Dale Earnhardt dies on final lap of the Datona 500...

[JP]

Yes its true, this 49 year old NASCAR racer dies while slamming into the wall head on at over 185mph. The beloved 'Intimidator' of NASCAR's Winston Cup series crashes hard into the wall during Sunday's final lap at the Daytona 500. Earnhardt was third at the time of the wreck, with the drivers for the team he owns -- Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- running 1-2. Waltrip wins his first race but the sport loses one of its greatest legends. Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in a final-lap accident at the Daytona 500, according to Reuters. Earnhardt, a seven-time Winston Cup champion, was 49. Michael Waltrip won the Daytona 500 – his first win in 463 Winston Cup starts. The race was halted after a major wreck on lap 175. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished second, Rusty Wallace third.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael Waltrip's Daytona 500 victory was marred by the tragic death of NASCAR motor racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.
He was 49.
Earnhardt, a seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion, died of injuries resulting from a last-lap accident in Sunday's race.
Earnhardt had to be cut out of his car after slamming into the wall on the final turn of the race while fighting for position. He was taken to the hospital accompanied by his son, Dale Jr., a young NASCAR star who finished second in the race.
"This is understandably the toughest announcement I've ever had to make. We've lost Dale Earnhardt," NASCAR president Mike Helton said.
Earnhardt died instantly of head injuries, said Steve Bohannon, a doctor at Halifax Medical Center.
"There was nothing that could have been done for him," he said.
The death comes at a time that driver safety issues were under increased scrutiny. Three NASCAR drivers were killed in wrecks last season. Waltrip, the younger brother of 1989 Daytona 500 winner Darrell Waltrip, held off teammate Earnhardt the final 10 laps before the tragic accident.
Waltrip and Earnhardt's Chevrolets were both owned by Dale Earnhardt Sr.

[This message has been edited by JP (edited 02-18-2001).]

[very low budget racer]

Oh my GOD!, I feel sorry for all that will miss him, his family, and his friends will remember him, and in heart he still live on. Im sure everyone here at RCCA will miss you too Dale.

[Orange Pedeanaut]

OMG HE DIED??? wahhhh http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif

[BobHastings]

Dear Dale,

I often questioned and cursed your on-track behavior, but your off-track generosity and contribution to racing always had my respect. You will be missed.

Bob

[ttrcr eb4]

Truly a sad lose to racing and god bless his family.Its a very sad day.

[Distro]

I hate when this happens..

[krayzie]

I as many others will miss Dale....

[BadRacer]

I thought he was just in the hospital in seriuos condition?!?

What the heck is going on with NASCAR theses days? Theres been ppl dieing because of this "sport". I know of 2 ppl dieing last year and thats still to much! And now on the first race of the season Dale's gone.

Dale will be missed by everyone. He was a great man and my pray goes out to him and his family and friends........this is truly a sad day in Motor Sports!

[rc_2]

i was shocked when i seen this post.i went ballistic.i started freaking out.he was my favorite driver.when the crash happened his son was shown running toward his car.my heart goes out to his family and freinds.

[Budster]

Yes, very tragic. Dale has been my favorite driver ever since I was really young, I remember seeing my first nascar race, he won that day, and has been my favorite driver ever since. He was a great guy, he was very aggressive on the track, but off he was a friend to many. My room is plastered with Earnhardt stuff. He was undoubtedly the greatest driver nascar has ever seen.

He was expected to do well this year, fired up and ready to attain that 8th championship. I know his son will take this very hard, during the broadcast the only person who really knew the seriousness at first was Darrel Waltrip, you could tell it by his voice and on his face.

From what the doctor said it appeared that he was dead on impact, and despite 20 minutes ofvattempts, they were unable to bring Dale back.
Good Bye Dale!

[TeamCarnage]

Never being a big fan of the "roundies" I still followed Nascar to some degree, Dale Earnhart was as tough a competitor in all of sports, he will be sorely missed, My family and I will be saying a few prayers for this living legend, taken from us doing what he did best... Our deepest sympathies to the Earnhart family and the Nascar family

[DirtRacinFool]

Rest In Peace, Intimidator. You Will be Missed. Gods Speed.

[The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r]

Im still in disbelief, after i heard the news i was in denile.
Its like losing a great friend, i dont think i will ever be able to watch another nascar race without seeing dales face. When the race was on , i seen the reck but at first it didnt seem to bad so i thought he was alright but Undoubtly i was wrong. Dale is in a good place with great people. trust that dale is up there with davey allison, adam petty, kenny irin having the greatest race possible. best regards to dales,daveys,kennys,and adams familys.

[XXXER]

Dale Erndheart was an excellent racer, one of the many who sparked my interest in racing of any kind, He was an excellent racer, and a fierce competitor. It will be hard to believe such a tragic thing to happen.

Dale, and family, good luck, and best wishes

[timesheet]

3..........................May he rest in peace.

