NASCAR Legend Reveals When Even The Intimidator Was “Humbled”

Dale Earnhardt Sr, famously known as ‘The Intimidator,’ really lived up to his nickname. We have often heard stories of how the drivers trembled in their boots as they saw him getting closer and closer in their rear-view mirrors. However, as it turns out, there was an incident when even ‘The Man in Black’ was left grateful and humbled.

We fans were recently treated to a heartwarming tale from none other than NASCAR legend Rick Mast, who not only had a fair share of wheel-to-wheel battles with Earnhardt but also a great friendship with the ‘Ironhead.’ Talking to Kenny Wallace on his podcast, Mast reminisced about a day Bill France Jr had to lay down the law with both of them. Later that same day, Mast caught a glimpse of a side of ‘The Intimidator’ that only a few know – a humbler, more down-to-earth Earnhardt, far from the fierce competitor that everyone else saw on the track.

Rick Mast shared a lesser-known, grateful side of Dale Earnhardt Sr

During his chat with Kenny Wallace, Rick Mast reminisced about a bunch of things. However, what struck a chord was this one moment from the inaugural Brickyard 400’s driver meeting of 1994. Mast and Earnhardt Sr were all ears as Bill France Jr, the then-CEO of NASCAR, gave a stirring speech about the privilege of racing there, among other things. That was when the boss decided to specifically address Earnhardt and Mast.

Whether it was because Earnhardt Sr and Mast were sitting on the front row or not, Mast recalled Bill France Jr saying, “When we start this race, gentlemen, when we go down that tech green flag and we go down that first turn, do not embarrass me or the sport.” Right after that came the moment Mast saw a different side to the legend.

Stepping outside to a sea of 350,000 fans, Earnhardt was visibly taken aback. Perhaps Earnhardt realized why the CEO was so concerned about the sanctity of the sport. After all, racing at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the very first time in front of a large crowd with $3.2 million hanging in the balance as the purse, it is only natural for someone to get overwhelmed. Mast recalled Earnhardt’s words, “Rick, can you believe all these damn people came here to see us?” Mast told Kenny Wallace, “In that moment, Dale Earnhardt was humbled.”

Mast emphasized that this was perhaps the only time he saw the legendary ‘Intimidator’ truly awestruck. The rapport they shared, evident in their conversations, showed the depth of their friendship. Interestingly, Mast almost got to step into Earnhardt’s shoes behind the wheel after his untimely passing, a chance that ultimately went to Kevin Harvick.

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Dale Earnhardt Sr’s tragic passing at the Daytona 500 in 2001 set off a chain of events that shook the racing world. Kevin Harvick’s leap into the Cup series was fast-tracked, but as Harvick himself revealed in an interview, Rick Mast was almost in the driver’s seat of Dale Earnhardt Sr’s car.

Harvick reminisced about a pivotal moment in Richard Childress’s office, where he sat with Bobby Hutchens and Kevin Hamlin, Dale’s crew chief. Childress laid it out for him: “We want you to drive Dale’s car this weekend at Rockingham… but you don’t have to. We can get Rick Mast if you don’t want to. (Wally Dallenbach was an option).” Harvick was given the space to mull it over, a decision not to be taken lightly.

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While Harvick eventually took the helm of the iconic Chevrolet (renumbered to No.29 after Earnhardt’s No.3 was retired) and things panned out well, there’s a lingering thought: how electrifying it would have been for fans to see Dale Earnhardt’s buddy, Mast, taking the wheel of his car. It’s one of those ‘what could have been’ moments in the racing saga, don’t you agree?