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Daytona Throwback: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins 2015 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 8/24/23

With another Daytona summer race before us, let’s rewind the clock to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s win in 2015 in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Dale Jr. was excellent in this race, however, that might not be the reason why you remember this NASCAR event in particular.

For those that have a sharp mind, you will remember this is the race where Austin Dillon went into the catch fence. It was a terrifying wreck that had Dale Jr. asking his team what happened instead of celebrating the victory.

Dillon was caught up in a wreck after the finish. When he turned, his car caught air and went up and over the field. Drivers recalled how terrifying it was to watch. In the race video, you can hear Earnhardt reacting as he watched his rearview mirror, “Oh my God!”

During this season, Dale Jr. didn’t just win the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Junior also won Talladega and Phoenix in the 2015 season on his way to a 12th-place finish overall that season.

Dillon would go on to walk out of the car and wave to the crowd. It is one of those wrecks that people still remember to this day for good reasons. The catch fence did what it was supposed to do. Drivers made it out relatively unscathed, including Dillon. However, it was a reminder of just how dangerous the sport truly is.

Coke Zero Sugar 400 favorite needs a win

This season, it might surprise you to know who the favorite is heading into Daytona. For the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400, Chase Elliott has the favor of Las Vegas. Even though he hasn’t won yet, the bookmakers think that this is the weekend when the 2020 champ turns it around.

At 11-1 odds, he isn’t a massive favorite. It is still wild that Elliott, or anyone for that matter, could be considered a favorite for this race. There are so many drivers who are putting all of their hope into this race and it will be a physical event.

We might get not one but two big ones in this race. Drivers like Bubba Wallace will try to balance the issues between needing points and racing for a win. Then, there are others who just have to get the win and walk off into the playoffs with their checkered flag.

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is going to have a lot riding on the line this Saturday night. What kind of action are we going to see?

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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