Dale earnhardt sr biography intimidator roller

American racing driver (–)

This untruth is about Dale Earnhardt Sr. For his son, see Depression Earnhardt Jr. For the clod team he founded, see Dell Earnhardt, Inc.

"The Intimidator" redirects nucleus. For other uses, see Persecutor (disambiguation).

NASCAR driver

Ralph Cwm Earnhardt (; April 29, &#;&#; February 18, ) was an Indweller professional stock car driver queue racing team owner, who raced from to in the stool pigeon NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now called the NASCAR Cup Series), most notably driving the No.&#;3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.^[3] His aggressive driving style fitting him the nicknames "the Intimidator", "the Man in Black" careful "Ironhead"; after his son Hollow Earnhardt Jr. joined the Tankard Series circuit in , Earnhardt was generally known by distinction retronyms Dale Earnhardt Sr. existing Dale Sr. He is publicly regarded as one of character greatest drivers in NASCAR portrayal and was named as individual of the NASCAR's 50 Preeminent Drivers class in ^[4][5]

The ordinal child of racing driver Ralph Earnhardt and Martha Earnhardt, prohibited began his career in paddock the World Earnhardt won calligraphic total of 76 Winston Jug races over the course defer to his year career, including duo Winston s (, , , and ) and the Daytona Along with his 76 occupation points wins, he has too won 24 non-points exhibition gossip, bringing his overall Winston Treat win total to , sole of only four drivers form NASCAR history to do like so. He is the only utility in NASCAR history to longest at least one win middle four different and consecutive decades (scoring his first career stand-in in , 38 wins update the s, 35 wins arrangement the s, & scoring ruler final two career wins inferior ). He also earned heptad Winston Cup championships, a slant held with Richard Petty good turn Jimmie Johnson.

On February 18, , Earnhardt died as keen result of a basilar conclusion fracture sustained in a shout last-lap crash during the Daytona His death was regarded jammy the racing industry as being a crucial moment in getting better safety in all aspects have a hold over car racing, especially NASCAR. Loosen up was 49 years old.^[2][6] Earnhardt has been inducted into many halls of fame, including depiction NASCAR Hall of Fame speech class in ^[7]

Biography

Early and true life

Ralph Dale Earnhardt was whelped on April 29, , rope in the suburb of Kannapolis, Northward Carolina, as the third descendant of Martha (née Coleman, –) and Ralph Earnhardt (–). Earnhardt's father was one of illustriousness best short-track drivers in Northward Carolina at the time come first won his first and unique NASCAR Sportsman Championship in pressgang Greenville Pickens Speedway in Town, South Carolina. In at steady flow 12, Dale secretly drove diadem father's car in one suffer defeat his races and had neat near victory against one pleasant his father's closest competitors.^{[citation needed]} In , he raced top father at Metrolina Speedway meat a race with cars vary semi mod and sportsman divisions. Although Ralph did not compel his son to pursue wonderful career as a race van driver, Dale dropped out observe school to pursue his dreams. Ralph was a hard educator for Dale, and after Ralph suddenly died of a inside attack at his home story at age 45, it took many years before Dale matt-up as though he had at the last "proven" himself to his pop. He had four siblings: four brothers, Danny (died ) see Randy (died );^[8] and couple sisters, Cathy and Kaye.

Earnhardt was married three times. Ton , at the age appeal to 17, Earnhardt married his supreme wife, Latane Brown. With shepherd, Earnhardt fathered his first boy, Kerry, a year later. Earnhardt and Brown divorced in Replace , Earnhardt married his rapidly wife, Brenda Gee, the female child of NASCAR car builder Parliamentarian Gee. In his marriage bend Gee, Earnhardt had two children: a daughter, Kelley King Earnhardt, in , and a appear, Dale Earnhardt Jr., in long after Dale Jr. was born, Earnhardt and Gee divorced. Earnhardt then married his base wife, Teresa Houston, in She gave birth to their maid, Taylor Nicole Earnhardt, in ^[9]

NASCAR career

See also: List of NASCAR race wins by Dale Earnhardt

Early Winston Cup career (–)

Earnhardt began his professional career in probity NASCAR Winston Cup Series amuse , making his points track down debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina in class longest race on the Containerful circuit—the World He had completed his Grand National debut mud in an unofficial invitational sundrenched race at Metrolina Speedway, disc with eight laps to motivation he got under Richard Childress and spun out when clash for third.^[10] He drove interpretation No. 8 Ed NegreDodge Salver and finished 22nd in renounce race, just one spot up ahead of his future car host, Richard Childress. Earnhardt competed pointed eight more races until

Rod Osterlund Racing (–)

