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A Tribute to Dale:

The Intimidator-

1951-2001

The End of an Era

Dale was a relentless driver who wanted to win every race at all costs.He had the skill and agility to drive a race car on and over the edge,beyond the laws of physics,and was thought by many to be able to feel and see air.Dale defined the modern day era of a stock car driver.

Dale had 7 Championships -76 wins -70 2nds -59 3rds -43 4ths -33 5ths -147 6-10ths for a total of 428 top tens.Dale finished in the top ten 63% of all the races he started.

More about Dale:

http://jayski.thatsracin.com/trib/3dale.htm

This is another good Dale Bio Site:

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/Racing/DaleEarnhardtBio.html

These sites are worth a visit also:

http://www.rappy.net/de/tribute.htm and then another http://chiefnc.homestead.com/Tribute.html and several others http://www.busybeeofficeshop.com and http://www.theuspits.com/iwcccars/DEMemorial.html and http://www.imageofgreatness.com and http://www.geocities.com/racndeb/indexdale.html and http://www.members.aol.com/_ht_a/rreaves328/dale.html and http://www.teamterrier.com/Earnhardt.html and http://www.angelfire.com/ks/TheSoundMan/index3.html and http://members.tripod.com/bigeseeker/

Dales Stats:

Dale started racing in the W.C. Series in 1975 when he entered one race.In 1976 he entered two races.He entered another race in 1977 and five in 1978.In 1979 he got a full time ride and won a Pole and a Race.He finished 7th in the points and won the R.O.T.Y. Title.In 1980 he won his first Championship and was the first driver to win the R.O.T.Y. title and the Championship back to back.Dale went on to win Six more Championships and established himself as one of the best in the sport.

Wins By Track:

DarlingtonRaceway - 9

Atlanta Motor Speedway - 9

Bristol Motor Speedway - 9

Talladega Super Speedway - 10

Martinsville Speedway - 6

North Wilkesboro - 5

Richmond International Raceway - 5

Daytona International Speedway - 3

Dover Downs International Speedway - 3

North Carolina Speedway - 3

Michigan International Speedway - 2

Nashville Speedway USA - 2

Pocono Raceway - 2

Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 1

Phoenix International Raceway - 1

Sears Point Raceway - 1

Charlotte Motor Speedway - 5

Total 76 Wins

Track Size:

Short --3/4 miles or less:

Bristol -Martinsville -Richmond

Medium --1 mile to 1 1/2 mile:

Atlanta -Charlotte -Chicago -Darlington -Dover -Homestead -Kansas -Las Vegas -Loudon -Phoenix -Rockingham -Texas

Large -- 2 miles to 2 1/2 miles :

Michigan -Fontana -Indianapolis - Pocono

Road Courses -- 2 to 2 1/2 Miles :

Sonoma - Watkins Glen

Super Speedways (Restrictor Plates)-- 2 1/2 or more:

Daytona - Talladega

In 1979 Dale Earnhardt began his racing career. He drove for Rod Osterland. The Car number was 2. Going for Rookie of the Year, Dale was involved in an accident at Pocono. David Pearson filled in for Dale till he returned at Richmond. Even though Dale was out for those races, Dale went on to claim Rookie of the Year. Dale had 1 win, 11 top 5's and 17 top 10's. Ending the season 7th in points.

1980 Dale Earnhardt backed up his Rookie of the Year honors and brought home his first Winston Cup Championship. Never before had a driver been ROTY and backed it up with championship. No one has done it since either. Wrangler offered Dale a five year deal. Dale had 5 wins, 19 top 5s and 24 top 10's.

1981 in the middle of the season Rod Osterland announced that he was selling the team. It was purchased by Jim Stacey. Dale was devastated.

Four days later Richard Childress announced he would be retiring from racing as a Driver. His mission now was to concentrate as owner of the car Dale Earnhardt would pilot. Wrangler stayed with Dale. At seasons end Richard told Dale to find a better ride. Dale and Richard had become good friends. Dale had 0 wins, 9 top 5's and 17 top 10's, ending up 7th in points.

