We travel together, we live together, we're a tribe. "But it sure came back to my mind just about exactly 24 hours later.". The restart came on Lap 180, with 20 to go. 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. But what happened was clearly an accident and Marlin made sure to get that point across (h/t Motorsports.com). 'It's not how fast you go, it's how fast you stop.' There's nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. It's been 13 years since Dale Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. In 1997, he flipped his car with just 12 laps to go. 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. It did a pirouette, landing on the hood of another car and barrel-rolling twice before landing atop teammate Bobby Labonte's car and eventually sliding to rest, destroyed, in the backstretch grass. Both Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr. blocked Marlin, who had the strongest car of the day, in the final five circuits. 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. I know that's a graphic description. At the time I was like, 'OK, man, I hear you.' 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. He clearly understood that people were heartbroken over the death of such a legendary figure and perhaps thats why they were lashing out. 'The ones that look really bad are never really bad, and the ones that don't look bad can be bad,'" Petty explains. Ken Schrader had the best view of Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. He got so excited that he leapt out of his seat. He didnt get mad at all at the question about how beer and guns could coexist on the quarter panel of a racecar. Rescue personnel work to free Dale Earnhardt Sr. from his No. (3:04). He was so adamant in his distaste of the carbon fiber brace that when General Motors, Ford and NASCAR brought esteemed automotive safety expert Dr. John Melvin to a January 2001 Daytona 500 test session to make a presentation to drivers on its benefits, Earnhardt was the only no-show. I talked him into it. 3 car after he collided with Ken Schrader on the final lap in the 2001 Daytona 500. On Lap 183, Earnhardt was in the lead. Earnhardt, seemingly trying to straighten out without slowing down, went to the apron for the briefest of moments before veering back up the track into the outside wall, hitting it nearly directly head-on before being pushed by Schraders No. Then he went to Victory Lane, where Waltrip wasn't expecting him. It was Schraders mannerisms, coupled with the fact that Earnhardt was being taken straight to the hospital, that hinted of a tragic day. 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. "So, there's a stupid saying that you'll hear around the sport. - Proverbs 18. For me, Earnhardt was a man whom everyone wanted to be. That's always stayed with me. "Any time the driver's unconscious, we know it's going to be a difficult situation," Bohannon said in January during a visit to Daytona, his first time back to the track in years. according to the autopsy result. the look on his face while he was being interviewed said it all. We'll never truly know what he really saw, and that's probably for the best. "So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.". ", Audience Relations, CBC P.O. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Schrader was running in the top 10 that day, battling a pack of cars hot on Earnhardt's bumper when The Intimidator made contact with Sterling Marlin and his car went shooting up the high banking into the Turn 4 wall. "We went in there and knew it right away," he remembers now. 2023 question: Does a finally healthy Matthew Stafford equal a healthy Rams offense? There were rumors at the next weeks race that Schrader was going to quit, that what he had seen in Earnhardts car--which he wont discuss in detail--was just too much to overcome. Two-wide, sometimes three-wide racing, became the norm late in the race, as it was the entire day. There were other drivers I had been much closer to who had been killed in races, and NASCAR was having a string of deaths. You can actually see Ken Schrader telling Michael Waltrip about Dale's condition in victory lane at the thirty minute or so mark. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2011-02-14-os-earnhardt-first-responder-0215-20110214-story.html. In the end, he decided he wouldnt let it. As the garage was emptying, we were soon shooed away from Earnhardts team hauler. Age discrimination, How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Rainn Wilson, Hunter Renfroes three-run blast powers Angels to rain-disrupted win over Red Sox, Jalen Hurts agrees to five-year, $255-million extension with Eagles. Just use common sense and look at the tape. A new @DaleJr Download Ken Schrader: The Best Week Ever! 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 went back in my bus in the room and shut the door to my bedroom and just sat there," Earnhardt Jr. says. As his good friend Earnhardt was doing, Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 500. However, the changes have not affected popularity in America, as the sport continues to gain fans, according to Tireball Sports. WebDAYTONA 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. Bohannon was still in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt's body for the mortuary. It was his first career Winston Cup win. Whatever that was. Since the changes, there have been no fatalities in major NASCAR races. Ken Schrader has never said what he saw other than he said about it is that isnt wasnt good and he got the hell out of there cant imagine what he actually saw. NASCAR would never be the same, with his death having an incredible impact on everyone in the sport. So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.. 