GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 301

 
 
     Sponsors:	Senators Bingham, Plyler, Cunningham;  Allran, Ballance, Ballantine, Berger, Carpenter, Carrington, Carter, Dalton, Forrester, Foxx, Garrou, Garwood, Hagan, Hartsell, Horton, Hoyle, Kerr, Kinnaird, Lee, Lucas, Metcalf, Moore, Odom, Purcell, Rand, Robinson, Shaw of Cumberland, Shaw of Guilford, Swindell, Thomas, Warren, Weinstein, and Wellons.	
Referred to:	Rules and Operations of the Senate.	
March 5, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DALE EARNHARDT, legendary stock car racer.

Whereas, Ralph Dale Earnhardt was born on April 29, 1951, on a farm in Kannapolis, North Carolina; and
Whereas, the son of a NASCAR driver Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt developed a passion for stock car racing at an early age; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt began competing in local stock car races as a teenager, eventually competing on the Winston Cup circuit; and
Whereas, in 1975, Dale Earnhardt entered his first Winston Cup race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway; and
Whereas, in 1979, Dale Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup race at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, and later that year was named Rookie of the Year; and
Whereas, in 1980, Dale Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Winston Cup championship, making him the first driver to win Rookie of the Year and the Winston Cup championship in successive seasons; and
Whereas, in 1984, Dale Earnhardt began driving for Richard Childress, and together they formed a formidable team achieving tremendous success on the racetrack; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt won NASCAR championships in 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, tying Richard Petty's impressive record for the most championships won in a single career of stock car racing; and
Whereas, during his career, Dale Earnhardt won 34 races at the Daytona track, the most of any driver in history, including the Daytona 500 in 1998; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt was the first three‑time winner of the Winston Select and won three International Race of Champions (IROC) series championships; and
Whereas, in 1998, on the 50th anniversary of NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt was named one of the sport's 50 greatest drivers; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt was nicknamed "The Intimidator" because of his aggressive and keen driving abilities; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt also found success as a businessman, including his ownership in other racing teams and as a farmer in Mooresville, North Carolina, and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt died on February 18, 2001; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt is survived by his wife, Teresa Earnhardt; his children, Dale, Jr., Kerry, Kelly, and Taylor; his mother, Martha; and several siblings; and
Whereas, Dale Earnhardt was loved and admired by people from all around the world and will be greatly missed both on and off the racetrack; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Dale Earnhardt and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and accomplishments.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Dale Earnhardt for the loss of a beloved family man and true friend.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Dale Earnhardt.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.