Dale Earnhardt’s rivalry with Jeff Gordon is one of the most unique and memorable ones. While they had a seemingly good relationship off the race track, it was the survival of the fittest when it came to racing. Earnhardt earned himself the nickname “The Intimidator” and he very well lived by it on the racetracks.

Earnhardt Sr drove the Chevrolet No.3 for most of his career and he was the master of dark arts on the racetracks. He was aggressive on the racetrack, bumping into the opposition, pitting his car against his rivals, and taking up drastic measures. Even Jeff Gordon could not escape his clutches. He was so casual about his approach, that in one such incident, Earnhardt Sr clipped Gordon’s car just because he was surpassed by him.

Jeff Gordon feels Intimidator’s wrath and gets a signed autograph on the same incident

The Intimidator knew about Jeff Gordon quickly climbing the ranks in NASCAR. So much so that he was then seen as the direct competition to him. If there’s one thing Dale Sr did not appreciate on the race tracks was to be surpassed by any other driver. This was more so the case because it was Gordon who made him feel slow on the track. Next thing you know, he just picks up pace and pits the nose of the car into the rear bumper of Gordon’s.

The video clip of the same incident shed light on the whole scenario. It was that day when Gordon came to know, what the NASCAR’s Intimidator was all about. The irony about this whole incident was that despite incurring heavy dent in positions at Ponoco, Gordon got a signed autograph by Dale Earnhardt on a photograph that captured the exact moment when Gordon was derailed by the legend himself.

Reminiscing about it, Jeff Gordon recently said, “Couple weeks later we were testing at Indianapolis. I’m talking to him (Dale Earnhardt) and I didn’t say a whole lot about that. Then somebody came up with the photograph, one of the photographers, he says I’ve got this cool photo of you and Dale at Pocono from a couple of weeks ago. And he (Dale Earnhardt) says to me, ‘Oh you look loose’ and I say ‘Yeah, no sh*t! That’s because you were wrecking me.’ He didn’t remember anything about it. Then I said, ‘I never actually asked for your autograph, I want you to sign this.’”

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Despite the numerous battles Jeff Gordon had to fight against Dale Earnhardt, he always had respect for him. This was evident in his tribute win towards the Intimidator after he passed away in a tragic on-track accident.

Dale Earnhardt Jr appreciated Jeff Gordon’s tribute to his late father

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Celebrating his win at the Phoenix International Speedway in 2007, Gordon took out the famous No.3 flag and waved it around the racetrack in his car. Despite the gesture being respectful, a lot of Dale Earnhardt fans were fuming at Gordon. Addressing the issues, Dale Earnhardt Jr said he did not understand the disrespectful angle of Gordon’s gesture.

Dale Jr said about it back then, “He was trying to make a good gesture. That’s all that was. I don’t think anybody could find anything wrong with what he did. That’s a shame he didn’t get all the credit he deserved for it(…) I don’t understand the disrespect — what’s the angle there? I thought that was really classy.”

One thing is for sure, of all the rivalries out there in the sporting world. Dale Earnhardt vs Jeff Gordon was truly a treat for NASCAR fans, and possibly the best ever.

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