Intimidator returns to Talladega
Not all of us here at Autoblog are huge NASCAR fans, but we all appreciate and respect Dale Earnhardt, whose death in 2001 was the result of a wreck during the Daytona 500. The Intimidator was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame this past weekend, with Sunday marking what would’ve been his 55th birthday.
Perhaps the most touching tribute was made-- or driven, by Dale Earnhardt Jr. who drove this black-painted replica of his father’s famous No. 3 car in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Though the Chevrolet still sported Jr.’s own No. 8, the resemblance was remarkable, and no doubt sparked nostalgia for those racers who were lucky enough to trade paint with Earnhardt.
Unfortunately, the paint job didn’t help Junior take the checkered flag – his engine failed with about 37 laps to go.
[Source: NASCAR.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mickster 11:58AM (5/02/2006)
I was at Daytona that fateful day and had a clear view of all the action.
I will say, seeing Dale's car, even with #8 just gave me chills and shivers up and down my spine.
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cowboy bob 12:32PM (5/02/2006)
The skill he had is unquestioned. But, he was one of the most agressive drivers to ever strap in. He was the master of the hit and run, the guy who would put your car into the wall in an instant. I respect the men who made the sport, and drove clean, much more than him. He died blocking other drivers in his last time behind the wheel. His tactics would have had him booed off the track when the greatest drivers of Grand National ran. I think most of you will feel I'm wrong, but he got what he gave, and so be it.
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Tim 1:01PM (5/02/2006)
I agree with you Bob. I think anyone unbiased will. I do want to point out though, Sterling didn't crash him. Sterling went all the way to the bottom of the track to avoid Sr. Sterling got his nose in there and Sr. tried to claim a spot he already lost.
I don't think you were trying to say Sterling crashed him on purpose, Bob, but many people think he did. Simply not true. It was just racing and it was a shame it ended so badly.
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theburn16 1:53PM (5/02/2006)
nobody said y'all had to respect his style of racing, but if you cant respect the fact that he's one of, if not the greatest to ever drive a stock car you are being just plain ignorant. and to come on here and start saying he deserved to die is absolutely dumb, had he seriously hurt someone before you might could've said that. but while he was the master of the bump and run, it was usually just that...a bump. he didn't send people into the wall at 190mph and nobody on here ever said that sterling marlin wrecked him, once again if anyone believes that they're being ignorant. it was just one of those racing deals
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Chris 4:59PM (5/02/2006)
Schumacher is the most aggressive and dirty driver in Formula 1, maybe ever! Yet he is beyond successful. Petty won alot of races with an oversized engine and the level of talent behind the wheel and in the pits was hardly the level of when Earnhardt ran. The bottom line is all the SUCCESSFUL drivers do this. Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, and the list goes on. Now, look at one of the classiest drivers in Mark Martin, ZERO titles. All the others are champions.
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scott 3 6:32PM (5/02/2006)
Dale was not different thant many who straped on the helmet in the GN days.
Divers like Turner, Johnson, Roberts, Pierson, Weatherly would have all showen many of todays racers the wall. That is what the sport grew on and I wish it still was today.
Today I am a Tony and JR fan becasuse they respects the past unlike many of todays overated brats. Few can drive a bad car today but many I named and Dales Sr could win even in a car that was just not right.
A polite driver is called second place.
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cowboy bob 7:59PM (5/02/2006)
Well, I figured to wrankle some. I never said Marlin wrecked Sr. intentionally. I never said no other drivers in another era did not do some of what he had done. I said he was the biggest offender. I stand by that. To add, just because a man is not a champion, that does not make him less a hero. Quite the contrary, as Martin has shown skill, and integrity, which I respect more in a man than his ability to ram into someone at 190MPH. I also never said Sr. got what he deserved, as no man should be killed behind the wheel. I said he got what he gave, and so he did.
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staciw 10:05AM (5/03/2006)
WHATEVER....Dale is at peace now, he died doing what he did best, Driving a race car....And yes he was blocking, who wouldn't want his son and one of his greatest friends to win and finish 2nd, who out there wouldn't of done it ?????? I pull for Junior every Sunday!!! And Dale Earnhardt, left a legacy behind him, he surely was doing something right, LOOK at the company he left behind, he made more than most of us will make in a lifetime!!! As for the comment he died doing what he did to others, well yeah maybe he did, but he was the INTIMADATOR...HE DIED DOING IN ON THE TRACK, probably the way he wanted to go anyways....God Speed Dale, we miss u !!!!
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