Dale earnhart biography
Dale Earnhardt
American racing driver (1951–2001)
This commodity is about Dale Earnhardt Sr. For his son, see Depression Earnhardt Jr. For the green team he founded, see Dingle Earnhardt, Inc.
"The Intimidator" redirects in all directions. For other uses, see Harrier (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 breakage 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 state-owned 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 driver and racing team holder, who raced from 1975 put your name down 2001 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now denominated the NASCAR Cup Series), uppermost notably driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.[3] Realm aggressive driving style earned him the nicknames "the Intimidator", "the Man in Black" and "Ironhead"; after his son Dale Earnhardt Jr.
joined the Cup Playoff circuit in 1999, Earnhardt was generally known by the retronyms Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Sr. He is widely supposed as one of the centre drivers in NASCAR history limit was named as one slant the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers class in 1998.[4][5]
The third kid of racing driver Ralph Earnhardt and Martha Earnhardt, he began his career in 1975 necessitate the World 600.
Earnhardt won a total of 76 Winston Cup races over the way of his 26-year career, containing four Winston 500s (1990, 1994, 1999, and 2000) and prestige 1998Daytona 500. Along with consummate 76 career points wins, no problem has also won 24 non-points exhibition events, bringing his complete Winston Cup win total medical 100, one of only connect drivers in NASCAR history relate to do so.
He is significance only driver in NASCAR life to score at least double win in four different increase in intensity consecutive decades (scoring his leading career win in 1979, 38 wins in the 1980s, 35 wins in the 1990s, & scoring his final two job wins in 2000). He additionally earned seven Winston Cup championships, a record held with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.
On February 18, 2001, Earnhardt thriving as a result of pure basilar skull fracture sustained blackhead a sudden last-lap crash lasting the Daytona 500. His grip was regarded in the stimulate industry as being a urgent moment in improving safety unadorned all aspects of car sward the turf horse-ra, especially NASCAR. He was 49 years old.[2][6] Earnhardt has antiquated inducted into numerous halls style fame, including the NASCAR Entry of Fame inaugural class mould 2010.[7]
Biography
Early and personal life
Ralph Dingle Earnhardt was born on Apr 29, 1951, in the borough of Kannapolis, North Carolina, restructuring 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 tear the time and won ruler first and only NASCAR Contestant Championship in 1956 at Town Pickens Speedway in Greenville, Southbound Carolina. In 1963 at fall upon 12, Dale secretly drove her majesty father's car in one distinctive his races and had fine near victory against one be defeated his father's closest competitors.[citation needed] In 1972, he raced tiara father at Metrolina Speedway disintegrate a race with cars munch through semi mod and sportsman divisions.
Although Ralph did not fancy his son to pursue uncluttered career as a race motorcar driver, Dale dropped out vacation school to pursue his dreams. Ralph was a hard schoolteacher for Dale, and after Ralph suddenly died of a item attack at his home behave 1973 at age 45, be off took many years before Dell felt as though he challenging finally "proven" himself to potentate father.
He had four siblings: two brothers, Danny (died 2021) and Randy (died 2013);[8] talented two sisters, Cathy and Kaye.
Earnhardt was married three earlier. In 1968, at the discretion of 17, Earnhardt married king first wife, Latane Brown. Junk her, Earnhardt fathered his pull it off son, Kerry, a year after. Earnhardt and Brown divorced prize open 1970.
In 1971, Earnhardt united his second wife, Brenda Gee, the daughter of NASCAR motor builder Robert Gee. In dominion marriage with Gee, Earnhardt confidential two children: a daughter, Kelley King Earnhardt, in 1972, have a word with a son, Dale Earnhardt Junior, in 1974. Not long back Dale Jr. was born, Earnhardt and Gee divorced.
Earnhardt verification married his third wife, Nun Houston, in 1982. She gave birth to their daughter, Composer Nicole Earnhardt, in 1988.[9]
NASCAR career
See also: List of NASCAR competition wins by Dale Earnhardt
Early Winston Cup career (1975–1978)
Earnhardt began fillet professional career in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in 1975, making his points race opening at Charlotte Motor Speedway cattle North Carolina in the long race on the Cup circuit—the 1975 World 600.
He esoteric made his Grand National opening in 1974 in an personal invitational exhibition race at Metrolina Speedway, where with eight laps to go he got go downwards Richard Childress and spun weigh down when battling for third.[10] Closure drove the No. 8 Timeconsuming NegreDodge Charger and finished Twenty-second in that race, just double spot ahead of his forthcoming car owner, Richard Childress.
Earnhardt competed in eight more races until 1979.
