Earnhardt Dies After Daytona Wreck
by Associated Press
Feb. 19, 2001
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP)
The Intimidator. Old Ironhead. Tough and unyielding, a winner on the racetrack and often sarcastic and calculating off of it.
Even people who knew nothing about racing knew Dale Earnhardt's craggy, mustachioed face and his reputation as a driver never afraid to bang fenders or shake his fist at a rival.
Despite those traits and his rough appearance or maybe because of them Earnhardt was a key figure in the explosive growth of NASCAR during the past 20 years from a regional sport into a mainstream America powerhouse.
That's what made his death in Sunday's Daytona 500 so shocking.
``This is incredible, just incredible,'' driver Jeremy Mayfield said. ``You figure he'll bounce right back. Your first thought is, 'Hey, he'll probably come back next week at Rockingham and beat us all.'''
As word of the fatal, last-lap wreck spread, fans cried and the big flag in the middle of Daytona International Speedway's vast infield waved forlornly at half-staff.
The death of Earnhardt - still a championship contender at 49 - was the biggest blow to auto racing since the 1994 crash that killed Formula One star Ayrton Senna.
On the day NASCAR began a new era with the return of Dodge after a 16-year absence and the beginning of a six-year, $2.8 billion TV contract, it's biggest draw was suddenly gone.
Earnhardt was the first driver killed in the Daytona 500, which began in 1959.
Six drivers have died of injuries from wrecks during practice or qualifying races for the 500.
Neil Bonnett, one of Earnhardt's best friends, was killed in 1994. Rodney Orr died in a wreck three days later, also in practice, and was the last Winston Cup driver killed at the track until Earnhardt's crash.
Earnhardt died perhaps because of an uncharacteristic decision to let his son and the newest driver on his own team fight it out for the victory while he protected their flank.
Earnhardt crashed on the last turn of the last lap vying for third place at the front of a tight five-car pack. In front of him, Michael Waltrip held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. for what should have been the biggest moment in the short history of Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Earnhardt had to be cut from his battered car and was taken to Halifax Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead of head injuries.
Safety personnel tried furiously to save him, three EMS workers leaning into the car, working on Earnhardt, and two firefighters ripping off the roof to get him out.
``He had what I felt were life-ending type injuries at the time of impact and nothing could be done for him,'' said Dr. Steve Bohannon, an emergency physician at the hospital who also works for the speedway.
The crash began when the back left corner of Earnhardt's famed black No. 3 Chevrolet bumped with Sterling Marlin's Dodge.
Earnhardt's car fishtailed slightly and briefly slid to its left, down toward the infield, before suddenly swinging back to the right and cutting across traffic at a sharp angle. He hit the wall headfirst and Ken Schrader's yellow Pontiac crashed into the passenger side of his car.
With Earnhardt's Chevy already smoking and shredding at the front, Schrader's car stayed lodged into its side, forming a T. The cars careened again off the wall, plowing into the final turn and sliding to a stop.
Both cars ended up in smoking heaps on the infield grass.
``I guess someone got into Dale because Dale got into me and then we went up,'' the uninjured Schrader said. ``We hit pretty hard and Dale hit harder.''
The accident removed all the luster from a glittering race that kept the record crowd of 195,000 spectators on their feet most of the afternoon.
Nearly two hours after the race, NASCAR president Mike Helton, his voice breaking with emotion, walked into the infield media center with the unbelievable news.
``This is undoubtedly one of the toughest announcements I have ever personally had to make. We've lost Dale Earnhardt,'' Helton said.
"ONE FINE DAYTONA AFTERNOON"
A fine Daytona afternoon, the season just begun.
My boys were running one and two, and I was having fun.
I probably could have won the thing, but something held me back.
I was busy watching Dale and Mike -- and holding off the pack.
I was looking toward the front and not really to the rear.
Something tapped me on my bumper, but still I had no fear.
I thought it might be Sterling - I knew he was nearby.
When Sterling smells the checkered flag, I'll tell you, he ain't shy.
I slipped a bit. I turned the wheel. I sensed something very odd.
It wasn't Sterling's tap I'd felt. It was the tap of God.
"Not now," I said. "I'm racing hard. There's work still here to do."
"You're time is up," He whispered low, "So say a quick adieu."
I wasn't really ready, but I didn't have a choice.
He'd tapped me on the bumper and I'd heard His hallowed voice.
So I did as He instructed. I just packed it in and left.
I guess it can't be helped that I left some of you bereft.
Did you see those birds upon the wall as they scattered in the breeze?
Will it make it any easier to know that them was me?
There was also Davey, Dad and Neil and some other guys I've known.
And they all came to Daytona just to escort me on home.
Hey - congratulations, Mikey! You made a worthy run.
I wish you many, many more. You're wins have just begun.
All that fun you had in Victory Lane, I was proud as proud can be.
Did you see a seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey, that was me.
So, friends and fans and family, don't mourn me for too long.
Get on with life - take care of things - be brave and proud and strong
I'll surely miss you every one. About that I will not lie.
But as long as you remember me - I didn't really die.
Dale Doing A Dance Move
The man himself.
Dale's car came once to a local car dealership in my town, and I just had to go see it, this is me of course.
This is a bad ass car, huh?
Gentlemen start your engines.
Don't you wish this car was parked in your yard?
This is one of Dale's engines in the number#3.
One man's tribute visible to the heavens
CHARLOTTE - When Dale Earnhardt died, race fans congregated by the thousands -- in person and in cyberspace -- to share in the grieving process. They wrote songs, poems and talked of their first-hand encounters with The Intimidator. Fifty-four-year-old Jim Hunt of Cocoa, Fla., went into his back yard to do something "selfish."
Hunt, a self-employed insurance repair contractor who entertains NASCAR race team members each year during Speedweeks at Daytona, tilled a 353-foot "3" in a low-lying grassy area of his property with the help of two employees.
Dale won the 1995 Indianapolis Brickyard 400 race by .426 seconds, Rusty Wallace came in second, Yes Dale I know you are seeing this page, and thats the reason why you were my driver, cause you are gooooood!!!
This is the interior of the number#3, you can see part of Dale in it.
Dale crossing the finish line at the 1998 Daytona 500.
Dale celebrates in victory lane at the 1998 Daytona 500.
Dale standing on the number 3 car hood at the 1998 Daytona 500 win.
Dale holding up the 1998 Daytona 500 trophy.
Dale and President George Bush at the 2000 Winston.
Dale Earnhardt Inc.
2003 Brickyard 400 Pictures
Pictures page 2
Pictures Page 3
Dale Earnhardt Jr pictures
Earnhardt Family
Dales Cars
Information
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Dale Sr & Dale Jr Movies
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