Dale Earnhardt
[edit] BiographyRalph Dale Earnhardt was born on April 29, 1951 in Kannapolis, N.C. His father Ralph Earnhardt was one of the best short track racers in the state, winning his lone NASCAR Sportsman Championship in 1956. Ralph didn't want Dale to follow him into racing, but Dale did, even going so far as to drop out of high school to pursue his dream. Ralph died of a sudden heart attack in 1973, leaving Dale to pursue racing on his own and try to live up to Ralph's seemingly impossible expectations for the rest of his life. Dale married for the first time when he was 17 a marriage which gave him his first son Kerry. Shortly after Dale divorced his first wife, Latane Key, he married Brenda Lee, with whom he fathered daughter Kelley and Dale Jr. Dale and Brenda divorced shortly after their births. Dale's first start came in 1974 at Charlotte (now Lowe's) Motor Speedway. He finished 22nd in the World (now Coca-Cola) 600 driving for Ed Negre. He finished one spot ahead of Richard Childress, for whom Dale would eventually drive and find the majority of his success. Dale joined Rod Osterlund in 1979 for his rookie season in Winston Cup, winning four poles. He finished seventh in the points and won Rookie of the Year honors despite missing four races with a broken collarbone. In 1980, Dale won his first Winston Cup championship behind wins at Atlanta, Bristol, Nashville, Martinsville and Charlotte. He did so with Doug Richert, who now serves as Brian Vickers' crew chief at Red Bull Racing, as his crew chief. Dale left Osterlund in 1981 to drive for Childress, finishing seventh in the points without winning a race. Childress gave Dale to Bud Moore in 1982, netting a win at Darlington in what was ultimately an unimpressive season (15 DNFs, 12th in the standings). Dale rebounded to finish eighth the following year, winning at Nashville and Talladega. Dale took over for Ricky Rudd at Childress Racing in 1984, while Rudd went to drive for Moore. This put Dale in the No. 3 he would eventually make famous, though his sponsor at this time was Wrangler jeans. Dale finished fourth and eighth in his first two years with Childress, winning six races in those two years. Dale won his second Winston Cup title in 1986, winning five races. He followed that with his third title in 1987, winning 11 races and beating second-place Bill Elliott by 288 points. In 1988, GM Goodwrench became Dale's sponsor and the new black paint scheme was introduced. The paint scheme, along with Dale's driving style, gave him the moniker "The Intimidator," as well as "The Man in Black" and even "Darth Vader." Dale nearly won his fourth title in 1989, winning five races. But a late spin at North Wilkesboro gave the Wniston Cup crown to rival Rusty Wallace. Dale nearly won the Daytona 500 in 1990, but a flat tire on the last lap gave the race to Derrick Cope. But Dale recovered, winning nine races and taking the championship over Mark Martin. It was Dale's fourth Wintson Cup title. He won championship No. 5 the next year, winning four races and beating Rudd by 195 points. Dale came into 1993 with a new crew chief, Andy Petree, and appeared set to win the Daytona 500 before Dale Jarrett passed him on the last lap. Dale did pick up his sixth championship, though, winning six races and beating Wallace by 80 points. Championship No. 7 came in 1994, tying Richard Petty for most Winston Cup championships all-time. He won four races and beat Martin by over 400 points. Dale had his struggles from 1995 through 1997, going winless as rising stars like Jeff Gordon burst onto the scene. He won five races in 1995, including the second Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but finished second to Gordon for the championship, and went winless in 1997 for just the second time in his career. Dale finally won the Daytona 500 in 1998, taking the checkered flag under caution in his 20th running of that race. Every crew member in the series congratulated Dale on the win, and he dug a celebratory "3" in the infield grass with his car's burnouts. Dale nearly won the championship in 2000 amid talks of fading talent and looming retirement, and was confident in another title run for the 2001 season. He hired longtime Cup driver Michael Waltrip to drive a third car for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. alongside Dale Jr. and Steve Park. Waltrip won the 2001 Daytona 500 for his first career Cup win and Dale Jr. finished second, but the DEI accomplishment was marred by tragedy. In Turn 4 on the last lap, Dale got loose and was clippd by Sterling Marlin. Dale collided head-on with the wall at about 170 mph as Ken Schrader t-boned him in the passenger side. Both cars slid to the infield grass and came to a stop. Dale was pronounced dead that night. His widow, Teresa Earnhardt, runs DEI now, which recently merged with Ginn Racing to give the team four cars. Martin Truex Jr., Mark Martin, Paul Menard Aric Almirola and Regan Smith are among the drivers in DEI's stable. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is currently with the Hendrick Motorsports stable and drives the #88 Amp/National Guard Chevrolet. [edit] Career Highlights-Won seven Winston Cup championships (1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994); tied with Richard Petty for most all-time. -Won his first Cup race in 1979 at Bristol Motor Speedway. -Won the second running of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1995. -Won the 1998 Daytona 500 in his 20th attempt. -Won four consecutive Talladega Cup races, a record he holds with his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. -Founded Dale Earnhardt, Inc. ... won two Busch Series titles as a car owner (with Earnhardt Jr. as driver) and oversaw several Cup-winning teams, including Earnhardt Jr., Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. -76 career Cup wins, sixth best on the all-time list. [edit] Related Articles[edit] Recent Dale Earnhardt ArmchairGM Stories |
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