Original upload date: Thu, 06 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 02:54:07 GMT
February 18, 2001. The track: Daytona International Speedway.
It was a day where the much-anticipated 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season would begin, a day where the brand new $2.4 billion dollar
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TV contracts with Fox, FX, NBC, and Turner Sports would take center stage. A day where Dodge would make its return to NASCAR after a 24-year hiatus, and a day where millions of fans in attendance and at home would watch the 43rd running of 'The Great American Race', the Daytona 500.
Unfortunately, a day filled with excitement and anticipation would be marred by tragedy. Michael Waltrip won his first race in 463 starts. However, the man that gave Waltrip the ride of his life would lose his own life on the final lap, as 'The Intimidator' Dale Earnhardt was just trying to protect the lead that Waltrip was holding with his own son assisting him.
On the final turn Earnhardt's car was tapped by Sterling Marlin and, as a result, he lost control and collected Ken Schrader, causing him to collide head on into the wall, killing him instantly. NBC's Tom Brokaw best described Earnhardt's death as a racing equivalent of losing Michael Jordan or Joe Montana, except that Earnhardt dominated his sport much longer than either of those men or any other sports superstar. It was truely a day that NASCAR and the entire sports world will never forget.
