Just curious when Dale Earnhardt Sr died what were your feeling on it?

Question

Also do you think that Sterling Marlin or Kenny Schrader had anything to do with it?

Answer 1

I was surprised, because it didn't look like that big of a hit. I haven't seen it in awhile, but that was the way he raced, and noone did anything but be where they were at the time. If anything, I remember Earnhardt touching Marlin's car below, and I thought he did that to get Marlin's car loose. They were going so fast on the banking, but anyway the banking was so steep that when he dipped his car down it unsettled the weight to the left and caused him to oversteer into the wall. I think he meant to hit Marlin's car a little harder which would have kept him stable, but Marlin probably saw it coming and got as low as he could. Schrader is a gentleman racer who just happened to find a car in front of him and had nowhere to go. That's what I remember.

It's true he didn't wear a full helmet, but he died because of a basal skull fracture. His brain stem was ripped out of the back of his skull.

Also the racing harness or "seat belt" failed at the stitching. Not slowing him down at all, he went forward into the steering wheel and his body stopped instantly, but his head kept going, and that may be why his skull dislocated from his spine. I know I've seen people hit the wall as hard or harder and get out and walk away, but Earnhardt is the only person I've seen whose seatbelt failed when hitting the wall.

Answer 2

Earnhardt was my favorite driver. I was devestated, as was legions of both fans and haters alike. NASCAR has not been the same since. But, if anyone thinks that Sterling Marlin or Ken Schrader "had anything to do with it", they are idiotic.

It was an unfortunate accident and in that line of work, accidents happen. These guys spend the bulk of their time together. Sure, there are rivalries, fights and the like, but bottom line is, they are a family.

I am fairly certain that Marlin and Schrader think over and over again about that incident and wish like hell that it would have been someone else and not them.

Answer 3

i was stunned...felt kinda weird for a couple of days, but like they say: its just racing......i dont think sterling or schrader had anything to do wit it. i just wonder how it would have been if he was still alive. no kevin harvick (at least he would he on the 29 car), how would he have dealt with tony steward and/or all of the reckeless drivers, the chase, junior winning the daytona 500? stuff like that..

Answer 4

I was in Total Shock as millions were, everyone thought oh well he hit the wall no biggie. We had seen him (and others) in alot worse wrecks and all was ok but of course he died...
I feel it was just his time sure now we can all say he should of did this that etc but REALLY-we're all human. All of us do unsafe things everyday of our lives for one reason or another. Do we die or suffer because of it? Sometimes yes sometimes no. I don't feel anyone is to blame. Least of all him for not using something for safety. If anyone should be at fault maybe it should be Nascar afterall they have rules for Firesuits (for safety),
fuel cells (for safety), helments (for safety), the list could go on . They say had he used certain thing(s) he would have lived etc. well if thats the case Why Wasn't It REQUIRED?
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Go #8

Answer 5

Sunday, February 18
Earnhardt dies instantly of head injuries
Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dale Earnhardt, one of the greatest stars in auto racing history, died Sunday from injuries in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500.

What caused the crash
Dale Earnhardt was killed on the final turn of the final lap when his No. 3 Chevrolet appeared to brush Sterling Marlin's Dodge, causing Earnhardt's car to swerve sharply to the right.

Earnhardt's car, traveling at roughly 180 mph, then was struck on the side by Ken Schrader's car before slamming head-on into the outside wall. Doctors said he probably died instantly of head injuries.


The seven-time Winston Cup champion 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.


Dale Earnhardt (No. 3) goes into the wall while being simultaneously rammed by Ken Schrader (No. 36).


The death comes at a time that driver safety issues were under increased scrutiny. Three NASCAR drivers were killed in wrecks last season.


The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the NASCAR season-opener, won by Michael Waltrip.


Earnhardt, running fourth, grazed Sterling Marlin's car, crashed into the wall at the high-banked fourth turn going about 180 mph, and was smacked hard by Ken Schrader.


Earnhardt's death was the biggest blow to auto racing since three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna was killed in the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, in 1994.


Neil Bonnett, one of Earnhardt's best friends, was killed that same year in practice for the Daytona 500. Rodney Orr died in a wreck three days later, also in practice, and was the last driver killed at the track until Earnhardt's accident.


"NASCAR has lost its greatest driver ever, and I personally have lost a great friend," NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. said.


It was the second major wreck in five years in the race for Earnhardt, a driver known for his aggressiveness on the track. He flipped wildly on the backstretch near the end of the race in 1997 but was not seriously hurt. He came back to win the race the next year on his 20th try.


Earnhardt is the leader among active Winston Cup drivers with 76 career victories. He also had the most victories at Daytona International Speedway, 34.


The death made Waltrip's victory virtually meaningless, as drivers mourned one of their greatest stars.


"My heart is hurting right now," Waltrip said before news of Earnhardt's death was announced. "I would rather be any place right this moment than here. It's so painful."


Earnhardt was doing what he does best throughout the race, being the crowd favorite and bumping other cars for position.


He was a factor throughout, and spent the final laps close to his son and Waltrip, trying to block Marlin. Marlin had just passed Earnhardt, who was trying to get back by him on the low side of the track when there was slight contact that sent his Chevrolet spinning up the banking.


It turned to the right and hit the wall, and Schrader could not avoid hitting Earnhardt's car. Both cars slowly began to slide down to the bottom of the track as the rest of the field raced by.


Earnhardt Jr. quickly left the postrace celebration for Waltrip, and sprinted to the infield care center to be with his father. It took several minutes to get the elder Earnhardt out of the car, and he was quickly taken to Halifax Hospital.


Meanwhile, the crowd at Victory Circle was chanting "DEI, DEI," for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which owns the cars of his son and Waltrip. The celebration, which usually lasts 30 minutes, ended quickly.


Last May, Busch Series driver Adam Petty, the grandson of stock car great Richard Petty, was killed in Loudon, N.H. Two months later, Winston Cup driver Kenny Irwin also was killed at New Hampshire International Speedway.


NASCAR truck series driver Tony Roper was killed in October at Texas Motor Speedway.

Answer 6

What the hell difference does yours or anybody's "FEELINGS" got to do about it?
It's not going to change anything,...is it?
What happened.....happened....it's over!
Yes he was a LEGEND.... one of the BEST! However, post mortum discussions never brought anybody back from the dead. These guys know, that everytime they climb into that car it could be their DEATH.
THEY LIVE WITH THAT....why can't YOU?

Answer 7

No, his stubborness to refuse to wear a full face helmet is what really did him in. I was/am not a Earnhart fan, but ya gotta admit he was the Man.

Answer 8

I was in shock in awe just like everyone else. No one had anything to do with it, it was just his day to go. At least he died doing what he loved to do. How many of us can say that?

Answer 9

my feeling is that we lost a great race car driver. its his own darn fault for being pig headed about wearing a hanz device.

no kenny and sterlin had nothing to do with it.
rubbin's racin'

Answer 10

I was laughing at him. I hated Dale Sr. and still do.