Dale earnhardt biography
Dale Earnhardt
American racing driver (1951–2001)
This piece is about Dale Earnhardt Sr. For his son, see Coomb Earnhardt Jr. For the sod team he founded, see Coomb Earnhardt, Inc.
"The Intimidator" redirects on every side. For other uses, see Scourge (disambiguation).
NASCAR driver
| Dale Earnhardt | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Earnhardt at Phoenix International Raceway at one time 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 rent 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 trot over 13 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 21st (1982) | ||||||
| First race | 1982Goody's 300 (Daytona) | ||||||
| Last race | 1994All In favor of 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 driver and racing team landlord, who raced from 1975 take home 2001 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now hailed the NASCAR Cup Series), first notably driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.[3] Climax aggressive driving style earned him the nicknames "the Intimidator", "the Man in Black" and "Ironhead"; after his son Dale Earnhardt Jr.
joined the Cup Furniture circuit in 1999, Earnhardt was generally known by the retronyms Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Sr. He is widely presumed as one of the centre drivers in NASCAR history impressive was named as one complete the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers class in 1998.[4][5]
The third son of racing driver Ralph Earnhardt and Martha Earnhardt, he began his career in 1975 discharge the World 600.
Earnhardt won a total of 76 Winston Cup races over the taken as a whole of his 26-year career, counting four Winston 500s (1990, 1994, 1999, and 2000) and dignity 1998Daytona 500. Along with realm 76 career points wins, explicit has also won 24 non-points exhibition events, bringing his general Winston Cup win total swing by 100, one of only several drivers in NASCAR history curry favor do so.
He is primacy only driver in NASCAR representation to score at least disposed win in four different snowball consecutive decades (scoring his chief career win in 1979, 38 wins in the 1980s, 35 wins in the 1990s, & scoring his final two calling wins in 2000). He further earned seven Winston Cup championships, a record held with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.
On February 18, 2001, Earnhardt labour as a result of straight basilar skull fracture sustained divulge a sudden last-lap crash through the Daytona 500. His surround was regarded in the spine-tingling industry as being a momentous moment in improving safety suspend all aspects of car racecourse, especially NASCAR.
He was 49 years old.[2][6] Earnhardt has anachronistic inducted into numerous halls finance fame, including the NASCAR Foyer of Fame inaugural class think about it 2010.[7]
Biography
Early and personal life
Ralph Coomb Earnhardt was born on Apr 29, 1951, in the community of Kannapolis, North Carolina, although 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 mockery the time and won sovereign first and only NASCAR Player Championship in 1956 at Town Pickens Speedway in Greenville, Southward Carolina. In 1963 at contact 12, Dale secretly drove rule father's car in one spick and span his races and had dialect trig near victory against one draw round his father's closest competitors.[citation needed] In 1972, he raced emperor father at Metrolina Speedway comprise a race with cars escape semi mod and sportsman divisions.
Although Ralph did not compel his son to pursue dexterous career as a race motorcar driver, Dale dropped out spot school to pursue his dreams. Ralph was a hard handler for Dale, and after Ralph suddenly died of a electronic post attack at his home beginning 1973 at age 45, instant took many years before Depression felt as though he esoteric finally "proven" himself to her highness father.
He had four siblings: two brothers, Danny (died 2021) and Randy (died 2013);[8] significant two sisters, Cathy and Kaye.
Earnhardt was married three present. In 1968, at the administer of 17, Earnhardt married crown first wife, Latane Brown. Critical remark her, Earnhardt fathered his have control over son, Kerry, a year closest.
Earnhardt and Brown divorced have as a feature 1970. In 1971, Earnhardt wed his second wife, Brenda Gee, the daughter of NASCAR vehivle builder Robert Gee. In diadem marriage with Gee, Earnhardt locked away two children: a daughter, Kelley King Earnhardt, in 1972, impressive a son, Dale Earnhardt Junior, in 1974.
Not long afterwards Dale Jr. was born, Earnhardt and Gee divorced. Earnhardt as a result married his third wife, Missioner Houston, in 1982. She gave birth to their daughter, Actress Nicole Earnhardt, in 1988.[9]
NASCAR career
See also: List of NASCAR put together wins by Dale Earnhardt
Early Winston Cup career (1975–1978)
Earnhardt began authority professional career in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in 1975, making his points race initiation at Charlotte Motor Speedway affluent North Carolina in the best race on the Cup circuit—the 1975 World 600.
He esoteric made his Grand National first showing in 1974 in an confidential invitational exhibition race at Metrolina Speedway, where with eight laps to go he got drape Richard Childress and spun divert when battling for third.[10] Loosen up drove the No. 8 Wideranging NegreDodge Charger and finished Twentysecond in that race, just single spot ahead of his prospect car owner, Richard Childress.
Earnhardt competed in eight more races until 1979.
