I remember one Daytona 500 race it was Dale Sr. and Dale Jarrett racing for the win. Dale Jarrett's dad Ned was commentating. He said it's the Dale and Dale show and you know which one I'm rooting for. After Jarrett won Ned was so excited for his son he didn't realize how much he ignored Dale Sr. After the race Ned went to Dale Sr. to apologize. Dale Sr. asked what for and Ned said cause I threw you under the bus. I was rooting for my son so hard that I just blew you off in the race. Ned said Dale Sr. just gave him a smile and said "Hey. I'm a father too." He was the Intimidator but the man did have a heart of gold. I guess that's why 18 years later we still talk fondly of him. Never gonna be another.
Thanks Jeff. Nobody thought your actions weren't the highest of honor and respect when you flew that #3 flag. The one thing I will miss is not having a retired Dale Sr. and a retired Jeff Gordon talking racing, laughing and ribbing on each other while letting the rest of us be in the room. After we lost Dale I secretly pulled for you to get 7 championships as I think Dale would have enjoyed that but life doesn't always do what we think is best.
Miss both them guys. Bitter sweet day today. I miss Dale like a family member and I never even got to meet him. I miss rooting against Jeff, although his last few years I caught myself cheering for him.
Love this clip of Jeff Gordon pay homage to dale Earnhardt 👏 Good stuff 👏 👍 I have been to the dale Earnhardt statue in Kannapolis 12x and he was in the video I still get chills looking at it to this day too!
You never think how one person can impact you until you see him gone. Parents, friends you name it. I'm sure there are many people that knows dale in person, been a fan for ever or like me that one day out of the blue, sat and watch a nascar race and just saw his car and just felt like you have to cheer to him because he was different. To this day i remember that daytona race like was yesterday and still can't believe he is gone. Rip Dale Sr
Eddierotary, I worked at DIS 1996-2006 as part of the security/safety teams. I got to be casual friends with Dale Sr, and several other drivers, but Dale Sr was more special than the others.
@@sergeantmasson3669 no I think that was definitely Gordon’s idea because he explain how much it meant to him and he explains that although they were rivals on the track, they respected one another deeply off the track so this was definitely his idea. People might not have looked at Jeff Gordon as the babyface for a while, but he always raced with a ton of respect, and he always symbolized respect. Jeff Gordon is a legend and rightfully so.
What a great video. This makes me so happy and sad at the same time. It's crazy how Jeff is becoming an old man, and seeing him visit the sport's most iconic driver really hits home. Idk how to explain it but it really does something to me inside
2:07 Greatness knows greatness. Dale saw the talent Jeff had and knew that he was the one that would take the torch from him. He wasn’t going to just hand it over, but he saw the talent Jeff had. It was absolutely a sign of respect.
I remember Dale racing on tv when I was a kid and I loved watching him race, he never was afraid to move you out of his way. He passed away on 2/18/2001 and my birthday is 2/18 and every year it comes around I always think about that day I could not believe it, it broke my heart. I loved seeing Dale and Jeff race each other I'm a big fan of both.
I give Jeff a lot of respect for this, I never really cared for him as a fan but I always respected his ability to drive a stock car, no one can say he wasn't a talented racer.
I think Gordon would of been a good driver with anyone, that's like saying Earnhardt would have sucked without his crew chief, well we no that's not true because he won with many different crew chiefs
@@jasonsechrist1 Jeff Gordon only got into NASCAR because of Ray Evernham. Jeff's NASCAR debut, Evernham was called to be the crew chief. Had Evernham turned the offer down, Jeff would NOT have been in that debut race at all.
This just brings me back to my childhood. Growing up in the 90's rooting for the #24 and the Rainbow Warriors team. Jeff and Dale made NASCAR what it is today they are the reason they landed the TV deals they did. On that fateful Sunday at Daytona in 2001 when Dale left us, part of Jeff did too because his rival was gone. Then Jeff became teammates with Dale's son and all us in Rainbow Gear united with those in Black with big belt buckles. The ovations Jeff received in 2015 showed how it had come full circle. All of the young guys in today's NASCAR owe thanks you's to Jeff and Dale because it's because of them they are here. Thank You #3 and #24.
@@joepontiac5533 I can't remember the exact name of the building where all memorabilia from Fan's as well as other things that had been set up to remember him. I can say I cried from the time I walked in until I left.
