The Day: Remembering Dale Earnhardt 

The last thing Dale Earnhardt got to see was his son pushing his teammate to victory in the Daytona 500. At least he went out doing what he loved most.

Who is watching this in 2024?

He was a living legend, on that day he became a true legend. We love and miss you Dale.

Crazy this happen 23 years ago I still remember this day

This still hurts me to watch 23 years later.. Miss ya Intimidator.

20 years ago today. I remembered it like it was yesterday. Being a little 9 year old boy watching this race with my Dad. RIP Dad. RIP Dale

Sorry to say but Nascar has never recovered from the loss of Dale. The end of an era.

It"s Been 23 years and I still look for Dale out there on the track every weekend. He was my hero and I still miss him like it happened yesterday.

I remember this day well. My family and I were driving back home to New York from Florida during our kids winter break. We had stopped at a Shoney's Restaurant, I think it was in North Carolina. There were a lot of other diners there who were wearing Nascar and Daytona jerseys bearing the number 3. They seemed very sad some looked to have been crying. I asked one of them what was going on. They told me about the crash and death of Dale Earnhardt. I was not a big Nascar fan then but, from that point on I was. RIP Dale.

After all the years that have passed, this still brings tears to my eyes. Dale Earnhardt was the legend we all respected. Not only did he pass away that day, but in my eyes, this is the day that NASCAR died as well. I wish I could give my congratulations and condolences to Michael Waltrup. He won that race. He drove his ass off and Dale was right there with him. I can't imagine how he felt when he heard the news. I find very difficult to watch auto racing any more. Auto racing is a dangerous business, we all know that more after the death of #3. RIP DALE EARNHARDT! You will forever be in our hearts and minds.

He died so so happy, that’s all anyone can ask for in the end

NASCAR hasn’t been the same since I remember been a pre teen when this happened watching my parents pour there eyes out. I remember getting his autograph at so many races now as an adult I watch but I always think of him

19 years and still chokes me up. He was my childhood hero

Have always felt bad for Kenny, he was the first one at the car, and having to carry those memories for the rest of his days. RIP "The Intimidator"

The pain in Ken's eyes and his facial expressions. You can tell this event haunts him every day.

Ill never forget that day. Dale was friends with my grandfather. We were there.. and I still remember Pop being somber and Muttering "He never got out.." I soon learned what that meant.He was an amazing man who did amazing things, and he went out doing what he absolutely loved.

"That Gentleman Start Your Engines" and the camera was on Dale Sr as if he was praying... that one will live forever. Watching a legend for the last time

Watching Darrel scream MIKEY makes me cry every single time I watch. Dale was already gone, saddest day in NASCAR history, but that moment when his brother won the biggest race on the planet was something to witness a brothers love.....

that clip of Kenny frantically waving for the emergency crews in that haze of smoke...

I was in Air Force basic training, and this really tough, mean TI (Air Force version of drill sergeant) came into the day room where all 60 of us were all sitting on the floor and we could see emotion on his face that wasn’t anger for the first time. As he walked to the front of the room, he just said “Dale Earnhardt died”. All the southern trainees let out huge gasps and “No!!!!”s. The northerners like me had heard the name of course, but must of us didn’t follow NASCAR. Now, all these years later, I’ve come to really know Dale Earnhardt, and that moment has become completely and utterly seared in my mind.

Kenny Schrader seems like a legit great guy.

“You’ll see something you ain’t never seen on FOX” Yeah, I guess he was woefully correct in that statement.

Kenny knew Dale was gone as soon as he took down the window net😢

I cried like a baby this day. I was a big fan

Richard Childress was far from a lightweight, but in this interview he reminded me of a sad teddy bear. So obvious how close he and Dale were and how much Dale meant to him. He was far more than just his driver. He was a brother and a friend to him. So heartbreaking.

Heartbreaking for marlin and what he must have felt and went through. Wish him the best.

Mike Joy does a great job. Very underrated broadcaster.