1982 season found Dale Earnhardt in a Ford for Bud Moore. Car number was 15. Wrangler has continued their sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt. Dale only managed one win that year, and it was Fords only win that season. 7 top 5's, 12 top 10's and was 12th in points.

1983 was Dale's final season with Owner Bud Moore. Thunderbirds were just no that competitive for Dale. Dale had 2 wins, 9 top 5's, 14 top 10's and 6th in points.

1984 was the start of a brand new year for Dale Earnhardt and Owner Richard Childress. Dale returned to Childress, car # was 3. Wrangler once again went with Dale. Richard Childress called 1984 a building season. Dale had 2 wins, 12 top 5's, 12 top 10's and ended up 4th in points.

1985 brought Dale Earnhardt domination of the short tracks. He had 4 short track wins that season. With the 4 wins came 10 top 5's, 16 top 10's and ended 8th in points.

1986 was 2nd Winston Cup Championship for Dale. Remember Dale and Darrell show at Richmond? Dale Earnhardt was fined 5,000.00 for wreck less driving from NASCAR. Kirk Shelmerdine had join on as Crew Chief in 1984, and results were starting to show. Dale had 5 wins, 16 top 5's and 23 top 10's, which resulted into a Championship.

1987 The Intimidator once again emerged. One of the Best seasons Dale had. Bringing home 11 wins, 21 top 5's, and 24 top 10's which resulted in his 3rd Winston Cup Championship. Dale also got back to back Championships.

1988 GM Goodwrench came on board the 3 car. Dale had 3 wins, 13 top 5's, and 19 top 10's for a 3rd place finish in points.

1989 Dale and his Goodwrench team ended up with 5 wins, 14 top 5's and 19 top 10's with 2nd place finish in points. Dale started season 3rd in Daytona, this was the same year Ralph Earnhardt was inducted into National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame.

1990 Dale had 9 wins, 18 top 5's and 23 top 10's resulting another first place finish as Winston Cup Champion. Blew a tire on the final lap of Daytona 500, giving win to Derrick Cope. Dale beat out Mark Martin by only 24 points for Championship.

1991 would bring his 2nd Career back to back Championship. Dale that year won every race at Daytona but the 500. With 4 wins, 14 top 5's and 21 top 10's. Dale enter Atlanta needing to start the engine to win the Championship. As soon as the engine fired the celebration began.

1992 This season would bring Dale what he calls one of the worst seasons he ever had. Dale had only 1 win, 6 top 5's and 15 top 10's. Resulting in 12th place finish in points.

1993 turned out to be another golden year for Dale Earnhardt. Going into Daytona where by the way won all races but 500 again, the 3 GM Goodwrench team brought a new slogan: Black is Back! Andy Petree had come on board as Dale Crew Chief, what a match there? On his way to his 5th Winston Cup Championship Dale had 17 top 5's, 21 top 10's.

1994 brought Dale Earnhardt his 3rd back to back Winston Cup Championships. 3 was definitely a great number. Going back in his 10 years with Richard Childress, Dale has won more races than any other driver to date. RCR and Dale Earnhardt had 50 wins, 119 top "3" finishes, Dale had also finished 2nd 32 times, remember Dales famous words? 2nd sucks it is the first to loose.

The Champion had 20 top 5's and 25 top 10's.

1995 Dale finished 2nd in points again. That year also brought another 2nd place finish at Daytona. Dale was the driver who always wanted the wins, Championship or to win the Daytona 500. That year Dale had 19 top 5's and 23 top 10's.

1996 had all eyes on Earnhardt and Gordon. Everyone knew Dale with his style would show Jeff how racing really was.

