Like father, like son…

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. —

Just like his old man.

Earnhardt later drove off the track in front of the main grandstand, spinning in the grass to celebrate his first Daytona 500 victory.

Just like his old man.

Earnhardt won NASCAR’s biggest event Sunday on the same track that took his father’s life three years ago, barreling past Tony Stewart with 20 laps left with a maneuver that would have made Daddy proud.

Junior showed the impatience of youth, needing only five tries to win the race that bedeviled his father for 19 years.

Lap by Lap: Daytona 500
February 17, 2004
12:13 PM EST (1713 GMT)

Lap 200: Checkered flag; Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins

Lap 181: Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes the lead

Lap 175: Tony Stewart takes lead

Lap 171: Greg Biffle penalized for speeding on pit road; Scott Wimmer leads as pit cycle completes

Lap 170: Scott Wimmer leads off of pit road after taking just two tires

Lap 169: Leaders begin green-flag pit stops

Lap 142: Cycle complete; Tony Stewart leads

Lap 141: Terry Labonte leads as green-flag pit stops continue

Lap 139: Leaders make green-flag pit stops

Lap 138: Scott Wimmer leads a group to pit road

Lap 111: Leader John Andretti goes to pit road, completing the pit cycle and giving the lead back to Tony Stewart

Lap 110: Leader Matt Kenseth pits, giving the lead to John Andretti

Lap 108: Leader Jimmie Johnson leads a group to pit road, giving the lead to Matt Kenseth

Lap 105: Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. lead a group to pit road, giving Jimmie Johnson the lead

Lap 85: Tony Stewart takes the lead

Lap 84: Johnny Sauter to pit road with possible engine problems

Lap 81: Green flag; Jeff Gordon leads

Lap 71: Yellow flag flies for multi-car accident involving Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers, Robby Gordon, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Johnny Sauter, Scott Riggs, Terry Labonte, John Andretti, Johnny Benson, Kevin Lepage and Sterling Marlin on the backstretch; leaders pit

Lap 65: Green flag; Tony Stewart leads

Lap 61: Tony Stewart wins the race off of pit road

Lap 60: Caution flies for multi-car accident involving Rusty Wallace, Jeff Green, Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader; leaders pit

Lap 53: Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes the lead

Lap 48: Jimmie Johnson takes the lead

Lap 46: Kurt Busch to pit road after a tire rub

Lap 43: Kasey Kahne to pit road with possible engine problems

Lap 42: Tony Stewart regains the lead

Lap 41: Jimmie Johnson takes the lead as the leaders fight lapped traffic

Lap 39: Green flag; Tony Stewart leads

Lap 36: Kevin Harvick pits, giving the lead to Tony Stewart

Lap 34: Caution flag flies as Derrike Cope hits the wall

Lap 32: Leaders to pit road; Bobby Labonte skids in the grass en route to pit road; Kevin Harvick leads

Lap 27: Jeff Burton heads to pit road with engine failure

Lap 24: Casey Mears makes unscheduled stop

Lap 14: Greg Biffle taps the wall; no caution

Lap 12: Green flag; Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads

Lap 7: Caution flies for smoke coming out of Mark Martin’s car. Martin done for the day after engine failure

Lap 1: Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the opening lap

Lap 1: Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the field to the green flag

Pace laps: Pole-sitter Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, Ricky Craven and Derrike Cope go to the rear of the field due to engine changes

I was on an 18-wheeler with my wonderful husband and our pets. We had been traveling the country for almost 8 years until a guy caused us to roll our truck. After that, hubby wanted me home so here I am. I have a terrific 19 yo son who recently graduated high school and is an awesome son! Two boys 17 yo & 15 yo that I haven’t seen since they were 3 & 4 (long story that I won’t go into unless asked) that I am looking for. I also have a beautiful 9 yo step-daughter that is like her daddy. I am a good friend and am tired of having false friends. I have a few friends I consider like family, and my best friend Kimmy that I consider my sister. I don’t judge because to be honest, I’ve made my share of mistakes in my life. It’s called living. You learn from those mistakes and move on. I am a good listener and love having fun with my friends. I love to dance, especially any country dancing, and would love to learn Cuban dancing. Also, I was very close to my dad so I was raised mostly around men. I’m not used to many female friends and know how to be one of the guys. I am actually more comfortable around men but when I meet a female I get along with, she is a friend for life as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, I’m ready to make true friends and I hope there’s lots of them! Anything else you want to know, just ask.

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