Fast Facts About Dale Earnhardt Sr., NASCAR’s Cursed Rough Racer
Dale Earnhardt was the NASCAR racer whose rough driving style earned him the nickname “The Intimidator”. But a lifelong curse at the Daytona 500 earned him an early grave.
1. He Was An Iron-Headed Intimidator
“TheIntimidator”. “Ironhead”. “The Man in Black”. Those are just a few of the nicknames that NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt earned over the course of his career—along with a staggering 100 cup wins. But his aggressive moves on the track often placed him and his fellow racers in grave danger.
Forget victory laps and champagne showers. This cursed rough racer was all about cars and carnage.
2. He Was Born To Race
Dale Earnhardt didn’t just stumble into racing—he was practically born with a steering wheel in his hands. Born on April 29, 1951, inKannapolis, North Carolina, Earnhardt was the third child of Martha and Ralph Earnhardt. His father was a legendary short-track driver in his own right and, with racing in his blood, it was only a matter of time before Earnhardt took to the track himself.
With or without a valid driver’s license.
3. He Was A Baby Driver
Dale Earnhardt was barely out of diapers when he first got behind the wheel. At 12, he secretly drove his father’s car. And it wasn’t just a joyride. Legend has it that Earnhardt nearly snagged a victory against one of his father’s toughest competitors in a race. There were still, however, a few detours between Dale andNASCAR fame.
4. He Had The Need For Speed
Like any concerned parent, Ralph Earnhardt had his reservations about his son following in his tire tracks. Racing was dangerous, but when Earnhardt decided to drop out of high school to pursue it full-time, his father had no choice but to let him.
Deep down, Ralph knew that his son had a need for speed—and not just from racing cars.
