Motor Sports: Ghostbusters

With a victory in Saturday's Pepsi 400 in Daytona, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. stepped from the shadow of his father's legacy and established himself as his own driver, his own man.

The race marked the return to the track where Dale Earnhardt, Sr. lost his life in a fatal crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 earlier this year. There were numerous shrines and #3 banners posted outside Turn Four. Emotions and sentiment were running high in the pits and garages during the week as well. If ever a ghost haunted a racetrack, it would here.

Rewind events back to February 18th. With under thirty laps to go, Dale, Sr. was in third place with Junior in second and Michael Waltrip in front. Some fairly miraculous racing was taking place. Miraculous is a strong word, but to see what was happening that day, is to witness racing beyond its everyday meaning. It was shaping up to be a one-two-three finish for DEI, Inc. as the elder Earnhardt kept the entire remaining field of cars off his two teammates out front.

Blocking cars low, cutting them off high while Junior and Waltrip raced each other for victory. Tragedy would strike in the final lap but preserve a one-two finish for Waltrip and Junior.

Fast forward to Saturday's race. Junior's white and red #8 Chevy took the lead early and held for an amazing 116 of 160 laps. Staying in front helped Junior avoid a multiple car crash and he had good pit stops and race strategy from crew chief Tony Eury.

With nine laps to go, Jeff Gordon's car started smoking and brought out a caution. On the restart, Junior got dumped back to seventh position. When the green flag dropped again for the restart, it was only six laps left. In less than two laps, Junior blasted up from seventh to first position.

Then with two laps remaining, teammate Michael Waltrip in the blue Napa #15 car pulled in behind. Junior, reflecting back to the 500, knew that Waltrip was there to help. "I knew he wasn't going to move because I helped him in the 500..."

In February, it was Waltrip, then Junior. Tonight, it would be Waltrip repaying the favor and Junior taking the checkered flag, epitomizing the team concept that is NASCAR and making a bold statement for the younger Earnhardt.

People will always compare father and son. The spirit and storied career of Earnhardt, Sr. is indelible and will remain with the sport for ages to come.

"He was with me tonight," said the younger Earnhardt. "I don't know how I did it."

Sure, he might have had some help. But on this Saturday night in July, Junior wrote the first chapter to his own great story.