Checkered Countdown: Top-Five Daytona Finishes

No.3 Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash (2001).

The top three in our Checkered Countdown for Daytona is opened by the moment that shocked and saddened all the people who love this sport. During the final turn of the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 “The Intimidator” Dale Earnhardt and Ken Schrader made contact while fighting for third place and the worldwide famous black Chevrolet hit the outside wall almost head-on, killing Earnhardt instantly. That was also a bittersweet day for the Fox Sports commentator and former Daytona 500 champion Darrell Waltrip who witnessed both the first Sprint Cup Series win (after 462 attempts) of his little brother Michael and the fatal crash of his old rival. All this happening during his first race weekend as a NASCAR commentator.