|| *Comments on the 2001 Daytona 500:* View the most recent comment <#180> | Post a comment <#post> Tweet 1. Beitaness posted: 12.08.2003 - 10:30 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Sadly Earnhardt thurst of victory ended on the last lap of that race.....Was an agressive driver with 76 wins for 676 starts. 2. Chris Cadiz posted: 03.20.2004 - 2:22 am Rate this comment: (3) (1) Such a fantastic race, marred by such horrible tragedy. A movie could be made on this race alone. There was so much drama and emotion. 3. Jack Lewis posted: 06.30.2004 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The 2001 Daytona 500 will be remembered for all the tragedy, not all the great lead changes, passing, and overall racing. It's sad to see a great race end like that, and worse, see the sport's biggest name get taken away in seconds. 4. Jake posted: 07.21.2004 - 8:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) What a sad way to win your first Winston Cup race after 462 losses. Mikey wins and then his car owner gets killed the same day. I'm sure Dale Sr. would've been proud of Mikey and Dale Jr. giving DEI a 1-2 finish. 5. Stewart Hater posted: 07.24.2004 - 9:01 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) A sad moment in NASCAR history with the loss of Dale Earnhart. But jagboy gets taken out in a huge crash. 6. Fitz posted: 12.12.2004 - 6:01 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Our thoughts and prayers will forever be with you, #3. 7. 3isGone posted: 01.11.2005 - 7:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) What a sad ending. A two time Daytona 500 winner(one as an owner). one of the greatest stock car driver in nascar history 8. Brett posted: 02.25.2005 - 10:28 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Irony prevails as one of the most exciting NASCAR races ever contested leaves its most exciting (and arguably greatest) driver dead too soon. 9. Chicago posted: 04.22.2005 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Too bad Sterling had nothing to do with the crash. If anything, it was Rusty pulling in tight behind Earnhardt that took the air off of Earnhardt's spoiler, making him loose, causing him to make casual contact, if any, with Sterling, sending him back up into the wall. A great race marred by such a terrible tragedy. 10. scdvn sn posted: 05.08.2005 - 8:48 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Earnhart somehow got though the first big wreck,only if he was 1 milisecond slower 11. Joe Laracuente posted: 05.26.2005 - 3:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) one of the darkest races ever 12. Anonymous posted: 06.15.2005 - 4:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was 13 years old and cheering Mikey like there was no tomorrow. My first thought when I saw the crash was, "Aw man, Dale wrecked, he's not gonna finish 3rd". I heard the bad news that night at church. I think this race affected Mikey for a long time, he didn't do much the rest of that season. 13. larry spencer posted: 09.14.2005 - 10:48 pm Rate this comment: (4) (12) If it was anyones fault for Earnhardts death it was Earnhardts fault he was driving stupidly and got killed because of iy 14. Darrell posted: 10.16.2005 - 5:46 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) A horrible, horrible day. Sterling had nothing to do with that wreck. If anything, Earnhardt's death was even more tragic because his fans felt the need to threaten Sterling and his family. I intensely dislike Junior, but he'll always have a spot in my heart for publicly defending Marlin. When I first saw the crash, I didn't think it was that bad, because I thought the back end of the car is what smashed into the wall. How wrong I was. RIP #3 15. Chicago posted: 10.30.2005 - 1:19 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) One of the most exciting races ever marred by such a horrible tragedy. I have been a Mike Waltrip since back in the All Pro and Country Time days, and I waited for his first win for what seemed like forever. I thought his career was over after the debacle of the 7 car. And when he finally won one, I couldn't get excited because of the circumstances. It just wasn't fair. And the worst part of all - it was Earnhardt's demigod "Intimidator" persona that in the end did him end, the belief that he was invincible and could save anything. When he tries to move down to block Sterling one final time, and the car heads toward the infield, if he lets it spin, Earnhardt is still alive today. And how many drivers are dead because the safety measures that were quickly instituted after a major media and fan outpouring? It's a two way street. I hated Earnhardt's guts and will not lie about that but this was a horrible day. 16. NascarF1Fan posted: 12.31.2005 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Dale survived, it probably would have been a close championship between him & Jeff Gordon. 17. John Smith posted: 01.01.2006 - 8:19 am Rate this comment: (3) (0) I still don't know if Dale's block was brilliance or stupidity. Who knows what could have happened if he hadn't hadn't put the block on Marlin we miss u! 18. chad richardson posted: 02.19.2006 - 12:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (4) WHAT A SAD DALE EARNHARDT 19. dalejrrules14 posted: 02.25.2006 - 4:57 pm Rate this comment: (3) (2) dale was the intimidator.he always battled for the win.and the race that he tried to help and not battle for the win....he dies.its sorta ironic.just like michael winning in a car owned by him.also its weird that he was hired by dale that year.i was not into nascar at the time but i heard of it on the news. god himself knows everyones fate. but some people are to young and some die too late. god himself knew what you would be you would be racin in that black chevy #3. Now hes up there racin with the lord. lets all hope he didnt put you in a ford. 20. chad richardson posted: 03.06.2006 - 11:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) WE MISS YOU DALE 21. Ziggy posted: 03.15.2006 - 12:10 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) All pain ceases upon death. 22. Ziggy posted: 03.15.2006 - 2:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) I meant to say that Dale's pain ended when he died, but certainly not that of his family and friends. Sorry for not being more specific with the earlier post. 23. smoke20ri posted: 04.01.2006 - 3:28 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'll always remember DW screaming "Mikey" and then Mike Joy calling the crash and then DW saying he hoped Dale was OK. 24. Evan posted: 04.06.2006 - 12:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) What can I say? What a race, an exciting crash and drama and unfortunately the death of Dale Earnhardt, one of my favorite drivers. But Tony Stewart also should feel lucky he is alive because his spectacular crash could have surely killed him as well. 25. Miller4Prez6 posted: 04.18.2006 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) RIP #3 26. Steve posted: 05.04.2006 - 8:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (4) Certainly the saddest day in NA$CAR. On a (relatively) lighter note, Michael gets his first win after 462 losses, and Stacy Compton finishes in the Top 10 after a front row start and a solid Speedweeks. 27. CanucksAndNASCAR Fan posted: 05.14.2006 - 7:40 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) I remember this day like it was yesterday. I spent the rest of that evening trying to make sense of why it happened. And I had a horrible time sleeping that night as well. What a tough day that was. 28. DaleJrfan14 posted: 06.07.2006 - 8:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (5) notice that the number of lead changes from dales last win and this race are the same!49!Another conspiracy in this.This race creeps the hell out of me with all of them conspiracies. 29. Brian posted: 06.08.2006 - 5:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) that was horrible what happened to Dale...i was never a fan of his but he really was a NASCAR legend and a genuinely good guy...off the track lol...that's a shame that Michael never got the chance to thank him for the opportunity he gave him 30. DaleJrfan14 posted: 06.14.2006 - 5:31 pm Rate this comment: (2) (10) i have a list of conspiracies and coincedences here about this day. 1.waltrip started 19th-car #15-1st place=3 2.dale was runing 3rd at the time of the crash. 3.was hhit by #36 which is 2 numbers 6/2=3 4.the date was 3 months and 3 days apart from dales last win 5.first race for fox 6.dw watched his bro win 7.year 2+0+0+1=3 8.there were 3 chevys in the top 10 9.there were 3 dodges in top 10 10.the days of dales last win and death are 15 and 18.15=waltrip.1=park 8=june bug 11.17 cars were knocked out from wrecks.same amount of laps earnheardt led this race. 12.last place driver compleated 47 laps.7-4=3 13.earnjheatdt finished 12th 1+2=3. THERES MORE.BELIEVE ME 31. Anonymous posted: 06.14.2006 - 7:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Extremely sad day. 32. Anonymous posted: 06.15.2006 - 2:53 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) What an amazingly great race ruined by such an amazingly horrible tragedy. I don't think the pack had less than 35 cars in it until the Big One. 33. dalejrfan15 posted: 06.17.2006 - 2:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (5) more conspiracies 14.feruary 18:1 park 8 junior the 2 DEI teamates before 2001 15.3 cautions 16.pole speed 1 park 8 jr and 3 sr the 565 has no conspiracy. 17.dale finished 3rd in his twin 125 race. 18.marlin won dales 125 race. more to come 34. mk17ce99 posted: 06.21.2006 - 12:22 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) It was a horrible day to say the least. My dad and I were watching the race and were happy that a guy who hadn't won a race in 430 some races finally won and saw Dale crash and were like jeez I hope he's ok. We didnt watch any T.V. for a while and we were both at our office area on the computer and my mom had fox on. This was about a few hours after the race and we could hear the sound. All of a sudden we here Nascar Driver Dale Earnhardt dead at 49. We both just looked at each other in disbelief. It didn't even seem like that hard of a hit! Its always hard when any driver loses there life! 35. Anonymous posted: 08.26.2006 - 1:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (5) another conspiracy: There were 3 cautions in this race, which was the same amount of cautions in Dale's last win. If only there was one less lap under caution in this one and then it would match the caution laps that were in Dale's last win. 36. Fitz posted: 09.10.2006 - 1:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) This tragic event is such an irony to me because this would be my first, and last time, to watch the "Intimidator" race live on television. 