Back in 82’ my mom took me to Cloverleaf mall as an infant to meet the man in person. He was signing autographs taking picture pretty much anything that any fan would ask for. He saw mom holding me and asked if he could hold me and he did well next thing you know he was walking around signing autographs and talking to people with me in his arms ( let me brush a tear honestly) Fast forward almost 19 yrs later I was working so I couldn’t watch the race and someone came up and said that Dale died. I was like yeah right wouldn’t couldn’t and shouldn’t never happen. Well about an hour later mom showed up to where I was working in tears and that was the moment I knew something went terribly wrong. I never got to meet him as an adult and I most certainly doubt he would of remembered that day at the mall but I just wanted to Thank him for being who he was and that no matter how many championships won, no matter how many drivers race in any track at any level There will never be another Dale Earnhardt We will always love my friend
This was definitely the most powerful moment of the special both naturally and by obvious designs. Jeff's really a classy guy (Believe it or not very similar to how Davey Allison's welcoming kind nature since became the stuff of legend) who pays many dues. I'm now an enormous fan of his, but early on when I was still a little kid, I 'kinda played into the Earnhardt rivalry as a Dale Jr. admirer for the most unfair and candidly stupid of reasons. I started to grow increasingly respectful of Jeff's legacy as I got older and found my own element with likes and dislikes. Although, I'm more of a Gordon fan relative to Dale Sr. anyway (Jr.'s still one of my all time personal favorites) they're certainly two of the most deservingly beloved men not only in statewide in Auto Racing, but for many people all over the world. Dale was probably honored by and proud of Jeff for visiting his statue like that if he was indeed watching.
As Gordon always being my favorite driver since I was 3 in 1995, looking back all these years I believe Dale is a big reason for Gordon's success. Dale brought the best in Gordon. Dale passed in 2001, Gordon's last championship was 2001. Coincidence? Idk just something I think about. Yeah Gordon should have won a few more after it wasn't for the points system changing. Either way both of these drivers are legends and deserve so much respect. Great video!
@@bradleyslusser2279 Yea that's the true reason. Ray was probably the best crew chief that there's ever been; after he left, Gordon started to fall off. Jeff still would have won 7 championships under the old points system tho.
@@bradleyslusser2279 That doesn’t makes sense, Jeff won 3 championships with Ray and would’ve won 4 without him if it wasn’t for the fake playoff system resetting everyone’s points for a last 1/4 season shootout.
It's hard to not go to Daytona, see Dale's statue there and not get a choked up feeling. Doesn't matter if you were a fan or not of him. There is just something about it there.
Whether or not you were a fan, The Earnhardt Plaza is truly something to see. The ties the man had to Kannapolis & the town to him is solidified at this spot. Truly a hometown figure who changed a sport, yet never forgot where he came from.
The funny part with Dale vs Jeff was Dale played it even more then anyone else. It was Dale who went to Jeff about business partnerships with souvenirs. Dale respected Jeff a ton but didnt want the world to know it . To boost Jeffs ego ,,lol I was a Mark Martin fan but I thought this riverly was great to watch
Mark Martin was one of the Classiest racers to ever grip a steering wheel. i think he woulda won a cup if he had gotten a little mischievous shall we say, with the car every once in a while, but it just wasn't him. easily the greatest driver IMHO to not win a title, but the way he "didn't win them" deserves some serious credit, "ride or die" Earnhardt fan here but that said, if Mark was the winner i wasn't that upset. just a top shelf individual.
The greatest loss for the fans who never met Sr, we were all robbed of a truly legendary rivalry between Jeff and Dale. Those two pushed each other to their limits, and made each other even better. Obviously the greatest loss though is, Jr, Kerry, Kelly lost a father, his mother lost a son, and a life was taken too soon.
He messed with you because he loved you. I hated you when I was a kid, but I learned what you meant to the sport and to Dale. Nothing but respect for Mr. Gordon and everything he’s done as well.
In a lot of interviews with Jeff Gordon about Dale Earnhardt he says that Earnhardt was more of a mentor They were rivals on the track but friends behind the scenes
Years ago I moved to Kannapolis and got a job at a company called Sports Image, Inc., which was then owned by Dale Earnhardt. I had a chance to meet him there on a couple of occasions and though we only made small talk, it was a highlight moment for me. The man was larger than life to many of us and when we lost him, we lost a piece of ourselves. To say he was a larger than life figure in Kannapolis is an understatement. He was a living legend and he is missed more than many people know or understand.
True giants of the sport. It was the rivalry between the two of them that made it compelling for us. Whether it was Petty and Pearson before them, or some greats that have come after them that we can't measure against them yet...These two were the benchmark you measure Cup drivers of the era against. I didn't root against Gordon, I just cheered for Earnhardt. Gordon's fans probably know we lost a little bit of what made Jeff great when we lost Dale. We lost a piece of Jeff and it was fitting as an address at Gettysburg that he could acknowledge that and have the courage to share that with us.
