North Carolina, Oct 14 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Owner and driver Dale Earnhardt was inducted into the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame 2010 today for his enormous contribution to the world of racing. There were in all 25 finalists breathing neck to neck and Dale was amongst the 5 that were finally chosen.

Dale Earnhardt was born on April 29, 1951 and he died an untimely death on February 18, 2001. He was an American racecar driver, best known for his career driving stock cars in NASCAR’s top division.

Earnhardt had four children, Kerry, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Dale Jr., and Taylor Earnhardt. His married Teresa Earnhardt in 1982 was the owner of current Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, (EGR) the race team and merchandising corporation that Earnhardt founded with Teresa was founded in February 1980.

Dale died in a car crash on the racing ground itself, on the 2001 Daytona 500 race.

According to reports, when the medical crews converged upon the crash scene, NASCAR on Fox reporter Jeanne Zelasko asked Schrader about Earnhardt’s condition. “I’m not a doctor, but I got the heck out of the way as soon as they got there,” Schrader said solemnly.

Brutally injured Earnhardt was taken to Halifax Medical Center by ambulance after being removed from his car. Hours later, at a press conference, NASCAR President Mike Helton made the formal announcement to the world saying, “Undoubtedly this is one of the toughest announcements I’ve personally had to make. After the accident in Turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500, we’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.”