37. Anonymous posted: 11.08.2006 - 1:51 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Michael deserved better. 38. Steve posted: 11.23.2006 - 9:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) probably THE most exiciting Daytona race ive ever seen i didnt even fully comprehend what happened till the next week at rockingham and the was no 3 out on the track 39. chad posted: 12.05.2006 - 10:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) i got the 2001 daytona 500 dvd it would give you a full detail of dale earnhardt 40. chad posted: 12.11.2006 - 1:09 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) my mom told me that day at 11:00 pm that dale died 41. chad posted: 01.02.2007 - 1:24 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) we miss you no 3 42. tommy posted: 01.07.2007 - 8:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (4) I was and always will be a huge Rusty Wallace fan, and I have to agree that if ANYONE caused that wreck it was him. If you watch the wreck, the 2 was coming up behind the 3 real fast, then Dale just lost it. The draft the 2 was getting took enough air off the 3 that not even the greatest driver in history could control it. It was a racing accident, and a very sad one at that. If Dale was still alive, he would've said it was just racing and no one's fault. I think we should leave it at that and remember Dale's life and career. 43. Brock posted: 01.18.2007 - 6:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Michael Waltrip is visibly seen crying on his in-car camera after the race. How horrible that the tears would flow once again. 44. David posted: 01.20.2007 - 4:22 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) If rusty woulda been 10 feet ahead, he woulda spun earnhardt around, and it woulda been another 12 car pile up, probably with dale cussing someone out on the FOX post race report. RIP DALE #3 45. Cecil Davis posted: 02.05.2007 - 12:31 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) I recorded that race. But after Dale died. I remember busting that tape all to hell. The hardest thing was having to tell my wife. I miss you Dale 1951-2001... 46. myself posted: 02.21.2007 - 3:48 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) I always thought it was pathetic how stupid Earnhardt fans blamed Sterling Marlin for Earnhardt's crash/death. Earnhardt drove down on Marlin & started the thing! What's even worse is that poor ole' Marlin received some death threats from some of those idiots! 47. myself posted: 02.21.2007 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Dale Jarrett's first race for UPS....& boy was that an ugly car! 48. Hailey Hillsman posted: 02.24.2007 - 7:58 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Also, It seemed like Darrell Waltrip knew something was wrong with Dale. I remember " I just hope Dale's all right, I guess he's okay". It was so surreal. I thought every thing was good. I saw his crash at Talladega in '96 and he walked away. That damn near killed him, But sadly as Mike Joy said later that evening with tears in his eyes. "He's gone now but I'm sure he's happy now"... That's when it hit me that Dale's not coming back. RIP Dale. 49. Dave posted: 03.29.2007 - 8:40 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) First time a Driver named Jason started a race 50. Mr. Big posted: 08.10.2007 - 10:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) I remember this race like it was yesterday. I hadn't ever watched a race before and when I got home my grandpa was watching it and the Big One had happened about 5 minutes before I had gotten home. The only reason he put it on was because there was nothing else on. I didn't understand very much of it, but he helped me some. So I watched the final 25 laps and watched Mikey go to the win but wondered about Dale. Was he okay? And from replays at the time, it looked like Sterling Marlin got into him just a little. But he didn't, and today I know that. Now, Sterling's my favorite driver, and I follow him each week. And me and my grandpa have only missed about 10 races combined in the last 6 or 7 years. Some notables: Michael's first win in some 430 or so races 1-2 DEI finish Great run for Mike Wallace (6th) Stacy Compton follows up outside pole starting spot with good finish (10th) Ward Burton, with maybe the best car, gets caught up in the Lap 175 crash (35th) Sterling Marlin, who had the best car after Burton, gets behind the spinning car of Earnhardt and falls to 7th And most of all, Earnhardt's death. What if he had let it go on the apron? He'd be alive and he probably could've raced 2 or 3 more years. 51. Steve posted: 01.16.2008 - 11:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I'll admit I cried when I heard the news a couple of hours after the race. My, how the sport has changed since then. 52. Rob posted: 02.16.2008 - 11:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Something strange I just thought of another numbers thing. This race was on February 18, 2001. The last time there was a cup race on February 18 was in 1990 which was the Daytona 500 where Earnhardt blew the tire. The race itself was incredible and had it not been for Dale Earnhardt getting killed that probably would have been the greatest Daytona 500. About the crash as soon as I seen how slow the ambulance was going after the race I figured that the worst had happened. 53. Brady posted: 02.25.2008 - 2:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Rob you are correct the 1990 race was on Feb 18th...but it wasn't the last one. 1996 was also on Feb 18th, Earnhardt started 1st finished 2nd. Ironically his first Daytona 500 was on Feb 18th 1979, the first year the race was shown flag to flag. Oh BTW...the DaleJrfan conspiracy stuff is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. How dumb do you have to be to buy into all of that...I hope they weren't serious 54. SK posted: 03.21.2008 - 9:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) There are tons of coincidences regarding this race, Earnhardt and the number 3, some more contrived than others. But I found this one more than a little eerie... In 1994, Earnhardt's best friend Neil Bonnett was killed in a practice crash at Daytona in turn 4, driving the #51 for James Finch. He was 47 years old. The #51 would not be run again at Daytona until 2001, when Jeff Purvis miraculously raced it into the field on Thursday. But his day ended early when he cut a tire and crashed in turn 4, retiring from the race. He completed exactly 47 laps. 55. DieselDan posted: 03.30.2008 - 10:23 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Is the High Church of Earnhardt a recognized religion/cult yet? 56. Brady posted: 04.24.2008 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) ...and Purvis started in 17th positions, which was the car # used by Darrell Waltrip when he won the 500 in '89...and it just so happens it was Darrell in the both called his very first race for FOX...blah, blah, blah. You can find #s and make up stuff for anything if you look hard enough. 57. Mark O. posted: 04.25.2008 - 5:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I completely concur with Bradley. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop some people from making up mindless drivel. 58. earnhardtfan4ever#3 posted: 05.07.2008 - 6:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) When I saw Dale's crash, I thought he was going to be so ticked off that he wasn't going to get a good finish, but then I thought well there's always next week. Then when my dad called me and told me Dale was gone and I saw the news stories and newspapers, it hit me. There wouldn't be a next week. Dale was gone. It broke my heart that I'd never see him race again. There will never be another like him. Dale may be gone, but he is certainly not forgotten. RIP Dale 1951-2001. 59. Dwayne posted: 05.09.2008 - 2:04 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I always hated Dale, he was such a great driver and I never understood why he had to stoop to knocking drivers out of the way to gain a spot/win. He was to good to need to do that. But, I miss him so, my eyes watered when I heard the news. I had jury duty the next day and the judge even said if anyone was to upset to serve, they would be dismissed. I am from Owensboro, Ky. So I was thrilled for Michael. I just feel so bad he never got to celebrate. It was nice that NASCAR gave him a victory party at the July Daytona race, which he should have won. I was disappointed when I heard Mike say would not pass Jr. What happened to earning wins. I know Jr winning at the first Daytona race after Sr death was a big money maker. Last note. Dale Sr was awesome at the plate tracks, when he raced and won on them, everyone talked about what an accomplishment it was. And it was. Michael Waltrip wins at a plate track and everyone says "Oh, it was a plate track, not a big deal" What gives? Sorry that was so long. Congratulations Michael on winning the greatest Daytona 500 of all time. Dale Earnhardt Sr we miss you so. Dwayne 60. Scott posted: 05.19.2008 - 10:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Boy, I miss him. I am still a fan and watch some of his finest moments on tape. #3 forever! 61. Spen posted: 05.22.2008 - 4:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) On a very light note, didn't Kenny Wallace try to run with sponsorship from Playboy? 