My Ongoing Tribute to the Greatest NASCAR Driver Ever

Dale Earnhardt

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Fans respond to Earnhardt memorials

By Anika Robertson, Turner Sports Interactive
January 25, 2002
11:00 AM EST (1600 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Racing legend Dale Earnhardt may be gone, but Daytona International Speedway and a lot of race fans are ensuring he certainly won't be forgotten -- especially here at the "World Center of Racing."

A memorial for Earnhardt -- the seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion who was killed in a crash on Daytona's Turn 4 on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 -- will take the form of a bronze statue set in a fountain, according to Kathy Catron, publicity manager at DIS.

The memorial, located adjacent to the west entrance to Daytona USA, will be unveiled sometime during Speedweeks, Catron said.

Earlier this week, the Daytona Beach City Commission unanimously voted to name the newly-erected pedestrian walkway over West International Speedway Blvd. "The Dale Earnhardt Memorial Bridge."

It is expected the depiction of Earnhardt, who won 34 races at Daytona, including his lone Daytona 500 win in 1998, will be similar to a larger-than-life bronze work honoring NASCAR and Daytona founder Bill France Sr. and his wife, Anne.

John Lajba sculpted the France statue and was commissioned to create the Earnhardt piece, which was valued at $60,000, according to a building permit filed with the city.

The France statue sits in a courtyard near the site of the Earnhardt memorial, which is currently under construction.

According to Catron, Teresa Earnhardt worked closely with the project to ensure her husband's likeness is presented in a respectable manner and has suggested several changes along the way.

"The project has been in the works for the better part of a year," Catron said.

Earnhardt was an icon in his sport and particularly at Daytona, where his 1998 Daytona 500 victory was greeted by high-fives of congratulations virtually the length of pit road.

An informal poll of fans indicated Daytona's Earnhardt memorial could encourage visits to the speedway during the off-season and develop into a major tourist attraction.

"I would plan a future vacation around going to Daytona so that I could see it," said Claudia Belmessieri, an Earnhardt fan. "However, we have to make sure that we don't forget some of the other great drivers that also contributed a lot -- including their lives -- to this great sport.

"Dale was the greatest in my eyes (but) I agree with Dale Jarrett -- we all have lost a great friend and we should honor him appropriately."

"What a nice tribute to a man who was truly a piece of NASCAR history," Karen Rigsby-Ferree said. "If I was able to come to Daytona, I would definitely stop to view it, take pictures and remember the spirit and generosity of a man I never personally met but felt like I knew.

"I think that it is appropriate but I am sure that there will be many out there that may find it not. Dale was a friend to the Frances and they truly are the reason for the sport. Dale certainly assisted in making it the sport it is today...with lots of others beside him.

"Perhaps there should be a 'drivers row' of all those who have perished as well...maybe not so big in stature but as a memorial?"

Danielle Johnson, a fan from Lexington, Ky., said, "I would look forward to seeing the memorial (at Daytona). Even those people who weren't necessarily Earnhardt fans have to recognize and appreciate the excitement and energy he brought to the track.

"As a fan it's hard to see one driver recognized more than other drivers that we have lost, but Dale Earnhardt had an impact on the sport that no other driver has had."

"I think it would be a very fitting tribute to Dale, not only as the winningest driver ever at Daytona, but as the most widely recognized person in all of motorsports," Randall Ham of Fort Payne, Ala., wrote. "His name and reputation were known by people from all walks of life -- race fans or not. He definitely deserves a way to be remembered other than in our hearts and minds."

"I think that it is more than appropriate to honor the Intimidator in this manner, given the immense impact on the sport and intense involvement that Dale contributed," Terri Taylor said. "I was quite pleased to hear of such a project, feeling that something grand should be done to honor all that Dale meant to so many fans and racing in general. It's the least that can be done for such a great driver and man of family, friends and community."

"Excuse my French, but hell yes, it is appropriate," Michael Podoliak of Cortland, N.Y., said. "Dale is, was and always will be what made NASCAR what it is today. I am definitely looking forward to seeing this memorial."

However, some believe that the late Earnhardt should be celebrated with the highest honor: Renaming Victory Lane. That idea was first proposed in a column by NASCAR.com writer Tim Packman.

As one fan explained, "Given the fact that Earnhardt made history inside (Daytona International Speedway) by visiting Victory Lane more than any other driver and that he tragically lost his life on that very track, I feel that naming Victory Lane for him would be a more fitting and appropriate memorial -- one that not only would touch fans from all corners, but also every driver that ever wins a race there." Earnhardt's hometown of Kannapolis, N.C., is also planning a memorial center.

"The City of Kannapolis is in the process of raising money to build a lasting tribute to our hometown hero, Dale Earnhardt," said Jennifer Woodford, city of Kannapolis public information officer. "We're planning a statue and commemorative wall on a landscaped plaza area."

Please Visit www.ci.kannapolis.nc.us for more information on the proposed Earnhardt memorial in Kannapolis.