On the afternoon of February 18, 2001, American stock car racing driver and team owner Dale Earnhardt was involved in a final-lap collision in the 2001 Daytona 500, in which he crashed into a retaining wall after making contact with Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader.

Ralph Dale Earnhardt (/ ˈ ɜːr n h ɑːr t /; April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American professional stock car driver and racing team owner, who raced from 1975 to 2001 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now called the NASCAR Cup Series), most notably driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. [3]

February 18, 2001 is NASCAR’s darkest day. At 17:16 Eastern Time, it was the moment that the sport lost one of its greatest and revered drivers of all time: Dale Earnhardt.

Feb 11, 2021 · DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt, the greatest stock car star of his era, was killed in a crash on the last turn of the last lap of Sunday’s Daytona 500 as he tried to protect Michael Waltrip’s victory.

Nov 13, 2009 · On February 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt Sr., considered one of the greatest drivers in National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) history, dies at the age of 49 in a last-lap crash...

Feb 20, 2001 · An autopsy completed Monday showed Earnhardt died of blunt force injuries to the head. The 49-year-old racer was fighting for position when he slammed into the wall on the final turn of the...

On Feb. 18, 2001, auto racing star Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in a crash in the final lap of the Daytona 500; he was 49. The Daytona 500 is a big deal to race fans, with drivers competing every year for the top NASCAR prize.

Feb 19, 2025 · The 2001 Daytona 500 remains the darkest day for the sport. It's unimaginable what the drivers on the field must have felt seeing Dale Sr. ... Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s Michael Waltrip is leading the team to its victory. He’s being chased by his teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. in P2. And watching all this unfold is the Intimidator himself from P3 ...

Michael Waltrip's Daytona 500 victory was marred by the tragic death of NASCAR motor racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Feb 10, 2021 · The 2001 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt's last race, was 91 days away. Part III of this four-part series on the life, death and legacy of Dale Earnhardt continues by revisiting the 2001...