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
“The Intimidator”. “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.
Darryl Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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, in Kannapolis, 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.
Darryl Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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 and NASCAR fame.
Darryl Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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.
us44mt, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
5. He Had A Speedy Marriage
Dale Earnhardt had a habit of living life in the fast lane, both on and off the race track. That’s why it wasn’t surprising when, In 1968 at the tender age of 17, Earnhardt married his first wife, Latane Brown. Just one year later, Earnhardt and Brown welcomed a son, Kerry, into their little family. But, before the checkered flag could go up, his speedy marriage was already in trouble.
6. He Raced Through His First Marriage
Getting married young against their parents advice sounds like a true love story—but it was more of a nightmare. Earnhardt’s marriage to Brown lasted about as long as the average NASCAR pit stop. By 1970, the marriage was over and Earnhardt and Brown went their separate ways. Turns out, Earnhardt was already speeding toward another romance.
7. He Sped Into Another Relationship
Just one year after breaking things off with Brown, Dale Earnhardt swerved his way into another marriage. This time, he tied the knot to another racetrack brat, Brenda Gee, who was the daughter of NASCAR car builder Robert Gee. In just three short years, they had two children: daughter Kelley and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. But you could blink and miss the rest of this marriage.
Darryl Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
8. He Sped Toward Divorce
Shortly after Dale Jr came along, Earnhardt peeled out of his second marriage faster than a race car. Once again, Earnhardt managed to keep the details of his second marriage out of the press. But, as his racing career was just about to take off, he wouldn’t be able to keep his private life private for much longer.
Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
9. He Raced His Dad
Turns out, the Earnhardts weren’t just a family of racers—they were rivals. In 1972, Earnhardt faced off against his father, Ralph, on the track at Metrolina Motor Speedway in Charlotte. The race featured V8 and smaller V6 cars, and Earnhardt just managed to make the cut. It was the one and only time that father and son raced against each other.
But it was a race that no one would ever forget.
Chris Short, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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10. He Was Beating His Dad
Despite driving a smaller, less powerful car, Earnhardt was speeding through the track, racing like a man possessed. Dale Jr later recalled how his dad was driving that day, saying, “[…]he was moving through the field, even running with
some of the Sportsman cars”. But, Ralph Earnhardt wasn’t far behind—and he meant business.
11. His Father Pushed Him
As the race went on, Ralph’s experience eventually saw him catch up with his son. Earnhardt noticed his old man in his rearview and, ever the respectful son, moved over to let his father pass. But he was in for a surprise. Much to Earnhardt’s chagrin, Ralph didn’t take the opportunity.
Instead, he stayed on Earnhardt’s tail, pushing him to his limits—and beyond.
12. His Father Bumped His Car
What happened next was something Dale Earnhardt would remember for the rest of his life. Ralph, instead of passing, bumped into Earnhardt’s car from behind. Confused and frustrated, Earnhardt looked around for his father then tried to move again, convinced that the old man had simply made a mistake. But it wasn’t an accident at all.
13. He Had A Tail
Dale Earnhardt moved again, this time toward the infield. He was convinced that his father was trying to signal that he wanted to take the outside line to pass him. Instead, however, Ralph followed his son toward the infield, and, increasing his speed, bumped into the rear of Earnhardt’s car for a second time. The third time would not be the charm.
14. He Learned An Invaluable Lesson
Finally, Dale Earnhardt got the message that his father was trying to send him. Ralph wasn’t just rear-ending him for fun—he was delivering an invaluable lesson. Eventually, Ralph passed his son and won the race, but Earnhardt had gotten the message loud and clear: “You don’t move over for anybody, even your own flesh and blood”.
Sadly, they would never get a chance to share a podium together.
15. He Just Wanted To Prove Himself
Ralph was as tough a father as he was a racer, and he never went easy on Earnhardt. Tragically, in 1973, just one year after their iconic race, Ralph passed of a heart attack at just 45 years old. His sudden loss left Dale Earnhardt spinning out, and it took him years to feel like he had finally “proven” himself to the man who had taught him everything.