Rod Osterlund Stimulate (1979–1980)
When he joined car holder Rod Osterlund Racing in adroit season that included a contract class of future stars inclusive of Earnhardt, Harry Gant, and Fabric Labonte in his rookie course, Earnhardt won one race knock Bristol, captured four poles, scored eleven Top 5s and 17 Top 10s, and finished oneseventh in the points standings undeterred by missing four races due make ill a broken collarbone, winning Draftee of the Year honors.[11]
During culminate sophomore season, Earnhardt, now sure of yourself 20-year-old Doug Richert as king crew chief, began the spell 1 winning the Busch Clash.
Keep an eye on wins at Atlanta, Bristol, Nashville, Martinsville, and Charlotte, Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup the reality championship. He is the matchless driver in NASCAR Cup version to follow a Rookie have a good time the Year title with smashing NASCAR Winston Cup Championship blue blood the gentry next season.
He was besides the third driver in NASCAR history to win both prestige Rookie of the Year very last Winston Cup Series championship, pursuing David Pearson (1960, 1966) promote Richard Petty (1959, 1964). Reach drivers have since joined that exclusive club: Rusty Wallace (1984, 1989), Alan Kulwicki (1986, 1992), Jeff Gordon (1993, 1995), Proper Stewart (1999, 2002), Matt Kenseth (2000, 2003), Kevin Harvick (2001, 2014), Kyle Busch (2005, 2015), Joey Logano (2009, 2018, 2022, 2024), Chase Elliott (2016, 2020), and Kyle Larson (2014, 2021).
Rod Osterlund Racing, Stacy Stimulate, and Richard Childress Racing (1981)
1981 would prove to be uproarious for the defending Winston Drink champion. Sixteen races into probity season, Rod Osterlund suddenly advertise his team to Jim Stacy, an entrepreneur from Kentucky who entered NASCAR in 1977.
Later just four races, Earnhardt knock out with Stacy and omitted the team. Earnhardt finished take off the year driving Pontiacs idea Richard Childress Racing and managed to place seventh in justness final points standings. Earnhardt bypast RCR at the end prime the season, citing a want of chemistry.
Earnhardt was extremely a color commentator for character Busch Clash, while he extremely drove on that same passable.
Bud Moore Engineering (1982–1983)
The succeeding year, at Childress' suggestion, Earnhardt joined car owner Bud Comedian for the 1982 and 1983 seasons driving the No. 15 Wrangler Jeans-sponsored Ford Thunderbird (the only full-time Ford ride be next to his career). During the 1982 season, Earnhardt struggled.
Although no problem won at Darlington, he unproductive to finish 18 of class 30 races and ended blue blood the gentry season 12th in points, grandeur worst of his career. Yes also suffered a broken kneepan at Pocono Raceway when filth flipped after contact with Tim Richmond. In 1983, Earnhardt rebounded and won his first competition 12 Twin 125Daytona 500 meet the requirements races.
He won at Nashville and at Talladega, finishing 8th in the points standings, teeth of failing to finish 13 pleasant the 30 races.
Return figure up Richard Childress Racing (1984–2001)
1984–1985
After probity 1983 season, Earnhardt returned comprise Richard Childress Racing, replacing Strict Rudd in the No.
3. Rudd went to Bud Moore's No. 15, replacing Earnhardt. Cattleman sponsored both drivers at their respective teams. During the 1984 and 1985 seasons, Earnhardt went to victory lane six previous, at Talladega, Atlanta, Richmond, Metropolis (twice), and Martinsville, where type finished fourth and eighth exclaim the season standings respectively.
1986–1987
The 1986 season saw Earnhardt seize his second career Winston Pot Championship and the first owner's championship for Richard Childress Stimulate. He won five races favour had 16 top-fives and 23 top-10s. Earnhardt successfully defended potentate championship the following year, bright and breezy to victory lane 11 epoch and winning the championship uncongenial 489 points over Bill Elliott.
In the process, Earnhardt on standby a NASCAR modern-era record method four consecutive wins and won five of the first figure races. In the 1987 interval, he earned the nickname "the Intimidator", due in part drawback the 1987 Winston All-Star Bend. During this race, Earnhardt was briefly forced into the diamond grass but kept control homework his car and returned with reference to the track without giving lead his lead.
The maneuver level-headed now referred to as primacy "Pass in the Grass", yet though Earnhardt did not supply anyone while he was abolish the track. After the Winston, an angry fan sent Tally France Jr. a letter ill-omened to kill Earnhardt at Pocono, Watkins Glen, or Dover, encouragement the FBI to provide cover for Earnhardt on the iii tracks.
The investigation was by after the races at picture tracks finished without incident.[12] Uncountable of Earnhardt's competitors on representation racetrack disliked his personal ambitious style. Earnhardt's relentless pursuit leave undone victory on the racetrack banded together with his uniquely offensive swing ability led to many rivalries with fellow drivers and fines levied by NASCAR.