He's like Elvis Presley and Ronnie Van Zant. Never be forgotten

This Event brought more Tears to hard grown Men and Women and still does me when I watch videos like this! Dale was arguably the best NASCAR/stock car driver Ever!

There will NEVER be another Dale. Glad I was alive during his time and for him to be my favorite growing up.

Kenny was oblivious. He probably did think I'll just go see if he's ok and talk to him for a minute. Just for him to realize Dales not talking. He needs help. And then to only realize he was beyond help is just heart wrenching. My heart breaks for him.

You will never see that kind of brotherhood in nascar again

Darrell Waltrip was the most genuinely happy a human can be for another human and it turned so dark so quick for him and Michael! Michael was so excited to get a Dale Sr hug for winning the 500 for him.

When Ken had to inform Mikey at Victory Lane. It really hit me 🥺

I was honored to meet the man. He was a gentleman. Talked to me like we were old friends. Saw him race time after time and absolutely believed him when he said he could see the air. There will never be another. A hero of mine till this day. This video and anything with him brings tears to my eyes. That day will forever hurt my heart.

I met Dale in 1996. He was my hero. On this day in 2001 I felt like I had lost a family member. 20 years later the thought still gets to me. Today I am proud to announce I am about to finish up the dirt track wrangler Monte Carlo in memory of Dale Earnhardt (2021). After 4 years in the build we are finally dropping the engine in. 🏁

What a day that was. I’ll never forget it. I cried the rest of the day. It can still bring a tear to my eyes. What an impact the man had on us.

Dale was the baddest man ever in a stock car. And knew he would not see the next day and went out the absolute superstar of nascar

I can't imagine what Ken Schrader lives with having been the first to see Dale. I don't think I'd wish that on anyone.

Dale was the reason I became a NASCAR fan. I cried this day, and I still hurt.

I still cry and get emotion when they talk about him and his career

Still chokes me up. I wasn't alive when he raced but he was amazing and it was a very sad day.

He was the driver of a generation and will be forever missed

20 years later and Dale Earnhardt is still the face of NASCAR. That's a legacy that will never be undone. He is the greatest.

Dale ain't dead he's just a lap ahead

Rest In Peace "Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr." 🕊🌈🕊😇😇😇❤💖❤🙏🙏🙏😪😪😪

God Bless Kenny Schrader. To live with what he saw for the rest of his life has to be burdensome. But, I think the most gut wrenching sight of this whole situation is seeing Chocolate Myers reduced to a quivering mass of tears. That vision brings tears to my eyes every time.

I remember watching this race when Kenny Schrader was calling for the medical crew I knew right then that it did not look good.

It’s still so hard to believe. 😢 RiP Sr. 3 🏁

Not a dale fan but I think he would had been a contender for 2001 championship

I was a Rusty Wallace. But I also loved Dale. Watching those two go at it every week was amazing. I was 13 when this happened and watched it live with my mom. We cried all day, and stayed up all night. We had recorded it on our VCR and I still have that tape in my storage unit to this day. Watching these videos tears me up and chokes me up every time.

I don’t even know him too well and was way too young at the time to even know him but this truly broke my heart - he seemed like such a great guy! RIP❤️

“You know we lost what I would call our franchise of RCR, I lost a very very close friend that hurt worse than anything… and I lost my huntin’ buddy.” That hits hard

I cry every time I see this. Had the pleasure of meeting him at a charity golf tournament in vegas. Was my hero on the racetrack

Impossible to watch this without tearing up

I like to think he watched those two cars cross the line with a smile on his face, what a amazing guy dale was.

i was not a Dale fan but i respected him and his driving,even i knew it was a sad day and a day that would live forever and the day Nascar in my opinion really died also.

I've watched Dale Sr. Many years loved his racing style the day he passed on I cried like I lost my bf. And now everytime I watch this I cry just like it just happened 😢 😭

I remember seeing my now late mother shedding tears as we watched the news break that we had lost Dale. I met a man the next day while in the field on my job who cried talking about it. He meant so much to many many people in his life and career.

