This is a 1:24 scale die-cast replica of the #3 GM Goodwrench Plus sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Dale Earnhardt during the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001.  This ELITE METAL die-cast has the Sonic contingency sponsorship decals on the rear quarter panels. 

This die-cast replica is the Action ELITE METAL version and is numbered 5,361 of only 7,500 produced.

In the weeks leading up to the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt elected not to attend the annual fan and media preview event.  On February 3 and 4, for the first time in his career, Earnhardt participated in the Rolex 24 hour endurance race at Daytona, the event that kicks off Speedweeks at the race track.  Earnhardt and his teammates, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins finished fourth overall and second in class.

Ultimately, however, 2001 Speedweeks would be the first in many years that Earnhardt failed to win one race. In the Budweiser Shootout, Earnhardt finished second to Tony Stewart and was also denied a victory in the Gatorade Twin 125 qualifying race.  Earnhardt had won every Twin 125 event he competed in during the 1990s, and was poised to win again in 2001 when Sterling Marlin pulled off a slingshot pass going down the backstretch, taking the victory away from Earnhardt.

Dale Earnhardt started the race in 7th place and was a front-runner throughout the day, leading 17 laps.  Earnhardt was involved in a last-lap accident in turn 4 and tragically lost his life.  Michael Waltrip, driving the #15 Napa Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. went on to win the race, his first-ever NASCAR Winston Cup victory, with Dale Earnhardt Jr finishing in 2nd.

It is listed as “used condition” because it is opened and one of the hood pins is missing.  This is how I received the item. The box and outer sleeve do show some very minor wear, and aside from the missing hood pin, the car itself is in good condition! This die-cast comes from a smoke-free home.