This felt like a professional documentary, but with WAY MORE personality and relatabillity. Good work Emp

@ZackYep Nexpo. (He makes me cry always😭😭)

@Arbiter099 him Jon Bois and maybe summoning salt. If anyone can recommend someone like these guys send em my way

Jeffery earnhardt, the next intimidator ,saves nascar,

Best. Ever. Driver. period      This is excellent work and oh so true!

He says others compare him to fellow youtuber/sportswriter Jon Bois and I would agree with this comparison. Bois is an incredible videomaker, I've watched everything he's made and I am not a big sports guy. So to say I find this video of a similar style and quality is a big compliment.

It really does feel professionally made.


I heard "The next thing is probably the only thing you know about Dale Earnhardt." and I thought to myself, "No? I literally don't think I know anything about NASCAR." And then the music and montage hit. I knew what was coming. I actually started tearing up a little bit. Shit hit me kinda hard. Crazy how these vids can make me care so much about stuff I never gave a second thought to.

This entire video is the reason I'm a NASCAR fan, so you saying that is really relatable.

yeah but then the caption said "speeway" instead of "speedway"

I just finished it and I can't believe how choked up I was since I knew what was coming. EmpLemon made me respect the sport when I thought it was just left turns. Makes me wonder how the story of his life has fallen on deaf ears for so long. It's the kind of story you would see in a movie, not real life. Completely unreal.

same , i dunno much about nascar.

so i was like "there is no way he is gonna face a tragedy on the track is he? or maybe it is a fairy tale esque happy ending where father son and teammate trio finishes with the lead... nah that would too unreal"

fml. then watching the rest of the video was a rollercoasrer of emotion goddamnit

Exactly the same here, I've got family into nascar, they live out in no where and I can see why it resonates with them now because of this video. I had to pause and move upstairs because I knew the next part would bring me to tears and it's like 1 in the afternoon.

Same. I put off watching this video because I had absolutely no interest in nascar and knew nothing about it or Dale Earnhardt but when that section came up I got really emotional.


Just imagine being such a good driver, that you finish 12. even after your death.

RIP Dale, and Respect

@Bravo-Too-Much not really, top 15 is respectable

@Bravo-Too-Much you right, but you gotta think he finished ahead of half the field while being <b>d e a d</b> , that's kinda admirable if you ask me

@Bravo-Too-Much you right, but you gotta think he finished ahead of half the field while being *d e a d* , that's kinda admirable if you ask me

@goliath idthirteen did you just say you are glad he's dead cuz he wasn't the cleanest driver ever?

@goliath idthirteen cope + seethe + dale has 76 more wins and 7 more Winston cups than you do

@goliath idthirteen lmao it’s just racing baby

Wrecking people that pass you because you're slow means you're not as good of a racer. Glad to see his karma catch up to him.

Reminds me of how Greg Moore went in CART. He still finished in the points even posthumously, racing in the last race of the season knowing that his two best friends are battling it for the championship.

If that’s not a good way to die I don’t know what is

Jochen Rindt won the 1970 f1 championship despite the fact that he died halfway thru the season... Tragic that he never got to know that he became a world champion. Not to take away from Dale though, both are legends of motorsport.


I NEVER thought somebody could make me want to watch Nascar. I'm just a little disappointed I missed it when it was truly in its prime.

@Michael Sprague Same, and in their packaging. Tried selling them and nobody will buy now but man in the 90's, they were gold.

@Hetterman10 R I watch it occasionally but more into F1 nowadays.

@Michael Sprague i don’t know if you’ve stopped watching. but the 2022 season is the best season so far since 2014

NASCAR was the bee’s knees when I was a kid in the nineties. I still have a bunch of my old die cast toy cars from that era.

I have watched this man since I was a little boy with uncles.
I've tried to get so many people to watch it when he was around. But could never get others, such as friends to watch it.
Not to throw it in your face. But a lot of Americans missed it when he was racing!
It's never to late.
Just look up his races on YouTube, DVD's, documentaries.
YOU WILL BECOME A DALE EARNHARDT & NASCAR FAN!
Go watch his 1998 Daytona race.
AND DEFINITELY GO WATCH HIS LAST WIN FROM THE DIEHARD 500 AT TALLADEGA 5 MONTHS BEFORE HE DIED! 😢
He went from 18th to 1st in 4 laps, & WAS THE MOST AWESOME RACE HE HAD WON!
The man was magic behind that wheel.
He was loved, hated, but was feared.

dont worry u should watch the 22 season bunch of new things might get u on it


That line at the end:
"Is it worth the risk"
"Sure, to win"
It gets me every time. Uncompromising in his drive to be the best. Legend.


EmpLemon, you are quite simply, the best video creator on the site when it comes to weaving narratives, and that fact that you got me to tear-up at a Nascar video is testament to that fact. Please keep up the incredible work.

Seeing as he mentions Jon Bois I'm gonna disagree. No disrespect to you or EmpLemon meant.

As a guy who found the channel a year ago. Just because of the H-Box video. I only just started actually watching emp till like a month ago. I am thoroughly impressed with what I have witnessed and I believe that some of us can say that "There will never be another youtuber like Emplemon." I truly believe that emp has gone through a great journey and I would like to say this with certainty.

You have clearly not watched any other creators.

THE. best. The BEST.

I am saying

THE. BEST. COMMERCIAL.

EEEEEVVVVVAAAARRRRR!!!!!

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!

RRRRRRR!!!!!

R!

r

r

the best commercial ever.

that is all.

Remarkable video. Simply incredible storytelling.

Yep, found myself rooting for Earnheardt and getting emotional when the pit crews lined up to congratulate his victory. And I thought I hated NASCAR!

Yes, he's consistently humorous too without trying hard..

God Damn I actually cried when The part about Dale dying came up.

Ikr, found this channel just yesterday and now I'm binge watching videos on topics that I wasn't even remotely interested in.

It's a testament to your emotional instability.

Jesus Syy you are one attractive dude. Wish i had someone like you to look at every morning.

Couldn't have said it better myself. A true master of his craft. Amazing.

I think LEMMiNO is actually one of the best

EmpLemon, Internet Historian, Frederick Knutson, and Lemmino are by far the best documentarians YouTube has spawned.

45:08 this is an awesome, poetic framing of the tragedy... watching his own racers pull away to win the race

LS Juan Stamos I subbed emperor lemon for the YTPs and have stayed for his essay documentaries on the state of youtube, Internet culture, and other topics like this video.

Emp and SummoningSalt. Making the most engaging narratives out of the most seemingly benign things.

Amen. When Emp creates anything scripted, it's beyond incredible. Some may "hate" on him during the SOTY podcast, but he's off script and probably doesn't have notes in front of him to better explain his thoughts. That doesn't make Emp dumb, some of us just can't think of good responses on the fly, and that's okay. Keep it up EmpLemon!!

His choice of words and music combined with timing is absolutely awe-inspiring. It leaves me with goosebumps

Syy, I absolutely see where you’re coming from. If I had to throw another name for the most quality creator here on YouTube, it would have to be Mister Metokur.

they is just a jon bois rip off(a pretty decent one) ,but if you want the real thing watch jon instead.

@GYBrush 3PWood The one clip of music used twice in the video is also one I wholly associate with Summoning Salt's videos as well.

@GYBrush 3PWood EmpLemon has been around a lot longer than Summoning Salt though.  And I find Emp's personality more entertaining than Salt's

This is basically a Summoning Salt video.

The story of Dale really is just that gripping man. From his triumphant victory in the Daytona 500 to his odd behavior the day he died, his actions at his death, the healing process afterward, I learned the story some 15 years ago and it still really gets to me when I relive it in detail. There's few people in the world I wish were still alive more than Dale Earnhardt, he was larger than life more so than anyone else.

Emplemon is one of my favorite youtubers of all time. i've been watching him since the days of the uncredibles, and his videos are just some of the best on the site. they are usually very well put together and heavily edited. although not all of his best videos in my opinion are long essay style videos like the national geographic series or the never ever series, these are still very good . some of my favorite are things like the top 10 memes of 2016 and the top 10 best anime of all time or even screw senior year of highschool. all in all this an amazing video and i do feel like there wont be another person like dale earnhardt becasue nascar is dead and so is he. but seriously from what i heard in this video, this guy is a legend.

anyways thanks for coming to my TED talk


I remember watching the 2001 Daytona 500 at a local pool hall in North Carolina with my brother and best friend. When Dale crashed we didn’t even really pay it any mind, but as the minutes went by with no word on his condition, the whole pool hall went silent. By the time they had announced his death we all kinda had a feeling what happened. All of a sudden what had been a raucous and joyous crowd might as well have been at a wake for a dear friend. We were all stunned that a man that we all figured was unbreakable had actually passed away. He was and always will be a legend to NASCAR and even moreso to North Carolina… he was OUR guy.

He went out doing what he loved with the people he loved, but it still makes me sad that he didn’t get to see Dale Jr win 2 Daytona 500s.

Raise Hell, Praise Dale. Rest in Peace 3.

I was watching with my dad and with how close the ending was, I was jumping up and down and my dad was on the edge of his seat. When he hit, We both were silent for an hour. I remember making a comment to my dad saying damn if he is dead, Schrader will need to run and hide. Felt sick to my stomach when they announced his death.


I have watched this video multiple times, and the line "Dale Earnhardt died doing what he loved, and his final memory was watching his own drivers speeding towards the finish line with nothing but open race track in front of them." still brings me to tears without fail. Such a moving line. This might be one of, if not the best video you've done so far. The fact you've gotten millions hooked on the history of NASCAR, which is seen as a dying sport, thanks to your expertise, is nothing short of brilliant. Fantastic work.


The funny thing about "the car of tomorrow" is that they were the generation of cars most prone to becoming airborn

Edit:also, the thing that killed NASCAR was the constant rule changes, car changes, having less and less to do with engineering and driving and more of who had the fastest setup, and to top it all off, over officiating

I thought what killed nascar was when you started seeing younger drivers who came to a team with the sponsor money. I understand it’s a business but when business ain’t what it used to be maybe you should take a look at these things

The CoT was definitely more prone a being airborne, but with 0 driver fatalities even with the airborne issue, is impressive


Looking back on this video, I start to understand why it was so well made. Emp is a NASCAR fan. Like, he genuinely watches and enjoys the sport. This was his attempt at sharing what he loved, and wow, it worked. I can guarantee there’s people that watched this video, and then tuned into one of the NASCAR races that weekend. Even if they didn’t become full on fans, it served its purpose.

