Guest Author - Sandy Mullins
Earnhardt and racing is a tradition of three generations. It started back in a small mill town of Kannapolis, North Carolina, where Ralph Earnhardt worked at the mill. He worked hard making a living for his wife and five children. Besides his family, Ralph had a passion, long before race car drivers were celebrities and won the big prizes. Ralph built his own cars and race on dirt racetracks.
Dale Earnhardt grew up watching his father in the garage working on his race cars, and the seed of race car driving was planted. At 16 years of age Dale Earnhardt quit school to pursue racing but much to his dismay he ended up working at the same mill as his father. Dale Earnhardt and his passion for racing earned Dale Earnhardt, the nickname “The Intimidator.” Dale continued his pursuit of racing and by the age of 25 his first two marriages ended in divorce.
Dales big break came when in 1978, when at Charlotte Motor Speedway Dale Earnhardt got his big break and rose up through the ranks to racing Royalty. In 1979 Dale Earnhardt won the NASCAR Rookie of the Year. Dale Earnhardt won 76-checkered flags and tied with Richard Petty for 7 Winston Cup titles, and winning more money in Winston Cup history.
Dale Earnhardt was the master of racing but had difficulties rasing his children. Dale Earnhardt’s youngest son Dale Earnhardt Jr., shared the same relationship and Dale Sr and Ralph had. The third generation of race car drivers was born. They shared same intensity and passion for race for the checkered flag.
Unfortunately, Dale Earnhardt’s last race ended in tragedy at Daytona International Speedway at Daytona Beach, Florida on February 21, 2001.
His loyal fans still remember him as, ‘The Intimidator’ and celebrate his birth on, Dale Earnhardt Day on April 29. People collect memorabilia and wear his number proudly and fondly.
Showtimes on ESPN are as follows: 12/12 2:30AM, 12/14 2:30PM, 12/16 7PM, 12/17 3AM, 12/19 3:30 AM, and 12/20 9PM Eastern time.
To learn more about ‘The Intimidator’ watch ESPN’s new movie “3" and check out the sites below.
Earnhardt Fans Unite In Front of Your TV
Dale Earnhardt Marathon on ESPN Classic (offsite link)
Dale Earnhardt Inc (offsite link)
