Question: what years did dale earnhardt win the winston cup

title: Dale Earnhardt
text: Rain delays had canceled the live telecast of the race , and most fans first learned of the accident during the night 's sports newscasts . Video of the crash showed what appeared to be a fatal incident , but once medical workers arrived at the car , Earnhardt climbed out and waved to the crowd , refusing to be loaded onto a stretcher despite a broken collarbone , sternum , and shoulder blade . Many thought the incident would end his season early , but Earnhardt refused to give up . The next week at Indianapolis , he started the race but exited the car on the first pit stop , allowing Mike Skinner to take the wheel . When asked , Earnhardt said that vacating the No. 3 car was the hardest thing he had ever done . The following weekend at Watkins Glen , he drove the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet to the fastest time in qualifying , earning the `` True Grit '' pole . T - shirts emblazoned with Earnhardt 's face were quickly printed up , brandishing the caption , `` It Hurt So Good '' . Earnhardt led for most of the race and looked to have victory in hand , but fatigue took its toll and he ended up sixth behind race winner Geoff Bodine . Earnhardt did not win again in 1996 but still finished fourth in the standings behind Terry Labonte , Jeff Gordon , and Dale Jarrett . David Smith departed as crew chief of the No. 3 team and RCR at the end of the year for personal reasons , and he was replaced by Larry McReynolds . 1997