Wyatt Miller Takes His First Limited Late Model Victory
Dale Earnhardt's grandson (13) #Wins at Hickory Motor Speedway.
NASCAR has a new member of the Earnhardt dynasty making a name for themselves after Wyatt Miller took his first Limited Late Model race victory at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Miller, 13, is the son of Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, the son of the great Dale Earnhardt and sister of his legendary son Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The Earnhardt family remains iconic in NASCAR, with Amazon Prime Video releasing a docuseries on the late Dale Sr. on Memorial Day Weekend, while Dale Jr. and Kelley could take their JR Motorsports team to the Cup Series after taking part in the Daytona 500.
But the family legacy now has a new name making waves on the tarmac after Miller took the checkered flag at the historic 0.363-mile oval known as the 'Birthplace of the NASCAR stars'.
Miller was making just his second start and started on pole. He led early on in the 40-lap race before Zach Bringer took the lead until his engine blew up on Lap 32.
Miller then took the lead and held off Aiden King on the final lap to come out on top in his No.73 car, sponsored by Bass Pro Shops.
"We had a really good car," Miller said in Victory Lane. "I was catching Zach, and then he blew up. I think Aiden tried to rattle my cage, but it didn't work."
The future is unfolding right before you.
At a track with so much history to the Earnhardt legacy, @wyattwmiller73 , the grandson of Dale Earnhardt, scored his first limited late model win last night at @hickoryspeedway in just his second limited late model start. pic.twitter.com/kxWtPo809E
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
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
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#RaiseHellPraiseDalepic.twitter.com/WBKem1TMnk
'The King' certainly is the king of the 'Paperclip' with an astonishing 15 victories -- tied with North Wilkesboro as his winningest track. He also holds 30 top fives, 37 top 10s and 2,823 laps led at the Virginia track.
*****
Darrell Waltrip: 11 Wins
The three-time series champion not only finished first many times at Martinsville, but also started in the No. 1 spot a lot with eight Busch Pole Awards. The NASCAR Hall of Famer had an average finish of 10.8, thanks to his 31 top-10 results.
*****
Jeff Gordon: 9 Wins
Gordon's final NASCAR Cup Series win came at the .526-mile track, a win that earned him a spot in the 2015 championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The iconic victory served as the perfect bookend to the four-time champ's career.
*****
Jimmie Johnson: 9 Wins
He may be known as 'Seven-Time,' but he's 'Nine-Time' here. Five of Johnson's nine wins fall in a six-race stretch from 2006-09. The Hendrick Motorsports veteran holds a 9.9 average finish and has just two DNFs in 38 starts.
*****
Rusty Wallace: 7 Wins
Five of Wallace's seven wins here came in just a seven-race span from 1993 to 1996, in which he finished second and third in the two races he did not win. The other two victories came in 1986 and 2004.
*****
Cale Yarborough: 6 Wins
Yarborough's final win here (1978) also marked the year of his third consecutive premier series title. He was unstoppable in all of '78 with 10 wins, 23 top fives, 24 top 10s and eight pole awards.
*****
Dale Earnhardt: 6 Wins
Any all-time best list in NASCAR, and of course the 'Intimidator' will be on it. Martinsville was his fifth-strongest track in terms of wins, yet he only started first once (1989).
*****
Fred Lorenzen: 6 Wins
The 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee was dominant here in the 1960s with five wins over a span of six races.
*****
Denny Hamlin: 5 Wins
The Virginia native is the winningest active driver at Martinsville. It is one of Hamlin's best tracks, with his average start (8.5) and average finish (9.7) in close proximity, not to mention 22 top-10 results in 31 showings.
In Drive, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, daughter of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and sister to Dale Jr., opens up about growing up in the world of NASCAR, sharing the lessons she learned about being a successful business leader and what she discovered, often the hard way, about winning in life.
