ESPN.com



We asked ESPN.com users to share their memories of moments which stood out in the 2000 NASCAR season. Here's a sampling of the responses:



The most memorable moment of this season for me was the celebration in the victory lane at the Texas Motor Speedway when Dale Jr. won his first race. Dale Sr. normally only shows his "Intimidator" persona to the public but on that day we got to see a brief glimpse of the true man. The love and pride that he felt for his son on that day was obvious. It was quite heartwarming to see a man show his true feelings who is normally perceived to be so tough and stoic.



Greg Posey

Alexandria, Va.



At Dover in June, when the Sprint Busch team pushed out the 45 car and Kyle Petty walked behind just before qualifying for the race. It was very touching. I don't think there was a dry eye in the stands. This is something I'll always remember.



Lynn-Mary Dillon

Danbury, Conn.



Jeff Burton, 300 laps at Loudon - no question!



Willis F. Sharp, Jr.

Richmond, Va.



I would say probably the most memorable thing watching NASCAR this year would be the watching of so many great family stories. The Earnhardts, the Labontes and the Pettys. While each dealt with different things during the year, you could still see the strength of family in NASCAR. I hope that as NASCAR advances and becomes bigger, the family element is not forgotten.



Joe Theis

Madison, Wis.



After Jimmie Johnson had the crash at Watkins Glen and realized he was still alive, he jumped out of his car climbed on top of the roof of his car and celebrated. That was pretty cool. I also was very happy that he was okay. Olivia, age 9.



Olivia Dillon

Danbury, Conn.



The 2000 season has been an amazing season. Geoffrey Bodine's horrifying wreck at Daytona, Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt's rivalry to the finish at Atlanta, Little E's first win, Earnhardt getting a taste of his own medicine at Pocono, Darrel Waltrip qualifying 2nd at the Brickyard, Dale Earnhardt coming from 18th to 1st at Talladega, and Darrell Waltrip's last race. So many memories. There was also some tragedy this season. Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and Tony Roper died doing what they loved most. Godspeed Adam, Kenny, and Tony. They will be missed. Thanks for the memories, D.W.



Clifford Linke

Michigan



I think the shared victory lap between Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart at Homestead will be something people should remember for a while. For two of NASCAR's hardest competitors to be two separate teams but celebrate victories as one speaks highly for the Joe Gibbs team. Members of these two teams have been spotted in victory lane more than once together to share in the others celebration. This closeness between these teams by sharing information on the track might mean Joe Gibbs will have to take on a new job as a carpenter so he can build himself a bigger trophy case.



Jay Norton

Louisville, Ky.



Kurt Busch's performance in the craftsman truck series was far most impressive in the 2000 season, including all NASCAR-sanctioned series. Talent is very abundant in this young man and I believe he will be a force to be reckoned with in time in the Winston cup series. Yet foremost in my mind is the tragedies of Adam Petty (45)and Kenny Irwin (42). Let's hope these deaths will be a wake up call to NASCAR and not be forgotten as just accidents. God rest your souls and thanks for making NASCAR racing a little bit brighter.



Mark L. Joseph

Ocean View, Del.



This year's best moment for me was presenting in person to Kyle Petty the autographed ticket stub from Adam's FIRST Busch race. Not many people know that Adam's first Busch race was here at Gateway Int'l Raceway back a couple of years ago. I was lucky enough to meet him in the garage and he autographed my ticket stub. His smile was infectious. Through various e-mail exchanges this summer, I was able to arrange to meet and talk with Kyle and to present him with the ticket and the program for that race when Kyle brought the Sprint car to Gateway for the Busch race this year. Kyle was so gracious and touched. Kyle indicated that the ticket and program would be put in the Petty museum for all to share. He allowed a picture taken of all of us, with my grandson Corey (who loves Hot Wheels). I have an 8x10 copy hanging in both my office at work and at home. This was my highlight for this racing season and something that will be with me always.



Fred and Corey Henderson

St. Louis



My favorite memory was when Dale Earnhardt won at Talladega. To come from where he was to win that race was amazing. My heart was racing as fast as the cars were going. That day made me so proud to be a Earnhardt fan.



David Burke

Glenville, N.Y.



My favorite moment of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup season was when Jeff Gordon dove down to the inside of the track with 11 laps to go to win the Diehard 500 at Talladega. I am a very big Jeff Gordon fan and that was one of the best races I've seen him run in a while.



Michael Mellen

Cornish, Maine



The highlight that sticks out in my mind of the 2000 season is Steve Park holding off Mark Martin at Watkins Glen for his first career Winston Cup Series win. Beating a great road-course driver like Mark Martin with as many wins as he has will forever be a highlight of Steve Park's career.



Ramon Gonzalez

Battle Creek, Mich.



Darrell Waltrip's celebration after his run to sit on the outside front row for the Brickyard 400.



Joe Edmiston

Bellwood, Penn.



It was great to see the 28 car finally run up front after several sub par years. The most disappointed I was of the season was when Rudd was leading the Phoenix race when the 27 (Bliss) ran into the back of the 14 (Mast) and wrecked Rudd with only 12 to go. ESPN, I as a race fan will miss your expert race-coverage.



Gary Crewdson

Bristol, Tenn.



One of the memorable moments to me are the controversial moments and the times rivalries may have started. I being a Jeff Gordon Fan love the fact the Gordon and Stewart mixed it up at Watkins Glen! Never mind the fact Gordon probably would've won his sixth straight road course. I like that they mixed it up and maybe started a rivalry, NASCAR needs that. Also, when Mayfield took out Earnhardt for the win -- that makes for good racing.



Cranston Burke

Carrollton, Texas



I will always remember NASCAR 2000 as the year that we lost three bright starts and 2 great legends. I will never forget Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, Tony Roper, Herb Thomas and Lee Petty. I am and will always be a fan of all of those men. Even though I am a teenager, I know what the losses of these three young men and two great legends means to the sport. I think that NASCAR should do more work on saftey. I don't want to remember NASCAR 2001 for anyone's death in a race car.



Neil Eggert

Saddle Brook, N.J.



Kenny Irwin was my driver and an inspiration in my life. The most memorable moment of 2000 is the call I received in Alaska while on vacation to tell me my driver had died. I then attended the funeral services for Kenny ... those moments will be etched in memory forever. I miss him terribly and think about him everyday. I would like to thank Tony Stewart for all the wonderful things he has done to honor Kenny's memory. He now holds a special place in my heart.



Traci Bailey

Grand Rapids, Mich.



Of course there is the obvious Dale winning at Talladega, but to me the greatest moment was Tony Stewart dedicating his win to Kenny Irwin. It's obvious that NASCAR wasn't going to do anything half as special as they did for Adam Petty - such as closing Victory Lane -- so it was nice to see Tony give Kenny his moment in the sun. True class, one of the best Victory Lane speeches I've heard in a long time.



Rich Kessler

Vienna, Va.



To see Dale Jr. win three races this year. He answered the pressure from the media, fans and his own name. Watch for him in 2001!



David Mier

Pasadena, Md.



I'll always remember the Gordon/Stewart incident. It showed Gordon was actually human and that Stewart would punch out his mom if she caused him to lose a race. Don King Motorsports in 2002 ?!



Chad Aaron

Charleston, W.Va.











