DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Daytona 500, dubbed “The Great American Race,” yesterday claimed the life of one of the great American racers, Dale Earnhardt.

The seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion was killed on the last lap coming out of the fourth turn of the Daytona 500 when his car smashed into the wall after Mr. Earnhardt was involved in contact with Sterling Marlin and Kenny Schrader.

Mr. Earnhardt, 49, had to be cut out of the car and was transferred immediately by ambulance to nearby Halifax Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:16 p.m.

“This is undoubtedly one of the toughest announcements that I've ever personally had to make,” said NASCAR president Mike Helton in confirming the tragic death. “But after the accident in Turn Four at the end of the Daytona 500, we've lost Dale Earnhardt.”

Bill France, Jr., NASCAR Chairman of the Board, said, “Today NASCAR lost its greatest driver in the history of the sport. I lost a dear friend.”

Known as “the intimidator” for his sometimes rough driving style, Mr. Earnhardt was considered one of the best pure stock drivers in the history of the series. He ranks sixth in all-time victories with 76, his seven Winston Cup titles matched only by the retired Richard Petty.

Ironically, as Mr. Earnhardt crashed, Michael Waltrip, driving his first race for Dale Earnhart, Inc., was winning his first NASCAR Winston Cup race after 462 attempts. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., finished a close second.

Mr. Waltrip, talking with the media after the race, was very subdued. He said he didn't know Mr. Earnhardt had been involved in a crash and was hurt seriously until Mr. Schrader told him in Victory Lane.

“Nothing about you all, but I'd rather be anywhere else,” Mr. Waltrip said at the post-race press conference. “The only reason I won today was because of Dale Earnhardt. I was so looking forward to seeing him, and he wasn't there in Victory Lane.

“I didn't know he was hurt. He was more than my car owner. He was by friend. My heart is hurting. I want to be with him. I'm so thankful for him and that this is how it all turns out doesn't seem right to me at this moment.”

Dr. Steve Bohannon, an emergency physician at Halifax Medical Center since 1986 and the emergency medical director at Daytona International Speedway, said when he arrived at the scene of the crash, paramedics were applying oxygen and CPR.

“He had what I felt were life-ending injuries at the time of impact and there was really nothing that could be done for him,” Dr. Bohannon said. “He never showed any signs of life. My speculation is that he suffered head injuries, particularly at the base of the skull.

“He was unconscious and unresponsive, was not breathing, and had no pulse from our first arrival at the scene, and he remained that way throughout.”

Fans in and around the sprawling speedway wept after hearing the news.

Sean Brong, 46, a Daytona Beach resident, went to Halifax Medical Center afterward.

“People like this are not supposed to die. These are heros,” Mr. Brong said. “He went to his peak and beyond. It was way too short-lived.”

The death of Mr. Earnhardt left NASCAR reeling in the wake of a 2000 season in which three of its young stars were killed in separate accidents.

Killed last year were Adam Petty, son of Kyle Petty and nephew of Richard Petty, in a Busch Series practice session in New Hampshire. Kenny Irwin was killed during a practice session for a Winston Cup race at New Hampshire. Tony Roper was killed in a NASCAR Craftsman Series Truck race in Texas. Mr. Earnhardt's death was the 11th in NASCAR racing since 1991.

Mr. Earnhardt finished second in the points championship last season, winning two races, and captured the Daytona 500 for the first time in 1998 after his 20th attempt. He won a total of 34 races here, including 12 qualifying races, since he started racing full time on the circuit in 1979. This was the first time since 1989 that Earnhardt had not won a race at Daytona International Speedway during Speed Weeks.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa, and children, Dale, Jr., Kerry, Kelly, and Taylor.

First Published February 19, 2001, 11:44 a.m.