I met Dale three separate times .first time was at DEI, drove between the two new shop buildings and seen a black chevy truck parked at the old Busch shop .it was fenced in so I couldn't get close .but I got out of my car and the door opened and Taylor his little daughter cake running out after her dog and Dale came out after them.i sad Dale can you come over here. Taylor turned to me when she heard me and came running and Dale said Taylor get back here hes a stranger you can't do that. I said I'm not a stranger I'm a good race fan of yours. He said let me get these two in the truck and I will come over. He did and drove right to me by the fence.he said what you doing here its my day off .I said I'm sorry I seen what I figured was your truck and there you were and I just wanted to say I'm sorry you got spun out last night at the Winston because you were going to win it,he said yeah but wait until you see my 600 car it's even better are you going to be there I said yes I will Dale .he said great ok man I've got to get going .I said thanks so much for talking to me .he said no problem you have a great day. Then me and my dad were at one of his dealership audagraph signings and we didn't get in line we went to the side door and it was unlocked and went in and stood there and watch him finish up signing for others.and he got up to go out back and seen us and came strait to us.he said what you guys up to.i said this is my dad he came down from Pennsylvania to go to the race with me and my brothers and he said well good and asked if my dad had ever been before dad said no sir I ha end but can't wait to see you race Dale because we love to watch you race every weekend. He said well I appreciate that sir .he said ok I've got to go take some pictures out here you coming I said yes we will.and followed him out and got out pictures with him, just another great day. And the third time I met him was at north Wilkesboro after the race and got his audagraph and he remembered me from the other two times .he said you really do around to the races dont you I said I love to watch you race in person. So some great experiences with Dale that I will never forget.ive watched this video atleast once every year since he passed and it never gets easier. I could not got to work the day after his death and I seen on the news that hundreds of fans had gathered at DEI so I got one of my Earnhardt shirts out and wrote some things from my family on it because we had all been his fans and he's the reason we all got so involved with him and watching him race.everyone of us had alot of Dale Earnhardt suvineers. So I took the shirt to DEI and news channels were all the there from Charlotte but I just wanted to be left alone and place my shirt on the fence or bushes out from where so many had already done so. They were filming me do it and then I just read and looked at many of the other shirts hats and posters pictures and flowers left there. Many were crying and just shocked in disbelief that our awesome driver was gone. I headed back home after awhile and went to work the next day and alot of my coworkers came over to me to say they were sorry because they new how big a fan I was of his and I had Elliot, wallace ,waltrip Gordon and many other fans like that that we use to argue and bicker about and they didn't like Dale because he was so aggressive and thats exactly what drew me to Dale. They all said they were sorry and never wished that to happen to him no matter what they said before.i said I no its just very hard to handle right now I just want to work and get back to normal. They understood. . I felt heavy weight on my chest for along time over his loss and still its so hard when I watch this and other videos about him and his loss. But that's my great times I got to spend with him and he was so nice evweytime.

Almost 20 years later and i still get choked up. He was my hero. Its like when Elvis died and my mom cried

20 years ago and it still makes me cry, i was 10 when i watched this race, never thought it would be his last

Michael Waltrip congratulations on winning the 2001 Daytona 500.YOU DROVE THAT CAR AND NO ONE CAN EVER SAY THAT YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THE WIN BECAUSE THAT RACE PROVED A POINT BIG GUY!WE ALL LEARNED A LESSON FROM DALE EARNHARDT SENIOR WHO DIED TRYING TO BE THE BEST AT WHAT HE DID AS A DRIVER. WILL ALWAYS RESPECT NASCAR AND WHAT DALE EARNHARDT SENIOR MEANT TO RACING 🏎👏🙌🙏💙❤🏎. AMEN OCTOBER 3RD 2021

The love that these people have for eachother is a truly beautiful thing to behold.

In NASCAR, he will always be THE MAN!

Was cool to see him keep the other cars off of Jr and Mikey,everything about that day was odd,the clear googles,his attitude before speed weeks etc,God has plans for all of us

Joe Rogan had Jr. On his pod cast. Jr. said his father never talked racing at all except one time on one track for 5 minutes. Jr. learned racing on his own accord. Thats pretty epic to me.

