The Intimidator Dale Earnhardt is my favorite NASCAR driver. He was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500 on Febuary 18, 2001. He won 7 NASCAR winston cup championships. That tied him with the king of racing Richard Petty
Dale Earnhardt and Kenny Schrader hit the wall between turns three and four on the last lap of the Daytona 500. Dale died on impact due to faulty seatbelt restrants.
This is the memorial that was set up for Dale outside the Daytona speedway.
Dale Earnhardt and his wife Theresa walk to the number three Goodwrench car as it sits on pit road before the green flag of the Daytona 500. Not knowing what the fate of the race will bring.
Dale and Dale Jr sit a talk stragety before the race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr, the son of the Intimadator. On the last lap of the Daytona 500 his dad tried to hold off the field so his son and thier teammate could battle for the win. Dale Jr. finished second to Mike Waltrip.
POEMS
Southern Steel
How torn apart our lives became
That sad Sunday when God called Dale’s name
For who do I cheer, please give me a sign
How do I know which car is now mine
It was so easy to love car number 3
So easy to love such a person as he
When I see those beauties of Southern Steel
And no black number 3,no Dale at the wheel
My heart comes apart, my pain comes back
For the source of such joy on every track
No other driver just feels quite right
No other car such a beautiful sight
The sport will go on just as it must
Our souls will heal and we will adjust
But who will we now claim for our own
Now that our hero has been called home
When those engines once again are alive
For who will we cheer, which car does he drive
Will he make us as proud as we would be
All the times when we wore that old number three
Dale Earnhardt Poem
by Joy Bach - March 3, 2001
A fine Daytona afternoon, the season just begun.
My boys were running one and two, and I was having fun.
I probably could have won the thing, but something held me back.
I was busy watching Dale and Mike -- and holding off the pack.
I was looking toward the front and not really to the rear.
Something tapped me on my bumper, but still I had no fear.
I thought it might be Sterling - I knew he was nearby.
When Sterling smells the checkered flag, I'll tell you, he ain't shy.
I slipped a bit. I turned the wheel. I sensed something very odd.
It wasn't Sterling's tap I'd felt. It was the tap of God.
"Not now," I said. "I'm racing hard. There's work still here to do."
"You're time is up," He whispered low, "So say a quick adieu."
I wasn't really ready, but I didn't have a choice.
He'd tapped me on the bumper and I'd heard His hallowed voice.
So I did as He instructed. I just packed it in and left.
I guess it can't be helped that I left some of you bereft.
Did you see those birds upon the wall as they scattered in the breeze?
Will it make it any easier to know that one of them was me?
There was also Davey, Dad and Neil and some other guys I've known.
And they all came to Daytona just to escort me on home.
Hey - congratulations, Mikey! You made a worthy run.
I wish you many, many more. Your wins have just begun.
All that fun you had in Victory Lane, I was proud as proud can be.
Did you see a seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey, that was me.
So, friends and fans and family, don't mourn me for too long.
Get on with life - take care of things - be brave and proud and strong.
I'll surely miss you every one. About that I will not lie.
But as long as you remember me - I didn't really die.
ONE QUARTER MILE FROM HEAVEN
Like a guardian angel from four cars back,
Watching Michael & Dale Jr. as they circled the track.
No intention of winning, just holding his place,
So proud of his "boys" now winning the race.
We though it was over, the end was so near.
No time for pain; no time for fear.
We did not know, as there was no sign,
Dale was only one-quarter mile from his final finish line.
Within an instant, NASCAR fans would be facing,
An eternal change in their world of racing.
He was one of the greatest; beloved in his sport,
With a grand career now sadly cut short.
All the crowd noticed was excitement and debris,
But a miracle was happening we could not see.
Dale said goodbye through shining metal and chrome,
As God gave "NUMBER 3" the checkered flag "home".
But forever in our hearts, and in the scheme of things,
We'll picture him circling heaven with black and red wings.
Grinning; telling angels..and even the Creator,
"Look out over there...here comes the "INTIMIDATOR".
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created by Chris Ferguson
October 27, 2001
