DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NASCAR community will say goodbye to Dale Earnhardt on Thursday. Meanwhile, threats are being made against the life of driver Sterling Marlin.

Earnhardt will be laid to rest Thursday in a nationally-televised funeral. Despite his father's death, Dale Earnhardt Jr., says he will race in the DuraLube 400 on Sunday.

-->The Fans:A steady stream of fans, many crying and hugging each other, have come to the Dale Earnhardt headquarters in Mooresville, bringing flowers and momentos, and lighting candles for someone they considered part of their family.

Many fans say the sport will never be the same without their hero.

"I was speechless. You think of Dale Earnhardt, the man in black. You think he's Superman. You just can't think he's going to die," says racing fan John Nance.

"Most people that are country people seem to be born and bred on NASCAR, and whether they're an Earnhardt fan, Gordon fan, Petty fan, whoever they root for, it's always hurts when someone in the NASCAR family dies," says fan Adrian Rigsbee.

Earnhardt was born in April 29, 1951 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Teresa, and his four children, Kerry, Kelly, Taylor Nicole and Dale Jr.

In lieu of flowers, fans are asked to send donations in honor of Earnhardt to: The Carolinas Foundationc/o Dale EarnhardtPO Box 34769Charlotte, NC 28234-4769-->

From staff and wire reports ,Michelle SingerandKamal Wallace