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2001 NEWS ARCHIVE

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Sunday, February 18, 2001

The Loss of a Champion

Dale Earnhardt 1951-2001

The racing community is still in shock at the passing of the "Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt was tragically killed on the last lap of NASCAR's Super Bowl the Daytona 500. Earnhardt was trying to hold off Sterling Marlin and was attempting to go low when he got tangled up with Kenny Schrader and went head on into the wall. Unofficial reports say "massive chest injuries" were the cause of death.

The untimely passing of "the Man in Black" leaves an empty space in NASCAR racing. Earnhardt came into Winston Cup racing as the Petty and other pioneers were making their exits. The man was a no nonsense, to the point race car driver. While new drivers were coming in with finesse type driving, Earnhardt relied on his skills and knowledge of his car and the track to rack up 7 Winston Cup Championships, tying the immortal Richard Petty.

This would be Earnhardt's 22nd season in Winston Cup racing. Just when everyone thought he was washed up, he chased Bobby Labonte to the wire, placing second in the Winston points race. Highlights of his 2000 season were two wins, 13 top-5 and 24 top-10 finishes. This year, Earnhardt was fielding cars for son Dale Jr., Steve Park, Daytona 500 2001 winner, Michael Waltrip, and a part-time operation for son, Kerry.

Earnhardt's accomplishments were many, but some of the highlights:

-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 $30 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)

-Three-time IROC champion ('90, '95, '99)

But his greatest accomplishment was in his own words, his 1998 Daytona 500 win. How ironic. Earnhardt was recently asked about his future, his response was, "I'd like to win 25 more races before I quit racing, and I'd like to win another championship. That's on my list of things to do."

Although he will never get that eighth championship, he leaves as one of the greatest champions our sport has ever seen. A man who believed in what he did and loved his family. Earnhardt leaves behind his wife, Teresa, and his children Dale, Jr., Kerry, Kelly King, and Taylor.

by Rick Anges


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