*THIS* is what real NASCAR looks like. The cars were perfect, the tracks were loaded with people, the drivers raced each other, and champions were crowned the right way.

22 years later and I'm still cheering him on!! Rest in peace Champ!

This is Dale’s equivalent of MJ’s flu game or Tom Brady’s 25 point comeback in the Super Bowl. Some athletes are just born with this trait, no matter how grim the odds are, no matter how improbable victory may seem, athletes with this trait just find another level that their competitors don’t possess and find a way.

Goosebumps. Look how crazy the crowd went when Dale took the lead.

Gosh the sound of the cars was incredible back then

The crowds anticipating as 3 moves up is electric. What a finish

2:45: ".... and here comes Earnhardt!" gives me chills every time I hear it

The old cars look way better then the new ones.

Still miss this guy in 2020. The sport just isn't the same without him.

I've only heard a crowd cheer like that twice. Talladega Fall 2000 Daytona Summer 2001

People who didnt grow up watching him have no idea what a gifted driver he was. Its superhuman

I love the way these cars sounded, something about that higher pitch, love it

Conclusion on the biggest reason why Dale Earnhardt was so good in restrictor plate races: he was simply FEARLESS. To start he makes it 3 wide and on the apron with bickle and wallace. All 3 cars make contact, bickle & Wallace lift and lose lots of momentum; but not Dale, he was in the gas the whole time and immediately on Gordon's bumper exiting turn 2. Then from there on his way to the front all of his passes were made in the middle ,which is considered to be noman's land, until he got to the front. Also notice how close he is willing to get to another car when it comes to side drafting; an essential tactic to disturbing the air and breaking the momentum of another car. Sure he had the knowledge and the respect of his competitors so they would draft with him ( like Kenny Wallace did in this race) but you have to the guts to start with to do the things he did.

If you want to know just how much Earnhardt meant to NASCAR (if all the crews lining up on pit lane to congratulate him after the 98 Daytona 500 didn't convince you) just listen to the crowd at the 2:42 mark when Dale bursts through the middle to take 3rd place and then watch the crowds reaction when he takes the checkered flags. It's a rare feat in NASCAR racing to hear the crowds reaction over the cars like that. I dare say you'll probably never see the crowd so unified for one driver again.

This is why Dale Earnhardt fans loved him then and still love him now. He was a one of a kind driver. I miss him. I miss the sound of the cars. NASCAR was over for me when he died. 17 to 1 in 4 laps.

Remember me and my brother got up to leave to beat the traffic; because he had to be back on base in Jacksonville on Monday morning. Dale was 18th with 5 laps to go. There's no way he's going to win, or so we thought. We heard the crowd cheering and stopped at the end of the Gadsden grandstand for the last two laps. Awesome win. Nobody better. Little did we know then that it would be his last win. We miss you, Dale. 🙏

That dude could see air

You know your a legend if you go from 19th to 1st in under 5 laps

Bad ass drive 18th to 1st in 4 laps

This was PEAK NASCAR entertainment, every single second was edge of your seat madness, they could go 5 wide for 10 laps and never wreck. Dale Earnhardt was the most skilled driver in history, the guy was just a lunatic on the race track, thats not even me being biased...just wow I miss this 😭

Now this.........is racing. 3-4 wide racing, bold moves, and the fans cheering on the drivers.

Dale Earnhardt Sr was Talladega and Daytona. He was NASCAR! I wish he hadn't died so early when he had more races to win and to see Mikey or Dale Jr win a championship for DEI. Dale may you rest in peace. You were the hardest driver in NASCAR! You never knew what the word quit meant!! You will always have a place in my heart. God Bless you THE INTIMIDATOR!!

As a Brit who's used to formula 1 and Touring Cars I have to say that this is fabulous stuff. Pretty wild and all very closely matched, but at the same time showing a great deal of respect

Never get tired of watching that clip.

Now THIS is NASCAR...

Ironically I turned off today’s race to watch this race from 2000.