JACK BRADEN, Wikimedia Commons
16. He Had A Promising Start
Earnhardt Sr made his Grand National debut in 1974 at Metrolina Speedway, but it was no smooth ride. Driving the No 8 Ed Negre Dodge Charger, he spun out after battling for third place against Richard Childress. Despite finishing 22nd in the race—one spot ahead of Childress—it was a promising beginning to an exciting career.
Taublieb Films, Blink of an Eye (2019)
17. He Was The Roughest Rookie
When Dale Earnhardt joined Rod Osterlund Racing in 1979, he wasn’t the only rookie with potential. But by the end of the season, Earnhardt had already set himself apart. With one win at Bristol, four poles, and 17 top 10 finishes, he clinched the Rookie of the Year honors—even after missing four races due to a broken collarbone.
His head, however, was ironbound.
18. He Feuded With His Team Owners
Midway through the 1981 season, Rod Osterlund sold the team to Jim Stacy—and Earnhardt’s reaction was brutal. Demonstrating the bull-headedness that earned him the moniker “Ironhead,” Earnhardt fell out with Stacy and left the team after just four races. He finished the season driving for Richard Childress Racing, but walked away faster than he could drive due to “a lack of chemistry”.
There were still some obstacles on his path to legendary status.
19. He Crashed Out Of The Top
1982 marked a low point for Dale Earnhardt. Although he snagged a win at Darlington (aka, “The Track Too Tough to Tame”), he suffered some major setbacks throughout the season. His aggressive driving style saw him crash out of 18 of the 30 races he competed in, including a crash at Pocono Raceway that left him with a broken kneecap.
But even with one good leg, he was a menace on the racetrack.
Bruce Alan Bennett, Shutterstock
20. He Was Intimidating
By 1987, Dale Earnhardt had earned a reputation as a fearless--AKA reckless—driver. But it was during the 1987 Winston All-Star Race that he truly became “the Intimidator.” Forced into the infield grass while defending his lead, Earnhardt didn’t flinch. He gripped the steering wheel and deftly made his way back onto the track, all while holding onto his lead.
His driving skills became the stuff of myth.
Bruce Alan Bennett, Shutterstock
21. He Became A Legend
NASCAR fans dubbed Earnhardt’s stunt at the Winston All-Star Race the “Pass in the Grass”. Funny enough, Earnhardt didn’t actually pass anyone during that famous 1987 maneuver. Nevertheless, his dominance on the racetrack quickly made him a NASCAR legend. Some NASCAR fans, however, were eager to pump the brakes on Earnhardt’s reign.
22. He Made Some Enemies
Earnhardt’s aggressive driving earned him plenty of fans—but also a few enemies. After the Winston in 1987, an enraged fan sent a letter to the NASCAR president, detailing a diabolical plan. He threatened Earnhardt’s life. The FBI took the crazed fan’s warning seriously, providing security for Earnhardt at Pocono, Watkins Glen, and Dover.
This time, he would have to outrun danger itself.
Darryl Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
23. He Outran His Detractors
Fortunately for Dale Earnhardt and true NASCAR fans, his next three races passed without incident and the FBI concluded their investigation. Nevertheless, the episode underscored just how polarizing Earnhardt’s relentless drive to win had become.
On the track, his aggressive style led to numerous rivalries and fines. But it also solidified his reputation.
William M. Plate Jr., Wikimedia Commons
24. He Went Embraced His Dark Side
In 1988, Earnhardt’s iconic No 3 car got a makeover that cemented his bad boy reputation on the racetrack. After Wrangler Jeans dropped their sponsorship, GM Goodwrench stepped in—and with them, a new paint job. Gone were the blue and yellow colors of old, replaced with the menacing all-black scheme that fans would forever associate with “the Intimidator”.
Mike Kalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
25. He Was Cursed
The 1986 Daytona 500 seemed like Earnhardt’s race to win as he battled Geoff Bodine in a thrilling two-car duel. But with just three laps to go, Earnhardt was forced into the pits for a quick stop. Just as he roared back onto the track, however, disaster struck. He burned a piston, allowing Bodine to sail to an easy victory.
