Dale Earnhardt Jr Wins First Race After 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Most every sport and major event was put on hold or postponed following the terror attacks on our nation that took place on September 11, 2001. With our nation reeling and our leaders scrambling to calm the fears of our friends and neighbors, the focus was on New York City, Arlington Virginia, and Shanksville Pennsylvania, the sites where so many of our fellow Americans lost their lives on that day seventeen years ago.
Eventually, as it tends to do, life began to return to a “new normal”, with most of us returning to our daily routines, only with an added sense of patriotism and a tangible love for our great nation. As we all came to terms with the permanently altered iconic NYC skyline, every sport did it’s part to honor those who we lost that day, including NASCAR, which kicked off it’s first post-9/11 race with a heartfelt monologue from commentary Dr. Jerry Punch and a crowd full of red white that greeted the drivers at Dover International Raceway.
In a perfectly fitting coincidence, America’s favorite stock car driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr won the race after leading nearly half of the 400 laps. The crowd roared in approval on a day where most of us were cheering for America as it look forward, leaving behind the worst terror attacks ever on its soil and toward avenging the loss of those nearly 3,000 men and women.
As the stars and stripes waved alongside the checkered flag, Earnhardt took the win and grabbed the American flag himself, taking it for a victory lap to join the fans in celebrating our nation and the strength it had taken to resume our daily routines. He then steered his iconic #8 Chevy into Victory Lane, where his team joined him to continue celebrating the hard-fought victory, including his sentimental copilot Wilson the Volleyball.
On this day, we join our neighbors and families to remember that day, the day our normal changed forever, and to honor those who lost their lives. Please join us in celebrating their lives and America’s resilience by sharing your 9/11 story in the comments.