From a NASCAR fan, thank you, Emp.

It definitely made me understand the appeal. The same reason I love hockey and basketball. Less so the outcome of each individual game or season, but the storylines that form over years and years.


You've got chops to make a career making full on documentaries. I rewatched this after your Talladega video, and shiiiiet dude you're fantastic.

LmaO im here after the Teledega video too! And im not even that into Nascar! These Videos are awesome!

This is just straight up one of the best Youtube videos of all time.  No bias towards absolutely anything.

@Richard Baumgart For sure, and that segue at the end is top notch. Emp could be editing films or documentaries for a living and instead does this, quite frankly we're lucky for that.

lol best in video commercial for dollar shave club i've ever seen too

@Shaheer Ahmed I still can't stand actually watching NASCAR but I'd gladly watch an entire miniseries about it if he made it!

@B Kethai same and its  the best thing about emp not knowing a single thing about nascar i watched his videos and now i am actually interested in nascar

I have watched this from start to end atleast 5 times

I think he’s already done it mate. He has nearly a million subscribers. That a career if I’ve ever seen one.

To me this was the EmpLemon crescendo,  it's hard to top the story/editing/soundtrack.  This was lightning in a bottle.

I have zero interest in NASCAR and this video and Talladega one are two of the most interesting things I've seen in months.

for real dude he can make an interesting video about literally anything

Introducing ELDI (Emp Lemon Docs Incorporated)

agreed, this man somehow makes any topic very interesting

Dude I did the same thing, lol. I really enjoy his Never Ever series.


I might just be in a fractured fragile emotional state of late but this made me cry numerous times. Great work. Thanks.

I’ve watched this 3 times. Cried 3 times.

Maybe, but I saw this thing like three years ago and still cry every time I watch it. It’s just that good, man.


I have to admit, I've never watched a NASCAR race before, never knew about it but your Talladega, Nascar: Art of Revenge and this (especially this one) made me want to watch it even more! This shows an amazing storytelling and a compelling story and...Rest in Peace Dale Earnhardt.


When I was about to hear how Dale Earnhardt was about to meet his end. I assumed that he must've done something dirty and became a pile up. But when I heard at 41:50 that he was trying to fend off the other racers to get his son and team to score the win. I put two-and-two together and realized what was about to happen. To the point. I was just saying "No....he couldn't went out like this...not in front of his own son in this race...😭"

And like that...I never felt such emotion from that. This is something that you would see out of a movie. Something out of fiction. But no, this was actually broadcasted and some people were probably on the edge of their seat witnessing the father-son moment to come in reality....it did...but not how everyone hoped... 😔

When I was about to hear how Dale Earnhardt was about to meet his end. I assumed that he must've done something dirty and became a pile up. But when I heard at 41:50 that he was trying to fend off the other racers to get his son and team to score the win. I put two-and-two together and realized what was about to happen. To the point. I was just saying _"No....he couldn't went out like this...not in front of his own son in this race...😭"_

And like that...I never felt such emotion from that. This is something that you would see out of a movie. Something out of fiction. But no, this was actually broadcasted and some people were probably on the edge of their seat witnessing the father-son moment to come in reality....it did...but not how everyone hoped... 😔

@K2 Mally who cares what happens in their personal life?  On the Racetrack Dale did everything he could seconds before his death to help get his team the win.  IDC what happened outside of NASCAR, it's irrelevant to the story, and to the video.

Check out Dale Jr's interview on Joe Rogan. His dynamic with his father isn't like how most people think it is.


Bro why am I crying about a NASCAR driver I never got to watch, but somehow I was on the edge of my seat the whole time wanting him to succeed at Daytona, and even though I know what happened to him, when you talked about the crash, I was absolutely crushed. <br>All of your videos do this to me, they’re phenomenal.

Bro why am I crying about a NASCAR driver I never got to watch, but somehow I was on the edge of my seat the whole time wanting him to succeed at Daytona, and even though I know what happened to him, when you talked about the crash, I was absolutely crushed.
All of your videos do this to me, they’re phenomenal.


Don’t usually comment, but I actually have a somewhat personal story about Dale. My family and I live near Bristol Motor Speedway, and I believe it was during the 1998, or 99 season, my Papaw drove over to the track during qualifying, and news crews were interviewing Dale, and he was surrounded by security and NASCAR officials and such. Well my Papaw saw Dale on the other side of a fence being escorted away from the public, and being the Earnhardt fan he was, he happened to be wearing a #3 hat, and asked Dale if he could sign it for him. He said that all the NASCAR officials and security around Dale told him that he wasn’t doing autographs and he wasn’t stopping for anymore people, and Dale, being the down to earth dude he was, told my Papaw to toss the hat over the fence, and he signed it for him. He keeps it locked up in a gun safe.

I somehow managed to squeeze in between jrs security guards and was begging for him to sign my checkered flag. Dressed head to toe in Earnhardt gear. His guard tried to shoo me away and he takes one look at me says "yeah I'll sign it" as hes running. Tossed it back to me and thankfully I caught it as there was probably 20 people trying to steal it from me. I will never forget that day. Greatest day of my life..... until Jimmie Johnson won 😕😕😕

I can also say I have a VERY similar story about Jr at michigan.

I have a pic from Dales last lap at Fontana that is a cherished keepsake. I am so glad I finally got to see him race in person, I will never ever misplace that photo - it is always in a known place like my wedding ring.

“He keeps it locked in a gun safe”

Absolutely bad fucking ass. God bless him

Your Pawpaw has a similar story with my family, as in the 1998 Season, we had tickets to three races, those being the Daytona 500, the Daytona Summer race, and Darlington. I was 5 when we went to Daytona, and we also got the chance to go on pit and meet some of the drivers. Being the crazy child I was, I was super into Steve Park, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon, as I got to meet Jeff Gordon in person the year before with my eldest cousin and father for my 4th birthday. I was wearing a Dale Earnhardt #3 Shirt and Cap, and holding a boxed up collectors 1996 Dale Earnhardt All-Stars Olympics car in both hands. Close to before they were going to begin the anthem, me and my dad got to go over and talk to Dale. He noticed that I was wearing his merch, and the 1996 collectors Diecast, and told me that if he won, he would give me a signed 1 : 24 collectors gift of every car he’s drove in the cup. Ofc, being the fan I was, I completely agreed, and as they me and my dad were about to go to where my mom was, He had asked if I wanted my shirt, cap and diecast all signed, which ofc I said yes. After the race, before me and my family was about to leave, Dale had come as promised, bringing the cased collection of 1 : 24 cars, BUT HE DIDNT ONLY SIGN IT, THE WHOLE CREW DID. TO THIS DAY, I STILL HAVE ALL OF THESE COLLECTIBLE and I have them kept in a special case filled with NASCAR and special collectibles, such as a complete history book of NASCAR leading up to 2007.

Are you saved by Jesus Christ, my friends?n

@MidgetMan 420 + Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

I can hear your southern accent in my head, just by the way you speak, god bless you

@WheatleyThe_BigMoron _ Careful how you say that name

God, and I thought this couldn't get anymore wholesome

@Kyle Wick would you not if you were American?

I have a story like that actually if you look at the 2018 Jones instagram or Facebook I forgot but you can see in Las Vegas playoff race where he had the pole somebody was lifting a kid up and jones was signing his shirt and that guy holding the kid up was my dad and that kid was me

dude that's why I think we need more celebrities like Dale Earnhardt

I’ll give you my Mississippi license plate I am clearly undeserving of it!

That's awesome man, Im hald yall got to experience that. Dale is truly his own type of Legendary

@Elijah Ladot I know why cause he's a fucking smart guy

Literally a 442nd clone trooper with a carrot

@DomStu he ain’t going down without his 6-Shot and #3 hat 😏

funny I have always heard stories from fans, even my dad that dale was a nice guy with fans and like any other person

Ahh yes how American, keeping NASCAR memorabilia in a gun safe.

This is why you should you love Dale. He's just a down to earth guy. Also I think I actually know why he keeps it in a gun safe...

@DomStu great story but that gun safe thing had me cryin 😂😂.

If he ever comes face to face with a home intruder, he'll show him what <b>'raise hell, praise dale'</b> really means.

If he ever comes face to face with a home intruder, he'll show him what *'raise hell, praise dale'* really means.

"He keeps it locked in his gun safe" Lol


I was watching his final race on live tv in my early teens. When he crashed, it seemed so minor.. When he wasn't getting out of the car, I knew something was wrong and I just kept hoping he would get out and walk from the car like he always did.. I never knew he was blocking for his entire team and also didn't know he stated safety concerns over the radio just laps prior.. In his final moment, seeing his son and teammate in 2nd and 1st, with clear road ahead... That really got me.. I didn't realize how much of a tear-jerker this documentary would be..<br>Somehow I still can't believe he's gone. He was my biggest inspiration to get into racing, and now, having lost my own father, this hits on a whole different level. Most heart-wrenching documentary I've ever seen.. Thank you for making this. And also for the Gran Turismo 2 menu music;) So much nostalgia and history. Definitely a great work. Thank you again.

I was watching his final race on live tv in my early teens. When he crashed, it seemed so minor.. When he wasn't getting out of the car, I knew something was wrong and I just kept hoping he would get out and walk from the car like he always did.. I never knew he was blocking for his entire team and also didn't know he stated safety concerns over the radio just laps prior.. In his final moment, seeing his son and teammate in 2nd and 1st, with clear road ahead... That really got me.. I didn't realize how much of a tear-jerker this documentary would be..
Somehow I still can't believe he's gone. He was my biggest inspiration to get into racing, and now, having lost my own father, this hits on a whole different level. Most heart-wrenching documentary I've ever seen.. Thank you for making this. And also for the Gran Turismo 2 menu music;) So much nostalgia and history. Definitely a great work. Thank you again.


Three years since this masterpiece was released. Still as entertaining as on day 1!


This video is a masterpiece all the way through, but in particular the transition between your ad and the continuation of the video at 17:29 is absolutely fantastic. It always gets me how seamless it is. You're a generational talent dude.


I grew up watching NASCAR with my Grandma. She always rooted for Dale and I always rooted for Jeff Gordon (24 was my favourite number lol). Good memories. I remember the day Dale passed. It was very surreal. RIP.


