Fast cars, cold beer, and cheap women. All those factors blend together into the great sport of NASCAR. It is not easy to make a permanent mark on a sport, yet some people manage to do the impossible. Over the years NASCAR has produced many great drivers. Dale Earnhardt was one of the best NASCAR drivers in history who left a legacy for others to follow, including his children. Dale Earnhardt’s love for racing began at a young age. He was born in North Carolina in 1951. (Biography.com) Young Dale grew up watching his father, Ralph, build and race dirt track cars. Dale would accompany his father to races, dreaming of his chance to race. Ralph Earnhardt died of a heart attack in 1973. It crushed Dale, but he was determined to carry out the family
…show more content…
(Automotive) Later he would win the cup back to back in years 1990 and 1991. In 1996 he became only the third driver to compete in 500 consecutive Winston Cup races. The next year he would become one of few to pass 30 million dollars in career winnings. (Biography) 1998 was another big year for Earnhardt. After 20 attempts at winning the Daytona 500, his efforts paid off. He won the race and it counted as his 71st career win. (Automotive) Earnhardt tied Richard Petty’s NASCAR Winston Cup win record of 7. (Automotive) During his rookie year he started 27 races, had 17 top finishes, 11 top 5 finishes, and earned the rookie of the year award. (Biography) Now ale Earnhardt is arguably the greatest driver in auto-racing history. (ABC) Sadly, Earnhardt’s career came to a sudden, unexpected halt on February 18th, 2001. The 2001 Daytona 500 will always be remembered by racing fans as the day they lost a beloved hero. Michael Waltrip said, “Round the fourth corner and just a quarter mile from a great Daytona 500…then all hell breaks loose and then the aftermath.” (Fox) Rounding the final corner of the race, Earnhardt was tapped from behind by Sterling Marlin and hit by Ken Schrader into the wall. (Fox) Officials estimated Dale hit the wall head-on at 180 mph (miles per hour).
(Automotive) Later he would win the cup back to back in years 1990 and 1991. In 1996 he became only the third driver to compete in 500 consecutive Winston Cup races. The next year he would become one of few to pass 30 million dollars in career winnings. (Biography) 1998 was another big year for Earnhardt. After 20 attempts at winning the Daytona 500, his efforts paid off. He won the race and it counted as his 71st career win. (Automotive) Earnhardt tied Richard Petty’s NASCAR Winston Cup win record of 7. (Automotive) During his rookie year he started 27 races, had 17 top finishes, 11 top 5 finishes, and earned the rookie of the year award. (Biography) Now ale Earnhardt is arguably the greatest driver in auto-racing history. (ABC) Sadly, Earnhardt’s career came to a sudden, unexpected halt on February 18th, 2001. The 2001 Daytona 500 will always be remembered by racing fans as the day they lost a beloved hero. Michael Waltrip said, “Round the fourth corner and just a quarter mile from a great Daytona 500…then all hell breaks loose and then the aftermath.” (Fox) Rounding the final corner of the race, Earnhardt was tapped from behind by Sterling Marlin and hit by Ken Schrader into the wall. (Fox) Officials estimated Dale hit the wall head-on at 180 mph (miles per hour).