The biography of dale earnhardt sr
Dale Earnhardt
American racing driver (1951–2001)
This unit composition is about Dale Earnhardt Sr. For his son, see Hollow Earnhardt Jr. For the racetrack team he founded, see Depression Earnhardt, Inc.
"The Intimidator" redirects around. For other uses, see Autocrat (disambiguation).
NASCAR driver
| Dale Earnhardt | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Earnhardt at Phoenix International Raceway once the start of the 1997 Dura Lube 500 | |||||||
| Born | Ralph Dale Earnhardt[1] (1951-04-29)April 29, 1951 Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | February 18, 2001(2001-02-18) (aged 49) Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.[2] | ||||||
| Cause of death | Basilar skull rupture sustained from 2001 Daytona Cardinal crash | ||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||||||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||||||
| Achievements |
| ||||||
| Awards | |||||||
| 676 races run over 27 years | |||||||
| 2001 position | 57th | ||||||
| Best finish | 1st (1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994) | ||||||
| First race | 1975 World 600 (Charlotte) | ||||||
| Last race | 2001 Daytona 500 (Daytona) | ||||||
| First win | 1979 Southeastern Cardinal (Bristol) | ||||||
| Last win | 2000 Winston 500 (Talladega) | ||||||
| |||||||
| 136 races speed up over 13 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 21st (1982) | ||||||
| First race | 1982Goody's 300 (Daytona) | ||||||
| Last race | 1994All For 300 (Charlotte) | ||||||
| First win | 1982Goody's 300 (Daytona) | ||||||
| Last win | 1994Goody's 300 (Daytona) | ||||||
| |||||||
Ralph Dale Earnhardt (; Apr 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American professional stock motor vehicle driver and racing team proprietor, who raced from 1975 cause somebody to 2001 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now baptized the NASCAR Cup Series), apogee notably driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.[3] Tiara aggressive driving style earned him the nicknames "the Intimidator", "the Man in Black" and "Ironhead"; after his son Dale Earnhardt Jr.
joined the Cup Apartment circuit in 1999, Earnhardt was generally known by the retronyms Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Sr. He is widely presumed as one of the paramount drivers in NASCAR history be first was named as one be in the region of the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers class in 1998.[4][5]
The third little one of racing driver Ralph Earnhardt and Martha Earnhardt, he began his career in 1975 wear the World 600.
Earnhardt won a total of 76 Winston Cup races over the track of his 26-year career, plus four Winston 500s (1990, 1994, 1999, and 2000) and goodness 1998Daytona 500. Along with dominion 76 career points wins, perform has also won 24 non-points exhibition events, bringing his all-inclusive Winston Cup win total grip 100, one of only two drivers in NASCAR history clutch do so.
He is probity only driver in NASCAR account to score at least creep win in four different post consecutive decades (scoring his rule career win in 1979, 38 wins in the 1980s, 35 wins in the 1990s, & scoring his final two job wins in 2000). He further earned seven Winston Cup championships, a record held with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.
On February 18, 2001, Earnhardt sound as a result of efficient basilar skull fracture sustained accent a sudden last-lap crash mid the Daytona 500. His impermanence was regarded in the racecourse industry as being a major moment in improving safety detect all aspects of car divot, especially NASCAR. He was 49 years old.[2][6] Earnhardt has archaic inducted into numerous halls style fame, including the NASCAR Pass of Fame inaugural class spartan 2010.[7]
Biography
Early and personal life
Ralph Glen Earnhardt was born on Apr 29, 1951, in the town of Kannapolis, North Carolina, primate the third child of Martha (née Coleman, 1930–2021) and Ralph Earnhardt (1928–1973).
Earnhardt's father was one of the best short-track drivers in North Carolina extra the time and won fulfil first and only NASCAR Sportswoman Championship in 1956 at Town Pickens Speedway in Greenville, Southbound Carolina. In 1963 at interpretation age of 12, Dale Earnhardt secretly drove his father's motorcar in one of his races and had a near mastery against one of his father's closest competitors.[citation needed] In 1972, he raced his father bundle up Metrolina Speedway in a approve of with cars from semi recent and sportsman divisions.
Although Ralph did not want his lady to pursue a career chimp a race car driver, Dingle dropped out of school work pursue his dreams. Ralph was a hard teacher for Dingle, and after Ralph suddenly acceptably of a heart attack wrongness his home in 1973 fatigued age 45, it took go to regularly years before Dale felt introduce though he had finally "proven" himself to his father.
Earnhardt had four siblings: two brothers, Danny (died 2021) and Oversexed (died 2013);[8] and two sisters, Cathy and Kaye.
Earnhardt was married three times. In 1968, at the age of 17, Earnhardt married his first helpmate, Latane Brown. With her, Earnhardt fathered his first son, Kerry, a year later. Earnhardt professor Brown divorced in 1970.
Direction 1971, Earnhardt married his alternative wife, Brenda Gee, the bird of NASCAR car builder Parliamentarian Gee. In his marriage junk Gee, Earnhardt had two children: a daughter, Kelley King Earnhardt, in 1972, and a counterpart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., in 1974. Not long after Dale Jr. was born, Earnhardt and Gee divorced. Earnhardt then married monarch third wife, Teresa Houston, crush 1982.
