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Dale
Earnhardt, written off as washed up by many observers of Winston Cup
racing, proved in 2000 that he might have an eighth series championship
in him yet.
Driving for
car owner Richard Childress in an unprecedented 17th season, Earnhardt
chased champion Bobby Labonte right down to the wire last season, only
faltering in the last 10 races of the season. Earnhardt ended up second
in the championship for the third time in his 26-year career by piling
up two wins, 13 top-5 and 24 top-10 finishes. The latter number equaled
Labonte's, but the champion beat Earnhardt on consistency, nailing six
more top-5 finishes.
The
Kannapolis, N.C., native ran in the top-4 of the Winston Cup point
standings in the second half of the season in pursuit of a record
eighth championship. He finished every race in 2000 and returns with
his crew, including chief mechanic Kevin Hamlin, intact.
He scored a
thrilling last-lap win by inches over Labonte in the spring race at
Atlanta, then charged from 18th place over the last five laps to win
the fall Winston 500 at Talladega, in the process collecting the
Winston "No Bull Five" $1 million bonus.
Earnhardt
proved his mettle with a string of eight straight top-10 finishes in
the middle of the season. At season's end he had won nearly $5 million
($4,918,886), launching his motorsports leading career total over $41
million.
While he still
struggled in qualifying, Earnhardt returned to his competitive fire in
race trim, leading 17 races a total of 38 times. After revitalizing his
career in 1999, Earnhardt went one step beyond it in 2000. He proved
the fire still burns for the man who has diversified his business
interests beyond even the ownership of three Winston Cup teams for son
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Park and Michael Waltrip as well as a
part-time operation for oldest son Kerry Earnhardt.
"The
Intimidator's" seven NASCAR Winston Cup Series titles offer all the
proof needed to those who question his place in history. His aggressive
style has helped define a generation of drivers, those who run hard on
Sunday then shake hands and exchange congratulations when all is said
and done.
Earnhardt was
the first driver in the history of the sport to win the
rookie-of-the-year award and the series title at the Winston Cup level.
He diversified one step further in 2001 when he competed in the Rolex
24 At Daytona, driving a factory-prepared Chevrolet Corvette with
Earnhardt Jr.
He was the
first three-time winner of the Winston Select (1987, 1990 and 1993) and
won three IROC championships (1990, 1995 and 2000).
Earnhardt
credited Rod Osterlund with giving him his biggest break, in 1978. He
won the championship for Osterlund, his first, in 1980 before moving on
to drive for Childress, for whom he has won six titles.
The 2001 season
looked to be another stellar year for the legend, but he was tragically
killed in the last lap of the season opener--the Daytona 500. For all
who loved him, he died in a manner befitting a champion. His team, Dale
Earnhardt, Inc. took the top two spots in the race, and his son, Dale
Earnhardt Jr. finished second. Earnhardt himself was holding back the
pack and seemed to be in for a third-place finish, before the tragedy
struck.
