Remembering Dale Earnhardt

Gone but not forgotten #TheIntimidator

 

On the afternoon of February 18, 2001, #NASCAR driver and team owner Dale Earnhardt was involved in a final-lap collision in the 2001 Daytona 500, in which he crashed into a retaining wall after making contact with Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader. 

He was pronounced dead at Halifax Medical Center a short time later; the cause of death was a basilar skull fracture, which was determined to have killed him instantly. 

Earnhardt's son, Dale Jr., who finished second in the race, shared the memory of his final moment with his dad in the hospital. "I walked into dad's room, and knew right away it was as bad as it could be," he recalled. "I turned around and walked back out of there and sat for 30 minutes in that hospital before they told us he was gone."

Had a surprise this morning. Now the fun part of learning its history begins.... pic.twitter.com/N2WjkxtD0x

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 18, 2025

There will never be another Dale Earnhardt Sr. He will live in our memories forever. pic.twitter.com/KcZLzZBesO

— Atlanta Motor Speedway (@ATLMotorSpdwy) February 18, 2025

It’s been 24 years since we heard the words “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.”

Dale Earnhardt was a 7-time Winston Cup Champion
1979 NASCAR ROY
1998 Daytona 500 Champion
Winner of 76 races#RIP Intimidator. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/U5GY55f0xv

— The Bulldawg Report (@ReportBulldawg) February 18, 2025

Remembering Dale Earnhardt Sr. today…
(April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001)#TheIntimidator pic.twitter.com/hg9Ta4DWm5

— Front Row Racing (@row_racing) February 18, 2025

Feb 18, 2001 - The day we lost one of the greats. Dale Earnhardt Sr. passes away in a crash during the last lap during the Daytona 500 at just 49 years old. Dale won 76 Winston Cup races during his 26-year career. 🏁#OTD #3 #NASCAR #TheIntimidator #RaiseHellPraiseDale pic.twitter.com/WBKem1TMnk

— NineLineApparel (@NineLineApparel) February 18, 2025

Dale was called “Dale Earnhardt Sr” in an interview with Ralph Sheheen before the 2000 Daytona 500 and quickly made that point:

“No. Dale Earnhardt. Dale Jr.” https://t.co/HB1baLU8pk pic.twitter.com/2vprTr4BKw

— Seth Sharp (@SethSharp35) July 26, 2023