy to have these items

[@mikewagner9395]

I'm still disappointed they let Austin Dillon use the #3

[@stephenholloway6893]

Would you rather if NASCAR gave the number to an different team out of Childress' control? They own the number not Childress. Besides it's his choice that either someone of his family or an Earnhardt would drive the number.

[@KevinJL]

It should be retired

[@michaelherrmann3510]

jeff'll never admit it but he definitely sandbagged a bit off of 4

[@rcguy902]

That's idiotic