Racing in the grass? Yep. No problem. No yellow line rule back then. Remember watching this race live. It was incredible

I remember my mom and dad made the trip down to Alabama (living in Indiana) for this race. My dad was the type of Earnhardt fan that would scream at the tv cheering Dale on and he was one of the thousands of people that cried when Dale passed away. Though I was only turning 6 in November that year I vividly remember my dad saying that they just about left the race with 10 or so laps to go since at that point Dale didn't have much of a shot at winning, or so it seemed. I guess right before my parents got up to leave they decided what the hell we made the trip all the way down here we may as well stay for the last few laps of the race. They were completely unaware that the driver of the black #3 Chevorlet was no longer Dale Earnhardt, but instead it was a mysterious figure known simply as The Intimidator. This right here is what legends are made of. I honestly believe there wasn't or isn't a person alive that could out drive Dale Earnhardt. This race is a perfect example of why Dale earned the moniker of The Intimidator 💯

This was magical, and the best call of Dr. Jerry Punch's career too

Dang I sure do miss Dale. Ball my eyes out every time I watch highlights. I haven't watched a race since he left us to be with The Lord.

One of my favorite races of all time. I wish it were still that kind of racin'. Nascar started to die in 2001; and keeled over when Jr. left the 8. The Earnhardts were Racin'.

3:10 -- Not so fast Dale JR, here comes daddy!! LOL

This is NASCAR. No crappy Stage Racing with constant forced yellow flags (all cautions were natural), No Ridiculous Playoff Chase and Grid Format, No Crappy One Lug Wheels. Champions were determined by PURE POINTS which is the only actual way to showcase who is the most elite drive consistently throughout a whole year. The Champions after PURE POINT era can arguably have an asterisk if they not actual point leaders. NASCAR has lost this golden age. The comments "Mr. Restrictor Plate" gave me goosebumps and car sounds. Then you have the best driver in history winning his final race.

Man... You just don't see racing like this anymore

One of the very best final set of laps I have ever watched in my life. I remember watching this live. I was literally yelling and jumping up and down with excitement when Dale won. What an awesome finish! I miss the hell outta him. Amazing driver. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P. Thank you for uploading this.

“The Intimidator is scraped and beaten on the right side - but he will not be denied!! Mr restrictor plate knows there are 2 laps to go!!”

Whether people loved him or hated him, I don't think ANYONE could deny that Earnhardt was one talented driver, as this clip proves.

The best race of all time that I ever saw from Nascar Dale rest in peace

This is still the greatest 5 lap drive in my life time

I have watched this entire race many many times, there is nobody better, never will be ever. Racing during his lifetime was different than it is now. Now its more of a huge team effort during, before and after the race, then it was give him a decent car and he will win races, hopefully you all will agree. RIP Dale, you will never be forgotten

I never tire of watching this footage. It shows perfectly just what a superior race car driver Sr. was. He new he had the juice to get to the front but the timing of it all and his patience coming up the middle of the pack before sling shotting around the outside was sublime and almost unbelievable. And never forget how much the crowds just loved him. It's no coincidence that Nascar has gone steadily downhill since his passing. And now with Jr. retired it is only going to get worse if they don't get back to racing soon.

damn they don't put on races like this anymore. the sound of the cars. the packed stands. the cheering. the dangerous, daring driving. 4 wide on a superspeedway fighting hard to the finish. so many legendary names too.

i don't care who you are, where you're from, what sports you like, or how old you are. This right here is excitement. This sport was magical back then. Not many people will openly admit this but part of that magic was the edge that the inherent danger of the sport brought with it. Going 3 wide, 5 wide, every bump and prod was literally living life on the edge in pursuit of greatness. That danger, edge/magic whatever you wanna call it died with Earnhardt. The sport lost it's Michael Jordan while simultaneously losing the edge that allowed him to be who he was. nascar will never look like this again.