"Dale Earnhardt was Nascar's Iron-Man."
"... and his final memory was his own drivers speeding toward the finish line with nothing but open racetrack in front of them."
"He finally caught up with his fathers ghost."

Goddammit Emp, I came here to laugh like a gullible consoomer, not to cry like a widowed spouse.
You did racing proud. You've done NASCAR proud. And most of all, you've done Dale Proud.
Thank You Emp, Ya did it for Dale.

That's why we called him...Iron Heart! 🤍

Actually I feel like that title goes to ol Davey. In the year Kulwicki won his cup and months before they both would pass. Davey took an unimaginable amount of hits and injuries and kept on racing.

@Jabroni Smarks based and cringe simultaneously

I held it together for a long while. But that line...
"... and his final memory was his own drivers speeding towards the finish line, with nothing but open racetrack in front of them."
That goddamn heart-wrenching line...

And just like Iron Man died in order to see his team succeed.

I heavily agree. Those quotes cut through my heart like a hot knife, and I felt like i was crying over my ex or something.


Still hard to believe how good his videos became. I'm glad he started making documentaries.

And the "Summoning Salt reference" part at 25:17 is bone-chilling.


That Pepsi 400 return ro Daytona, still gives me chills watching it. The fact you can hear the fans over the cars. I don't think any other driver was going to try and take the win away from Jr. at that point in the race. If you've never experienced NASCAR, and see these things coming off turn 4, you're missing out immensely. The 2004 Daytona 500 was the first race I watched. It made me a life long fan. The 2007 500, my dad got us start finish line seats. So we got to experience what is considered one of the greatest races ever. Like Dale Sr., everyone was rooting for Mark Martin. The best driver ever to never win the 500 or a championship.


I’ve watched this video multiple times. Every time he talks about the last thing dale ever saw was his son and his teammate racing towards the finish line with nothing but open track in front of them, I tear up. I’m sure in that moment sale was full of joy and at peace. RIP


25:16 as someone who's been watching NASCAR and all kinds of motorsports since I was a kid, this really hit hard. You don't think about it often while watching a race even as an avid NASCAR fan, but the nature of stock car racing is so parlous. Restrictor plates and things like the HANS device have obviously reduced risk of cars flipping and serious injury in the car, but they're still going fast enough to completely crush their racecar with one awkward movement.


I've been a NASCAR fan since 1991. I've written the first biography about J.D. McDuffie, the last driver to lose his life in a Cup race before Earnhardt. And I have to say, you absolutely nailed this video. You managed to present a tremendous amount of information efficiently without being exhausting, and you wove it together in such a way that you don't have to know anything about the sport to become invested, to laugh, or to feel something deeply profound. It's clear from this that you truly cared about Earnhardt, and for NASCAR, which is getting harder to find even among some who still cover the sport today. I can't thank you enough for treating this story with both maturity and humor without causing the two to conflict. Stock car racing is an absurd and humorous sport in many ways, but the people involved are brave and committed to their craft. Few exemplified that better than the man in No. 3. With all due respect to Jon Bois, I'm glad you tackled this subject instead of him - your mix of statistics and emotional storytelling were perfectly suited to the task. Thank you.

This was a great video. I didn't start out an Earnhardt fan but did become one. On the day he died, I had to work, but my bosses wife recorded the race for me but before I could watch it, ESPN showed that he died... I couldn't believe it! His last deed was heroic, to block for JR and for Mikey. It broke my heart that Mikey's win was tainted by Dale's death. The loss of Dale from NASCAR hurt and a whole country mourned even if you weren't a racing fan. That was a great era and I miss it, miss it, miss Dale!

That's when I became a fan too!! I used to think it was stupid but a boyfriend got me into it, and there is a lot more to it than left turns and I'm still a fan!

@Brock Beard The is crazy I remember the day we lost JD. I was the tables after church eating lunch, and it was early in the race. I was 10 and my dad he always respected JD for doing what he had to get a car on the track without the kind of sponsor  money other teams had. I was so sad knowing a guy fighting to do what he loved died on a road course of all tracks.

Just found this channel. I don't know anything about nascar but still love the video and info like you said. I hope you're doing well and still passionate about the sport you love today

@nyaaze Violent J (the fat guy from ICP) said something about the phenomenon of often mocked fan groups being also the tightest-knit:<br>"The colder it is outside, the warmer it is in here" (referring to the juggalo community)

@nyaaze Violent J (the fat guy from ICP) said something about the phenomenon of often mocked fan groups being also the tightest-knit:
"The colder it is outside, the warmer it is in here" (referring to the juggalo community)

@Brock Beard I'm relatively new to NASCAR, following it I mean. Prior to me returning to education in 2014, College initially where I am in the UK latterly University, studying the engineering side of Motorsport, Motorsport for me was Formula One. However, since then, I have had my eyes opened well and truly to other forms of Motorsport. During the lockdown resulting from the Covid-19, I took the trouble to watch NASCAR videos. My favourite story from its past is the one pertaining to the 1992 Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki

this comment made me cry, i love emp and i love esoteria

totally agree, this vid is one well put together deal...guys will always love cars..'specially the ones you can afford. racin' is something we all want to do...in some form or fashion....5 laps to go you're 18th....we'll never see the likes of that ever again.

i haven't watched a NASCAR race since like 2004

Irs a year away from your 30th year of being a Nascar fan, congrats man!

This is one of the best comments I have ever read on YouTube, ever. Hell yeah, man.

It's amazing how a video like this can introduce us to a topic we might never have considered learning about, and seeing your comment shows people can be brought together so simply yet profoundly. People seem to poke fun at NASCAR whenever it's mentioned so it's eye opening to see how exciting it really was. The time you've spent invested in this sport speaks for itself, kudos

@Dooplon yes i am making a joke, the guy who made this video has a recurring joke in which his channel is on a "downward spiral"

@diapason Are you making a joke I'm not getting? I mean, calling it a step spiral makes perfect sense since we all presumably know that the spiral is downward from context, we just now know its steep too.

I couldn't agree more with the op, this fantastic creative work!

Brock Beard JD was such a tragic loss and so was Dale.

@Kim Jung Un "a steep spiral" you mean... a downward spiral?

I can confirm that, without knowing even the slightest detail about NASCAR, I became invested in this story. And this isn't even the first time EmpLemon did this to me.

@v2_ Oh wow, thank you - that's extremely kind and humbling of you to say. :)

@GageB28 - Yes, sadly. But J.D. and Earnhardt are the two most recent examples where it happened during a Cup race, not practice, qualifying, etc.

Brock Beard there were several drivers that died after JD and before Dale Earnhardt

@v2_ I honestly didn't know. Thats pretty cool

Agreed 100%, Brock. 100%. Well said.

Note about Brock:
A lot of people that watch this video may not know the impact Brock has had on the entire racing community on YouTube. He's one of the most well-known people in this community and while he has stepped away from making videos for the most part, he's still arguably one of the best at what he did. A compliment of this caliber from someone like Brock is almost like someone like Peyton Manning telling you that you did a great job in a football game.

I wish NASCAR wouldn't die. Jeff gordon leaving was the final straw that sent nascar into a steep spiral. There are no drivers we can be fans of, no one has been dominating for multiple seasons. Not only that the car packages have ruined this sport. The trucks are the only interesting races to watch, as the cars are difficult to drive and make for good racing. Nascar needs a change, and a big one if stock car racing is going to stay alive in the US


Man you picked such a perfect clip to end on. Him being upfront asked about whether or not it's worth risking his life to do this when he no longer has to, and that simple answer of "Sure, to win." Perfect.


you know you make good content when over 2 years after you make a video its still getting good traction


every few months I come back and watch this. it just makes me feel some type of indescribable feeling


one of your greatest works yet. even though i knew what was going to happen, your narration still kept me on the edge of my seat and i kinda found myself crying.


As a Formula One fan and having little knowledge about American racing, this is one of the best videos I've seen about racing...

That's our Dale Sr!  Loved and always will love him!  The Oppermans from Tx

In our eyes Dale Earnhardt Sr was and always be the best of the best! He identified with so many including us and our family as we grew up and made our lives more meaningful. We loved him for being the person he was and Jerry and Sugar Bear and I followed him all thru the years. We loved his racing. We celebrated his 1998 Daytona great 500 victory and were so happy for him. In February 2001 we watched videos of him sail thru Heaven's gates so all there could enjoy his racing and wins. My Jerry and our precious Sugar Bear plus Fred and Cliff are enjoying him with God in Heaven.  I will join them all later and I want to finally see and meet Dale Earnhardt Sr too! Blessings from Gloria and Bear from Tx! 👩🦳🐕😇😇😇😇😇🐻🚖🚖🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕

@AGrandMemeOfThings Watch the movie Rush, Senna and documentary Schumacher.

im interested in f1 but cant consider myself a fan yet.

@Mitch Conner I'm glad I got to enjoy nascar as a kid in its hay day

Now people understand why Dale is Danny Ric's favorite driver.

This is such a high quality documentary style independent video it's just really really great

Same here I am American and my family likes NASCAR but I didn't know much about it. I do follow F1 though very closely. I was blown away to learn that Dale Earnhardt died ensuring his team the win. Honestly it's one of the most beautiful stories ever.

Up there with the Senna and Schumacher documentaries

@Meme park worldwide Hamilton will never compare to Schuhmacher.

@speedar S like I said, he was flawed in this way. Its the biggest flaw in his personality and he was never really able to escape it. He would turn to instinct when he got desperate and that usually caused him to do things that were scummy. Mika Hakkinen was the only one to understand this imo, saying that “it was a personality thing”. Id say he was also disliked simply because of how he dominated F1 in later years, which I don’t blame people for, Lewis Hamilton is disliked for this reason as well.

@Max Chong he was also easily dislikeable because of the dirty tricks he played

@ElRifle24 24 I’d say the story of Michael Schumacher is quite interesting, not exactly inspirational, as the guy had his flaws (which imo made him more human and more compelling), the guy brought a struggling team to greatness.

@kloosternator i did, and loved it ( NASCAR and anything else with 4 wheels fan).

As a NASCAR fan and having little knowledge about American racing, I also think this is one of the best videos I’ve seen about racing...

Dale was revolutionary. Hell I couldn't tell you the last time I watched a nascar race but as a kid I had s number 3 hat and toy cars like a bunch of kids lol

There're even better ones? Can you link?

me too! big motorsports fan that never searched about NASCAR and i loved the video.

