A fine Daytona afternoon, the season has just begun. My boys were running one and two, and I was having fun. I probably could have won the thing, but something held me back. I was busy watching Dale and Mike- and holding up the pack.

I was looking toward the front and not really to the rear. Something tapped me on the bumper, but still I had no fear. I thought it might be Sterling- I knew he was nearby. When Sterling smells the checkered flag, I'll tell you, he ain't shy.

I slipped a bit. I turned the wheel. I sensed something very odd. It wasn't Sterlings tap I'd felt. It was the calling tap of God. "Not Now," I said, "I'm racing hard. There's work still here to do." " you're time is up," He wispered low, "so say a quick adieu."

I wasn't really ready, but I didn't have a choice. He'd tapped me on the bumper and I'd heard his mighty voice. So I did as He instructed. I just packed it in and left. I guess it can't be helped that I left some of you befret.

Did you see those birds upon the wall as they scattered in the breeze? Will it make it easier to know that one of them were me? There was also Davey, Dad, and Neil and some other guys I've known. And they all came to Daytona just to escort me on home.

Hey- Congradulations, Mikey! You made a worthy run. I wish you many, many more. You're wins have just begun. All the fun you had in Victory lane, I was proud as can be. Did you see a seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey that was me.

So friends, fans and family, don't mourn me for to long. Get on with life - take care of things - be brave, proud and strong. I'll surely miss everyone. About that, I will not lie. But as long as you remember me - I didn't really die

Author: Unknown

Dale Earnhardt... The Man in Black... The Intimidator... whatever you chose to call him... he was one of if not THE GREATEST driver to get behind the wheel of a racecar. His accomplishments overshadow the many men that have tried to walk in his shoes. He truly was a great competitor, a distinguished gentleman, and a loving father, but most of all to me he was my hero... the man fullfilling a dream of mine that I know could never be. I have watched him for many years and never failed to root for him... always cheering on the Man... always first to lead the cheer... "GO Dale".... now Sundays will be a grim reminder of days that used to be... not seeing Dales name on the leader board... or in the Friday and Saturday qualifying lineup will always be a heavy weight on my heart. I will miss the man... and know in my heart that he went to a much better place....

Dale died doing what he lived to do, and it is with that thought and frame of mind, that I go on... knowing that there will be no equal, and no-one to fill his shoes, knowing that Dale has left his mark on his sport... on his fans... and on his world. There will never be another "Intimidator"...

My prayers are with his family.... and friends, and I hope that no-one EVER forgets the Intimidator!!!!

Dale Earnhardt was Winston Cup Champion a record tying 7 times... all of his however coming in "The Modern Era" of Nascar

Dale won 76 NASCAR Winston Cup races.

He was the career victories leader at Daytona. His first and only Daytona 500 win came in 1998... a race I watched and I cried tears of joy for him when he won it on his 20th attempt.

His 34th career victory here came in the 2000 opening round of the True Value International Race of Champions.

He made 676 starts in his Winston Cup career, which began in 1975.

He was the 1979 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year and won his first championship the next season. And he has been the only driver to accomplish this feat. He is sixth on the career Winston Cup victories list with 76 and was on a path to break Terry Labonte's current consecutive starts record of 655. Earnhardt's final start was his 649th straight.

Earnhardt is motorsports' leading all-time money winner with $41,639,662 in his career.

Included among Earnhardt's survivors are wife Teresa, daughters Kelley King and Taylor, sons Kerry and Dale Jr., his mother and other siblings.

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YEAR / RACES / WINS / TOP 5 / TOP 10 / POLES / TOTAL MONEY WON / POINTS STANDINGS

1975 ------ 1 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ $1,925 --

1976 ------ 2 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ $3,085 --

1977 ------ 1 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ 0 ------ $1,375 --

1978 ------ 5 ------ 0 ------ 1 ------ 2 ------ 0 ------ $20,145 --

1979 ------ 27 ------ 1 ------ 11 ------ 17 ------ 4 ------ $264,086 ------ 7th

1980 ------ 31 ------ 5 ------ 19 ------ 24 ------ 0 ------ $588,926 ------ 1st

1981 ------ 31 ------ 0 ------ 9 ------ 17 ------ 0 ------ $347,113 ------ 7th

1982 ------ 30 ------ 1 ------ 7 ------ 12 ------ 1 ------ $375,325 ------ 12th

1983 ------ 30 ------ 2 ------ 9 ------ 14 ------ 1 ------ $446,272 ------ 8th

1984 ------ 30 ------ 2 ------ 12 ------ 22 ------ 0 ------ $616,788 ------ 4th

1985 ------ 28 ------ 4 ------ 10 ------ 16 ------ 1 ------ $546,596 ------ 8th

1986 ------ 29 ------ 5 ------ 16 ------ 23 ------ 1 ------ $1,783,880 ------ 1st

1987 ------ 29 ------ 11 ------ 21 ------ 24 ------ 1 ------ $2,099,243 ------ 1st

1988 ------ 29 ------ 3 ------ 13 ------ 19 ------ 0 ------ $1,214,089 ------ 3rd

1989 ------ 29 ------ 5 ------ 14 ------ 19 ------ 0 ------ $1,435,730 ------ 2nd

1990 ------ 29 ------ 9 ------ 18 ------ 23 ------ 4 ------ $3,083,056 ------ 1st

1991 ------ 29 ------ 4 ------ 14 ------ 21 ------ 0 ------ $2,396,685 ------ 1st

1992 ------ 29 ------ 1 ------ 6 ------ 15 ------ 1 ------ $915,463 ------ 12th

1993 ------ 30 ------ 6 ------ 17 ------ 21 ------ 2 ------ $3,353,789 ------ 1st

1994 ------ 31 ------ 4 ------ 20 ------ 25 ------ 2 ------ $3,300,733 ------ 1st

1995 ------ 31 ------ 5 ------ 19 ------ 23 ------ 3 ------ $3,154,241 ------ 2nd

1996 ------ 31 ------ 2 ------ 13 ------ 17 ------ 2 ------ $2,285,926 ------ 4th

1997 ------ 32 ------ 0 ------ 7 ------ 16 ------ 0 ------ $2,151,909 ------ 5th

1998 ------ 33 ------ 1 ------ 5 ------ 13 ------ 0 ------ $2,611,100 ------ 8th

1999 ------ 34 ------ 3 ------ 7 ------ 19 ------ 0 ------ $2,844,184 ------ 7th

2000 ------ 34 ------ 2 ------ 13 ------ 24 ------ 0 ------ $4,918,886 ------ 2nd

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Dale is the only Winston Cup driver in history to win Rookie of the Year and the Winston Cup Championship BACK-TO-BACK ('79 & '80).

~~Rest In Peace Dale~~

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