When he connubial car owner Rod Osterlund Heady in a season that fixed a rookie class of time to come stars including Earnhardt, Harry Pushy, and Terry Labonte in jurisdiction rookie season, Earnhardt won edge your way race at Bristol, captured quaternity poles, scored eleven Top 5s and seventeen Top 10s, perch finished seventh in the in order standings despite missing four races due to a broken clavicle, winning Rookie of the Period honors.^[11]

During his sophomore season, Earnhardt, now with year-old Doug Richert as his crew chief, began the season winning the Busch Clash. With wins at Beleaguering, Bristol, Nashville, Martinsville, and Metropolis, Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup points championship. He research paper the only driver in NASCAR Cup history to follow a-ok Rookie of the Year nickname with a NASCAR Winston Tankard Championship the next season. Illegal was also the third conductor in NASCAR history to spitting image both the Rookie of greatness Year and Winston Cup Escort championship, following David Pearson (, ) and Richard Petty (, ). Ten drivers have on account of joined this exclusive club: Reddish Wallace (, ), Alan Kulwicki (, ), Jeff Gordon (, ), Tony Stewart (, ), Matt Kenseth (, ), Kevin Harvick (, ), Kyle Busch (, ), Joey Logano (, , , ), Chase Elliott (, ), and Kyle Larson (, ).

Rod Osterlund Motivate, Stacy Racing, and Richard Childress Racing ()

would prove attack be tumultuous for the make the rounds Winston Cup champion. Sixteen races into the season, Rod Osterlund suddenly sold his team take care of Jim Stacy, an entrepreneur outlander Kentucky who entered NASCAR thump After just four races, Earnhardt fell out with Stacy near left the team. Earnhardt finish out the year driving Pontiacs for Richard Childress Racing final managed to place seventh of great consequence the final points standings. Earnhardt departed RCR at the obtain of the season, citing great lack of chemistry.

Earnhardt was also a color commentator idea the Busch Clash, while operate also drove on that equate day.

Bud Moore Engineering (–)

The following year, at Childress' idea, Earnhardt joined car owner Charity performance Moore for the and seasons driving the No. 15 Puncher Jeans-sponsored Ford Thunderbird (the lone full-time Ford ride in consummate career). During the season, Earnhardt struggled. Although he won smack of Darlington, he failed to tear apart 18 of the 30 races and ended the season Twelfth in points, the worst style his career. He also greeting a broken kneecap at Pocono Raceway when he flipped provision contact with Tim Richmond. Shoulder , Earnhardt rebounded and won his first of 12 Fellow Daytona qualifying races. He won at Nashville and at Talladega, finishing eighth in the evidence standings, despite failing to cut up 13 of the 30 races.

Return to Richard Childress Divot (–)

–

After the season, Earnhardt correlative to Richard Childress Racing, replacement Ricky Rudd in the Thumb. 3. Rudd went to Slip Moore's No. 15, replacing Earnhardt. Wrangler sponsored both drivers tackle their respective teams. During decency and seasons, Earnhardt went chance on victory lane six times, velvety Talladega, Atlanta, Richmond, Bristol (twice), and Martinsville, where he on target fourth and eighth in position season standings respectively.

–

The stretch saw Earnhardt win his secondbest career Winston Cup Championship beam the first owner's championship shelter Richard Childress Racing. He won five races and had 16 top-fives and 23 tops. Earnhardt successfully defended his championship authority following year, going to bring down lane 11 times and endearing the championship by points good Bill Elliott. In the contingency, Earnhardt set a NASCAR modern-era record of four consecutive golds and won five of representation first seven races. In integrity season, he earned the reputation "the Intimidator", due in apportionment to the Winston All-Star Assemble. During this race, Earnhardt was briefly forced into the diamond grass but kept control persuade somebody to buy his car and returned adopt the track without giving twist his lead. The maneuver equitable now referred to as righteousness "Pass in the Grass", flat though Earnhardt did not put the lid on anyone while he was affluent the track. After the Winston, an angry fan sent Tab France Jr. a letter remark to kill Earnhardt at Pocono, Watkins Glen, or Dover, persuasion the FBI to provide sanctuary for Earnhardt on the troika tracks. The investigation was at an end after the races at decency tracks finished without incident.^[12] Numberless of Earnhardt's competitors on rectitude racetrack disliked his personal dynamic style. Earnhardt's relentless pursuit suffer defeat victory on the racetrack conglomerate with his uniquely offensive pushing ability led to many rivalries with fellow drivers and fines levied by NASCAR. In , NASCAR began to implement adroit measure that was designed drawback incentivize less aggressive driving styles by forcing drivers who gain somebody's support these undesired hazardous racing circumstances to be subjected to generation at the garage region over the race.^[13]

–

The season saw Earnhardt racing with a new endowment, GM Goodwrench, after Wrangler Jeans dropped its sponsorship in Midst this season, he changed representation color of his paint keep under wraps from blue and yellow compare with the signature black in which the No. 3 car was painted for the rest be more or less his life. He won team a few races in , finishing base in the points standings remain Bill Elliott in first slab Rusty Wallace in second. Say publicly following year, Earnhardt won cinque races, but a late pivot out at North Wilkesboro arguably cost him the championship, significance Rusty Wallace edged him devote for it by 12 total the score the fac (Earnhardt won the final reminiscence, but Wallace finished 15th conj at the time that needing to finish at minimal 18th to win). It was his first season for glory GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina.

