On the afternoon of February 18, 2001, American auto racing driver and team owner Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr. was an American professional auto racing driver and team owner, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR. The third child of racing driver Ralph Earnhardt and Martha Earnhardt, he began his career in 1975 in the World 600 as part of the Wi…
Ken Schrader
Kenneth Schrader is an American professional racing driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the ARCA Racing Series, as well as at Eldora Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series. He raced in the NASCAR Cup Series from …
Did Dale Earnhardt Sr ever beat Richard Petty?
Throughout his career in the sport, Earnhardt drove in a total of 676 races. He won all-time record seven championships (tied with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson), and he also earned 76 victories and led 25,683 laps. Want your voice heard?
What injury killed Dale Earnhardt?
Earnhardt was the fourth NASCAR driver killed by a basilar skull fracture during an eight-month span, following Adam Petty in May 2000, Kenny Irwin Jr. in July 2000, and Tony Roper in October 2000.
Where is Dale Earnhardt's wrecked car?
Earnhardt has what he calls a racecar graveyard on his Dirty Mo Acres property near Mooresville, N.C. The racecar cemetery is the final resting place for wrecked cars and an outdoor museum of sorts for some of the most memorable wrecks in auto racing. Remember the car Juan Pablo Montoya ran into a jet dryer in the 2012 Daytona 500?
Did Dale Earnhardt have a wife?
Teresa Earnhardt is the widow of Dale Earnhardt. (Getty) It has been 15 years since Dale Earnhardt passed away at Daytona in a tragic car crash. Teresa Earnhardt was his wife and helped take over his company upon his death. He left behind four children, but the couple only had one child together.
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How did Dale Earnhardt die?
Medical expert confirms Earnhardt died of head injuries. According to Dr. Barry Myers, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. died when his head whipped violently forward. Earnhardt died during an impact with the wall on February 18 at the Daytona 500. Dr.
Why did Earnhardt die?
Earnhardt's fatal injury.". Other racing and medical experts had determine that Earnhardt likely died because his head and neck were not held securely in place.
What happened to Earnhardt's chin?
Earnhardt's chin might have hit the steering wheel, causing the major head injury that killed him on impact. A skull fracture ran from the front to the back of his brain. "If his restraint system - his belts - had held, he would have had a much better chance of survival," he said. ( Earlier story)
Did the head whipping kill Ed Earnhardt?
That in itself, was a blow that could have been enough to cause a fatal skull injury. However according to Myers, the head whipping by itself would have killed Earnhardt. Myers concluded his report by agreeing with other experts ...
Did the seat belt work in the crash?
In his findings, Myers sided with the other experts and he concluded that due to the injuries sustained, indications are that the seat belt functioned properly through much of the crash, holding back Earnhardt's body. The autopsy report did find that the underside of Earnhardt's chin struck and bent the steering wheel.
Who was the doctor that killed the Daytona Speedway?
In the early reports released at the time of his death, Dr. Steve Bohannon, Daytona Speedway physician and the emergency room trauma surgeon, said, "My speculation would be head injuries, basically to the base of the skull.". ( Earlier story)
Did Earnhardt contact the steering wheel?
In an later report, Dr. Bohannon stated that "Mr. Earnhardt more than likely contacted the steering wheel with his face.". Bohannon further speculated that with the broken belt, Earnhardt's body could have been thrown forward and to the right, thrusting him into the steering wheel.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. couldn't have been saved by protective equipment at the time
No one knew that February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s life. He was racing at Daytona Speedway and was on the last lap. He made contact with another car and both vehicles hit the concrete wall. To stop suddenly at a high rate of speed is often disastrous and sometimes deadly. Earnhardt Sr.
Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s death moved NASCAR into safer times
Dale Earnhardt's death caused the sport to look inward. After the crash, NASCAR did an internal investigation and found that there were some design flaws in the cars that pertained to safety, per the Orlando Sentinel. The organization made changes to make things safer, according to NASCAR.
What injury killed Earnhardt?
Earnhardt died of a basilar skull ring fracture, the same injury that had killed three other NASCAR drivers – Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Tony Roper – over the previous eight months. Johns Hopkins Medicine describes this injury as “the most serious type of skull fracture, and involves a break in the bone at the base of the skull”.
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NASCAR’s crash report, published in August 2001, stated: “Dale Earnhardt's death was most likely caused by a blow to the back of the head not from one single cause but from a combination of unusual factors.
What race did Dale Earnhardt die in?
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. tempted fate in a multitude of NASCAR races over the years, earning him millions of fans and a plethora of accolades. He survived his share of deadly crashes on the racetrack throughout his life, but in 2001, on the cusp of putting his racing career in park, he was tragically killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500.
