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NASCAR Drivers: Dale Earnhardt, Race Car And Racing
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Published: June 6, 2007
NASCAR racing fans can trace its roots to 1949 when Red Byron drove his Oldsmobile to two wins and the very first championship. NASCAR has since developed from a small road race circuit held on sandy beach-road tracks to behemoth tracks that can seat thousands of fans, while millions more watch breathlessly on television.
NASCAR enthusiasts are knowledgeable about the drivers and loyal to their favorites. The most legendary driver is Dale Earnhardt, who was only 49 years old when he died in a crash on Feb. 18, 2001, during the last lap of the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt was born into a racing family. His father Ralph Earnhardt was a talented race car driver, winning the NSACAR Sportsman's Division championship in 1956.
Dale Earnhardt is one of the two most successful NASCAR drivers in history. He is tied with Richard Petty for the most career NASCAR championships with seven. He also won four IROC championships, which is known in racing as the Masters of racing. Dale Earnhardt won 76 races during his NASCAR career with an aggressive, fan-pleasing style of driving. He was known by nicknames such as Iron head and the Intimidator. When Dale Earnhardt died NASCAR fans mourned him just as Elvis fans mourned the King's passing. Today many NASCAR fans choose to honor his memory by placing a black and red #3 sticker on their vehicle.
Sometimes good things result from a tragedy and this is the case with Dale Earnhardt's death. It is largely because of his untimely and tragic passing that NASCAR was forced to re-examine the safety of tracks, cars, and drivers. Dale Earnhardt's very public death capped a tragic nine months for NASCAR during which three other NASCAR drivers also died in crashes. Dale Earnhardt's death prompted fans to pressure NASCAR to implement new developments in safety including SAFER barriers on oval tracks, new seat belt rules and inspections, a roof-hatch to help drivers get out after a crash, and even a newly designed race car that incorporated high tech safety features. Dale Earnhardt's legacy includes improved safety and fewer deaths of his fellow drivers.
The Dale Earnhardt race car was retired after his crash and death. GM Goodwrench made the decision not to use the #3 or the black color scheme of Ironhead's car in memorial and uses a reversed colored scheme today with #29. NASCAR decides what numbers are used and has not retired the number, but no team has used the number out of respect. IROC did decide to retire the #3, so any team wishing to use the number must use #03 instead. Dale Earnhardt fans still hold up three fingers on lap three of NASCAR races today out of respect for their fallen hero.
NASCAR racing has millions of fans who enjoy the speed, color, and excitement of racing. The sport has grown exponentially in stature and popularity from the time of Red Byron when NASCAR was a mere southern pastime. Racing makes heroes out of ordinary men who risk their lives to chase their dreams. Dale Earnhardt lives on for racing fans and his legacy continues to propel NASCAR and driver safety into the national spotlight.
Sources:
The Earnhardt Connection.1998-2000. 5 June 2007. http://www.daleearnhardt.net/family/.
“Dale Earnhardt.” Wikipedia. 5 June 2007. 5 June 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Earnhardt
“IROC.” Wikipedia. 26 May 2007. 5 June 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Race_ of_Champions
Red Byron. Decades of Racing.net. 5 June 5, 2007.
http://www.decadesofracing.net/RedByron.htm
History Champions. NASCAR.com. 2007. NASCAR. 5 June 2007.
http://www.nascar.com/kyn/history/data/past_cham pions.html
"Changes made to the Chase, points system." Nascar.com. 1 Feb. 2007. NASCAR. 5 June 2007.
http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/01 /22/chase.changes/index.html
NASCAR enthusiasts are knowledgeable about the drivers and loyal to their favorites. The most legendary driver is Dale Earnhardt, who was only 49 years old when he died in a crash on Feb. 18, 2001, during the last lap of the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt was born into a racing family. His father Ralph Earnhardt was a talented race car driver, winning the NSACAR Sportsman's Division championship in 1956.
Dale Earnhardt is one of the two most successful NASCAR drivers in history. He is tied with Richard Petty for the most career NASCAR championships with seven. He also won four IROC championships, which is known in racing as the Masters of racing. Dale Earnhardt won 76 races during his NASCAR career with an aggressive, fan-pleasing style of driving. He was known by nicknames such as Iron head and the Intimidator. When Dale Earnhardt died NASCAR fans mourned him just as Elvis fans mourned the King's passing. Today many NASCAR fans choose to honor his memory by placing a black and red #3 sticker on their vehicle.
Sometimes good things result from a tragedy and this is the case with Dale Earnhardt's death. It is largely because of his untimely and tragic passing that NASCAR was forced to re-examine the safety of tracks, cars, and drivers. Dale Earnhardt's very public death capped a tragic nine months for NASCAR during which three other NASCAR drivers also died in crashes. Dale Earnhardt's death prompted fans to pressure NASCAR to implement new developments in safety including SAFER barriers on oval tracks, new seat belt rules and inspections, a roof-hatch to help drivers get out after a crash, and even a newly designed race car that incorporated high tech safety features. Dale Earnhardt's legacy includes improved safety and fewer deaths of his fellow drivers.
The Dale Earnhardt race car was retired after his crash and death. GM Goodwrench made the decision not to use the #3 or the black color scheme of Ironhead's car in memorial and uses a reversed colored scheme today with #29. NASCAR decides what numbers are used and has not retired the number, but no team has used the number out of respect. IROC did decide to retire the #3, so any team wishing to use the number must use #03 instead. Dale Earnhardt fans still hold up three fingers on lap three of NASCAR races today out of respect for their fallen hero.
NASCAR racing has millions of fans who enjoy the speed, color, and excitement of racing. The sport has grown exponentially in stature and popularity from the time of Red Byron when NASCAR was a mere southern pastime. Racing makes heroes out of ordinary men who risk their lives to chase their dreams. Dale Earnhardt lives on for racing fans and his legacy continues to propel NASCAR and driver safety into the national spotlight.
Sources:
The Earnhardt Connection.1998-2000. 5 June 2007. http://www.daleearnhardt.net/family/.
“Dale Earnhardt.” Wikipedia. 5 June 2007. 5 June 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Earnhardt
“IROC.” Wikipedia. 26 May 2007. 5 June 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Race_ of_Champions
Red Byron. Decades of Racing.net. 5 June 5, 2007.
http://www.decadesofracing.net/RedByron.htm
History Champions. NASCAR.com. 2007. NASCAR. 5 June 2007.
http://www.nascar.com/kyn/history/data/past_cham pions.html
"Changes made to the Chase, points system." Nascar.com. 1 Feb. 2007. NASCAR. 5 June 2007.
http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/01 /22/chase.changes/index.html
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