Earnhardt to be honored at Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Daytona International Speedway said Sunday it will honor the 10-year anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death with a fan salute at the Daytona 500.

The news came shortly before Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won the pole position for the Feb. 20 contest.

The elder Earnhardt, who won NASCAR's Cup Series championship seven times, died in an accident during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

Speedway officials said they will ask fans to observe a moment of silence for the legendary driver on the third lap of this year's Feb. 20 race. The third lap was chosen to honor Earnhardt's iconic No. 3 car.

Earnhardt won his only Daytona 500 in 1998.

"We felt it was the appropriate way to honor Dale Earnhardt," Daytona Speedway President Joie Chitwood said.

His son meanwhile, won the pole position for this year's race with the fastest qualifying time at 186.089 mph -- the first time he has ever taken the pole at Daytona.

"We got the front row again for the second year in a row. We're real proud of that," "Junior" Earnhardt told reporters.