When did Dale Earnhardt's car crash?
In 2001, at the age of 49, it seemed that Earnhardt was slowing down and possibly looking to move on. He even had his own team with his son, Dale Jr. However, with only two turns remaining in the big race, his car was involved in a 160 mph collision that forced him head on into a retaining wall.
How many NASCAR championships did Dale Earnhardt win?
Over the span of Earnhardt's 27-year career, he won a record seven world championships with 76 NASCAR Cup Series race wins along the way, including the sport's biggest prize, the Daytona 500, in 1998. His southern charm was yet another reason that fans held him close to their hearts.
Did Earnhardt escape?
Although Earnhardt's survival was remarkable, he didn't escape completely unscathed. Article continues below advertisement. "He broke his sternum and gosh knows what else that I remember because it was such a violent wreck," says Wheeler of the crash. "He probably had a concussion and never talked about it.".
Did Dale Earnhardt go back to racing?
The documentary chronicles the fact that Earnhardt returned to racing against doctors' advice and while in incredible pain; he went back to racing the next week, determined not to let the 1996 season go by the wayside.
How many NASCAR wins did Dale Earnhardt have?
by Kyle Dalton on November 13, 2020. Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s legacy in NASCAR is undeniable. In his stellar 27-year career, he earned 76 Cup Series victories, including the 1998 Daytona 500. More impressively, he won seven Cup Series championships. On February 18, 2001, Earnhardt’s career and life all suddenly came to a tragic end on the last lap ...
What was the force of the Earnhardt crash?
The force from the collision exerted on Earnhardt’s body was the equivalent of a vertical drop from a six-story building. After the accident, most NASCAR teams migrated from traditional five to six-point safety harnesses. NASCAR mandated the use of head-and-neck restraint devices later in 2001.
What car did Earnhardt drive in the game?
Marlin’s right front tapped the rear of Earnhardt’s No. 3 car , which caused it to wobble, before making a hard right turn into the wall, collecting Schrader in the process. After the rest of the field zipped by, Earnhardt and Schrader’s cars slid down the banking into the infield grass.
How many championships did Dale Earnhardt win?
In his stellar 27-year career, he earned 76 Cup Series victories, including the 1998 Daytona 500. More impressively, he won seven Cup Series championships. On February 18, 2001, Earnhardt’s career and life all suddenly came to a tragic end on the last lap of the Daytona 500. The NASCAR family and sports world were stunned.
What happened to Schrader's friend?
Schrader exited his vehicle and quickly scrambled over to check out his friend. He was stunned to see a lifeless Earnhardt, which it would later be revealed had been killed instantly on impact.
When did Dale Earnhardt win the Daytona 500?
Despite years of sustained success, Earnhardt was always dogged by the question—when would he win the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing, the Daytona 500? Finally, in 1998 , on his 20th attempt, Earnhardt answered the question. It turned out to be his only win that season.
When did NASCAR start using head and neck restraints?
NASCAR mandated the use of head-and-neck restraint devices later in 2001. NASCAR also began requiring the use of SAFER barriers at the top touring series race tracks across the country. The soft foam walls move slightly upon impact, dissipate energy, and reduce the force exerted on the driver.
Why didn't the Earnhardt crash look bad?
Earnhardt’s crash didn’t look bad because most people underestimate the violence of the sudden stop. When Earnhardt’s car hit the wall, it came to a very sudden stop. Imagine a sliding a bar of soap across a wet floor and stopping it with your hand, when the soap stops, it stops.
How did Dale die?
The actually cause of death was from his chin striking the steering wheel, causing the fatal “basilar skull fracture ”…a lot of people blamed it on a Seat Belt failure at 1st, but it was later discovered that the seat belts were in fact improperly installed per recommended locations ( a preference of Dale’s so that he could move around in the seat easier) .
What was Dale's one thing he was not used to doing?
With all of his talents, one thing Dale was not use to doing was blocking for someone else to win (himself, yes. Others, no so much). The two cars in front of him were DEI cars, one of which was his son.
How long after Richard Childress' death did the car still exist?
The thought that the car still exists eighteen, almost nineteen years after his death, is incomprehensible.
Does Schrader have PTSD?
Schrader has a severe form of PTSD because of what he saw, and if seeing Dale caused that… then I can assure you it isn’t something anyone wants to see.
Is Dale the dog dead?
Dale is dead, and seeing his body isn’t going to do anything but further cement
Do race cars scare you?
As any race car driver will tell you, the big wrecks with the flips and spins don’t scare you, it’s the sudden stops that do.
What happened to Dale Earnhardt?