This heartbreaking loss marked the beginning of what many would call Earnhardt’s Daytona 500 “curse”.
26. He Was So Close He Could Taste It
Earnhardt’s Daytona curse continued at the 1990 race. With a massive 40-second lead as the final caution flag came out, victory and vengeance seemed all but certain for Earnhardt. Leading the pack with just a handful of laps to go, Earnhardt looked unstoppable in his black car. But as the green flag waved, fate had other plans.
27. He Lost It All in a Flash
On the final lap of the 1990 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt watched victory whiz past him. As he barreled through turn three of the track, his car hit a piece of a bell housing from a previous crash. The impact shredded his tire, sending him spiraling from first place to fifth, while the relatively unknown Derrike Cope claimed an upset win.
It was a bitter pill for the Intimidator to swallow.
James Phelps, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
28. He Struck A Bird
The next year, Earnhardt entered the Daytona 500 with renewed hope of finally breaking his curse. But fate had other plans. Early in the race, Earnhardt’s car struck a seagull, which didn’t just rattle the windshield—it caused issues with the car’s temperature. Despite the bizarre incident, Earnhardt zoomed towards the championship that eluded him.
Rob Clenshaw, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
29. He Spun Out of Victory
Despite battling car troubles from his run-in with a seagull, Dale Earnhardt found himself in a strong position as the 1991 Daytona 500 neared its end. With just six laps to go, however, Ernie Irvan managed to pass him. Needless to say, Earnhardt didn’t give up—but his car did.
With just two laps left and Irvan in his sights, his car spun out, leaving him once again so close yet so far from conquering the Daytona 500. But it’s not like he was short on trophies.
30. He Was A Five-Time Champ
Even though the Daytona 500 always seemed to slip away from him, by 1991, Earnhardt had solidified his place in NASCAR history. He claimed his fifth Winston Cup championship, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. But as the next season would show, even legends can have their off days—or years.
Darryl W. Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
31. He Broke Ford’s Streak
The 1992 season was another tough one for Dale Earnhardt, but he still managed to pull off a crucial win at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. This victory ended a 13-race winning streak by Ford teams, but it was the only bright spot in a season that saw Earnhardt finish a career-low 12th in points, with three last-place finishes to boot.
Apparently, he had better things to do anyway.
32. He Had A Rough Night
Despite his disappointing season in 1992, Earnhardt still attended the annual NASCAR Awards Banquet with Rusty Wallace. But instead of the usual fanfare, Earnhardt and Wallace found themselves with less-than-ideal seats. Forced to sit on the backs of their chairs to see the stage, Earnhardt famously quipped, “This sucks, I should have gone hunting”.
Based on what happened next, they both should have been practicing.
33. He Was Down At Daytona
The 1993 Daytona 500 added yet another chapter to Earnhardt’s frustrating history at the Great American Race. After surviving a terrifying wreck that saw Rusty Wallace flip multiple times, Earnhardt found himself leading with just two laps to go. But once again, victory slipped through his fingers as Dale Jarrett battled past him on the final lap.
It was the fourth time Earnhardt had led the Daytona 500 in the closing moments, only to lose the race.
34. He Drove A Busted Up Car
Earnhardt’s Daytona curse continued to haunt him in 1996 and 1997. But, it was clear that he was running out of patience. With 12 laps to go at the 1997 Daytona, Earnhardt found himself embroiled in a multi-car, rollover crash. As medics tried to take him to safety, however, Earnhardt noticed that his car was still functional—and what he did next was unforgettable.
Giving even more credence to his nicknames, Dale Earnhardt sprung from the ambulance and drove his busted-up car to a 31st place finish. However, he didn’t walk away from all of his wrecks.
35. He Crashed Hard
The 1996 DieHard 500 at Talladega was another race that nearly ended in disaster for Earnhardt. Running second in points and chasing his eighth season title, Earnhardt got caught up in yet another massive crash. This time, it was Ernie Irvan who lost control of his vehicle and collided with Sterling Marlin, wreaking havoc on the track.