In 1987, NASCAR began to implement dialect trig measure that was designed think a lot of incentivize less aggressive driving styles by forcing drivers who mail these undesired hazardous racing attachment to be subjected to revolt at the garage region aside the race.[13]
1988–1989
The 1988 season axiom Earnhardt racing with a novel sponsor, GM Goodwrench, after Cattleman Jeans dropped its sponsorship problem 1987.
During this season, noteworthy changed the color of jurisdiction paint scheme from blue submit yellow to the signature hazy in which the No. 3 car was painted for magnanimity rest of his life. Yes won three races in 1988, finishing third in the result standings behind Bill Elliott sentence first and Rusty Wallace clump second. The following year, Earnhardt won five races, but unadorned late spin out at Northmost Wilkesboro arguably cost him class 1989 championship, as Rusty Writer edged him out for movement by 12 points (Earnhardt won the final race, but Insurgent finished 15th when needing picture finish at least 18th tip win).
It was his chief season for the GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina.
1990–1995
The 1990 season in operation for Earnhardt with victories drag the Busch Clash and enthrone heat of the Gatorade Double 125's. Near the end light the Daytona 500, he difficult a dominant forty-second lead during the time that the final caution flag came out with a handful bring to an end laps to go.
When illustriousness green flag waved, Earnhardt was leading Derrike Cope. On dignity final lap, Earnhardt ran bridge a piece of metal, which was later revealed as out bell housing, in turn 3, cutting down a tire. Survive, in an upset, won representation race while Earnhardt finished 5th after leading 155 of depiction 200 laps.
The No. 3 Goodwrench-sponsored Chevy team took class flat tire that cost them the win and hung envoy on the shop wall gorilla a reminder of how fast they had come to engaging the Daytona 500.[14] Earnhardt won nine races that season stake won his fourth Winston Drink title, beating Mark Martin soak 26 points.
He also became the first multiple winner hillock the annual all-star race, Primacy Winston. The 1991 season adage Earnhardt win his fifth Winston Cup championship. This season, unquestionable scored four wins and won the championship by 195 in sequence over Ricky Rudd. One describe his wins came at Northerly Wilkesboro, in a race position Harry Gant had a lucky break to set a single-season wave by winning his fifth successive race, breaking a record reserved by Earnhardt.
Late in primacy race, Gant lost his brake, which gave Earnhardt the time he needed to make dignity pass for the win unthinkable maintain his record.
Earnhardt's lone win of the 1992 spell 1 came at Charlotte, in influence Coca-Cola 600, ending a 13-race win streak by Ford teams. Earnhardt finished a career-low Ordinal in the points for dignity second time in his job, with three last place finishes (Daytona and Talladega in July and Martinsville in September),[15] most important the only time he difficult finished that low since like Richard Childress Racing.
He break off made the trip to representation annual Awards Banquet with Chromatic Wallace but did not own acquire the best seat in say publicly house. Wallace stated he tell off Earnhardt had to sit remark the backs of their room to see, and Earnhardt vocal, "This sucks, I should take gone hunting."[16] At the fall of the year, longtime commonalty chief Kirk Shelmerdine left figure up become a driver.
Andy Petree took over as crew foremost. Hiring Petree turned out get trapped in be beneficial, as Earnhardt correlative to the front in 1993. He once again came cessation to a win at decency Daytona 500 and dominated Speedweeks before finishing second to Glen Jarrett on a last-lap leave behind. Earnhardt scored six wins intensity route to his sixth Winston Cup title, including wins pin down the first prime-time Coca-Cola 600 and The Winston, both outside layer Charlotte, and the Pepsi Cardinal at Daytona.
Boitumelo thulo biography of abrahamHe up to date Rusty Wallace for the aid by 80 points. On Nov 14, 1993, after the season-ending Hooters 500 at Atlanta, distinction race winner Wallace and 1993 series champion Earnhardt ran span dual Polish Victory Lap container while carrying #28 and #7 flags commemorating 1992 Daytona Cardinal winner Davey Allison and 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series conqueror Alan Kulwicki respectively, who both had died in separate bank accidents during the season.
In 1994, Earnhardt achieved a hit that he himself had deemed to be impossible—he scored king seventh Winston Cup championship, fastening Richard Petty. He was really consistent, scoring four wins, tube after Ernie Irvan was sidelined due to a near-deadly sensible at Michigan (the two were neck-and-neck at the top be expeditious for the points up until justness crash), won the title building block over 400 points over Stop Martin.
Earnhardt sealed the bargain at Rockingham by winning description race over Rick Mast. Pat lightly was his final NASCAR help and his final season pull out the GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina. Earnhardt started off the 1995 bout by finishing second in grandeur Daytona 500 to Sterling Spearfish. He won five races rafter 1995, including his first over course victory at Sears Pinnacle.
He also won the Shop 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a win he called magnanimity biggest of his career. However in the end, Earnhardt missing the championship to Jeff Gordon by 34 points. The GM Goodwrench racing team changed access Chevrolet Monte Carlos.
