Sunday, October 20, 2019

Michael Waltrip had a 462 consecutive Cup races without a victory. It ended when he was hired by the Earnhardts, in the 2001 Daytona 500

That must be a record for any race car driver, number of consecutive races without a win

 In his first race with the Earnhardt team, the 2001 Daytona 500, Waltrip broke his streak of 462 consecutive Cup races without a victory and won his first career points-paying Cup race. His teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished in 2nd. However, the win itself was largely overshadowed by Earnhardt, Sr.'s fatal crash on the last lap.

There is now a new full length documentary "Blink of an Eye" about that race, and how it changed Nascar


Much more than simply a NASCAR documentary, the film painstakingly shows the effect that failing to win a single race over the span of 462 contests had on Michael Waltrip, who through this unprecedented adversity still managed to forge ahead, thanks to his belief in himself and the conviction of his ex-wife Buffy, who never gave up the dream that one day he would step into the winner's circle.

After joining Earnhardt's team for 2001 season, Waltrip stepped onto the track for the first and most famous race of the season, the Daytona 500. After so many bad breaks, it appeared that finally the streak would come to a merciful end as Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Dale Earnhardt Sr ran 1-2-3 on the final laps at Daytona. Instead of making his patented last minute charge, Earnhardt Sr instead strategically blocked the rest of the field of 40 cars from making a charge as his two teammates battled in front of him. A master driver, Earnhardt successfully held back the pack and Waltrip took his first checkered flag.

What Waltrip did not realize was that Earnhardt Sr had been involved in what appeared to be a minor crash on that final lap, a crash that would stun the racing world when it was announced that Earnhardt had died from his injuries. Waltrip's dream of celebrating the victory with the man who had become one of his dear friends and had propelled him to victory never materialized.

A highly entertaining and emotional ping-pong match from beginning to end, the film is a refreshingly honest and touching look at the humanity that lies beneath one of the most dangerous sports in the world and is a story that transcends NASCAR and even sports in general. It is a gut-wrenching look at perseverance when all appears lost and the compassion that exists when you blow away the bravado. But mainly it is a portrait of a lasting friendship that began against all odds, one which would be both cemented and shattered that one day in the Florida sun.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamos/2019/09/03/new-michael-watrip-dale-earnhardt-documentary-speeds-into-theaters-lives-changed-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-exclusive-clip/#490ade8531d4

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