Dale Earnhardt

Racing has come a long way from the days of leather helmets and steel guardrails—and the pace of change continues to accelerate. After Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash in 2001, NASCAR worked with scientists and safety...

Hotter—and safer—than ever

THREE YEARS AFTER HIS FATHER'S DEATH IN THE GREAT AMERICAN RACE, DALE EARNHARDT JR. GRABBED A MEASURE OF SOLACE, AND HIS OWN SLICE OF STARDOM, WITH A THRILLING VICTORY

FROM HARDSCRABBLE BEGINNINGS, HE RACED AND BANGED HIS WAY TO THE VERY TOP, BUT THE MAN KNOWN AS THE INTIMIDATOR REMAINED THE PUREST DRIVER NASCAR HAS EVER KNOWN

EVEN THE INTIMIDATOR'S COMPETITORS SALUTED WHEN, AFTER TWO DECADES OF TRYING, DALE EARNHARDT FINALLY REACHED VICTORY LANE IN THE RACE THAT ALWAYS MEANT THE MOST TO HIM