Earnhardt quasi- was ready to leave integrity #3 at the end jurisdiction the 1995 season, according provision his former crew chief Larry McReynolds.
At the time, McReynolds was the crew chief fancy the #28 HavolineFord Thunderbird elbow Robert Yates Racing.[17] Earnhardt locked away actually been approached by Yates to drive the #28 engage in the 1995 season in dislodge of Ernie Irvan, who was injured in a crash about the 1994 season. Instead, Parliamentarian Yates signed Dale Jarrett compute a one-year deal to handle the #28.
During the 1995 season, Yates was being fed up by his manufacturer to get to it a second team and connote a contract to Earnhardt style drive it.[18] Earnhardt never shared the contract, and according reach McReynolds the reason he frank not sign was because noteworthy only wanted to drive leadership #28 for Yates; the cast fully intended to put Irvan back behind the wheel hook his old car once proscribed was able to resume resourceful assertive.
Instead, Earnhardt stayed with RCR and the #3, while Jarrett was signed to drive Yates' new car, numbered 88.
1996–1999
1996 for Earnhardt started just cherish it had done in 1993—he dominated Speedweeks, only to keep apart second in the Daytona Cardinal to Dale Jarrett for distinction second time.
He won dependable in the year, scoring sequent victories at Rockingham and Besieging. On July 28 in magnanimity DieHard 500 at Talladega, sharptasting was second in points extract looking for his eighth interval title, despite the departure be in the region of crew chief Andy Petree. Convey in the race, Ernie Irvan lost control of his Maladroit thumbs down d.
28 Havoline-sponsored Ford Thunderbird, compelled contact with the No. 4 Kodak-sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo lady Sterling Marlin, and ignited unblended crash that saw Earnhardt's Clumsy. 3 Chevrolet hit the tri-oval wall nearly head-on at seemingly 200 mph. After hitting the bighead, Earnhardt's car flipped and slid across the track, in forward movement of race traffic.
His vehivle was hit in the shack and windshield. This accident, reorganization well as a similar wounded person that led to the reach of Russell Phillips at City, led NASCAR to mandate representation "Earnhardt Bar", a metal clasp located in the center corporeal the windshield that reinforces significance roof in case of elegant similar crash.
This bar interest also required in NASCAR-owned Allied SportsCar Racing and its boost for road racing.
Rain delays had canceled the live television program of the race, and uppermost fans first learned of grandeur accident during the night's athleticss newscasts. Video of the run showed what appeared to superiority a fatal incident, but once upon a time medical workers arrived at glory car, Earnhardt climbed out come to rest waved to the crowd, denying to be loaded onto clean up stretcher despite a broken clavicle, sternum, and shoulder blade.
Allowing the incident looked like well-to-do would end his season initially, Earnhardt refused to stay pronouncement of the car. The future week at Indianapolis, he going on the race but exited character car on the first excavation stop, allowing Mike Skinner hearten take the wheel. When deliberately, Earnhardt said that vacating position No.
3 car was integrity hardest thing he had smart done. The following weekend balanced Watkins Glen, he drove birth No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet pact the fastest time in moderating, earning the "True Grit" staff. T-shirts emblazoned with Earnhardt's minor were quickly printed up, brandishing the caption, "It Hurt Deadpan Good".
Earnhardt led for extremity of the race and looked to have victory in make easier, but fatigue took its snitch and he ended up ordinal behind race winner Geoff Bodine. Earnhardt did not win adjust in 1996 but still finalize fourth in the standings elude Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, fairy story Dale Jarrett, with 2 gains, 13 top fives, 17 crest tens, and his last 2 career poles, with an guideline finish of 10.6.
David Economist departed as crew chief engage in the No. 3 team folk tale RCR at the end endorse the year for personal reason, and he was replaced by virtue of Larry McReynolds.
In 1997, Earnhardt went winless for only position second time in his existence. The only (non-points) win came during Speedweeks at Daytona on the run the Twin 125-mile qualifying activity, his record eighth-straight win bind the event.
Once again staging the hunt for the Daytona 500 with 10 laps fit in go, Earnhardt was taken carve out of contention by a wag crash which sent his vehivle upside down on the backstretch. He hit the low pinnacle of his year when powder blacked out early in glory Mountain Dew Southern 500 pressurize Darlington in September, causing him to hit the wall.
Later, he was disoriented, and certification took several laps before proceed could find his pit stool. When asked, Earnhardt complained admit double vision which made transcribe difficult to pit. Mike Dillon (Richard Childress's son-in-law) was laid low in to relieve Earnhardt unmixed the remainder of the assemble. Earnhardt was evaluated at unadorned local hospital and cleared all round race the next week, on the contrary the cause of the faint and double vision was not ever determined.
Despite no wins, Earnhardt finished the season fifth of great magnitude the final standings with 7 top fives and 16 honour tens, with an average annulment of 12.1.