Awesome to see you broaden your spectrum

@ElRifle24 24 Michelle Mouton. The fastest girl alive. Made her name in Group B. Her driving style was quite unique. While many drivers were wrestling their car (Röhrl mastered that style. But his story is an epic on its own) she had such a smooth style that got her many many wins. And a pikes peak record (fastest run on gravel).

@kloosternator Senna is such a fantastic film

@ElRifle24 24 watch the film Senna if you enjoyed this you would like that

what's more astounding is that this channel was almost never about motorsports until this vid

I have yet to find a more compelling story in racing. Heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time


This is my fourth time watching this. Emp I hope you realize these NASCAR documentaries are phenomenal. In fact, all of your videos are.


this man made me feel happy, sad, scared, relieved, perplexed, anxious, and nervous on an almost hour long video about something i had no idea about. keep up the great work, emp


starting to try and get into nascar as a way to bond with my dad on days im off work, excited for race season to start this february, really enjoy the content


This is legitimately the best YouTube video Ive ever seen it's emotionally impactful thank you Emplemon


Dang, you sure did your research, I watched the whole thing! Great work

U and me are the only remaining nascar fans

@tjnuggets 100 ways to die in Nascar I must have watched that video about 10 times

i remember idiots of nascar from like 8 years ago

You know it’s a good documentary when you start with 0 interest on the topic plus 0 knowledge of the people in question but you leave feeling like you lost a legend.

Packle Kackle it’s crazy because this is and the Russian leader one were the only two I had never watched but I regret that decision greatly now after just finishing this amazing documentary

@Carl Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, there are no accidents

I watched it 76 times and I can confirm it is still as good as the first time I watched it.

Considering he's liked some of your work, the same can be said for you.

This series is one i hope never dies, so far i have loved each entry.

I did too and before this i didnt give a single shit about nascar


I'm from France, so it's difficult to follow the races live although I love the full race replays, but I've always liked Nascar since I discovered it in the late 2000's when I first visited the US. While all the changes certainly make it more difficult to keep up, none of them have ever deterred me from the sport and probably never will, it would be a big shame if it disappeared.


37:24 “what’s the question dude?” You can tell that Earnhardt was a peoples man, he genuinely cared about his fans and loved racing


All you need to know about him is when he finally won the Daytona 500, he didn't say "I won it". He said, "We won it".


It warms my heart that earnhardt got to race with his son and how proud of him he was


The fact that he died pushing his son to glory really hit me. Most people could only dream of having a moment like that.

When I was about to hear how Dale Earnhardt was about to meet his end. I assumed that he must've done something dirty and became a pile up. But when I heard at 41:50 that he was trying to fend off the other racers to get his son and team to score the win. I put two-and-two together and realized what was about to happen. To the point. I was just saying "No....he couldn't went out like this...not in front of his own son in this race...😭"

And like that...I never felt such emotion from that. This is something that you would see out of a movie. Something out of fiction. But no, this was actually broadcasted and some people were probably on the edge of their seat witnessing the father-son moment to come in reality....it did...but not how everyone hoped... 😔

When I was about to hear how Dale Earnhardt was about to meet his end. I assumed that he must've done something dirty and became a pile up. But when I heard at 41:50 that he was trying to fend off the other racers to get his son and team to score the win. I put two-and-two together and realized what was about to happen. To the point. I was just saying _"No....he couldn't went out like this...not in front of his own son in this race...😭"_

And like that...I never felt such emotion from that. This is something that you would see out of a movie. Something out of fiction. But no, this was actually broadcasted and some people were probably on the edge of their seat witnessing the father-son moment to come in reality....it did...but not how everyone hoped... 😔

@Nicholas Cuccaro true, but he died doing what he loved

@pulski I'm sure he would have had it many other ways and not dying early lol

And yet, I don't think any son would see that moment as anything but a sad one

@Doc's GearHead Gaming yeah i've seen it I watch the show

@Petty Clips maybe not but Mikey was also like a son to Sr. Need to watch Jr's show here on youtube. they have an amazing episode where they go into detail

I should add, that it sucked that it happened, but I don't think he'd have had it any other way.

I was watching, and had no idea until later... Amazing end to an amazing man.


Damn man, i never watched a single nascar race but you still made me cry, thank you for these amazing videos


This was well done great work

Dale Earnhardt was the best I’ve ever witnessed it’s amazing how many number two finishes he had to go along with his astonishing record He just was incredible


25:18 “This is Daytona 500. A NASCAR track in Florida and the most important track. It’s held thousands of races and many great legends have raced here. One such Legend was Dale Earnhardt.”


One thing i believe is that dale died with a smile on his face. Seeing his son, and his team with a clear victory ahead probably brought him the greatest joy in his life, and his last.

Dale Earnhardt was my moms favorite driver and she remembers watching that race happen. Its a shame he didnt make it,
But i believe it should of happened in no other way.


I was stone cold until he said, "his final memory was watching his own drivers speeding towards the finish line with nothing but open racetrack in front of them." I teared up.

A true leader and he went out like a warrior he is the very definition of true grit.

Same. I don't even give a shit about Nascar

Second time watching it but the first i teared up towards the end and im not even a nascar fan

For sure. Its one of the most noble ways he could've went out. Super emotional.

This darn story, specifically the redemption in the end, keeps tearing me up

Watch the podcast with Micheal Waltrip and Dale Jr,
   Jr explains that day in great detail and with Dale SR. Holding the entire pack off of his boys just So they could get the win....thats an emotional podcast. Michael knew when he was in victory lane something wasn't right and rushed out of there to check on SR.

Oh I almost forgot, Any racing game I ever play where it gives me a # or Decal I always use #3 in memory of the Intimidator.

R.I.P #3 ❤🤘

The man sacrificed himself so his people could have the win. Holding back all those other cars on his shoulders like an olympic god

i remember when i first watched stis video i teared up too.


This video deserves so much more, it is so good and on my 10th rewatch and I can’t believe it hasn’t gotten more views, much respect


I'm not a NASCAR fan, I just appreciate greatness. I've always respected the hell out of it and the drivers and crews and the devotion of it's fans though and I would def agree as well that his death is the worst tragedy in American sports history.


I cry when I watch this, this shows how amazing Emplemon is when making Docs. Thank you for a special one along with the raw episode


I am lucky to say I was at Dale's last WIN (not race).  It was in Talladega in 2000, Back when it was still Winston Cup (which it always will be in my mind.) My father and I were there as ushers. I did not know at the time that it would be the last time the Man in Black  ever set foot in Victory Lane


I went in knowing nothing and came out wanting to know everything. Thank you for caring Emp... it really shows man.

Dang it EmpLemon. Stop making me care about stuff I didn't know anything about

When's the "Session #2" going to be uploaded?

@KageyPoo2898 bruh your not special so do i and millions of others

You didn't know Dale Earnhardt.........my god I'm 14 and grew up listening to old radios and NASCAR races....(my family is a line of either Racers or Soldiers so makes sense) and I knew Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt since I was 4......please tell me you know the legend and king Richard Petty.

@Chef Clint Bowyardee Dale Jr won his first Daytona.

I've gotta second that. I very nearly didn't watch this at all, hoping instead that you would have released another YTP or Youtube/political commentary, but this is just a good, if not better

This guy said what I wanted to say. Excellent work...

Tells the exact story of Dale Earnhardt's life

If you want to know more, there’s a really good ESPN original film called “3”.

I was the 1998th like and what happened in 1998?

You gonna watch Phoenix this sunday too?

If you want more whatch cars 3 it give you a really good example of it

Side from the talking cars


seeing my son ahead of me going to win, id go peacefully. i can only imagine what he must have been thinking/feeling but im sure it was a life well lived


This is now my fifth EmpLemon video, and I must say you are a wonderful creator. Thank you for your hard work!! Great stuff


I have literally never so much as thought of watching any Nascar or viweing any Nascar-related content and this shit was just gripping. What an incredible personal story.


I have never watched Nascar in my life so I don't know how you got me to rewatch all your videos on them and love it. I now so much about a sport I couldn't care less about irl and to tear up at the end of a tribute to someone I had never heard of before you


The fact he was holding off the entire rest of the race to see his team, and his son tear ahead of him unchallenged is nothing short of heroic.

@imwithyou38 yep Michal won for dei only race you ever seen Sr drive defense Michal Watrip said in one video that he though Sr let him in line he was like he never let me in line before or anyone else

@Ray Green he finished 2nd to his teammate, jr won there in the 2nd race

you guys do know that Jr didn't win the 2001 daytona 500 right

@MikeMcK he was just at a certain point in his going for a championship there wasnt a reason to push for it. sr rarely had friends on the track so he had no one to really care about until i think it was the year before when dei was formed

i dont think it had anything to do with money but more to do with happiness. sr was one of the richest drivers of all time and i doubt he was worried about money. becoming older what you worry about is different. even in the video right before the dei era theres video of him showing he wasnt happy and he didnt think he was driving to his skill level.

@imwithyou38 I understand what you’re saying. At the end of the day however, many had to watch their favorite driver not attempt to win a race, at a track he was a strong favorite at, in possibly the best position he could be bearing the end of the race, in the biggest race in the sport, and instead he died. While possibly being the last driver you’d expect to be out there blocking at the end.

People tried to make it noble. “Blocking for his son.” I instead thought it was weak and against competition.

Truthfully though, it was probably just a money decision. He’d likely make the most doing what he did.

@MikeMcK you dont have to see him in that role, everyone knew it was near the end of his career and most likely the reason he kept racing was so he could race with his son. dei was essentially his teammates. RC pretty much helped him start the team including people who were pit crew members for sr were hired as some of jrs pit crew members, tony eaury was extremely close to the earnhardt family. anyone form dei winning was also winning for him

@imwithyou38I understand what you’re saying. However we didn’t really see Dale Sr in that role before, likely because he rarely has teammates. Hell, technically he didn’t have a teammate in the race he died in.

@MikeMcK teammates have always done things like this in the past, they work together to get a better overall end of a race, if sr passed them there is a chance due to the way to would need ot be done that it would have had them further fall back. dales place in history was already set in stone. sr wasnt really happy racing anymore and he was close to retirement and what made him happy was to see his friends and family succeed and at that point in his career dale was no longer "ricky bobby" who would do anything to take the win

@ALPHAPLAYZZ I read that to mean that Junior was a good enough driver to pass the people who Senior was holding back and didn't need another driver's help to win the race.

