The high banks of Daytona showed no mercy to a legend on that fateful day, 12 years ago, when Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was taken from this world. Dale was more than a driver to fans around the world; he was “The Intimidator”, an icon of all that was right with NASCAR and stock car racing, and a hero to many. To drivers, he was the one guy you did not want in your mirror, ever. He has been long remembered as one of NASCAR’s most aggressive drivers for good reason; he wanted to win above all else.
In NASCAR, drivers come and go; but few are missed as much as Dale Earnhardt, Sr has been. From that hard, cold stare when he got in the car, to the soft, southern smile and demeanor when he was not, he lives on in the stories and memories of so many. Ask anyone connected to NASCAR – whether driver, official, or fan – and they will very likely have a story or memory of Dale Sr. on the track or off.
Mentions of the man and his talent, personality, and that legendary ability to “see the air” coming off other cars are still heard around the sport. This past weekend, during the Sprint Unlimited, the discussion of side drafting by Brad Keselowski and Michael Waltrip turned into a “Dale Sr. understood it better than anyone..” discussion.
Everywhere you look, that famous No. 3 and Dale Sr. are still there.
It has been 12 years since many of us watched him crash into the wall at Daytona. Like many, I watched and expected to see him climb from the car like so many crashes before that. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
If you are in North Carolina and want to remember Dale, stop by the DEI shop in Moorseville today, February 18, 2013. They are hosting a memorial and you can sign the guest book, leaving your memories of Dale Sr. for all to read.
I expect that 12 more years may pass and still, “The Intimidator” will be alive and well in the hearts of fans the world over. I know this NASCAR fan will always remember the man, the legend, and the black No.3 speeding down the backstretch, looking for the front of the pack, for many years to come.