Kelley and brother Dale Jr. flank 2017 Xfinity Series Champion William Byron
Immediately I realized that what she had written was more than a detailed guide to success in business and in life. It was also a glimpse into the childhood that created some challenges for her. Frankly, I was surprised by Kelley’s honesty and transparency. But it filled me with pride and made me even more excited about what you, the reader, would learn. A sampling of the book’s forward by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Drive offers nine important lessons learned about winning in business and in life, given not as a formula for greatness but as insight from a fellow traveler on a journey that is sometimes difficult, painful, unexpected, or confusing and sometimes exhilarating and joyful:
• Be Authentic and Approachable
• Manage Your Emotions
• Succeed Using Strengths
• Let Go to Move Forward
• Customize Your Communication
• Know How to Make Decisions
• Aim for the Win-Win
• Show Kindness
• Live a Balanced Life
.@EarnhardtKelley reveals some of the secrets of her new book and @DaleJr tells us his true feelings over recent @iRacing drama.
This writer found Drive a very easy and enjoyable read. The fact that it proved inspirational in both one’s personal and business identities was a terrific bonus.
Now as a NASCAR Nut, Ms. Earnhardt Miller’s insight into the persona of her father, the legendary ‘#3 Intimidator’ (Dale Earnhardt Sr.) was priceless to me.
Further, NRM is still in awe at Kelley’s ability to describe the negative segment of her relationship with her stepmother without uttering derogatory words; a talent I will struggle to attain.
In this especially challenging time (Covid-19 Crisis), NASCAR fan or not, readers will benefit from this book’s Win-Win way of life. You are bound to discover how to make better decisions in all your undertakings.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller
My advice during the COVID 19 crisis for NASCAR business and families is to first stay home to stay healthy. I will admit the first week being home during this crisis was extremely emotional for me. The fears of the unknown certainly got the best of me.
After a few weeks with more and more information coming together, finding ways to do business virtually and still accomplish what we need to accomplish and spending time with my family has given me new perspective on how we can get through this. It takes self-talk and patience, which are hard to come by as an Earnhardt, but everyday a little more comfort comes.
For our business, staying in touch with our management groups and our employee base has been key. They need to hear from me, from their supervisors so that we maintain a sense of normal communication and that they aren’t forgotten during these tough times. It’s so easy to see people at your place of work and feel that’s enough, but when you aren’t seeing them, we need to talk to them.
We’ve kept weekly updates by email to our employees and a text group of managers to help communicate information. Being transparent with where we are and what we are working on to help them through these tough times and sustain our business until we get back racing. Meanwhile, our employees can enjoy the time with their families which is something they don’t get during our hectic race schedule throughout the year!
About the Author
Kelley Earnhardt Miller is part owner and general manager of JR Motorsports and is considered one of the most prominent businesswomen in NASCAR today. She oversees the company’s race team, management team, and business ventures for her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The daughter of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, Earnhardt Miller graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in business administration. A multiple-award recipient, she was named in 2015 as one of SportsBusiness Journal’s Game Changers/Women in Sports Business for her impact on the motorsports industry. Kelley is married to L.W. Miller and is mom to Karsyn, Kennedy, and Wyatt.
The Drummer for Justin Moore is a Huge Dale Earnhardt Sr. Fan
Multiplatinum-selling country artist, Justin Cole Moore, is an American country music singer and songwriter, signed to Big Machine Records' imprint Valory Music Group. For that label, he has released four studio albums—his self titled debut album in 2009, Outlaws Like Me in 2011, Off the Beaten Path in 2013, and Kinda Don't Care in 2016.
Moore has also charted eleven times on the Hot Country Songs, including with the #1 singles "Small Town USA", "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away", "Til My Last Day", "Lettin' the Night Roll", "You Look Like I Need a Drink", and "Somebody Else Will"; and the top 10 hits "Backwoods" and "Point at You".
Well his drummer Tucker Wilson is one of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s biggest fan. In fact, he is such a big fan, that Tucker made the NASCAR legend the face of his drum kit. Wilson and his drums are currently making their way across the United States on stages of fairs and festivals.