I will never forget this race. I was there in the field on the back stretch and I could hear the announcer saying the man on the move is Dale Earnhardt would like two laps to go starting 17th and winning that race with only four laps to go was the greatest race I could’ve ever went to and it hurt bad when he died Daytona I was with a girlfriend of mine in Gatlinburg Tennessee having lunch before heading home to Nashville at the new NASCAR café in Pigeon Forge. R.I.P. Dale Earnhardt you will never be forgotten. 🙏🙌🏻✝️😇

The biggest thing that sticks out to me is how every car had a MAJOR sponsor. I've never heard of half of the sponsors on todays' cars. This was definitely peak NASCAR.

Who's still watching in 2018. *sighs. Back when the cars could get a run easily. And not run single file for 75% of the race.

He’s on the apron of the racetrack Ned.Just the excitement in Benny parson voice,I just loved that call,I miss Benny parson

This was Dale's greatest finish of his career. I can't remember any driver that came from 17 th. to finish 1 st. in 5 laps at Talladega!!!! Who does that???? He is and always will be the Intimidator !!!!!. Dale rest in peace. #3 forever.

Came here after watching Richard Childress new video. Man I miss you Dale 😔

Dale’s last win here at Talladega was the peak of Nascar and it hasn’t been the same since. RIP Dale from a lifelong fan.

Where did THIS NASCAR go?

“The intimidator” still gives me chills.

Racing died when this man left us

Seeing Dale Sr win at Talladega in person was so exciting you were always watching turn 4 to see that car #3 in the lead now it just not as exciting because you know he's not there and it makes me want to cry. Miss you Dale

3:24 just hear the ladies calling his name! What a crowd! If this clip, on a screen, makes my throat clinch, i can't imagine what it was like there. Such a fantastic race and an equally fantastic crowd!

“There ain’t no way they can run three laps like this” legendary

Now that was racing not the shit we have right now

I remember watching that race at Talladega on T.V., & even I thought that Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s finishing run was amazing. I actually was holding a die-cast replica of the No.3 car in my hand...as if I was urging him to win. That little 1:64-scale model was a X-mas present from my mother...from December, 1999...,& it was in my hand also for that nose-out win at Atlanta, Ga. earlier that 2000 NASCAR season. And just like every other fan who followed Dale Sr., I also remember the accident that eventually claimed his life...which occurred near the end of the 43rd running of the Daytona 500. When the announcement came that he died on arrival at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fl., it felt like my heart was crushed. I almost gave up following the sport in 2001...except for one little message that got fused into my mind, which is still resonating to this day: ‘Never...ever...remember someone for how he died tragically. Remember him for what he liked to do best!’ In this case, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Gave his life by doing the very thing he did best...& that is by racing fast & hard on every given NASCAR weekend. That’s why he’s in the Hall of Fame...& his son is now in there, too. It’s also why I’ve stuck with following NASCAR...through Hell & back...now into my 23rd year. Think the coronavirus pandemic’s going to stop me from continuing to follow it? Nah...I don’t think so!!! (By the way, I still have Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s ‘No.3’ die-cast replica...& I’m not parting with it anytime soon!!!) : )

I got chills watching this. I'm only 16 so I wasn't even alive to watch this race, but I wish *this* NASCAR would come back.

While Earnhardt Sr. was making his way to the front from 17th, Gordon made a run of his own, climbing up from 16th to 4th in the background.

More than an awesome driver he was an entertainer. He made NASCAR fun to watch. I loved the rub marks and dents he always had at the finish. Gone but not forgotten.

This era of NASCAR racing is a thing of the past!!! It was just MORE EXCITING...MORE ENTERTAINING...MORE INTENSE... MORE FUN to watch the "REAL LEGENDS" a few yrs ago in my opinion. I miss Earnhardt, Wallace, Waltrip, LaBonte, Gordon, Marlin, Rudd, Stewart & Jarrett just to name a few names. Much love from Mobile Alabama

I know his Daytona 500 win is the most famous win in NASCAR history but this is the most legendary by FAR. What he did in five laps....you can't do that. It's not possible.

The crowd noise really shows the excitement of being there. Also the cars sounded louder and the camera angles were great and so were the calls. Great finish

This is truly Earnhardt’s masterpiece. Dr Jerry Punch’s call along with Benny is iconic and this is the day I finally became an Earnhardt fan.