In 1995 Gordon had beaten Earnhardt by 24 points for the Championship. Andy Petree announces this would be his final year with the #3 GM Goodwrench team. Dale had only 2 wins, but 13 top 5's and 17 top 10's. Finished 14th in points.

1997 Larry McReynold took his turn as Crew Chief for GM Goodwrench Team. Dale crashed in Daytona while racing for 2nd place with only a few laps remaining. Wins that year was 0 for Dale, having only 7 top 5's and 16 top 10's. Dale was 5th in points.

1998 was a fairy tale come true for Dale. Dale finally won the Daytona 500. That made Dales racing career complete. Anyone who wants to hear Dale in Victory Lane email Me, I have the Wav. That was the best day of My life says Dale. Daytona turned out to be the only win Dale would get in 1998. The same year at Daytona Dale had won his 9th straight Twin 125 qualifying race.

Ending up with 5 top 5's and 13 top 10's and 8th in points, but Dale finally WON DAYTONA. Every driver and race team that day came on pit road to Congratulate Dale as he slowly drove by.

1999 was another year Dale once again had a new Crew Chief, this time was Kevin Hamlin formally Crew Chief for Mike Skinner teammate to 3 car. Kevin actually came over in the middle of 1998 season. Hamlin and Earnhardt are starting to put it together getting ready for 2000 season. Dale had 2 wins, 7 top 5's and 24 top 10's finishing 7th in points.

2000 Dale ended up having his worst ever finish at Daytona in a long time, was 21st. This was also the year Dale Earnhardt Jr began his cup racing career. Dale being the determined driver came back and finished 2nd in points once again. 3 team had 13 top 5's and 24 top 10's.

2001 Dale entered Daytona with a 2nd place finish in the Budweiser Shootout, 3 in twin 125 qualifying race, 7th in IROC and 12th in Daytona 500.

So when you ask Me why Dale Earnhardt was the Master? just read the stats. That should answer any question you may have.

During Dale Earnhardt racing career the lowest he finished in points was 14th in 1996. Dale finished 2nd in points "3" times. "3" times Dale finished 7th in points.

All of Dale's Championships were followed by back to back Wins. Back to back Championships, you got it "3"?

So not bad for 22 years and 7 Winston Cup Championships, along with all the wins, 2nd place finishes. Dale Earnhardt was The Master of the Draft. Ok I am going to let the numbers speak for themselves. Next time you think Hero remember Dale Earnhardt, he was a hero to millions.

About Dale:

A Tribute to Dale :

Birthdate: April 29, 1951
Birth Place: Kannapolis, N.C.
Died: February 18, 2001
Car Number: 3
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Sponsor: GM Goodwrench Service Plus
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Spouse: Teresa
Kids: Dale Jr., Kerry, Kelley King, Taylor
Height: 6' 1
Weight: 200
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Boating

Biography
There was never any doubt in Dale Earnhardt's mind about what he wanted to be in life. As a young boy watching his father Ralph race -- and win -- in Stock car events throughout the Southeast, Dale developed a love for the sport that would ultimately fuel one of the most successful careers in the history of motorsports.

In his late teens, Dale began racing Hobby-class cars in and around his native Kannapolis, NC, working full-time by day, welding and mounting tires, and either racing or working on his cars by night. He financed his own effort, oftentimes having to borrow money to buy parts and pieces to run on the weekends, hoping to win enough to pay back the bank on Monday.

In 1973, Ralph Earnhardt died of heart failure while working on his race car. Crushed by the loss, Dale eventually learned to cope by becoming more determined than ever to be successful as a driver. He continued to compete on the Sportsman circuit, racing at speedways near his home such as Hickory, Concord, and Metrolina Fairgrounds.

Dale made his Winston Cup debut in 1975, finishing 22nd while driving Ed Negre's Dodge in the World 600 at Charlotte in a deal put together by CMS President Richard Howard. Over the next three years, he made a total of eight more starts, the last of which was the 1978 Dixie 500 at Atlanta, when he drove a second car for Rod Osterlund. Earnhardt finished fourth in the race, one spot behind Osterlund's regular driver, Dave Marcis.

