TEC | News Articles

2001 News Archive

10/21/01 - Dale Earnhardt: The best there is, was, and ever will be - When it came to driving a racecar, no one did it like Dale Earnhardt. Dale ruled over the NASCAR community for over 20 years, doing things that nobody else could.

10/15/01 - Earnhardt's absence will be felt at Talladega - The winningest driver on the most competitive track won't be at Talladega Speedway this weekend. But he is still the man people think of first when it comes to stock car racing.

9/29/01 - Childress intends to seek the retirement of No. 3 - Richard Childress Racing will unveil the 2002 paint scheme for the No. 29 Chevrolets driven by rookie Kevin Harvick, but there will be no change in the team's number. ~

9/1/01 - Hall of Fame inducts Earnhardt, France and other - Four men whose accomplishments have made their names synonymous with success in American motorsports were inducted into the Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame Saturday night. ~

8/29/01 - Childress rebuilding as life after Earnhardt continues - It took Richard Childress a long time to stop looking for a black No. 3 on the track. For him, races just didn't look the same without Dale Earnhardt. Six months after Earnhardt's death in an accident in the final turn of the Daytona 500, neither does Childress' company.

8/25/01 - No. 3 could return to racing next year - Dale Earnhardt's longtime car owner hinted Saturday the No. 3 could return to racing next year, but gave no indications as to which driver would run with it.

8/20/01 - NASCAR's Earnhardt report to be presented Tuesday in Atlanta - When the NASCAR brass stroll into the Hyatt Regency ballroom Tuesday, they'll come arm-in-arm with a handful of scientists and engineers, a beefy report and six months' worth of answers. ~

8/16/01 - Return of the No. 3? - Richard Childress Racing could be bringing back the No. 3 Chevrolet formerly driven and made famous by the late Dale Earnhardt.

8/15/01 - Earnhardt still in marketing fast lane - Dale Earnhardt died almost six months ago, but his moneymaking ability continues to live on. ~

Dale's team
8/15/01 - As I drove up to Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, home of the Kannapolis Intimidators, I fully expected to find something resembling Graceland with hubcaps and pine tar.

Instead, this quaint little field nestled into the tall pines 25 miles north of Charlotte has become something of a sanctuary. Full Story.

8/10/01 - To honor Earnhardt, Elliott takes name off driver ballot - Bill Elliott, a 15-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver Award, has removed his name from the 2001 award ballot in honor of Dale Earnhardt. ~

8/9/01 - The Earnhardt name retains its mystique - Six months after Dale Earnhardt's death in the Daytona 500, race fans still take every opportunity to pay their respects to the seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion.

7/30/01 - Experiencing the Legacy - As the early morning sun makes it’s way above the horizon, you wearily open your sleep-dried eyes and look in it’s direction. You stumble to your feet and get ready for the day. As you are waking up, you feel your adrenaline start to flow. Excitement fills your veins and starts pumping like motor oil. It’s race day, and you’re an Earnhardt fan.

7/23/01 - Earnhardt considered driving force in the creation of Brickyard 400 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chairman Tony George considers Dale Earnhardt the driving force in the creation of the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

7/18/01 - Dale Earnhardt: He was loved and hated, but mostly revered - If we had to lose Dale Earnhardt, then we should not have lost him in any other way or in any other place than on the race track. This is where he made us hate him. This is where he made us love him. This is where we knew him best.

7/13/01 - Earnhardt leads hall inductees - Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Jr., Glen Wood and A.J. Foyt will be inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame on Sept. 1 in Darlington, S.C.

7/10/01 - Various News -

7/1/01 - Shelmerdine: Racing with Dale unequaled - From 1984-1992, no driver and crew chief combination attained the success that the Intimidator and Kirk Shelmerdine enjoyed.

