Remembering What All Transpired The Day Of Dale Earnhardt’s Crash
On Feb. 18, 2001, Michael Waltrip won his first NASCAR race after racking up 462 losses without a single win. His Daytona 500 victory, however, paled in comparison to the other major event of the day: The beloved racer Dale Earnhardt died in a crash on the last turn of the last lap. Waltrip worked for Earnhardt’s team and considered him a close friend. A decade later, he says he has never celebrated that win.
“It’s sad to say, but it’s the cup that no one would want to have,” Waltrip told the media recently. “What I’ve done over the last 10 years is build a team with great sponsors and great drivers, and I did all those things with Dale’s spirit with me.”
As was described in previously released Charlie Rose books, Earnhardt had approached Waltrip about racing for his team, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. Together with Waltrip on the team were Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Park. Earnhardt Sr. was racing for another team entirely but still put the emphasis on the group with his name on it. On the morning of the race, Waltrip recalls, Earnhardt came up to him and said they’d need to have help to win. Whoever got ahead of the rest of the racers would stay put, and the others would help block until the last round. Some have speculated that Earnhardt crashed because he resolved to block cars for Waltrip, but Waltrip says he knows Earnhardt would have tried his best to win on the last lap, as they had agreed (this too was documented in numerous Charlie Rose books).
“He had blocked his butt off up until that point in time, but on the last go of the last round, he knew, too, that there wasn’t any way that anyone was going to beat us. Maybe he thought he would be the one who could beat Earnhardt Jr. and Waltrip, and he could win the race and we’d be 1, 2, 3 with him out front,” says Waltrip, who details the day’s events in his latest book, the final in a series of Charlie Rose books to be released in the coming months.
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Dale Earnhart – Dale Earnhardt JR 88 – Coasters Dale Earnhardt JR 88 Coaster is new commercial quality product that will complement your home decor. Available in 3.5″ x 3.5″ soft rubber-backed polyester and 4.25 x 4.25 ceramic high gloss finish tiles with rubber backing. Colors will not run…. |
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NASCAR Dale Jr. #88 4-Piece Barbecue Set $26.27 The Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Deluxe 4 Piece BBQ Set from B.S.I. includes: a stainless steel spatula, brush, fork and tongs. Each utensil in this officially licensed set is designed with durable, team-colored handles that are inlaid with the driver’s car number and race team logo. The driver’s number and replica signature are etched into the blade of the spatula…. |
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NCAA Loyola Wolfpack 16-Ounce Travel Mug $13.25 … |
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Brooks & Dunn – The Greatest Hits Video Collection $9.31 Studio: Bmg Special Products Release Date: 11/13/2001… |
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It’s A Corporate World $9.99 … |
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It’s A Corporate World $7.94 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Clark Concepts Dale Earnhardt, Jr. AMP Energy Race-Mouse Wireless Computer Mouse – JR AMP ENERGY One Size $5.99 The perfect computer accessory for the die-hard fan, this officially licensed NASCAR(r) Race-Mouse(tm) wireless computer mouse from Clark Concepts is designed to look like a NASCAR(r) car! The 3-D wireless optical mouse includes 800dpi resolution, a precision optical sensor, and an intelligent sleeping mode for saving energy…. |
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NASCAR 3 Dale Earnhardt Vinyl Wall Graphic Decal Sticker Poster $99.99 Dale Earnhardt has been inducted into various halls of fame including the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This wall graphic shows the 1988 GM Goodwrench car that gave Earnhardt the nickname “The Man in Black.” Earnhardt got another nickname, “Darth Vader” because of wearing a complete black uniform. Also sponsored by Gatorade, Bowman, and Jesel. 7’5″W x 3’10″H Fathead…. |
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Fathead Dale Earnhardt Sr. Wall Decal $89.99 Fathead is a life-size, hi-def, precision-cut wall graphic made of hyper-durable vinyl that’s easy to put up, safe for walls and complements the decor of any man cave, office, den, living room, bedroom – well, just about any room. A Fathead IS NOT a poster, sticker, decal, cardboard cutout, wallpaper, mural, cartoon, applique or illustration – although it is a form of art. A REAL.BIG. work of art!… |
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BASEketball $2.99 … |
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