Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s iconic Daytona win, which took place on July 2, 2010, marked an emotional moment in NASCAR history as the legendary No. 3 car returned to Victory Lane at Daytona for the first time since the loss of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a rookie at the time, recently reflected on the race, admitting he missed a decisive opportunity while racing alongside Earnhardt Jr. and Joey Logano during the heart-stopping finish.
The Return of the No. 3 to Daytona’s Spotlight
On a night charged with anticipation, Dale Earnhardt Jr. guided the storied No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet under the bright Florida lights in the Subway Jalapeno 250, the 17th event of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season. More than just another superspeedway race, this evening signified the debut of NASCAR’s updated Car of Tomorrow, a model designed in response to the loss of Earnhardt Sr. in 2001, aiming to enhance both safety and competition.
Richard Childress Racing chose Earnhardt Jr. to pilot the Wrangler-branded No. 3, adding deep significance to an already emotional occasion. Not only was the car’s number and sponsor symbolic, but the race also brought together a field of emerging and proven talent, with the memory of Earnhardt Sr. ever-present in the minds of fans and teams alike.
Missed Moves and Reflections from the Front Stretch
Among the competitors, rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was running third during the decisive late-race restart, following Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the lead and Joey Logano in second. Facing pressure and opportunity with only four laps left, Stenhouse found himself behind two seasoned NASCAR racers, as Earnhardt Jr. rolled the dice on worn tires hoping clean air would secure his victory.
In the tense closing laps, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. maintained the inside line and Joey Logano drafted tightly behind, Stenhouse provided Logano with a subtle push to keep the chase alive. Although the outside lane had opened up, offering a potential route to challenge for the win, Stenhouse hesitated—and the move was never made. Reflecting years later on social media, Stenhouse shared:
“Sorry @joeylogano, my rookie year. Now knowing what I know, we should have pulled the trigger to the outside and been 3 wide at the line. Couple of things: 1. Crowd was unreal 2. This Daytona track was it!!”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
Instead, Earnhardt Jr. executed a flawless run, keeping Logano closely behind through the final turn and charging to the finish. Stenhouse, separated from Logano’s rear bumper and the draft, ultimately finished third, a moment that lingered in his memory as a rookie mistake at one of NASCAR’s most historic venues.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Emotional Triumph in a Legendary Car
While Stenhouse and Logano weighed missed chances, the night’s spotlight shone squarely on Dale Earnhardt Jr. After seizing the lead on Lap 69, he never relinquished it, crossing the finish line to cheers from a crowd that saluted his father’s legacy by raising three fingers in tribute. This win was laden with emotion, not only for fans but also for those closest to the team, such as crew chief Tony Eury Jr., who stated:
“We lost everything here (in 2001) and to come back with that number and do this. That means everything.”
—Tony Eury Jr., Crew Chief
For Earnhardt Jr., the victory offered a measure of closure and a fitting tribute to his father. In a heartfelt post–race interview, he expressed:
“I feel really lucky. I was so worried that I wasn’t going to win, because nothing but a win was good enough… so I worked hard to try to win it and not only for Daddy. I’m proud of him going to Hall of Fame and he’d be proud of this, I’m sure and just all these fans. He has so many great fans, not just mine, this is for his fans. Hope that they enjoyed this. This is it, no more three for me,”
he said in the post–race interview. (6:46 onwards) —Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
This event was the last time Earnhardt Jr. would drive the No. 3, making both his declaration and victory a singular chapter in motorsports history.
Legacy and Lasting Impact at Daytona
The emotional resonance of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s iconic Daytona win is still felt years later, both among NASCAR fans and participating drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who learned from his rookie year miscalculation. Joey Logano, part of the front-running pack that night, had also tried to orchestrate a maneuver to unseat Earnhardt Jr., but circumstances and timing denied the opportunity. Brad Keselowski, closing in fast from fourth, would go on to claim the 2010 Nationwide Series championship, while Stenhouse himself later celebrated Xfinity Series titles in 2011 and 2012.
The events of July 2, 2010, represent much more than the conclusion of a race—they stand as a tribute to Earnhardt Sr., the significance of the No. 3 at Daytona, and a pivotal moment of emotional closure for generations of racing fans. For Stenhouse, the race remains a lesson, while for Dale Earnhardt Jr., it was a singular tribute achieved under the stadium lights of Daytona, witnessed by a crowd on its feet in remembrance and celebration.