6/29/01 - Childress team braces for emotional return to Daytona - Richard Childress, owner of the Winston Cup team of the late Dale Earnhardt, released a statement Friday concerning the series' return next week to Daytona International Speedway. ~

6/27/01 - The day I will never forget - Thinking back, February 18, 2001 was a gorgeous day. Sunshine filled the sky, and as I entered the garage area at Daytona International Speedway I would swear I felt droplets of God's grace hit me in the face at every step. ~

6/13/01 - Earnhardt photos won't be released - Judge rules in favor of Teresa - A judge ruled Wednesday that Dale Earnhardt’s autopsy photos cannot be made public under a new state law that restricts access to such images.

6/11/01 - Autopsy photos subject of Daytona hearing - Attorneys seeking access to the autopsy photos of racing great Dale Earnhardt attacked a new Florida law Monday.

6/9/01 - Kerry Earnhardt wins ARCA race at MIS! - Kerry Earnhardt joined his late father Dale and his younger brother Dale Jr. as winners at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday by winning the Flagstar 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race.

6/7/01 - Petty's arguement off base - Among his musings on the Dale Earnhardt autopsy/safety/seat-belt saga, Petty took the opportunity to downplay the accomplishments of the driver considered by many to be the greatest ever.

6/5/01 - MIS to honor Earnhardt with fan messages - To honor late racing great Dale Earnhardt, Michigan International Speedway will have two large murals for race fans to sign and leave a message for the NASCAR legend’s family during this weekend’s races.

3/15/01 - Sides in Earnhardt photo debate gather - Dale Earnhardt's widow arrived for a meeting Thursday with Orlando Sentinel executives to try to work out her family's dispute with the newspaper. ~

3/15/01 - Rusty Wallace recalls a memory of Earnhardt - Rusty Wallace recalled earlier this week the raucous sense of humor of the late Dale Earnhardt. "I’ll tell you a damn good story," Wallace began.

3/11/01 - A Difference of Black and White - Kevin Harvick held off Jeff Gordon in a drag race out of the fourth corner on the final lap.

3/11/01 - Harvick scores emotional, historic victory over Gordon - It was only fitting that rookie Kevin Harvick won his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series race on Sunday in the Cracker Barrel 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- it being his third career race and all.

3/9/01 - Atlanta renames North Turn grandstand after Earnhardt - Atlanta Motor Speedway did its part to remember Earnhardt by renaming the North Turn Grandstand after the seven-time Winston Cup champion.

3/9/01 - Earnhardt honored at Talladega - The International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Museum opened a new exhibit honoring the late Dale Earnhardt on Friday.

3/7/01 - Newspaper feels wrath of Earnhardt fans - The Orlando Sentinel's request for the autopsy photos of Dale Earnhardt has brought a torrent of angry calls and e-mail from race fans and prompted an effort by lawmakers to prevent the release of such pictures in future cases.

3/4/01 - Teresa Earnhardt turns to fans for support - The wife of racing legend Dale Earnhardt made an emotional plea to race fans Sunday, seeking help in her fight to stop the release of her husband's autopsy photos.

2/25/01 - I lost my favorite punch line - No matter where you live, you've no doubt been surprised at the extent of continuing coverage of Dale's passing.

2/24/01 - Drivers return to action with heavy hearts - Five minutes after the start of practice for Sunday's Dura Lube 400, Dale Earnhardt Jr. left the calm of his trailer and headed into the storm of the garage.

2/23/01 - The No. 3 won't be retired - However painful, the show must go on… at least according to NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing.

2/23/01 - An open letter to fans from Teresa Earnhardt - I can never fully express my immense gratitude for the overwhelming support we have received.

2/23/01 - Harvick to drive white No. 29 RCR Monte Carlo - Kevin Harvick will move into the Winston Cup Series and do double duty for RCR the rest of this season, Richard Childress announced Friday.

2/19/01 - Earnhardt's Stellar Career - Earnhardt transcended NASCAR racing and was as close to a household name among mainstream America as any driver in series history.

2/18/01 - Earnhardt's last race a selfless act - I walked past the driver's window of the No. 3 Chevrolet, and Dale Earnhardt waved, winked and flashed that unforgettable, mischievous, mustached smile.

