There are several ways to know you've made it in sports. For Dale Earnhardt Sr., it was seven NASCAR championships and a black leather sofa.

I like to browse Facebook Marketplace on a regular basis, and I've come across some pretty nifty items in the past. Recently, while scrolling through the listings, I found an item posted in Shelbyville, Indiana, that immediately caught my eye. It was a sofa, but not just any ordinary one. This one was black, leather, and a "sitting" tribute to the late, great Dale Earnhardt.

Who Was Dale Earnhardt?

Daytona Gatorade 125
Getty Images/David Taylor/Allsport
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Dale Earnhardt is perhaps the most well-known racecar driver in NASCAR history. According to Biography.com, Ralph Dale Earnhardt was born on April 29, 1951, in Kannapolis, North Carolina. His father, Ralph Earnhardt, was a successful race car driver and renowned mechanic. Dale developed a love for cars and, in 1975, made his own stock car racing debut, finishing 22nd in the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt was signed to his first full-time Winston Cup contract for the 1979 season and would go on to win seven championships throughout his career. However, despite that success, he earned a reputation for recklessness. He was nicknamed "Ironhead" and "The Intimidator," as he was prone to aggressively bumping other drivers out of the way to take the lead in close races.

The Legacy of Dale Earnhardt

2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Daytona 500
Getty Images/Jonathan Ferrey
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Earnhardt had two sons, Dale Jr. and Kerry—both of whom became professional racecar drivers. He also had two daughters, Kelly and Taylor. Sadly, his life came to an end in 2001 on the final lap of the Daytona 500 as he sought to protect the lead of the two drivers ahead of him—son Dale Jr. and teammate Michael Waltrip. His car was clipped from behind and sent flying into a wall.

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The fatal accident stunned the racing world, but Earnhardt's legacy continues to inspire fans and racecar drivers alike. Dale Jr. raced in NASCAR for nearly two decades and retired from full-time competition at the end of the 2017 season. Kerry also maintained a racing career and had his greatest success in the ARCA Re/Max Series, winning 4 of 11 races with 7 top 5 finishes and 8 top 10 finishes.

Dale Earnhardt Inspired Sofa for Sale

Dale Earnhardt Couch
Cathi Gerholdt Via Facebook Marketplace
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While there are a number of ways to celebrate Dale Earnhardt's time in NASCAR, a sofa is not one I would have thought would make it on the list. However, I'm here for it. The piece of furniture looks sleek and comfortable, all while boasting Earnhardt's famous No. 3 logo. Plus, it even comes with two racing-patterned pillows.

According to the seller, the item was purchased from NASCAR's official website for a new game room in 2004. The seller stated they paid $3,000 for it originally and are now looking to find it a new home. It does look like a comfortable place to watch future races from. You can view the full listing by clicking HERE.

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