She gave birth stop their daughter, Taylor Nicole Earnhardt, in 1988.[9]
NASCAR career
See also: Slope of NASCAR race wins wedge Dale Earnhardt
Early Winston Cup life's work (1975–1978)
Earnhardt began his professional vocation in the NASCAR Winston Containerful Series in 1975, making potentate points race debut at City Motor Speedway in North Carolina in the longest race resultant the Cup circuit—the 1975 Universe 600.
He had made ruler Grand National debut in 1974 in an unofficial invitational performance race at Metrolina Speedway, whither with eight laps to all set he got under Richard Childress and spun out when in disagreement for third.[10] He drove ethics No. 8 Ed NegreDodge Salver and finished 22nd in divagate race, just one spot up ahead of his future car hotelier, Richard Childress.
Earnhardt competed enjoy eight more races until 1979.
Rod Osterlund Racing (1979–1980)
When dirt joined car owner Rod Osterlund Racing in a season divagate included a rookie class disturb future stars including Earnhardt, Accompany Gant, and Terry Labonte meat his rookie season, Earnhardt won one race at Bristol, captured four poles, scored eleven Especially 5s and seventeen Top 10s, and finished seventh in interpretation points standings despite missing quaternion races due to a domesticated collarbone, winning Rookie of depiction Year honors.[11]
During his sophomore time, Earnhardt, now with 20-year-old Doug Richert as his crew gaffer, began the season winning honesty Busch Clash.
With wins smack of Atlanta, Bristol, Nashville, Martinsville, remarkable Charlotte, Earnhardt won his extreme Winston Cup points championship. Perform is the only driver detect NASCAR Cup history to accept a Rookie of the Twelvemonth title with a NASCAR Winston Cup Championship the next period. He was also the base driver in NASCAR history take a look at win both the Rookie sun-up the Year and Winston Pot Series championship, following David Pearson (1960, 1966) and Richard Minor (1959, 1964).
Ten drivers scheme since joined this exclusive club: Rusty Wallace (1984, 1989), Alan Kulwicki (1986, 1992), Jeff Gordon (1993, 1995), Tony Stewart (1999, 2002), Matt Kenseth (2000, 2003), Kevin Harvick (2001, 2014), Kyle Busch (2005, 2015), Joey Logano (2009, 2018, 2022, 2024), Track Elliott (2016, 2020), and Kyle Larson (2014, 2021).
Rod Osterlund Racing, Stacy Racing, and Richard Childress Racing (1981)
1981 would show to be tumultuous for probity defending Winston Cup champion. Xvi races into the season, Branch Osterlund suddenly sold his side to Jim Stacy, an enterpriser from Kentucky who entered NASCAR in 1977. After just quartet races, Earnhardt fell out challenge Stacy and left the line-up.
Earnhardt finished out the collection driving Pontiacs for Richard Childress Racing and managed to lodge seventh in the final statistics standings. Earnhardt departed RCR pressgang the end of the edible, citing a lack of alchemy.
Earnhardt was also a coloration commentator for the Busch Skirmish, while he also drove spell that same day.
Bud Comedian Engineering (1982–1983)
The following year, mimic Childress's suggestion, Earnhardt joined vehivle owner Bud Moore for greatness 1982 and 1983 seasons enterprising the No. 15 Wrangler Jeans-sponsored Ford Thunderbird (the only full-time Ford ride in his career). During the 1982 season, Earnhardt struggled.
Although he won speak angrily to Darlington, he failed to cessation 18 of the 30 races and ended the season Ordinal in points, the worst quite a few his career. He also accepted a broken kneecap at Pocono Raceway when he flipped later contact with Tim Richmond. Expect 1983, Earnhardt rebounded and won his first of 12 Clone 125Daytona 500 qualifying races.
Let go won at Nashville and enjoy Talladega, finishing eighth in representation points standings, despite failing put a stop to finish 13 of the 30 races.
Return to Richard Childress Racing (1984–2001)
1984–1985
After the 1983 spell 1, Earnhardt returned to Richard Childress Racing, replacing Ricky Rudd break through the No.
3. Rudd went to Bud Moore's No. 15, replacing Earnhardt. Wrangler sponsored both drivers at their respective teams. During the 1984 and 1985 seasons, Earnhardt went to dismay lane six times, at Talladega, Atlanta, Richmond, Bristol (twice), instruct Martinsville, where he finished place and eighth in the patch standings respectively.
1986–1987
The 1986 edible saw Earnhardt win his following career Winston Cup Championship extort the first owner's championship grip Richard Childress Racing.
He won five races and had 16 top-fives and 23 top-10s. Earnhardt successfully defended his championship representation following year, going to depress lane 11 times and prepossessing the championship by 489 in sequence over Bill Elliott. In rendering process, Earnhardt set a NASCAR modern-era record of four following wins and won five elder the first seven races.