#3 Forever / 40 Years of Continued Earnhardt Legacy/ #LegendsNEVERDie
As NASCAR returns to Daytona, NASCAR Race Mom has to take a moment to reflect on Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. posted a track record 34 victories over 21 seasons and was without question Daytona’s dominant driver of the 1980s and 1990s. Behind the wheel of his iconic, Richard Childress-owned black No. 3 Chevrolet, Dale won at least once a season for 10 consecutive years from 1990 and 1999, including the 1998 Daytona 500.
This legend died at the young age of forty-nine following a final lap accident in the February 18, 2001 Daytona 500.
"Honesty I don’t even think about it when the anniversary of dads passing comes annually. He lived so hard and fast. His life was so grand, the date never registers with me for some reason. But I see the comments in my timeline and they are appreciated. #LegendsNEVERDie" Dale Jr. (via twitter)
Today, Dale Jr., son of this great seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion is one of NASCAR Race Mom’s favorite drivers for his skills both on and off the race track. His daddy taught him well.
NRM was gloomy to see Dale Jr. retire from full-time on-track competition; but super excited to see what 2018 brings to his JR Motorsports organization.
Additionally, the Earnhardt name will be represented by grandson Jeffrey. He currently competes full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 00 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for StarCom Racing.
Some of our most historic DAYTONA 500 wins came in the 1990's including Dale Earnhardt's 1998 win on his 20th attempt.
The first DAYTONA 500 at Bill France Sr.’s newly constructed 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway took place on Feb. 22, 1959. Famously, the race ended in a three-wide photo finish with Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp seemingly in a dead heat for the win.
Moving over the next six decades, we take a look at the other 59 years of DAYTONA 500 history.
1990-1999
The 1990s provided some of the most exciting and memorable moments in the history of “The Great American Race.”
In 1990, Derrike Cope completed one of the greatest upset victories in NASCAR history, passing Earnhardt on the last lap in Turn 3 to win the 1990 DAYTONA 500. The following year, Earnhardt was once again passed late in the race, this time by Ernie Irvan in only his third career DAYTONA 500 start.
Both Davey Allison and Dale Jarrett came from a tremendous racing heritage, with the likes of Davey’s father Bobby and Dale’s father Ned. Davey captured his lone DAYTONA 500 in 1992 four years after finishing second to his father Bobby, while Ned Jarrett called all three of his son’s DAYTONA 500 victories (1993, 1996, 2000) as a member of the CBS broadcast team.
From 1994-95, Sterling Marlin in the No. 4 Chevrolet became the first driver since Cale Yarborough in 1983-84 to win back-to-back DAYTONA 500s.
On Feb. 16, 1997, 25-year-old Jeff Gordon claimed his first DAYTONA 500 victory, becoming the youngest winner in race history. In a field that included 27 drivers older than 35 years and 16 drivers at least 40 years old, Gordon introduced the racing world to the next era of NASCAR. Proving that his victory was no fluke, Gordon claimed his second DAYTONA 500 victory in 1999 and would go on to ultimately win three DAYTONA 500s and four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup championships in a legendary 23-year career.
After several close calls and late-race disappointments, Daytona International Speedway’s all-time winningest driver finally captured the one race that had eluded him for years. Dale Earnhardt, the driver of the famous black No. 3 Chevrolet, won his lone DAYTONA 500 in 1998 on his 20th attempt.
Most Victories
2 (tied) – Dale Jarrett (’93, ’96), Sterling Marlin (’94, ’95), Jeff Gordon (’97, ’99)
Noteworthy
• The 1990s are only one of two decades in which three different drivers won multiple DAYTONA 500s. (1980s)
• In 1997, Jeff Gordon (25 years old) became the then-youngest driver to win the DAYTONA 500.
• Dale Earnhardt holds the record for most career starts (20) before winning a DAYTONA 500.