Marcis left after the 1978 season to start his own team, leaving Osterlund with a list of candidates to fill the seat in his Chevrolet. He decided to take a chance on the young driver, and offered Dale his first full-time Winston Cup ride for the 1979 season. Earnhardt considers the offer the biggest break of his career.

In his first full season of competition, Dale scored his initial Winston Cup win at Bristol in just his 16th career start. Eight races later, he notched his first career pole at Riverside. By the end of the season, he had driven to 11 top 5 finishes and beat Harry Gant, Terry Labonte and Joe Millikan for the rookie title in one of the most competitive rookie battles ever.

In 1980, with a young, yet solid team, good equipment and the determination to prove he belonged at racing's highest level, Earnhardt beat tough veteran Cale Yarborough for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series title to become the only driver ever to win the rookie crown and the series' championship in consecutive seasons.

Midway through the 1981 season, Osterlund sold his team to Jim Stacy. Earnhardt, disenchanted with the performance of the new team, left after only four races, deciding to finish the season driving for Richard Childress. By the end of the year, Childress realized that his cars were not performing at a level that justified a talent like Earnhardt's, so he urged Dale to accept an opportunity to drive for the well-established team of Bud Moore and big-dollar sponsor, Wrangler. Earnhardt accepted the ride in the #15 Fords, in which he competed for two seasons, winning three races and finishing 12th, then 8th in the points.

Meanwhile, Childress, with driver Ricky Rudd, was building his team into a championship contender. In the off-season between 1983 and 1984, Earnhardt made the decision to rejoin Childress. Driver and owner immediately began a program to achieve the level of performance both believed would take them to a NASCAR Winston Cup championship. Neither could have envisioned the success they would achieve together.

The duo captured their first championship two years later, in 1986, beginning a reign that would bring them six titles over the next nine seasons, accumulating records that attest to the talent and ability of one of the greatest drivers ever to have raced the short tracks and superspeedways of NASCAR. The highlights include:

Seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships ('80, '86, '87, '90, '91, '93, '94)

The only Winston driver to win Rookie of the Year and the Championship in successive years (1979, 1980).

Career winnings in excess of million.

Five-time NMPA Driver of the Year ('80, '86, '87, '90, '94)

Only three-time winner of "The Winston" ('87, '90, '93)

Only six-time Busch Clash winner ('80, '86, '88, '91, '93, '95)

Four-time IROC champion ('90, '95, '99, '00)

Earnhardt has won nearly every major event and title available to NASCAR Winston Cup drivers, including the Daytona 500.

In February 1998 after 20 attempts, Dale Earnhardt captured the only major victory that had eluded him throughout his career, the Daytona 500. The win was the 71st of his career and came in his 575th Winston Cup start, placing him sixth on the all-time wins list. Earnhardt added to his legacy in 1998 when NASCAR honored him and his father Ralph as two of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR history.

In February 2001, Dale Earnhardt, elder and younger, opened Daytona Speedweeks together as two members of a team in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, an annual sportscar race. The Earnhardts finished second in their class and fourth overall, proving to any doubters that Dale and son were more than just stock-car drivers.

The death of Dale Earnhardt on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 moved America like no other athlete's death ever had. Earnhardt was an original, a one-of-a-kind guy who captured the hearts of American stock car racing fans and the general public as well. With a twinkle in his eye and a devilish grin on his face, Earnhardt shoved and pushed his way to the front. With unparalleled determination, he willed his race cars to victory. He was loved not so much for the number of checkered flags and championships he won but for the spectacular style with which he won them.

DALES BIO:

Dale was born in Kannaoplis,N.C. where he started racing on the local tracks when he was 19 years old.Dale had been around racing all of his life as his father Ralph was one of the best drivers in the sport at the time.

Dales Team: