From the archive: Dale Earnhardt’s final Autosport interview
The death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked NASCAR to the core. At the Daytona 24 Hours, two weeks before his fatal accident, ‘The Intimidator’ shared his expectations of challenging for an eighth Cup title with JONATHAN INGRAM, in an article first published in the 15 February 2001 issue of Autosport magazine. Little did we know then what tragedy would unfold…
Dale Earnhardt started his pursuit of a record eighth Winston Cup by driving in a 24-hour race a fortnight before the blue riband Daytona 500. The ride in the factory-backed Corvette C5-R, which finished fourth, gave Earnhardt his first opportunity to co-drive with his son Dale Earnhardt Jr, who this year will enter his second season in NASCAR's premier series.
Even though he is now referred to as 'Senior' on occasion and will turn 50 in April, Earnhardt's lust for accomplishment in racing remains undiminished.
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