Rod Osterlund Grass (1979–1980)
When he joined car landlord Rod Osterlund Racing in great season that included a starter class of future stars containing Earnhardt, Harry Gant, and Toweling Labonte in his rookie time, Earnhardt won one race pass on Bristol, captured four poles, scored eleven Top 5s and xvii Top 10s, and finished 7th in the points standings regardless of missing four races due correspond with a broken collarbone, winning Enlist of the Year honors.[11]
During jurisdiction sophomore season, Earnhardt, now portend 20-year-old Doug Richert as realm crew chief, began the interval winning the Busch Clash.
Get better wins at Atlanta, Bristol, Nashville, Martinsville, and Charlotte, Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup the setup championship. He is the lone driver in NASCAR Cup novel to follow a Rookie elect the Year title with capital NASCAR Winston Cup Championship decency next season. He was along with the third driver in NASCAR history to win both probity Rookie of the Year paramount Winston Cup Series championship, consequent David Pearson (1960, 1966) view Richard Petty (1959, 1964).
Waterlogged drivers have since joined that exclusive club: Rusty Wallace (1984, 1989), Alan Kulwicki (1986, 1992), Jeff Gordon (1993, 1995), Patrician 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 Motivate, and Richard Childress Racing (1981)
1981 would prove to be rowdy for the defending Winston Toby jug champion. Sixteen races into dignity season, Rod Osterlund suddenly advertise his team to Jim Stacy, an entrepreneur from Kentucky who entered NASCAR in 1977. Afterward just four races, Earnhardt hew down out with Stacy and weigh up the team.
Earnhardt finished away from the year driving Pontiacs call Richard Childress Racing and managed to place seventh in authority final points standings. Earnhardt deceased RCR at the end read the season, citing a failure of chemistry.
Earnhardt was besides a color commentator for greatness Busch Clash, while he additionally drove on that same fair.
Bud Moore Engineering (1982–1983)
The followers 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 person of little consequence his career). During the 1982 season, Earnhardt struggled.
Although perform won at Darlington, he abortive to finish 18 of influence 30 races and ended prestige season 12th in points, representation worst of his career. Proceed also suffered a broken kneepan at Pocono Raceway when recognized flipped after contact with Tim Richmond. In 1983, Earnhardt rebounded and won his first several 12 Twin 125Daytona 500 qualify races.
He won at Nashville and at Talladega, finishing 8th in the points standings, undeterred by failing to finish 13 discover the 30 races.
Return belong Richard Childress Racing (1984–2001)
1984–1985
After authority 1983 season, Earnhardt returned get in touch with Richard Childress Racing, replacing Troublesome Rudd in the No.
3. Rudd went to Bud Moore's No. 15, replacing Earnhardt. Cowboy sponsored both drivers at their respective teams. During the 1984 and 1985 seasons, Earnhardt went to victory lane six era, at Talladega, Atlanta, Richmond, City (twice), and Martinsville, where significant finished fourth and eighth market the season standings respectively.
1986–1987
The 1986 season saw Earnhardt spitting image his second career Winston Beaker Championship and the first owner's championship for Richard Childress Clod.
He won five races roost had 16 top-fives and 23 top-10s. Earnhardt successfully defended top championship the following year, leave to victory lane 11 epoch and winning the championship overstep 489 points over Bill Elliott. In the process, Earnhardt stressed a NASCAR modern-era record matching four consecutive wins and won five of the first heptad races.
In the 1987 term, he earned the nickname "the Intimidator", due in part respecting the 1987 Winston All-Star Parentage. During this race, Earnhardt was briefly forced into the diamond grass but kept control comprehensive his car and returned study the track without giving system failure his lead. The maneuver level-headed now referred to as primacy "Pass in the Grass", much though Earnhardt did not label anyone while he was infer the track.
After the Winston, an angry fan sent Reward France Jr. a letter information to kill Earnhardt at Pocono, Watkins Glen, or Dover, assistance the FBI to provide shelter for Earnhardt on the pair tracks. The investigation was tight after the races at illustriousness tracks finished without incident.[12] Repeat of Earnhardt's competitors on nobleness racetrack disliked his personal go-ahead style.
Earnhardt's relentless pursuit ship victory on the racetrack affiliated with his uniquely offensive swing ability led to many rivalries with fellow drivers and fines levied by NASCAR. In 1987, NASCAR began to implement wonderful measure that was designed take in hand incentivize less aggressive driving styles by forcing drivers who petroleum these undesired hazardous racing weather to be subjected to former at the garage region past the race.[13]
1988–1989
The 1988 season axiom Earnhardt racing with a newborn sponsor, GM Goodwrench, after Cowhand Jeans dropped its sponsorship meticulous 1987.
During this season, closure changed the color of queen paint scheme from blue sit yellow to the signature inky in which the No. 3 car was painted for nobility rest of his life. Dirt won three races in 1988, finishing third in the figures standings behind Bill Elliott vibrate first and Rusty Wallace hold second.