This was the pinnacle of NASCAR right here. Hasn't been the same since.

I’m proud to say I watched this race as it happened. It was a fun ride.

20 year ago to the day. One of the most iconic moments in the series, one of the best calls ever, and just hearing the cars *screaming* by… just unbelievable

I remember listening to this race on the radio because my parents didn’t have cable. It was just incredible how far back Dale came from to win.

There will never be another dale Earnhardt.

Still miss him! He will always be my favorite driver! RIP ole son!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

I still remember this race, barely breathed the last 20 laps! While the 500 might’ve been the most satisfying win, this was the most exciting win, imo. Still miss the master so much.

Easily one of the best Nascar calls and finishes of all time. Was there ever a better combo than Ned Jarrett, Jerry Punch and Benny?

I have to watch this at least one a week. Dam I miss this man Missed by millions.

Back when NASCAR was alive. Thanks for the memories. RIP Dale.

Crowds were sold out then...now the seats are advertising space. NASCAR died the day Dale did. ....

if Dale was around during COVID, COVID would have said "nope, not wasting my time on this one."

Some might say "The Pass in the Grass" is the race that most epitomizes Dale Earnhardt as a racers but to me, this was and always will be THE race that defines the greatness of Dale in a nutshell. For him to weave his way from 17th to first in four laps, shows just how talented he was. I cannot FATHOM the stress that these guys go through in 500 miles, at those speeds, running THAT closely. One wrong move, it could be not only your race, but your life. Man, he had stones. Amazing race car driver. Man, I miss watching you run.

Man.... This was NASCAR in its prime.. 170,000+ Spectators, good rough racing....

the draft master at his finest!!!!

The zig zag on the back straight! That’s real racing!

I come back to this video every few months or so. Can’t get enough of it

This type of racing is what put NASCAR in the spotlight and races like this when dale was on the track put it on top. People that weren't into NASCAR started watching and witnessed history in the sport and why dale was arguably the greatest there in just before his demise. Probably his greatest victory for the whole world to see but what the world didn't see was amazing with in itself. R.I.P. #3

Sure do miss racing like this. It's just not the same anymore.

back when NASCAR was actually fun and exciting to watch.... todays NASCAR needs to get back to their roots and start here

By far my favorite aero package, they ran 3 wide all day long without a real big wreck

He was pretty much the main reason Nascar was so popular. Even if you weren't a fan of Nascar, most people knew who he was. For those who were fans though, watched to see him win or to see someone beat him.

Fun Fact: Kenny Wallace didn’t attempt to pass Earnhardt because he didn’t think the car behind him would follow him. He didn't recognize it was his teammate because Nemechek was running a special paint scheme.

I was always an Earnhardt fan, never cared for Gordan but he did a great job as well moving through the pack.

This was my first NASCAR Race I was 15 years old. Damn I miss Dale 😭

Best racer ever. Watching this will never get old

the 4th groove at superspeedways is BADLY needed

WILL NEVER SEE THIS AGAIN! DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!

The crowd response in Charlotte was the same as Talladega when Earnhardt took the lead. Always gave me chills.

I’m 14 and just started watching nascar in 2017 and I must say, I wish nascar was still like this

The yellow line rule should have never gone away. Interestingly... as exciting as this was... Dale Sr. made it pretty clear that he did not like this style of plate racing... which is interesting because the NASCAR of today has doubled and tripled down on making the cars race 3 wide constantly. The problem with the modern plate racing is that there is no passing... Dale Sr. more or less passed 15 cars in about 2 laps... no way that could happen today... the cars are too tightly packed.

I still can't believe this happen 4 days before I was born.

What an amazing day that was. I can’t imagine what he would say if saw the state of NASCAR today.

This was the golden age of NASCAR when it was truly exciting, the cars were loud, and there was dust from touching rubber to earth below the yellow line, and 4 wide racing start finish line to start finish line with no yellow flags because you finished a 1/3 of the race

The SOUND! So Good!