62. GEORGE posted: 06.08.2008 - 12:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) WERE ANY IRL DRIVERS AT EARNHART'S FUNERAL SERVICE 63. Thomas posted: 06.11.2008 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Interestingly nobody's mentioned this trivia bit yet...despite having a couple of other crashes in the 500, this was the only time Sr. DNF the 500 due to a crash. RIP Sr. You always will be the best. 64. Baker posted: 06.16.2008 - 11:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (5) Look at this mad love fest for Dale Earnhardt while at the same time I've been reading mad hate for Kyle Busch all year. It makes me sick how hypocritical it is because Kyle Busch drives just like Dale, hell even less aggresive than Dale's early years. 65. Clayton posted: 07.04.2008 - 1:06 am Rate this comment: (2) (2) Earnhardt was the dirtest driver the sport has ever seen!! but it's always sad when a man dies espcially someone you grew up rooting against. He was dirty as dirty can be but off the track was a good guy. The dirty style eventually led to his death when he tried to cut down in front of Sterling Marlin, but there was no room. I'd seen Earnhardt try and pull that numourus times (1987 Winston "Pass In The Grass!") and it worked. this time he wrecked. Unfortually it killed him! 66. DaleJrFan17 posted: 07.27.2008 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) "Oh BTW...the DaleJrfan conspiracy stuff is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. How dumb do you have to be to buy into all of that...I hope they weren't serious" I dont believe any of the crap I put up. I just put them up cause It's just wierd. IMO: The conspiracys for this race are as ridiculus as the 9/11 Conspiracy and JFK combined 67. RaceFanX posted: 08.16.2008 - 8:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) To Spen: Kenny Wallace had a big bucks sponsorship fall apart after he moved to Eel River Racing's #27 Pontiac in the off season but I don't think it was Playboy I think it was Crown Royal (NASCAR didn't allow hard liquor sponsors at the time). Eel River was also planning a change of make that fell thru before the 2001 season. This was Jeff Purvis' first Cup race in over 3 years. 68. Kit posted: 08.24.2008 - 10:35 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) "It makes me sick how hypocritical it is because Kyle Busch drives just like Dale, hell even less aggresive than Dale's early years." Dale Earnhardt was a good guy off the track. Kyle Busch on the other hand is a little immature wimp. 69. Sunoco posted: 11.17.2008 - 9:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So damn sad! Dale was my hero! Also, had Dale not been killed/hurt I think it would have gone down as one of the greatest 500s ever! Thrilling, three wide pack racing all the way, an underdog winning it cheered on by his older brother, etc. Let us not distress though! For those who are religious, he is in a better place. 70. Clayton posted: 11.27.2008 - 9:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) With about 4 laps to go, Earnhardt and Marlin almost crashed. Marlin was low under Earnhardt, and Dale slammed the door, nearly causing an accident. Joy, McRenyolds, and Waltrip in the booth shreaked when Earnhardt did that. It was so close. 3 laps later Dale would do the same exact thing and that's what caused the accident. All the number and conspricy things are odd, but have nothing to do with Earnhardt's wreck! 71. Ryan posted: 12.16.2008 - 2:37 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Dale at Daytona: 23 starts 16 top-10s 12 top-5s 686 total laps led in 500 2 Pepsi/Firecracker 400 wins ('90, '93) 1 Big 1998 Daytona 500 win 5 Daytona 500 2nd places finishes ('84, '93, '95, 96, '99) 1 Daytona 500 pole (1996) 34 career wins: 12 Twin 125 mile qualifiers, including 10 straight from 1990-1999 7 Busch Series Wins 6 IROC Wins 6 Busch Clash Wins 3 Nascar Wins Average finish, 11th for Daytona 500s Average start, 9.22 for Daytona 500s 7 times he led with 59 laps to go 5 times he led with 33 laps to go 5 times he led with 25 laps to go 5 times he led with 17 laps to go 5 times he led with 30 laps to go 5 times he led with 24 laps to go 5 times he led with 11 laps to go 5 times he led with 10 laps to go 4 times he led with 19 laps to go 4 times he led with 41 laps to go 4 times he led with 40 laps to go 3 times he led with 1 lap to go 2 times he led halfway ('84, '95) 1 time he led lap 200 3 wins as a car owner ('01, '03, '04) 5 total Nascar wins as a car winner at Daytona Over Dale's 23 starts in the 500 he led every lap at least once except for lap numbers (96-98) for the longest time it was four lap numbers (200). 72. Ryan posted: 12.16.2008 - 2:39 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) He didn't try to pass in the grass Clayton on the last lap, you fool... It was hard racing on the last lap. Everyone was just going for the same real estate. There wasn't no more room . 73. Chris posted: 01.06.2009 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Now... Someones gotta explain THIS one to me..??? Dale at Daytona: 3 wins as a car owner ('01, '03, '04) How can you be a "winning car owner" when you are dead..?? '01... yeah i can see that... but not '03 and '04 74. Ryan posted: 01.26.2009 - 9:18 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) well, if you count '01 you have to count '03 and '04. It does say "Dale Earnhardt, Inc." hello?!?! 75. myself posted: 02.13.2009 - 1:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Is the High Church of Earnhardt a recognized religion/cult yet? DieselDan | 03.30.08 - 10:23 pm" OUCH! 76. Ben posted: 03.17.2009 - 8:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I noticed one thing about how things have changed in the 8 seasons between this race and now. Only Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth race for the same team today then they did in this race. Nascar never stays the same. 77. fannie davis posted: 07.02.2009 - 1:20 am Rate this comment: (2) (2) RYAN I READ YOUR COMMENT'S THAT YOU WROTE ON 12 /16/08 THATS QUITE IMPRESSIVE AND THANKS FOR POSTING.... 78. jp posted: 09.05.2009 - 1:45 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Damn. Earnhardt, dead. WHY US????? If he would have been 10 feet back in the big one, he would have hit Burton(Ward) in the side. We would have still had 'em. Something should have happened. He should have blown an engine, tire or SOMETHING. If he was still around, he would have made Kryle scared. 7 championships. Millions of fans. 76 wins. Earnhardt was everything in NASCAR. He made coming from 25th to 1st easy. He was the one you looked up to. He battled with the greats. He was one of the greats. He walked away from wrecks 10 times as bad as the one that claimed him. He was a fierce competitor. He stood by what he said. How many times has Kryle Busch done that? He was the GREATEST. He might not have won 7 titles, but he's a rags-to-riches man who done what he done best, and died doing what he loved. Friends, this is what make's a man a man. Earnhardt will always be in our hearts. He is probably drafting with Bonnett, with Adam Petty in tow, with Davey next to him, at that big Racetrack in the sky. FOREVER #3!!!! 79. Russ Shurtliff posted: 09.23.2009 - 7:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I kind of find it strange that in 78 posts no one has even typed the name Ken Schrader once. He was a very class act after the accident. I think that the accident affected him as much as any mikey and jr. Also the BIG ONE in this race involved 3/4 of the field. Here is a link to the big one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK8PXQ0pJdw 80. Ryan posted: 09.30.2009 - 7:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) thank you Fannie, took some time to do the laps. I knew mostly everything else by heart 81. Doc posted: 04.01.2010 - 4:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Never was a fan of Dale, but you never want to see anyone lose their life. Sterling had the best car on the track after Burton and could've won. The wreck was not Marlin's fault as Dale Jr. even said. A bunch of sorry individuals who sent him death threats in a shameful display of grief. 82. Madison posted: 04.18.2010 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ironically, in the pre-race show, Dale said, "You'll probably see something you ain't seen on Fox." 83. Madison posted: 07.03.2010 - 2:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Imagine if he had been in the #20 crash. 84. Madison posted: 07.22.2010 - 2:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Schrader knew. Watch his interview. 85. Ryan posted: 08.11.2010 - 11:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Yep, had to be really sad for Schrader. It probably still sticks with him is the sad part. I forgot to mention Earnhardt had ten consecutive top 10s in this race from 1987-1996. 86. ii posted: 08.21.2010 - 6:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another conspiracy: Kevin Harvick won his first race in his 3rd start. Also only 3 drivers have stayed with the same team since the crash that have run full time: Harvick, Matt Kenseth, and Jeff Gordon 87. Vaughn posted: 09.07.2010 - 7:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Because of the Earnhardt tragedy many overlook the fact that the Big One collected approximately 20-24 cars. Tony Stewart would get a concussion, but was cleared to race the next week. 88. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.20.2010 - 10:04 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) This race should be shown on SPEED on 2/18/11 to give viewers like us who watch the sport after his death (started in 2003) how big of a deal it was. Highly doubt it because of TV rights that they have, but who knows, they show the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in 2004. 89. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.20.2010 - 2:44 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Dale Earnhardt's death will go down in history as one of the shocking death's based on their culture. Kind of like Tupac, John Lennon and Michael Jackson's deaths. 90. awesomegordonfan posted: 10.19.2010 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) "If it was anyones fault for Earnhardts death it was Earnhardts fault he was driving stupidly and got killed because of iy" Are you stupid? It was Earnhardt's fault because he avoided Smoke's big wreck, but he wasn't driving stupidly; also, it was NASCAR's fault for not inventing the HANS device. An exciting race indeed, although only 11 people were on the lead lap due to the Lap 173 wreck. How did Buchshot Jones get hired by Petty again? The only time Earnhardt raced with Dodges. :( "If he would have been 10 feet back in the big one, he would have hit Burton(Ward) in the side." You are definetly right. Yet another conspiracy: The worst driver ever finished 29th, Harvick's number One more: Elliot Sadler, in the 21, finished 18th. 2+1=3, 18/6=3 Okay, one more: The guy who killed him started 3rd I found yet another: Schrader drove the 36 No one has posted how Gordon, his best bud, won the championship. Oh, one more conspiracy: Dale was born in 1951. 