@Universome I don't follow NASCAR either. I have a basic understanding of grammar that allows me to understand sentences.

@ALPHAPLAYZZ I don't follow NASCAR so no it's not obvious. When you say that you can pass someone you wouldn't assume it's the person with no one in front of them.

@Universome obviously sr, jr was in front.

@Universome Especially when nearly everyone believes Dale could have passed them if he wanted to.

I think it cheapens your son's victory when you do that.

I’m a huge Dale fan, but it certainly wasn’t “heroic.” It’s was a slight on competition and against his nature. It’s sad he died, and even worse he did so possibly the first time he tried to lose a race.

His place in history was undisputed and he had his Daytona 500.  He was literally passing the torch.


I find it really heartwarming how all the pit crews walked out to congratulate him when he finally did win the 500.


Amazing doc. I'm neither a big race fan nor a southerner. (Hey, I'm not even American.) But I love learning new things, and now I'll know all about Dale E and NASCAR. Thank you to the producer(s), script writer(s), and narrator. And if you're all a single dude responsible for it all, an even bigger achievement!


Not gonna lie never had a youtuber’s documentary make me actually tear up. This is fantastic work, and y’all got yourself one more (future) nascar fan.

Great job mate. Top tier editing, good storytelling. Couldn’t have asked for more.


Every time I watch this his death still absolutely destroys me. I feel as if he just died yesterday. He was on the tail end of his career but he still had a few more races left to win. I will never forget watching NASCAR with my dad  and being excited to see what Dale was going to do. Thank you for making this video, I’m sure it has made him many new fans and introduced people to the sport who may have never cared about it otherwise or only thought of it as a joke.


No

He’s races ahead
When we finish one he finishes 10

@TheChosenMoose he died 6 days after my brother was born

Don't care how overused this comment is, yessir he is. Rest in peace

@Alex D'Aunoy I honestly just like the racing of nascar never really cared about their personalities of the drivers would be nice to have a driver i could relate to tho

@Tyroker Taylor172 But it's ok. Not that big an issue to me.

@Tyroker Taylor172 Never really watched sports. Still don't. I watched maybe one or two nfl games a year. Maybe one baseball game. Never anything else bar a couple races. I'll gladly watch Nascar from the early 2000s and the 90s especially but I like the 70s and 80s too. The drivers just seemed much more alive and real and less scripted like today. Did politics help drive me from watching as much or more than what I did, but going from one to nothing isn't much to complain about. Still love Jeff Gordon, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki, Dale Earnhardt, The King, and Dale Jr. In fact, once the semester ends, I plan on watching a few more races from that era.

@Alex D'Aunoy @TheChosenMoose That's a dumbass reason to stop watching sports that means y'all never truly liked them in the first place even if it was just about politics (which I will agree is annoying) is not the only thing that should stop you from enjoying the sport that you've probably been watching for a while (I'm assuming) y'all seem like really nice people to be around and I don't want to assume anything negative about y'all but I'm just saying 🤷

@Mateo1212 lol I agree I was and still am pretty shocked I got this many likes because in racing circles this is a pretty common thing to say so I figured everyone would have heard it already and the comment wouldn’t get much attention

20 years today, 20 laps ahead. rest in daytona, lap leader earnhardt.

damn... I can hear the sadness in that comment

damn... I can hear the sadness in that comment

@Alex D'Aunoy a little late, but I am on the same wavelength as both of you, just 3 years younger, nice to see there's like-minded people

That’s one way to put it
😥

No one reply anymore, the amount of replies is perfect, no seriously
76 replies

@Awesome Aiden I'm pretty certain his funeral was on my birthday

@TheChosenMoose he died literally 6 minutes before i was born.i was born at 5:10 on February 18,2001 and he died at 5:16 on February 18,2001.My dad cried because Dale died and also cried because I was born.

@TheChosenMoose He died a month after I was born

@TheChosenMoose He died a month after I was born

@Alex D'Aunoy It was made by someone from McJuggerNuggets, and a lot of guys like Keemstar, Leafy, and others upload there.

@TheChosenMoose I've never even heard of that one. You nailed it on the head why I dodge social media.

@Alex D'Aunoy Fair enough. Tbh Twitter is pretty toxic along with Reddit. You have a StoryFire? It's pretty much a Twitter/Youtube type of app.

@TheChosenMoose Fair, I don't have social media beyond GroupMe and discord.

@Alex D'Aunoy I'd be uncomfortable giving that out. Twitter maybe?

@TheChosenMoose It would definitely be nice to continue talking to a like minded person friend.

It's also always nice to find a like-minded person.

@TheChosenMoose I absolutely agree and that did help my interests shift harder and quicker than they might otherwise.

@Alex D'Aunoy Oh okay. I honestly don't care to watch the sports either. Especially with all the politics being thrown in.

@TheChosenMoose No, the college team I support is excellent and the NFL team is decent, the biggest is my interests have moved elsewhere more than they already had shifted.

@Alex D'Aunoy other reasons? Is your team doing terrible?

@TheChosenMoose Among other reasons, yes.

@TheChosenMoose Among other reasons, yes.

@TheChosenMoose Ah. I've also been driven away from sports.

@Alex D'Aunoy sounds awesome! im more into basketball and football (not at the moment tho lol)

@TheChosenMoose Ah. I'm not a fan of the modern folks and all, but I like older NASCAR from a decade ago and before thereabouts. Jeff Gordon is my personal favorite.

@Alex D'Aunoy Not an actual fan, but Chase Elliot

@TheChosenMoose Who's your favorite driver?

@TheChosenMoose Who's your favorite driver?

@TheChosenMoose Indeed. Means you and I are right around a month apart in age. Nice to find someone about my age here.

@TheChosenMoose He died around a month before me.

@TheChosenMoose He died around a month before me.

Kind of a sad fact, but he died 4 days before I was born.

Dale's racing in the Heaven 500 now. I love the old racing, but I just can't get myself into this new stuff. But I'm still a NASCAR fan and will be until the day I die.

He's just racing in the oval monza. And in another, more beautiful and funier Daytona.

The heaven's oval racetracks.

u built like a protractor hell yeah he is

u built like a protractor hell yeah he is


Damn I almost cried with your breakdown of the crasha and the homages other racers did, your content is golden


This is my favorite YouTube video ever I come back to it from time to time and I have such a great appreciation for dale Earnhardt


As a lifelong NASCAR fan from rural North Carolina, what you have created here is miles better than anything the broadcast networks put together. What an absolute joy to watch! I was a Davey Allison and then Jeff Gordon fan, but I will freely admit the sport is not the same without Dale. I missed him even though I wasn't rooting for him to win. This is a beautiful tribute. Thank you.


You know you made it when ppl start to comment on music tracks featured on this masterpiece with lines made in this vid. Thx EmpLemon. Road to glory


60 minutes ago I knew nothing about NASCAR. Now, I'm grieving over a man I previously knew nothing about.

He was so popular that it's just crazy to me that people didn't know anything about him. I understand if your young but at the same time everyone knows the name Elvis, Earnhardt to me was even bigger than that. I miss the heck out of him and never even met him. NASCAR died when Dale left us, that alone tells what he meant to the sport.

I remember watching that race.. and afterwards Hearing what had happened was devastating..

@GN i saw ryans crash live me and my fam are Hispanic and only watch it because i take the tv from them to watch it lol but damn when that happened we were so shocked and scared for him my parents wouldnt stop asking me about him

My grandfather was a huge fan of him. I can’t even count how much of seen the number 3 in his home

@Low Tier Trash isn't it a bit bittersweet though that one of the last feelings he felt was likely pride?

I'm not even a fan,but it's just sad the way Earnhardt went out.
Imagine racing or just competing with your son in something you both love and worked hard in for years and what is supposed to be the happiest day in the life of a father and his son turns into an somewhat fate driven disaster.
Still,it's like growing up with someone who has been their through your highest and lowest moments.Suddenly,you stop hearing them besides you and/or even behind you.
Before you turn around,that loved one is gone.

I’m happy there’s a new nascar fan. I cried like a baby when he died, I kinda was, I was 10.

Shih I'm tearing up and I had no clue who Dale Earnhardt was an hour ago

@Carlangas A tsk tsk tsk. Didn’t even check the watch time before playing the video.

i just now realized this was 54 min long

How is it possible to know nothing about Dale Earnhardt

@sasparilla We have lived the same life in that respect.  I was allowed to stay home from school to watch the televised memorial.  My dad and I still watch almost every race together.  I grew up on NASCAR and it has remained a big part of life.

same, my guy,. At 34:15 i fuckin choked up. This man is on the list for best anime protagonists of all time

@Grayson Rachels Kannapolis now compared to how he knew it feels like a metaphor for NASCAR now compared to when Dale knew it.

I was a kid during the zenith of NASCAR, and I was 10 when he died. My family were huge fans, we had a cookout with what felt like 100 people over. When this happened, the devastation was unreal. First time I saw my dad cry.

I actually live in the city he was born in


I really respect the craft that goes into these documentaries. Simple, clear visuals, great music choice (Really appreciate you putting in a tracklist of songs used), and fantastic and fun narration. Great stuff EmpLemon.


ive always known he was great. It’s wonderful to know why. Truly a legend


“If everybody were talented, no one would be” I felt that! Emp you are one of my biggest inspiration out of the last few years, having English as a second language and trying to improve got stagnated, but watching and listening to your big documentary series has been one of the best discoveries I’ve done trying to find media I like and can enjoy and learn just by listening. Keep the amazing job!


This is an outstanding video. I may not be a NASCAR fan but Rest In Peace to "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt. And again, I may not be a fan but I'll never forget the risks and dangers of racing.


The scene of Dale Sr. with his wife before the Daytona 500 was gut wrenching and also pleasing because his last moment with his wife was a good one. Rest in peace Dale, you're in heaven racing in Daytona.


After watching this so many times it still always makes me emotional


this was what got me back into the sport over a year ago


Great job. You hit it right on the nail. I was and am a great Dale fan. I watch him from rookie years and up. Could not have done the justice as you did. Thanks for reminding me about the ride through the years.


i just watched a 54 minute on nascar and was hooked 100% of the time. didn't even realise an hour had passed. great video

have watched this 11 times and it has flown by everytime, amazing video

Holy shit I just realized it’s an hour long, felt like 30 minutes.

