‘Intimidator’ gone, but the show goes on

Thursday, March 1, 2001 | 9:50 a.m.

The stars of NASCAR's Winston Cup Series return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for the fourth annual UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, but they will be doing so with heavy hearts.

Two weeks after the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt, arguably NASCAR's brightest star, in an accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500, the annual trip to Las Vegas certainly won't be as festive this year.

Earnhardt, the seven-time Winston Cup champion who was the winningest active driver with 76 victories at the time of his death, will be foremost on the minds of fans and drivers alike this weekend.

But as Earnhardt's car owner, Richard Childress said, Earnhardt would want the show to go on.

"Dale Earnhardt and I talked about what we would do if I was in Africa and got run over by an elephant or fell off a mountain; or if something happened to him in whatever manner," Childress said.

"We discussed what we would want to do, and it was to go on. Both of us are racers. Dale Earnhardt was a racer. We made a pledge to each other we'd go on. We're gonna do what Dale would want us to do, and that's race."

Earnhardt provided one of the few bright moments in last year's Las Vegas Winston Cup race, which was called just after the halfway point because of rain.

After starting a disappointing 33rd, Earnhardt drove his trademark No. 3 Chevy Monte Carlo into the top 10 before the rain hit. He finished eighth in his final race in Las Vegas.

Earnhardt's death has staggered a sport that many of its critics claim has grown accustomed to losing its stars.

"Dale Earnhardt's shoes will never be filled," said former Winston Cup champion and radio and television analyst Ned Jarrett. "Dale Earnhardt was the best race driver there has ever been."

NASCAR president Mike Helton agreed.

"Dale Earnhardt was THE driver for NASCAR," Helton said. "He played such an important role in all of our energy level and enthusiasm that has built NASCAR to what it is today.

"It's hard to comprehend that the statistic sheets for Dale Earnhardt are now permanent, but it's real easy to understand that Dale Earnhardt will be a part of this sport for many generations to come."

Bill France Jr., who served as NASCAR's president for nearly three decades until he handed the reigns to Helton last November, called Earnhardt's death "the toughest period in NASCAR's history."

Las Vegas native Kurt Busch raced against Earnhardt only eight times, and traded paint with The Intimidator at one point during the Daytona 500. Busch, who lists Earnhardt as one of his favorite drivers in the Winston Cup media guide, said Earnhardt's death hit him hard.

"I grew up in an Earnhardt family," Busch said. "They were all fanatics: my mom, my dad, brother, everybody. My parents really enjoyed the way he raced, the way he changed other people's driving styles, and because my dad liked him so much, I liked him, too.

"That's what I respected, because that's the way I am -- I always want to be at the front, but that's not to say that's my style of driving. I'm just sorry that I won't be able to compete against him again."

Earnhardt, who would have turned 50 in April, was to have played a big role in this weekend's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. As the winner of the Winston 500 last October at Talladega Superspeedway -- his last Winston Cup victory -- Earnhardt was to have been one of the five drivers eligible to claim a $1 million bonus if they were to win Sunday's race in Las Vegas.

Earnhardt no doubt would have given the other eligible drivers -- Kenny Wallace, Joe Nemechek, Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte -- a run for the money; in his three Winston Cup starts in Las Vegas, Earnhardt finished in the top 10 all three races.

LVMS officials plan to pay tribute to Earnhardt this weekend by planting 33,333 white and red flowers in the shape of the number "3" on the berm overlooking Turn 4.

Although Earnhardt's contributions to stock-car racing were immeasurable during his career, he will continue to be a presence in the sport through his two-car team; Michael Waltrip won the Daytona 500 and Steve Park won Monday's race in Rockingham, N.C.

"My belief is that in the twinkle of an eye you're in the presence of the Lord," Waltrip said, "and that's where I think Dale is.

"We're going to continue racing because that's what Dale would have wanted ... and we dedicate this season to him."