"Might as well paint a target on my boot lid" - When Dale Earnhardt intimidated popular F1 personality during International Race of Champions

Former F1 driver and current analyst, Martin Brundle, once suffered the wrath of Dale Earnhardt Sr. during the IROC Race Series. The 7x Cup Series champion successfully intimidated Brundle, and the latter expressed being "scared" by 'The Intimidator's' driving style.

Decades ago, in 1990, Earnhardt Sr. was carving his niche as one of the most dominant drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series and already had three championships in his arsenal. Additionally, the legendary driver used to race at the International Race of Champions and reigned supreme there also. He amassed four IROC titles- 1990, 1995, 1999, and 2000.

On the other hand, Martin Brundle was looking to resurrect his F1 career, but after failing to pre-qualify for the Canadian GP and the French GP, he returned to sports car racing in 1990. The same year saw the former F1 driver clinch the 24 Hours of Le Mans victory.

Brundle then forayed into the North American auto racing competition and locked horns with Dale Earnhardt Sr. several times. But the latter's driving style scared the former F1 driver. However, the second IROC race at the Burke Lakefront Airport witnessed Brundle clinch his maiden IROC win, while Senior finished fifth.

Nonetheless, even after emerging victorious over 'The Intimidator,' Brundle was frightened before the duo started their Michigan International Speedway race.

"I've got Dale Earnhardt behind me on the grid and, I mean, that guy scares me in the pit lane, let alone on the racetrack. I might as well paint a target on my boot lid," Brundle said via nascarman on X.

Martin Brundle outperformed Dale Earnhardt Sr. despite kicking off his Burke Lakefront run from eighth place

The IROC race consists of 12 high-octane rides battling for the top spot and thus, an eighth-place start would mean that Brundle initiated his run from the rear of the pack. Moreover, being a 30-lap race, the drivers don't have the luxury of time and have to find their way past their rivals quickly.

By the time the fourth lap was underway, Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s rival climbed the charts and ran second in his #5 Dodge Daytona. Then, on Lap 12, Brundle overtook Emerson Fittilpadi for the lead to register his first IROC triumph.

"I saw his tires going and I got a good slingshot going out of the chicane," Brundle said via UPI.com about what led to him overtaking Fittilpadi. "I got momentum and was able to defend my lead."

"I'm very easy on tires and on brakes," Brundle said. "It's part of my driving style and I think it was to my benefit today."

Dale Earnhardt Sr. championed the 14th edition of the IROC event and claimed a $175,000 prize, while Martin Brundle settled in third with a $50000 prize.