Earnhardt had the dominant car of the race , leading 115 out of 160 laps . On the last restart , he managed to make a move from sixth to first place in the span of two laps , with Waltrip holding off the field as Earnhardt took the checkered flag . He won the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 at Dover , which was the first Cup race following the September 11 attacks as the original scheduled race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was postponed until the end of the season . After the race , he performed a Polish victory lap while holding a large American flag out the driver 's side window
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Dale Earnhardt Jr.