2/18/01 - Earnhardt unselfish at the end - Those of us who knew Earnhardt off the track know how unselfish he really was.

2/18/01 - Stunned racing world reacts to loss - Quotes and reactions following the loss of Dale Earnhardt.

2/18/01 - Tragedy in Daytona: Earnhardt Dies in Crash - Seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt died Sunday in a violent accident during the final lap of the Daytona 500.

2/18/01 - Earnhardt dies instantly of head injuries - Dale Earnhardt, one of the greatest stars in auto racing history, died Sunday from injuries in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500.

DEI is racing forward in the Earnhardt tradition

12/13/01 - Darrell Waltrip christened it the "Garage Mahal." The sprawling complex near Mooresville, N.C., that began as the headquarters of Dale Earnhardt Inc. is now a monument to Earnhardt's vision and passion for auto racing. Full Story.

Season ends with Robby Gordon/RCR win
Robby Gordon captured his first career win with a victory in the New Hampshire 300 on Friday, passing Jeff Gordon on Lap 285 to take the lead for good.

"We started off the season on the lowest low. To come back and win a race with Robby on an oval here is a tremendous high, but nothing will ever fill the void that will always be there for us."

- Richard Childress, on the season that began for his team with the death of Dale Earnhardt at Daytona

Kevin Harvick pays tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt as he celebrates his Busch Series championship at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001

Earnhardt Jr. emerges on top after exciting Talladega finish!

10/21/01 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. avoided a spectacular multi-car crash on the final lap Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway to win the EA Sports 500. The win -- his second restrictor-plate victory in a row -- netted Little E the $1 million No Bull 5 bonus.

Like father, like son at Talladega

Earnhardt Jr. wins as 'The Wreck' happens behind him

Eury penalized for roof violation

2001: A year to forget for Kerry Earnhardt
10/11/01 - As Kerry Earnhardt sped through Turn 3 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Oct. 4, four laps remained in the EasyCare 100 and the prospect of leading the field to the checkered flag was rapidly becoming reality. Sadly, that checkered flag never waved. Full Story.

Waltrip will be back with DEI for at least one more season

Childress The Man

Earnhardt Jr. maturing, gaining confidence

10/6/01 - He's the hip-hop good ol' boy, stock car racing's Fresh Prince driving onward in the tire marks of his father, its fallen king. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wears his baseball cap backward and is still young enough to consider "hanging out" an activity. If you believe Budweiser's billboards, he's so cool he can wear his fire suit to a beach party and attractive girls will still to talk to him. Full Story.

The rebuilding of RCR

10/3/01 - Richard Childress couldn't sleep. It was only hours since his best friend and Winston Cup driver Dale Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap crash Feb. 18 at the Daytona 500. Instead of joining his team Sunday night on a flight back to RCR headquarters in Welcome, N.C., and his wiferemained in Daytona Beach, Fla., to assist Earnhardt's wife, Teresa, in making funeral arrangements. Full Story.

DEI: ‘Park will be in car at Daytona’

Childress unveils plans for 2002

9/30/01 - In a pre-race press conference from the Fan Walk inside Kansas Speedway, Richard Childress announced this morning the No. 29 of Kevin Harvick will carry some familiar colors for 2002. The Monte Carlo unveiled combined the familiar black with a new gray scheme giving the car a touch of the old, with a dash of the new. The announcement was greeted by applause from the fans in attendance. Full Story and Pictures.

The Son Also Rises
9/25/01 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. insists he’s just like everyone else. Sure, he’s the object of adoration by thousands of fans – inside and outside the NASCAR circles – but Junior says he’s no different than you and I.

“I go home and sit on the couch and watch the same news and the same sports they do,” Earnhardt Jr. said after winning the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 on Sunday. Full Story.

T O P S T O R I E S :
Dale Jr. wins MBNA 400 at Dover!
9/23/01 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. was strong for 400 laps on the way to a convincing MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 victory.