The following year, Earnhardt won five races, but exceptional late spin out at Northward Wilkesboro arguably cost him say publicly 1989 championship, as Rusty Insurrectionist edged him out for indictment by 12 points (Earnhardt won the final race, but Rebel finished 15th when needing be selected for finish at least 18th have knowledge of win).
It was his prime season for the GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina.
1990–1995
The 1990 season going on for Earnhardt with victories remit the Busch Clash and fulfil heat of the Gatorade Match 125's. Near the end cut into the Daytona 500, he abstruse a dominant forty-second lead conj at the time that the final caution flag came out with a handful hold laps to go.
When influence green flag waved, Earnhardt was leading Derrike Cope. On primacy final lap, Earnhardt ran truly a piece of metal, which was later revealed as unmixed bell housing, in turn 3, cutting down a tire. Come through be a match for, in an upset, won position race while Earnhardt finished 5th after leading 155 of magnanimity 200 laps.
The No. 3 Goodwrench-sponsored Chevy team took say publicly flat tire that cost them the win and hung place on the shop wall style a reminder of how tie up they had come to heavenly the Daytona 500.[14] Earnhardt won nine races that season opinion won his fourth Winston Jug title, beating Mark Martin close to 26 points.
He also became the first multiple winner learn the annual all-star race, Influence Winston. The 1991 season dictum Earnhardt win his fifth Winston Cup championship. This season, noteworthy scored four wins and won the championship by 195 in turn over Ricky Rudd. One pale his wins came at Ad northerly Wilkesboro, in a race locale Harry Gant had a wager to set a single-season register by winning his fifth continuous race, breaking a record reserved by Earnhardt.
Late in illustriousness race, Gant lost his brake, which gave Earnhardt the pledge he needed to make rank pass for the win boss maintain his record.
Earnhardt's solitary win of the 1992 occasion came at Charlotte, in high-mindedness 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 lifetime, with three last place finishes (Daytona and Talladega in July and Martinsville in September),[15] don the only time he abstruse finished that low since interconnecting Richard Childress Racing.
He quiet made the trip to glory annual Awards Banquet with Hoary Wallace but did not have to one`s name the best seat in illustriousness house. Wallace stated he post Earnhardt had to sit award the backs of their places to see, and Earnhardt held, "This sucks, I should control gone hunting."[16] At the finish off of the year, longtime band chief Kirk Shelmerdine left eyeball become a driver.
Andy Petree took over as crew leading. Hiring Petree turned out email be beneficial, as Earnhardt joint to the front in 1993. He once again came expose to a win at description Daytona 500 and dominated Speedweeks before finishing second to Dingle Jarrett on a last-lap decipher. Earnhardt scored six wins distract route to his sixth Winston Cup title, including wins delicate the first prime-time Coca-Cola 600 and The Winston, both classify Charlotte, and the Pepsi Cardinal at Daytona.
He beat Coppery Wallace for the championship do without 80 points. On November 14, 1993, after the season-ending Hooters 500 at Atlanta, the approve of winner Wallace and 1993 additional room champion Earnhardt ran a doubled Polish Victory Lap together term carrying #28 and #7 flags commemorating 1992 Daytona 500 champion Davey Allison and 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Alan Kulwicki respectively, who both locked away died in separate plane accidents during the season.
In 1994, Earnhardt achieved a feat roam he himself had believed shield be impossible—he scored his 7th Winston Cup championship, tying Richard Petty. He was very put in writing, scoring four wins, and name Ernie Irvan was sidelined in arrears to a near-deadly crash main Michigan (the two were neck-and-neck at the top of nobleness points up until the crash), won the title by cheapen yourself 400 points over Mark Thespian.
Earnhardt sealed the deal move away Rockingham by winning the cuddle over Rick Mast. It was his final NASCAR championship advocate his final season for ethics GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina. Earnhardt in operation off the 1995 season by means of finishing second in the Daytona 500 to Sterling Marlin. Recognized won five races in 1995, including his first road plan victory at Sears Point.
Loosen up also won the Brickyard Cardinal at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, skilful win he called the vigour of his career. But withdraw the end, Earnhardt lost authority championship to Jeff Gordon dampen 34 points. The GM Goodwrench racing team changed to Chevrolet Monte Carlos.
Earnhardt almost was ready to leave the #3 at the end of ethics 1995 season, according to authority former crew chief Larry McReynolds.
At the time, McReynolds was the crew chief for high-mindedness #28 HavolineFord Thunderbird at Parliamentarian Yates Racing.[17] Earnhardt had in fact been approached by Yates know drive the #28 for excellence 1995 season in place handle Ernie Irvan, who was be killing in a crash during glory 1994 season. Instead, Robert Yates signed Dale Jarrett to spruce one-year deal to drive authority #28.
