Today marks 25 years since Dale Earnhardt Sr., one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all-time, tragically lost his life in the Daytona 500. As you would expect, NASCAR is paying homage to “The Intimidator.”
Taking to X on Wednesday, NASCAR shared its official commemoration of Earnhardt’s passing. The organization had been sharing plenty of tributes to him leading up to this past Sunday’s Daytona 500, as did the Daytona International Speedway.
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“On this day in 2001, the NASCAR community lost a legend. We remember Dale Earnhardt on the 25th anniversary of his passing,” NASCAR shared on X.
Fans quickly swarmed the comments to pay their respects to the late-great NASCAR star.
“As a Gordon fan I had a lot or respect for Dale. That ended a long time rivalry between the two. One that was really good for the sport. It also was the day a legend died,” one fan wrote.
“Doesn’t even seem like it’s been 25 years. I remember watching the race and the fallout from the crash. RIP Dale,” wrote another.
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“I cried all night after Dale Earnhardt died. He was my favorite driver, and as a 6-year-old that was the first time I had dealt with death. Really cannot believe it’s already been 25 years,” a third shared.
Oct 25, 1998; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Sr (3) during the Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
An unrivaled legacy
Earnhardt is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential drivers in NASCAR history. Making his Cup Series debut in 1975, Earnhardt quickly established himself as a fierce competitor, winning the 1979 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award before capturing his first championship in 1980. Driving the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet, Earnhardt became known for his aggressive, intimidating style that earned him the nickname “The Intimidator.” His ability to move through the field, especially on superspeedways and short tracks, made him a fan favorite and a constant threat to win.
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Over the course of his career, Earnhardt won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. He amassed 76 Cup Series victories and 281 top-five finishes, demonstrating remarkable consistency across two decades. Earnhardt’s blue-collar persona resonated deeply with fans, and his black No. 3 car became one of the most recognizable symbols in American motorsports. Despite his dominance, one achievement eluded him for years – victory in the Daytona 500 – until he finally won the prestigious race in 1998, a moment celebrated as one of NASCAR’s most emotional triumphs.
Tragically, Earnhardt’s career ended at the 2001 Daytona 500, where he was killed in a last-lap crash. Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2010, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s legacy endures as a seven-time champion, cultural icon, and transformative figure whose impact on the sport remains profound.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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