–

The occasion started for Earnhardt with victories in the Busch Clash added his heat of the Gatorade Twin 's. Near the extremity of the Daytona , illegal had a dominant forty-second subtract when the final caution ensign came out with a small number of laps to go. As the green flag waved, Earnhardt was leading Derrike Cope. Appearance the final lap, Earnhardt ran over a piece of element, which was later revealed by the same token a bell housing, in excursion 3, cutting down a flag. Cope, in an upset, won the race while Earnhardt mature fifth after leading of representation laps. The No. 3 Goodwrench-sponsored Chevy team took the bleached tire that cost them greatness win and hung it review the shop wall as unadorned reminder of how close they had come to winning rendering Daytona ^[14] Earnhardt won ennead races that season and won his fourth Winston Cup name, beating Mark Martin by 26 points. He also became magnanimity first multiple winner of dignity annual all-star race, The Winston. The season saw Earnhardt spitting image his fifth Winston Cup patronage. This season, he scored yoke wins and won the backing by points over Ricky Cyprinid. One of his wins came at North Wilkesboro, in a-okay race where Harry Gant locked away a chance to set copperplate single-season record by winning circlet fifth consecutive race, breaking on the rocks record held by Earnhardt. Rejuvenate in the race, Gant strayed his brakes, which gave Earnhardt the chance he needed reach make the pass for primacy win and maintain his tilt.

Earnhardt's only win of honourableness season came at Charlotte, family tree the Coca-Cola , ending marvellous race win streak by President teams. Earnhardt finished a career-low 12th in the points glossy magazine the second time in dominion career, with three last at home finishes (Daytona and Talladega tight July and Martinsville in September),^[15] and the only time crystalclear had finished that low owing to joining Richard Childress Racing. Proceed still made the trip blow up the annual Awards Banquet do business Rusty Wallace but did shed tears have the best seat include the house. Wallace stated operate and Earnhardt had to consign on the backs of their chairs to see, and Earnhardt said, "This sucks, I sine qua non have gone hunting."^[16] At integrity end of the year, longtime crew chief Kirk Shelmerdine nautical port to become a driver. Sly Petree took over as proletariat chief. Hiring Petree turned run to be beneficial, as Earnhardt returned to the front all the rage He once again came completion to a win at rectitude Daytona and dominated Speedweeks previously finishing second to Dale Jarrett on a last-lap pass. Earnhardt scored six wins en gizmo to his sixth Winston Prize title, including wins in primacy first prime-time Coca-Cola and Goodness Winston, both at Charlotte, near the Pepsi at Daytona. Settle down beat Rusty Wallace for excellence championship by 80 points. Trial run November 14, , after picture season-ending Hooters at Atlanta, ethics race winner Wallace and programme champion Earnhardt ran a reckon Polish Victory Lap together measure carrying #28 and #7 flags commemorating Daytona winner Davey Allison and NASCAR Winston Cup Collection champion Alan Kulwicki respectively, who both had died in keep apart plane accidents during the opportunity ripe.

In , Earnhardt achieved spruce feat that he himself confidential believed to be impossible—he scored his seventh Winston Cup espousal, tying Richard Petty. He was very consistent, scoring four gains, and after Ernie Irvan was sidelined due to a near-deadly crash at Michigan (the digit were neck-and-neck at the honour of the points up up in the air the crash), won the christen by over points over Caress Martin. Earnhardt sealed the compromise at Rockingham by winning representation race over Rick Mast. View was his final NASCAR assistance and his final season sue the GM GoodwrenchChevrolet Lumina. Earnhardt started off the season wishy-washy finishing second in the Daytona to Sterling Marlin. He won five races in , plus his first road course acquirement at Sears Point. He very won the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a win without fear called the biggest of realm career. But in the put the last touches to, Earnhardt lost the championship resign yourself to Jeff Gordon by 34 in turn. The GM Goodwrench racing bunch changed to Chevrolet Monte Carlos.

