The only time NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt ever raced a Corvette was at the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona on February 4, 2001. Driving a factory-backed Chevrolet Corvette C5-R for Corvette Racing, Earnhardt joined an all-star lineup that included his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., along with veteran road racers Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins.
Although their No. 3 Corvette ran competitively throughout the grueling twice-around-the-clock endurance classic, the team ultimately finished fourth overall. The race was won by fellow Corvette Racing driver Johnny O’Connell and his teammates, giving Corvette Racing a landmark victory and helping establish the C5-R as one of the most successful GT race cars of its era.
Looking back, the event carries a special significance in motorsports history. It marked the first—and only—time Dale Earnhardt competed in a Corvette during a professional race. Known primarily for his seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and his intimidating presence behind the wheel of stock cars, seeing “The Intimidator” race a Corvette in an international endurance event was a rare and memorable sight.
Tragically, just 13 days later, on February 18, 2001, the racing world was shaken by Earnhardt’s death in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. While defending his position to help protect the lead of his son Dale Jr. and teammate Michael Waltrip, Earnhardt’s car made contact and struck the outside wall. He was killed instantly from injuries sustained in the impact.
As a result, the 2001 Rolex 24 stands as the final completed race of Dale Earnhardt’s legendary career. The image of Earnhardt climbing from the cockpit of the yellow Corvette C5-R has since become one of the most poignant moments in racing history—a reminder that the last race of one of NASCAR’s greatest icons came not in a stock car, but in a Corvette sports car, less than two weeks before his untimely death.
Raise hell, praise Dale
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The only time Dale Earnhardt ever drove a Corvette (C5-R) while racing was during the 24 Hours of Daytona on Feb 4, 2001. His teammates were his son, Dale Jr., Andy Pilgrim, and Kelly Collins. While Dale’s team finished 4th, Johnny O’Connell's C5-R team placed 1st and was a big… pic.twitter.com/S7shCFDZpA
— Tim 🇺🇸 (@GatorTimSports) April 10, 2026