From a Earnhardt fan. Wow, what you accomplished . And wow, awesome to see the respect you show for him. You are and will be a legend yourself one day. Great job man. Sure you'll never read this. But its ok, I loved those days in nascar. And you 2 men made it fun and memorable.
Kannapolis is a beautiful city. I had the opportunity to drive through the city and also visiting DEI when I PCSd from Wyoming to Florida in 2005. I, just like Jeff said, miss him.
Every time I watch this I choke up, Dale was one of my childhood heroes, he was Darth Vader on the track but amazing guy in real life, gave back to make a wish, motor racing outreach, & special Olympics. I was 6 when he passed back in 2001 didn't know what to think that whole year was tragic for NASCAR and the world you had Dale Earnhardt passing away in a wreck that looked like a normal Daytona crash. One week earlier drag racing legend Dave Schultz passed away and than September 11th happened. 2001 was a tragic year for sports and the world but there were healing moments steve park winning the very next week, Kevin harvick winning two weeks later, Rusty Wallace paying tribute at California speedway, & Dale Jr's win at Daytona was a very emotional win, than after 9/11 you had Dale Jr. Winning the first race after the attacks at Dover, & you had the diamondbacks winning the World Series and the Yankees coming out and saluting there fans was remarkable, Mike piazza & the mets did the same in there first game after the attacks.
My fondest memory of Dale & Jeff was the D500 when Jeff won & Dale was 2nd and came alongside after the finish & gave him a little bump to grudgingly show respect for the win!
I know you miss him Jeff.😥 You never raced the same after that year. You won that last Championship as much for him as yourself then we could tell your hair wasn't on fire anymore. Not like when you raced him😥❤️. I am a forever Gordon #24 fan and YOU are my forever Champ but I ❤️ him too. Yes that was possible, folks. Of course I rooted for Jeff but there was never racing like that 24 vs #3. 😥😥❤️❤️. Rest Dale. You're only one lap ahead of Jeff and the rest of us now. Till we see you again in Heaven.❤️
Jeff, you were booed at times, just like Dale, not because you were a bad person, but because you WON alot. Sometimes that comes from being great. I was always a fan of Dale's, but I also had the upmost respect for you, because you were a great driver, and Dale knew that. You were a true blessing to the sport, and one that was recognized by many, if not all. You and Dale were, and always will be, true icons of NASCAR. Thank you for all the great years, and I love you and Dale, both for being there, and giving us fans the best racing, that any fan could ever wish for.
You are a class act Jeff! I am a lifelong Dale fan. We gave you hell all those years. But to see your heart and to hear you week after week now on tv has made me a Jeff Gordon fan. God bless you and thank you for everything. Great years watching you all.
As a kid I hated Jeff Gordon but this is the moment I came clean and respected Jeff for this thank you for paying respect to the man and now I am a Gordon fan because of this moment
Sometimes we just don't realize just how important some things are to us until they are gone. You can spend a lifetime or a career cursing your rivals just to find out how much you miss them when they are not there anymore.
Jeffery even though I never met him I knew deep down he was a great guy I’ve been a fan of you since I was a young child and I now I can keep his legacy alive
True Respect and All Out Love. That is what this video means to me. As a Lifelong NASCAR fan and Earnhardt fan, I have nothing but respect for Jeff Gordon. He truly misses his friend and on track rival. This is what true respect and sportsmanship is.
I never really watched nascar much after dale sr died at Daytona .....watched jr a few times but wasn’t into it like I was when dale sr raced ....grew up watching with my grandpa
Jeffy was so misunderstood back in the day, he had so many haters back in the day. One must acknowledge that Jeffy had a lot of class and that was a class thing to do.
that 'I miss him' to me it says so much, and one important thing it says: is something us fans across all forms of sport often forget, more often than not, competitors have respect for each, even like each other. Dog eat Dog on the track, Dogs in a pack off the track.
Earnhardt fan since his rookie year in 1979. Absolutely hated Jeff Gordon while he was racing. Today I miss them both being on the track. They were my connection to the glory days of NASCAR. Jeff you are a class guy. Sorry I wasn't a fan but thanks for the memories. RIP to my hero Dale.
I was a huge fan of Dale also but I didn't get to watch him as long as you did I became a Nascar fan in 95 at the age of 7 Dale was my favorite immediately so I got 5 years to watch him. I still miss him greatly
I don't think he was messing with Jeff Gordon, he was testing to know if he was ready to take the torch from him when he chose to hang his helmet and focus on running DEI.