[BigCatDaddy-Outlaw]

When I was young, I thought Dale was the greatest driver in the world, but as I got older my love for his on-track persona wained very heavily. After his result in the 24Hr of Daytona, I thought that I might give him another try. Sadly now I will never get that chance. So I must say to you Dale "I apologize for all those bad things I said about you, and I know you are now in a better place. I am so sorry to see you leave this world, at a time when we need a true hero. You left us doing something you loved, and making sure that your guys had the right to fight it out for the win. You will surely be missed by many, including me. I shall say a prayer for your family and friends, that they may stay strong and continue on in your memory. Rest in Peace Intimidator"

I hope all you guys that believe in God, whichever you worship, will say a prayer tonight for Dale's family, friends, fellow drivers, and employes. He will be greatly missed in the world.

[This message has been edited by BigCatDaddy-Outlaw (edited 02-19-2001).]

[digital6]

I watched the race yesterday and rooted for Dale the whole way through. When the wrech happened I too thought it didn't look to bad. When I heard that he had been taken to Hallifax for medical treatment I didn't think anything of it, geeeze these guys pop in and out of hospitals all the time.

He was my favorite drive, I'll miss him a great deal.

We miss you already Dale!

DiGiTaL6

[Fergy]

Our prayers go out to his family. Dale, you will be missed. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif

[RC10DS99]

May you Rest In Peace. I send out my sympathy to The Earnhardt Famliy and Friends.
We all will miss you Dale.

[DJ BlendeR]

Its sad that we lost such a great driver. I hope that his friends and family will be able to cope with this loss. I know it will be tough, because he was a great man.

I think we should have a moment of silence this sunday in honor of our late friend Dale Earnhardt. I didnt really watch the 500, so I am not sure what time it started, however I think from the time of the start to the end of the race, this sunday, those who want to honor him, dont post. In honor of him I will not post during that time.

[HumbleEagle487]

Even though he finished 12th, he'll always be the winner.

[Nitro_Man]

I too was a huge fan of Dale, my first memory ever is of sitting in front of the TV with my dad watching dale race. I am still in shock, but that unfortunately is the way things go. I think NASCAR should retire his number 3 just to honor him. I believe everything happend for a reason, and I don't know why this happened nor will I ever but this is the way it was ment to be. Sunday was a tragic day for everyone, the nation lost a hero, Dale Jr and the other kids lost a father, and his wife, Teresa lost her husband. There isn't much else to say but, Dale we love you!


Jarad

[This message has been edited by Nitro_Man (edited 02-19-2001).]

[just_dune_it]

Dale was one of the few drivers that I knew of in the Nascar's drivers-Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jr., Jeff Gorton, and Mark Martin were all I knew. He was a great racer, but at least he left doing what he loved.

[B3 Bomb]

I never liked him that much but never hated him. Without him the sport will take a while to recover. 3. I hope they race in heaven.

[RC-Eagle]

Dale will always be remembered... http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif

[losi man]

i was a real shocker for all of his fans. This is Dale we are talking about. He is the only driver that would have ever had a chance of breacking the 7 champion ship barrier. That recored will always be as is no one will ever breack it.

[Racer2racer]

Rest in Peace. Makes you realize how quick it can all end. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif

[greg_in_michigan]

i apologize for my comments, btu this is the way i see it. please read it. and mods, please dont edit anything out. i want everything in there that i said. i want to hear everyone elses ideas in here too.


i loved dale. he was the greatest. and i watched the race. and i saw the crash. and i dont know if i will ever watch another. i was only watching because i was wrenchin on my broken maxx, and it was the first race of the dodges. and i thouhgt, "oooo, a historical day. y not?" and historical meant what i wish it had not.

if u saw the crash, it was not that bad. ive seen way worse. on someplace on TV just like a half hour ago, i saw a bad crash of some bodine guy i think? no, it wasnt him, somebody who was racing a NASTRUCK. and he then went on to race NASCAR. and he was goin, someone in front of him got squirelly, and hit him. he went into the wall, hit the fence in the air, rode it for 150 feet, in a ball of flames, and like 300-400 feet later, he was hit by another car, ball of flames again, and landed as a guy in a cage of steel. no tires, no engine, no body. no nothing. and that was the sweetest crash ive ever seen. sweet meaning huge, and sweet cuz he was FINE!!! thats what race fans live for. CRASHES. not crashes to see ppl die, crashes to see them defy death, and walk away. and if NASCAR got off their fat corporate asses, and used the softwall, which has been available for a year or more? this would likely not have happened. i dont know if anyone knows what it is, but its pvc, and rubber which comes in 4x6' sections, and can be bolted to existing walls. and its only 900 bucks per 4X6' thing. which makes it around 2 mill for a 2 mile track or soemthing. now, would u rather see prices of BEER, and PRETZELS go up, and see your racers walk away, like u love to see them do? this really ****** me off because these guys at nascar who are saying "well, we need to move on, and we are looking into it, bu we dont see it as a priority right now yada yada yada and some BS" i think they need to pull their heads out of their butts, and practice what they preach. S_A_F_E_T_Y!!!!!! they have the recources to do this, but they choose not to? there is also the HANS head restraint invented buy some guy from michigan state university. this if a shoulder type harness at a amusement ride which goues around yur shoulder, and hooks to your helemet somehow. in my newspaper, they showed a diagram with and without the HANS. its just like seeing one of those crash tests on TV with a seat belt, and without a seatbelt. with the HANS, the head goes forward, snapping the rear of the skull, and neck. wich happened to dale. killing him instantly. supposedly. and with the HANS, the head STAYS in place, and doesnt move. which IMHO, WILL SAVE LIVES. the doc who worked on dale, said that even if the head is restrained, the internal organs still can be moved in the body, and take great forces. but this, i think, wont kill someone instantly, and gives them SOME will to live, and will give doctors room to work, and save lives. am i right? what do u guys think?

