Below are some of the things the racing community had to say in the days following Dale Earnhardt's tragic death in the 2001 Daytona 500
"This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult announcements I've ever had to make. But after the accident in Turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500, we've lost Dale Earnhardt."
- Mike Helton's announcement at 1900 hours on February 18th
"Today NASCAR lost it's greatest driver in the history of the sport, and I personally have lost a great friend."
- NASCAR Chairman of the Board, Bill France Jr. on the loss of Dale Earnhardt
"I was so looking forward to doing well for him. He wasn't there in Victory lane and I didn't know he was hurt. That's where my mind is. Racing is our job and he's my owner, but he's also my friend. I would rather be anyplace else than right here, right now."
-Michael Waltrip on learning of his car owner's death on the last lap of the Daytona 500
"We're deeply saddened by the loss. We appreciate everybody for their support. We'll get through this. I'm sure he'd want us to go on, so that's what we're gonna do."
-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s statement as he left the hospital following Dale's death
"After the race was over, I heard things didn't look too good. But, man, Earnhardt. You figure he'll bounce right back. Your first thought is he'll probably come back at Rockingham and beat us all."
-Jeremy Mayfield
"It's hard to put into words what the loss of Dale Earnhardt means. I feel without a question he was the greatest driver we ever had."
-Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway
"Brooke and I are deeply saddened by this devestating loss. Not only is it a huge loss for this sport, but a huge loss for me personally. Dale taught me so much and became a great friend."
-4 time Winston Cup Champion Jeff gordon
"Dale was incredibly tenacious; he drove me to rise to his level. He made me want to be the best, because he made me want to beat him."
-Mark Martin
"He was really frustrating to drive against, because there were times when he could have made it easier, but that wasn't in his personality. You always had to work that much harder with him."
-Jeff burton
"I was in total shock. I've seen him hit, and flip, and tumble, and me and him have been in some at Talladega-upside down and I couldn't believe it. It made you just want to go throw up, just sick to your stomach. You couldn't believe it could happen."
-Sterling Marlin
"I, like everyone else, am in shock with the passing of Dale Earnhardt. Besides being an incredible driver and spokesman for the sport he so loved, he was a true friend and has been a major influence on my life and career."
-2000 Winston Cup Champion, Bobby Labonte
"He showed why he's the greates driver in the world, right there. Dale Earnhardt, what a job."
-Dale Jarrett on Earnhardt's drive through the grass in the IROC race on the Friday before the 500 when Eddie Cheever forced Dale into the grass. Dale went on to finish 7th.
"He and I were about as close of friends as you can get in this sport. We've had some helluva battles out there on the racetrack through the years, but we've had so many good times off the track...I have to think that the way it happened and where it happened...he and his buddy Neil Bonnett are up there doing something fun together right now."
-1989 Winston Cup Champion, Rusty Wallace
"I always said if you look up the definition of racer in the dictionary, Dale Earnhardt's picture should have been beside it. He was one true 100% race car driver."
-Kenny Wallace
"NASCAR lost it's greatest driver and probably the the greatest driver it will ever have."
-Johnny benson
"The sport and the race that he truly loved have taken from me one of my best friends. I know I should feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to race with, tangle with, sometimes outrun, and like most, usually finish behind the greatest driving talent NASCAR has ever seen. I am thankful for that opportunity, but more importantly, I am most grateful that I had the chance to know Dale Earnhardt in a way that so many people could only dream of. He was a true friend...Just know Dale, that we love you and we all are truly going to miss you."
-1999 Winston Cup Champion, Dale Jarrett
"That grin of his, alot of times you wouldn't know what he was thinking, but you thought you did. And it might not mean a thing in the world, but he knew you were trying to figure it out."
-Kyle Petty
"The proudest moment of my life was when [my son] Dale Jarrett passed Dale Earnhardt [to win] the 1993 Daytona 500. He had beaten the master."
-Ned Jarrett
"In a twinkle of an eye you're in the presence of the Lord, and that's where I think Dale is. Instead of patting me on the back and having a party with me, he's up there having a party with my dad [Leroy]. That ain't a bad thing either."
-2001 Daytona 500 Winner, Michael Waltrip
As you can see, Dale meant so much to so many people. Even when Dale was turning other drivers around to pass them, the other drivers knew Dale was a master at his profession. He brought out the best, and sometimes the worst in others. Tempers would flare, fans would jeer and boo him. But in the end, everyone respected Dale and his ability in a race car. Noone could ever dispute the fact that Dale was the best at what he did.
In Dale's later racing years, people began to see a softer side to him. But just when you thought Dale had softened too much, he would prove everyone wrong. Ask Terry Labonte after 1999 night race at Bristol. Or Bobby Hamilton after Dale's bump and run tactic cost him a possible victory at Richmond. And then there was Talladega, 2000, when with a handful of laps left, Dale was mired deep in the pack on a restart. Fans, fellow drivers, sports commentators...everyone stood in awe as Dale picked his way methodically through the field. Dale's final win was, perhaps, the most fitting of all his victories. Dale showed everyone what he was capable of doing and he did it that day with a style and finesse seldom seen on the track today.
Dale was indeed the best there ever was, and the best there ever will be in a race car. Godspeed and God bless Dale. You will never be replaced, and more importantly, never forgotten.
