Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt tragically lost his life on February 18, 2001. This day is considered one of the darkest in the sport’s history. The ‘Intimidator’ was driving his #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo when he crashed into Turn 4 on the final lap of the Daytona 500. Although his cars, driven by Michael Waltrip and his son Dale Jr., finished first and second, the victory was overshadowed by the loss of one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers.
Recalling the incident, Earnhardt’s best friend Donnie Rives shared his emotional experience of witnessing the crash and his gut feeling about its tragic outcome even before it was confirmed.
A heartbreaking experience from Daytona 2001
On the final lap at Daytona International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt was protecting his teammates Michael Waltrip and Dale Jr. from late-race challenges. As the cars moved through turns 3 and 4, Earnhardt’s #3 Chevy collided with Sterling Marlin’s car, causing Earnhardt to lose control. His car spun and crashed into the path of Rusty Wallace and Ken Schrader, ultimately hitting the concrete wall at 160 mph.
Describing the silence at Daytona, Donnie Rives, in an interview on Dale Jr.’s podcast, recalled watching the crash on television. He immediately sensed something was terribly wrong. “After the wreck, I said, ‘Dale is bad’. I just knew it. About 30 minutes later, I got a call from Daytona confirming he didn’t make it. I already had that feeling,” Rives shared.
When asked how he coped with the tragedy, Rives emphasized his faith, saying, “It’s going to happen to everybody. The only way to handle it is if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior.”
While crashes like Earnhardt’s were not uncommon in NASCAR, the angle and force of his impact proved fatal. Schrader’s car, which hit the wall at a similar speed but a shallower angle, left Schrader unhurt. Earnhardt was rushed to Halifax Medical Center, where his death was announced due to a basilar skull ring fracture, an injury that had claimed the lives of NASCAR drivers Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and Tony Roper in the previous eight months.
In response to Earnhardt’s death, NASCAR prioritized driver safety, leading to the adoption of neck and head restraints, SAFER barriers, and other safety measures. Since then, NASCAR has not experienced a fatality in its major leagues.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. fears his father’s legacy will be forgotten
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been working to keep his father’s legacy alive through the documentary series “Earnhardt,” released on Prime Video in 2025. The series focuses on Dale Earnhardt’s illustrious career, during which he won a record seven Cup championships, tying with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson. With many new NASCAR fans never having seen Earnhardt Sr. race, the documentary aims to preserve his memory.
On the Rubbin Is Racing podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his concern, saying, “There are a lot of fans who never saw Dad race. Hopefully, we’re able to tell them what his impact was and why it was important. When Dad passed away, my biggest fear was how he might be forgotten.”
Dale Jr. hopes the documentary series will offer new fans a unique perspective on his father’s career and impact on NASCAR. For many long-time fans, Earnhardt’s death marked a pivotal moment in the sport, with the lessons learned from the tragedy continuing to protect drivers today.
