Relive the 2001 NASCAR EA Sports 500 at Talladega in Widescreen HD

The NASCAR Classics YouTube channel is offering fans a chance to revisit the early 2000s era of the sport through high-quality widescreen HD footage complete with trackside audio and no commentary. The latest release covers the EA Sports 500, the fall Cup Series race at Talladega from 2001. The 2001 season followed a tragic start with the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in a crash at the Daytona 500, where Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 1-2 for the Dale Earnhardt Inc. team. Dale Earnhardt Jr. became a focal point of the season, scoring emotional wins including the Pepsi 400 at Daytona and the first race following the September 11th attacks at Dover, and received loud cheers during his victory at Talladega. Jeff Gordon ultimately claimed the championship that year in a star-studded field that featured competitors like Tony Stewart and a 42-year-old Mark Martin driving a Viagra-sponsored Ford. Featuring roaring engines, competitive racing, and memorable period sponsor liveries, the footage showcases NASCAR during a period of immense popularity.