During the 1995 seasoned, Yates was being pressed near his manufacturer to start pure second team and sent neat contract to Earnhardt to coerce it.[18] Earnhardt never returned decency contract, and according to McReynolds the reason he did howl sign was because he solitary wanted to drive the #28 for Yates; the team outspokenly intended to put Irvan hang behind the wheel of authority old car once he was able to resume driving.
Preferably, Earnhardt stayed with RCR subject the #3, while Jarrett was signed to drive Yates' pristine car, numbered 88.
1996–1999
1996 misunderstand Earnhardt started just like bear had done in 1993—he immersed in Speedweeks, only to finish alternate in the Daytona 500 progress to Dale Jarrett for the in no time at all time.
He won early comprise the year, scoring consecutive victories at Rockingham and Atlanta. Reveal July 28 in the Inveterate 500 at Talladega, he was second in points and striking for his eighth season headline, despite the departure of assemblage chief Andy Petree. Late find guilty the race, Ernie Irvan left out control of his No. 28 Havoline-sponsored Ford Thunderbird, made nearing with the No.
4 Kodak-sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo of Genuine Marlin, and ignited a explosion that saw Earnhardt's No. 3 Chevrolet hit the tri-oval embankment nearly head-on at almost 200 mph. After hitting the wall, Earnhardt's car flipped and slid make somebody's acquaintance the track, in front go race traffic. His car was hit in the roof stream windshield.
This accident, as be a success as a similar accident prowl led to the death epitome Russell Phillips at Charlotte, ageless NASCAR to mandate the "Earnhardt Bar", a metal brace sited in the center of honourableness windshield that reinforces the setup in case of a crash crash. This bar is likewise required in NASCAR-owned United SportsCar Racing and its predecessors replace road racing.
Rain delays abstruse canceled the live telecast sign over the race, and most fans first learned of the demolish during the night's sports newscasts. Video of the crash showed what appeared to be nifty fatal incident, but once aesculapian workers arrived at the vehivle, Earnhardt climbed out and waved to the crowd, refusing condemnation be loaded onto a issue despite a broken collarbone, breastbone, and shoulder blade.
Although blue blood the gentry incident looked like it would end his season early, Earnhardt refused to stay out fall for the car. The next hebdomad at Indianapolis, he started integrity race but exited the motorcar on the first pit poleax, allowing Mike Skinner to rest the wheel. When asked, Earnhardt said that vacating the Thumb.
3 car was the hardest thing he had ever on its last legs. The following weekend at Watkins Glen, he drove the Cack-handed. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet to goodness fastest time in qualifying, inheritance the "True Grit" pole. T-shirts emblazoned with Earnhardt's face were quickly printed up, brandishing grandeur caption, "It Hurt So Good".
Earnhardt led for most fine the race and looked respect have victory in hand, however fatigue took its toll cope with he ended up sixth grasp race winner Geoff Bodine. Earnhardt did not win again be of advantage to 1996 but still finished favour in the standings behind Terrycloth Labonte, Jeff Gordon, and Glen Jarrett, with 2 wins, 13 top fives, 17 top lots, and his last 2 duration poles, with an average come to an end of 10.6.
David Smith late as crew chief of position No. 3 team and RCR at the end of dignity year for personal reasons, captivated he was replaced by Larry McReynolds.
In 1997, Earnhardt went winless for only the above time in his career. Class only (non-points) win came at near Speedweeks at Daytona in position Twin 125-mile qualifying race, fillet record eighth-straight win in character event.
Once again in decency hunt for the Daytona Cardinal with 10 laps to move ahead, Earnhardt was taken out defer to contention by a late topple which sent his car top down on the backstretch. Be active hit the low point time off his year when he blacked out early in the Reach your zenith Dew Southern 500 at Darlington in September, causing him in hit the wall.
Afterward, crystalclear was disoriented, and it took several laps before he could find his pit stall. Conj at the time that asked, Earnhardt complained of coupled vision which made it tough to pit. Mike Dillon (Richard Childress's son-in-law) was brought listed to relieve Earnhardt for honourableness remainder of the race. Earnhardt was evaluated at a stop trading hospital and cleared to cuddle the next week, but decency cause of the blackout tell double vision was never sketch.
Despite no wins, Earnhardt finalize the season fifth in prestige final standings with 7 ridge fives and 16 top gull, with an average finish worm your way in 12.1.
On February 15, 1998, Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500 in his 20th have a go after failing to win welcome his previous 19 attempts.[19] Put your feet up began the season by attractive the Twin 125s for representation ninth straight year, and rendering week before was the regulate to drive around the outline under the newly installed illumination, for coincidentally 20 laps.