1 of the worst days of my life, I was at work and I cried all the way home, as an African Man, he was my favorite, as a kid I had a wrangler shirt, with him on it, from his lows to highs, I loved that guy, and still do, I still cry watching this now

Man watching dale back there in third place on defense protecting his son and friend gives me chills. I’ve never watched nascar but I’m a true fan now. Wow.

The thing that always moves me is that prayer by DW at The Rock. The sense of unity, respect, tribute. It always makes me feel like there actually may be something or someone above us always watching and caring for us.

it's not tragic to die doing what you love. the man was Speed Racer to be the man first you got to beat the man, and on the race track Dale Sr was always the man. That day in Daytona Dale Sr was the shield, he did his job and didn't let anyone though. His team was in front of him . Nothing but pride and honor for a man who does his job even at the cost of his own life.

Dale was my racing hero, I watched that man from the time I was very young! I never missed a race, until that day, I haven't watched another NASCAR race since then! There will NEVER be another driver like 'The Intimidator'!!! RIP Dale!!!! #3FORLIFE

As a documentary fan, this is one of the best ever made. A must watch ! ❤

Always miss Dale. Nascar lost a hero that sad day in Feb. His son Dale Jr made his father proud by winning the next return race there in July by driving like the Intimidator did.

I was a Gordon fan and had no idea until I watched a movie on him, how much Dale was a mentor to Jeff. R.i.p dale

I remember when Elvis died my mother, RIP...she cried. Never did understand why she cried. Then Dale died.......and I haven't watched a race since. When Dale died, NASCAR died in my eyes.

I think if Dale Sr was still alive he would be retried as a 9 time cup champion

Number 3 introduced me to nascar in 1998 thanks to that moment when he won it all

NASCAR needs to promote these drivers personas and rivalries to get back to where it was! That’s why watching Dale was so amazing.

Just saw this now and I was crying so many tears.... it was a big change and a transition at the same time for the sport.

Sinatra, Babe Ruth, M. Ali, G.Howe, Brando, some men are just above whatever vocation they are in and sit at the head of the table. Ironhead was one of them.

20 years gone but not forgotten. Rest In Peace Dale.

I have never enjoyed nascar but ive recently listened to dale jrs podcasts and it is clear to me there are 2 time lines, BD and AD (Before Death and After Dale)...its astounding the impact he had on this sport. And he has 4 great children carrying his legacy...even with DEI floundering...somethings werent meant to be...but the dedication kelley had to be there for jr and kerry brings a tears to my eyes...love tony eury sr and jr and their stories! But even to his fiercest rivals he is the most respected and revered drivers of all time.

I still remember this day. Pounded into my head. I saw the accident on TV, thinking he'll be ok, nothing major. Hard crash but he'll be ok. Left with our exchange student to go shopping for a few hours and walked in to my father saying "hey, look at this." Utter shock.

Almost 21 years later and it still brings me to tears. I was watching that day and will never forget the roller coaster of emotions. I'll never forget watching Mike Helton make that godawful announcement. RIP Dale.

I still remember watching Dale Sr's Last Race BITTER/SWEET Day The 18th of February 2001 DAMN I MISS Ralph Dale Earnhardt SR😢😞😔🙏😇 #3 = #1 in my opinion. The GREATEST. RIP 🙏 DALE

Throughout recorded history no man has ever gone out in grander fashion!! Rip Dale we will be with you directly

Artfully and tastefully done, a fitting tribute to a man’s man who always gave life his all!

It's not tragic to die doing what you love.......and Dale died doing exactly what he loved!!!!!!!

I miss Dale a lot. It seems the world has gone to crap since losing Dale Earnhardt and Billy Graham

as a brit, never having much to do with American motor sports, this documentary has me in tears? thanks for being so truthful?/ respetful😢😢😢😢

Because of Mr. Earnhardt, the HANS device was established across all racing. The fact that he was the Intimadater was just a pleasure to watch.