• The 1990s are one of two decades in which two drivers (Derrike Cope, Sterling Marlin) claimed their first NASCAR Cup Series win with a DAYTONA 500 victory.
• Sterling Marlin remains the only driver whose first two career victories were the DAYTONA 500.
• 1999 served as the final year of Dave Marcis’ incredible 32 consecutive DAYTONA 500 starts streak.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Biggest #NASCAR Career Regret
"I can't think of anyone who has impacted my career and development as a driver more than Tony Sr.," Dale Earnhardt Jr.
After the six-win Monster Energy NASCAR Series Season (2004), Earnhardt Jr. made a move he has since admitted was a big mistake. Up until that point, Dale’s uncle, Tony Eury Sr., was his crew chief. But, coming off the successful season Earnhardt Jr. decided he wanted to make a change and move on to a different crew chief.
“I regret that,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “That’s probably my biggest [regret] in motorsports as a driver, was that decision because it did nothing and it made our relationship a challenge to repair. Like I say, we’d won a lot of races together and he had been a big reason why I even got in the XFINITY car to begin with. He was my biggest supporter and we had won so many races together.”
At the end of the 2004 season, Eury Sr., known as "Pops," was “promoted” to a team management position within Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI). After parting ways with Eury, Junior wouldn’t have a multi-win season for the next nine years. He won once in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2012. The years 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 garnered no Cup wins!
About his younger self throwing away a good thing, Earnhardt Jr. said, “I got confused there a while thinking that I knew better than anyone else what was best for me.”
"I can't think of anyone who has impacted my career and development as a driver more than Tony Sr.," said Earnhardt reported at the time. "I know my dad ultimately put me in the Nationwide Series car back in the '90s, but Tony Sr. was the one who convinced him to do it.
"Tony Sr. was with me through two Nationwide Series championships (1998 and 1999) and five full seasons as a Cup driver. We won a lot of races together, and as much as he impacted my career as a race car driver, he means more to me on a personal level. He's done a lot for this organization, and I thank him for it."
At one point in his career, Tony Eury, Sr., was working for NASCAR Royalty at DEI with drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Michael Waltrip, Steve Park and many others. Eventually, he pulled back from the sport that made him famous to take time to himself with his family, but more recently, his path has led him back to stock car racing. The cars are less restrictive and considerably more fun to work on. view.
Let's go back to the fall of 1949. Harold Brasington, a local businessman in rural
Darlington, South Carolina, stood and stared at an old cotton field. While most just saw
a used-up piece of land, Brasington saw potential for this area to become part of the
fast-growing sport of racing, so he set out on the project known as Harold's Folly, a 1
1/4-mile speedway.
His original oval design was rejected when the land owner, Sherman Ramsey, informed
him that he didn't want his minnow pond disturbed, and so was born DarlingtonRaceway's signature oval shape, in which turns three and four were narrowed.
Fast forward to Labor Day 1950. The first race was set, and Darlington opened its gates
to a shocking 25,000 fans. Since then, the raceway has been deemed the “track too
tough to tame," with names like Baker, Flock, Thomas, Pearson, Yarborough, Petty,
and Johnson becoming commonplace in Victory Lane. But one of the most notable
names, even to those who aren't die-hard racing fans, is Earnhardt.
Mom 'N' Pops
Since May 1975, in his home state of North Carolina, Earnhardt made a name for
himself in racing. It didn't take long for him to catch sponsors' eyes, and in the 1979
season, he signed his first full-time Winston Cup contract, and the legend was born. His
racing career was second to none and was the inspiration his four children needed to
join the family business.
All of his kids have made their mark on racing either as drivers or on the pit crew.
Specifically, Dale Jr., Kelley, and Kerry drove in their Mom 'N' Pops cars in the '90s.