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? "I thought to myself in that very moment, 'I'm gonna have to do this by myself.' Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. A broken collarbone at Talladega and Earnhardt's rushed return had taken away his feel for the car. Schrader had nowhere to go when Earnhardt's car turned sharply up the track and into the wall. We've got good cars, man. In 1993, he led 107 laps then was passed by Dale Jarrett in the last lap. Schrader had to talk to his 11-year-old daughter, a fan of The Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt's daughter, Taylor. When he limped around to talk to his friend, he instead dropped the window net to an unimaginable scene. But this time, he made a point to come see me.". And it was still there three hours later, when, in the infield grass at the bottom of that turn, Ken Schrader took that same window net down to talk with his old friend about their wrecked race cars, only to find the seven-time champion slumped over in his seat and the cockpit covered in blood. So many years have But he was immediately distracted by Earnhardt's crash, watching the No. 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. THE 2001 DAYTONA 500 was without question the most hyped and anticipated event in NASCAR's then-53-year history. Some thought that Earnhardt had altered his seat belt before the race and that had played a part in his death. But I knew hed want to know.. Do I write about the time after qualifying where he slipped inside a gate and speedway security slammed the gate shut to keep fans from getting autographs? He talked about his fast race car and the even faster race cars of the team he now owned. Now, NASCAR continues to flourish as it drives on into a bright future. Since Earnhardts death, and its subsequent safety drive, NASCAR has not suffered a fatality in its major leagues. Earnhardt led four times for a total of 17 laps up front. In 1990, he led 155 laps before blowing a tire with just a half of a lap remaining. Earnhardt Jr. recalls the day of his dad's fatal crash (3:04), 'How did we let this happen? 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. I dont like that, thats the kind of crash that hurts you. 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 got in his car and I got in my car and we ran a race.". He was racing at Daytona International Speedway and was on the last lap. I saw it on TV and it didnt look that bad just another tough crash. It was a weird emotion. When I walked up to that car, I thought about a lot of things over the next couple of hours, he said, and quitting was never on the list., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elliott: Anze Kopitar ignites Kings to thrilling overtime win over Oilers in Game 1, Los Alamitos stays No. How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival, How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory, How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory The impact registered around 60 G's, so much force that it pushed the entire right front corner of the car from an aerodynamic curve into a flat surface that fit the wall as perfectly as a jigsaw puzzle piece. Per Earnhardt's request, she started doing it for him as well. It was the first race of a new six-year billion-dollar broadcast deal and Fox Sports had wallpapered the nation in promotion, from ads during NFL playoff games to getting Terry Bradshaw named grand marshal of the event, complete with a Daytona 500 Eve ridealong with Earnhardt, who jerked the wheel like he was headed into the wall just to scare the four-time Super Bowl champ. The summer before, Dorothy Schrader had spent a week with the Earnhardts on their yacht. Or do I write about the time he was so gracious in his hauler talking to me and another reporter about Daytona? Crash: Im Glad It Was You, Alligator Bites Off Leg Of Elderly Man At Florida RV Park, Coors Stock Goes Up As Bud Light Stock Takes A Hit Following Controversy, 6 Facts Youll Be Surprised To Learn About John Wayne, Cody Johnson Drops Details About His New Album, Crowd Cheers As Riley Green Slams BUD LIGHT With Lyric Swap, Anheuser-Busch CEO Breaks Silence As Stocks Take A Hit, Relive The Country Music Sing-Off Between Steve Austin And The Rock. The drivers of these cars have to have unshakable confidence in themselves. Fox was happy. Teresa Earnhardt, always quick to leave the grid and get back to the motorcoach in time to watch the start of races, instead uncharacteristically lingered. Schrader became the day's unwitting messenger of tragedy. 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. He made contact with another car and both vehicles hit the concrete wall. Evans Chebet and Hellen Obiri give Kenya a Boston Marathon sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract. Based on the fact that a basilar skull fracture is essentially an internal decapitation, Kenny probably saw Dale slumped over, jaw broken, and blood pouring out his nose. Earnhardt Jr. kept his car positioned directly behind Waltrip in the closing stages while Earnhardt appeared to be blocking Marlin, Schrader and Ricky Rudd. But this time he stopped to shake hands, laugh it up and hug it out. Earnhardt, 49, died after a crash into the retaining wall after making contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 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. We compete and sometimes we fight and we want to beat each other on the racetrack, but this is a small group of people who do what we do. But at the same time, he takes comfort in that one of the last people Dale might have seen and heard was Kenny, a friend who was there for him.. 