What Jeff was saying is that competing against Dale Eearnhardt made him the driver he was. When Dale Earnhardt was on the track, he elevated all drivers in the field to a higher level. If you competed against Dale Earnhardt you had to UP your game or lose. Everyone who competed against him owes some amount of credit to him for their success as a driver. He was the "driving force" of NASCAR success PERIOD. As a team owner his cars ran 1-2 in the 2001 Daytona 500. Look what has happened to NASCAR without him. "Dale Earnhardt, the MAN".
Everyone says NASCAR died when Dale died (which is true for the most part), but when no one ever mentions is that the integrity of the sport died when Gordon and Martin retired.
My dad was an Earnhardt guy and my grandpa was a Gordon guy. Very polarizing but now looking back at what those 2 were for the sport it's pretty incredible.
When Jeff said “this is the size he was when he was in his race car” got me 👌🏼😓
Yeah me too
Yeah at 45, teared up
I think it got all of us
I remember one Daytona 500 race it was Dale Sr. and Dale Jarrett racing for the win. Dale Jarrett's dad Ned was commentating. He said it's the Dale and Dale show and you know which one I'm rooting for. After Jarrett won Ned was so excited for his son he didn't realize how much he ignored Dale Sr. After the race Ned went to Dale Sr. to apologize. Dale Sr. asked what for and Ned said cause I threw you under the bus. I was rooting for my son so hard that I just blew you off in the race. Ned said Dale Sr. just gave him a smile and said "Hey. I'm a father too." He was the Intimidator but the man did have a heart of gold. I guess that's why 18 years later we still talk fondly of him. Never gonna be another.
Warmachine38 I remember that race.
Thanks for that story😢❤🕇
It happened on my birthday. I was rooting for him to win one. Instead of it being a great birthday, it was my worst. The world misses you Dale!
That race was the 1993 Daytona 500, aka dale vs dale
People who try to say he was a dirty driver just don’t understand that era of racing or just want to use that to try and dismiss character.
When Jeff said, “I miss him.” That is what hit me hard
me too man 😭
Man after dale passed, Jeff was my guy. I liked dale jr but Gordon was the man to take the reigns after.
..and a lot of people do.. 👍🏼
Thanks Jeff. Nobody thought your actions weren't the highest of honor and respect when you flew that #3 flag. The one thing I will miss is not having a retired Dale Sr. and a retired Jeff Gordon talking racing, laughing and ribbing on each other while letting the rest of us be in the room. After we lost Dale I secretly pulled for you to get 7 championships as I think Dale would have enjoyed that but life doesn't always do what we think is best.
wkmac2 well said.
A lot of people called in wind tunnel that week upset over the flag.
And they we're even more vocal at dega the next week.
Jeff is a good man and he had total respect for Dale but didn't take no shit either. That's why Dale liked and respected Jeff.
Miss both them guys. Bitter sweet day today.
I miss Dale like a family member and I never even got to meet him.
I miss rooting against Jeff, although his last few years I caught myself cheering for him.
Big Jr. fan here. But when Jeff's last year came, I borrowed my brothers shirt at Phoenix and i wore that Gordon 24 proud as hell!
Could you imagine Sr., Jr., and Jeff announcing a race? Now that would be something! Still miss you Sr. much love
Man I miss those mid 90’s -2001races. Hasn’t been the same since.
It will be @@michaelc.6532when the Good Lord calls us all home
Stop 😢
I was born in 96… my dad was a Gordon fan so I grew up one as well, I still remember the day he died.. I was watching it on tv with my dad
I got something in my eye. My other one too.
Who put this bowl of chopped onions over here??
Yup same here man, same here.
PLEASE, FIVE ME a FUCKING BREAK and WIPE UP the TEARS ! YOU WANT a FUCKING SQUEEGEE ???
You ain't alone..
@@curtismorris4693 yeah I was hoping I wasn't.
One of the main reasons I have respect for Gordon is when he flew the 3 flag and when he went to his Statue
"This is the size he was in the racecar" Boy if that aint the truth..
Im a huge Earnhardt fan sr and jr but i have alot of respect for jeff
So Am I. I’m a jr fan but have mad respect for Jeff
Love this clip of Jeff Gordon pay homage to dale Earnhardt 👏
Good stuff 👏 👍 I have been to the dale Earnhardt statue in Kannapolis 12x and he was in the video I still get chills looking at it to this day too!
You never think how one person can impact you until you see him gone. Parents, friends you name it. I'm sure there are many people that knows dale in person, been a fan for ever or like me that one day out of the blue, sat and watch a nascar race and just saw his car and just felt like you have to cheer to him because he was different. To this day i remember that daytona race like was yesterday and still can't believe he is gone. Rip Dale Sr
Eddierotary, I worked at DIS 1996-2006 as part of the security/safety teams. I got to be casual friends with Dale Sr, and several other drivers, but Dale Sr was more special than the others.
