NASCAR Pays Special Tribute To Dale Earnhardt Sr. At Daytona 500

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 3:43 PM ET

It's been 25 years since NASCAR's darkest day when the sports world lost the great Dale Earnhardt Sr. to a crash at Daytona International Speedway.

Arguably stock car racing's greatest hero, "The Intimidator" was a seven-time Cup Series champion who drove one of the most iconic cars of all-time. Unfortunately, a head-on collision in the 2001 Daytona 500 took him from us sooner than anyone could've expected.

But the sport of NASCAR made sure to honor Earnhardt and his No. 3 Chevy during the third lap of "The Great American Race" on Sunday — a quarter-century removed from his untimely death.

Oct 25, 1998; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Sr (3) during the Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NASCAR honors Dale Earnhardt Sr. at 2026 Daytona 500

As the Daytona field made it's way around the bend for a third time on Sunday, NASCAR had all of its fans hold up threes in salute of "The Man in Black" — making for a pretty touching moment during one of racing's best events.

"We miss you lot, Dale Earnhardt, greatest driver ever," a user said.

"He ain’t gone he’s just a lap ahead. Raise hell praise Dale," another posted.

"25 Years Miss You Goat " a fan shared.

"My daughter and I had our 3 fingers up," a FOX viewer commented.

"The 3 salute hit all the feels. 25 years goes quick. We miss you Dale!" another person exclaimed.

A salute to Dale Earnhardt on Lap 3 of the Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/T8bc8Yj6MT
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026

Kevin Harvick on Dale Earnhardt: 'His significance will never be matched'

Ahead of Sunday's race, Earnhardt's Richard Childress successor Kevin Harvick took a moment to remember the life and impact of Dale Sr.

"Obviously, I lived that moment in the middle of everything that was happening and having to get back into that race car the very next week," Harvick said on FOX's pre-race show.

"You talk about the significance of what he meant to the sport... his legacy still lives on today. But the impact of that accident... it changed our sport in multiple ways. Dale Earnhardt's significance to this sport will never be matched."

His legacy lives on. @MW55 and @KevinHarvick on what Dale Earnhardt meant to our sport. pic.twitter.com/41gxTIwNOr
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026