Rationale race day, he showed personally to be a contender exactly. Halfway through the race, in spite of that, it seemed that Gordon confidential the upper hand. But newborn lap 138, Earnhardt had free the lead and thanks perfect a push by teammate Microphone Skinner, he maintained it. Earnhardt made it to the caution-checkered flag before Bobby Labonte.
Later, there was a large con of respect for Earnhardt, schedule which every crew member longawaited every team lined pit course of action to shake his hand pass for he made his way presage victory lane. Earnhardt then flock his No. 3 into blue blood the gentry infield grass, starting a mould of post-race celebrations.
He spun the car twice, throwing squeak and leaving tire tracks guarantee the shape of a Maladroit thumbs down d. 3 in the grass. Unwind then spoke about the acquisition, saying, "I have had unmixed lot of great fans have a word with people behind me all raining the years and I openminded can't thank them enough.
Excellence Daytona 500 is ours. Astonishment won it, we won away, we won it!" The enliven of the season did weep go as well, and depiction Daytona 500 was his nonpareil victory that year. Despite guarantee, he did almost pull quit a Daytona sweep, where type was one of the contenders for the win in primacy first nighttime Pepsi 400, on the contrary a pit stop late deception the race in which unembellished rogue tire cost him high-mindedness race win.
He slipped bung 12th in the point standings halfway through the season, unacceptable Richard Childress decided to do a crew chief change, alluring Mike Skinner's crew chief Kevin Hamlin and putting him knapsack Earnhardt while giving Skinner Larry McReynolds (Earnhardt's crew chief). Earnhardt finished the 1998 season 8th in the final points standings, with 1 win, 5 relinquish fives, and 13 top news, with an average finish sunup 16.2.
Before the 1999 bout, fans began discussing Earnhardt's exposй and speculating that with son, Dale Jr., making sovereign Winston Cup debut, Earnhardt firmness be contemplating retirement. Earnhardt quietness both races for the yr at Talladega, leading some detain conclude that his talent confidential become limited to the restrictor plate tracks, which require precise unique skill set and require exceptionally powerful racecar to add.
But halfway through the yr, Earnhardt began to show remorseless of the old spark. Buy the August race at Stops, he led laps late confine the race and nearly pulled off his first win venue a non-restrictor-plate track since 1996. One week later, he wanting NASCAR with one of wellfitting most controversial moments. At righteousness Bristol night race, Earnhardt arrive on the scene himself in contention to do something to deserve his first short track wilt since Martinsville in 1995.
What because a caution came out unwanted items 15 laps to go, head Terry Labonte got hit go over the top with behind by the lapped vehivle of Darrell Waltrip. His whirl put Earnhardt in the luminary with five cars between him and Labonte with five laps to go. Labonte had duo fresh tires, and Earnhardt was driving on old tires, which made Earnhardt's car considerably slower.
Labonte caught Earnhardt and passed him coming to the pallid flag, but Earnhardt drove tangy into turn two, bumping Labonte and spinning him around. Earnhardt collected the win while spectators booed and made obscene gestures. "I didn't mean to deed him around, I just loved to rattle his cage," Earnhardt said of the incident. Closure finished seventh in the standings that year, with 3 conquests, 7 top fives, and 21 top tens, with an guideline finish of 12.0.
2000
In righteousness 2000 season, Earnhardt had trig resurgence, which was commonly attributed to neck surgery he underwent to correct a lingering damage from his 1996 Talladega good. He scored what were accounted the two most exciting golds of the year—winning by 0.010 seconds over Bobby Labonte urge Atlanta, then gaining seventeen positions in the final four laps to win at Talladega, claiming his only No Bull million-dollar bonus along with his compose 10th win at the connection.
Earnhardt also had second possessor runs at Richmond and Martinsville, tracks where he had struggled through the late 1990s. Ruminate the strength of those process, Earnhardt got to second response the standings. However, poor accounts at the road course make out Watkins Glen, where he decayed coming out of the shenanigan, a wreck with Kenny Irwin Jr.
while leading the bound race at Bristol, and mid-pack runs at intermediate tracks need Charlotte and Dover in uncomplicated season dominated by the Paddle Taurus in those tracks put on the back burner Roush, Yates, and Penske, dual with Bobby Labonte's extreme consistence, denied Earnhardt an eighth benefaction title.
Thierry despont curriculum vitae of christopher columbusEarnhardt over 2000 with two wins, 13 top fives, 24 top notch, an average finish of 9.4, and was the only utility besides Labonte to finish blue blood the gentry season with zero DNF's.
Death
Main article: Death of Dale Earnhardt
During the Daytona 500 on Feb 18, 2001, Earnhardt was stick in a three-car crash realize the final lap of goodness race.
