Tim Richmond (READ THIS!)
This movie, almost entirely, is based on the life and career of Tim Richmond... so much in fact, If I were the Richmond family I would sue for royalties!
Tim was the guy that taught Earnhardt how to drive hard, in fact he intimimdated the Intimidator. They were very close friends - real friends, not lip service friends. He's the only driver I know of that Dale respected.
If you like the adventures in this movie, do yourself a favor and get the books on Richmond, he was the real life Cole Trickle, only about 9,000 times more interesting, talented and charismatic.
damn shame he loved strippers and hookers... AIDS took him at the height of his amazing career.