The wreck sent Earnhardt’s No 3 Chevrolet slamming into the wall at nearly 200 mph. His fans could only hold their breath and hope that he might survive.
36. He Took A Tumble
The crash at Talladega was terrifying by any standard. After hitting the wall head-on at tremendous speed, Earnhardt’s car flipped and slid across the track in front of oncoming traffic. Two other vehicles came speeding into the fray, striking Earnhardt’s turned over car in the windshield and roof. The crash was just as bad as it looked.
37. His Fans Assumed The Worst
Due to rain delays, sports channels had canceled the live telecast of the race. As such, most NASCAR fans learned about Earnhardt’s dramatic accident hours later during the night's sports newscasts. The crash was so bad that it appeared fatal and Earnhardt’s fans worried that the worst had happened. They weren’t far off.
38. He Emerged From The Wreckage
The recording of the accident showed the medical team rushing toward Earnhardt’s mangled vehicle. Miraculously, just as it seemed like Earnhardt had perished in the crash, however, the intrepid racer climbed out of the wreckage and waved to the crowd. Moreover, despite having a broken collarbone, sternum, and shoulder blade, he refused immediate medical attention.
Nevertheless, the incident left its mark on the world of NASCAR.
39. He Sparked A Safety Revolution
Dale Earnhardt’s terrifying crash in 1996, along with a similar incident that claimed the life of Russell Phillips at Charlotte, led NASCAR to take action. They introduced the “Earnhardt Bar”, a metal brace designed to reinforce the roof and windshield of race cars. This safety innovation likely saved countless lives in the years that followed—but it couldn’t save the life of its namesake.
40. He Hopped Back In The Driver’s Seat
With so many broken bones, Earnhardt’s fans thought that he was going to sit the rest of the season out. But they were wrong. Earnhardt couldn’t keep himself out of the driver’s seat and the very next week raced at Indianapolis. After the first pit stop, however, he had to hand the keys over to one of his teammates.
He said that stepping out of his black-clad No 3 car “was the hardest thing he had ever done”. At least his fans appreciated his grit.
41. He Had “True Grit”
The next weekend, just a few weeks after narrowly surviving one of NASCAR’s worst crashes, Dale Earnhardt showed up at Watkins Glen. With some broken bones still on the mend, he drove the fastest time in qualifying and earned the ‘True Grit” pole. Before the weekend was over, NASCAR was selling t-shirts with Earnhardt's face and the caption, “It Hurt So Good”.
But he might not have been as tough as he looked.
42. He Blacked Out
1997 was a tough year for Earnhardt, but the lowest point came at the Mountain Dew Southern 500 in Darlington. Early in the race, for unknown reasons, Earnhardt blacked out and crashed into the wall. Disoriented, it took him several laps to safely find his pit stall. He later revealed that he had been suffering from double vision.
Or was it deja vu?
43. He Finally Lifted The Curse
On February 15, 1998, after two decades of close calls and near misses, Dale Earnhardt finally did the unthinkable: he broke his Daytona 500 curse. In his 20th attempt, Earnhardt crossed the finish line first, ending what he described as “20 years of trying, 20 years of frustration”. His celebration became one of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history.
44. He Got the Ultimate Respect
Dale Earnhardt’s long-awaited Daytona 500 victory sparked an unprecedented display of respect. As he drove down the pit road, every crew member from every team lined up to shake his hand—a tribute usually reserved for only the most revered drivers. Then, in a move that would go down in NASCAR history, Earnhardt spun his tires in the infield, leaving tire tracks in the grass shaped like a giant No 3.
45. He Raced Rough
In 1999, at the Bristol night race, Earnhardt was back in contention for a short track victory—his first since 1995. With 15 laps to go, a caution came out, as Darrell Waltrip struck the leader Terry Labonte, causing Labonte to spin out and handing the lead to Earnhardt. With just five laps remaining, it looked like Earnhardt might pull off another win.
46. He Burned Rubber
As the race resumed, Labonte had four fresh tires, while Earnhardt was driving on worn-out rubber. Despite the odds, Earnhardt held the lead with five cars between him and Labonte. But Labonte’s fresh tires gave him the edge, and he caught up to Earnhardt, passing him as they approached the white flag. The race was down to the wire.
