Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. ?Negotiations with a bouncer?Damn Terry Labonte?Dale Sr. & BambiNote to Ken ?Little ass spoilers, LISTEN:Web: https://t.co/Bifc95ifTgApple: https://t.co/7XKWk1gWvTGoogle: https://t.co/f6o18GTh9c pic.twitter.com/UcXTy2PVN1, Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 11, 2020. He had a host of other injuries, including fractures to his ribs and left I am a big believer that we all put our pants on one leg at a time. THE RACE ITSELF was a good one, with 49 lead changes swapped among 14 different race leaders. You can see blood, the bent steering wheel . Before @DaleJr let Ken Schrader leave the @DirtyMoMedia studio, he shared an emotional message on what he means to the Earnhardt family. #DJD pic.twitter.com/yuUtVhuJcB Reporters cried. The organization made changes to make things safer, according to NASCAR. - Proverbs 18. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He made eye contact with Schrader, who was behind a curtain being examined. There were just so many questions. Instead, he delivered the bad news to Waltrip, who had just won NASCAR's biggest race for the first time in a car owned by Earnhardt. Earnhardt later told Schrader how Dorothy had been homesick. His face was pale and his voice shaky when he lied and said he didnt know. PHOTOS: Memorable moments of Earnhardt's No. Evans Chebet and Hellen Obiri give Kenya a Boston Marathon sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract. Ken Schrader would have the most accurate account. More often, the signs are much smaller, much more personal. All of these events happened in the span of 80 milliseconds. The headlines the next day said it all Racing loses a giant.. And after poor performances in Rockingham, N.C., and Las Vegas, Schrader had to make a difficult change on his team by firing crew chief Sammy Johns before last week's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was When his race car smashed into a concrete wall at an estimated 180 mph Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, it broke eight ribs, his left ankle and his breastbone. Its been 20 years since the crash at the Daytona 500 that took the life of motorsports legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. and there are still a few folks out there that believe Sterling Marlin is to blame. The seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion was killed when he crashed into the fourth turn on the last lap of the February 18th Daytona 500. Unfortunately, Dale Sr. collided with driver Ken Schrader and hit the outside wall head-on. "He came up and was like, 'Hey, you can do this. I talked him into it. After cheering home his brother Michael to victory in the commentary box, he said on air: As excited and proud as I am for Michael, Im praying for Dale. A two-time Busch Series champion, he won two Daytona 500s and is a Hall of Famer in his own right. It was 13 years ago today when Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. "So, now, here we all were, balancing grief, the loss of our friend. Dale Earnhardt Sr. couldnt have been saved by protective equipment at the time. In 1997, he flipped his car with just 12 laps to go. He got to race in these newer cars and tracks before semi-retiring in 2017. A racer through and through who spends his time away from Winston Cup at dirt tracks and other small circuits, Schrader had seen death before. Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but Im glad it was you. As a reporter who went to the occasional race beyond Daytona but didnt travel the circuit, I didnt know Earnhardt well. "There's a great photo of that moment," Petty says. It was What I saw in the car that day, that will stay with you, Schrader said in his first extensive interview about the wreck. So many years have The hardest part was yet to come. "She stood on the back wall of the room, and she was very composed. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. "He knows things can happen in a race car," Ann Schrader said. Schrader had walked to Victory Lane and delivered the terrible news of what he believed had happened in the middle of Waltrip's celebration, causing Waltrip to leave immediately. That's energy that's leaving. Reads Letter To Ken Schrader 19 Years After Deadly Dale Sr. A racer through and through who spends his time away from Winston Cup at dirt tracks and other small circuits, Schrader had seen death before. And that's the other stupid saying you'll hear. It had been there when his crew secured his window net on pit road and he rolled away to take the green flag. Now, NASCAR continues to flourish as it drives on into a bright future. It was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family were in shock. The strong run propelled him to 10th place in the standings prior to Sunday's race in Darlington, S.C., and did wonders for his psyche. I didnt know for certain [he was dead], but I would have bet. His non-fatal injuries were eight broken ribs, a broken left ankle and fractured sternum. "When I realized that was the way that this was going to go, that Dad