1X9=9, 9-5=4, 4-1=3! Wow, lots of conspiracies. Thanks ii "Dale Jarrett's first race for UPS....& boy was that an ugly car!" was the only comment so far that didn't involve Dale or his death (or conspiracies =P) 91. awesomegordonfan posted: 10.19.2010 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Never mind... anymore. A pretty depressing start for Dodge, except less than Toyota, which used to suck but now Busch cheats making it pwn in everything. 92. Madison posted: 11.21.2010 - 5:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The word defensive never showed up in Dale's vocabulary. The first time he drives defensively, look at the outcome. 93. awesomegordonfan posted: 11.22.2010 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Here's my final conspiracy: Union 76 was the Official Fuel of NASCAR in this race. Wins by Dale Earnhardt: 76. 76=76 pwn you all Wow. In 92 posts, no one has said "Stacy Compton's only Top 10." Well, this is true. 94. awesomegordonfan posted: 11.22.2010 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This race has more comments than Earnhardt's page himself...!?! 95. Steve posted: 01.14.2011 - 7:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Unrelated to the accident, but Ron Hornaday was the highest placed rookie in the 500. He was the first such rookie to fail to win Winston Cup rookie of the year since Loy Allen Jr in 1994. Between then, Craven, Benson, Skinner, Irwin, Stewart, and Kenseth were best in class at Daytona and the season's top rookie. 96. Cooper posted: 02.11.2011 - 10:01 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Qualifying speeds: Pos No Driver Make Time Gap To 1st Speed Gap ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. 9 Bill Elliott Dodge 49.029 183.565 2. 92 Stacy Compton Dodge 49.266 0.237 0.237 182.682 0.883 3. 88 Dale Jarrett Ford 49.282 0.016 0.253 182.622 0.060 4. 20 Tony Stewart Pont 49.306 0.024 0.277 182.534 0.088 5. 24 Jeff Gordon Chevy 49.322 0.016 0.293 182.474 0.060 6. 22 Ward Burton Dodge 49.337 0.015 0.308 182.419 0.055 7. 40 Sterling Marlin Dodge 49.412 0.075 0.383 182.142 0.277 8. 33 Joe Nemechek Chevy 49.419 0.007 0.390 182.116 0.026 9. 31 Mike Skinner Chevy 49.419 0.000 0.390 182.116 0.000 10. 32 Ricky Craven Ford 49.430 0.011 0.401 182.076 0.040 11. 10 Johnny Benson Pont 49.453 0.023 0.424 181.991 0.085 12. 5 Terry Labonte Chevy 49.502 0.049 0.473 181.811 0.180 13. 15 Michael Waltrip Chevy 49.534 0.032 0.505 181.693 0.118 14. 93 Dave Blaney Dodge 49.543 0.009 0.514 181.660 0.033 15. 55 Bobby Hamilton Chevy 49.543 0.000 0.514 181.660 0.000 16. 43 John Andretti Dodge 49.566 0.023 0.537 181.576 0.084 17. 96 Andy Houston Ford 49.569 0.003 0.540 181.565 0.011 18. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy 49.586 0.017 0.557 181.503 0.062 19. 4 Robby Gordon Chevy 49.632 0.046 0.603 181.335 0.168 20. 28 Ricky Rudd Ford 49.670 0.038 0.641 181.196 0.139 21. 18 Bobby Labonte Pont 49.745 0.075 0.716 180.923 0.273 22. 2 Rusty Wallace Ford 49.763 0.018 0.734 180.857 0.066 23. 1 Steve Park Chevy 49.769 0.006 0.740 180.835 0.022 24. 99 Jeff Burton Ford 49.792 0.023 0.763 180.752 0.083 25. 19 Casey Atwood Dodge 49.798 0.006 0.769 180.730 0.022 26. 6 Mark Martin Ford 49.805 0.007 0.776 180.705 0.025 27. 3 Dale Earnhardt Chevy 49.808 0.003 0.779 180.694 0.011 28. 36 Ken Schrader Pont 49.822 0.014 0.793 180.643 0.051 29. 11 Brett Bodine Ford 49.824 0.002 0.795 180.636 0.007 30. 44 Buckshot Jones Dodge 49.836 0.012 0.807 180.592 0.044 31. 45 Kyle Petty Dodge 49.839 0.003 0.810 180.581 0.011 32. 14 Ron Hornaday Pont 49.853 0.014 0.824 180.531 0.050 33. 71 Dave Marcis Chevy 49.893 0.040 0.864 180.386 0.145 34. 21 Elliott Sadler Ford 49.899 0.006 0.870 180.364 0.022 35. 26 Jimmy Spencer Ford 49.928 0.029 0.899 180.260 0.104 36. 01 Jason Leffler Dodge 49.967 0.039 0.938 180.119 0.141 37. 66 Todd Bodine Ford 50.003 0.036 0.974 179.989 0.130 38. 27 Kenny Wallace Pont 50.033 0.030 1.004 179.881 0.108 39. 51 Jeff Purvis Ford 50.062 0.029 1.033 179.777 0.104 40. 17 Matt Kenseth Ford 50.127 0.065 1.098 179.544 0.233 41. 7 Mike Wallace Ford 50.151 0.024 1.122 179.458 0.086 42. 77 Robert Pressley Ford 50.187 0.036 1.158 179.329 0.129 43. 90 Hut Stricklin Ford 50.282 0.095 1.253 178.990 0.339 44. 50 Rick Mast Chevy 50.396 0.114 1.367 178.586 0.404 45. 97 Kurt Busch Ford 50.417 0.021 1.388 178.511 0.075 46. 12 Jeremy Mayfield Ford 50.529 0.112 1.500 178.116 0.395 47. 37 Derrike Cope Pont 50.764 0.235 1.735 177.291 0.825 48. 84 Norman Benning Chevy 51.049 0.285 2.020 176.301 0.990 49. 85 Carl Long Ford 51.053 0.004 2.024 176.287 0.014 50. 80 Morgan Shepherd Ford 51.526 0.473 2.497 174.669 1.618 51. 25 Jerry Nadeau Chevy Time Disallowed 97. Brad posted: 02.15.2011 - 8:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) A day that will live in infamy. Although I was a big Jeff Gordon fan (still am), I respected Dale for his accomplishments, and what he did for NASCAR. I was very upset when I heard the news. NASCAR in many ways just hasn't been the same since that day. I still get chills every time I see him crossing the finish line to win the 1998 Daytona 500. 98. DaleSrFanForever posted: 02.18.2011 - 9:50 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) "Yep, had to be really sad for Schrader. It probably still sticks with him is the sad part." It does. I watched the show on Speed Channel about this race (called "The Day", horrible title) and Schrader still has trouble talking about it. Him and Dale were really good friends. But it was 10 years ago today. I've avoided this page purposely because I want to focus on the good, not the sad, that Dale left us. But I must say, even 10 full years later, sometimes it still doesn't seem real. 99. DaleSrFanForever posted: 02.18.2011 - 10:05 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) No conspiracy on this one. I'll tell you what happened. First of all, Dale cut across Sterling's hood. But here is what I think happened: I think Dale knew his cars were about to finish 1-2 in the Daytona 500. He obviously couldn't wait to get to victory lane where him and Mikey and Dale Jr and Teresa would celebrate. Nobody could get unhooked from their car quicker than Dale. Remember when Dale Jr won his first race at Texas? Dale beat the PR guy to victory lane (throwing him backwards in the process so he could be the first to greet his boy). I think he had already loosened his belts and helmet chin strap so he could be waiting on Mikey when he pulled into victory lane (and possible grab Jr along the way). According to the accident report, his basilar skull fracture came as a result of a hard blow to the back part of Dale's skull (not by whiplash) most likely on the steering wheel after one of his lap belts tore apart. The thing is, that is part of his head that should have been covered by his helmet. But investigation of the helmet shows no serious damage. Besides, if his helmet were covering that part, it wouldn't have been as bad of a blow. That means his helmet slid forward over his face on impact, exposing the back of his skull, leading to the fatal blow. That shouldn't happen if it is on tight. Plus, when he shot back across the track, when he hit Schrader's car, the forces caused him to rotate in his seat clockwise so that his left side was facing the front of the car at the time of impact. He shouldn't have rotated like that. I think he had loosened his belts. Now even with this being said, I kinda doubt he would have survived anyways without SAFER walls and the HANS device. If everything were tight, he probably would have died of whiplash injuries as the seat harness held his torso in place, yet his head and neck kept moving forward. The angle he took into the wall was just terrible. 100. Matt G posted: 02.18.2011 - 2:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Can't believe it's been 10 years. I was there that day as a 13 year old Earnhardt fan. I still get emotional every time I think about that experience. 101. Rod R posted: 02.18.2011 - 2:57 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) ten years today...still hurts just finished Michael Waltrips book IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, Great Book! 102. Frank posted: 02.18.2011 - 11:34 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Rest In Peace to the Great Driver and Man... 10 years with a lot of changes especially in safety and it's a big shame that to implement them NASCAR needed to lost Dale Earnhardt 103. jeffgordon#1fan posted: 03.15.2011 - 1:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) perhaps the saddest race in nascar history..... dale fanforever has a great point. i read that article in nascar illiustrated. mikey was waiting and waiting and waiting... he must have been really torn apart.... 104. jeffgordon#1fan posted: 03.15.2011 - 2:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) dale sr. qualified 27th? 105. Evan posted: 05.06.2011 - 12:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Truly the day NASCAR changed...it was possibly the best day for a race, the weather was PERFECT and the racing was great. Tony Stewart's flip down the front stretch could have been bad but he was OK. Michael Walrip may have won the race but its hurts because he wanted to win it and see Dale congratulate him. But had earnhardt survived, the whole landscape of NASCAR would have change. 106. Cooper posted: 05.06.2011 - 2:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dale Earnhardt's last qualifying run of his career. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBB72CT3RCc 107. jessie henry posted: 05.24.2011 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) 2001 the wost yearsys ecenr 108. Schroeder51 posted: 07.17.2011 - 6:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I never liked Earnhardt when he was alive (I always thought of him as a dirty, good for nothing scoundrel-then again, I was just a kid then); but when I found out he'd been killed, I lost it. I actually bawled my eyes out the night of this race-for as much as I'd disliked him while he was alive, I knew, at just eight years old, the world of NASCAR would never be the same without Dale. 109. AlmirolaFan88 posted: 07.25.2011 - 1:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) I was 8 years old when I watched the 2001 Daytona 500, it was the first ever NASCAR race I'd watch, from start to finish. I told my mom that whoever won the race would be my favorite driver. I've been a Michael Waltrip fan ever since. When he retired from full time racing after 2009,....well you can guess who took over as my favorite. I just wish I was older and started watching sooner when I started watching NASCAR, so that I could have seen more of Dale Earnhardt race and better appreciate what he did for the sport. 110. Evan posted: 11.03.2011 - 11:13 am Rate this comment: (2) (1) Real sad when I heard the news and to this day its hard to believe 10 years later Earnhardt is gone. One of the days where I did not want to go to school or talk to anyone for that matter. I was hoping like, "Dale will race at Rockingham right?" "He'll be there, he's got a shot at the title" But when I heard the news of his death, I stopped and thought what are they gonna do, who will drive the 3 the next race? Then they show up with a 29 on the side. 2001 was a tough year overall, the 9/11 attacks and Earnhardt's death. Life goes on, but the memories of Earnhardt and those victims of 9/11 will live on. 111. Evan posted: 01.21.2012 - 10:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) * Final race for Dale Earnhardt and first race for his team as a three car operation. * First time Jeff Gordon ran a flame paint scheme instead of the Rainbow Warrior Paint scheme and the first time he got an appealing paint job although the rainbow was still cool. * First time Dale Jarrett drives without Quality Care since his days in the 28. Jarrett would drive for UPS and the car was white and brown. * Kurt Busch ran an unsponsored car in this race and for the first few races of 2001 until Sharpie came on board at the Talladega race and would sponsor Busch from then on. * Only race Kevin Harvick did not run in 2001, Harvick ran the rest of the 2001 schedule and finished 9th in points. * First time Kyle Petty runs the 45 car in honor of his son Adam Petty. * First race for for Dodge since 1976. * First race for Mark Martin with Viagra and Pfizer on the 6, they elected to go unsponsored in the Shootout for some odd reason. * First time since Dale Jarrett in 1996 that a brand new team has won the Daytona 500, Jarrett's 88 team was in its first year of operation in 1996 and Michael Waltrip's 15 team was basically Ron Hornaday's Busch team on the Cup side, the number 15 was to honor Bud Moore who Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove for in 1982. * Michael Waltrip still holds the longest starts streak until his first win in 462 straight starts. * Only time Earnhardt DNFed the 500 and only event he ran in the 2001 season put him 76th in final points. Ironically matches the number of wins he had. * First time the Jasper Engines 77 was yellow, prior to that Doug Bawel's team ran it in Metallic Blue. * Elliott Sadler, Jeff Burton, and Rusty Wallace all ran their 2001 Paint Schemes at the 2000 NAPA 500 the 2000 season finale, so this was their second start and the Wood Bros. first Daytona 500 without Citgo on the hood. Rusty Wallace lost the white hood and went with an all navy blue Miller Lite Ford and Jeff Burton had Citgo from the 2000 Winston 500 on. * First time Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran the Budweiser car in cursive lettering that has become a Bud trademark since. 112. Ryan posted: 02.24.2012 - 9:59 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) I was 9 years old. I was at a friend's house, so it was the first time I had not watched the Daytona 500 live. My father came to get me, and I asked about the race. "Michael Waltrip won" he said "but they had to cut Earnhardt out of the car and they took him right to the hospital, not the infield care center." I got worried. When we got home I turned the news on. Saw his picture with "1951-2001" under it. I don't even remember the rest of that night. I just cried the whole night. 113. Daniel posted: 05.25.2012 - 1:10 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) In using top 20/21 in duels: #37 Derrike Cope, #50 Rick Mast, #66 Todd Bodine, #80 Morgan Shepherd Out using top 20/21 from duels: #4 Robby Gordon, #10 Johnny Benson Jr., #11 Brett Bodine, #21 Elliott Sadler Starting 43rd based on qualifying: #88 Dale Jarrett 114. David posted: 06.15.2012 - 10:55 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) Just for the record, I'm pretty sure that they changed the number to 29 because 3x10=30-1=29. P.S. No one mentioned the fact that 2+18+01=21 2+1=3 115. nascarfreak99 posted: 06.17.2012 - 7:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Post 114, RC has said he just picked the next available number. It just happened to be near those of his other teams, the 30 and 31. 116. CBASS posted: 09.29.2012 - 1:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor corrections #11 Ralph's/ RedCell Batteries #37 K&N Performance Filters #21 Motorcraft Quality Parts #77 HotJobs.com/ Jasper Engines 117. TTF24 posted: 04.23.2013 - 11:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Launched into the Turn 4 Wall After a Accident at Daytona We lost Dale Earnhardt :'( NO! He will be missed 1951-2001 from me. 118. kidracer posted: 05.12.2013 - 1:47 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Here are some facts about the Daytona 500 * The first pole for Dodge since the mid 70's * The first front row for Dodge since the mid 70's * First race for Jason Leffler * First race with Chip Ganassi as a owner (Takes over SabCo) * Roush goes down from 5 teams to 4 teams. * Dodges best finish since the 70s (Bill Elliott in 5th) * Best finish for Rusty at the 500 * Michael Waltrip's first points paying race. * Crew Cheif Scott Eggleston's first win as a cew cheif * Stacy Compton's first, last, and only top 10 finish. * Melling Racings first race with the 92 after giving up the 9 to Evernham * Melling Racings last top 10 * Last Daytona 500 for Eel River Racing * Last attempt for Dwayne Leik to make a Daytona 500 * And last but not least. Last Daytona 500 for Dale Earnhardt. 119. kidracer posted: 05.12.2013 - 1:49 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Oh I forgot, Jerry Nadeau origionally qualifyed 2nd but his time was dissalowed for failing inspection after Pole Day. 120. Anonymous posted: 05.17.2013 - 6:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) imagine if u behind dw. he was SO HAPPY to see mikey win. you could litterally see the smile from dws back of his face 121. Anonymous posted: 06.13.2013 - 4:36 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) Jason Leffler's Sprint Cup career begins the same day Dale Earnhardt's life ended. 12 years later, they're both reunited in the same race. 122. Ryan W posted: 07.15.2013 - 10:50 am Rate this comment: (2) (1) *sighs* 123. Ken posted: 10.17.2013 - 3:13 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I was there that day, 8 years old, first time to Daytona and the race was excellent, there had to be 35-40 cars in contention before the Big One. From our seats near pit road entrance, the Earnhardt wreck didn't look severe. We found out at dinner that night he had passed and many people in the restaurant were crying as they found out; it was mindracing as a child seeing folks break down about it, and it didn't hit me really until the next weekend when the #3 wasn't there. This was probably one of the best races in NASCAR history, it was competitive but remembered for the reasons we wish weren't. And no doubt, the race that changed the sport forever. 124. Jeff posted: 02.15.2014 - 2:11 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) In Post 90, awesomegordonfan said "also, it was NASCAR's fault for not inventing the HANS device." Just so you know, the HANS device had already been invented as of this Daytona 500. No it was not MANDATORY to use in NASCAR at this point, but of the 43 drivers in the field, about 5 to 7 of them used a HANS device in the race. Kyle Petty did for sure after what had happened to his son the year before at New Hampshire. I'm not sure who the other drivers were who used the HANS. Later in the year, the HANS or Hutchens device became mandatory and my driver Tony was the last to finally relent and use one of these devices. The death of Earnhardt was not NASCAR's fault or anyone's fault for that matter. It was a racing accident and those happen. Sadly it took losing Earnhardt for safety to really come to the forefront and a good number of drivers have probably had their lives saved since then. 125. 23andJoe posted: 03.06.2014 - 11:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) #80 owner: Stan Hover 126. Walleyewhacker posted: 03.06.2014 - 10:02 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Earnhardt really caused his own death. He always liked to wear his belts loose and mounted out of Simpson specifcation on the car floor. Earnhardt liked that wearing the belts looose allowed him to slump lower in his seat and lower his CG. The loose belts failed because he had them mounted to the floor out of spec. Had Earnhardt not died I wonder how long it would have taken NASCAR to mandate full face helmets and the HANS device? Until Earnhardt retired had he not died? Earnhardt was so stubborn against any change and had sway over NASCAR officials that I'm afraid more drivers would have died while Earnhardt was still driving until his retirement without a NASCAR manditory HANS and full face helmet. Even Junior was stubborn and refused to wear a full face helmet after the 2001 Daytona event. DJ had to sit him down and convice him to wear one. 127. Anonymous posted: 05.04.2014 - 2:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What is lost in this race was how great of a run Hornaday had in this race. He was up to the Top 5 by lap 5! His speeding penalty f---ed him up and missed the big one. Had he not goofed up. He probably would have had a Top 10 and even a shot to win this race. Also another driver that Earnhardt helped in his career. 