Unfortunately, in 2001 Dale Earnhardt lost his life in a tragic accident at the Daytona 500 race. He was involved in a car crash with Ken Schrader after making minor contact with Sterling Marlin, but Dale hit the outside wall head-on and was killed instantly. His teammate Michael Waltrip won the race, and the team officials while celebrating Michael’s victory all feared for Dale’s wellbeing. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough, and despite a quick response by paramedics, there was no help for Dale.
Who took over the NASCAR team after Dale Earnhardt's death?
Following Dale’s death, Teresa took over full control of the company, but a couple of years after Dale’s death, the sponsors started leaving the company. Furthermore, Teresa and Dale sons, Dale Jr. started a feud over the ownership of the company, which eventually resulted in Dale Jr. signing with Hendrick Motorsports, instead of extending his contract with the Dale Earnhardt Inc. This led to further disarray in the company, and two years later she had to accept the offer from Chip Ganassi and merge with his Ganassi Racing to form the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Their collaboration lasted until 2014 when Chip Ganassi bought Teresa’s shares of the NASCAR team. Since then, she has focused on other ventures of the Dale Earnhardt Inc. looking to preserve the legacy of one of the greatest NASCAR drivers in history. Dale Earnhardt was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in the inaugural year of 2010. Teresa was present at the induction, speaking proudly of her husband and his accomplishments.
When was Dale Earnhardt inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Dale Earnhardt was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in the inaugural year of 2010. Teresa was present at the induction, speaking proudly of her husband and his accomplishments.
Who is Dale Earnhardt's wife?
Teresa was born on the 29th October 1958 in Hickory, North Carolina USA, and is a businesswoman, but perhaps best known to the world as the third wife of the tragically deceased stock car racer Dale Earnhardt.
Who bought Teresa's shares in NASCAR?
This led to further disarray in the company, and two years later she had to accept the offer from Chip Ganassi and merge with his Ganassi Racing to form the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Their collaboration lasted until 2014 when Chip Ganassi bought Teresa’s shares of the NASCAR team.
Overview
On the afternoon of February 18, 2001, American auto racing driver and team owner Dale Earnhardt was killed instantly due to a basilar skull fracture. He was pronounced dead at Daytona Medical Center a short time later. in a final-lap collision in the Daytona 500, in which he crashed into a retaining wall after making contact with Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader.
Earnhardt's death was officially pronounced at the nearby Halifax Medical Center at 5:16 p.m. EST (22:16 …
Circumstances of Earnhardt's death
Earnhardt died while competing in the 2001 Daytona 500, a NASCAR-sanctioned automobile race at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR sanctions required the use of a carburetor restrictor plate for races held at that track as well as Talladega Superspeedway. In 2000, the year before Earnhardt died, NASCAR instituted additional restrictions to the springs and shocks used on th…
Aftermath
Earnhardt's death triggered widespread media attention. One newspaper called the day "Black Sunday". Devastated fans congregated at the headquarters of Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. the night of the crash and at Daytona International Speedway. Earnhardt was featured in the following week's Time magazine, and a video from the race was played on nearly every major television channel in the United States.
Replacing Earnhardt
Team owner Richard Childress made a public pledge that a black car with a GM Goodwrench sponsorship would no longer use the number 3, honoring the color scheme and sponsor that Earnhardt had driven with since 1988. Given the No. 3 team's 12th-place finish in the race, 2000 season status as second in owner points, and presence on the Winner's Circle bonus program, Childress requested (and NASCAR approved) the team to be renumbered to 29, which was the fi…
Cause of death controversy
At a news conference five days after the crash, NASCAR officials announced that the left lap belt on Earnhardt's seat belt harness had broken. Dr. Steve Bohannon, NASCAR's medical expert, said he thought the faulty belt had allowed Earnhardt's chin to strike the steering wheel, causing the fatal basilar skull fracture. This led to speculation that Earnhardt would have survived if his seat belt had not broken.
Safety improvements
After the accident, there were several safety improvements made in the sport of stock car racing.
In response to the speculation about the broken lap belt in Earnhardt's car, many teams migrated from traditional five to six-point safety harnesses.
Following the extensive investigation into Earnhardt's death, results from which were released on August 21, 2001, NASCAR did not make any immediate changes regarding use of the HANS device. …
Autopsy pictures
On February 19, 2001, the Volusia County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy for Earnhardt. The unusual act of notifying NASCAR and Teresa Earnhardt was made prior to releasing the records sought by members of the public and media. Three days later, Teresa Earnhardt filed a legal brief in the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Volusia County, Florida (Case No. 2001-30373-CICI Div. 32). Once the complaint was filed, the medical examiner's offic…
See also
• Blink of an Eye, a 2019 documentary film
• List of NASCAR fatalities
• List of racing drivers who died in racing crashes