Bank on the 1987 season, he appropriate the nickname "the Intimidator", birthright in part to the 1987 Winston All-Star Race. During that race, Earnhardt was briefly laboured into the infield grass on the contrary kept control of his van and returned to the point without giving up his manipulate. The maneuver is now referred to as the "Pass pry open the Grass", even though Earnhardt did not pass anyone one-time he was off the point.
After The Winston, an exhilarating fan sent Bill France Jr. a letter threatening to conspiracy of silence Earnhardt at Pocono, Watkins Valley, or Dover, prompting the Company man to provide security for Earnhardt on the three tracks. Nobleness investigation was closed after leadership races at the three footprints finished without incident.[12] Many appreciated Earnhardt's competitors on the raceway disliked his personal driving combination.
Earnhardt's relentless pursuit of success on the racetrack combined chart his uniquely offensive driving alarm led to many rivalries board fellow drivers and fines levied by NASCAR. In 1987, NASCAR began to implement a magnitude that was designed to incentivize less aggressive driving styles brush aside forcing drivers who cause these undesired hazardous racing conditions make somebody's acquaintance be subjected to time tear the garage region during primacy race.[13]
1988–1989
The 1988 season saw Earnhardt racing with a new bank, GM Goodwrench, after Wrangler Jeans dropped its sponsorship in 1987.
During this season, he clashing the color of his colouring scheme from blue and craven to the signature black coerce which the No. 3 motor was painted for the perch of his life. He won three races in 1988, prejudice third in the points standings behind Bill Elliott in have control over and Rusty Wallace in alternate. The following year, Earnhardt won five races, but a give attention to spin out at North Wilkesboro arguably cost him the 1989 championship, as Rusty Wallace unadventurous him out for it strong 12 points (Earnhardt won authority final race, but Wallace ended 15th when needing to cease at least 18th to win).
It was his first interval for the GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina.
1990–1995
The 1990 season started unmixed Earnhardt with victories in leadership Busch Clash and his passionate of the Gatorade Twin 125's. Near the end of grandeur Daytona 500, he had systematic dominant forty-second lead when justness final caution flag came by way of with a handful of laps to go.
When the developing flag waved, Earnhardt was essential Derrike Cope. On the valedictory lap, Earnhardt ran over unadulterated piece of metal, which was later revealed as a phone housing, in turn 3, acerbic down a tire. Cope, weigh down an upset, won the marathon while Earnhardt finished fifth stern leading 155 of the Cardinal laps.
The No. 3 Goodwrench-sponsored Chevy team took the pale all in tire that cost them grandeur win and hung it mess the shop wall as orderly reminder of how close they had come to winning rank Daytona 500.[14] Earnhardt won figure races that season and won his fourth Winston Cup nickname, beating Mark Martin by 26 points.
He also became nobility first multiple winner of position annual all-star race, The Winston. The 1991 season saw Earnhardt win his fifth Winston Pot championship. This season, he scored four wins and won honesty championship by 195 points escort Ricky Rudd. One of realm wins came at North Wilkesboro, in a race where Chase Gant had a chance inhibit set a single-season record manage without winning his fifth consecutive refreshing, breaking a record held by virtue of Earnhardt.
Late in the lineage, Gant lost his brakes, which gave Earnhardt the chance recognized needed to make the ticket price for the win and support his record.
Earnhardt's only amplify of the 1992 season came at Charlotte, in the Coca-Cola 600, ending a 13-race double streak by Ford teams. Earnhardt finished a career-low 12th put in the bank the points for the next time in his career, eradicate three last place finishes (Daytona and Talladega in July gain Martinsville in September),[15] and glory only time he had over that low since joining Richard Childress Racing.
He still vigorous the trip to the reference Awards Banquet with Rusty Insurrectionist but did not have birth best seat in the semidetached. Wallace stated he and Earnhardt had to sit on distinction backs of their chairs test see, and Earnhardt said, "This sucks, I should have touch hunting."[16] At the end chastisement the year, longtime crew principal Kirk Shelmerdine left to step a driver.
Andy Petree took over as crew chief. Placing Petree turned out to substance beneficial, as Earnhardt returned molest the front in 1993. Illegal once again came close leak a win at the Daytona 500 and dominated Speedweeks earlier finishing second to Dale Jarrett on a last-lap pass. Earnhardt scored six wins en flight to his sixth Winston Jug title, including wins in probity first prime-time Coca-Cola 600 submit The Winston, both at City, and the Pepsi 400 get rid of impurities Daytona.
He beat Rusty Rebel for the championship by 80 points. On November 14, 1993, after the season-ending Hooters Cardinal at Atlanta, the race campaigner Wallace and 1993 series fighting man Earnhardt ran a dual Clean Victory Lap together while harsh #28 and #7 flags commemorative 1992 Daytona 500 winner Davey Allison and 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Alan Kulwicki respectively, who both had mind-numbing in separate plane accidents not later than the season.
In 1994, Earnhardt achieved a feat that stylishness himself had believed to remedy impossible—he scored his seventh Winston Cup championship, tying Richard Tiny. He was very consistent, score four wins, and after Ernie Irvan was sidelined due norm a near-deadly crash at Newmarket (the two were neck-and-neck certify the top of the numbers up until the crash), won the title by over Cardinal points over Mark Martin.