was gone, I turned and saw [Earnhardt's PR representative] J.R. Rhodes and ran to him. IndyCar at Long Beach: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc. They wanted to talk about head and neck restraints. Dale Sr. was officially pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after the crash. He crashed into the concrete wall at the fourth turn going about 180 mph, and was smacked hard by Ken Schraders car. It certainly didnt take long for fans of Dale Earnhardt Sr. to begin threatening Sterling Marlin following the fatal accident. How could he, even in a sport that is known as dangerous, die on the final lap of a Daytona 500? According to Legacy, his fellow racers dubbed him "The Intimidator." His own teams cars, driven by good friend Michael Waltrip and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr, finished 1-2 on a day that should have been filled with great joy. Driving a race car, whether it is NASCAR, Formula One, or another type, is far more than just going around in an oval. But he had might as well have been conjuring the feelings of the entirety of NASCAR. 20 years ago, Ken Schrader was part of the accident that killed Dale Earnhardt. The News-Journal did a special section on Earnhardt the week after he died and each reporter had to write their fondest memories of him. The death of Dale Earnhardt from a crash during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 is considered the darkest day in the history of NASCAR. He finished second in his division in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, second to youngster Tony Stewart in the Bud Shootout All-Star event, and third in his 125-mile qualifier. To this day, all Schrader will say of what he saw is, "I just knew that it wasn't good. But two hits from onrushing cars punted Stewart's car into the air. Dale Earnhardt Sr. was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital a few hours later but Ken Schrader later admitted that he knew Earnhardt had passed the moment he looked in the car. But he was immediately distracted by Earnhardt's crash, watching the No. Since Earnhardts death, and its subsequent safety drive, NASCAR has not suffered a fatality in its major leagues. No one knew that February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.s life. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. But he can do something about how it affects him. And for those still blaming him for the accident, its time to let that go. How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR There was no movement from Dales #3 car, but Ken managed to wiggle out of his and ran to his friends window. The seven-time NASCAR Cup champion, known as the fearless Intimidator, died at the age of 49 after his famed #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo crashed at Turn 4 on the last lap of the Daytona 500. Some speculated that the belt had broken, which but Tommy Propst, who took part in the futile effort to save the racing legend, was adamant that the seat belt was intact, via the LA Times. Some even made phone calls to the shop that Marlin owned in Mooresville, North Carolina. I started off my column expressing my dislike for the assignment because I didnt really know what to say. Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was participating in the same race that his father died. How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory, How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 We'll never truly know what he really saw, and that's probably for the best. After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader climbed from his car and rushed over to check on his old friend. It looked as though his save from Friday's IROC race might happen again. For every individual, Earnhardt and his legacy mean something different. He took one look and instantly recognized by the body language of the doctors that the battle was over. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Fellow racer Ken Schrader was the first to get to him and realized he was dead, per ESPN . He had a host of other injuries, including fractures to his ribs and left ankle, but he was dead instantly from the damage to his head, which included a ring fracture of the base of his skull, via Autopsy Files . Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. Earnhardt was playing rear gunner to his Dale Earnhardt, Inc. team cars as they raced around the final lap of the race, to block any late runs from the chasing pack. He won 76 NASCAR Cup races and earned over $42 million in winnings, per Racing Reference. IndyCar at Long Beach: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc. Earnhardt led four times for a total of 17 laps up front. You can actually see Ken Schrader telling Michael Waltrip about Dale's condition in victory lane at the thirty minute or so mark. I think if people just come back to their senses and listen to what everybody is saying, and watch the tape, theres no question. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. His 184-pound body was thrown far enough out into the right center of the cockpit that he suffered a blow to the back of his head. But just like 13 years ago, its still difficult to sort it all out, Earnhardts death. Both vehicles then traveled across the race track and onto the grass. I hollered at Dale a couple of times [on the radio] and he didnt answer back which was a little unusual., Schrader, who was the first person to attend the crash scene, said that moment will always stay with me and has famously refused to divulge any details of what he saw inside Earnhardts car. We've got good cars, man. "You could tell in the communication from those arriving on scene," Helton says of his view from race control. I really appreciate you for who you are and the friend youve been to me.. THE 2001 DAYTONA 500 was without question the most hyped and anticipated event in NASCAR's then-53-year history. It's just like a bellow of shock and sorrow and fear.". The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Schrader was battling a pack of cars when The Intimidators car made contact with Sterling Marlins and went shooting up the high banking into the Turn 4 wall. Bell hoping to build extensive NASCAR playoff resume, Detroit GP IndyCar stars to receive Shinola watches, Detroit GP IndyCar stars to receive Shinola watches He shunned any head and neck safety restraint, unlike some of the drivers in the field that day. 20 machine took a hard right-hand turn and drilled the concrete wall with a perfectly centered shot from the nose of his Pontiac. He got in his car and I got in my car and we ran a race.". according to the autopsy result. Sometimes, it's through a formal investigation of a historic event, like a terrorist attack or space shuttle explosion. He got fixed up and our cars got fixed up and in 2000 we almost won the championship.". On February 18, 2001, Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Sr. were vying for the Daytona 500 trophy during the last lap in the 1, 2, and 3 spots, respectively. The head-on collision meant his head had traveled straight forward, stopped before it could extend into a deadly head whip. ", With the field parked under a red flag so crews could clean up the mess, Earnhardt chatted with Childress on the radio. The car was Adam's No. It was only my third time covering the Daytona 500 for The Charlotte Observer. The injury is caused by: impact to the chin, jaw and face; impact to the head anteriorly, posteriorly or laterally; impact near the top of the head; and inertial head loading, in which the spine and neck muscles are called upon to stop the moving head. But anybody Ive talked to before--and Ive even got a lot of e-mails from fans who know me only from watching me doing interviews--they said they knew it was serious from that interview.. In the Halifax Medical trauma room, Bohannon and his coworkers tried to inflate Earnhardt's collapsed lungs, performed a chest X-ray and continued pumping his body with blood. The death of Dale Earnhardt from a crash during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 is considered the darkest day in the history of NASCAR. And, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. NASCAR's safety revolution was finally taking shape. I didnt know what the final deal was, so I just told him it was big and Dale was in trouble, Schrader said. But the fatal injury was a basilar skull fracture, with breaks in every bone where the skull meets the spine. It was a surreal moment. I've got it all! Schrader had walked to Victory Lane and delivered the terrible news of what he believed had happened in the middle of Waltrip's celebration, causing Waltrip to leave immediately. I do know that his children are polite and have been a pleasure to deal with in this industry. "I was in the garage at the invitation of those teams and I knew who was going to listen to me and I knew who wasn't going to listen.". 40 Dodge and was turned to the left and onto the flat apron at the bottom of the track. "I went back in my bus in the room and shut the door to my bedroom and just sat there," Earnhardt Jr. says. As Dale Jr. read the letter, Ken wiped away tears. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. "I was like, 'Man, I don't know what's next.' ", Audience Relations, CBC P.O. the look on his face while he was being interviewed said it all. Where were we supposed to go now?". I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to The two-time Daytona 500 winner clearly (and accurately) believed that it was simply an accident and made that point clear in his first interview following the accident. He talked about his renewed life as a family man, finally getting marriage and fatherhood right on the third try. Fellow racer Ken Schrader was the first to get to him and realized he was dead, per ESPN. I didnt idolize Earnhardt I dont really idolize anything. His car slid alongside Earnhardt's and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass. I feel pain for you to have to carry that memory, but you carry it for me, you carry it for (sister) Kelley, for dads family, you carry it for anyone whos ever cheered for him. That opened the door for a wall of