Dale Earnhardt dies during running of Daytona 500

submitted by mawle427 on Sunday, February 18 2001 at 8:51 PM

On Sunday, February 18th Dale Earnhardt, one of NASCAR's legendary drivers died in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in Daytona, Fl. The seven-time Winston Cup Champion was 49 years of age.

On the final lap of the race Earnhardt lost control of his car, and went head-on into the outside retaining wall. He was in 3rd place at the time behind Michael Waltrip and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr, both drivers for the team owned by the elder Earnhardt.

He was taken to the Halifax Medical Center after having to be cut out of his car. Doctors at the Halifax Medical Center said that Earnhardt died instantly of head injuried suffered from the impact.

Please let your thoughts be with the entire Earnhardt family. The world of NASCAR has lost one of its great legends.

We love you Dale. Long Live The Intimidator!!!!!

posted by BigMac on Sunday, February 18 2001 at 9:20 PM

RIP Dale

2/18/2001 9:42:25 PM

great way to sum it up mawle. RIP

2/18/2001 9:57:41 PM

Though I'm not into racing I will say I certaintly know who Dale Earnhardt is and I was shocked and saddened by his death. Again another great one unfortunately leaves us too soon.

2/18/2001 10:05:05 PM

very sad.

2/18/2001 10:13:51 PM

On the biggest day in NASCAR, the sport lost its most popular driver. May our thoughts and prayers be with the Earnhardt family tonight and in the coming days. Love or hate, we will all miss you Dale.

2/18/2001 10:39:23 PM

We'll miss you Dale!

RIP #3!!!

2/18/2001 10:44:17 PM

Damn, it'll be hard going back to Martinsville to watch a race with out #3 there....Loss for words right now...

2/18/2001 10:48:39 PM

Just remember the fact he could have taken his 8th Championship this year, he hadn't lost it all yet like some people had been saying.

2/19/2001 12:03:46 AM

It has now been clarified that Earnhart died from Chest Trauma.

2/19/2001 12:21:32 AM

Such a sad day for NASCAR and NC...he had so many ties to the Kannapolis and Thomasville area.

2/19/2001 12:50:45 AM

Adam Petty was one of my best friends, it took a lot of time to heal from his death, today has been one of the toughest days of my life....the two died the same way......Adam you are truly missed, Dale you are in a beautiful place now with my friend, sorry it happened to you at such a young age as well. Long Live NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt and Adam Petty in our thoughts....JB

2/19/2001 1:38:57 AM

Although I am a Ford man through and through and have never rooted for Dale, I hold him in the highest respect and seriously thought him to be invincible. Tonight is one of those shocker nights. One of those nights when you question your own humanness and reality. This is one of those nights I will remember just as my parents remembered the day JFK died. Thank you Dale, and may God rest your soul. There will never be another....

2/19/2001 1:51:47 AM

JB this is Erica P.....good ole Trinity buddy, yes i know how hard it was to get over Adam's death! Im still trying to get over it, and now a legend had to die! This will definately be a difficult week. Much love to the family, especially his son...i dont know how hard that must have been to be on the track right infront of Dale when he crashed! You guys are in my prayers!

I could only hope that one day my life will impact someone to the degree that Dale's has!

RIP

~E

2/19/2001 3:08:57 AM

NASCAR will never be the same again...I as well as many others now have no reason to watch...RIP Dale!!

2/19/2001 9:20:12 AM

I always was a big fan of Dale and the Black #3 Chevy. He was a great racer and I loved his Sundrop commercials. RIP Dale!!!

JUVY

2/19/2001 11:19:42 AM

Dale was my favorite driver. The only reason I watched racing was because of him. Now I don't care if I ever see another race again.

2/19/2001 3:36:50 PM

#3 now lives forever

2/19/2001 7:15:25 PM

Damn this sucks. Driven in that big track in the sky now........

-13

2/19/2001 9:56:17 PM

So many people knew him as the Intimidator but in all reality Dale Earnhardt was a caring and
personable guy who was loved by everyone who got chance to know him. I was one of those lucky few
and all though it has been almost 10 years since i first met him his impact on my life has continued
throughout my time. His death is tragic and the impact it will have on the sport as well as the family and
friends who loved him will not be known for sometime to come. But in all things sad there is always a
positive and in this situation it is simply the fact that for the general public they got a glimpse of what
Dale Earnhardt the man was like when he sacrificed his chance at victoty for his son and his friend.


RIP
"The Intimidator"
#3
Just a Good Ole Boy

2/19/2001 9:57:55 PM

http://www3.petitiononline.com/DaleE3/

Sign the Dale Eanhardt #3 Petition!!!!!!

2/23/2001 8:40:27 AM

10/17/2004 7:59:06 PM

Never Forget

10/17/2004 9:24:18 PM

i wanna know who the hell died

11/18/2004 4:12:36 AM