128. Evan W. posted: 05.05.2014 - 9:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor #17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Tools Rookie of the Year Kenseth ran an all yellow car for select events early on in the 2001 season to commemorate his rookie of the year title in 2000. It was all yellow with 2000 Raybestos Rookie of the Year on the hood below the DEWALT lettering. Sources Jayski.com. Kenseth was the only one to run a special scheme in this race. #97 Kurt Busch Team Ford Racing/2K Taurus Kurt Busch ran a car promoting team Ford Racing, it was the very same scheme made by Racing Champions in its 2000 line, which is what the scheme is based from. Source:Diecast of the scheme is by Racing Champions except the 2K logo. #45 Kyle Petty Sprint PCS #5 Terry Labonte Kelloggs/Tony The Tiger #15 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts #9 Bill Elliott Dodge Dealers/UAW #36 Ken Schrader M&M's/Combos #93 Dave Blaney Amoco Ultimate Sources:Jayski.com 129. Nascar Lead Lap Points posted: 06.20.2014 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Owner Updates #50 Hal Hicks / Mike Witters #37 Derrike Cope 130. richiesbx137 posted: 07.10.2014 - 6:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was also the very last time two rounds of qualifying was used in a cup race. It is one round from Rockingham onwards until the new qualifying system in 2014. 131. Evan posted: 08.16.2014 - 1:25 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) For me, this race was the best of them all until the end. The rules package that they put together produced a competitive Winston 500 at Talladega and the 2001 Daytona 500 was going to be just as competitive. NASCAR on FOX at the time, billed the race as Dale Jr. vs. Dale Sr. and I thought how cool it was going to be to see Dale Earnhardt race his son for the second year in a row. Coming into the race, Dale Jarrett was not running the Ford Credit colors he won with a year ago, UPS took over and Jarrett was racing a less than flattering white and brown scheme reminiscent of the Brown-Tail planes that UPS uses for shipping overseas. Mark Martin lost Valvoline which moved and decided to own a stake in MB2 Motorsports for Johnny Benson. Martin was sponsored by Viagra and parent company Pfizer. Bill Elliott in a Dodge for Ray Evernham's new team which got Elliott out of the owner driver business. Finally Michael Waltrip in his first race with Dale Earnhardt as his boss, was a bit of an unknown quantity at that point. Stops at Bahari Racing, Wood Brothers, Mattei Motorsports did not yield wins for Mikey who was riding an 0-463 record. Of the new Dodges, Sterling Marlin had the best car and Ward Burton another Dodge, led the most laps. Late in the race, the Big One broke out after FOX came back after the commercial break. Tony Stewart went airborne and landed on top of his teammate Bobby Labonte who were running at opposite ends of the grid. At first, I thought Tony Stewart was injured but outside of a few bruises, Tony was okay and everybody seemed fine. The final end of the race, Michael Waltrip was leading with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and then Senior in third. Senior was playing keep-away while Waltrip and Junior led. Waltrip pretty much had the race in hand though. After Waltrip crossed the line, a wreck happened and at first I thought Rusty Wallace wrecked instead of Earnhardt but then when I saw the numerals and the colors, I knew that it was Earnhardt. At the time, i did not know he was dead, I don't know anyone knew. Michael Waltrip won the race, but the real focus though was Dale Earnhardt his car owner. This was a a race that forever would change NASCAR. Michael Waltrip became NAPA's main spokesman after this appearing in many commercials the next year, however Michael won three more times at plate tracks and never won again. Dale Earnhardt Jr., still very immature would grow up in a big way, winning at Daytona in July and after the tragedy of the attacks of 9/11 which was another turning point. NASCAR would spend an enormous emphasis over the 2001 season trying to figure out the cause of death and many fingers were pointed at Simpson Products who made the belts Earnhardt used. It was ruled that it was a basilar skull fracture which killed him when his car hit the wall. Drivers were required to wear HANS devices and neck restraints afterwards. The year began with such promise and at the end of the year, it promised for a better tomorrow in auto racing with emphasis on safety. 132. Evan posted: 09.28.2014 - 12:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A few more sponsor corrections #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Official Beer of NASCAR The message Bud Official Beer of NASCAR was on the trunk for this race, and the 2000 Daytona 500 it was there as well. Source:I watched the race, 2002 Preview and Press Guide had a photo with Earnhardt and son racing in the 500. #96 Andy Houston McDonald's Drive Thru Drive Thru is on the side of the car. Source:Jayski.com, 2001 NASCAR Press Guide #20 Tony Stewart The Home Depot/RIDGID Source:Jayski.com, the 2001 NASCAR Press Guide, Tony Stewart flipped the car during the race. This should be for all races in 2000 and 2001. It had RIDGID on the side. Winner #15 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts/Echlin Winner Michael Waltrip had Echlin on the trunk of his car. Source:Watched the race and shown during Victory Lane Ceremonies. #10 Johnny Benson Valvoline/Eagle One Valvoline was on the hood, Eagle One was on the trunk areas. Source:Jayski.com had a good image of the car. #1 Steve Park Pennzoil/Wrangler Jeans Steve Park had Pennzoil on the hood and sides and Wrangler on the trunk area. 133. Evan posted: 10.20.2014 - 7:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Commercial Breakdown(not in any order) * NASCAR.Com Trackpass- Various highlights from 2000 and Speedweeks, plugging NASCAR.com and it's many features. * How bad have you got it?-Father replaces a new tire on his son's tire swing * How bad have you got it?-Husband opens the window so he can hear his neighbor revving his engine during the night. * How bad have you got it?-A boy films his father driving on the freeway, and they put the tape of the footage and Fast Forward it. * Coca Cola Racing Family-Dale Jarrett, Kyle Petty, Ricky Rudd, and John Andretti are standing outside of a mansion with other upper-crust people. It was a chance to win an opportunity to meet one of the Coke Family of drivers. Dale Earnhardt was featured in the commercial as well. This one was pulled for obvious reasons. * Team Monte Carlo-Jeff Gordon is taking Taz for a ride, Earnhardt's car is in this commercial. * Chevy Monte Carlo-Comparing owning a Chevy to a thrill ride, Dale Earnhardt's car is shown in this commercial doing a qualifying lap at Atlanta. This one was also pulled, even though I did see it during Rockingham. * NAPA Auto Parts-Michael Waltrip's NAPA spot with him talking about his new ride for 2001. * UPS-Dale Jarrett-UPS Marketing walks Dale Jarrett through the garage area to show him the new vehicle he will be driving. Telling him he is going to race the truck, DJ looks at the car but they say that is an extra. * UPS-Dale Jarrett-A person from UPS marketing tells DJ he is going to drive the package car, but DJ looks and simply says it's a truck. * Kelloggs Frosted Flakes-Terry Labonte-Terry Labonte looks over his racecar and his crew talks about how meticulous he is, Labonte is then shown complaining about finger print on the windshield, and how the nose needs to be bluer. * Dodge 1-Bill Elliott-"One bad apple"-Bill Elliott's car falls out of an apple tree. * Dodge 2-Bill Elliott-Bill Elliott's car is shown with Dodge announcing a sales event at the time. * Car quest-John Andretti-John Andretti comes into the pits complaining about a set of bad belts, Car quest guy delivers him new belts, and a happy Andretti is on the radio, presuming the issue was fixed. * Craftsman-Various drivers-Ron Hornaday's Conseco Pontiac is featured in this commercial of various teams from many different flavors of motorsport using Craftsman Tools. * Mountain Dew-Casey Atwood-Casey Atwood is pitting the 19 Dodge and his pit crew runs over to the other side of pit lane to drink Mountain Dew, Ray Evernham clocks them at 9.5. Casey Atwood exclaims, "you better not do this on Sunday". 134. NASCARLover22 posted: 09.05.2015 - 10:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor updates #11 Ralph's/RedCell Batteries #77 HotJobs.com/Jasper Engines #37 K&N Performance Filters #66 Route 66/Big Kmart #92 Kodiak/Melling #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW #4 Kodak MAX Film #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker 135. Premium Doesn't Suck 62 66 94 98 posted: 10.20.2015 - 6:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) News from that week: 2-12-2001 -Jason Leffler's 1st Round Qualifying speed in the Daytona 500 was disallowed due to using questionable fuel in the race car -Jerry Nadeau's Qualifying speed was also disallowed due to an unapproved shock absorber and spring shackle found in the car -MacPherson Motorsports announces that it won't field its #98 car in 2001 2-13-2001 -MB2 Motorsports moves their shop to Mooresville, NC -Bobby Labonte gets ESPN's Driver of the Year Award 2-14-2001 -Gordon Gibbs announced as interim crew chief of the #25 Chevy after Tony Furr was suspended for four weeks beginning at the Daytona 500 due to the penalty listed about Jerry Nadeau above 2-15-2001 -George W. Bush gets invited to the Daytona 500 -The #3 car of Dale Earnhardt picks up Sonic as a new associate sponsor 2-16-2001 -The #92 car of Stacy Compton picks up two new associate sponsors: PSI by Johnson Controls and SPX Service Solutions 2-17-2001 -Andy Graves announced interim crew chief of the #01 Dodge after Kevin Cram was suspended for four weeks due to Jason Leffler's penalty from qualifying -Hills Bros. Coffee announces that it will sponsor the #27 Pontiac of Kenny Wallace in the Daytona 500 2-18-2001 -Michael Waltrip wins the Daytona 500, his first win in his 463rd start. Meanwhile Dale Earnhardt suffers a fatal crash on the last lap 136. Premium Doesn't Suck 62 66 94 98 posted: 11.04.2015 - 10:02 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) To the back: #21 Elliott Sadler, backup car #10 Johnny Benson Jr., backup car 137. Gordon7timeWinstonCupchamp posted: 02.06.2016 - 7:17 am Rate this comment: (0) (8) Jeff Gordon lost the drive to win after Dale died. He was too cautious. 