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.
Teresa
Kids
Dale Jr., Kerry, Kelley King, Taylor
Hometown
Kannapolis, N.C.
Birthdate
April 29, 1951
Hobbies
Hunting, fishing, boating
Car #3
Primary Sponser : GM Goodwrench Service Plus
Owner : Richard Childress Racing
Crew Chief : Kevin Hamlin
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