It was an emotional win for Dale Earnhardt Jr Friday night at Daytona International Speedway!

photo credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

“I was so worried that I wasn’t going to win, ’cause nothing but a win would get it—for everybody,” Earnhardt said. “I worked hard to try to win, not only for daddy—I’m proud of him going to the Hall of Fame, and he would be proud of this, I’m sure, but just all these fans. I hope they enjoyed this. This is it. No more 3 for me. That’s it.”

Earnhardt led 33 of 102 total laps Friday night on the way to his sixth series victory at the historic track, one less than his father’s seven series victories there.

After a third place starting spot, Earnhardt jumped out in the lead for the first time on lap 3, but it was short-lived. He didn’t have the car to beat until late in the race once grabbing the lead on lap 70.

photo credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

With less than 5 laps remaining, Paul Menard brought out the fourth and final caution after hitting the wall, sending debris from a blown tire all over the race track. It set up a green, white, checkered finish which gave the field one more chance at passing Earnhardt. There were no takers.

“I was just relieved,” Earnhardt Jr said. “Victory Lane’s like when you’re a little kid and you’ve got a tree house or you and your buddies got a clubhouse in the woods. That’s what Victory Lane is to me, and I like going there. You miss it really bad, but you know it’s there and you can get back there again if you try really hard.”

It’s his 23rd victory in 115 races in the Nationwide Series and first since Michigan in 2006. His last Sprint cup Series victory also came at Michigan in 2008, 85 races ago.

“Every time I win, I just soak it up like a sponge,” he said.

Joey Logano lined up behind Earnhardt on the final restart, but was unable to make a move around the 3.

“I probably gained a lot of fans tonight by pushing the 3 to victory, but I’d much rather be in Victory Lane,” Logano said. “It’s cool to see the 3 in Victory Lane at Daytona. It’s really neat. A lot of people thought they would never see that again.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr finished 3rd followed by points leader Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Brian Ickler and Steve Arpin rounded out the top-10.

For the (unofficial) race results, click here (nascar.com)

The race marked the debut of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger in the series. Both cars will be integrated full-time next season.

There were 4 cautions for 16 laps and 13 lead changes among 8 drivers: B. Keselowski 1-11; K. Harvick 12-13; C. Edwards 14-15; C. Bowyer 16-26; B. Keselowski 27-31; K. Busch 32-33; K. Harvick 34; K. Busch 35-40; J. Logano 41; C. Bowyer 42-47; K. Busch 48-49; J. Allgaier 50-60; K. Busch 61-69; D. Earnhardt Jr. 70-102