This Day In Sports History; February 18
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt dies in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500.
Today marks the 20 year anniversary of legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt crashing and dying at the Daytona 500. Earnhardt notched 97 wins and 503 top ten finishes in his illustrious career. NASCAR lost a true legend on this day.
The fearless “Intimidator”, died at the age of 49 due to a basilar skull ring fracture sustained in the accident where his famous #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo crashed on the fourth turn on the last lap of the Daytona 500. Earnhardt died of the same injury that killed three other drivers in - Adam Petty, Tony Roper, and Kenny Irwin.
When I told my mom it was the 20 year anniversary of Earnhardt passing, she said "He was the most beloved NASCAR driver in the world. He was NASCAR.” I cannot truly understand the significance of this event because I was not born yet but, it seems like the Golden Child of NASCAR was lost that day.