I think Jeff had to hold back some tears.
Definitely
I never liked Gordon, until I saw him with that #3 after that win, won a TON of respect from me.....
Same here
I was the same way...
artayu86, highly doubtful that Gordon doing that was his idea. Guaranteed that it was Rick Hendrick's idea.
When Jr. went over and thanked Jeff I became a fan of both Jr. AND Gordon!
@@sergeantmasson3669 no I think that was definitely Gordon’s idea because he explain how much it meant to him and he explains that although they were rivals on the track, they respected one another deeply off the track so this was definitely his idea. People might not have looked at Jeff Gordon as the babyface for a while, but he always raced with a ton of respect, and he always symbolized respect. Jeff Gordon is a legend and rightfully so.
There are no words, still miss that 3 with Earnhardt in it and probably always will... Thanks Jeff for this story.
What a great video. This makes me so happy and sad at the same time. It's crazy how Jeff is becoming an old man, and seeing him visit the sport's most iconic driver really hits home. Idk how to explain it but it really does something to me inside
In echoing Jeff's statement, I think we all do.
Yes sir we sure do.
I always knew you were a quality guy Jeff. Thanks for leaving no doubt! I miss Dale too.
Dale and Jeff ....l.was fortunate to see them race each other...at that time no other competition mattered...
Jeff Gordon will always be my favorite driver. Dale Sr. was no slouch either. Respect for both of these legends
2:07 Greatness knows greatness. Dale saw the talent Jeff had and knew that he was the one that would take the torch from him. He wasn’t going to just hand it over, but he saw the talent Jeff had. It was absolutely a sign of respect.
I remember Dale racing on tv when I was a kid and I loved watching him race, he never was afraid to move you out of his way. He passed away on 2/18/2001 and my birthday is 2/18 and every year it comes around I always think about that day I could not believe it, it broke my heart. I loved seeing Dale and Jeff race each other I'm a big fan of both.
I give Jeff a lot of respect for this, I never really cared for him as a fan but I always respected his ability to drive a stock car, no one can say he wasn't a talented racer.
Jason Sechrist, without Ray Evernham, Jeff Gordon would've been a nobody.
I think Gordon would of been a good driver with anyone, that's like saying Earnhardt would have sucked without his crew chief, well we no that's not true because he won with many different crew chiefs
@@jasonsechrist1 Jeff Gordon only got into NASCAR because of Ray Evernham. Jeff's NASCAR debut, Evernham was called to be the crew chief. Had Evernham turned the offer down, Jeff would NOT have been in that debut race at all.
@@sergeantmasson3669 man youre just a hater on jeff, we get it.
@@dinomunchy1563 Truth too difficult for you to comprehend? FYI, I don't hate anybody. To imply that I do is full ignorance on your part.
When Jeff did this it brought tears to the eyes, the knowing that a man of that status was a icon to just more then the kids that watched
I have great respect for Dale Earnhardt
Can't believe he's gone
This just brings me back to my childhood. Growing up in the 90's rooting for the #24 and the Rainbow Warriors team. Jeff and Dale made NASCAR what it is today they are the reason they landed the TV deals they did. On that fateful Sunday at Daytona in 2001 when Dale left us, part of Jeff did too because his rival was gone. Then Jeff became teammates with Dale's son and all us in Rainbow Gear united with those in Black with big belt buckles. The ovations Jeff received in 2015 showed how it had come full circle. All of the young guys in today's NASCAR owe thanks you's to Jeff and Dale because it's because of them they are here. Thank You #3 and #24.
Agreed
I know what you mean except when i was growing up in the 1990's I was cheering for the black #3 of the intimadator not the rainbow 24
I'll always miss Dale Earnhardt
I've stood in that exact place and the feeling of standing beside Dale will bring tears to your eyes.
Speaking My Mind ... Ive stood there too. And you’re right. It’s hallowed ground.
@@joepontiac5533 I can't remember the exact name of the building where all memorabilia from Fan's as well as other things that had been set up to remember him. I can say I cried from the time I walked in until I left.
To stand in the shadow of an empire, there are no words W3 all Miss him !!
Back in 82’ my mom took me to Cloverleaf mall as an infant to meet the man in person. He was signing autographs taking picture pretty much anything that any fan would ask for. He saw mom holding me and asked if he could hold me and he did well next thing you know he was walking around signing autographs and talking to people with me in his arms ( let me brush a tear honestly)
Fast forward almost 19 yrs later I was working so I couldn’t watch the race and someone came up and said that Dale died. I was like yeah right wouldn’t couldn’t and shouldn’t never happen. Well about an hour later mom showed up to where I was working in tears and that was the moment I knew something went terribly wrong. I never got to meet him as an adult and I most certainly doubt he would of remembered that day at the mall but I just wanted to Thank him for being who he was and that no matter how many championships won, no matter how many drivers race in any track at any level
There will never be another Dale Earnhardt
We will always love my friend
I hope one day I will get to see it. It truly looks Great!!
