EARNHARDT, RALPH DALE

born April 29, 1951, Kannapolis, N.C., U.S.

died Feb. 18, 2001, Daytona, Fla.

U.S. automobile racer.

He earned Rookie of the Year honours on the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Winston Cup series in 1979. In his career he drove to seven Winston Cup titles (1980, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1993–94), equaling the mark of Richard Petty . Earnhardt gained a reputation as an aggressive driver and became known as "the Intimidator." He died from injuries suffered in a crash during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.