8 years ago today...

B

Beaver-Cleaver

Guest
... on the last turn of the last lap of the 43rd Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt's black #3 Chevrolet crashed head-on into the turn 4 barrier at over 180 mph. It looked no worse than any other accident, and everybody waited for Dale to climb out of his racecar and wave to the crowd just as he had done any other time he crashed.

That moment, and it's collective sigh of relief, would not happen. Earnhardt's body was cut out of the car and transferred to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL.

A couple hours later, NASCAR President Mike Helton uttered those dreaded words: "This is understandably the hardest announcement I've ever had to make. We've lost Dale Earnhardt."

It didn't seem possible. Earnhardt wasn't a man, he was a legend. He was, for many race fans, a real live action superhero. At 49 years of age, Earnhardt won 76 races and 7 Winston Cup championships. He left behind a wife, Teresa, and three kids (Dale Jr., Kelly, Kerry).

Dale Earnhardt :: April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001
 
Baja28

Baja28

Obama destroyed America
Nascar is rid of it's biggest bully who could dish it out but couldn't take it.

Good riddance. :1bdz:
 
Crewdawg141

Crewdawg141

IYAMYAS!!!!!
Beaver-Cleaver said:
... on the last turn of the last lap of the 43rd Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt's black #3 Chevrolet crashed head-on into the turn 4 barrier at over 180 mph. It looked no worse than any other accident, and everybody waited for Dale to climb out of his racecar and wave to the crowd just as he had done any other time he crashed.

That moment, and it's collective sigh of relief, would not happen. Earnhardt's body was cut out of the car and transferred to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL.

A couple hours later, NASCAR President Mike Helton uttered those dreaded words: "This is understandably the hardest announcement I've ever had to make. We've lost Dale Earnhardt."

It didn't seem possible. Earnhardt wasn't a man, he was a legend. He was, for many race fans, a real live action superhero. At 49 years of age, Earnhardt won 76 races and 7 Winston Cup championships. He left behind a wife, Teresa, and three kids (Dale Jr., Kelly, Kerry).

Dale Earnhardt :: April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001
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RIP Dale. You are missed on Race Day!
 
Baja28

Baja28

Obama destroyed America
cattitude said:
:mad:

And Nascar is definitely better without him. :rolleyes: February 18, 2001 began the pussifcation of Nascar.
Click to expand...
I think it's better without him. I had only become a fan a few years prior, but long enough to watch him wreck people and shrug it off. But if someone tapped his bumper, he'd be in their pits ready to fight.
 
cattitude

cattitude

My Sweetest Boy
Baja28 said:
I think it's better without him. I had only become a fan a few years prior, but long enough to watch him wreck people and shrug it off. But if someone tapped his bumper, he'd be in their pits ready to fight.
Click to expand...

:lol:

Which is so unlike Tony.

Actually Dale Sr. had mellowed by the time you became a fan. For as much of an ass as people think he was, and some of it justified, he was a fairly good guy to many of the people coming up through the sport.
 
M

MoparRacer896

Pure Bred & Bottle Fed
I was there that day, in the turn 4 towers and could not believe that crash ending his life. I don't believe he ever sinched his belts down. I race and there is no way your head can hit the steering wheel PROPERLY fastened in. AND no way those belts broke.. They/we are required to change them out every 3 years.
If he had of been racing HIS race and not blocking for the 15 & 8 car, he'd still be here.. The 40 car was the man that day.
The open faced helmet he wore didn't help either.
Racing was changed drastically that day, the Intimidator is gone, but not forgotten. RIP Dale.
 
nachomama

nachomama

All Up In Your Grill
I remember hearing the news that a NASCAR driver had died, and just knew it was Tony Stewart. His wreck that day was way worse than Earnhardts. :ohwell:
 
homedepot20

homedepot20

Well-Known Member
Only Daytona 500 I missed viewing since 70 (Back then you only saw high lights) . You may not like the man , but you had to RESPECT the driver! Big E -Rest in Peace
 
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