The 2026 Daytona 500 marks the 25th anniversary since Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash, one that changed the sport forever. Now, Fox Sports and NASCAR are revisiting that tragic moment with a new documentary.
Videos by FanBuzz
"We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later" will debut on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1. It will follow the Duel races at Daytona International Speedway, which set the starting lineup for the season-opening Cup Series race.
This documentary will revisit Earnhardt's crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, as well as the aftermath of the seven-time champion's death. According to Fox Sports and NASCAR, the documentary will incorporate "exclusive first-person accounts, rare home video, archival broadcast footage," and other elements while telling the story.
It still hurts and it always will.
Watch We've Lost Dale Earnhardt following the Duel at DAYTONA on Thursday, February 12 on FS1. pic.twitter.com/D2J4vo5lHE
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 27, 2026
"When Mike Helton announced 'We've lost Dale Earnhardt' it's one of those rare moments when you remember where you were when you heard that devastating news," said John Dahl, NASCAR SVP of Content, in a press release.
"Through the prism of those indelible words, this documentary explores that fateful day and the profound impact it continues to have a quarter-century later."
The crash itself will drive the documentary, but Fox Sports and NASCAR will focus on numerous storylines. This includes how the broadcast team handled covering the fatal crash as it happened, as well as the safety measures implemented by NASCAR in the subsequent years.
The documentary will also highlight the impact that Earnhardt made on generations of fans and drivers, which continues on 25 years after his death.
"We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later" will feature several prominent members of the racing community. This includes former NASCAR President Mike Helton, the man who delivered the heartbreaking news in 2001.
It will also have competitors from the 2001 season, Rusty Wallace and Kurt Busch, two men who drove in that tragic race. Busch, in particular, was only a rookie at the time.
Other contributors to this documentary include three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney, ESPN writer/host Ryan McGee, and retired SPEED Network executive Patti Wheeler.
NASCAR driver/actor Frankie Muniz, who served as the pace car driver for the 2001 Daytona 500, will also be involved in the documentary.