@asdf asdf I don't get why people are always surprised that there are interesting narratives in nascar historically. Like think about it, how could a sport like nascar ever continue to exist if it didn't have a ton of interesting storylines to follow off track?

Easily pleased by broken English speaking failures gets you off then?

@asdf asdf Me and the NASCAR fans that spend 4 hours on the couch every Sunday watching these guys drive and circles: How does this not entertain you?

I wish I could say the same about Nascar.

I know nothing about nascar, and yet this was probably the most interesting video I've come across when it comes to sports retrospectives. Never thought I'd ever say NASCAR has a really interesting history haha

Wow I watched this video and scrolled the whole way to this relatively obscure comment before it made me check… that really was an hour! No wonder my girlfriend is giving me dirty looks 😅


I’m sad it took me so long to watch this. Having watched the 2001 Daytona 500 as just a little kid, it had never really occurred to me the weight of the loss that was Dale Earnhardt. Hell, I barely understood what dying was. What I did understand was that I was a Tony Stewart fan, and to have seen him tough out his horrendous crash, and then to have Dale’s car lay there unmoving so much later, it just didn’t make sense to me. I never watched much NASCAR after that, but that race always haunted me, and I’m glad to understand just how much that day truly meant to so many of us.


No matter how many times i watch this, that ending always makes me tear up. Rest in peace Dale Earnhardt.


I sadly never got to watch Dale in his life. My grandpa was obsessed with Dale, he had posters and toy models of his iconic car. When my grandpa passed away, I held one of his cars in my hand because it was apart of my life. I still miss him very much. I still have the cars he had and I know that my grandpa is having fun with Dale in heaven. Thank you Lemon for this video. This is a beautiful video. Thank you


To this day, this is still your greatest work Emp. And my favorite documentary of all.


Came in with 0 knowledge of Nascar or racing

Went out with tears in my eyes

New F1 fan here, almost cried from watching this video

Grew up in the 90s watching Dale, Dale is the GOAT.

@THE AMERICAN WOLF I enjoyed reading your post untill the booing part, thats just sad. Why? Because he also has 7 championships?

I read this comment initially and thought you were exaggerating now I've got tears in my eyes.

i was holding strong till the bit where i realised he was holding off winning so his team could and i just started bawling from there

I want to cry but it would be crocodile tears

I’ve been collecting and watching since I was 4 and I’m 13 now

Steve Le Poder Dale Earnhardt was a dirty driver NASCAR turned a blind eye and made him a idol. He died exactly what he did to others.

@Harvey Wallbanger Apparently you can't perceive the permanence of death.

I’ve been a fan since I was a little foal nascar is the best

couldn't have said it better<br>(part of it is because im not a native english woops)

couldn't have said it better
(part of it is because im not a native english woops)

This video actually sucked when it comes to having knowledge

The about Dale Jr his son who drove the 8 car, and the 88 car.

@Andrew Meyer You grew up with the COT. When I was a kid, the cars were pretty close to what a Saturday night street stock is now. I figured Newman got some kinda hurt, roof hits are pretty serious business. All the safety equipment that they run now, I don’t think they’ll lose another driver. Dillons crash in 2015, that was impressive not in a good way. As soon as he went air born, my first thought was oh he’s f_#ked.

I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life. I was a month old when Dale died. I never got to experience the thrill of Dale racing. I can never fully understand the impact he has on people. And I can never imagine the pain of losing him.
But after Ryan Newman's gruesome wreck at the end of this year's Daytona 500, I was in shock. I could careless about Newman, however, when it became clear that he wasn't OK, i was sick to my stomach. I paced around the house. I could barely eat my dinner. I couldn't take my mind off of it. For 2 hours I was a nervous wreck. I feared I had just watched a man I grew up on my TV screen watching die in front of me, turned by my favorite driver.
Thankfully, Newman only suffered a concussion, and nothing else. But what stuck out to me was everyone said it felt like Earnhardt. All across social media, I saw people say that they felt the same energy as Earnhardt. I was a basket case for a driver I don't care about. I had a rude awakening to a fraction of the shock and pain of losing an icon like Dale Earnhardt. I'll never be able to understand the obsession with Earnhardt in the NASCAR community, but after that night, I sure as hell can sympathize with it

I was 13. Watched the race at moms. Dad was at the annual Daytona party. I figured he was all right considering the ambulance wasn’t in a rush though odd at the same time. Got a call at 7pm to turn on the news. I think I cried for a week. Later that year the divorce was finalized, then September happened. His name still reverberates in our shop. Much like people still say “Kobe” when they shoot for the garbage can, we still say “hang on, gotta pull an Earnhardt” when in rush hour traffic.

I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life... When other kids watched Saturday morning cartoons, I was watching Nascar qualifying...

I grew up with the likes of Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, DALE EARNHARDT and the like...

I became a fan of Earnhardt in the later half of his career... After Richard Petty retired...

When I got into racing cars, people hated racing me and often asked me where I learned to drive... I said, "I learned from the best of them"... Referring to Dale Earnhardt...

I remember seeing Earnhardt wreck,  and thought, "shit, Earnhardt wrecked"... Didn't think much of it... At first... But was a LITTLE concerned when he didn't exit his car...

When Bill France announced "we lost Dale Earnhardt"... It took a minute for it to set in, but I felt that day like I lost a member of my family... I never met the man in person, but he was an influential part of my life... With his "never give in, never give up" attitude...

To this day I'm still a diehard Earnhardt fan... I can spot Earnhardt memorabilia a mile away...

It's sad now there ain't no Earnhardts in Nascar now...

I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life... When other kids watched Saturday morning cartoons, I was watching Nascar qualifying...

I grew up with the likes of Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, *DALE EARNHARDT* and the like...

I became a fan of Earnhardt in the later half of his career... After Richard Petty retired...

When I got into racing cars, people hated racing me and often asked me where I learned to drive... I said, "I learned from the best of them"... Referring to Dale Earnhardt...

I remember seeing Earnhardt wreck,  and thought, "shit, Earnhardt wrecked"... Didn't think much of it... At first... But was a *LITTLE* concerned when he didn't exit his car...

When Bill France announced "we lost Dale Earnhardt"... It took a minute for it to set in, but I felt that day like I lost a member of my family... I never met the man in person, but he was an influential part of my life... With his "never give in, never give up" attitude...

To this day I'm still a diehard Earnhardt fan... I can spot Earnhardt memorabilia a mile away...

It's sad now there ain't no Earnhardts in Nascar now...

It's been a while since I've seen this and I'm a NASCAR fan now.

Lmao it's funny how I can relate so much to this comment. I had zero knowledge of NASCAR but now I love the sport. RIP Dale

@THE AMERICAN WOLF I was a 23 year old kid in the Navy with my first command on our first port of call New York city (I'm from Texas I hated it lol) the ladies at the club had a Daytona party one of them brought her son he was a special needs kid but we treated him like family he hangout with me because I was th Dale sr fan. I will never forget that day I'll never forget 2001 it was a bad year I lost my grandmother a little over 3 months later her last words were too tell me she was going to see Dale. Ok heavy shit I know brother I hope you and your family our safe have a good one

Steven Tsakiris me to man. I watch it every couple of months

Dale was a legend bless him he's racing in a place where he never slowdown, stop for fuel or for a tire change. I hope we can get more like him and soon.

4150 Subscribers Before He Leaves Earth?

I'm Australian and came here after seeing a comment on a race saying "Bodine had more horsepower, but Earnhardt had more Earnhardt".

Didn't know anything else about him.

Thank you for putting this together, it's a real testament to a great story about a great racer.  I was sad to see that he died and was heartened to see those amazing moments in the following races.  I can only imagine how NASCAR fans must have felt experiencing all that together.

@THE AMERICAN WOLF I remember waiting for the news reports to see how he was doing...I never expected what they would say. I bawled like a baby and I'm not one bit ashamed of it.

Been a fan of NASCAR for my whole life, and never had a favorite driver, but know I do!

You knew nothing about him and it still effected you. Think how heart wrenching it was for the millions who loved him and there sundays revolved around getting to watch him race.  Quick story.... the day he died I had on a Earnhardt black button up racing shirt on. I was a 30 year old grown man watching that race when he died. I cried like a baby wiping away the tears and my nose with the sleeves and bottom of that shirt. Afterwards I took the shirt off and told my wife never to wash that shirt...never.  I wore that short only one time after that. Later that year they raced at Daytona again so I pulled it out of the closet and wore it one more time in Hope's it would bring his son some kind of luck and sure as anything Dale Jr won that race. So again I took it off put it plastic and hung it back up. I'm now 51 years old and it still hangs in my closet the same. First thing hanging all the way to the left so I see it every time I walk in to my closet.
I think people loved him cause he was one of us. He never did anything to embarrass his fans or nascar. As fans you just felt like you could call him up and say.. hey Dale wanna go grab a beer or go fishing? And would say sure is this Saturday good? I know that's not reality but it's just how you felt as a fan.
Anyhow your comment got my attention and has endeared you to millions of Earnhardt fans across the country. Welcome to Earnhardt  Nation..
Now you gotta get tickets to a nascar race and see it in person atleast once. Even though it's not what it use to be it's still wild and fun to see live for the first time. Get there early cause there plenty of stuff to do and see at the track before the race. Also now that your part of Earnhardt Nation every time driver Jimmy Johnson does somthing or his name is announced you must booo!! loudly it's the proper thing to do...

Honestly, I'm so happy  EmpLemon went from making Youtube Poops to quality content like this. I was thoroughly entertained for the entirety of the  video.

same, i'm european so i have never seen a nascar race in my life.  i knew the name dale earnhardt and that he died, but oh boy this may be the most amazing story in all of sports. kudos @EmpLemon for this amazing video.


What an absolutely beautiful documentary, explaining what I vastly remember large bits of because when I was growing up that’s all my dad watched. I do have memories of watching how exciting this sport once was, and trust me watching some of these legendary races on tv was the best thing..


This has to be one of, if not the best, short documentary essay style video I've seen. Keep coming back to rewatch and it just gets better every time!