These all-white cars with a black nose and black bumper, proudly sporting the Mom 'n'
Pops Country Ham logo on the front, are now classics in racing, and this Labor Day
weekend, Advance Auto Parts and Valvoline are bringing that look back.
A post shared by Advance Auto Parts (@advanceautoparts) on
Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200
This Xfinity Series race is set to take off Sept. 2, 2017, at the legendary Darlington
Speedway. Racers will sport their throwback cars, with Advance Auto Parts driver Justin Allgaier driving the Mom 'N' Pops-inspired No. 7 car. The Advance Auto Parts logo will
adorn the hood of the car exactly as the Mom 'N' Pops logo did, while Justin embraces
the Earnhardt paint scheme and legacy in a race to victory. The logo may have
changed, but Advance and Valvoline are maintaining the legend of the Earnhardts. It's
sure to bring a bit of nostalgia to race fans everywhere.
Don't miss this throwback race, fun for the whole family, September 2 at Darlington
Raceway. And be sure to take advantage of all it has to offer while you're there.
The first summer race at Daytona International Speedway was called the Firecracker 250 – the forerunner of the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola – and held on July 4, 1959. The race ran its scheduled 250 miles with no caution flags. Daytona Beach native Fireball Roberts won in dominating fashion, leading 84 of 100 laps and beating runner-up Joe Weatherly by 57 seconds.
Moving decade-by-decade, we take a look at the nearly six decades and 57 years of history in the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola.
1960's Highlights
- DAYTONA Doubles After Fireball Roberts won both the DAYTONA 500 and Coke Zero 400 in 1962, Cale Yarborough and LeeRoy Yarbrough closed out the decade in historic fashion with each claiming a DAYTONA Double. It remains the only time in history that the feat has been accomplished in back-to-back years.
Medal of Honor Tradition In 1969, Bill France Sr. began a proud tradition by inviting all surviving Medal of Honor recipients to DIS for the 4th of July weekend extravaganza. DAYTONA’s strong relationship with the military continues today as three Medal of Honor recipients will be in attendance for the 2017 Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola.
1970's Highlights
- Pearson Dominance The most dominant stretch of any driver in the history of the event, Pearson, the event’s all-time leader in victories, won a record four times in the decade including three consecutive years (1972-74).
1977 Breakthrough - 1977 proved to be an exciting landmark as three women lined the starting grid– the first in event history. The talented trio included Italian Formula One driver Lella Lombardi, 24 Hours of Le Mans regular Christine Beckers and Janet Guthrie, who still holds the highest points finish of any woman in NASCAR history.
1980's Highlights
- Petty & The President The 1984 race stands as one of the most significant moments in DIS history as it helped push NASCAR into the mainstream of national consciousness. President Ronald Reagan, the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race, delivered the starting command from Air Force One, and then witnessed Richard Petty claim his 200th and final career victory.
Unbelievable Upset - Virtual unknown Greg Sacks shocked the motorsports world in 1985 by becoming the third driver to score his first (and only) career victory with the most surprising win in the history of the Independence Day weekend classic. To this day, Sacks is the only winning driver in event history with only one career victory
1990's Highlights
- Dale Earnhardt’s First Prior to his 1990 Coke Zero 400 victory, Dale Earnhardt had never won a points race at DAYTONA. He finally broke through with a win in the mid-summer classic and went on to win his fourth series championship that same year. After that victory, Earnhardt recorded top-10 finishes in nine of his final 10 Coke Zero 400s, including another victory in 1993, and became DAYTONA’s all-time winning driver.
October Night Racing - Originally scheduled to be held on July 4 as the inaugural night race in DAYTONA history, the 1998 race was postponed until October due to widespread wildfires in Central Florida. Jeff Gordon solidified himself as DAYTONA great by becoming the first Coke Zero 400 champion under the lights.
2000's Highlights
- Smoke’s Show Starting in 2005, Tony Stewart set a new standard for modern-era greatness, winning three of the decade’s final five Coke Zero 400s. His back-to-back victories in 2005 and 2006 made him the first consecutive winner in the event since David Pearson in 1973 and ‘74.
