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Reactions: Dale Earnhardt Fans sound off on 'The Intimidator'
Seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt died from injuries sustained in a last-lap crash during the 2001 Daytona 500. Arguably the sport's most recognizable driver, Earnhardt won 76 races in a career that began May 25, 1975, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Known as "The Intimidator," Earnhardt, 49, was the series' Rookie of the Year in 1979. In the ensuing years, he became a fan favorite -- and a villain to others. One thing no one argued: He could drive the tires off a stock car, sometimes literally. In the wake of Earnhardt's death, CNNSI.com users gave us their most lingering memories of the man in black. A sample of the responses we received follows: You were the reason I watched NASCAR racing. Never will there be another like you. A legend in your own time. May you rest well, Intimidator. You were simply the best. You'll be missed tremendously by all of your fans.
I have never had someone that I didn't personally know pass away that has affected me more than Dale Earnhardt leaving us. I can't fathom the sport going on without the "pioneer" of present day NASCAR. You're gonna be greatly missed Mr.Earnhardt. Rest in peace.
I don't remember what race it was, but I remember Earnhardt bumping the leader on the final lap and making him spin out. I turned to my friend and said, "That was dirty." He then turn and smiled and said, "Yeah, but that's Earnhardt."
No matter whether you rooted for him or against him on race day, everyone respected him as a great race car driver. He was the "best" of our generation, if not the "best" ever. He will be forever missed!
I just don't know where to start. For the first 15 years of my life, I grew up disliking the "Intimidator". I was a huge Darrell Waltrip fan. However, as time went on, I began to respect his driving ability. In 1997, I was cheering for him as much as anybody to win the Daytona 500. Finally, in 1998, after 20 years of trying, he finally did it. I don't think anybody was happier than my family and me. We had now become huge Earnhardt fans. My father and me were just discussing how today is the worst day of our lives. I've never lost anybody close to me until today. Even though I had never met Mr. Earnhardt, I feel like he was part of my family. The racing family. Tonight is a night that many of us will never forget, for we lost the "greatest driver to ever sit behind the wheel of a race car." Dale, we will miss you and you will always be in our hearts. Thank you for the great memories that you gave us. Nobody will ever forget the way you selfishly gave up a chance to win the Daytona 500 today so that you either your son or your good friend could win their first. We will never forget you.
I think that Dale Earnhardt's actions today showed what he is all about. Instead of making a late run to try and win the Daytona 500, he provided a pick to allow Michael Waltrip and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the opportunity to win. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
As a friend, I know how much it meant to him to have Michael win. As a father, I know how much it meant to him to have Dale Jr. up front. As a fan I'm saddened and feel that we have lost the greatest personality in the sport.
This incident is by far the greatest tragedy I have ever witnessed in sports entertainment. If there were no Dale Jr. - I would not be able to watch NASCAR again. Dale Jr. needs to get behind the wheel of the No. 3 Chevy.
I think Dale Earnhardt Sr. was the best race car driver of all times. He just seemed like a close friend because I have been watching him since the beginning. You either loved him or hated him and most people loved him. I like to express my deepest sympathy to his family. I hope that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will follow in his father's tire tracks.
Dale will be missed by all. It's like losing a family member. We never missed a race are the interviews that he did. At Christmas time we couldn't wait to see who could come up with something different of Dale's. We even got our son in-law watching the race now and we all cried together when we heard the news. We new something was wrong because he didn't put his hand out the window to let us know he was ok. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and kids.
When you think of NASCAR you think of Dale Earnhardt. I just can't imagine watching NASCAR races without Earnhardt being there.
No! No! No! No! No! It cannot be true! Dale Earnhardt was one of the best NASCAR personalities that you either loved or hated. No one could sit on the fence with his driving style and "take no prisoners" attitude. To Teresa and family - Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us fans. To the team at Richard Childress Racing - thank you for the moody black #3. To NASCAR - We will always remember Dale.
Dale Earnhardt was the "John Wayne" of auto racing; he was an American original. Never to be duplicated. He wasn't too pretty to look at, sometimes a little cocky, he wasn't always politically correct on the track. Some times he was even a little rude, but he was tough as nails and very intimidating. He will go down in auto racing history as one of its greatest. Auto racing will never be the same.
Everyone said they never wanted to see Dale in their rearview mirror, well what greater compliment. Gone from the track - not the race.
Dale died exactly the way he lived. A champion, a fierce competitor, a protector, THE intimidator. He died on a windy Sunday afternoon on HIS track, protecting HIS son, HIS employee. He died at Daytona intimidating the field, silently stating "this is the Earnhardt's team race." He died Sunday a champion. Dale died Sunday, but HE will live forever. Peace to the Earnhardt family.
I feel I have lost a close member of my family. I have lost the one hero that I have had in my adult life, in the sports world. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers go to Teresa, Taylor, Dale Jr., Kerry and Kelly King.
We will all miss Dale Earnhardt. For our family, he was the reason we became involved in NASCAR when our oldest son brought home his picture six years ago. He remained our son's favorite driver and we made our way to several races to see him. The look on our son's face the first time he saw Dale Earnhardt caused my husband's eyes to fill with tears. I guess that says it all. Our prayers are with the Earnhardt family. What a terrible tragedy.
Although Dale was one of my least favorite drivers, I'd give just about anything to see him "rattle some cages" on the track. I never thought I'd see the day where I would shed tears over him. Many tears were shed last night. To the family, NASCAR, and the millions of diehard fans of Dale Earnhardt, may God be with you all.
Dale Earnhardt was to NASCAR what Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods are to basketball and golf. He was the man everyone feared, but they also respected him. Let's try not finger point on who and what is to blame, by try to remember all of the Dale memories and reflect upon his career. My prayers are with his family.
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