Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 at 4:32 PM

Dale Earnhardt Sr.: 20 years in memoriam(12 images)

Twenty years ago, on February 18, 2001, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., also known as "The Intimidator," died in a car crash at the Daytona 500 during the final lap of the race. Here's a look back at his career.

Dale Earnhardt Sr., seven-time Winston Cup Champion, heads to his car just before the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on February 15, 1998. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt (C), winner of the Daytona 500, gets a kiss of congratulations from wife Theresa (L) and daughter Taylor Nicole in Daytona Beach, Fla., on February 15, 1998. After 20 failed attempts at the richest purse of the NASCAR circuit, Earnhart, known as the most successful driver never to win the Daytona 500, raced to his first victory in his last 59 races. Photo by Susan Knowles/UPI | License Photo

NASCAR driver Ted Musgrave (16), spins out of control going into turn one behind Earnhardt (3) during the Winston Cup Jiffy Lube 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on July 12, 1998. Photo by Lee K. Marriner/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt straps into his #3 Chevrolet helmet for the start of "Bud at the Glen" NASCAR race at the Watkins Glen International Speedway in Watkins Glen, N.Y., on the August 9, 1998. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt sits in his #3 Chevrolet in the garage area awaiting the morning practice session for the Pepsi Southern 500, part of NASCAR's Winston Cup Series, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., on September 5, 1998. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

NASCAR drivers Dale Jarrett (L to R), Jeff Burton, Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Jeremy Mayfield earned the right to vie for NASCAR's next Winston No Bull $1 million race in Darlington, S.C., on September 6, 1998. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt (L) gives his autograph to a fan before qualifying for The Jiffy Lube 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on July 9, 1999. Photo by Lee K. Marriner/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt stays loose just before his qualifying run for the inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup Pennzoil 400 in Miami on November 12, 1999. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt (3) passes Jeff Gordon (24) on the inside, coming out of turn four of the NASCAR Daytona Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on July 1, 2000. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

Earnhardt, pictured here just prior to the start of the Daytona 500, in Florida, died at age 49 in an accident on the last lap on February 18, 2001. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

A tribute to Earnhardt is set up during the running of the NASCAR Florida Dodge Dealers 400 Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami on March 4 2001. His death created an outcry for safety improvements in NASCAR. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the No. 3 car for the first time since his father died one year before, during practice for the NASCAR GNC Livewell 300, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on February 15, 2002. Earnhardt Jr. continued paying tributes to his father by driving #3 throughout his career. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

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