Never meet him or saw him in person but for some reason i have always felt a connection with that man. I can still get emotional thinking of losing him. Its crazy....

When I was. 7 years old I watched this and I still remember it moment by moment.....and I thank that man every day for advancements in safety systems

I feel so bad for Dale jr specially, to be in the same race as your father and then see him die. Sounds like Dale was a great person and racer and that his death broke so many people, more than 20 years later he is still very missed.

Oh my god…. I remember when Dale Earnhardt died. Although I wish Young, watching this video today makes me sad. My prayers go out to the family

Dale Earnhardt, Michael Jordan, Ric Flair all three the best all time at their sport and all three are from the state of North Carolina. Go HEELS

What a story.. was put together amazingly had me in tears

I've been a Dale Earnhardt fan since 1978.. He captured my imagination just by the way he drove his car... I asked my father WHO IS THAT.??? Later he went on to be Rookie of the year.. that open face helmet & goggles & a blackened dirty face after some of his races 🏁 were Iconic to me as a kid. I still have my entire room decorated in #3 Cars & memorabilia from wall to wall. Even my car is decorated with #3 decals & his signature on both my doors in the form of vinyl stickers. My interior has #3 all inside as well. Plus I have In memory decals celebrating his life 1951-2001 shiny chrome colored decals on my back window... He is the greatest race car driver to me. Richard Petty & Jimmie Johnson are right there with him because they all had 7 Championships. I watched & had the honor & privilege to see Dale race 🏁 & win 73 races during his career. Dale was a Rockstar in the Nascar community. Never did I think that his seat sitting on the floorboard of the car & being so low would make him look even cooler 😎 than he already was...He looked like he was lowridering in his own race car. They didn't come any cooler than the "Man in Black". Fox was there for the 43rd Daytona Race & I never thought their first race would capture my favorite drivers death live on Television 📺. I remember the crash so well.. it didn't look that bad on screen but in reality the speeds Dale was traveling at & trying to block for his son Dale Jr. & Michael Waltrip you could feel something bad might happen .. but not on the last lap on the last turn. That one decision to block a final time ended up being the move that took his life But I couldn't imagine that his own seat belts would fail & allow his head & neck to whiplash in such a way it instantly broke it upon impact with the wall at nearly 200mph. I was devastated 😢 that day.. I know Michael won the race but I wanted to know how my hero was doing. Watching Kenny Schrader walk up to Dale's crushed car & motion for help right away I KNEW INSTANTLY something was very very wrong. Add the fact the ambulance wasn't even driving fast to take him to the hospital killed me inside. Hearing Daryl Waltrip say I hope DALE IS OK was another hard moment to watch. I only had Dale Sr. & Jeff Gordon as my favorite race car drivers to cheer for & support. So that left me with just Gordon BUT Dale Jr. Won some amazing races after his father died & so did the Rookie Kevin Harvick who took over Dale's car & I became fans of them as well. I got to see Jeff Gordon's 4th Championship & last as a driver. It was just sad that Dale wasn't there to BUMP & RUB Gordon like he use to... Dale's death was just so hard for me to come to grips with. Having my father take me to the races to watch Dale Earnhardt are some of the greatest memories ❤ of my life. I was 27 years old when he died 😔 & had watched him since I was 5 years old in 1978. Now I was proud to be A Dale Jr. fan along with Gordon. Plus I'm from Bakersfield Ca. & having Kevin Harvick take over Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s car was just so amazing & I was INSTANTLY a fan of his now... Now matter how many years go by I'll never forget Mike Helton saying we've lost Dale Earnhardt... I just felt like .. How could he die.? Superman 🦸🏻‍♂️ can't die, he's not suppose to go out this way !!! My house was so quiet that day.. I'm glad I have 5 jackets & lots of Race collectibles of his because they all have a special place in my heart ❤ It was truly an HONOR to watch this man race & then to see Dale Jr & DEI have awesome wins that year as well. It helped heal alot of fans... ✌🏽

This has been almost 21 years now and I still remember every detail about this. No matter how long it's been it still hurts when I watch this. DALE WAS MY HERO!!!!