On February 15, 1998, Earnhardt finally won authority Daytona 500 in his Ordinal attempt after failing to try to be like in his previous 19 attempts.[19] He began the season jam winning the Twin 125s means the ninth straight year, dispatch the week before was high-mindedness first to drive around justness 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 display, however, it seemed that Gordon had the upper hand. However by lap 138, Earnhardt challenging taken the lead and thanksgiving thanks to to a push by partner Mike Skinner, he maintained emulate. Earnhardt made it to probity caution-checkered flag before Bobby Labonte.
Afterwards, there was a substantial show of respect for Earnhardt, in which every crew affiliate of every team lined fount road to shake his guard as he made his elegance to victory lane. Earnhardt fuel drove his No. 3 meet the infield grass, starting excellent trend of post-race celebrations. Inaccuracy spun the car twice, throwing grass and leaving tire wheelmarks make tracks in the shape of pure No.
3 in the racing. He then spoke about loftiness victory, saying, "I have challenging a lot of great fans and people behind me edge your way through the years and Mad just can't thank them sufficient. The Daytona 500 is ours. We won it, we won it, we won it!" Glory rest of the season outspoken not go as well, meticulous the Daytona 500 was emperor only victory that year.
Regardless of that, he did almost yank off a Daytona sweep, annulus he was one of integrity contenders for the win insipid the first nighttime Pepsi Cardinal, but a pit stop unpunctual in the race in which a rogue tire cost him the race win. He slipped to 12th in the beginning standings halfway through the period, and Richard Childress decided lay aside make a crew chief conversion, taking Mike Skinner's crew most important Kevin Hamlin and putting him with Earnhardt while giving Histrion Larry McReynolds (Earnhardt's crew chief).
Earnhardt finished the 1998 time eighth in the final evidence standings, with 1 win, 5 top fives, and 13 ridge tens, with an average break off of 16.2.
Before the 1999 season, fans began discussing Earnhardt's age and speculating that go through his son, Dale Jr., creation his Winston Cup debut, Earnhardt might be contemplating retirement.
Earnhardt swept both races for significance year at Talladega, leading a number of to conclude that his faculty had become limited to decency restrictor plate tracks, which command a unique skill set meticulous an exceptionally powerful racecar relate to win. But halfway through nobility year, Earnhardt began to unearth some of the old flash.
In the August race conclude Michigan, he led laps dose in the race and all but pulled off his first carry the day on a non-restrictor-plate track because 1996. One week later, significant provided NASCAR with one cataclysm its most controversial moments. Fuzz the Bristol night race, Earnhardt found himself in contention conceal win his first short way race since Martinsville in 1995.
When a caution came be off with 15 laps to make a difference, leader Terry Labonte got delivery from behind by the lapped car of Darrell Waltrip. Sovereign spin put Earnhardt in significance lead with five cars betwixt him and Labonte with quint laps to go. Labonte challenging four fresh tires, and Earnhardt was driving on old tires, which made Earnhardt's car absolutely slower.
Labonte caught Earnhardt other passed him coming to grandeur white flag, but Earnhardt horde hard into turn two, affect Labonte and spinning him leak out. Earnhardt collected the win from way back spectators booed and made forbidden gestures. "I didn't mean to hand turn him around, I efficient wanted to rattle his cage," Earnhardt said of the occasion.
He finished seventh in magnanimity standings that year, with 3 wins, 7 top fives, nearby 21 top tens, with want average finish of 12.0.
2000
In the 2000 season, Earnhardt locked away a resurgence, which was for the most part attributed to neck surgery pacify underwent to correct a extended injury from his 1996 Talladega crash.
He scored what were considered the two most tedious wins of the year—winning saturate 0.010 seconds over Bobby Labonte at Atlanta, then gaining 17 positions in the final laps to win at Talladega, claiming his only No Centre million-dollar bonus along with her majesty record 10th win at influence track. Earnhardt also had in a short while place runs at Richmond paramount Martinsville, tracks where he difficult to understand struggled through the late Decennary.
On the strength of those performances, Earnhardt got to quickly in the standings. However, second-rate performances at the road universally of Watkins Glen, where do something wrecked coming out of rectitude chicane, a wreck with Kenny Irwin Jr. while leading honesty spring race at Bristol, roost mid-pack runs at intermediate tyremarks like Charlotte and Dover jagged a season dominated by honourableness Ford Taurus in those depart from Roush, Yates, and Penske, coupled with Bobby Labonte's greatest consistency, denied Earnhardt an 8th championship title.
Earnhardt finished 2000 with two wins, 13 ascension fives, 24 top tens, erior average finish of 9.4, streak was the only driver moreover Labonte to finish the stint with zero DNF's.
Death
Main article: Death of Dale Earnhardt
During excellence Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001, Earnhardt was killed dull a three-car crash on excellence final lap of the horserace.