This was definitely the most powerful moment of the special both naturally and by obvious designs. Jeff's really a classy guy (Believe it or not very similar to how Davey Allison's welcoming kind nature since became the stuff of legend) who pays many dues. I'm now an enormous fan of his, but early on when I was still a little kid, I 'kinda played into the Earnhardt rivalry as a Dale Jr. admirer for the most unfair and candidly stupid of reasons. I started to grow increasingly respectful of Jeff's legacy as I got older and found my own element with likes and dislikes. Although, I'm more of a Gordon fan relative to Dale Sr. anyway (Jr.'s still one of my all time personal favorites) they're certainly two of the most deservingly beloved men not only in statewide in Auto Racing, but for many people all over the world. Dale was probably honored by and proud of Jeff for visiting his statue like that if he was indeed watching.
As Gordon always being my favorite driver since I was 3 in 1995, looking back all these years I believe Dale is a big reason for Gordon's success. Dale brought the best in Gordon. Dale passed in 2001, Gordon's last championship was 2001. Coincidence? Idk just something I think about. Yeah Gordon should have won a few more after it wasn't for the points system changing. Either way both of these drivers are legends and deserve so much respect. Great video!
I agree. But Ray E leaving was the biggest reason for the decline if Gordon.. Ray was a huge inovater, and pushed the boundaries..
@@bradleyslusser2279 Yea that's the true reason. Ray was probably the best crew chief that there's ever been; after he left, Gordon started to fall off. Jeff still would have won 7 championships under the old points system tho.
@@bradleyslusser2279 agreed but I don't think we get the Gordon we had if it wasn't for Dale pushing him like he did
@@bradleyslusser2279 That doesn’t makes sense, Jeff won 3 championships with Ray and would’ve won 4 without him if it wasn’t for the fake playoff system resetting everyone’s points for a last 1/4 season shootout.
I can't get used to seeing Jeff pushing 50. Time sure flies
It's hard to not go to Daytona, see Dale's statue there and not get a choked up feeling. Doesn't matter if you were a fan or not of him. There is just something about it there.
Rest In Peace Dale Earnhardt. Thanks Jeff for this story.
I was a huge Dale Earnhardt fan i miss him greatly
Wow. Blown away! Jeff said what we all feel. We miss him!
Agreed I miss him too 🥺🥺🥺😫😫😫
Can’t believe it’s been 20 years already
Whether or not you were a fan, The Earnhardt Plaza is truly something to see. The ties the man had to Kannapolis & the town to him is solidified at this spot. Truly a hometown figure who changed a sport, yet never forgot where he came from.
The funny part with Dale vs Jeff was Dale played it even more then anyone else. It was Dale who went to Jeff about business partnerships with souvenirs. Dale respected Jeff a ton but didnt want the world to know it . To boost Jeffs ego ,,lol I was a Mark Martin fan but I thought this riverly was great to watch
Mark Martin was one of the Classiest racers to ever grip a steering wheel. i think he woulda won a cup if he had gotten a little mischievous shall we say, with the car every once in a while, but it just wasn't him. easily the greatest driver IMHO to not win a title, but the way he "didn't win them" deserves some serious credit, "ride or die" Earnhardt fan here but that said, if Mark was the winner i wasn't that upset. just a top shelf individual.
@@mikeholton9876 Mark was awesome, I miss him too, in his prime at Roush he would’ve cleaned house on the current crop of drivers today.
When I saw this race day. All I could think was great sign of respect to big E . You were right Jeff a lot of people do.
The greatest loss for the fans who never met Sr, we were all robbed of a truly legendary rivalry between Jeff and Dale. Those two pushed each other to their limits, and made each other even better. Obviously the greatest loss though is, Jr, Kerry, Kelly lost a father, his mother lost a son, and a life was taken too soon.
If you have committed himself to the Lord as he did, you will do like I have committed myself
He messed with you because he loved you. I hated you when I was a kid, but I learned what you meant to the sport and to Dale. Nothing but respect for Mr. Gordon and everything he’s done as well.
In a lot of interviews with Jeff Gordon about Dale Earnhardt he says that Earnhardt was more of a mentor They were rivals on the track but friends behind the scenes
We all miss him, Jeff... We all do.
