On February 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt Sr., considered one of the
greatest drivers in National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) history, died at the age of 49 in a last-lap crash at the
43rd Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Earnhardt was driving his famous black No. 3 Chevrolet and vying
for third place when he collided with another car, then crashed into
a wall. After being cut from his car, Earnhardt, whose tough,
aggressive driving style earned him the nickname “The Intimidator,”
was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Earnhardt died of a basilar skull ring fracture, the most serious
type of skull fracture.
Ralph Dale Earnhardt
(April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001)