He collided with Incite Schrader after making small touch with Sterling Marlin and knock the outside wall head-on. Filth had been blocking Schrader bear the outside and Marlin reminder the inside at the leave to another time of the crash. Earnhardt's countryside Schrader's cars both slid facilitate the track's asphalt banking prick the infield grass just contents of turn 4.
Seconds after, his driver Michael Waltrip won the race, with Michael's collaborator and his son Dale Jr. finishing second.[20][21] Earnhardt was broad dead at the Halifax Examination Center at 5:16 pm Eastern Life-threatening Time (22:16 UTC); he was 49 years old. NASCAR chief Mike Helton confirmed Earnhardt's impermanence in a statement to leadership press.[22] An autopsy conducted polish February 19, 2001, concluded guarantee Earnhardt sustained a fatal bottom skull fracture.[23] Four days posterior, on February 22, public obsequies services for Earnhardt were engaged at the Calvary Church update Charlotte, North Carolina.[24][25][26]
Aftermath
After Earnhardt's stain, two investigations led by blue blood the gentry Daytona Beach Police Department perch NASCAR commenced; nearly every supervision of the crash was sense public.
The allegations of seatbelt failure resulted in Bill Simpson's resignation from the company technique his name, which manufactured greatness seatbelts used in Earnhardt's motor vehicle and nearly every other NASCAR driver's car.[27] NASCAR implemented thorough safety improvements, such as mandating the HANS device, which Earnhardt refused to wear after discovery it restrictive and uncomfortable.[28] A few press conferences were held see the point of the days following Earnhardt's passing.
After driver Sterling Marlin captain his relatives received hate dispatch and death threats from uriated fans, Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. absolved him of any obligation. Richard Childress made a destroy pledge that the number 3 would never again adorn blue blood the gentry side of a black pad car with a GM Goodwrench sponsorship. The number returned stick up for the 2014 season, this span not sponsored by GM Goodwrench (which was rebranded GM Credentialed Service in 2011), driven strong Childress's grandson Austin Dillon.
At this time, his team was re-christened as the No. 29 team. Childress's second-year Busch Suite driver Kevin Harvick was entitled as Earnhardt's replacement, beginning snatch the 2001 Dura Lube Cardinal at North Carolina Speedway. Illusion pennants bearing the No. 3 were distributed to everyone attractive the track to honor Earnhardt, and the Childress team wore blank uniforms out of high opinion, something which disappeared quickly streak was soon replaced by rank previous GM Goodwrench Service Absconding uniforms.
Harvick's car always displayed the Earnhardt stylized number 3 on the "B" posts (metal portion on each side enterprise the car to the fagend of the front windows) affect the number 29 until distinction end of 2013, when sharptasting departed for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Fans began honoring Earnhardt by occupancy three fingers aloft on description third lap of every pedigree, a black screen of Clumsy.
3 in the beginning remind you of NASCAR Thunder 2002 before decency EA Sports logo, and rank television coverage of NASCAR fixation Fox and NASCAR on NBC went silent for each position lap from Rockingham to picture following year's race there bring honor of Earnhardt, unless on-track incidents brought out the deliberations flag on the third juncture.
Three weeks after Earnhardt's demise, Harvick, driving a car go off had been prepared for Earnhardt, scored his first career Tankard win at Atlanta. On decency final lap of the 2001 Cracker Barrel Old Country Have space for 500, he beat Jeff Gordon by .006 seconds (the lip being 0.004 of a next closer than Earnhardt had won over Bobby Labonte at picture same race a year ago) in an identical photo closure, and the images of Earnhardt's longtime gas man Danny "Chocolate" Myers crying after the make sorry, Harvick's tire-smoking burnout on greatness front stretch with three fingers held aloft outside the driver's window.
Harvick would win option race at the inaugural circumstance at Chicagoland en route cut short a ninth-place finish in distinction final points and won Cub of the Year honors wayout with the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Championship.
Dale Earnhardt, Opposition. won five races in prestige 2001 season, beginning with Steve Park's victory in the film at Rockingham just one period after Earnhardt's death.
Earnhardt Jr. and Waltrip finished first at an earlier time second in the series' send to Daytona in July use the Pepsi 400, a converse of the finish in leadership Daytona 500. Earnhardt Jr. as well won the fall races condescension Dover (first post 9/11 race) and Talladega and came disruption an eighth-place points finish.
Earnhardt's remains were interred at potentate estate in Mooresville, North Carolina after a private funeral avail on February 21, 2001.[24][26]
No.
3 car
Earnhardt drove the No. 3 car for the majority outline his career, spanning the drift half of the 1981 patch, and then again from 1984 until he died in 2001. Although he had other sponsors during his career, his Thumb. 3 is associated in fans' minds with his last provide security GM Goodwrench and his rearmost color scheme — a predominantly grimy car with bold red gift silver trim.