47. He "Rattled Cages"
Dale Earnhardt wasn’t about to let victory slip away. As they entered turn two, he drove hard into Labonte, bumping him and sending him spinning out of control. Earnhardt crossed the finish line first, but the crowd was furious, booing and making obscene gestures. Earnhardt, however, was unapologetic. “I didn't mean to turn him around,” Earnhardt explained, “I just wanted to rattle his cage”.
48. He Made A Comeback
In the 2000 season, Earnhardt made a stunning resurgence, surprising many who thought his best years were behind him. Thanks to neck surgery that fixed a lingering injury from his 1996 Talladega crash, Earnhardt was back in top form. He edged out Bobby Labonte by just 0.010 seconds at Atlanta, and climbed 17 positions in the final four laps to snatch victory at Talladega.
It looked like “the Intimidator” still had it—just not for long.
49. He Took His Last Lap
Going into the 2001 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt was certain that he had lifted the curse. Tragically, however, it would be his last lap of life. On the final turn of the final lap, Earnhardt made light contact with Sterling Marlin, causing him to slide off course.
As he attempted to regain control, Earnhardt’s car turned almost perpendicular to the oncoming traffic and he began careening towards the outer wall.
50. He Hit A Wall
As his car sped out of control, Dale Earnhardt collided with Ken Schrader. The second impact sent him head-on into the retaining wall at nearly 160mph. The impact was so severe that it sheared off the right wheel assembly, snapped the hood pins and caused the hood to smash against the windshield several times. The tragic outcome was all but obvious.
51. He Slid Down The Track
Earnhardt’s son from his second marriage, Dale Jr, sped to a second place finish just as his father’s wrecked car slid down the track and into the infield grass. His car, along with Schrader’s, came to a stop near the exit of turn four. Instead of raucous cheers as the race ended, there was only eerie silence as the reality of the crash sunk in.
52. He Was Unresponsive
Schrader climbed out of his car, unscathed, and ran to Earnhardt. But what he found was far from reassuring. Earnhardt’s window net was still up, and when Schrader pulled it down, he was met with a grim sight. Frantically, Schrader signaled for the paramedics who were just arriving at the crash site. But, secretly, he knew the truth.
Taublieb Films, Blink of an Eye (2019)
53. He Was Gone In A Flash
Years later, Schrader revealed what he saw in Earnhardt’s crashed out vehicle. “When I went up to the car,” he explained, “I knew. I knew he was dead, yeah […] I didn't want to be the one who said, ‘Dale is dead’”. By the time Earnhardt arrived at the hospital, medics confirmed what everyone already knew: Earnhardt had perished in the crash.
They gave his official cause as a basilar skull fracture caused by blunt force trauma. The news was so devastating that one newspaper called it “Black Sunday”.
Taublieb Films, Blink of an Eye (2019)
54. They Found Something Suspicious
As NASCAR officials began to investigate what had really happened, they made an utterly chilling discovery in Earnhardt’s car. They claimed that the left lap belt on Earnhardt's seat belt harness had broken, making the fault a potential reason why Earnhardt’s chin had struck the steering wheel, causing his skull fracture.
From there, the tragedy—and mystery—deepened.
55. They Blamed Him
In the aftermath, the maker of the seatbelt received death threats. They claimed that Earnhardt and his team had installed it in an unauthorized way to increase Dale’s comfort. A sportswriter even attempted to obtain the autopsy records and photos.
Ultimately, the investigation that followed found that belt failure hadn’t played a significant part in the accident.
56. He Left a Legacy
Dale Earnhardt left a NASCAR legacy behind unlike any other—and not just because he won 100 cups in his career. While he couldn’t ever truly escape his own Daytona 500 curse, his son did. Dale Earnhardt Jr followed in his father’s tire tracks (thankfully not too closely) and won the Daytona 500 twice in his career, living up to the Earnhardt family tradition: “You don’t move over for anybody, even your own flesh and blood”.
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