MOTOR SPORTS: Earnhardt's tragic death overshadows Waltrip's win

By Marc James Sports Central Founder

Sunday was a day of firsts for NASCAR's Michael Waltrip and a day of tragedy for the Earnhardts, legends in NASCAR history.

The younger brother of three-time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip finally took the checkered flag Sunday after fifteen years and four hundred and sixty-three races in NASCAR's top stock car series.

Said Waltrip, "This is the Daytona 500, and I won it! I won the Daytona 500! I can't believe it!" He won it all right, and congratulations to him on his first victory in many, many tries.

Even as Waltrip celebrated the biggest moment of his life, his new boss, Earnhardt, was being taken to the Halifax Medical Center after a last-lap crash.

Earnhardt Sr., the 1998 Daytona winner and considered the master of high-speed oval racing, was fending off challenges from Kenny Schrader and Sterling Marlin when he and Marlin made contact, sending Earnhardt's Chevrolet smashing into the fourth-turn wall where he was then hit by Schrader.

The 49-year-old driver and car owner had to be cut from his battered vehicle and was accompanied to the hospital by Dale Jr., who rushed to the scene of the wreck moments after following Waltrip's No. 15 Monte Carlo across the finish line.

Our condolences to the Earnhardt family on this tragic loss that will not only affect them, but sports in general. Dale, Sr. left a memorable mark on racing fans around the country. Love him or hate him, The Intimidator is unforgettable. He will live on in our hearts forever.

(Information in this article was provided by the Associated Press.)

Article courtesy of Sports Central