Leading five times for a race-high 193 laps of the 400 lap event, Earnhardt earned his fourth career victory and first on Dover’s one-mile, high-banked concrete oval.

The win, Earnhardt Jr.'s second of 2001, moved him up a spot in the points standings to sixth. Full Story.

Earnhardt Jr. romps to Dover Downs triumph

NASCAR teams are responding to attacks with paint schemes, pledges
9/20/01 (AP) - The NASCAR community is pledging its help to the victims of last week's terrorist attacks through a variety of paint schemes and charitable donations.

A combined 37 Winston Cup and Busch series drivers informed NASCAR on Wednesday of special patriotic paint schemes they will have on their cars this weekend at Dover Downs International Speedway.

The schemes will range from the Stars and Stripes on Michael Waltrip's car to an American flag on the decklid of Dale Earnhardt Jr's. All of Richard Childress' teams will place American flags on their uniforms, place a flag in their pit areas and either have the flag or the Red Cross logo on the hoods of the cars.

Earnhardt Jr. 7th in The Winston_5/20/01
Jeff Gordon won his third Winston all-star race, tying Dale Earnhardt for the record of most wins in the event. Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a strong charge in the final 10-lap segment, moving from the tail of the field to finish 7th.

Annual all-star event serves up the fireworks_5/16/01
When sparks flew in past Winstons, it was a safe bet that the No. 3 was nearby. More.

Earnhardt Jr. cherishes Winston win_5/14/01
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., it was a moment he'll never forget. He was in Victory Lane at Lowe's Motor Speedway, celebrating a victory in The Winston he'd earned with the kind of hammer-down performance that had made his family's name legendary. The crowd was chanting "Earnhardt! Earnhardt! Earnhardt!" - and they were cheering for him, not his father, seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt. Full Story.

New: Earnhardt Jr. returns to site of greatest thrill

A look at previous Winstons

5/12 - Kyle Petty's tears still flow for Adam
5/12 - Adam Petty remembered

No 50th for No. 3_4/26/01
By Jerry Bonkowski
Because we never had a chance to say goodbye while he was still alive, nor did he have the opportunity to thank his fans for more than 25 years of support, this season is turning out to be Earnhardt's "farewell tour" from Winston Cup racing. The only thing missing is Earnhardt himself. Full Story.

Junior's refuge_4/25/01
There was a time when Dale Earnhardt Jr. thought about giving up. It was just no use to try to fool himself that he would be able to carry on. Not after this. Full Story.

California Speedway announces Earnhardt tribute_4/24/01
An image of the late Dale Earnhardt will be added to the California Speedway Wall of Fame as part of ceremonies honoring the seven-time Winston Cup champion at the NAPA 500 on Sunday. Full Story.

Milestones

Dark Lining

Staying on track hasn't been easy for Team Earnhardt

Talladega run went without a caution_4/25/01
Dale Earnhardt is gone, and he has been replaced by Miss Manners. The death of Earnhardt in February at the Daytona 500 left the rest of the drivers on the Winston Cup circuit shaking in their HANS devices as they contemplated Sunday's return to Talladega Superspeedway. Full Story.

Perspective:
The Earnhardt Factor_4/23/01
Countless thousands of words have been written since the death and the racing world's loss of unquestionably the greatest driver in modern NASCAR history. But not all consideration has been taken in the Earnhardt Factor. The Earnhardt Factor is many things that has had both a positive and negative impact on the sport of NASCAR. Full Story.

Dale Jr. gets a top-10 in Talladega_4/22/01
Using

the outside lane, Dale Jr. was able to draft from the middle of the pack into the top-10 during the final laps of today's Talladega 500. Kevin Harvick ran well all day and picked up another solid finish in his rookie season. Michael Waltrip ran well until a slow stop during final pit stops put him at the back of the field. Steve Park got a flat left-front tire early in the race and lost a lap that, with a caution-free race, he could never make up.

Little E makes big leap in points battle

Meetings, cautious driving make for safe race