Dale Earnhardt Memorials
THIS PAGE HAS ALL THE THINGS NASCAR AND THE FANS DID IN HONOR OF DALE
.Dale Earnhardt Memorial Bridge
The new pedestrian overpass built to provide safe passage for fans attending events at Daytona International Speedway has been named to honor racing icon Dale Earnhardt. City commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday naming the overpass that spans International Speedway Boulevard The Dale Earnhardt Memorial Bridge. Construction of the .2 million pedestrian overpass should be completed by Friday, said Stan Lemke, the city's Public Works director. The overpass was criticized by some who objected to .2 million in state money devoted to the project. The Speedway also contributed land valued at $1 million. Mayor Bud Asher announced that Daytona International Speedway officials agreed to pay the cost of putting plaques at both ends of the bridge to honor Earnhardt
The Dale Earnhardt statue unveiled at Daytona.
The sculpture, by artist John Lajba of Omaha, Neb., stands near the entrance of the Daytona USA interactive museum adjacent to the 2.5-mile track where Earnhardt scored 34 career in various events.
A 7-foot-tall image of Earnhardt, made of cast silicon bronze with a patina finish, shows him dressed in his GM Goodwrench team uniform holding the trophy he collected for winning the 1998 Daytona 500 in his right hand. His left arm is raised in the air, fist clinched, in celebration.
The figure stands on a base shaped in the number 3, Earnhardt's car number, atop a pedestal of concrete and black granite with a checkered base, representing the track's victory lane.
A wall surrounding the back of the statue represents the track's trioval and features markers bearing the dates of his seven championships and his Daytona 500 victory. Just past the end of the wall is the date Feb. 18, 2001, the date of Earnhardt's fatal crash.
"Dale Earnhardt's legendary persona inspired people who had never even met him," said Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, before the statue was unveiled "People looked up to Dale, partially because he stood up strong for his beliefs and values. … I know that everyone who looks up at this statue is reminded that victory comes in more ways than one, and that this Dale will continue to inspire people to believe in themselves and to remember that you get what you give."
Lajba, who also did the sculpture of NASCAR founder William H.G. France and his wife, Anne, that sits outside Daytona USA, added silicon versions of Earnhardt's driving gloves lying on the top of the wall.
Next to them is a replica of the "lucky penny" Earnhardt got from 9-year-old Wessa Miller on the morning of his '98 Daytona 500 victory. Earnhardt stuck the coin to the dash of his car during the race, in which he broke his career-long jinx in the sport's biggest event.
"I had a sense of how the fans felt about Dale," Labja said. "They knew how much Dale really appreciated things and the type of human being he was. …It's a sculpture of a human being, it's not just a statue. It's a real human being who lived his life to the fullest. We should all admire that. We should celebrate that, and this is what this is."
The weather was balmy but there was a steady rain falling as the sculpture was unveiled. NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. joked that he knew Earnhardt well enough to say that the driver would have rather it rained on Thursday than on race day.
Despite the rain and a lack of public notice about the unveiling, several dozen fans gathered for the ceremony. Minutes after the unveiling, fans were lining up to have their pictures taken in front of the sculpture.
"If someone comes here and looks at my sculpture and thinks about Dale and the type of man he was, then I know that I did a successful work of art," Labja said.
A BIG 3
a self-employed insurance repair contractor who entertains NASCAR race team members each year during Speedweeks at Daytona, tilled a 353-foot "3" in a low-lying grassy area of his property with the help of two employees
Fans pause by a memorial in front of the headquarters for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., near Mooresville, N.C., Sunday Feb. 18, 2001 after hearing of the death of NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt.
The flowers at LVMS
Fans seeking closure gather at vigil
-- Loaded with newspapers and tapes she collected since Dale Earnhardt's death, Pat Guessford drove nearly five hours to pay tribute to the NASCAR great.
"We keep looking for things that will be closure, but I keep looking for that No. 3 car to come around the corner," said Guessford, who lit a candle with her mother and son. "I'm just looking for something to get over the emotional part of it, and have it be a good memory."
Earnhardt was killed a year ago Monday on the final lap of the Daytona 500 when his car slammed into a wall.
About 350 people attended a candlelight vigil outside Earnhardt's museum and shop Monday evening, and about 1,000 people visited the site during the day.
The fans came from as far away as Kentucky and Minnesota, and they filled 24 message boards with prayers and promises that they would never forget their favorite driver.