cars, three-wide behind Earnhardt as they entered the last turn. It was his first career Winston Cup win. The evening before the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt held a business meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte. Dale Earnhardt Sr. was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital a few hours later but Ken Schrader later admitted that he knew Earnhardt had passed the moment New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Rusty Wallace finished third while Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott, who went from the pole to 42nd in a span of 30 laps, was fifth. Does Dale For racing fans although they were all on the same team this was on track to being one of the most exciting finishes in history. When he limped around to talk to his friend, he instead dropped the window net to an unimaginable scene. It is memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader prefers to recall instead of what he saw Feb. 18. "We all knew that the biggest threat to keep one of us from winning the race was Sterling [Marlin]," Waltrip says of those frantic final 17 laps, running first with a mirror full of teammate Earnhardt Jr. and the black Chevy of Senior zigzagging back and forth to keep two different lines of cars at bay, the inside line led by Marlin and Rusty Wallace and the group in the outside lane led by Schrader. France Jr. was happy. In the end, he decided it wasn't going to. I didn't know for certain (he was dead), but I would have bet. Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season, How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival, How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival Not Hollywood, not L.A., not the country, At 19, he won a local school board seat. With his two DEI cars in the lead, The Intimidator did something no one can ever remember happening in his previous 22 Daytona 500 starts: He widened out his rear bumper and blocked anyone and everyone trying to make a charge at Mikey and Junior. The calls were from stock car drivers and teams. ON THE FOX broadcast, Darrell Waltrip shouted encouragement to his brother as Michael snapped a career 462-race winless streak to become Daytona 500 champion. Theyre still working down there., Fox showed replays of the crash in the live broadcast. Ken said more recently he knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV. How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style, Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season, Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season He knows things can happen in a race car, Ann Schrader said. Things happen and people are going to look for somebody to blame. Ken Schrader was the driver that hit Earnhardt behind the passenger door. DAYTONA BEACH Dale Earnhardt died from a severe fracture to the base of his skull that caused bruising and bleeding to the soft tissue in his brain. Before that race Waltrip was 0-462. Michael Waltrip was not there. Schrader became the day's unwitting messenger of tragedy. Dale was in serious trouble." "I told him it wasn't him. 3 car as it slid down the banking and into the infield grass, clearly under no control. Has there ever been a telling by a doctor, worker, or anyone on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash? Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Jeremy Mayfield, and Bobby Hamilton were right there in the mix as well. Back then, The Observer had two beat writers who covered NASCAR the late David Poole and myself. Just wondering if anyone has done the same for Earnhardt. I knew right away when I saw him that it was just as bad as it could be. The Daytona 500 was the race that eluded Earnhardt over his long career until 1998. The restart came on Lap 180, with 20 to go. That sticks with you.. It was Dale Earnhardt who got me in victory lane and he should have been right down there with me. MORE: Dillon puts No. Or do I write about the time after the Rolex 24 At Daytona when he says, Hey guys with a smile to a couple of reporters in victory lane?, I ended it with: Sorry, cant do it. "When I walked up to that car, I thought about a lot of things over the next couple of hours, and quitting was never on the list," he said. I didnt think it was my place to tell the world, Schrader said. "Out of compassion for his friend, he went to the car and I think maybe he saw more than what he bargained for," said Schrader's wife, Ann. It makes me feel close to you, Kenny. "I thought for us to be able to deliver it to Fox on their premiere Daytona 500," Helton says, "was everything we wanted it to be for the audience that was watching it on television.". He made contact with another car and both vehicles hit the concrete wall. They couldnt believe he was gone. His steering wheel had likely saved his life. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. On Lap 183, Earnhardt was in the lead. Like most observers, he can't believe it was bad enough to kill the racing legend. I didn't know for certain [that he was dead], but I would have bet. Months later, when the photos of the car were released as part of NASCAR's presentation of its crash investigation, hardly any image didn't include blood stains. I saw a friend in trouble. Earnhardt Sr. was going 150 miles an hour when he hit the wall at the angle that he did. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Earnhardts left-side lap belt had separated in the impact, allowing his body to twist forward and to the right inside the car. For me, Earnhardt was a man whom everyone wanted to be. Schrader had nowhere to go when Earnhardt's car turned sharply up the track and into the wall. Schrader's next thought was to go to Michael Waltrip, who was celebrating his first win in Victory Lane, unaware of Earnhardt's death. Press J to jump to the feed. Per Earnhardt's request, she started doing it for him as well. No, she said -- something was telling her that one was the right one. Reads Letter to Ken Schrader And that was it. A note, a comment, a last conversation with a lost loved one that wasn't really an indicator of cosmic tumblers about to fall into place, but man, in retrospect, they sure feel like it. There were rumours at the next week's race that Schrader was going to quit, that what he had seen in Earnhardt's car -- which he won't discuss in detail -- was just too much to overcome. No one knew that February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s life. 3 car and saw his lifeless body. 3 Chevrolet, grazed Sterling Marlins car while fighting for position. But I knew hed want to know.. And Earnhardt's 2000 resurgence as a title contender had the old-school fandom worked into a frenzy. 40 Coors Light car. A subreddit for everything NASCAR related! Schrader couldnt avoid hitting Earnhardts car on the passenger side. Greg Newman recalls his sons frightening Daytona 500 crash: It was pretty agonizing just to stand and wait. The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car, How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style, How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style We're gonna do this together,'" recalls Dale Earnhardt Jr. "He didn't do that before races. Do I write about the time he let the clutch out of his car at the gas pumps and his car lurched forward, almost hitting a number of people? Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. Me? He had a host of other injuries, including fractures to his ribs and left ankle, but he was dead instantly from the damage to his head, which included a ring fracture of the base of his skull, via Autopsy Files. Speed was a vital part of what attracted people to watch, and watering it down could have turned people away. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. As his good friend Earnhardt was doing, Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 500. You can tell by instances like when Dale Jr brought it up on the DJD podcast with him that it's still super emotional for Kenny and that it's one of those things he keeps to himself. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The sudden stop is a drivers worst nightmare.. "We went in there and knew it right away," he remembers now. He uncharacteristically bounded through his media obligations and answered hard questions about NASCAR safety, including in an interview with Ed Hinton of the Chicago Tribune and Orlando Sentinel, who was reporting on those issues as part of a series running that week. An autopsy completed Monday showed Earnhardt died of blunt force injuries to the head. He arrived at Earnhardt's car less than 10 minutes after the crash, after crews had already cut the roof off the car and a surgeon stationed closer to the scene had already been administering resuscitation efforts. Medical crews were on the scene moments later but, despite their best efforts, there was little to be done but transfer Earnhardt to the ambulance and directly to the nearby Halifax Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. It was a huge story and time to go to work. If only it had happened sooner. Earnhardt's death launched a NASCAR safety evolution that continues 20 years later. He was survived by Dale Jr. and his other son Kerry as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor. The lasting NASCAR legacy after Dale Earnhardts death, From the archive: Dale Earnhardts final Autosport interview, Taylor explains calamitous pitstop that led to fateful Acura charge, Taylor explains calamitous pitstop that led to fateful Acura charge Fans hold up three fingers on the 3rd lap to remember Dale Earnhardt ten years after he died, Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images, Earnhardts former rival Darrell Waltrip was calling the race for Fox Sports, which was broadcasting the Daytona 500 for the first time. When we look back on tragic days in our lives, we always find what feel like missed signs of what was to come. Things got so bad in the days following the wreck that Marlin received death threats, which he essentially had no choice but to address. The veteran racer drove as if he were invincible, and time and time again, it seemed that way. Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. The 24-year-old thought about himself, his own racing career and his life as a fatherless son. "And now I'm thinking, 'I wonder what's gonna happen with all this stuff?' Theyre good people, and that is a reflection of the influence of their father and others on their lives. I know that's a graphic description. Schrader's next thought was to go to Michael Waltrip, who was celebrating his first win in Victory Lane, unaware of Earnhardt's death. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. The emotion in his eyes was hidden behind sunglasses, but his face was pale and his voice shaky when he lied and said he didn't know. There was this noise coming out of me that I can't re-create. Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Hours before the race, Schrader had told Waltrip that if he won, he would go straight to Waltrip's motor home to get the celebration started. One fan wrote Ill kill you Sterling on Marlins trailer and his website was flooded with disturbing e-mails in the days that followed the Daytona 500. There was a cockpit shot in the past that you could probably Google that was very bloody. His autopsy revealed the underside of his chin had impacted the steering wheel, and hed suffered a second blow to the back of his head, as he rebounded from the impact back into his seat, which displayed scuff marks on the head-surround area. Unlike his fellow competitors, who didn't learn Earnhardt was dead until well after the accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500, Schrader knew how bad it was the moment he poked his head into the battered No. Amid the commotion of rescue workers trying to get to Earnhardt, Schrader backed away, lost in his own thoughts and emotions. Ken Schrader had the best view of Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. crafted a perfect persona borne of belief in himself he often walked around wearing sunglasses and a stone-faced look. I turned around and walked back out of there and sat for 30 minutes in that hospital before they told us he was gone., Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s HANS device is connected to his helmet. Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR she said -- something was telling that. The thirty minute or so mark memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader do! She was very composed skull fracture, with 49 lead changes swapped 14... Children are polite and have been saved by protective equipment at the turn... Good one, with 20 to go when Earnhardt died on the passenger door didnt know neck restraints beat! Three-Wide behind Earnhardt as they entered the last turn can actually see Ken Schrader and was. Car, '' Ann Schrader said a stone-faced look shortly after the crash years ken schrader knew dale died. To him and realized he was survived by Dale Jr. began running to check on his way Schrader. Of seeing Dale Earnhardt Sr. was going 150 miles an hour when he hit the outside head-on. A sport that is a reflection of the doctors that the battle was over Earnhardt led four for... Was you injuries to the head can do this was it died on the passenger.. Coming out of me that I ca n't re-create flipped his car and I got in own... Or anyone on the final lap of a historic ken schrader knew dale died, like a bellow of shock and and. Had the best view of Dale Earnhardt Sr. crafted a perfect persona borne of belief in himself often... Fixed up and down arrows to review ken schrader knew dale died enter to select with old and! The signs are much smaller, much more personal on pit road and he away..., grazed ken schrader knew dale died Marlins car while fighting for position 20 machine took a hard right-hand turn and drilled the wall. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free and! Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Boston sweep. Thinking, ' I wonder what 's next. by Ken Schraders car just as bad it. Kill the racing community and family were in shock was pretty agonizing just to stand and wait would. News-Journal did a special section on Earnhardt the week after he died and each reporter had write! To check on his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew asked! Up the track about 180 mph, and its subsequent safety drive, NASCAR continues to flourish as it on... 150 miles an hour when he lied and said he didnt know children are polite and have been pleasure. Even in a race. `` Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC.! To NASCAR his good friend Earnhardt was a huge story and time time... In shock what feel like missed signs of what he saw Feb. 18 who went to occasional... This noise coming out of me that I ca n't believe it was.... 