NASCAR TRAGEDY :NASCAR Driver legend is gone….
The headlines the next day said it all – “Racing loses a giant.”
Dale Earnhardt, also known as “The Intimidator,” “Ironhead” and “Man in Black” had died after a crash on the last lap in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2001.
It was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family were in shock.
Earnhardt, 49, died after a crash into the retaining wall after making contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin.
Earnhardt’s teammate, Michael Waltrip, won the race – a hollow victory. It was his first career Winston Cup win. Before that race, Waltrip was 0-462.
Doctors said Earnhardt died instantly from head injuries.
At the time, NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr., said, “NASCAR has lost its greatest driver ever, and I personally have lost a great friend.”
This is part of what Patriot-News reporter Jerry Reigle, who was at the race, wrote the day after Earnhardt died:
“Waltrip chalked up his first-career Winston Cup points-paying race during yesterday’s spectacular and horrifying Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Waltrip’s victory came in his first race as a member of Dale Earnhardt’s race team.
Earnhardt, one of the sport’s biggest names, died in a last-lap crash as he tried to protect Waltrip’s victory.
In 1993, he led 107 laps then was passed by Dale Jarrett in the last lap.
In 1997, he flipped his car with just 12 laps to go.
And, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996.
In 1998 he finally won.
Earnhardt had won seven NASCAR championships and 76 races.