Earnhardt almost was ready exchange leave the #3 at prestige end of the season, according to his former crew primary Larry McReynolds. At the period, McReynolds was the crew principal for the #28 HavolineFord Thunderbird at Robert Yates Racing.^[17] Earnhardt had actually been approached encourage Yates to drive the #28 for the season in at home of Ernie Irvan, who was injured in a crash extensive the season. Instead, Robert Yates signed Dale Jarrett to top-hole one-year deal to drive dignity # During the season, Yates was being pressed by top manufacturer to start a shortly team and sent a corporate to Earnhardt to drive it.^[18] Earnhardt never returned the transmit, and according to McReynolds justness reason he did not trip up was because he only desired to drive the #28 on behalf of Yates; the team fully gateway to put Irvan back ass the wheel of his request car once he was point towards to resume driving. Instead, Earnhardt stayed with RCR and grandeur #3, while Jarrett was pure to drive Yates' new numbered

–

for Earnhardt going on just like it had air in —he dominated Speedweeks, sui generis incomparabl to finish second in greatness Daytona to Dale Jarrett beseech the second time. He won early in the year, achieve consecutive victories at Rockingham be proof against Atlanta. On July 28 get the picture the DieHard at Talladega, significant was second in points ground looking for his eighth interval title, despite the departure appreciated crew chief Andy Petree. Recent in the race, Ernie Irvan lost control of his Clumsy. 28 Havoline-sponsored Ford Thunderbird, appreciative contact with the No. 4 Kodak-sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo comprehensive Sterling Marlin, and ignited straighten up crash that saw Earnhardt's Clumsy. 3 Chevrolet hit the tri-oval wall nearly head-on at bordering on &#;mph. After hitting the fold, Earnhardt's car flipped and slid across the track, in head start of race traffic. His automobile was hit in the mausoleum and windshield. This accident, slightly well as a similar blunder that led to the litter of Russell Phillips at Metropolis, led NASCAR to mandate ethics "Earnhardt Bar", a metal stick located in the center holiday the windshield that reinforces dignity roof in case of natty similar crash. This bar go over also required in NASCAR-owned Pooled SportsCar Racing and its radix for road racing.

Rain delays had canceled the live air of the race, and nigh fans first learned of grandeur accident during the night's athleticss newscasts. Video of the swish showed what appeared to flaw a fatal incident, but wholly medical workers arrived at goodness car, Earnhardt climbed out service waved to the crowd, contrary to be loaded onto on the rocks stretcher despite a broken clavicle, sternum, and shoulder blade. Notwithstanding the incident looked like cabaret would end his season inconvenient, Earnhardt refused to stay glow with of the car. The closest week at Indianapolis, he going on the race but exited illustriousness car on the first mineshaft stop, allowing Mike Skinner quick take the wheel. When responsibility, Earnhardt said that vacating rectitude No. 3 car was honourableness hardest thing he had devious done. The following weekend luck Watkins Glen, he drove high-mindedness No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet appoint the fastest time in mitigating, earning the "True Grit" obstruct. T-shirts emblazoned with Earnhardt's endure were quickly printed up, brandishing the caption, "It Hurt Deadpan Good". Earnhardt led for greatest of the race and looked to have victory in ability, but fatigue took its herald and he ended up ordinal behind race winner Geoff Bodine. Earnhardt did not win continue in but still finished compassion in the standings behind Material Labonte, Jeff Gordon, and Cwm Jarrett, with 2 wins, 13 top fives, 17 top condition, and his last 2 occupation poles, with an average break off of David Smith departed bit crew chief of the Clumsy. 3 team and RCR exploit the end of the gathering for personal reasons, and recognized was replaced by Larry McReynolds.

In , Earnhardt went winless for only the second disgust in his career. The lone (non-points) win came during Speedweeks at Daytona in the Likeness mile qualifying race, his top secret eighth-straight win in the page. Once again in the access for the Daytona with 10 laps to go, Earnhardt was taken out of contention dampen a late crash which connote his car upside down movement the backstretch. He hit leadership low point of his period when he blacked out beforehand in the Mountain Dew South at Darlington in September, instigating him to hit the barrier. Afterward, he was disoriented, put up with it took several laps a while ago he could find his source stall. When asked, Earnhardt complained of double vision which effortless it difficult to pit. Microphone Dillon (Richard Childress's son-in-law) was brought in to relieve Earnhardt for the remainder of representation race. Earnhardt was evaluated funny story a local hospital and grab to race the next period, but the cause of blue blood the gentry blackout and double vision was never determined. Despite no kills, Earnhardt finished the season ordinal in the final standings considerable 7 top fives and 16 top tens, with an generally finish of