The Closest - Jamie McMurray clinched a thrilling victory in the 2007 Coke Zero 400 as he nipped Kyle Busch at the start/finish line by a margin of .005 seconds, the closest finish in the Independence Day weekend classic since the advent of electronic timing and scoring.
2010's Highlights
- Harvick-Kahne Duel The decade began with a bang as Kevin Harvick edged Kasey Kahne to the start/finish line by .092 seconds to capture a nail-biting green-white-checkered finish, giving him the distinction of being the last driver to win before the latest repave of Daytona International Speedway.
Dale Jr.’s Second Win - 2014 saw Dale Earnhardt Jr. in top form as he led 40 of the race’s first 80 laps and a race-high 96 total laps en route to the 16th DAYTONA victory of his career. His second Coke Zero 400 victory along with his two DAYTONA 500 victories solidified him as one of the most prolific drivers ever at DAYTONA and the third most overall wins in DIS history.
Update: Jr won the 2015 Coke Zero 400 while Aric Almirola won in 2014. Earnhardt Junior won the 2014 Daytona 500. NASCAR Race Mom loves how her readers are informed and keep her honest!!!
What is your favorite decade in Coke Zero 400 history and why?
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver and team owner, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR. Earnhardt began his career in 1975 when he drove in the 1975 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the Winston Cup Series (later the Sprint Cup Series).
Earnhardt won a total of 76 races over the course of his career, including one Daytona 500 victory in 1998. He earned seven NASCAR Winston Cup Championships and his aggressive driving style earned him the nickname "The Intimidator."
He also carried the title of “Dad.”
In 1995, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s hero card featured his three children Kerry (then 25), Kelly (then 22), and Ralph Dale Jr. (then 20). The Earnhardt children are the third generation of racers and were just beginning their racing career. Like their father, Dale Sr. and their grandfather, Ralph racing was in their blood.
Today would have been Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. sixty-sixth birthday. Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator."
Remembering Dale Sr. - A Champion's Champion
"You Win Some, Lose Some, And Wreck Some."
Dale Sr. died after a final-lap collision at the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2001
If you are a NASCAR fan, you probably heard about the pass in the grass. Coming from seventeenth to win Talladega in 2000, his last win; or mayhap of him winning the pole at Watkins Glen despite being hurt. There's so many, many wonderful tales that conjure pride and smiles.
However, there is no better way to understand the man than by the words of his family. The quotes below are from Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr. induction ceremony into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2010.
TERESA EARNHARDT: When Dale Earnhardt had his hands on the steering wheel, he felt and saw things that you and I will never see. He could see the wind. Moving at 200 miles an hour, he could see things more clearly than most of us could ever fathom, and thrill us all while doing it. Some call him legend. Some call him hero. Some simply call him Dad. Or son.
Dale Earnhardt was a man who personified the American dream. He worked hard. He earned everything he had and he enjoyed it. This is an achievement of a lifetime. To be able to celebrate it, for me this is a moment of pride for Dale that I just can't put into words.
As I thought about the importance of today, I thought about the people, I thought about what people recognize and remembered about Dale's attributes. They called him the bravest, the toughest, the greatest, the most unselfish, the most generous, the most authentic, just to summarize a few. But there's so much that we could say about Dale.
But the people who believed in him, steered him to victory, held him up to greatness, have said it best. Former president George Bush quoted, Dale, he was an American legend. Senator Jesse Helms said Dale was an authentic American, he was a hero to millions. Secretary of State Colin Powell called him an American icon. Another quote, he was the greatest racecar driver that ever lived. Also, there’s Earnhardt, and there's everybody else. But local school children put it best when they simply called him a real hero.
Dale Earnhardt was definitely a hero to his family. No one can say more about that than his children. Through them, his friends and fans, through this Hall of Fame, through you, Dale Earnhardt, the legend, lives on.
