A little boy places flowers at a memorial outside the headquarters for Dale Earnhardt Inc. as the flags fly at half-staff.

"Dale Earnhardt was the greatest race car driver that ever lived," said former driver and current broadcaster Ned Jarrett. "He could do things with a race car that no one else could. He had a tremendous impact on NASCAR racing. He's done so much to help the sport get where it is today."

Earnhardt, who was 49, died on the final lap of the Daytona 500, a race he won in 1998. He won a record 34 events at the Daytona International Speedway.

"Brooke (Gordon) and I are deeply saddened by this devastating loss," said NASCAR star Jeff Gordon. "Not only is it a huge loss for this sport, but a huge loss for me personally. Dale taught me so much and became a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Teresa and the entire Earnhardt family."

The seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion was racing for the win alongside Sterling Marlin and in front of Rusty Wallace. As the group of cars came through the fourth turn, Wallace's Ford Taurus either tapped the rear of Earnhardt's Chevrolet Monte Carlo or the cars were running close enough that the air was taken off Earnhardt's spoiler.

	Sending your remembrances
	The Earnhardt family has asked that instead of flowers, donations can be sent to the Foundation for the Carolinas, a nonprofit philanthropic organization. The address is: Foundation for the Carolinas In Honor of Dale Earnhardt P.O. Box 34769 Charlotte, N.C. 28234-4769

That sent Earnhardt's car rocketing from the bottom of the track up the entire width of the speedway and slammed it hard into the outside wall. Ken Schrader had nowhere to go and crashed into the side of the Chevrolet.

As this happened, two cars owned by Earnhardt -- driven by Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- charged to the checkered flag, with Waltrip winning his first race in 463 Winston Cup starts.

While Waltrip was celebrating in victory lane, safety crews had to cut "The Intimidator" out of his race car. A large blue tarpaulin, normally used in the event of a serious crash, was placed over the wreckage to shield it from view.

Earnhardt was taken by ambulance across the street to Halifax Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dale Earnhardt," said Joseph Heitzler, president/CEO of CART. "He was a true champion as well as a wonderful ambassador for our sport. The thoughts and prayers of the entire CART community are with the Earnhardt family and everyone involved in NASCAR racing during this difficult time."

Earnhardt may have won more races than anyone else at Daytona International Speedway, but was haunted by the Daytona 500. No driver had come so close so often without winning the crown jewel of the Winston Cup circuit.

He lost to unheralded Derrike Cope in 1991 when he faltered on the last lap. After 20 years, Earnhardt finally won in 1998.

Earnhardt was determined to win it again this year and in the closing stages was running third behind the two cars he owned. His last words to his crew, which could be heard over a scanner, were his displeasure that his team's cars were not helping pull him toward the front.

Famous for his black No. 3 Chevrolet and push-broom moustache, Earnhardt's loss touched all involved in NASCAR, including his fiercest competitors.

"No matter where it happens or how it happens or even how prepared you think you might be for it, losing somebody close to your hurts," Kyle Petty said.

Earnhardt was the 27th driver to die at Daytona since it opened in 1959. He was the first Winston Cup driver to die in a race since J.D. McDuffie at Watkins Glen in August 1991.

His 76 victories rank sixth on the all-time list and he had 281 top-five finishes in a 26-year Winston Cup career. He made 676 starts and earned more than $41 million.