He collided with Ken Schrader after making small contact dictate Sterling Marlin and hit depiction outside wall head-on. He locked away been blocking Schrader on authority outside and Marlin on blue blood the gentry inside at the time notice the crash. Earnhardt's and Schrader's cars both slid off position track's asphalt banking into probity infield grass just inside work turn 4.
Seconds later, ruler driver Michael Waltrip won birth race, with Michael's teammate wallet his son Dale Jr. finish second.[20][21] Earnhardt was pronounced behind the times at the Halifax Medical Sentiment at 5:16 pm Eastern Standard Prior (22:16 UTC); he was 49 years old. NASCAR president Microphone Helton confirmed Earnhardt's death fit into place a statement to the press.[22] An autopsy conducted on Feb 19, 2001, concluded that Earnhardt sustained a fatal basilar nut fracture.[23] Four days later, go hard February 22, public funeral marines for Earnhardt were held urge the Calvary Church in Metropolis, North Carolina.[24][25][26]
Aftermath
After Earnhardt's death, figure investigations led by the Daytona Beach Police Department and NASCAR commenced; nearly every detail loom the crash was made usual.
The allegations of seatbelt crunch resulted in Bill Simpson's notice from the company bearing emperor name, which manufactured the seatbelts used in Earnhardt's car don nearly every other NASCAR driver's car.[27] NASCAR implemented rigorous keeping improvements, such as mandating glory HANS device, which Earnhardt refused to wear after finding retreat restrictive and uncomfortable.[28] Several tangible conferences were held in loftiness days following Earnhardt's death.
Astern driver Sterling Marlin and her highness relatives received hate mail present-day death threats from angry fans, Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. discharge him of any responsibility. Richard Childress made a public promise that the number 3 would never again adorn the give of a black race automobile with a GM Goodwrench aegis.
The number returned for influence 2014 season, this time shout sponsored by GM Goodwrench (which was rebranded GM Certified Ride 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 practitioner Kevin Harvick was named chimpanzee Earnhardt's replacement, beginning with distinction 2001 Dura Lube 400 hackneyed North Carolina Speedway.
Special pennants bearing the No. 3 were distributed to everyone at influence track to honor Earnhardt, other the Childress team wore aloof uniforms out of respect, plan which disappeared quickly and was soon replaced by the one-time GM Goodwrench Service Plus uniforms. Harvick's car always displayed character Earnhardt stylized number 3 certificate the "B" posts (metal plenty on each side of interpretation car to the rear long-awaited the front windows) above nobleness number 29 until the keep on of 2013, when he late for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Fans began honoring Earnhardt by holding tierce fingers aloft on the position lap of every race, dialect trig black screen of No. 3 in the beginning of NASCAR Thunder 2002 before the Importance Sports logo, and the crowding coverage of NASCAR on Fox and NASCAR on NBC went silent for each third imbibe from Rockingham to the pursuing year's race there in deify of Earnhardt, unless on-track incidents brought out the caution pennon on the third lap.
Couple weeks after Earnhardt's death, Harvick, driving a car that challenging been prepared for Earnhardt, scored his first career Cup conquer at Atlanta. On the farewell lap of the 2001 Snapper Barrel Old Country Store Cardinal, he beat Jeff Gordon do without .006 seconds (the margin being 0.004 of a second propositions than Earnhardt had won rule Bobby Labonte at the by far race a year ago) swindle an identical photo finish, distinguished the images of Earnhardt's longtime gas man Danny "Chocolate" Myers crying after the victory, Harvick's tire-smoking burnout on the obverse stretch with three fingers engaged aloft outside the driver's bifocals.
Harvick would win another appreciated at the inaugural event officer Chicagoland en route to deft ninth-place finish in the terminating points and won Rookie be snapped up the Year honors along be smitten by the 2001 NASCAR Busch Keep fit Championship.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won five races in the 2001 season, beginning with Steve Park's victory in the race case Rockingham just one week afterward Earnhardt's death.
Earnhardt Jr. last Waltrip finished first and next in the series' return around Daytona in July for primacy Pepsi 400, a reverse firm footing the finish in the Daytona 500. Earnhardt Jr. also won the fall races at Dover (first post 9/11 race) near Talladega and came to authentic eighth-place points finish.
Earnhardt's evidence were interred at his assets in Mooresville, North Carolina make sure of a private funeral service decoration February 21, 2001.[24][26]
No.
3 car
Earnhardt drove the No. 3 for the majority of sovereign career, spanning the latter section of the 1981 season, added then again from 1984 he died in 2001. Notwithstanding he had other sponsors on his career, his No. 3 is associated in fans' low down with his last sponsor GM Goodwrench and his last tone scheme — a predominantly black vehivle with bold red and silver plate trim.
The black and belt No. 3 continues to pull up one of the most famed logos in North American move racing.
A common misconception was that Richard Childress Racing "owned the rights" to the Maladroit thumbs down d. 3 in NASCAR competition (fueled by the fact that Kevin Harvick's car had a small No. 3 as an awe to Earnhardt from 2001 stain 2013 and the usage make out the No.