Andy Kochera and his son left around 1 a.m. from Maryland and drove seven hours so they could attend the vigil.
Kochera, who placed decals on his black Monte Carlo so it would look like Earnhardt's race car, said he needed closure.
"I stayed in Maryland last year, and there was something missing -- I couldn't complete my grieving," Kochera said. "Being here with everybody else, it makes you feel like a family."
Lisa Hamrick, of West Virginia, brought peace lilies and a sympathy card, just as thousands did in the days following Earnhardt's death. Even though the sun was already down, many fans wore dark sunglasses that were a trademark of the driver known as "The Intimidator."
Some fans said they still watch racing, and many cheer for Earnhardt's son, Dale Jr., but others say they have lost interest.
"Racing will never be the same for me," said Winston-Salem's Barbara Ellis, who wore an Earnhardt sweat shirt and No. 3 earrings. "I just can't bring myself to watch it. I hope someday, but it's so hard for me, because I expect that No. 3 to go around the track."
Earnhardt Tribute Tree
Chuck and Vallery Carver of Casstown, Ohio, decided to pay tribute to fallen NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt by transforming an old tree into the likeness of the late racing legend. Last June, the Carvers were going to have an artist carve a number three, Earnhardt's Winston Cup race car number, into a dead tree in their yard. They talked to local artist Johnny Bookwaller and he suggested they make a full size statue of Earnhardt. Chuck Carver said it cost a lot to turn their tree into a memorial but has been well worth it.
Earnhardt Honored
Three to four thousand people attended the unveiling Monday morning of a 9-foot statue honoring racing legend and Kannapolis, NC native Dale Earnhardt. In the memorial, Earnhardt sports his signature grin and has his arms crossed. He's dressed in Wrangler blue jeans, cowboy boots and a button-down short-sleeved shirt. Members of the Earnhardt family, including widow Teresa and son Dale Jr., uncovered the statue to applause. The statute is at the Dale Earnhardt Plaza, off South Main Street between West A and West B streets. It is open to the public
Dale Earnhardt Legacy Series Special Car
Dale Earnhardt Legacy Series logo: Action Performance announced an agreement with Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Inc. to showcase the new Dale Earnhardt Legacy Series logo on a special-edition die-cast race car. The Dale Earnhardt Legacy Series logo honors Earnhardt's winning spirit by showcasing the Intimidator at his finest - arms outstretched in victorious celebration. The Legacy Series logo is a prominent feature on the limited edition black-and-red toned die-cast. Additionally, the Legacy Series die-cast car salutes Earnhardt's signature "E" with a unique stripe mark featured on the body. Action will release the Earnhardt Legacy Series die-cast in a variety of prized collector scales. In 2003, the "E" stripe design also will be incorporated as an intricate part of every DEI race car paint scheme, including vehicles driven by the #1, #8 and #15
Highway 3 Sign At Dale Earnhardt Inc
Dale Earnhardt's Legacy continues as the first Department of Transportation sign is being unveiled today of North Carolina Highway 3, Dale Earnhardt Highway at the Headquarters of Dale Earnhardt Inc. Teresa Earnhardt, the President and CEO of DEI, was the first to display the NC Highway 3 sign in a ceremony celebrating the legacy of her husband, NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt. "This is tremendous to have a state highway named in Dale's honor," stated Teresa "This highway is special to all of us; it runs past our company headquarters in Iredell County and Cabarrus County. It was with the efforts and support of many State and local officials and residents that made this name change." North Carolina Governor, Mike Easley, signed legislation designating the North Carolina Highway #3 on October 23rd, 2002 to be known as Dale Earnhardt Highway. "Dale was a caring husband and father, a NASCAR racing legend, an avid outdoorsman and a pillar in his community" said Governor Easley. "We want to show Dale's family, his fans and his friends that North Carolina remembers and cares. We want to say thank you for everything that you gave us and show our sincere appreciation in this lasting tribute." Dale Earnhardt Highway is one of many tributes to the legendary racing champion in preserving his legacy to the state of North Carolina and the sport of auto racing. His citizenship to North Carolina was outstanding and the newly established Dale Earnhardt Foundation will continue those efforts with initiatives that perpetuate the Dale Earnhardt Legacy
A FAN'S VAN
I SAW THIS VAN IN RICHMOND MAY,2003
Childress makes some emotional laps in Earnhardt salute 10-11-03
