Sports gives us some memorable moments which we remember for a life time.  Sadly, sports also can give us tragic moments that also stick in our minds for a long time.

It was on this day, February 18th, 2001, that Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in a car crash.  The crash occurred during the final lap of the Daytona 500.

Earnhardt’s car was turned sideways and it went straight into the wall.  Initially, many watching the race thought the injury wasn’t as serious as it turned out to be.  The accident led to various safety improvements in NASCAR auto racing including head-and-neck restraints as well as safety barriers on oval tracks.  Earnhardt is considered one of the best race car drivers of all time, winning seven championships, and his legacy continues to live on.