Dale Earnhardt was a legendary American professional stock car racing driver and team owner, widely regarded as one of NASCAR's greatest drivers of all time. Known as "The Intimidator" due to his aggressive racing style, he won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, tying him with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson for the most all-time. Earnhardt earned 76 Cup Series race victories, including the prestigious Daytona 500 in 1998.
Tragically, Earnhardt died in a crash during the final lap of the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. His death led to significant improvements in NASCAR's safety standards, profoundly impacting motorsports worldwide. Earnhardt's legacy lives on through his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who also became a prominent NASCAR driver.