02.12.2024 - By Nate Ryan, NASCAR on NBC Sports
On the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Daytona 500, revisiting some of the major storylines and big moments before, during and after Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning the Great American Race for the first time. With President George W. Bush and a cavalcade of stars on hand, NASCAR opened its season with a new title sponsor in Nextel and a new playoff-style system to choose its champion.