Dale Earnhardt would roll over in his grave if he knew what was happening to his name, his family and his legacy.
Earnhardt, who was killed in the 2001 Daytona 500, was one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. Not only did he win 76 NASCAR Cup races and a record-tying seven Cup championships, he built an empire around his name and image. Earnhardt was not only a legend and one of the most popular drivers in the sport, but his name was a brand — one of the most successful in motorsports.
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Earnhardt’s hope and dream was that his name and that brand would live on for years after his racing career — much like the Petty name has endured long after Richard Petty ran his last race.