It’s been 13 years since
NASCAR’s darkest day.
When Dale Earnhardt died in
February of 2001 in the last corner of the last lap in the Daytona 500, it
resonated throughout an entire sport and its fan base. Earnhardt has been
considered one the sports greatest drivers and his sudden death briefly
crippled not only NASCAR, but also his fans and the organization he left
behind, Richard Childress Racing.
In 676 starts Earnhardt won 76
times and captured seven championships. He dominated at Daytona and Talladega,
rattled cages at Bristol and drove broken at Watkins Glen. He was the Intimidator;
there was one Dale Earnhardt.
He and Richard Petty are the
only men who have seven championships, both sit atop the NASCAR mountain that
most drivers aim to join. They’re the men that fans place above all. In 2001
Earnhardt and RCR were locked and loaded to chase another championship, coming
off a 2000 season in which he finished second in points.
Feeling better than ever, with
everything in his personal life in order, Earnhardt looked prime to return to
glory. Then, he was gone.
Sunday the #3 will return.
Austin Dillon and Richard Childress ready to continue a legacy that was built
by the man in black. Earnhardt will continue to be remembered, maybe more so
now than ever. Not only when seeing the 3 on the track, but as Jimmie Johnson
attempts to race into history alongside him.
But …
What if Dale Earnhardt Sr. had raced past the 2001 season, would he
have ever captured that eighth championship?
@TheblondeTweets Yes!
@jackrlewis I always said that
he would’ve won it in 2001. They seemed so prepared
@nascar_creation absolutely,
after a few off years his 2000 campaign was sweet. He woulsve retired with
TEN…..
@poptart_31 we would never be
running a COT car because he would of never drove it
@MarshallGabell Possibly.
However, he was out of his prime.
@JBJB68 odds were waning yet
entirely possible.
@ARosser14 His intent was to
retire in ’02 so it would have depended on if he could have run with Gordon in
’01 probably. So maybe.
@66MWRfan15 Yes I do believe
so. I was not a fan, but he was just that good!
@kaylamotte Had more momentum
going in 2001 than in a long time, was very hopeful
@MontysAmendment Without a
doubt but his death changed the sport for better in terms of safety. Would have
lost more drivers as well.