Once again revisiting this absolute classic. It funny, I may have spoken too soon calling it Emp's magnum opus last time I commented on this, as literally immediately after finishing this video I decided to finally sit down and watch his Hungrybox Never Ever. That could very well be in contention for the title.
Regardless, this video really is something special. Even a few months shy of 3 years after this was first uploaded, "Have you ever seen a NASCAR fly?" followed by that fist chord from Home's We're Finally Landing still gave me goosebumps.
I will reiterate what I've said before: Emp truly is one of the most unique and fascinating documentarians in recent times. I initially compared him to Ken Burns, since this was a comparison between documentary filmmakers, but in a way I'm reminded of a young George Lucas making the original Star Wars insofar as he draws from so many disparate sources (Jon Bois, Summoning Salt, etc) to create a product that both cleverly tributes his inspirations yet still has a brilliantly unique style all it's own.
Here's to you, Emp. May your recent upward spiral take you ever higher.


i can proudly say that i have watched this video atleast 8 times just because the storytelling is absolutely immaculate ❤


My dad was probably one of the biggest Earnhardt fans out their. He has at least one of every single piece of merchandise they made, from birdhouses to hats, he's got it all. Dale will always be my favorite NASCAR driver. Even though i was born is 2000. And didn't get to catch much of his racing, he will always be my favorite driver. I've been looking for a dale car or truck to buy and restore, even if its just a recreation of one of his cars. My dad was at the race when dale passed, he was sitting right across from where his wrecked car finely stoped. He still gets emotional when NASCAR gives a remberence for dale. Dale Jr is my next favorite driver, but unfortunately he has retired from racing. When I can, i try to make it to a NASCAR race. When Dillon brung back the 3 car, I was so happy to see the car back, but no one can replace Dale Earnhardt. In my opinion, i don't think NASCAR will die, it may get smaller, but eventually, it will come up. Just give it time. Thank you emp for making this. Honestly, this is the first time I've cried in 8 years. Thank you.

@4nt but.. there will never ever be a nascar driver like dale

I was in the 5th grade when he died.  I hated nascar but my whole family loved dale.  Best stash in racing ever

My uncle is an Earnhardt fan he gives me most of his own Earnhardt memorabilia whenever I go visit him my uncle collected diecasts or whatever he has related to Earnhardt overtime because he knows that I’m a fan of the sport he saw Earnhardt as his favorite driver including Dale Jr. but my uncle is disappointed because of the new rules and Dale jr is retired...

Your Dad sounds like my Mom and Elliott Sadler! (Only her driver didnt die but he crashed at pretty much every race she went to. Sometimes during qualifying.) But back when she first got into NASCAR he was still in his Number 38 M&M car so of course he had some of the coolest merch. (Heck we once bought an Easter basket at Toys are Us because it was Elliot Sadler themed.) But for a few years (her and my Dad would celebrate their anniversary at Talladega with pit passes.) But I even got to meet him a couple of times as a kid at his meet and greets in St. Louis and Piegeon Forge. I used to think how crazy she was as a fan but boy do I miss those days. Elliott retired and now we dont care about Nascar. But part of me does miss the day we would groan that Earnhart Sr, Jr,  Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon would beat him.

@Kevin Tucker yeah that's it. NASCAR isn't having any problems at all. It's all a figment of my imagination. Look I live in Mooresville NC (Race City USA) everybody knows somebody that works for a team. NASCAR is hurting believe it or not. A 60" TV didn't empty all the seats poor management and ridiculous rule changes made by Brian (Pill Head) France has killed the sport.

John Laws <br>In the 90s people didn’t have 60” HD TVs to watch it on with surround sound. People are saving their money and instead of traveling and spending money to watch it live they are watching in the comforts of their Living Room!!

John Laws
In the 90s people didn’t have 60” HD TVs to watch it on with surround sound. People are saving their money and instead of traveling and spending money to watch it live they are watching in the comforts of their Living Room!!

ILL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY IN DAYTONA R.I.P DALE !   DOITFORDALE!

@Danny Westbrooks I live in Mooresville NC (RACE CITY where 90% of all NASCAR shops are) everybody knows somebody that works for a team. And they say NASCAR is hurting and it's hurting bad not just fan attendance. Every oval track has taken at least 1/3rd or more of it's seating out so it doesn't look empty. Bristol was sold out every year from 1982 untill several years ago. That's 162,000 fans, the last race at Bristol had 45,000 to 49,000. Why has all the major sponcers pulled out Lowe's and many more. I live here in the NASCAR community and it's no secret here. Hell I live less than five miles from Dale jr, NASCAR wants all this information hidden and they do a good job covering it up using camera angles to not show the stands have you ever wondered why they basically stopped showing airiel shots of the race. Believe what you want but I know I live here in the heart of it, and we people here know the real deal. By the way all the stands were full in the 90's how can you explain the empty seats if it's just as popular today. NASCAR does not let any of it's attendance records out or anything else that reflects negativitly against them. Let me share something with you I'll bet you don't know just to show you how secretive the France family is, they have been trying to sell NASCAR for several years now you tell me why nobody has purchased a business that is supposed to be flourishing as much now as it did in it's hay day back the 90's. They have turned it into a circus changed everything for the worse and it shows a opioid junky can't successfully run a billion dollar business Brian France has proven that.

@LS Killer Agreed... to an extent. I've been seeing those stands get bigger and bigger each race and NASCAR isnt the only ones reporting people increasing. FOX, NBCS, and ESPN among others. Not only that, NASCAR IS actually as popular now as it was in the 90s, hard to believe, yet it's true.

@Hunner D you have got to be kidding, all you have to do is look into the stands this year to see no one is there. If you believe what NASCAR says you don't know anything about NASCAR racing. Bristol was sold out for over 35 years, over 160,000 seats they had 49,000 this year. Don't believe the B.S. NASCAR says.

Good news, NASCAR has been reporting good numbers this season :)

same thing  my  gramps loved nascar you dont want to know  much dale eranhert stuff  he had but he he past im 11

i cried reading, my dad was a big fan , my dad did pass in 2012 but i do hope he managed to shake dales hand

For years I drove Earnhardt Monte Carlos.  Until my last one....when a texting teenager totaled my car and broke my heart. I hope to one day drive another one.  My Dad had bought it for me  at Dale's dealership in NC.

@4nt I doubt it since our culture changes, Dale raced with thousands of people watching who were excited about the sport and now things won't feel the same by the way this sport is made safer and is also failing. Personality doesn't shine anymore in this modern age of NASCAR

Considering Nascar is a personality-driven sport, its only a matter of time until they find someone as talanted and interesting as Dale.


This was my racer growing up!
His racing at the Super Speedways was out of this world.
To watch him draft to come back to win. Like the fall Talladega race in 2000, the DieHard Winston 500.
Where he came from 18th to 1st in 4 laps. Was the coolest shit I had ever seen! 🏁
RIP #3 Dale Earnhardt


After all the time I've spent just watching this one video there's a moment that I can't help but come back to time and time again. Emp's choice of music and Ken Squier's beautiful commentary is just such a wow moment. 11:55 "-and there's a fight! Between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, the tempers overflowing. They're angry, they know they have lost, and what a bitter defeat..."


Second time watching..... crying even harder. So well done, dude.


I´m watching this for a second time and i´m enjoying it just as much.<br>Thanks for making this content :)

I´m watching this for a second time and i´m enjoying it just as much.
Thanks for making this content :)


Dale put it perfectly; “Richard if they don’t do something to these cars it’s going to kill somebody.”

Tragic irony.

Ironically enough, a very similar quote is attributed to Henri Toivonen from right before his fatal crash that killed Group B.

Just like how Ayrton Senna wanted the drivers to sit out in protest of the race he died in because of the terrible mismanagement of safety measures at Imola.

@Matt X tbh feel like he was pretty silent. He always was not on the radio and never really talked. Just got to work. I doubt dale said anything after the red flag. Maybe something or like a update on the car if asked but other then that I feel like dale was quite pretty the entire time no just in focus mode.

@Matt X end all be all no one person is responsible, and Dale probably looks down on us talking about who has wrong with a smirk on his face knowing that no one killed him. The HANS device is a great tool but if Dale Sr. Didn't die, someone else would have and then it'd be mandated.

What’s even more worse is that the driver who fans claims that he made Earnhardt die his name is Sterling Marlin... now Sterling is another journeyman driver who won the Daytona 500 for his first career win in 1994 and won again in 1995... after Dales passing before the next week race at Rockingham Sterling received a lot of hate mail and death threats mail from fans and blamed Sterling for the accident... it turns out that the next week at Rockingham Dale Jr. made a bold statement to fans and the media that any behavior of hatred will not be tolerated against his father... and it’s true that Dale died doing what he loved... Sterling said in an interview that he raced hard as he could to secure third place but Rusty Wallace finished third... Darrell Waltrip said it wasn’t Sterling’s fault in fact it’s no one’s fault...

It’s hard to imagine before the Daytona 500 began in 2001 Dale Jarrett the 1993 Daytona 500 winner and the 1999 NASCAR Cup Champion was asked by Dale Earnhardt about the HANS device he asked Jarrett “Are you wearing because you’re afraid of dying?” and Jarrett looked back and told Dale Earnhardt that he has a better chance of living and survive a wreck and see this as a new device as an opportunity as drivers to be safe... the question was brought back to Dale Sr. about his open face helmet and the equipment he used... The Day: Remembering Dale Earnhardt shows that Dale Sr. had raced with a broken neck during the 1999 NASCAR season and cracked a vertebrae and didn’t get the surgery done until the ‘99 season was over and in 2000 he lost the title to win his eighth cup championship to Bobby Labonte... many thought ‘01 was going to be Dale Sr.s year for an eighth cup title but it never came... if he was here things would be very different... there’s a lot of “what if?” scenarios but we may never know for sure...

@shining Amaterasu that's gotta be so rough

@Matt X Ken Schrader has said sometimes he wishes it was him.

That his last words to his team owner but his official last words were to a driver named Andy Pilgrim who competed with Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. in the Rolex 24 Hour Race at Daytona just a few weeks short before the Daytona 500 that February just moments after the Big One accident on the backstretch when Dale Earnhardt talked to Richard Childress unexpectedly during the red flag at the 2001 Daytona 500 was waived and during the ensuing caution after the clean up on the backstretch..

Earnhardt: So, you got any advice for me here coming up?
Pilgrim: No, man, I haven't got any advice for you. Just keep doing what you're doing.
Earnhardt: Okay, just wondering.
Pilgrim: Cheers; talk to you later.

Pilgrim had no communication with Dale after that and instead he heard that Dale cheer Michael Waltrip and Dale Jr. to finish... we don’t know how much Dale cheer on the radio for sure only Andy Pilgrim and Dales crew knows and the questions we want to know will remain forever silent.