Years ago I moved to Kannapolis and got a job at a company called Sports Image, Inc., which was then owned by Dale Earnhardt. I had a chance to meet him there on a couple of occasions and though we only made small talk, it was a highlight moment for me. The man was larger than life to many of us and when we lost him, we lost a piece of ourselves. To say he was a larger than life figure in Kannapolis is an understatement. He was a living legend and he is missed more than many people know or understand.
That was a wonderful video. What an incredible example of what a class act Jeff Gordon is. He shows he's from the Old School way of racers.
protect your 2nd, Jeff Gordon a class act? ROFLMAO.
@@sergeantmasson3669yeah, he’s clearly shown to be a class act…..something you obviously know little about.
IRON MAN JEFF GORDON IS A TRUE CHAMPION. THIS DOCUMENTARY WAS SO HEART FELT AND FABOULUCELY DONE .OOO RAH SEMPER FI 💜🤗😎🏁
What a wonderful tribute to our Dale Earnhardt Sr and we thank you so much! We miss our Dale Sr so much!The Oppermans from Tx
I will say that I was never a Jeff Gordon fan but I really respect him after watching this video
Awesome tribute to #3
Man I wish we could have seen their rivalry and friendship over all these years
We all miss the intimidator 😪..... one of the saddest days in my life . He was crazy , confident and just plain out cool !
True giants of the sport. It was the rivalry between the two of them that made it compelling for us. Whether it was Petty and Pearson before them, or some greats that have come after them that we can't measure against them yet...These two were the benchmark you measure Cup drivers of the era against. I didn't root against Gordon, I just cheered for Earnhardt. Gordon's fans probably know we lost a little bit of what made Jeff great when we lost Dale. We lost a piece of Jeff and it was fitting as an address at Gettysburg that he could acknowledge that and have the courage to share that with us.
From a Earnhardt fan. Wow, what you accomplished . And wow, awesome to see the respect you show for him. You are and will be a legend yourself one day. Great job man. Sure you'll never read this. But its ok, I loved those days in nascar. And you 2 men made it fun and memorable.
Humility and honor on display. Very well done.
I remember watching him fly that flag love. My whole family was misty-eyed watching it.
The part where I teared up😢
We all miss Dale!
Thank you Dale and Jeff for helping make NASCAR the major sport it is today. RIP Dale, thank you for everything.
We all do brother, you and him were awesome, and I’m sure he thought of you like one of his own!!
Kannapolis is a beautiful city. I had the opportunity to drive through the city and also visiting DEI when I PCSd from Wyoming to Florida in 2005. I, just like Jeff said, miss him.
Every time I watch this I choke up, Dale was one of my childhood heroes, he was Darth Vader on the track but amazing guy in real life, gave back to make a wish, motor racing outreach, & special Olympics. I was 6 when he passed back in 2001 didn't know what to think that whole year was tragic for NASCAR and the world you had Dale Earnhardt passing away in a wreck that looked like a normal Daytona crash. One week earlier drag racing legend Dave Schultz passed away and than September 11th happened. 2001 was a tragic year for sports and the world but there were healing moments steve park winning the very next week, Kevin harvick winning two weeks later, Rusty Wallace paying tribute at California speedway, & Dale Jr's win at Daytona was a very emotional win, than after 9/11 you had Dale Jr. Winning the first race after the attacks at Dover, & you had the diamondbacks winning the World Series and the Yankees coming out and saluting there fans was remarkable, Mike piazza & the mets did the same in there first game after the attacks.
My fondest memory of Dale & Jeff was the D500 when Jeff won & Dale was 2nd and came alongside after the finish & gave him a little bump to grudgingly show respect for the win!
What year was that race?🏁🚩
I know you miss him Jeff.😥 You never raced the same after that year. You won that last Championship as much for him as yourself then we could tell your hair wasn't on fire anymore. Not like when you raced him😥❤️. I am a forever Gordon #24 fan and YOU are my forever Champ but I ❤️ him too. Yes that was possible, folks. Of course I rooted for Jeff but there was never racing like that 24 vs #3. 😥😥❤️❤️. Rest Dale. You're only one lap ahead of Jeff and the rest of us now. Till we see you again in Heaven.❤️
When Gordon drove around with that flag he gained me as a fan great guy 👍🏻
That’s respect if I’ve ever seen it
Jeff, you were booed at times, just like Dale, not because you were a bad person, but because you WON alot. Sometimes that comes from being great. I was always a fan of Dale's, but I also had the upmost respect for you, because you were a great driver, and Dale knew that. You were a true blessing to the sport, and one that was recognized by many, if not all.
You and Dale were, and always will be, true icons of NASCAR. Thank you for all the great years, and I love you and Dale, both for being there, and giving us fans the best racing, that any fan could ever wish for.