138. Blue Palaski posted: 02.06.2016 - 9:32 am Rate this comment: (3) (0) "Jeff Gordon lost the drive to win after Dale died" What the hell are you blathering about? Jeff won 41 races, a championship, and finished in the top ten in points every year but one AFTER Dale died. His stats were down a little from 1993-2000, but that does not mean he was apprehensive behind the wheel. DW after he shattered his leg at Daytona in 1990 that was a case of a driver losing his will. What Tony Stewart is going through that is a case of the driver losing his will. Jeff having slightly less wins compared to the period before is not. 139. Braindead Zombie posted: 05.11.2016 - 4:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dale Earnhardt came within inches of being involved in the big one in this race. If he had been in that crash, he'd probably still be alive... 140. Anonymous posted: 06.10.2016 - 5:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Post 111 - Kyle ran the 45 at Martinsville and attempted, but failed to qualify at Homestead in 2000. 141. Anthony posted: 08.26.2016 - 10:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wonder how different things might have been had Dale used a full face helmet. I cringe at people that run open face helmets. 142. Blue Palaski posted: 08.26.2016 - 11:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't think even a full face would have saved Dale. The only thing that would have saved him (HANS) was not very popular at the time, unfortunately. 143. Anthony posted: 08.27.2016 - 3:25 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) Yep, of all the innovations in the last 15 years, HANS and SAFER walls are easily the the two best. 144. Philip Pegler posted: 11.04.2016 - 2:06 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) I was there that day; Dale Earnhardt was my hero and will always be my inspiration for taking what I have and making it better through hard work and dedication. I cannot remember the last lap - only that Earnhardt and Schrader were up in the fence over at turn 4. I don't know what I had been watching - it's all such a blur. The night before, in happy hour, I saw Dale dive down from the top lane and split two cars, emerging between them coming out of turn 4. He had no drafting help, it was nothing more than pure genius. I remember thinking "it's such a privilege to stand here in the infield and watch such a great master at work. We're all so lucky". Then I had another feeling, a churning feeling in the bottom of my stomach and I thought, "it would be so horrible if something happened to this great racer". Perhaps it was a premonition, perhaps it was just a sense, or maybe it was neither. But what I know is that NASCAR racing changed forever the following afternoon - some of it for the better, and that must be Dale Earnhardt's legacy. He left us, not just touching NASCAR lives, but Motorsports' lives the world around. 145. SK posted: 12.01.2016 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Robert Pressley's sponsor should be listed as: #77 hotjobs.com / Jasper Engines Source: http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/robert-pressley-drives-his-car-during-practice-for-the-daytona-500-at-picture-id463144604 146. Steve posted: 02.04.2018 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) No man has greater love than he who would lay down his life for another. Dale's sacrifice is beautiful. He could have won this race by himself (despite the new rules), and let Michael and Dale Jr fall where they may, but he wanted to establish a legacy as a car owner. He believed in Mikey when all but a few had already given up on him as a driver. 450+ starts, and you hired him for your 3rd Winston Cup car? Dale said Michael will be a winner in his car. The plan for Daytona was for the 3 of them to work together, but I think Dale really wanted Michael to be the winner. When the checkered flag fell, tears were falling that washed away the effects of 15 years of failure. All thanks to the most influential voice (not named France) in the garage area. He died helping a longtime friend. 147. Ryan posted: 05.17.2018 - 12:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dale led his first laps at Daytona ('79) and last laps at Daytona ('01). It is possible that he may be the only driver ever to lead laps in the Daytona 500 in four different decades. Impressive. 148. RaceFanX posted: 05.17.2018 - 2:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @147 Terry Labonte has also achieved that (1980s-2010s) but it has to be a rarified group. 149. Jolly Mean Giant posted: 06.02.2018 - 11:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) First Daytona 500 starts for Casey Atwood, Jason Leffler, and Kurt Busch. Only Daytona 500 starts for Ron Hornaday, Buckshot Jones, and Andy Houston. Last Daytona 500 starts for Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Purvis. 150. TheChaseFan9 posted: 11.03.2018 - 8:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dale Sr's legacy still lives today. 151. James posted: 11.22.2018 - 9:25 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm watching The Day: Remebering Dale Earnhardt 152. RaceFanX posted: 01.12.2019 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) While Jeff Gordon was taken out in the Big One the #24 DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS he drove in this race was later restored and preserved, now sitting on display right here at Daytona in the the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America museum. The car is used to represent both this race and the start of Gordon's final championship season. 153. Mr.Victory posted: 01.20.2019 - 1:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Besides the horrible Big One and Dale's death, this was a fun race. Unfortunately, what I just said, those two terrible accidents overshadowed the whole race. 154. Anthony posted: 01.30.2019 - 1:04 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Ron Hornaday went from 39th starting spot to 3rd in the first dozen laps. There is no way that you could do that with the current cars. 155. TeamDCRfan posted: 02.06.2019 - 2:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) RIP Dr. Robert Hubbard, the inventor of the HANS device. 156. Anonymous posted: 02.23.2019 - 6:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor Update 77 - Robert Pressley - HotJobs.com/Jasper Engines Proof - https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjYge3Eh9PgAhVC4VQKHQ_gBJsQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gettyimages.com%2Fphotos%2Frobert-pressley&psig=AOvVaw22PFrkTY0rGuLfk597WOEd&ust=1551052637790233 157. JoeyLoganoFan22 posted: 05.02.2019 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Very historic race. The tragedy in the last lap, michael waltrip winning the race with his older brother doing announcing, Chip Ganassi's 1st start. There is probably a lot more stuff but that is all i could think of. 158. Mile501 posted: 05.02.2019 - 8:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've always felt like this was one of those rare races that sort of transitioned us from one period into the next. Dale Earnhardt's untimely death could be described as signaling the end of the old-school group of drivers, while many young, clean-cut, rising stars would enter the series over the next few years as the new TV deal also helped take the sport to new heights. The 1992 Hooters 500 was similar, transitioning from Richard Petty's retirement toward the new young star, Jeff Gordon. There have only been a few such races over the decades, and I'm not sure we've had one since the 2001 Daytona 500. 159. Wil posted: 05.02.2019 - 9:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @158 That was a rough transition for the sport, though. No driver entered the series after Dale's death and resonated with fans. Jeff Gordon took over as the face of the sport but he had already been long established. Jim Johnson and Matt Kenseth were successful but boring. Tony Stewart was already established. Dale served as a necessary bridge between the old school and the buttoned up new school, and the bridge was never repaired?Mark Martin and Bill Elliott we're both understated, and Rusty was fading. As I learn more and more about Dale (I was 5 when he died) I'm continuously blown away at the mystique and charisma he had. He was an irreplaceable figure. He was equal parts an intimidator on track and a beloved figure?do you think the pit crews will all line up for Kyle Busch when he finally wins the 500? There was just nothing like him. 160. TCM14 posted: 05.02.2019 - 9:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 5/2/19 1 driver in this race is still full-time active in Cup: Kurt Busch 3 deceased: Hamilton, Leffler, Earnhardt 4 are still at least running some races in the big 3 series: Sadler, Jr, Kurt, Nemechek (guess you could add Bill Elliott and Matt Kenseth as active drivers last year but are probably done). Dave Blaney's son is now a Cup driver, as is Bill Elliott's and Ward Burton's. 161. TeamDCRfan posted: 05.02.2019 - 10:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 160 Including the DNQs of Norm Benning, Derrike Cope, Morgan Shepherd and Carl Long, it'd 8 competing. (10 if you count Bill and Kenseth) 162. OangeWaffle43 posted: 05.02.2019 - 10:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @161 I heard somewhere that Bill is planning on racing Talladega or something; don't take my word for it though it might've just been a dream @159 last week's Talladega race was pretty good. Nothing like 01 500 or 92 Hooters 500 but closest thing we've had for a bit. Super hyped up and lived up to it 163. Ultimate_Warrior_#18 posted: 05.03.2019 - 1:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) If i wasn't for the unfortunate tragedy we would be looking at this race as a top 3 Daytona 500 ever. Maybe even the best considering the overall racing but it will forever be overshadowed. 