Even more silent is when Dale Jr. witnessed his father’s accident in his rear view mirror... and he still doesn’t want to talk about it after all these years and many years to come...

The guy who wrecked with Dale was Ken Schrader a driver who won a couple races as a journeyman driver and he still remains silent on what he saw after Dales accident to this day but things will remain forever unanswered...


People used to ask me back in the late 90s, “why do you like Dale Earnhardt and always wear his shirts and/or hats?”…..I would just ask them in turn what they thought Stone Cold Steve Austin would be like as a Racecar driver if he raced to win regardless of who he had to crash and just didn’t give a fuk?….because that is Dale Earnhardt.


I'm an Aussie but I always followed D.E and was deeply saddened by his passing, and also the passing of our own racing champ, Peter Brock in 06.

From an American, RIP Peter Brock, the man the myth the legend.


Never thought I’d be this invested in a video about turning left. I also never thought I’d find another series like Jon’s! Super amazing stuff and your Everest video is astonishing

I commented this right before I saw the cats start to fly and now I’m screaming


This was really good. I was in high school during his death. Was addicted to Nascar. Me and my friends would talk nothing but nascar. Huge Dale fan since I was able to speak. Feb 18th was the last race I could ever watch. I became a fan due to my father being a huge fan. He sadly past away 4 Months later. Bad year for me. Childhood hero, and father dying and that's not mentioning 9/11 2 months after my father. I was not related to Earnhardt but every time I see pictures of him, was like losing a close relative. And it always brings me back to my father.


"... and his final memory was his own drivers speeding toward the finish line with nothing but open racetrack in front of them."

I choked up so bad

"... and his final memory was his own drivers speeding toward the finish line with nothing but open racetrack in front of them."

*I choked up so bad*

when your right...your right.....<br>like don't even like NASCAR but this is some good storytelling

when your right...your right.....
like don't even like NASCAR but this is some good storytelling

These comments make me feel like I'm watching some NASCAR anime lol

It hurts...... it truly hurts...... The man had won everything, lost his passion, then found it again with the drive of racing along his son and team. He filled the void of never being able to race with his father by racing with his son......... and he made his ultimate sacrifice just to see his team win...... The most blunt and literal definition.... of a Pyrrhic victory

My eyes watered, Dale died the way any racer would want to go out. "His own drivers speeding toward the finish line with nothing but open racetrack in front of them."  RIP Dale Earnhardt.

I bet he had one hell of a story to say in heaven. Dying seeing his team finish the race in open racetrack.

That would be impossible for someone who suffered a fatal brain injury like Dale. If anything, his last thoughts were desperately begging God to let him into heaven despite the fact he nearly killed several people in the course of his racing. career.

Jesus Christ, the rest doesn’t even come close to that line.

I managed to hold it together until the very last line. "Is it worth it?" "Yea to win." Fuck.

Same here man... that really got me. Both that and "He wouldn't have wanted it any other way, he died as he lived"

And people say racing has no meaning to it. SMH

I just love that he died trying to get his son and I think his friends son to the finish line

Me to. I went out that night and stared up at the stars. Orion was high in the sky. I renamed the nebula Earnhardt's Star and cried. His personality wasn't enough, and his driving wasn't enough. But he had both the best personality and the best driving. That makes him the best Cup driver ever imo, and I was an Elliot fan.

I mean this in the most respectful way, it's the real life version of "Carter out."

Same I teared up so bad.Last thing he got to see was the future he created in the sport he loved so much on the track that caused him so much heartbreak speeding away to victory while his time came.Really hate to say poetic but it was unfortunately.

To think that the last car he must've seen was his son's...God, I never thought I could feel this way about racing.

I still remember watching that race live on TV.  My family noticed just like was mentioned that he was holding back the other drivers for his son and for his employee.  ;_;

Also if you watch the broadcast, knowing what happens, it's even worse. Darrell Waltrip is losing his mind because his brother finally won, then he says "Man, I hope Dale's OK..." and your heart just breaks

For me it was "Richard, if they don't do something to these cars its gonna end up killing somebody"

Seems like the ideal way to go out. Like Al Capone, he died in a swimming pool surrounded by friends and family.

CalebMarinelli same here his love for his son and team is visible while hes defending them from the pack i dont know if hed would have wanted to go any other way

I love NASCAR but hi final memory was dang shouldn’t have raced with that broken seatbelt

i didnt come here to cry as an adult male, but it sure made me do it...

Today I went down to the Quaker State 400 Kentucky Speedway to watch the "Buckle Up In Your Truck" race. Who won was the #17 truck with a young 18yr old inside, is first race, his first win.

I came back to this video because of Dale Earnhardt's final race, where he carried his team to victory with the cost of his life. He and his son, his team, won. Sad, but beautiful ending.


The reason I love 3 is because he wasn’t supposed to make it. He was the embodiment of the American Dream.


i’m not even really interested in nascar but this was honestly one of my favorite videos to watch in a while


I've always been more of an F1 fan, as my dad was very more for the eurocentric and international sports, but I cannot deny that NASCAR and many American sports are like poetry, an epic, like modern day folk tales yet you know they happened, as it happened in front of millions of pairs of eyes just wanting to see their favorite American athlete.


You know it’s a good documentary when you start with 0 interest on the topic plus 0 knowledge of the people in question but you leave feeling like you lost a legend.

Now you are crying over a sport and man you had no Interest in.

@DGARedRaven This is all NASCAR fans can ask for, honestly. We don't want people to like the sport we just want people to understand it's simply more than "hurr durr turn left". Some hard fuckin' men climbed into those beasts to pilot them just like the esteemed 24hr and F1 drivers. Thank you, sincerely, for understanding.

I could not give any less of a shit about Nascar and this video always makes me emotional.

I, a Formula 1, Formula E and - at a most! - Nürburgring 24h fanboy, native to Germany, can wholly subscribe to this.
I may not like NASCAR even today, but I get it now.

I, a Formula 1, Formula E and - at a most! - Nürburgring 24h fanboy, native to Germany, can wholly subscribe to this.
I may not like NASCAR even today, but I *get it* now.

@Basement They'll be hundreds of them for sale at the end of next year when nascar is bringing out brand new cars and all the old ones will no longer be allowed to race.


Emp, Your ability to make any topic interesting, heartwarming and tragic at a moments notice is admirable and amazing. Please continue to keep up the great work, no matter the topic.


47:39 i still get goosebumps watching this race.


You got me right in the feelz buddy. Thank you


53:40
"For many, Dale Earnhardt was a real life hero. But most people will never know his story. Most people only know him as some guy who died."

Jesus has entered the chat.

53:40
"For many, Dale Earnhardt was a real life hero. But most people will never know his story. Most people only know him as some guy who died."

_Jesus has entered the chat._


It’s an almost perfect ending, Dale died on the final lap of the event that kept defeating him for 20 years while defending his team. Mad respect.

Dale died in the perfect way because he wanted his son to win

Its almost as if he was saying, "On ward, boys. You've got it from here"

He died protecting his sons future...<br>What a man

He died protecting his sons future...
What a man

@Andrew Meyer that was supposed to be a semi joke

@Techno Spyform1 That has no right to be as emotional as it is

"Change da world...my final message. Goodbye."


Rest In Peace Dale Earnhardt. Taken too soon.<br>Watching his final moments still brings tears to my eyes 20 years later

Rest In Peace Dale Earnhardt. Taken too soon.
Watching his final moments still brings tears to my eyes 20 years later


That was awesome tastefully done best tribute I've ever seen. Yes a fan this brought back sooo many memories  RIP Dale.


You are exactly right
Never was anyone like Dale Earnhardt nor will there ever be
He was the only hero I ever had outside of Jesus Christ
And I ain't a shamed to admit
When the announcement came
My knees buckled, and I cried like a baby
21 years later, it's still sureal
And yeah, Nascar isn't worth the price of popcorn anymore
They've absolutely ruined the sport


Imma be honest this might be the best YouTube video I’ve ever seen. And the standard set by this video will be hard to surpass, in turns of production quality and impact this video is unparalleled.


3 in our hearts, 3 in the sky, if you wanna go fast than Dales your guy!


Darrell Waltrip was my neighbor growing up and I remember every time Dale came up, he spoke very highly of him.


i wasnt around when dale was, but i still feel like things have changed a lot. watching clips from back then are so much more entertaining, each driver with their own stories and reasons to race. all kinds of emotional events and stuff. now its getting bland and all the drivers are there for fame. its not as fun to watch


2nd time watching this, i was trying to figure out why Austin Dillion who took over the #3 looked so familiar. Pulled up his Wikipedia page, turns out I went to High School with his brother Ty Dillion who also races. Kinda funny what you forget over the years. Never really cared about NASCAR until watching your documentaries, they have been top tier man.


Emp, this was beautifully written. I hadn’t cried at a YouTube video like this in a LONG time, thank you

i am actually crying. emp did such a good job with this video.

emplemon is a fucking genius when it comes to storytelling. i just watched this for the second time. i don't even care about sports.

Nessie Daseamonster Crazy to see you here.

I also teared up. I was already familiar with Nascar and Dale Earnardt because of my parents but I didn't expect to feel overcome with emotion. I'm not how much of it is because of my mental state or just how excellently executed this video is. The music choices were definitely strong, especially liked hearing 8 bit Speed king.

i didnt give a fuck about nascar before this video and this still made me cry

Such an experience. I wish YouTube was more legendary

This and the Spongebob video hit me hard man.

I teared up too! I'm not even sure why honestly.

Hell, I've never cried at ANY youtube video before

Good music choices too. Ever seen a Nascar fly? God damn. That hit hard.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who almost cried.

I'm not crying. just holding back tears.


Absolutely beyond contest. The best sponsor plug I have ever seen. And um yeah, as a from the beginning Earnhardt fan you have paid a superlative tribute to The Man In Black. Subscribed.


What a wonderful video, thank you. My mother loved all types of car racing. She was a hell of a good driver ( when she was 17 my grandfather had her drive one of his lumber trucks from Northern Porcupine, Ontario all the way to Welland Ontario with my 14 year old uncle as co pilot taking a load of lumber on dirt roads and freeways to my grandfather's lumber yard back in 1946). I am firmly convinced that she would have made a fine race car driver. She was even boss on skidoos, she could handle any machine with ease, I have never seen the like actually.


Rewatched this for like the 7th time, and still love it, only you could get me and so many others to actually be interested in Nascar