KERRY EARNHARDT: You know, Dad, as we grew up, he sacrificed a lot in life. There was a lot of times when Dad wasn't around and I wondered what was so important to him that he had to be gone all the time. Things called autograph sessions, appearances. Fans meant the most to Dad. Dad once taught me things about what fans were. He always taught me that no matter who it is in life, your bosses, coworkers you work with, the ones that come out to support you in whatever you do in life, are your fans, the ones that believe in you and believe in everything you do.
You know, Dad was just tremendous with his fans. Learned a lot from Richard. I can't say enough about what the fans meant to Dad. Dad would always take the last minute and plus some to be associated with the fans, young ones up to older ones. There's a lot of times Dad would give back to fans for what they did to him.
I remember times he met children with handicaps. They ended up having a van built for a wheelchair access and giving it to the family, to many other things. Just a proud moment to be here and be part of this induction to the Hall of Fame. As a son, I thank everyone, the fans out there that supported him.
KELLEY EARNHARDT: My dad was a very giving person. Though he was an incredible driver and a businessman that was very important to him. But it was also important to give back. Whether he did that to the local farmers on Highway 3 or racers just getting, started like Jeff Gordon, or the men and women serving our military in the public service, it was about doing business the right way and using his successes to give back to others.
Giving back was important, but what was not important was telling people about it. Most of his acts of kindness went without anyone knowing. Other times his help and his advice was a little more public, right, Dale?
DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Yeah, I guess you could say there were a few times where I got some public advice from him. We were in Japan racing. I was racing for the first time against the Cup competitors and my father. It was late in the race. I got some new tires. Only had a few laps to make those work for me. I got up underneath him on turn three and four, I just needed two inches to clear him. I didn't have him cleared. I slid across his nose, up to the wall. He carried me all the way down the front straightaway with my back tires in the air all the way off into one. That was the day I met The Intimidator.
That same grit and competitive spirit, he carried that with his racing, but he carried it with everything else in life, too. When he wasn't in the racecar, he was always outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman, right, Taylor?
TAYLOR EARNHARDT: I think that it's a big nod that me and Kerry, Kelley and Dale all grew up with different aspects of Dad. Dale was always at the track with him. I got some more outdoorsy, the real man he was behind the scenes, away from the racetrack. I always grew up not wanting to clean my room. I'd call Dad, we'd go ride around the farm. He taught me to hunt. Aside from that, he taught me how to take care of animals, conserve animals, which is something he was very passionate about. He taught me that. That's something I took from him.
I think with us all having different experiences, we all look like Dad, everyone always tells us that we all look a little bit like Dad. I think we all act like him, too. We're determined, driven, stubborn as a fence post. But Dad gave all four of us something. He gave all his fans something. I think that's what makes him a true champion in everybody's eyes.
TERESA EARNHARDT: I'd like to give you one more quote from Dale.
A racer wants to race and win. Imagine having the opportunity to do that for a living, and then to be successful, and then to be considered one of the greatest drivers that ever raced, especially by a group of peers. It's one of the greatest honors a driver could ever receive. I've had a great career. If it ended tomorrow, I'd have no regrets. Dale Earnhardt.
Dale Earnhardt was a champion's champion, who carved out his own piece of NASCAR history as he elevated the sport to a higher level. In that process, he brought millions of fans along for the ride. We NASCAR Fans are indebted.
Born in 1957 in Belgium, it was after a trip at the age of seven that my love for NASCAR caught hold of me! It was the 1964 World 600 in Charlotte. Since NASCAR it's my life! A large collection of objects and papers make up my personal little NASCAR museum.
Passionate about the history and statistics of NASCAR, I have contributed to numerous magazines and websites mainly in French language (Europe and Canada). One of my greatest pride is my full-time collaboration at racing-reference.info from 2003 to 2021.
Today I continue to write for fun and it's with joy that I join nascarracemom.com as contributor. .
