How do you measure an icon? Well, there are numbers and statistics. But then there’s this concept of ‘impact.’ And that can’t be measured, it can only be felt, felt when we see something and it reminds us of ‘that’ person. And this theory holds up NASCAR fans, just take a look at a recent video of a tornado that should remind you of the great Dale Earnhardt.

Surely you’re thinking now, a tornado and Dale Earnhardt, what’s the connection there?

The answer is simply this – 1997 Daytona 500.

In the video, which Rex Chapman also shared as he wrote, “Oh. My. God,” a red truck can be seen being violently heckled and spun around by a proper tornado.

Yet after a while, the truck lands on its four wheels and before you know it, it drives away. Yes, it drives away like it’s no biggie.

Now, as for how it reminds us of Earnhardt, two words, Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt doing only what he could’ve done

During the 1997 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt was still hunting for his first win at the Great American Race. But that year too, it wouldn’t come.

Because the Intimidator was spun around by the car behind him as he hit the wall, went airborne, landed on the tarmac as he flipped, but then somehow, landed on his four wheels again, and drove away.

Now, this is more or less similar to what happened to the red truck in that tornado recently. But Earnhardt took it a step further. He jumped out of his car, went to the ambulance, and after a while, went back into his car, drove it to his pit crew.

The car, which was completely wrecked, was then fixed by tape, yes by tape.

Dale Earnhardt was one and only of his kind. The Intimidator is known not only for his incredible numbers in his NASCAR career but he is remembered for a completely different thing more than any number can measure.

And that is his impact and the way he was as a racecar driver, a true American icon.

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