Ralph Dale Earnhardt, (The Intimidator), the greatest stock car star of his era, was killed in a crash on the last turn of the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 as he tried to protect Michael Waltrip's victory. The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the NASCAR season-opener as Earnhardt's newest driver, Waltrip, and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. were in front racing toward what should have been the most triumphant moment in the brief history of Dale Earnhardt Inc. He was 49 years. old.