Dale Earnhardt tributes

"NASCAR has lost its greatest driver ever. And I personally have lost a great friend."


"Dale was my friend. We hunted and raced together. We laughed and cried together. We were able to work side-by-side and have the success we had for almost 20 years because we were friends first. I will miss him. He was the greatest."


"Not only is it a huge loss for this sport, but a huge loss for me personally. Dale taught me so much and became a great friend."


"As millions of race fans mourn the loss of the man they knew as 'The Intimidator', the sport and the race that he truly loved has taken from me one of my best friends. I know I should feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to race with, tangle with, sometimes outrun and, like most, usually finish behind the greatest driving talent NASCAR racing has ever seen. I am thankful for that opportunity but, more importantly, I am most grateful that I had the chance to know Dale Earnhardt in a way that so many people could only dream of. He was a true friend - someone I could always depend on to give me an honest answer and, at the very least, his opinion. I looked up to him not only because of his driving skills, but because he was so much more to so many people, including me and my family. Just know, Dale, that we love you and we all are truly going to miss you. Thanks for making our sport what it is today, and for being my friend."


"I have known only two individuals whose very presence transcended the fact that they were extraordinary racing drivers: Dale Earnhardt and Ayrton Senna. No one else could fill a room like they could. I met Dale just two years ago but I feel like I have lost a member of my family. There is truly nothing you can say - it is an enormous loss. The last words that Dale said to me were [after Friday's IROC race]: 'I'll race you next time, and we'll have just as much fun.' I'm incredibly sad that that won't happen."


"Dale Earnhardt made a difference in the world. On the track, he made us all better drivers, because he set a standard of excellence we all aspired to achieve. He had a passion and a desire that took the sport of NASCAR to a new level every time he climbed in the car. Off the track he was a kind, giving, loving man who gave his all to his family and friends. I did not know him as long as most of the other drivers but he made a huge impact on my life in the years I have been in NASCAR. I am grateful and blessed to have had the benefit of his wisdom and guidance."


"He personified what NASCAR is about, and the growth of motorsports during the last 20 years was attributable in many ways to him. He was a man who loved the life, the sport and enjoyed every week of it. He was intense, focused and competitive in everything he did. Dale had a special love for the history and tradition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and his name will always be a part of our racing heritage at the Brickyard. Our hearts and prayers go to Dale's family and to all who admired his skill and the admirable traits he represented."


"After the race was over, I heard things didn't look very good but, man, Earnhardt. You figure he'll bounce right back. Your first thought is, 'Hey, he'll probably come back next week at Rockingham and beat us all.' I think everybody is just in shock right now."


"He was a true champion as well as a wonderful ambassador for our sport. The thoughts and prayers of the entire CART community are with the Earnhardt family and everyone involved in NASCAR racing during this difficult time."


"I feel like somebody kicked me in the chest. I'm stunned. And I'm really sad. That's about all I can say."


"All of us in the NASCAR community live on the edge. The drivers are on the edge all of the time, every weekend. This seems more of a shock to people, because the wreck did not look that bad. When someone so talented is involved in such a deal, it is unbelieveable. I know we will all go into the garage at Rockingham next weekend and expect to see that sly grin that Earnhardt patented. It is going to be tough on NASCAR fans and Dale Earnhardt fans. For those of us who saw him and talked to him every weekend, it will take a long time to deal with this horrible loss."


"For a lot of fans, Dale Earnhardt was what they thought about when they thought about NASCAR racing. He could do so much and was so talented. He knew it, and he knew you knew it. That grin of his, a lot of times you wouldn't know what he was thinking but you thought you did. And it might not mean a thing in the world, but he knew you were trying to figure it out. He was the last cowboy."


"All of us at Chevrolet and General Motors are truly saddened by the passing of Dale Earnhardt. As we all know, Dale was more than just a legend. He was an individual respected by all who ever came in contact with him...family, friends, business associates and fellow competitors."


"Like many others, we were fans of Dale Earnhardt - certainly the driver, but especially the man. In spite of our intense rivalry, Dale Earnhardt has been a great friend to us and to all who have helped to make this sport great. Dale Earnhardt transcended NASCAR. His loss will have an effect on racing and its fans worldwide. I'm not sure you can measure the impact of what he meant to racing in this country because when you picture the epitome of a race car driver, you picture Dale Earnhardt."


"He was 'The Man'. That sounds kind of silly to say and a lot of people use it superficially, but it just fits him. He was 'The Man.'"