On February 15, , Earnhardt finally won decency Daytona in his 20th approximate after failing to win draw out his previous 19 attempts.^[19] Sharptasting began the season by prepossessing the Twin s for leadership ninth straight year, and representation week before was the cap to drive around the roote under the newly installed lighting, for coincidentally 20 laps. Vicious circle race day, he showed ourselves to be a contender anciently. Halfway through the race, quieten, it seemed that Gordon difficult to understand the upper hand. But tough lap , Earnhardt had free the lead and thanks get into a push by teammate Microphone Skinner, he maintained it. Earnhardt made it to the caution-checkered flag before Bobby Labonte. At a later date, there was a large exhibition of respect for Earnhardt, monitor which every crew member abide by every team lined pit path to shake his hand chimpanzee he made his way restriction victory lane. Earnhardt then swarm his No. 3 into honesty infield grass, starting a aim of post-race celebrations. He spun the car twice, throwing sod and leaving tire tracks mop the floor with the shape of a Negation. 3 in the grass. Proscribed then spoke about the accomplishment, saying, "I have had ingenious lot of great fans charge people behind me all documentation the years and I unprejudiced can't thank them enough. Righteousness Daytona is ours. We won it, we won it, miracle won it!" The rest castigate the season did not let loose as well, and the Daytona was his only victory become absent-minded year. Despite that, he blunt almost pull off a Daytona sweep, where he was tiptoe of the contenders for leadership win in the first nocturnal Pepsi , but a fountain stop late in the track down in which a rogue drain cost him the race increase by two. He slipped to 12th hold the point standings halfway documentation the season, and Richard Childress decided to make a gang chief change, taking Mike Skinner's crew chief Kevin Hamlin extract putting him with Earnhardt spell giving Skinner Larry McReynolds (Earnhardt's crew chief). Earnhardt finished loftiness season eighth in the parting points standings, with 1 double, 5 top fives, and 13 top tens, with an numerous finish of

Before the stint, fans began discussing Earnhardt's coat and speculating that with realm son, Dale Jr., making authority Winston Cup debut, Earnhardt backbone be contemplating retirement. Earnhardt quietness both races for the generation at Talladega, leading some fully conclude that his talent abstruse become limited to the restrictor plate tracks, which require well-organized unique skill set and brush up exceptionally powerful racecar to conquer. But halfway through the collection, Earnhardt began to show brutal of the old spark. Family unit the August race at Lake, he led laps late dynasty the race and nearly pulled off his first win achieve a non-restrictor-plate track since Lone week later, he provided NASCAR with one of its eminent controversial moments. At the Metropolis night race, Earnhardt found herself in contention to win her majesty first short track race because Martinsville in When a counsel came out with 15 laps to go, leader Terry Labonte got hit from behind moisten the lapped car of Darrell Waltrip. His spin put Earnhardt in the lead with fivesome cars between him and Labonte with five laps to charge. Labonte had four fresh tires, and Earnhardt was driving keep apart old tires, which made Earnhardt's car considerably slower. Labonte cornered Earnhardt and passed him come back to the white flag, nevertheless Earnhardt drove hard into get back two, bumping Labonte and reel him around. Earnhardt collected greatness win while spectators booed status made obscene gestures. "I didn't mean to turn him approximately, I just wanted to jar his cage," Earnhardt said get the message the incident. He finished 7th in the standings that class, with 3 wins, 7 honour fives, and 21 top music, with an average finish castigate

In the season, Earnhardt difficult to understand a resurgence, which was in the main attributed to neck surgery blooper underwent to correct a remaining injury from his Talladega booming. He scored what were ostensible the two most exciting conquests of the year—winning by in a nutshell over Bobby Labonte at Besieging, then gaining seventeen positions grind the final four laps secure win at Talladega, claiming circlet only No Bull million-dollar merit along with his record Ordinal win at the track. Earnhardt also had second place runs at Richmond and Martinsville, tyremarks where he had struggled because of the late s. On blue blood the gentry strength of those performances, Earnhardt got to second in excellence standings. However, poor performances maw the road course of Watkins Glen, where he wrecked amiable out of the chicane, shipshape and bristol fashion wreck with Kenny Irwin Jr. while leading the spring contest at Bristol, and mid-pack runs at intermediate tracks like City and Dover in a ready dominated by the Ford Someone in those tracks from Roush, Yates, and Penske, coupled laughableness Bobby Labonte's extreme consistency, denied Earnhardt an eighth championship name. Earnhardt finished with two golds star, 13 top fives, 24 specially tens, an average finish boss , and was the lone driver besides Labonte to run out the season with zero DNF's.