164. Mile501 posted: 05.03.2019 - 5:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @159 - Indeed. I didn't mean to imply that it was a good transition--it wasn't, in many ways. But this race definitely marked a significant transition for the sport. 165. possum posted: 05.03.2019 - 1:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @159 - Earnhardt was the last of the old-school drivers. Those who saw the likes of Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, etc, recognized Earnhardt as being cut from the same cloth. He was "the Intimidator" only because the drivers he raced against could be intimidated - something which could not be done to the prior generation of drivers. 166. Matt posted: 06.03.2019 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Watching the race over again on YouTube, it's a wonder Dale didnt wreck sooner. Multiple near-wrecks with other drivers, including Stewart, Hornaday, Schrader, and Kurt Busch, whom he declared "#1" with a finger out the window, and barely avoiding the Big One late. It was almost as if the whole field was out for him that day. 167. Klibez posted: 06.03.2019 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 166, He was going to do anything to have his two cars win that race.. He was driving crazy to keep as a road block. It worked but ended up being the biggest sacrifice but mission accomplished. 168. CBellFan20 posted: 06.15.2019 - 11:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is this the page with the oldest comment on the history of this site? 169. TheDewCrew posted: 06.04.2020 - 11:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In the blink of an eye, our world can be changed forever. The day 2/18/01. Like most days of infamy it began normally, families driving to church, enjoying the Winter weather. But, for racing fans, the Daytona 500, the biggest race of them all was being run. FOX became the newest member to the NASCAR broadcasting networks, with veteran commentator, Mike Joy, as well as retired driver and crew chiefs, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds. A sold out crowd came to see the greatest show on Earth. To hear such sweet thunder. A big year for NASCAR in 2001, lied ahead. New drivers, and old with new teams. Once the green flag flew, the most infamous race began. Several lead changes throughout the first 80% of the race, with only two cautions seemed to be setting up for an amazing finish. On lap 174, all hell broke loose, with the big one taking out over a dozen cars, and saw Tony Stewart flip wildly down the backstretch. One notable driver did make it through, the Man in Black, the Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt. Like he had done so many times prior, he had put his iconic black #3 Goodwrench Monte Carlo in a position to win the 500. But, it was not to be. Blocking so his drivers, Michael Waltrip and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr could finish 1-2 for his team, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, Dale threw dangerous blocks on other drivers, acting as a one man shield for Waltrip and Jr, by the time they reached turns 3 and 4 on the final lap, it was clear no one would be able to catch the two DEI cars, but could make a run at 3rd. Then...in the blink of an eye the sports world was shattered. The number 3 drifted down into the #40 of Sterling Marlin, the car turned toward the apron for a moment, then slid up the steep 31° of banking, and slammed head-on into the concrete wall, while simultaneously, the #36 of Ken Schrader piled into Dale's right side door, as the two DEI cars crossed the line 1-2, their team owner slid to a stop in the grass in turns 3 and 4. As Darrell Waltrip cried tears of joy for his little brother in the FOX booth, Michael Waltrip drove around Daytona a winner at last. Meanwhile, Ken Schrader climbed out of his car to check on Dale. He took one look and waved over the safety crew to check on Dale. As Michael Waltrip celebrated in Victory Lane, Dale Jr rushed to catch up with the ambulance transporting his unconscious father to the Halifax Medical Center. As the afternoon turned cold and dark, Mike Helton, NASCAR President came out at a press conference to discuss Dale's status. With, a burden that would crush most, Mike Helton softly and sadly announced that Dale Earnhardt had not survived. In their minds, fans sang the blues Asking people for some happy news But they just smiled and turned away They went down to see the show Where they'd seen him win before But the men there said there wasn't another lap to race And in the streets the children screamed The lovers cried, and racers dreamed Not a word was spoken The racing world was broken And the three men they admired most The Father, Allison, and Bonnett ghost Took the last plane to the coast The day the racing died But the final chapter was not yet written. The underdog of the team, Steve Park came to the Rock with redemption in mind. And redemption he got beating the defending champion, Bobby Labonte for the win. Then two weeks later at Atlanta, his #3, now renumbered #29, driven by Kevin Harvick pulled off an upset, beating the champion-to-be, Jeff Gordon in a photo finish, the way Dale had done to the then champion-to-be, Bobby Labonte. DEI and RCR had found healing, but one still remained, the son. NASCAR returned to Daytona for the 4th of July weekend, and Dale Jr refused to be intimidated by the track. As if possessed by the spirit of his father, Dale Jr ruled the track that night, and like the Daytona 500, Waltrip had arrived to push his teammate, like the 500 with reversed roles. Waltrip planned to pass Jr and take the win off turn 4, but when the moment came, it was as if someone kept him from passing Jr. From the NBC booth, Allen Bestwick made one of the most iconic calls in NASCAR history. The son had conquered the track that took his father. The NASCAR world was healed that night. In the blink of an eye. 170. OtherAnthony posted: 08.23.2020 - 7:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) As of 2020, there are now only 5 participants in this race who are still active in NASCAR's top three series: Kurt Busch - Still a full-time Cup driver. Matt Kenseth - Retired at the end of 2018, but came out of retirement to replace Kyle Larson in the #42 this year. Joe Nemechek - Runs a limited schedule in the Xfinity series, also DNQ'd for the Daytona Truck series race this year. Mike Wallace - Ran a few Xfinity races this year after not racing since 2015. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Has run one Xfinity race in each of the last three seasons, but is otherwise retired. Tony Stewart was also supposed to come out of retirement for the Xfinity race at the Indianapolis road course this year, but ended up not doing so. I can't imagine Kenseth or Dale Jr. will continue racing after this year, and who knows if Nemechek or Wallace will keep getting rides. Kurt Busch will probably be the last man standing who drove on this tragic day. 171. Ryan posted: 08.23.2020 - 1:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @115 "nd the worst part of all - it was Earnhardt's demigod "Intimidator" persona that in the end did him end, the belief that he was invincible and could save anything. When he tries to move down to block Sterling one final time, and the car heads toward the infield, if he lets it spin, Earnhardt is still alive today." He was going save it, unfortunately when he did Schrader was there 172. OtherAnthony posted: 11.08.2020 - 1:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) To date, this is still the last Cup race where every car numbered 1 through 9 was in the field. 173. Mile501 posted: 11.08.2020 - 8:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @172 - Interestingly, that stat may change exactly 20 years later. With Hendrick bringing back the #5, every number from 1-9 will run full-time in 2021 except the #7, which may still run part time and could very well show up for next year's Daytona 500. 174. Rich posted: 11.27.2020 - 9:55 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip were the commentators. Dr. Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Jeanne Zelasko were the pit road reporters. Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond were in the Hollywood hotel. The studio host was Ken Squier. 175. Rich posted: 01.10.2021 - 11:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) The host of the pre-race show was Chris Myers. The analysts for the pre-race show consisted of Ken Squier, Jeff Hammond and Darrell Waltrip. 176. Tarheel posted: 01.24.2021 - 10:59 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Twenty years after this tragic race, it appears that Kurt Busch is the only driver that participated in it and will be in the 2021 Daytona 500. Kevin Harvick would unexpectedly make his debut the following week. 177. TeamDCRfan posted: 01.24.2021 - 11:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) To add, of the 52 drivers who attempted the race, only Kurt and Derrike Cope are slated to run 178. Chase9Fan posted: 02.18.2021 - 7:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Was at this race. Can't believe it's been 20 years. 179. DI9_ForLife posted: 02.19.2021 - 7:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looking back, there seemed to be a sense of foreboding surrounding this day. From Dale Earnhardt's enigmatic quotes ''you're probably gonna see something you ain't never seen before on Fox'' and ''If they don't do something with these cars, it's gonna end up killing somebody'' Dale was sadly right, he just didn't know that he would find out firsthand. I wasn't born when this race happened, but I still carry the emotional burden that everyone else did that day, it's just so hard to believe that it's been 20 years since it happened. 20 years ago we lost who I believe to be the greatest driver of all time and it still doesn't seem real. Thinking about it, I've come to realize that Dale ain't dead, he's just a lap ahead of the rest of us, and eventually we'll all catch him some day, but until that day comes I hope he knows that we all still miss him. 180. A.C posted: 03.25.2021 - 1:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was also Jason Leffler's debut cup start ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: