The following is a production of Dirtymo Media.

By the time the last campers pulled out of Daytona International Speedway, the tide and American

motorsports had shifted.

A fight between Kill Yarborough and the Allison brothers, mixed with Petty's 6 Daytona 500 victory, served as the epicenter

of a storm that would shake the country to its core.

When the weekend's television ratings came in, 16 million people witnessed NASCAR's ultimate

showcase. TV executives were elated in America was hungry for more.

An entire new generation of stock car fans were born. Here's David Hobbs, who saw it all unfold

from the broadcast booth. It was the absolute turning point for NASCAR. All the TV networks

are knocking themselves over to do NASCAR. It just put them

right on the map. But lost in the commotion and celebration of this historic event was the

arrival of Dale Earnhardt on NASCAR's biggest stage. Through Daytona's Speed Weeks, the 28-year-old

demonstrated a type of fearlessness and precision that was unlike any old

rookie. Dad not only held his own against the sports best, but at times he passed them. If not

for a faulty cylinder in the final 10 laps, who knows what would have happened. But from this

point forward, Earnhardt was to be considered a legitimate contender.

The question many wondered, how long before he would become a winner?

I'm Dellenhart Jr.

On this episode of Becoming Earnhardt, we ride the momentum of Daytona into the next five races of the 1979 season,

Rockingham, Richmond, Atlanta, North Wiltsboro, and Bristol.

Now, the first race on the schedule is at Richmond.

It's the 400 lapper, but it snowed out. This snow that was all up and down

...