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Started By
Message
re: Today marks 25 years since "The Intimidator" crashed into the wall on the final lap
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:36 pm to stout
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:36 pm to stout
quote:
Dale Earnhardt’s last words over the radio during the 2001 Daytona 500 were, "Look at those boys go!" as he observed his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and teammate, Michael Waltrip, leading the final lap before his fatal crash.
Not true, at least according to his spotter at the top of the tri-oval grandstand. He was on Dale Jr's podcast and said the last thing Sr. said was that the 15 (Waltrip) was running too high and needed to move down the track some. Told his spotter to tell Ty Norris (Waltrip's spotter) to move down.
There's also a pretty powerful interview out there with the trauma doctor who was the first medical person to see Sr. after the crash while still in the car. He said it was obvious exactly what had happened and that he was gone, but that they started lifesaving measures immediately, worked on him in the ambulance on the way to Halifax Medical, and worked about 30 minutes in the trauma bay before officially calling it
0
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:37 pm to TT9
Ken Schrader, who was a tough as frick old school nascar driver type, still won’t talk about what he saw when he looked in Earnhardt’s car
This post was edited on 2/18/26 at 6:37 pm
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:39 pm to stout
DEAD Earnhardt.... I mean Dale.
I'm surprised he lived as long as he did
I'm surprised he lived as long as he did
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:40 pm to Sun God
quote:
Ken Schrader, who was a tough as frick old school nascar driver type, still won’t talk about what he saw when he looked in Earnhardt’s car
If you read his book, Schrader said that the only person he ever told what he saw was Dale Jr., and that was years after.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:40 pm to stout
Was that the beginning of the end of NASCAR.
I was surprised recently to notice it’s still around.
I feel like 25 years ago even non racing fans had bucket list races they hoped to attend. Most red blooded American males could put a name to face on over a handful of drivers.
Jeff Gordon was the token fig, but now half the drivers are woke
I was surprised recently to notice it’s still around.
I feel like 25 years ago even non racing fans had bucket list races they hoped to attend. Most red blooded American males could put a name to face on over a handful of drivers.
Jeff Gordon was the token fig, but now half the drivers are woke
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:43 pm to VolunGator
quote:
DEAD Earnhardt.... I mean Dale.
I'm surprised he lived as long as he did
That you Jeff Gordon?
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:46 pm to Sam Quint
Basal skull fracture.
It's better when the car dissipates all the energy.
It's better when the car dissipates all the energy.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:48 pm to Sun God
Yep.
He's kept silent and only told Dale, Jr.
He's kept silent and only told Dale, Jr.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 6:52 pm to billjamin
Dead had a death wish.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:03 pm to N2cars
quote:yup, respect that.
Yep.
He's kept silent and only told Dale, Jr.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:06 pm to stout
NASCAR was never the same after that day. I’m proud to say I saw him win at Talladega, his last win with my dad who’s no longer here either
RIP #3
RIP #3
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:13 pm to stout
I was on the infield for his last win at Tallladega the year before. Has any sport fallen faster than NASCAR at its high point?
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:15 pm to billjamin
quote:
Really sucks he didn't have a Hans on because he would probably still be alive if he did
At the time of the crash, a RCR team manager (I believe it was Bobby Hutchens) was helping develop a version of the Hutchens device that would be compatible with Dale's open face helmet.
Dale knew what killed Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin and they had been testing a version that he could use as the Hans and the Hutchens device of the time period would not work with his or other open face helmets. He and the few open face helmet drivers of the time wanted it so they did not have to switch to full face helmets. (That included Sr, Jr, Jimmy Spencer, etc..)
Testing had not been completed yet at the time and I think Dale was going to start trial using it sometime around the first Atlanta race. Unfortunately he never got to try it out. Not long after his death, when NASCAR mandated head and neck restraints, the Hans and the Hutchens were the only two approved devices. Tony Stewart preferred the Hutchens as gave the driver more movement and he felt less claustrophobic when using it compared to the Hans.
If I remember correctly the start of the 2002 season NASCAR came up with a new certification standard and the Hutchens did not meet it and everyone switched the Hans device.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:18 pm to ThatTahoeOverThere
quote:
There are reports that Schrader said he saw blood on the wheel and Dale had a bone sticking out the back of his ear. So basically his jawbone went through his skull and his neck broke. Its got to be hard for Schrader having that vision in his mind all these years.
If you read the autopsy reports you would know this isnt true at all. Schrader saw him and instantly knew he was dead, but his face/skull wasn't demolished in any way.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:23 pm to Sun God
He saw a lot of blood and Dale’s head at a weird angle.
Pictures exist of the inside of the car. There was blood all over.
——
I was a big Dale fan. I hate that he went out but it was really like a storybook / movie / legend ending.
Pictures exist of the inside of the car. There was blood all over.
——
I was a big Dale fan. I hate that he went out but it was really like a storybook / movie / legend ending.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:26 pm to BayouBengal51
I never understood why anyone liked the Hutchens. It seems like a worse option. I tried on a couple hybrids that are similar and I have zero interest in wearing a girdle over my firesuit. But to each their own.
I am curious about the open face helmet comparability. I wonder if the issue was that the post anchors would spread the front of the helmet open. It would make sense. Have you heard anything about that?
I am curious about the open face helmet comparability. I wonder if the issue was that the post anchors would spread the front of the helmet open. It would make sense. Have you heard anything about that?
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:28 pm to stout
I always thought Rick and Bubba did a decent tribute to him after it happened.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:29 pm to BayouBengal51
quote:
I think Dale was going to start trial using it sometime around the first Atlanta race
He called it ‘a damn noose’. I don’t think he would have ever used it.
His open face helmet was his secret to feeling changes in wind pressure when drafting.
Plus, it looked badass:
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:29 pm to stout
Man....that cut of Darrell's reaction going from elation for his little brother to a little tremble at "I hope Dale's ok...I guess he's alright isn't he..."
This post was edited on 2/18/26 at 7:30 pm
Posted on 2/18/26 at 7:30 pm to PowerTool
quote:
Man....that cut of Darrell's reaction going from elation for his little brother to a little tremble at "I hope Dale's ok...he has to be"
It has been probably 10+ years since I've heard it and I know exactly what you are saying. That was such a whiplash of emotion for DW.
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