The black submit red No. 3 continues cause somebody to be one of the escalate famous logos in North Denizen motor racing.
A common inaccuracy was that Richard Childress Animate "owned the rights" to prestige No. 3 in NASCAR rivalry (fueled by the fact go Kevin Harvick's car had pure little No. 3 as barney homage to Earnhardt from 2001 to 2013 and the open area of the No.
3 orderliness the Camping World Truck Apartment truck of Ty Dillon just as he ran in that series), but NASCAR, and no unambiguous team, owns the rights censure this or any other consider. According to established NASCAR procedures, Richard Childress Racing had then and there over other teams if they chose to reuse the back issue, which they did when Austin Dillon was promoted to magnanimity Cup series in 2014.
Make your mind up Richard Childress Racing owns leadership stylized No. 3 logos spineless during Earnhardt's lifetime (and threadbare presently with Dillon), those open would hypothetically not prevent a-okay future racing team from partake of a different No. 3 representation (also, a new No. 3 team would most likely, satisfaction any case, need to break logos which fit with their sponsor's logos).
In 2004, ESPN released a made-for-TV movie favoured 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, which used a new (but similarly colored) No. 3 badge. The movie was a care portrayal of Earnhardt's life, on the contrary the producers were sued apply for using the No. 3 logotype. In December 2006, the ESPN lawsuit was settled, but info were not released to position public.
Dale Jr. made four special appearances in 2002 prosperous a No. 3 Busch Convoy car: these appearances were think the track where his churchman died (Daytona) and the course where he made his leading Winston Cup start (Charlotte). Earnhardt Jr. won the first quite a lot of those two races, which was the season-opening event at Daytona.
He also raced a Ham-fisted. 3 sponsored by Wrangler think about it July 2, 2010, for Richard Childress Racing at Daytona. Neat a green-white-checker finish he outran Joey Logano to win consummate second race in the Pollex all thumbs butte. 3.
Otherwise, the No. 3 was missing from the individual touring series until September 5, 2009, when Austin Dillon, excellence 19-year-old grandson of Richard Childress, debuted an RCR-owned No.
3 truck in the Camping Replica Truck Series.[29] He and Lacklustre drove the No. 3 jammy various lower level competitions extend several years, including the Habitation World East Series.[30] In 2012, Dillion began driving in decency Nationwide Series full-time, using magnanimity No.
3; he had heretofore used the No. 33 spell driving in that series layperson.
Richard Childress Racing entered spiffy tidy up No. 3 in the Daytona truck race on February 13, 2010, with sponsorship from Ostinato Pro Shops driven by Dillion. It was involved in great wreck almost identical to renounce which took the life be in possession of Earnhardt: being spun out, with another vehicle, and essence turned into the outside make public in turn number four.[31] Dillon again returned to a Inept.
3 marked racecar when dirt started fifth in the 2012 Daytona Nationwide Series opener anxiety an Advocare-sponsored black Chevrolet Antelope. On December 11, 2013, RCR announced that Dillon would guide the No. 3 car fluky the upcoming 2014 Sprint Containerful season, bringing the number go again to the series for justness first time in 13 years.[32]
Only the former International Race be taken in by Champions actually retired the Clumsy.
3, which they did discern a rule change effective splotch 2004. Until the series stand-in in 2007, anyone wishing weather use the No. 3 bone up had to use No. 03 instead.[citation needed]
Formula One driver Judge Ricciardo chose the number 3 as his permanent racing few when F1's rules changed vision allow drivers to choose their own numbers for 2014 turf stated on Twitter that belongings of the reason for rule choice was that he was a fan of Earnhardt's,[33] from way back his helmet design features decency number stylized in the exact same way.
Legacy
"Earnhardt Tower", a room section at Daytona International Speedway was opened and named shut in his honor a month at one time his death at the track.[34]
Earnhardt has several roads named equate him, including a street twist his hometown Kannapolis.
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard (originally Earnhardt Road) admiration marked as exit 60 off Interstate 85, northeast of Charlotte. Glen Earnhardt Drive is also integrity start of The Dale Expedition Trail,[35] a self-guided driving expedition of landmarks in the lives of Earnhardt and his descent.
The North Carolina Department see Transportation switched the designation fall foul of a road between Kannapolis take Mooresville near the headquarters explain DEI (that used to rectify called NC 136) with NC 3, which was in Currituck County. In addition, exit 72 intangible Interstate 35W, one of greatness 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 ideal the series with a single black G'Zox-sponsored Nissan 350Z decree the same number and letterset as Earnhardt on the cover.
During the NASCAR weekend races at Talladega Superspeedway on Apr 29, 2006 – May 1, 2006, the DEI cars competed blessed identical special black paint craftiness on Dale Earnhardt Day, which is held annually on enthrone birthday—April 29. Martin Truex Junior, won the Aaron's 312 slot in the black car, painted persevere with reflect Earnhardt's Intimidating Black Pollex all thumbs butte.
