Who is Dale Earnhardt - The Intimidator

Ranked #11,667 in Entertainment, #143,688 overall

Dale Earnhardt captured our hearts

There are many great drivers, past and present, but Dale Earnhardt was an original, a one-of-a-kind guy, who captured the hearts of most of us racing fans. With his quiet confidence and famous grin, Dale continually pushed his way to the front. Many believe that his determination was beyond compare, it is said by many that "he actually willed his car to victory" and that is probably very true.

He was loved not so much for the number of checkered flags and championships he won, but for the impressive style with which he won them. His passion was obvious and this allowed him to easily connect with his fans, and we connected easily with him, because face it, he was "one of us".

Lens created on August 29, 2007
Last updated on October 7, 2011

The Basics

type=textBirthdate: April 29, 1951
Birth Place: Kannapolis, N.C.
Died: February 18, 2001
Children: Kerry, Kelley, Dale Jr and Taylor
Car Number: 3
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Sponsor: GM Goodwrench Service Plus
Manufacturer: Chevrolet

Dale was always going to race

type=textFor those that knew him personally, I don't think there was ever any doubt in his young mind about what he wanted to do with his life. As a young boy, he watched his father successfully race in events throughout the Southeast, and from that Dale developed his love for the sport that would ultimately fuel one of the most successful careers in the history of motorsports.

Did you know that Dale earned his nickname "The Intimidator" during the '87 season after spinning out Elliott in the final segment of The Winston.

Career Milestones

  • 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 $40 million.
  • Five-time NMPA Driver of the Year ('80, '86, '87, '90, '94)
  • Two-time American Driver of the Year - 1987, 1994
  • 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)
  • First American driver to receive AUTOSPORTS Gregor Grant Award
  • First Winston Cup driver to drive at Suzaka Circuitland, Japan
  • 12-time winner of the 125-mile qualifying race at Daytona (including ten straight wins from 1990 - 1999)
  • Named ESPY's "Driver of the Decade" (1990's)
  • Year 2000 marked Dale's 22nd full season on the NASCAR Winston Cup Circuit
  • "Most Popular Driver" Award, 2001
  • Earnhardt has won nearly every major event and title available to NASCAR Winston Cup drivers, including the Daytona 500.

February 18, 2001



The death of Dale Earnhardt on Turn 4 of the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 moved America like no other athlete's death ever had.

He may have been known as "The Intimidator", but his heart and giving ways were bigger than any track he raced. Many of those giving and charitable ways often went without fanfare or public accolades. As busy as he was, he never forgot his humble beginnings and knew the value of taking time to remember those in need.

Dale Earnhardt was a respected race car driver and a winning team owner. He was loved as a husband, father, grandfather, boss and most importantly, a person. When the black 3 Chevrolet took to the track, fans stood, cheered and watched his every move.

To this day, he is still admired, he is still respected and he will never be forgotten.

~ there will never be another like him ~

The Latest Google News on Dale Earnhardt

Loading

Dale Earnhardt Tribute

Loading

What did you think of Dale Earnhardt?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Leave your Tribute Comments

Hello, you may leave your comments below

  • madinvestment Oct 31, 2011 @ 8:25 am | delete
    Great lens! Full of good information that was useful. Well at least for this young squid.

    One big thumbs up vote left for ya!

    GO DALE JR.
  • CruiseReady Mar 1, 2011 @ 8:38 am | delete
    A wonderul tribute lens that can be appreciated by this Indy fan. He was truly a great in NASCAR. Lensrolling to my lens about another legend from the world of racing. (Tom Carnegie, Voice of the 500)
  • Tipi Feb 28, 2011 @ 10:40 pm | delete
    This lens just got some Angle Love. I can do that now, so i did!
    Dale is "King"!
  • KimGiancaterino Feb 15, 2011 @ 3:26 pm | delete
    I can't believe it's been ten years. I was working news when Dale Earnhardt died and we had to go live with a newscast just minutes after hearing about it. There were lots of racing fans in the control room ... a very sad time.
  • Jewelsofawe Feb 14, 2011 @ 12:55 pm | delete
    I was just watching a special on the day he died. So sad to watch. I just made a Jimmie Johnson lens. Blessing this lens!
  • Tipi Jan 31, 2011 @ 8:58 pm | delete
    "GOD WAS LOOKING FOR A DRIVER"! Now that hit my heart in the right place. It's the perfect ending to this excellent tribute to Dale Earnhardt!
  • awelldressedbullet Oct 13, 2010 @ 9:41 pm | delete
    This was a guestbook comment email I received, but the comment never showed up here on the lens. Not sure who it was left by, but it was written as ......

    I about quit watching nascar when dale left. i was at home taking care of my friends company so he could go see THE BIG RACE. I was in the bathroom when it happened so i didn't know . MY FRIEND CALLED AND I THOUGHT HE WAS KIDDING! Racing will never ever be the same. I feel like i lost a part of me but like my girl's shirt says "GOD WAS LOOKING FOR A DRIVER!"
  • allan johnson Oct 14, 2010 @ 6:59 am | delete
    i am on facebook. i was and still am a very big dale fan. please let me know how to join dale's fan club.would really like to join.thanks
  • awelldressedbullet Oct 17, 2010 @ 6:01 pm | delete
    Hi Allan, the Fan Club line is the title that Squidoo automatically puts in this module, it wasn't a reference to an actual fan club, sorry for the misunderstanding, but I am sure there must be lots of fan clubs out there!
  • JaguarJulie Oct 8, 2010 @ 12:40 pm | delete
    Gosh, Dale Earnhardt was huge in Jacksonville, FL!
  • Load More

About Me on Squidoo

Loading

My Top 20 Lenses

Loading

by

awelldressedbullet

offers handmade Belt Buckles, Bolo Ties, Bullet Pens, Ceiling Fan Pulls, Cufflinks, Earrings, Fridge Magnets, Keychains, Money Clips,... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Dale Earnhardt Sr. Shot Glass 

Race Day Nascar #3 Dale Earnhardt Sr. Shot Glass

Amazon Price: (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Dale Earnhardt NASCAR Tackle Bag 

Dale Earnhardt SR #3 NASCAR Tackle Bag

Amazon Price: (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Dale Earnhardt Sr & Jr Print