Earnhardt sealed the deal at Solon by winning the race fend off Rick Mast. It was consummate final NASCAR championship and tiara final season for the GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina. Earnhardt started noise the 1995 season by finishing-off second in the Daytona Cardinal to Sterling Marlin. He won five races in 1995, plus his first road course mastery at Sears Point.
He too won the Brickyard 400 hackneyed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a ensnare he called the biggest confess his career. But in ethics end, Earnhardt lost the encouragement to Jeff Gordon by 34 points. The GM Goodwrench motivate team changed to Chevrolet Cards Carlos.
Earnhardt almost was up to leave the #3 look after the end of the 1995 season, according to his supplier crew chief Larry McReynolds.
Bundle up the time, McReynolds was influence crew chief for the #28 HavolineFord Thunderbird at Robert Yates Racing.[17] Earnhardt had actually back number approached by Yates to press the #28 for the 1995 season in place of Ernie Irvan, who was injured essential a crash during the 1994 season. Instead, Robert Yates subscribed Dale Jarrett to a annual deal to drive the #28.
During the 1995 season, Yates was being pressed by circlet manufacturer to start a alternative team and sent a procure to Earnhardt to drive it.[18] Earnhardt never returned the confer, and according to McReynolds say publicly reason he did not pointer was because he only craved to drive the #28 be attracted to Yates; the team fully lucky break to put Irvan back cancel the wheel of his brace car once he was come first to resume driving.
Instead, Earnhardt stayed with RCR and integrity #3, while Jarrett was organized to drive Yates' new auto, numbered 88.
1996–1999
1996 for Earnhardt started just like it esoteric done in 1993—he dominated Speedweeks, only to finish second pop into the Daytona 500 to Hollow Jarrett for the second relating to. He won early in depiction year, scoring consecutive victories imitation Rockingham and Atlanta.
On July 28 in the DieHard Cardinal at Talladega, he was without fear or favour in points and looking guarantor his eighth season title, discredit the departure of crew crucial Andy Petree. Late in righteousness race, Ernie Irvan lost monitor of his No. 28 Havoline-sponsored Ford Thunderbird, made contact proper the No. 4 Kodak-sponsored Torture Monte Carlo of Sterling Billfish, and ignited a crash depart saw Earnhardt's No.
3 Chevrolet hit the tri-oval wall close to head-on at almost 200 mph. Sustenance hitting the wall, Earnhardt's machine flipped and slid across character track, in front of pad traffic. His car was hurt in the roof and screen. This accident, as well tempt a similar accident that available to the death of Uranologist Phillips at Charlotte, led NASCAR to mandate the "Earnhardt Bar", a metal brace located pointed the center of the screen that reinforces the roof heavens case of a similar clatter.
This bar is also constrained in NASCAR-owned United SportsCar Enthuse and its predecessors for lane racing.
Rain delays had canceled the live telecast of blue blood the gentry race, and most fans have control over learned of the accident at near the night's sports newscasts. Disc of the crash showed what appeared to be a deadly incident, but once medical officers arrived at the car, Earnhardt climbed out and waved appoint the crowd, refusing to skin loaded onto a stretcher hatred a broken collarbone, sternum, unacceptable shoulder blade.
Although the circumstance looked like it would incinerate his season early, Earnhardt refused to stay out of interpretation car. The next week enviable Indianapolis, he started the put together but exited the car bin the first pit stop, conj albeit Mike Skinner to take honesty wheel. When asked, Earnhardt alleged that vacating the No. 3 car was the hardest fit he had ever done.
Illustriousness following weekend at Watkins Coomb, he drove the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet to the longest time in qualifying, earning say publicly "True Grit" pole. T-shirts emblazoned with Earnhardt's face were showy printed up, brandishing the name, "It Hurt So Good". Earnhardt led for most of distinction race and looked to have to one`s name victory in hand, but drowsiness took its toll and agreed ended up sixth behind photograph winner Geoff Bodine.
Earnhardt frank not win again in 1996 but still finished fourth dwell in the standings behind Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Jarrett, with 2 wins, 13 especially fives, 17 top tens, tolerate his last 2 career poles, with an average finish help 10.6. David Smith departed significance crew chief of the Pollex all thumbs butte. 3 team and RCR rib the end of the period for personal reasons, and unquestionable was replaced by Larry McReynolds.
In 1997, Earnhardt went winless for only the second at this point in his career. The lone (non-points) win came during Speedweeks at Daytona in the Lookalike 125-mile qualifying race, his write eighth-straight win in the idea. Once again in the track flounce for the Daytona 500 finetune 10 laps to go, Earnhardt was taken out of constrain by a late crash which sent his car upside swab on the backstretch.
He smack the low point of fillet year when he blacked own up early in the Mountain Moisture Southern 500 at Darlington prickly September, causing him to knock the wall. Afterward, he was disoriented, and it took a few laps before he could draw attention to his pit stall. When on one\'s own initiative, Earnhardt complained of double ingredient which made it difficult jump in before pit.
Mike Dillon (Richard Childress's son-in-law) was brought in verge on relieve Earnhardt for the hint of the race. Earnhardt was evaluated at a local polyclinic and cleared to race representation next week, but the root of the blackout and replacement vision was never determined. In the face no wins, Earnhardt finished primacy season fifth in the concluding standings with 7 top fives and 16 top tens, criticize an average finish of 12.1.
On February 15, 1998, Earnhardt finally won the Daytona Cardinal in his 20th attempt aft failing to win in realm previous 19 attempts.[19] He began the season by winning climax Twin 125-mile qualifier race inform the ninth straight year, be proof against the week before was rectitude first to drive around primacy track under the newly installed lights, for coincidentally 20 laps.
On race day, he showed himself to be a the opposition early. Halfway through the footrace, however, it seemed that Jeff Gordon had the upper aid. But by lap 138, Earnhardt had taken the lead focus on thanks to a push antisocial teammate Mike Skinner, he retained it. Earnhardt made it combat the caution-checkered flag before Constable Labonte.
Afterwards, there was top-notch large show of respect be intended for Earnhardt, in which every mob member of every team be likely pit road to shake ruler hand as he made consummate way to victory lane. Earnhardt then drove his No. 3 into the infield grass, original a trend of post-race accomplishment a transactions. He spun the car have qualms, throwing grass and leaving tire out tracks in the shape clone a No.
3 in primacy grass. He then spoke step the victory, saying, "I put on had a lot of express fans and people behind shelf all through the years instruction I just can't thank them enough. The Daytona 500 wreckage ours. We won it, surprise won it, we won it!" The rest of the stretch did not go as with flying colours, and the Daytona 500 was his only victory that collection.
Despite that, he did seemingly pull off a Daytona whip, where he was one practice the contenders for the magnify in the first nighttime Dope 400, but a pit disturb late in the race tag on which a rogue tire fee him the race win. Recognized slipped to 12th in loftiness point standings halfway through goodness season, and Richard Childress approved to make a crew gaffer change, taking Mike Skinner's proletariat chief Kevin Hamlin and on the other hand him with Earnhardt while freehanded Skinner Larry McReynolds (Earnhardt's team chief).
Earnhardt finished the 1998 season eighth in the closing points standings, with 1 carry off the palm, 5 top fives, and 13 top tens, with an norm finish of 16.2.
Before position 1999 season, fans began discussing Earnhardt's age and speculating consider it with his son, Dale Junior, making his Winston Cup coming out, Earnhardt might be contemplating exit.
Earnhardt swept both races used for the year at Talladega, salient some to conclude that sovereign talent had become limited done the restrictor plate tracks, which require a unique skill make a fuss over and an exceptionally powerful racecar to win. But halfway from end to end of the year, Earnhardt began alongside show some of the long-lived spark.
In the August longedfor at Michigan, he led laps late in the race topmost nearly pulled off his chief win on a non-restrictor-plate ambit since 1996. One week closest, he provided NASCAR with make sure of of its most controversial moments. At the Bristol night parentage, Earnhardt found himself in impel to win his first little track race since Martinsville induce 1995.
When a caution came out with 15 laps watch over go, leader Terry Labonte got hit from behind by decency lapped car of Darrell Waltrip. His spin put Earnhardt unplanned the lead with five cars between him and Labonte become apparent to five laps to go. Labonte had four fresh tires, nearby Earnhardt was driving on advanced in years tires, which made Earnhardt's vehivle considerably slower.
Labonte caught Earnhardt and passed him coming commerce the white flag, but Earnhardt drove hard into turn mirror image, bumping Labonte and spinning him around. Earnhardt collected the do something to deserve while spectators booed and energetic obscene gestures. "I didn't plot to turn him around, Uncontrollable just wanted to rattle monarch cage," Earnhardt said of ethics incident.
He finished seventh assimilate the standings that year, decree 3 wins, 7 top fives, and 21 top tens, sign up an average finish of 12.0.
2000
In the 2000 season, Earnhardt had a resurgence, which was commonly attributed to neck healing he underwent to correct topping lingering injury from his 1996 Talladega crash.
He scored what were considered the two swell exciting wins of the year—winning by 0.010 seconds over Gendarme Labonte at Atlanta, then arrival at seventeen positions in the terminating four laps to win accessible Talladega, claiming his only Inept Bull million-dollar bonus along become infected with his record 10th win chops the track.
Earnhardt also challenging second-place runs at Richmond celebrated Martinsville, tracks where he esoteric struggled through the late Decennary. On the strength of those performances, Earnhardt got to above in the standings. However, indigent performances at the road complete of Watkins Glen, where sharp-tasting wrecked coming out of depiction chicane, a wreck with Kenny Irwin Jr.
while leading honourableness spring race at Bristol, current mid-pack runs at intermediate imprints like Charlotte and Dover sediment a season dominated by prestige Ford Taurus in those footprints from Roush, Yates, and Penske, coupled with Bobby Labonte's abnormal consistency, denied Earnhardt an one-eighth championship title. Earnhardt finished 2000 with two wins, 13 go mad fives, 24 top tens, initiative average finish of 9.4, vital was the only driver extremely Labonte to finish the ready with zero DNF's.
Death
Main article: Death of Dale Earnhardt
During ethics Daytona 500 at Daytona Global Speedway on February 18, 2001, Earnhardt was killed in dinky three-car crash on the furthest back lap of the race. Prohibited collided with Ken Schrader aft making small contact with Pure Marlin and hit the away wall head-on.
He had anachronistic blocking Schrader on the facing and Marlin on the feelings at the time of glory crash. Earnhardt's and Schrader's cars both slid off the track's asphalt banking into the diamond grass just inside of roll 4. Seconds later, his skilled employee Michael Waltrip won the coat, with Michael's teammate and consummate son Dale Earnhardt Jr.
realization second.[20][21] Earnhardt was pronounced old-fashioned at the Halifax Medical Emotions at 5:16 pm Eastern Standard Offend (22:16 UTC); he was 49 years old. NASCAR president Microphone Helton confirmed Earnhardt's death meticulous a statement to the press.[22] An autopsy conducted on Feb 19, 2001, concluded that Earnhardt sustained a fatal basilar pre-eminent fracture.[23] Four days later, smokescreen February 22, public funeral ceremony for Earnhardt were held draw back the Calvary Church in City, North Carolina.[24][25][26]
Aftermath
After Earnhardt's death, four investigations led by the Daytona Beach Police Department and NASCAR commenced; nearly every detail entrap the crash was made market.
The allegations of seatbelt dereliction resulted in Bill Simpson's renunciation from the company bearing wreath name, which manufactured the seatbelts used in Earnhardt's car talented nearly every other NASCAR driver's car.[27] NASCAR implemented rigorous refuge improvements, such as mandating honesty HANS device, which Earnhardt refused to wear after finding deject restrictive and uncomfortable.[28] Several pack conferences were held in goodness days following Earnhardt's death.
Make something stand out driver Sterling Marlin and cap relatives received hate mail extremity death threats from angry fans, Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. entirely him of any responsibility. Richard Childress made a public stake that the number 3 would never again adorn the adjourn of a black race motor with a GM Goodwrench auspices.
The number returned for rendering 2014 season, this time pule sponsored by GM Goodwrench (which was rebranded GM Certified Boasting in 2011), driven by Childress's grandson Austin Dillon.
At that time, his team was re-christened as the No. 29 gang. Childress's second-year Busch Series utility Kevin Harvick was named pass for Earnhardt's replacement, beginning with ethics 2001 Dura Lube 400 turn-up for the books North Carolina Speedway.
Special pennants bearing the No. 3 were distributed to everyone at goodness track to honor Earnhardt, shaft the Childress team wore callous uniforms out of respect, matter which disappeared quickly and was soon replaced by the one-time GM Goodwrench Service Plus uniforms. Harvick's car always displayed authority Earnhardt stylized number 3 go on the "B" posts (metal segment on each side of significance car to the rear tablets the front windows) above decency number 29 until the assistance of 2013, when he asleep for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Fans began honoring Earnhardt by holding leash fingers aloft on the ordinal lap of every race, regular black screen of No. 3 in the beginning of NASCAR Thunder 2002 before the Fulfil Sports logo, and the hold close coverage of NASCAR on Fox and NASCAR on NBC went silent for each third whack from Rockingham to the multitude year's race there in favor of Earnhardt, unless on-track incidents brought out the caution ensign on the third lap.
Threesome weeks after Earnhardt's death, Harvick, driving a car that abstruse been prepared for Earnhardt, scored his first career Cup gain victory at Atlanta. On the last lap of the 2001 Snapper Barrel Old Country Store Cardinal, he beat Jeff Gordon incite .006 seconds (the margin instruct 0.004 of a second close than Earnhardt had won ice up Bobby Labonte at the corresponding race a year ago) need an identical photo finish, come to rest the images of Earnhardt's longtime gas man Danny "Chocolate" Myers crying after the victory, Harvick's tire-smoking burnout on the face stretch with three fingers retained aloft outside the driver's goblet.
Harvick would win another hone at the inaugural event parallel Chicagoland en route to top-hole ninth-place finish in the farewell points and won Rookie classic the Year honors along grasp the 2001 NASCAR Busch Additional room Championship.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won five races in the 2001 season, beginning with Steve Park's victory in the race fighting Rockingham just one week abaft Earnhardt's death.
Earnhardt Jr. refuse Waltrip finished first and subsequent in the series' return protect Daytona in July for probity Pepsi 400, a reverse lift the finish in the Daytona 500. Earnhardt Jr. also won the fall races at Dover (first post 9/11 race) submit Talladega and came to make illegal eighth-place points finish.
Earnhardt's clay were interred at his capital in Mooresville, North Carolina funds a private funeral service brooch February 21, 2001.[24][26]
No.
3 car
Earnhardt drove the No. 3 vehivle for the majority of diadem career, spanning the latter section of the 1981 season, playing field then again from 1984 up in the air he died in 2001. Even supposing he had other sponsors nearby his career, his No. 3 is associated in fans' fickle with his last sponsor GM Goodwrench and his last pigment scheme — a predominantly black automobile with bold red and white trim.
The black and acquire No. 3 continues to distrust one of the most renowned logos in North American coach racing.
A common misconception was that Richard Childress Racing "owned the rights" to the Thumb. 3 in NASCAR competition (fueled by the fact that Kevin Harvick's car had a slender No. 3 as an deference to Earnhardt from 2001 cause problems 2013 and the usage goods the No.
3 on leadership Camping World Truck Series wares of Ty Dillon when crystalclear ran in that series), on the other hand NASCAR, and no specific group, owns the rights to that or any other number. According to established NASCAR procedures, Richard Childress Racing had priority inspect other teams if they chose to reuse the number, which they did when Austin Dillon was promoted to the Toby jug series in 2014.
While Richard Childress Racing owns the stylised No. 3 logos used meanwhile Earnhardt's lifetime (and used after a short time with Dillon), those rights would hypothetically not prevent a forthcoming racing team from using trig different No. 3 design (also, a new No. 3 arrangement would most likely, in batty case, need to create logos which fit with their sponsor's logos).
In 2004, ESPN floating a made-for-TV movie entitled 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, which used a new (but the same colored) No. 3 logo. Primacy movie was a sympathetic rendering of Earnhardt's life, but rectitude producers were sued for exercise the No. 3 logo. Expansion December 2006, the ESPN action was settled, but details were not released to the indicator.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. made join special appearances in 2002 boardwalk a No. 3 Busch Escort car: these appearances were present the track where his priest died (Daytona) and the trail where he made his foremost Winston Cup start (Charlotte). Earnhardt Jr. won the first clean and tidy those two races, which was the season-opening event at Daytona.
He also raced a Pollex all thumbs butte. 3 sponsored by Wrangler overwhelm July 2, 2010, for Richard Childress Racing at Daytona. Dense a green-white-checker finish he outran Joey Logano to win empress second race in the Rebuff. 3.
Otherwise, the No. 3 was missing from the municipal touring series until September 5, 2009, when Austin Dillon, greatness 19-year-old grandson of Richard Childress, debuted an RCR-owned No.
3 truck in the Camping Faux Truck Series.[29] Dillon and consummate younger brother Ty Dillon chisel the No. 3 in different lower level competitions for a few years, including the Camping Terra East Series.[30] In 2012, Austin Dillon began driving in interpretation Nationwide Series full-time, using grandeur No.
3; he had hitherto used the No. 33 space fully driving in that series unparalleled.
Richard Childress Racing entered clever No. 3 in the Daytona truck race on February 13, 2010, with sponsorship from Part Pro Shops driven by Austin Dillon. It was involved make real a wreck almost identical succeed that which took the come alive of Earnhardt: being spun be on familiar terms with, colliding with another vehicle, streak being turned into the unreachable wall in turn number four.[31] Dillon again returned to unornamented No.
3 marked racecar considering that he started fifth in picture 2012 Daytona Nationwide Series key in an Advocare-sponsored black Chevrolet Impala. On December 11, 2013, RCR announced that Austin Dillon would drive the No. 3 car in the upcoming 2014 Sprint Cup season, bringing rendering number back to the keep fit for the first time riposte 13 years.[32]
Only the former Intercontinental Race of Champions actually secluded the No.
3, which they did in a rule interchange effective in 2004. Until prestige series folded in 2007, harmonious wishing to use the Maladroit thumbs down d. 3 again had to reduce in size No. 03 instead.[citation needed]
Formula Individual driver Daniel Ricciardo chose nobleness number 3 as his castiron racing number when F1's volume changed to allow drivers hint at choose their own numbers means 2014 and stated on Warble that part of the make every effort for his choice was renounce he was a fan do paperwork Earnhardt's,[33] while his helmet originate features the number stylized teensy weensy the same way.
Legacy
"Earnhardt Tower", a seating section at Daytona International Speedway was opened give orders to named in his honor unadulterated month before his death whack the track.[34]
Earnhardt has several infrastructure named after him, including well-organized street in his hometown Kannapolis.
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard (originally Earnhardt Road) is marked as exit 60 off Interstate 85, northeast range Charlotte. Dale Earnhardt Drive survey also the start of Picture Dale Journey Trail,[35] a self-guided driving tour of landmarks fit in the lives of Earnhardt paramount his family. The North Carolina Department of Transportation switched rendering designation of a road betwixt Kannapolis and Mooresville near leadership headquarters of DEI (that reach-me-down to be called NC 136) with NC 3, which was in Currituck County.
In affixing, exit 72 off Interstate 35W, skin texture of the entrances to Texas Motor Speedway, is named "Dale Earnhardt Way".[36]
Between the 2004 unacceptable 2005 JGTC (renamed Super GT from 2005) season, Hasemi Escort competed in the series challenge a sole black G'Zox-sponsored Nissan 350Z with the same distribution and letterset as Earnhardt avow the roof.
During the NASCAR weekend races at Talladega Superspeedway on April 29, 2006 – Haw 1, 2006, the DEI cars competed in identical special jet paint schemes on Dale Earnhardt Day, which is held yearly on his birthday—April 29. Player Truex Jr., won the Aaron's 312 in the black auto, painted to reflect Earnhardt's Forbidding Black No.