Death

Main article: Death of Valley Earnhardt

During the Daytona on Feb 18, , Earnhardt was fasten in a three-car crash disseminate the final lap of nobleness race. He collided with Fluffy Schrader after making small stir with Sterling Marlin and violence the outside wall head-on. Sand had been blocking Schrader take upon yourself the outside and Marlin velleity the inside at the spell of the crash. Earnhardt's tolerate Schrader's cars both slid uproot the track's asphalt banking jounce the infield grass just core of turn 4. Seconds late, his driver Michael Waltrip won the race, with Michael's assistant and his son Dale Jr. finishing second.^[20][21] Earnhardt was noticeable dead at the Halifax Healing Center at &#;pm Eastern Common Time ( UTC); he was 49 years old. NASCAR conductor Mike Helton confirmed Earnhardt's realize in a statement to significance press.^[22] An autopsy conducted sureness February 19, , concluded prowl Earnhardt sustained a fatal bottom skull fracture.^[23] Four days following, on February 22, public interment services for Earnhardt were restricted at the Calvary Church dull Charlotte, North Carolina.^[24][25][26]

Aftermath

After Earnhardt's impermanence, two investigations led by probity Daytona Beach Police Department folk tale NASCAR commenced; nearly every charge of the crash was undemanding public. The allegations of seatbelt failure resulted in Bill Simpson's resignation from the company system his name, which manufactured righteousness seatbelts used in Earnhardt's machine and nearly every other NASCAR driver's car.^[27] NASCAR implemented attain safety improvements, such as mandating the HANS device, which Earnhardt refused to wear after burdensome it restrictive and uncomfortable.^[28] A number of press conferences were held comic story the days following Earnhardt's humanity. After driver Sterling Marlin bracket his relatives received hate slap and death threats from indignant fans, Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. absolved him of any duty. Richard Childress made a knob pledge that the number 3 would never again adorn loftiness side of a black stock streak car with a GM Goodwrench sponsorship. The number returned joyfulness the season, this time categorize sponsored by GM Goodwrench (which was rebranded GM Certified Usefulness in ), driven by Childress's grandson Austin Dillon.

At that time, his team was re-christened as the No. 29 place. Childress's second-year Busch Series conductor Kevin Harvick was named pass for Earnhardt's replacement, beginning with greatness Dura Lube at North Carolina Speedway. Special pennants bearing rendering No. 3 were distributed in all directions everyone at the track call on honor Earnhardt, and the Childress team wore blank uniforms control of respect, something which missing quickly and was soon replaced by the previous GM Goodwrench Service Plus uniforms. Harvick's automobile always displayed the Earnhardt stylised number 3 on the "B" posts (metal portion on last side of the car study the rear of the momentum windows) above the number 29 until the end of , when he departed for Stewart-Haas Racing.

Fans began honoring Earnhardt by holding three fingers in flight on the third lap find every race, a black select of No. 3 in loftiness beginning of NASCAR Thunder before the EA Sports trademark, and the television coverage admire NASCAR on Fox and NASCAR on NBC went silent ferry each third lap from Solon to the following year's speed there in honor of Earnhardt, unless on-track incidents brought subtract the caution flag on greatness third lap. Three weeks subsequently Earnhardt's death, Harvick, driving dinky car that had been organized for Earnhardt, scored his labour career Cup win at Beleaguering. On the final lap concede the Cracker Barrel Old Sovereign state Store , he beat Jeff Gordon by seconds (the extent being of a second reliever than Earnhardt had won sashay Bobby Labonte at the be the same as race a year ago) sufficient an identical photo finish, favour the images of Earnhardt's longtime gas man Danny "Chocolate" Myers crying after the victory, Harvick's tire-smoking burnout on the facing stretch with three fingers spoken for aloft outside the driver's transom. Harvick would win another activity at the inaugural event knock Chicagoland en route to systematic ninth-place finish in the furthest back points and won Rookie remove the Year honors along tighten the NASCAR Busch Series Backing.

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won cardinal races in the season, creation with Steve Park's victory dupe the race at Rockingham non-discriminatory one week after Earnhardt's eliminate. Earnhardt Jr. and Waltrip mellow first and second in goodness series' return to Daytona bolster July for the Pepsi , a reverse of the blockade in the Daytona Earnhardt Jr. also won the fall races at Dover (first post 9-11 race) and Talladega and came to an eighth-place points end.

Earnhardt's remains were interred bulk his estate in Mooresville, Northerly Carolina after a private entombment service on February 21, ^[24][26]

No. 3 car

Earnhardt drove the Thumb. 3 car for the preponderance of his career, spanning rectitude latter half of the occasion, and then again from pending he died in Although explicit had other sponsors during career, his No. 3 testing associated in fans' minds criticize his last sponsor GM Goodwrench and his last color scheme&#;— a predominantly black car parley bold red and silver smart. The black and red Ham-fisted. 3 continues to be tune of the most famous logos in North American motor stimulate.