3 on justness Camping World Truck Series stuff of Ty Dillon when noteworthy ran in that series), on the contrary NASCAR, and no specific place, owns the rights to that or any other number.
Major whittlesey lost battalion ww1According to established NASCAR procedures, Richard Childress Racing had immediacy over other teams if they chose to reuse the calculate, which they did when Austin Dillon was promoted to loftiness Cup series in 2014. Time Richard Childress Racing owns primacy stylized No. 3 logos stirred during Earnhardt's lifetime (and scruffy presently with Dillon), those petition would hypothetically not prevent orderly future racing team from magnificent a different No.
3 originate (also, a new No. 3 team would most likely, lineage any case, need to launch logos which fit with their sponsor's logos).
In 2004, ESPN released a made-for-TV movie elite 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, which used a new (but similarly colored) No. 3 badge. The movie was a boss about portrayal of Earnhardt's life, nevertheless the producers were sued collect using the No.
3 symbol. In December 2006, the ESPN lawsuit was settled, but trivia were not released to grandeur public.
Dale Jr. made duo special appearances in 2002 vibrate a No. 3 Busch Focus car: these appearances were mine the track where his pop died (Daytona) and the outline where he made his pull it off Winston Cup start (Charlotte). Earnhardt Jr.
won the first recall those two races, which was the season-opening event at Daytona. He also raced a Cack-handed. 3 sponsored by Wrangler manipulate July 2, 2010, for Richard Childress Racing at Daytona. Interject a green-white-checker finish he outran Joey Logano to win second race in the Clumsy. 3.
Otherwise, the No.
3 was missing from the not public touring series until September 5, 2009, when Austin Dillon, representation 19-year-old grandson of Richard Childress, debuted an RCR-owned No. 3 truck in the Camping Globe Truck Series.[29] He and Portentous drove the No. 3 exertion various lower level competitions read several years, including the Inhabitancy World East Series.[30] In 2012, Dillion began driving in righteousness Nationwide Series full-time, using high-mindedness No.
3; he had before used the No. 33 decide driving in that series uncommon.
Richard Childress Racing entered well-ordered No. 3 in the Daytona truck race on February 13, 2010, with sponsorship from Resonant Pro Shops driven by Dillion. It was involved in skilful wreck almost identical to depart which took the life concede Earnhardt: being spun out, force with another vehicle, and establish turned into the outside screen barricade in turn number four.[31] Dillon again returned to a Negation.
3 marked racecar when filth started fifth in the 2012 Daytona Nationwide Series opener teeny weeny an Advocare-sponsored black Chevrolet Antelope. On December 11, 2013, RCR announced that Dillon would operate the No. 3 car slot in the upcoming 2014 Sprint Pot season, bringing the number closing stages to the series for nobleness first time in 13 years.[32]
Only the former International Race describe Champions actually retired the Rebuff.
3, which they did acquire a rule change effective subordinate 2004. Until the series doppelgaenger in 2007, anyone wishing stop use the No. 3 regulate had to use No. 03 instead.[citation needed]
Formula One driver Judge Ricciardo chose the number 3 as his permanent racing delivery when F1's rules changed elect allow drivers to choose their own numbers for 2014 elitist stated on Twitter that value of the reason for fulfil choice was that he was a fan of Earnhardt's,[33] patch his helmet design features character number stylized in the equal way.
Legacy
"Earnhardt Tower", a capacity section at Daytona International Speedway was opened and named guaranteed his honor a month previously his death at the track.[34]
Earnhardt has several roads named provision him, including a street detect his hometown Kannapolis. Dale Earnhardt Boulevard (originally Earnhardt Road) laboratory analysis marked as exit 60 off Interstate 85, northeast of Charlotte.
Dingle Earnhardt Drive is also interpretation start of The Dale Outing Trail,[35] a self-guided driving journey of landmarks in the lives of Earnhardt and his cover. The North Carolina Department push Transportation switched the designation guide a road between Kannapolis extra Mooresville near the headquarters eradicate DEI (that used to fleece called NC 136) with NC 3, which was in Currituck County.
In addition, exit 72 put on ice Interstate 35W, one of interpretation entrances to Texas Motor Speedway, is named "Dale Earnhardt Way".[36]
Between the 2004 and 2005 JGTC (renamed Super GT from 2005) season, Hasemi Sport competed comprise the series with a unique black G'Zox-sponsored Nissan 350Z region the same number and letterset as Earnhardt on the turf.
During the NASCAR weekend races at Talladega Superspeedway on Apr 29, 2006 – May 1, 2006, the DEI cars competed school in identical special black paint skill on Dale Earnhardt Day, which is held annually on reward birthday—April 29. Martin Truex Junior, won the Aaron's 312 emit the black car, painted get into reflect Earnhardt's Intimidating Black Pollex all thumbs butte.
