We all remember the devastating moment during the 2001 Daytona 500 race when NASCAR lost one of its brightest stars. Dale Earnhardt, aiming to clinch his second Daytona 500 victory, was involved in a fatal last-lap crash while fiercely competing with his rival Ken Schrader. The tragic contact between the two drivers ended Earnhardt’s life. However, there were numerous instances where Dale Sr. narrowly avoided such a fate.
Earnhardt’s aggressive driving style was well-known among fans. Despite his reputation, Dale Sr. had moments when he managed to defy death. Instead of dwelling on the well-known grim story of his final moments, let’s explore an exhilarating tale of survival, with insights from Dale Jr.
When Dale Earnhardt Sr. Cheated Death
Dale Earnhardt was notorious for intimidating his rivals with his aggressive tactics. One of the most famous instances was the “Pass in the Grass” during the 1987 Winston Cup race. After being bumped into the grass by Bill Elliott, Earnhardt managed to regain control, return to the speedway, and spin out his rival. However, there was an occasion when an accident not only threatened his ambition to win but also his life.
In the Talladega 500 race of July 1985, Earnhardt narrowly avoided disaster. A piece of driveshaft from Trevor Boys’ car flew into the air and pierced through Earnhardt’s windshield, narrowly missing him. Despite this terrifying incident, he finished 24th, having skipped 32 laps. Dale Jr. recently shared interesting details about this event, including his father’s eagerness to remember the frightening experience. “I went to the shop the next week and saw the car, and the driveshaft that went through it was still in the floorboard.”
Dale Jr. further elaborated on the incident, highlighting his father’s resilience in such nerve-racking situations. “The entire driveshaft came out of one car… was kicked into the air by another… and struck dad’s roof… sending half of it over the car and the other half through the windshield. Dad was one tough dude, bloody and face full of glass. I don’t think there was a driver any tougher, but I know in those days they all had to be tough. RCR would end up getting to the finish line somehow that day.”
This is just one of many instances when Dale Earnhardt had a close call with death. For example, in the 1997 Daytona 500, his car flipped, and he had to be taken away by an ambulance. Yet, he made a daring comeback, rejoining the race after a commercial break. In another instance in 1986, he climbed out of his car mid-race while his rivals zoomed by at tremendous speeds, just to wipe mud off his windshield.
The Grit and Recklessness of Dale Earnhardt
These episodes highlight Dale Earnhardt’s undeniable racing grit and determination, as pointed out by Dale Jr. However, they also reflect his reckless style, which sometimes drew NASCAR’s ire. Usually remembered for his bold, winning moments, Earnhardt’s ‘Intimidator’ racing style was marked by his wild instincts. With self-taught aerodynamic skills, Dale Sr. often pressured inexperienced drivers into making mistakes through sheer intimidation. When all else failed, he would inevitably spin someone out.
One such aggressive move occurred during the Miller’s 400 race in Richmond in 1986. Earnhardt caused an accident that involved Darrell Waltrip, leading to a $5000 fine and a $10,000 bond. Bill Gazaway, former NASCAR VP of competition, justified the penalty, stating, “There is a fine line between hard racing and reckless driving, and Earnhardt clearly stepped over that line Sunday. We simply cannot tolerate or condone such actions. We must preserve the integrity of our sport.”
True to his rebellious nature, Dale Earnhardt Sr. disagreed with this assessment. He partially accepted his mistake but argued it was unintentional. “I misjudged the distance between the cars. I turned him sideways. It’s my fault. I’m not denying that. I made a mistake and hit him. But I don’t think I’m guilty of reckless driving or wrecking somebody purposely. It was an accident.”
Given Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s driving style, perhaps the wreck was indeed unintentional. His son continues to share such stories, keeping his father’s legacy alive and reminding us of the fearless and resilient spirit that Dale Sr. embodied. These tales of survival and grit make us yearn for more insights into the life of the legendary NASCAR driver.