ive been holding this in since i saw the crash sunday, and first heard from maxxtraxx. since then, i havent been able to get online. and with all this BS i have heard on the news, i couldnt hold it any longer.

[BigCatDaddy-Outlaw]

I personally think the HANS device is not the answer. It restrains the sideways movement of the head to much. Which means you lose the ability to turn your head and see what's going on around you. That's why Dale was not wearing one. He always spoke of his pride in his ability to see the race track. They work well in open wheel cars, because the cockpit is already open and there is more visability. In a "stock" type car, the cockpit is closed thus restricting vision as soon as you step in it. They were discussing this the other night on ESPN.

The soft walls are a start, a very big start. But I think there is more that can be done to the cars. There is a production car( don't know if it is still made) that if you were in a front impact crash, the frame would contract, and the motor would press back toward the firewall, but instead of going through the firewall into the driver's cabin it slid under the car. This may not be the answer financially, but is an idea.

[DJ BlendeR]

I think we need to take a step back in nascar racing. These cars fly around the track at 190-200mph. They get the slightest tap, such was the case for dale, and they are out of there. The car goes flying and their fiberglass (I think thats what they use) shell shreds. We need to go back to the slower days where they could bump a little and show some aggression. Thats why touring car racing is picking up. They bump and grind, they lose car parts (but not right away) and it is the best action. I would much rather see a speed decrease in these cars but have more action with some bumps and taps. That is the whole reason I stopped watching the nascar races. It is way too repetitive. So lets start by making these cars more in stock trim, where they can dish and take the punishment. Thats my opinon.

[hpiguy]

They don't use fiberglass. It's thin aluminum or sometimes steel.

[Nairb]

FYI, the car is a Mercedes A-Class, which is one funky little car sold only in Europe.

[XXXER]

Greg, the HANs would NOT have save dale, the doctors said so, and IMHO, internal organs moving around will kill you, ESPECIALLY the brain. These cars have peaked technology-wise, slowing them down helped, as seen back in the seventies with the Plymouth Super Bird, and Dodge Daytona, that is when these cars were shaped oh so aerodynamically, and were reaching speeds well over 200MPH, it is true, and that is why we have restrictor plates, Dodge actually did not race for a week or two, to wait for better tires to come out, due to the high pressures caused by these land missles.

Safety IS the answer, but that costs $, and that is what everything comes down to, pure greed, NASCAR had better think of something quick, or they are going to be in a world of hurt from the public.

[B3 Bomb]

I think NASCARS trying to make the competition closer killed him, they should have left it alone. Sure close racing is alaways great but people getting killed because the spectators want to see close racing is a bunch of crap. I still cant accept the fact that they will not make it a rule to wear the HANS, it could have saved him, at the press conference they said that they did not know if it would have saved him, not that it wouldnt have. If it works in Indy it has to work in stock cars.

[Grizzbob]

I agree, B3Bomb. I also think its their desire to make a good show that is making the drivers push so hard, & prevents any of them from doing anything on their own. I believe they should add as much drag as possible to the cars, & remove the bloody restrictor plates, so everyone has plenty of grip, & if someone has the motor for it, they can pass with NO help from anyone. Then the faster car & driver wins, not the guy who's in front of the draft at that moment....

[KAMAKZI]

MY heart felt like it was riped from chess when I heard the news. I cant even race my video racing game or race my RC car with out morning or thinking that he really dead dead.
May he Rest In Peace.

He was my only favorite race car driver him and his son raced few weeks back in 24 hor race in a yellow carvette. I cant go on with
this post his hurts me to much.

[Hawkeye]

My family is country, and country music and stock cars go hand in hand, we all watched the 500 together and felt the shock together, some cried, some felt a greater pain. It still hurts me to talk about this, but communities like this are what keep people sane in hectic times, its good to see everyone let out their feelings and support each other. We lost a legend, but he will never be forgoten.
We can all be assured that Dale and Neil Bonnet are having a great time in the circle track in the sky, and they will go fishing after too.