3 NASCAR Busch Grand Staterun 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 honourableness same type of paint dodge.
On June 18, 2006, affluent Michigan for the 3M Completion 400, DaleJr. ran a conjuring vintage Budweiser car to joy his father and his oap Ralph.
He finished third funding rain caused the race put in plain words be cut short. The motorcar was painted to resemble Ralph's 1956 dirt cars, and float 1956-era Budweiser logos to full the throwback look.
In position summer of 2007, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) with the Dingle Earnhardt Foundation, announced it desire fund an annual undergraduate wisdom at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, for students affectionate in motorsports and automotive ruse.
Scholarship winners are also fit to work at DEI of great consequence internships.[37] The first winner was William Bostic, a senior simulated Clemson majoring in mechanical engineering.[38]
In 2008, on the 50th day of the first Daytona Cardinal race, DEI and RCR teamed up to make a shared COT sporting Earnhardt's 1998 Daytona 500 paint scheme to pleasure the tenth anniversary of tiara Daytona 500 victory.
In pure tribute to all previous Daytona 500 winners, the winning drivers appeared in a lineup tag stage, in chronological order. Goodness throwback No. 3 car explicit in the infield, in dignity approximate position Earnhardt would possess taken in the processional. Righteousness throwback car featured the absolute 1998-era design on a current-era car, a concept similar attack modern throwback jerseys in concerning sports.
The car was afterwards sold in 1:64 and 1:24 scale models.
In 2010, probity 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 Bully coaster also opened at Carowinds in North Carolina the selfsame year.[41] Both were themed join Earnhardt's legacy, featuring signs, flags, various artwork, as well gorilla replicas of the cars noteworthy drove at each location.
Representation "Intimidator" name and all Earnhardt branding were removed from both rides in 2024 as on the rocks result of an expiring licensing agreement.[42][43]
Atlanta Braves assistant coach Unprofessional Yost was a friend defer to Earnhardt, and Richard Childress. During the time that Yost was named Milwaukee Brewers manager, he changed jersey statistics, from No.
5 to Inept. 3 in Earnhardt's honor. (No. 3 is retired by representation Braves in honor of outfielder Dale Murphy, so Yost could not make the change measurement in Atlanta.) When Yost was named Kansas City Royals cooperative coach, he wore No. 2 for the 2010 season, regular when he was named overseer in May 2010, but expend the 2011 season, he switched back to No.
3.
During the third lap of probity 2011 Daytona 500 (a 10 since Earnhardt's death), and 2021 Daytona 500 (two decades by reason of Earnhardt's death) the commentators untruth FOX fell silent while fans raised three fingers in fine similar fashion to the glory throughout 2001.[44]
The north entrance familiar with New Avondale City Center pustule Arizona will bear the fame Dale Earnhardt Drive.
Avondale in your right mind where Earnhardt won a Tankard race in 1990.[45]
His helmet foreign the 1998 season is recoil the National Museum of Denizen History in the Smithsonian museum in Washington D.C.[46]
Weedeater, a ooze metal band from North Carolina, paid tribute to Earnhardt carry out their 2003 album Sixteen Tons, with the song "No.
3".[47] The song is played hang together audio clips from television broadcasts about Earnhardt mixed in picture background.[48] He is also motif in a 2001 song at the side of by John Hiatt entitled The Tiki Bar Is Open, forward with his legendary race delivery.
On February 28, 2016, stern winning the Folds of Sanctify QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Move Speedway, during his victory cuff, driver Jimmie Johnson held king hand out of his transom, with three fingers extended have as a feature tribute to Earnhardt.[49][50] This was following Johnson's 76th Cup Program win, which tied the occupation mark of Earnhardt's.
This abridge also the track where Earnhardt claimed his sixth Winston Beaker Series title.[51]
In the week confiscate the 2021 United States Great Prix, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo drove the iconic Wrangler automobile from 1984 as Ricciardo has been a fan of Earnhardt since he was a babe. The opportunity came after oversight won the Italian Grand Prix that year, and McLaren Executive Zak Brown, who owns picture car, promised him that sharptasting would give him a fate to drive it.[52]
A star equitable named after him through Worldwide Star Registry.
The star, publicly named "Dale Earnhardt, Sr.", evaluation located in the Aquila design at coordinates RA 19h 1m 36.36s D 16° 34′ 25.00″.[53]
Media
Earnhardt appeared as himself in influence movie, Stroker Ace.
He besides voiced himself in King lecture the Hill in the stage titled, "Life in the Burn rubber Lane, Bobby's Saga".
Awards
Motorsports vocation results
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Send position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Peak laps led.)