3 NASCAR Busch Grand National series car. Tag the Nextel Cup race game park May 1, No. 8 Cwm Earnhardt Jr.; No. 1 Actress Truex Jr.; and No. 15 Paul Menard competed in cars with the same type watch paint scheme.
On June 18, 2006, at Michigan for dignity 3M Performance 400, Earnhardt Jr. ran a special vintage Budweiser car to honor his father confessor and his grandfather Ralph Earnhardt.
He finished third after stream of abuse caused the race to quip cut short. The car was painted to resemble Ralph's 1956 dirt cars, and carried 1956-era Budweiser logos to complete birth throwback look.
In the season of 2007, Dale Earnhardt, Opposition. (DEI) with the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, announced it will endorse an annual undergraduate scholarship parallel with the ground Clemson University in Clemson, Southeast Carolina, for students interested encircle motorsports and automotive engineering.
Attainments winners are also eligible unearth work at DEI in internships.[37] The first winner was William Bostic, a senior at Clemson majoring in mechanical engineering.[38]
In 2008, on the 50th anniversary authentication the first Daytona 500 zoom, DEI and RCR teamed prop to make a special Rack sporting Earnhardt's 1998 Daytona Cardinal paint scheme to honor magnanimity tenth anniversary of his Daytona 500 victory.
In a coverage to all previous Daytona Cardinal winners, the winning drivers arised in a lineup on fastener, in chronological order. The reversion No. 3 car stood patent the infield, in the correlate position Earnhardt would have bewitched in the processional. The atavistic car featured the authentic 1998-era design on a current-era motor car, a concept similar to advanced throwback jerseys in other disports.
The car was later oversubscribed in 1:64 and 1:24 graduation models.
In 2010, the Despot 305 roller coaster opened bully Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia.[39] Named after Earnhardt, the ride's trains were modeled after monarch black-and-red Chevrolet.[40] Another Intimidator coaster also opened at Carowinds descent North Carolina the same year.[41] Both were themed to Earnhardt's legacy, featuring signs, flags, several artwork, as well as replicas of the cars he host at each location.
The "Intimidator" name and all Earnhardt stigmatisation were removed from both rides in 2024 as a expire of an expiring licensing agreement.[42][43]
Atlanta Braves assistant coach Ned Yost was a friend of Earnhardt, and Richard Childress. When Yost was named Milwaukee Brewers overseer, he changed jersey numbers, use up No.
5 to No. 3 in Earnhardt's honor. (No. 3 is retired by the Braves in honor of outfielder Depression Murphy, so Yost could yell make the change while tidy Atlanta.) When Yost was christened Kansas City Royals assistant professor, he wore No. 2 assistance the 2010 season, even while in the manner tha he was named manager happening May 2010, but for excellence 2011 season, he switched suspend to No.
3.
During primacy third lap of the 2011 Daytona 500 (a decade in that Earnhardt's death), and 2021 Daytona 500 (two decades since Earnhardt's death) the commentators on Prince of darkness fell silent while fans convex three fingers in a accurate fashion to the tributes everywhere 2001.[44]
The north entrance to Novel Avondale City Center in Arizona will bear the name Cwm Earnhardt Drive.
Avondale is whirl location Earnhardt won a Cup marathon in 1990.[45]
His helmet from illustriousness 1998 season is at say publicly National Museum of American Story in the Smithsonian museum joy Washington D.C.[46]
Weedeater, a sludge element band from North Carolina, engender a feeling of tribute to Earnhardt on their 2003 album Sixteen Tons, line the song "No.
3".[47] Description song is played with frequency clips from television broadcasts pine Earnhardt mixed in the background.[48] He is also mentioned charge a 2001 song composed uncongenial John Hiatt entitled The Effigy Bar Is Open, along grow smaller his legendary race number.
On February 28, 2016, after endearing the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, during his victory lap, wood Jimmie Johnson held his in the neighbourhood out of his window, get a feel for three fingers extended in testimonial to Earnhardt.[49][50] This was mass Johnson's 76th Cup Series carry off the palm, which tied the career leading of Earnhardt's.
This is as well the track where Earnhardt presumed his sixth Winston Cup Serial title.[51]
In the week of goodness 2021 United States Grand Prix, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo bevy the iconic Wrangler car newcomer disabuse of 1984 as Ricciardo has back number a fan of Earnhardt on account of he was a child. Leadership opportunity came after he won the Italian Grand Prix divagate year, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who owns the passenger car, promised him that he would give him a chance solve drive it.[52]
A star is called after him through International Draw Registry.
The star, officially denominated "Dale Earnhardt, Sr.," is theatre in the Aquila constellation follow coordinates RA 19h 1m 36.36s D 16° 34′ 25.00″.[53]
Media
Earnhardt emerged as himself in the talking picture, Stroker Ace.
He also oral himself in King of loftiness Hill in the episode lordly, "Life in the Fast Chain, Bobby's Saga".
Awards
Motorsports career results
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded overstep qualifying time. Italics – Pole situation earned by points standings pleasing practice time. * – Most laps led.)