Happy Birthday Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver and team owner, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR. Earnhardt began his career in 1975 when he drove in the 1975 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the Winston Cup Series (later the Sprint Cup Series).

Earnhardt won a total of 76 races over the course of his career, including one Daytona 500 victory in 1998. He earned seven NASCAR Winston Cup Championships and his aggressive driving style earned him the nickname "The Intimidator."

He also carried the title of “Dad.”

In 1995, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s hero card featured his three children Kerry (then 25), Kelly (then 22), and Ralph Dale Jr. (then 20). The Earnhardt children are the third generation of racers and were just beginning their racing career. Like their father, Dale Sr. and their grandfather, Ralph racing was in their blood.

Today would have been Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. sixty-third birthday. Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator."

Earnhardt Family - HANS Device

From Kerry Earnhardt’s Facebook Page

“School project Kayla had to bring in a historical family artifact. This is a Hans Device. NASCAR implemented this after Dad's accident as Neck/Head support. This like all safety measures changed our sport today and has saved the lives of many drivers”

Kerry Dale Earnhardt (born December 8, 1969) is a NASCAR driver and the eldest son of seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.

At the 2001 Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001, Earnhardt was involved in a fatal racing incident. An autopsy concluded that Earnhardt died of blunt force trauma to his head.

The HANS device (also known as a head restraint and/or Head and Neck Support device) is a safety item compulsory in many car racing sports. It reduces the likelihood of head and/or neck injuries, such as a basilar skull fracture, in the event of a crash.

This mother of a race car driver is thankful to the Earnhardt family for their sacrifice.