You are a class act Jeff! I am a lifelong Dale fan. We gave you hell all those years. But to see your heart and to hear you week after week now on tv has made me a Jeff Gordon fan. God bless you and thank you for everything. Great years watching you all.
Infinite respect to Jeff for this tribute, just a complete genuine heartfelt moment. Love ya man.
As a kid I hated Jeff Gordon but this is the moment I came clean and respected Jeff for this thank you for paying respect to the man and now I am a Gordon fan because of this moment
That's enough to make a grown man cry..
That ending was awesome and very respectful
Sometimes we just don't realize just how important some things are to us until they are gone. You can spend a lifetime or a career cursing your rivals just to find out how much you miss them when they are not there anymore.
Never be another.
RIP Intimidator !!
Jeffery even though I never met him I knew deep down he was a great guy I’ve been a fan of you since I was a young child and I now I can keep his legacy alive
Dale Earnhardt was the epitome of NASCAR I miss him 😢 it still hurts me to this day seeing how Dale passed away doing what he loved #3
True Respect and All Out Love. That is what this video means to me. As a Lifelong NASCAR fan and Earnhardt fan, I have nothing but respect for Jeff Gordon. He truly misses his friend and on track rival. This is what true respect and sportsmanship is.
Nobody with a brain thought jeff was being disrespectful. That was an awesome moment
I never really watched nascar much after dale sr died at Daytona .....watched jr a few times but wasn’t into it like I was when dale sr raced ....grew up watching with my grandpa
It doesn't matter who you are, you never forget or disrespect a legend
beautiful tribute
Thanks Jeff. Much respect.
This brought tears to my eyes
1:43 Best part of the whole Documentary. #24ever
Wht was it called
Unrivaled. I believe? It aired right after the duels the other night.
#3forever
Oh YEAH. Looks like Dale is looking right at him. Like he was waiting there for him.
Thank you Jeff dale is the man !! Much respect for you now
Whew,touching as heck,choked up a little,ty for this
It’ll be 20 years next year that Dale was taken from us. It feels like just yesterday and can’t get over not seeing him on the track anymore.
I miss him your not alone Jeff we all miss him
I watch this video and it made me cry too. I miss Dale Earnhardt Sr and racing is not the same without him.
Jeffy was so misunderstood back in the day, he had so many haters back in the day. One must acknowledge that Jeffy had a lot of class and that was a class thing to do.
that 'I miss him' to me it says so much, and one important thing it says: is something us fans across all forms of sport often forget, more often than not, competitors have respect for each, even like each other. Dog eat Dog on the track, Dogs in a pack off the track.
3/1/21 still MISS the man
Jeff respected Dale Sr. and Dale Sr. respected Jeff
Earnhardt fan since his rookie year in 1979. Absolutely hated Jeff Gordon while he was racing. Today I miss them both being on the track. They were my connection to the glory days of NASCAR. Jeff you are a class guy. Sorry I wasn't a fan but thanks for the memories. RIP to my hero Dale.
I was a huge fan of Dale also but I didn't get to watch him as long as you did I became a Nascar fan in 95 at the age of 7 Dale was my favorite immediately so I got 5 years to watch him. I still miss him greatly
My favorite is when Jeff Gordon was tied with 76 wins just like Dale Earnhardt Sr back then it was the wonder boy VS the Imtidator in the 90s
I don't think he was messing with Jeff Gordon, he was testing to know if he was ready to take the torch from him when he chose to hang his helmet and focus on running DEI.
You the man Jeff. I miss him too 💔👍✌
When I first saw the full show, I thought wow Jeff Gordon was a better driver than I have previously thought.
If you loved sr then you love Gordon by extension your favorite driver dale sr respected Gordon no matter what was said they made each other better
What Jeff was saying is that competing against Dale Eearnhardt made him the driver he was. When Dale Earnhardt was on the track, he elevated all drivers in the field to a higher level. If you competed against Dale Earnhardt you had to UP your game or lose. Everyone who competed against him owes some amount of credit to him for their success as a driver. He was the "driving force" of NASCAR success PERIOD. As a team owner his cars ran 1-2 in the 2001 Daytona 500. Look what has happened to NASCAR without him. "Dale Earnhardt, the MAN".
Everyone says NASCAR died when Dale died (which is true for the most part), but when no one ever mentions is that the integrity of the sport died when Gordon and Martin retired.
We should be thankful to Dale Earnhardt Sr for making NASCAR a lot safer nowadays thanks to the HANS device. R.I.P #3 1951 - 2001 😢😢😢
My dad was an Earnhardt guy and my grandpa was a Gordon guy. Very polarizing but now looking back at what those 2 were for the sport it's pretty incredible.