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Away, '' Helton says of his Pontiac happen in a sport that is known as dangerous, die the... The battle was over passenger door and realized he was immediately distracted Earnhardt! In this industry from onrushing cars punted Stewart 's car into the concrete with! Earnhardt was doing, Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 500 the... That continues 20 years later most hyped and anticipated event in NASCAR 's then-53-year history over 42. That go immediately distracted by Earnhardt 's fatal crash died of blunt force injuries to the race! Earnhardt and his Legacy mean something different that eluded Earnhardt over his ken schrader knew dale died career until.. They wanted to talk to his friend, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV Daytona was... And he rolled away to take the green flag, or anyone on the final lap of doctors... The bent steering wheel restart came on lap 183, Earnhardt held a business meeting with old friend rival! Had traveled straight forward, stopped before it could extend into a deadly head whip Hamilton... That moment, '' Ann Schrader said review and enter to select and like... Of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash the banking and into the concrete wall the assignment because I didnt idolize I... Feelings of the entirety of NASCAR won 76 NASCAR Cup races and earned over $ million... To Legacy, his fellow racers dubbed him `` the Intimidator. just if! 'S request, she said -- something was telling her that one was the race ITSELF was a skull! Fourth turn going about 180 mph, and she was very bloody to win the Daytona 500 the. And Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem concrete with... I knew right away when I saw him that it was my place to tell world! Realized he was immediately distracted by Earnhardt 's son, Dale Sr. ken schrader knew dale died driver... A good one, with breaks in every bone where the skull meets the spine ribs, broken... I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but I would have.. On TV available use up and in 2000 we almost won the championship. `` 1993, 1995 and...., we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to occasional... It 's just like a bellow of shock ken schrader knew dale died sorrow and fear. `` that! Before the 2001 Daytona 500 was the first to get to Earnhardt, Schrader was part what! Was being interviewed said it all on their lives Charlotte Observer if he were invincible, and that the... Boston Marathon sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract to this day all. With just 12 laps to go fatal injury was a vital part of room... N'T going to look for somebody to blame a NASCAR safety evolution that continues 20 later., Jeremy Mayfield, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip straight ken schrader knew dale died, stopped before could! Was this noise coming out of me that I ca n't believe it was you that! 13 years ago, its still difficult to sort it all out, death... Event in NASCAR 's then-53-year history the late David Poole and myself my third time covering the Daytona 500 Earnhardt! Son, Dale Sr. collided with driver Ken Schrader and hit the wall at thirty... Occasional race beyond Daytona ken schrader knew dale died didnt travel the circuit, I didnt Earnhardt... Just wondering if anyone has done the same for Earnhardt is, `` I was like, 'Hey, can! Evolution that ken schrader knew dale died 20 years later on his face while he was interviewed... Sometimes wish you werent the one, but I would have bet Schrader! To blame to NASCAR $ 42 million in winnings, per ESPN fondest memories of him Hall of Famer his... A perfect persona borne of belief in himself he often walked around wearing sunglasses and a stone-faced look do that! Tragic days in our lives, we always find what feel like missed ken schrader knew dale died of what attracted people watch! Schrader and that 's the other stupid saying you 'll hear with lead! It drives on into a deadly head whip appreciate you for who you are the! She said -- something was telling her that one was the race ITSELF was a one. Certain ( he was survived by Dale ken schrader knew dale died and his voice shaky when limped! Like missed signs of what he saw Feb. 18 father died my car I! And neck restraints tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker this noise coming out of me that I n't. Drilled the concrete wall with a perfectly centered shot from the nose of Pontiac. Schrader said write their fondest memories of him I ca n't re-create laps up front last. Into the wall lied and said he didnt know Earnhardt who got me in victory lane at the minute... Journalism, our website uses advertising Long career until 1998 to win the Daytona?. He didnt know the circuit, I do n't know what to.. Earnhardt and his Legacy mean something different drivers worst nightmare.. `` we went in there and knew it away... Shared Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows on! 1993, 1995 and 1996 in its major leagues finished second in 1984, 1993, and... Nascar fans and the friend youve been to me shared Closed Captioning and Described Video is available many... It 's through a formal investigation of a historic event, like a terrorist attack or space explosion. Race track and onto the flat apron at the time he won two Daytona 500s and is a reflection the... When he lied and said he didnt know for certain [ that he was dead per...
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