DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert is making history by being the first event of its kind at Daytona International Speedway. One more chapter just got added to the history books, too.
For the first time since 2001, three cars from Dale Earnhardt’s Classic Car Collection have left the grounds of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
He drove Chevrolets to each of his record-tying seven Winston Cup Series championships. So, it’s only fitting that the cars are going to be at the Chevrolet display for fans attending his Tribute Concert.
In 1990, Dale bought his first collector car. A red, 1955 Chevrolet Nomad with a 350 hp small block engine with chrome under carriage caught his eye. In immaculate condition, it’s been in storage for the past two years.
A 1966, light blue Chevrolet Nova SS caught Dale’s attention in 1995. He purchased it form the original owner and took the car with its 327 cu in engine back home. This was the first collector car Dale purchased and restored to its original specifications and condition.
“Dale bought that car because it reminded him of when he was growing up,” said Steve Crisp, Transportation Coordinator for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “One of his buddies had one and they really liked the way it beat everyone that tried to race them.
“He was especially proud of the fact he was able to restore it, too. He didn’t have much time to do those things, but he made the time for this car.”
The third vehicle on display has a bittersweet sentimentality attached.
In the fall of 2000, Dale ordered a 2001 yellow Silverado LT 1500 pick up truck. He always tried to get a vehicle that had some connection to one of his Dale Earnhardt, Inc. teams. The Nomad is red for the No. 8 Budweiser car and the Nova blue to go along with the No. 15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet.
“He ordered the same color of yellow that was on the Corvette he drove in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona,” Steve said. “He thought that was pretty cool and yellow goes along with the No. 1 Pennzoil team. He really liked those Silverado trucks, too.”
The truck was delivered in early March of 2001. It has never been driven and this is the first time it has ever left the grounds of DEI.
“Each car represents some significance,” Steve said. “The Nomad represents the first collector car Dale ever bought, the Nova the first one he ever restored and the Silverado the last vehicle he ever ordered.”
In addition to the three cars from Dale’s personal collection, there will also be eight race cars on display. They are from Dale’s driving career and from each of our four DEI teams, as well.
Randy Owen, of the group Alabama, talks about Dale’s racing, his influence on people today and generations from now:
“We got to the race in Rockingham in 1994 and Dale had to win the race to win the championship. I couldn’t believe it. My wife got to see Dale race for the first time, her first NASCAR race, and Dale won his seventh championship there at Rockingham.
“Then, I got to take my family down to Talladega and Dale won his last race there. He won that race and that was a really special time for me to see that.
“Dale Earnhardt is the American dream. He optimizes what we all strive to do. And, it’s that we strive to be something that we adhere to, becoming something that we’ve always wanted to be, inspiring kids to do better and make more of their lives.
“As long as there are kids, there will be people that want to be like Dale Earnhardt that transcends generations.”
Enjoy the music – enjoy the Legend.
