The legendary Dale Earnhardt
believed the common cliche
that "genius is one percent
inspiration and ninety-nine
percent perspiration." He
strived for perfection and
would not settle for anything
less than being the best.
His quest for perfection
ended tragically on February
in a fatal car accident.

On the final turn of
the 200-lap Daytona 500,
Earnhardt was in third place
with his son, Dale Jr. and one
of his teammates, Michael
Waltrip in the lead. Known
as the "Intimidator", Earnhardt
died in a selfless act, trying
to keep the rest of the racecars
away while his son and teammate
fought for the checkered flag.

Earnhardt was bumped from
behind, lost control of his car
while going 180 MPH and was
sent crashing head on into the
wall of the final turn. He was
hit by another car afterwards
and slowly rolled to a stop.
He died instantly of head
injuries.

Dr. Steve Bohannon, head
of emergency medical services
as Daytona International
Speedway, contemplated that
Earnhardt most likely made
contact with the steering
wheel causing the fatal
head injury.

The son of a legendary driver,
Dale Earnhardt won seven
NASCAR championships in his
twenty-one year career.
Named one of the top five
racecar drivers of all time,
Earnhardt has won 76 races
placing in the top five 281
times. He has finished 408
races in the top ten while
racing in 676 races.

Earnhardt finally won the
Daytona 500 in 1998 after 19
unsuccessful tries. He leaves
behind a wife and four children,
including Dale Jr., who will
continue his father's glorious
legacy. Candlelight vigils were
held in speedways around the
country as fans of all ages
mourned the passing of an
icon.

In his final moments, Earnhardt
must have been feeling ecstatic,
one turn away from a teammate's
victory and a son racing in
second.

Earhadrt died on a racetrack
he accomplished so much on, a
racetrack that intimidated most
drivers. His desire to win and
driving style, like none other,
made him one of the fiercest
competitors and greatest
drivers of all time.

His will to finish
a race in first is like
none other.


"...Don't ask
what it's like finishing [in]
second. Everybody knows
what I think of second."



- written by sportsfansrule
(for school newspaper)