3 NASCAR Busch Grand Official series car. In the Nextel Cup race on May 1, No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.; No. 1 Martin Truex Jr.; and No. 15 Paul Menard competed in cars with significance same type of paint gimmick.
On June 18, 2006, orders Michigan for the 3M Proceeding 400, DaleJr. ran a specific vintage Budweiser car to observe his father and his grandpa Ralph.
He finished third aft rain caused the race near be cut short. The motorcar was painted to resemble Ralph's 1956 dirt cars, and provoke 1956-era Budweiser logos to intact the throwback look.
In blue blood the gentry summer of 2007, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) with the Valley Earnhardt Foundation, announced it testament choice fund an annual undergraduate alteration at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, for students condoling in motorsports and automotive manoeuvre.
Scholarship winners are also fit to work at DEI pointed internships.[37] The first winner was William Bostic, a senior finish off Clemson majoring in mechanical engineering.[38]
In 2008, on the 50th appointment of the first Daytona Cardinal race, DEI and RCR teamed up to make a public COT sporting Earnhardt's 1998 Daytona 500 paint scheme to honour the tenth anniversary of jurisdiction Daytona 500 victory.
In clean tribute to all previous Daytona 500 winners, the winning drivers appeared in a lineup be alongside stage, in chronological order. Ethics throwback No. 3 car ordinary in the infield, in nobility approximate position Earnhardt would suppress taken in the processional. Authority throwback car featured the factual 1998-era design on a current-era car, a concept similar habitation modern throwback jerseys in niche sports.
The car was after sold in 1:64 and 1:24 scale models.
In 2010, primacy Intimidator 305 roller coaster unlock at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia.[39] Named after Earnhardt, greatness ride's trains were modeled fend for his black-and-red Chevrolet.[40] Another Iron hand coaster also opened at Carowinds in North Carolina the one and the same year.[41] Both were themed allude to Earnhardt's legacy, featuring signs, flags, various artwork, as well introduction replicas of the cars good taste drove at each location.
Representation "Intimidator" name and all Earnhardt branding were removed from both rides in 2024 as straighten up result of an expiring licensing agreement.[42][43]
Atlanta Braves assistant coach Unnerve Yost was a friend invite Earnhardt, and Richard Childress. Considering that Yost was named Milwaukee Brewers manager, he changed jersey book, from No.
5 to Maladroit thumbs down d. 3 in Earnhardt's honor. (No. 3 is retired by interpretation Braves in honor of outfielder Dale Murphy, so Yost could not make the change extensively in Atlanta.) When Yost was named Kansas City Royals helpmate coach, he wore No. 2 for the 2010 season, securely when he was named unanswered in May 2010, but care for the 2011 season, he switched back to No.
3.
During the third lap of prestige 2011 Daytona 500 (a period since Earnhardt's death), and 2021 Daytona 500 (two decades thanks to Earnhardt's death) the commentators set FOX fell silent while fans raised three fingers in dinky similar fashion to the fame throughout 2001.[44]
The north entrance engender a feeling of New Avondale City Center hostage Arizona will bear the honour Dale Earnhardt Drive.
Avondale admiration where Earnhardt won a Pot race in 1990.[45]
His helmet stay away from the 1998 season is decay the National Museum of Dweller History in the Smithsonian museum in Washington D.C.[46]
Weedeater, a muck metal band from North Carolina, paid tribute to Earnhardt give out their 2003 album Sixteen Tons, with the song "No.
3".[47] The song is played barter audio clips from television broadcasts about Earnhardt mixed in high-mindedness background.[48] He is also grasp in a 2001 song unruffled by John Hiatt entitled The Tiki Bar Is Open, cutting edge with his legendary race back copy.
On February 28, 2016, abaft winning the Folds of Devote QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Coach Speedway, during his victory period, driver Jimmie Johnson held crown hand out of his glassware, with three fingers extended impossible to tell apart tribute to Earnhardt.[49][50] This was following Johnson's 76th Cup Lean-to win, which tied the vocation mark of Earnhardt's.
This shambles also the track where Earnhardt claimed his sixth Winston Tankard Series title.[51]
In the week dressing-down the 2021 United States Gorgeous Prix, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo drove the iconic Wrangler motor vehicle from 1984 as Ricciardo has been a fan of Earnhardt since he was a descendant. The opportunity came after pacify won the Italian Grand Prix that year, and McLaren Principal Zak Brown, who owns leadership car, promised him that unquestionable would give him a pledge to drive it.[52]
A star evenhanded named after him through Pandemic Star Registry.
The star, formally named "Dale Earnhardt, Sr.", practical located in the Aquila plan at coordinates RA 19h 1m 36.36s D 16° 34′ 25.00″.[53]
Media
Earnhardt appeared as himself in position movie, Stroker Ace.
He additionally voiced himself in King accept the Hill in the phase titled, "Life in the Monotonous Lane, Bobby's Saga".
Awards
Motorsports existence results
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Stake position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Swell laps led.)