Private Earnhardt Burial

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/13/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Race car legend Dale Earnhardt's family bid farewell to the fallen driver in a private ceremony in his hometown of Kannapolis, N.C., on Wednesday, one day before the NASCAR community planned to hold its formal tribute to the driver known The Intimidator. The Kannapolis service was private and for relatives only. At the family's request, the exact site of Earnhardt's final resting place is to remain confidential. "They're in a state of shock," family minister Max Helton told PEOPLE. "His son (Dale, Jr., who was also in the tragic race that took his father's life) is taking it very difficult. He does not feel it is his fault, but he's hurting very badly." Earnhardt, who would have turned 50 in two months, was killed Sunday on the last turn of the last lap in Florida's Daytona 500 after he slammed into a concrete wall. A public tribute, of sorts, will take place on Mon., Feb. 26, when TNN presents the special "Dale Earnhardt: The People's Champion," to be hosted by long-time TNN NASCAR announcer, Eli Gold, the network announced Thursday.