Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr shared a special relationship during their time racing together. They were seen as rivals on track since all of sudden a young Gordon appeared in the sport and started challenging Earnhardt immediately. Previously the only person to dominate the racetrack was Earnhardt aka The Intimidator.

During an interview, Gordon stated, “I looked up to him so much you know. Everybody wanted to accomplish what he had accomplished. He knew how to get in your head and he knew how to push your buttons whether it is on the track or off the track.”

The video cuts to an old interview of Earnhardt where Gordon appears out of the blue and says, “I hear him talking about me.” Earnhardt quickly responded, “You talk like a little girl.” Gordon paused for a moment and said,  “What! I’m sorry man, I’m just not as big as you. Not as big a man as you.” Then the intimidator hugs the young Gordon.

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Later on, reflecting on their relationship, Gordon stated, “As intimidating as he was and that was his nickname the intimidator. I was able at times to intimidate him, not from pushing him around or saying anything to him. Just from passing on him you know and winning. It didn’t matter if him and I were rivals, our fans became rivals.”

Why was Dale Earnhardt considered the “Intimidator”

Earnhardt had a specific way of driving. When he was on the race track he would either move you out of his way or absolutely dominate the race by passing everyone.

The nickname caught on after he managed to pass the iconic Bill Elliott right after spinning him out onto the grass. He was also known to have an intimidating personality both on and off the race track. At times there would be drivers who could not describe the feeling of being on the race track next to Earnhardt in plain words.

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Even his son once stated, “You wanted to please him all the time, make him happy and you wanted to, whatever you did, you wanted it to somehow get a response from him.”

After Earnhardt, there have been several drivers who have tried to be aggressive on track or try to showcase a relentless personality. However, none of them were even close to what the seven-time Cup champion was and there possibly will never be another one of him to grace the sport.