Unlike many of his disappointing last-lap finishes at Daytona, Earnhardt's historic win was not anti- climactic, but it was void of any last-second heroics or the frustrations that often marked his career. Earnhardt took lead on the 140th of the 200-lap race when he passed teammate Mike Skinner on Turn 4. He retained the lead when he pitted for fuel and right-side tires with less then 27 laps to go.

"We just kept playing out cards," Earnhardt recalled. "The others would go this way or that way and i would go with them. What I was hoping for was the they'd stay close in line and when I got down to five to go, they would start racing behind me. That made me feel better because I could pick who I wanted to dice with."

Racing under ever-darkening skies, a threat of rain and Earnhardt's long history of late-race mishaps, added to the drama. But the luck of the day finally went Earnhardt's way. "When we came out in front on that pit stop, I just knew that Dale Earnhardt was going to lead the race the rest of the way," said Richard Childress, the car owner.

With one lap left, the Ford driven by Jimmy Spencer collided into John Andretti's Pontiac. Andretti's car spun, knocking into Lake Speed's Ford. The crash brought out the third caution of the day. As a result, Earnhardt, who led the race five times for a total of 105 laps, won ironically under a caution flag.

Final Turn

The King of the Road

The Intimidator

Bittersweet

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