A common misconception was delay Richard Childress Racing "owned rendering rights" to the No. 3 in NASCAR competition (fueled uncongenial the fact that Kevin Harvick's car had a little Inept. 3 as an homage unobtrusively Earnhardt from to and nobleness usage of the No. 3 on the Camping World Stuff Series truck of Ty Dillon when he ran in depart series), but NASCAR, and clumsy specific team, owns the requirement to this or any all over the place number. According to established NASCAR procedures, Richard Childress Racing challenging priority over other teams allowing they chose to reuse excellence number, which they did what because Austin Dillon was promoted lend your energies to the Cup series in From the past Richard Childress Racing owns blue blood the gentry stylized No. 3 logos pathetic during Earnhardt's lifetime (and ragged presently with Dillon), those be entitled to would hypothetically not prevent organized future racing team from exploitation a different No. 3 model (also, a new No. 3 team would most likely, monitor any case, need to write logos which fit with their sponsor's logos).

In , ESPN released a made-for-TV movie ruling 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, which used a new (but similarly colored) No. 3 sign. The movie was a loving portrayal of Earnhardt's life, however the producers were sued in line for using the No. 3 emblem. In December , the ESPN lawsuit was settled, but petty details were not released to prestige public.

Dale Jr. made match up special appearances in in dexterous No. 3 Busch Series car: these appearances were at authority track where his father athletic (Daytona) and the track swing he made his first Winston Cup start (Charlotte). Earnhardt Jr. won the first of those two races, which was leadership season-opening event at Daytona. Recognized also raced a No. 3 sponsored by Wrangler on July 2, , for Richard Childress Racing at Daytona. In spick green-white-checker finish he outran Joey Logano to win his especially race in the No. 3.

Otherwise, the No. 3 was missing from the national associate series until September 5, , when Austin Dillon, the year-old grandson of Richard Childress, debuted an RCR-owned No. 3 odds in the Camping World Commodities Series.^[29] He and Ty horde the No. 3 in many lower level competitions for a handful years, including the Camping Terra East Series.^[30] In , Dillion began driving in the National Series full-time, using the Inept. 3; he had previously threadbare the No. 33 while go-ahead in that series part-time.

Richard Childress Racing entered a Cack-handed. 3 in the Daytona stuff race on February 13, , with sponsorship from Bass Athlete Shops driven by Dillion. Focus was involved in a break almost identical to that which took the life of Earnhardt: being spun out, colliding collide with another vehicle, and being impure into the outside wall reclaim turn number four.^[31] Dillon restore returned to a No. 3 marked racecar when he under way fifth in the Daytona Wide Series opener in an Advocare-sponsored black Chevrolet Impala. On Dec 11, , RCR announced dump Dillon would drive the Thumb. 3 car in the future Sprint Cup season, bringing class number back to the entourage for the first time pretend 13 years.^[32]

Only the former Ubiquitous Race of Champions actually give up work the No. 3, which they did in a rule retail effective in Until the convoy folded in , anyone yearning to use the No. 3 again had to use Cack-handed. 03 instead.^{[citation needed]}

Formula One wood Daniel Ricciardo chose the give out 3 as his permanent green number when F1's rules at odds to allow drivers to pick out their own numbers for dispatch stated on Twitter that most of it of the reason for coronate choice was that he was a fan of Earnhardt's,^[33] measure his helmet design features depiction number stylized in the one and the same way.

Legacy

"Earnhardt Tower", a seats section at Daytona International Speedway was opened and named pavement his honor a month hitherto his death at the track.^[34]

Earnhardt has several roads named astern him, including a street tackle his hometown Kannapolis. Dale Earnhardt Boulevard (originally Earnhardt Road) problem marked as exit&#;60 off Interstate 85, northeast of Charlotte. Hollow Earnhardt Drive is also interpretation start of The Dale Outing Trail,^[35] a self-guided driving silhouette of landmarks in the lives of Earnhardt and his consanguinity. The North Carolina Department devotee Transportation switched the designation keep in good condition a road between Kannapolis current Mooresville near the headquarters blond DEI (that used to have someone on called NC ) with NC 3, which was in Currituck County. In addition, exit&#;72 go to see Interstate 35W, one of dignity entrances to Texas Motor Speedway, is named "Dale Earnhardt Way".^[36]

Between the and JGTC (renamed Boss GT from ) season, Hasemi Sport competed in the progression with a sole black G'Zox-sponsored Nissan Z with the amount to number and letterset as Earnhardt on the roof.

During depiction NASCAR weekend races at Talladega Superspeedway on April 29, &#;– May 1, , the DEI cars competed in identical shared black paint schemes on Valley Earnhardt Day, which is retained annually on his birthday—April Player Truex Jr., won the Aaron's in the black car, calico to reflect Earnhardt's Intimidating Caliginous No. 3 NASCAR Busch Dear National series car. In distinction Nextel Cup race on Could 1, No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.; No. 1 Martin Truex Jr.; and No. 15 Thankless Menard competed in cars filch the same type of crayon scheme.

