Dale Earnhardt Biography
There's no denying that a competitive fire still burns in Dale Earnhardt. No one wants to win more. No one is more intense on the track. That was never more evident in the 40th annual Daytona 500, as Earnhardt won the race in his 20th try.
There's also little question that Earnhardt still has all the tools to win another championship: the same Richard Childress equipment with which he has won six of his seven titles, a hungry young crew chief in Kevin Hamlin, and of course the driving skill and experience of a seven-time champion.
But things didn't go the way 'The Intimidator' would have liked in 1998. Earnhardt did not return to Victory Lane after Daytona, and his eighth-place points finish was his lowest since 1992. However, that just shows how strong the No. 3 team has been over the years. Their 'down year' would be a dream season for the vast majority of competitors on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
Besides, things seemed to be coming around for Earnhardt's team late in the year. They posted three top-10s in the last four races, including a stirring run to third at Phoenix after starting 39th.
Earnhardt's seven NASCAR Winston Cup Series titles offer all the proof needed to those who question his place in history. His aggressive style has helped define a generation of drivers, those who run hard on Sunday then shake hands and exchange congratulations when all is said and done.
Earnhardt was the first driver in the history of the sport to win the rookie of the year award and the series title at the NASCAR Winston Cup Series level.
He was the first three-time winner of the Winston Select (1987, '90 and '93) and he has won two IROC championships (1990 and '95).
Earnhardt credits Rod Osterlund with giving him his biggest break, in 1978. He won the championship for Osterlund, his first, in 1980 before moving on to drive for Richard Childress, for whom he has won six titles.
Earnhardt owns a farm in Mooresville, N.C., where he has horses, dogs, cats, bulls and chickens. He owns a 76-foot Hatteras boat, bass boat, a Lear Jet 31A with two full-time pilots, and KingAir 200.
