Don't read this unless you follow stock car racing.
Let's set the record straight. Dale Earnhardt was not the greatest stock car racer ever. Richard Petty was. David Pearson was second.
Richard won 200 races and moved NASCAR into the big time. Pearson helped him do that, winning 105 races and proving that the more conservative driver is more likely to win, less likely to blow, less likely to crash. They didn't call him the Silver Fox for nothing. Earnhart might be third on the greatness list. At least the number of races won would indicate that. He also was the champ in the merchandising department(He probably knew how to spell that.) He was a great ticket seller. People would buy a ticket just to see him win, lose, crash, blow up or whatever. He was predictably unpredictable and very entertaining to watch. In his time, he was the best active driver in the world. "Active" is the key word here, because by then, both Pearson and Petty were retired. Bobby Hamilton said it best, "He's the best driver in the world. He can hit you or miss you. Whatever he wants to do."
Hamilton made the comment after Earnhardt put him into the wall back when he was driving the number 43 for Richard.
There are other drivers who may someday surpass Earnhardt in greatness. Keep an eye on Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Casey Atwood and other young guys. If they stay in the driver's seat as long as Earnhardt did, they will pile up some impressive records.
When talking about great drivers, it would be a shame not to mention Cale Yarbrough. Cale drove a stock car like Pete Rose played baseball. Like Lee Trevino played golf. Like Michael Jordan played basketball. At times, he could out-Earnhardt even Dale Earnhardt. Even old DW would agree with that.
Howard