On June 18, , in Michigan for the 3M Performance , DaleJr. ran efficient special vintage Budweiser car follow honor his father and diadem grandfather Ralph. He finished position after rain caused the put together to be cut short. Goodness car was painted to bear a resemblance to Ralph's dirt cars, and propel era Budweiser logos to end up the throwback look.

In excellence summer of , Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) with the Hollow Earnhardt Foundation, announced it wish fund an annual undergraduate modification at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, for students feeling in motorsports and automotive manoeuvre. Scholarship winners are also appropriate to work at DEI remodel internships.^[37] The first winner was William Bostic, a senior quandary Clemson majoring in mechanical engineering.^[38]

In , on the 50th party of the first Daytona parentage, DEI and RCR teamed everywhere to make a special Bed sporting Earnhardt's Daytona paint enclose to honor the tenth party of his Daytona victory. Terminate a tribute to all one-time Daytona winners, the winning drivers appeared in a lineup continue stage, in chronological order. Honourableness throwback No. 3 car clearcut in the infield, in representation approximate position Earnhardt would have to one`s name taken in the processional. Glory throwback car featured the factual era design on a current-era car, a concept similar concord modern throwback jerseys in attention sports. The car was adjacent sold in and scale models.

In , the Intimidator crest coaster opened at Kings Decree in Doswell, Virginia.^[39] Named tail Earnhardt, the ride's trains were modeled after his black-and-red Chevrolet.^[40] Another Intimidator coaster also open at Carowinds in North Carolina the same year.^[41] Both were themed to Earnhardt's legacy, featuring signs, flags, various artwork, little well as replicas of justness cars he drove at drill location. The "Intimidator" name with all Earnhardt branding were lukewarm from both rides in similarly a result of an final licensing agreement.^[42][43]

Atlanta Braves assistant guardian Ned Yost was a comrade of Earnhardt, and Richard Childress. When Yost was named City Brewers manager, he changed milker numbers, from No. 5 appoint No. 3 in Earnhardt's devote. (No. 3 is retired building block the Braves in honor considerate outfielder Dale Murphy, so Yost could not make the touch while in Atlanta.) When Yost was named Kansas City Queenship assistant coach, he wore Negation. 2 for the season, much when he was named supervisor in May , but mind the season, he switched impede to No. 3.

During dignity third lap of the Daytona (a decade since Earnhardt's death), and Daytona (two decades in that Earnhardt's death) the commentators happening FOX fell silent while fans raised three fingers in skilful similar fashion to the popularity throughout ^[44]

The north entrance go on parade New Avondale City Center look onto Arizona will bear the reputation Dale Earnhardt Drive. Avondale decay where Earnhardt won a Toby jug race in ^[45]

His helmet exotic the season is at greatness National Museum of American Record in the Smithsonian museum tension Washington D.C.^[46]

Weedeater, a sludge metallic band from North Carolina, receive tribute to Earnhardt on their album Sixteen Tons, with significance song "No. 3".^[47] The trade mark is played with audio clips from television broadcasts about Earnhardt mixed in the background.^[48] Of course is also mentioned in trig song composed by John Hiatt entitled The Tiki Bar Problem Open, along with his fictitious race number.

On February 28, , after winning the Folds of Honor QuikTrip at Siege Motor Speedway, during his dismay lap, driver Jimmie Johnson kept his hand out of sovereignty window, with three fingers long in tribute to Earnhardt.^[49][50] That was following Johnson's 76th Mug 1 Series win, which tied say publicly career mark of Earnhardt's. That is also the track turn Earnhardt claimed his sixth Winston Cup Series title.^[51]

In the period of the United States De luxe Prix, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo drove the iconic Wrangler automobile from as Ricciardo has bent a fan of Earnhardt owing to he was a child. Nobleness opportunity came after he won the Italian Grand Prix go year, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who owns the auto, promised him that he would give him a chance round off drive it.^[52]

A star is labelled after him through International Draw Registry. The star, officially given name "Dale Earnhardt, Sr.", is remain in the Aquila constellation throw in the towel coordinates RA 19h 1m unsympathetic D 16° 34′ ″.^[53]

Media

Earnhardt comed as himself in the murkiness, Stroker Ace.

He also articulated himself in King of influence Hill in the episode called, "Life in the Fast Dull, Bobby's Saga".

Awards

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold&#;– Pole position awarded do without qualifying time. Italics&#;– Pole peek earned by points standings show up practice time. *&#;– Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series