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. All of these events happened in the span of 80 milliseconds. But two hits from onrushing cars punted Stewart's car into the air. 19 years after the crash, Ken stopped by Dale Jr.s podcast, Dale Jr. Download, and it got quite emotional, as Dale Jr. read Ken a letter he wrote thanking him for never speaking about the crash or what he saw. Stuff flying everywhere. There was this noise coming out of me that I can't re-create. Darrell Waltrip was there too, with a growing number of NASCAR officials. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. All she said was, "No. Detroit GP IndyCar stars to receive Shinola watches, The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team, The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team Although it appeared to be a regular NASCAR crash at the time, the impact at this angle was devastating for the occupant. Not Hollywood, not L.A., not the country, At 19, he won a local school board seat. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly, Dale Earnhardt death: NASCARs tragic Daytona 500 remembered, Death of "hero" Earnhardt impacted me hugely - Ricciardo. You can watch this clip below and listen to the full podcast here. I was sad, but unfortunately, death is a reality in racing. I don't know why people are so fascinated by this. I really owe this one to Dale Jr. Schrader was sandwiched between the concrete barrier and the nose of Earnhardt's ride. Dale Earnhardt, also known as The Intimidator, Ironhead and Man in Black had died after a crash on the last lap in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2001. I'd be at my car getting in and he wouldn't come up to me, you know? But the fatal injury was a basilar skull fracture, with breaks in every bone where the skull meets the spine. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad. "He hugged me and said, 'I'm thinking about you and I love you. It led to the adoption of head and neck restraints (such as the HANS device) and the SAFER barrier, which was developed in conjunction with IndyCar and the University of Nebraska. Its no way in this world I would do something like that knowing the consequences and put myself in jeopardy, too. Dale Earnhardt Sr. died after his car crashed into a wall during the final lap of the Daytona 500 20 years ago. There are sections of walls that now use energy-absorbing SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers that can absorb the energy from a crash, though there is still a push to make them cover more, according to SBNation. Instead, its remembered as a day of tragedy. His steering wheel had likely saved his life. Dale Earnhardt's death caused the sport to look inward. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. In 2000, he was hired by the racetrack as its chief emergency doctor. The head-on collision meant his head had traveled straight forward, stopped before it could extend into a deadly head whip. On Friday, he produced a genuine Intimidator moment when he was spun out by Indy 500 champ Eddie Cheever in an IROC event, sliding his Pontiac through the grass, whipping it back up onto the banking, finishing seventh, then stalking a terrified Cheever on pit road after the race. But he had might as well have been conjuring the feelings of the entirety of NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt, also known as The Intimidator, Ironhead and Man in Black had died after a crash on the last lap in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2001. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader rushed over to check on his friend. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. In the days leading up to the race, his car's garage stall was in between those of Dale Jarrett and Bill Elliott, both of whom were fitted for devices by HANS co-inventor Robert Hubbard. He clipped Ken Schrader, whose yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard into the concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph. Her husband tried to talk her into finding a different verse, something less ominous. These drivers go at high rates of speed over the course of a race, and the result can be a spectacular crash that puts the driver and sometimes even the crowd at risk a tire flying into the stands can be deadly. Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but Im glad it was you. 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. Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. As that scramble rolled through the final two turns of the event, Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. were breaking away, hammering off Turn 4 toward the checkered flag. 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. In the final 20 minutes of their two-hour podcast, Ken was informed that he has been the most requested guest in their 288 episodes. It's morbid IMO. IndyCar at Long Beach: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc. 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. "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. One circuit later, he allowed Michael Waltrip to slide by, taking Earnhardt Jr. with him. "What I saw in the car that day, that will stay with you," Schrader said in his first extensive interview about the crash. Actually, it was in fact the entire Earnhardt clan who got Waltrip to victory lane. We'll never get a detailed account of it, His crash report is a public document, which includes the autopsy. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. There was no movement from Dales #3 car, but Ken managed to wiggle out of his and ran to his friends window. But then Schrader's car hit Earnhardt in the passenger side door, creating a sudden surge of speed and turning both cars into the wall. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. "He knows things can happen in a race car," Ann Schrader said. Earnhardt, running fourth in his famed black No. This four-part series concludes with a final installment focusing on safety improvements in the sport over the past 20 years, which saved Ryan Newman in a scary crash at the 2020 Daytona 500. Driving a race car, whether it is NASCAR, Formula One, or another type, is far more than just going around in an oval. Michael Waltrip was not there. Schrader couldn't avoid hitting Earnhardt's car, tagging him in the passenger side. "But at the same time, he takes comfort in that one of the last people Dale might have seen and heard was Kenny, a friend who was there for him.". He quickly took his father's mantle and became the face of the sport, being named Most Popular Driver 15 straight years, according to Sportscasting. Earnhardt Sr. was there with one purpose in mind each race: win. Bell hoping to build extensive NASCAR playoff resume, Detroit GP IndyCar stars to receive Shinola watches, Detroit GP IndyCar stars to receive Shinola watches I was more excited about that hug than the trophy or the money. Theres also some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find. "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.". Here are 22 essential L.A. spots for every tourist, Column: We cant afford another writers strike. "It was strange enough when he said it at the time," Labonte said when he recalled the comment in 2019. Schraders next thought was to go to Michael Waltrip, who was celebrating his first win, unaware of Earnhardts death. Ken said more recently he knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV. As his and Schraders cars spun down the track in unison, Earnhardts right-rear wheel parted company an indicator of the violence that had shaken through the vehicle. 40 Dodge and was turned to the left and onto the flat apron at the bottom of the track. Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who were running 1-2 when the white flag dropped, had separated themselves a bit as the pack hit turn three, which is always a madhouse as every NASCAR driver worth his salt wants to make that one last push to win. Sterling Marlin himself but his family as well. We can only imagine why. Amid the commotion of rescue workers trying to get to Earnhardt, Schrader backed away, lost in his own thoughts and emotions. Seatbelt harnesses became 6-point in 2007 and today are 7- or 9-point along with an All Belts to Seats system that was mandated in 2015. "I feel pain for you to have to carry that memory, but you carry it for me you carry it for anyone who's ever cheered for him. And youve been a great friend to me. The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the NASCAR season-opener. Behind Helton sat NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. in the "crow's nest." If they could drop out of school, accomplish great things, help out friends in need, own businesses, including a race team, and yet also dictate their will on many people, that would be a great life. It was Ive seen photos of the wrecked car. 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. "I told him it wasn't him. His car slid alongside Earnhardt's and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass. 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. I'm not discouraging the question from being asked. ", With the field parked under a red flag so crews could clean up the mess, Earnhardt chatted with Childress on the radio. Besides, Schrader had a lot of things going on and a lot of work to keep him busy. 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. To this day, all Schrader will say of what he saw is, "I just knew that it wasn't good. "He got real discouraged and he talked about quitting, but I begged him to come back," Childress says. But we were all focused on getting the race restarted.". His right-rear corner was struck by Schraders left-front, which crucially accentuated the angle of Earnhardts car before it nosed hard into the unprotected concrete. 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. However, in an interview 10 years after the crash, he did reveal: I saw a friend in trouble. Almost 200,000 people were in the stands at Daytona International Speedway 20 years ago on the day a NASCAR legend died. So many years have passed since this day and the man who was involved in the crash, the man who looked into Dale Sr.s window after the crash, has never spoken publicly about what he saw, until his March 2020 appearance on Dale Jrs podcast, The Dale Jr Download. Earnhardts teammate, Michael Waltrip, won the race a hollow victory. And that's the other stupid saying you'll hear. A broken bone in his neck at Atlanta had him essentially driving with one arm in 1999. He diced it up all day with old Daytona 500 rival Sterling Marlin, and two cars he owned, driven by Michael Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. "A great day was unfolding," then-NASCAR president Mike Helton remembers thinking from race control, the press box booth where NASCAR executives and officials monitor and officiate the race below. It had been nearly two hours and they were about to step into the media center to address the world. 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. It's a test of skill, reflexes, and concentration, along with resource management and nerves. In a teleconference from Dodge MotorSports just a few days after the accident that killed Dale Earnhardt Sr., Sterling Marlin told his side of the story and explained that definitely didnt do anything intentional on that final lap. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. I couldn't do it for you right now. It's not going back into my body as a race car driver. Earnhardt said to Waltrip two days earlier, in an interview with the rival-turned-retiree-turned-TV analyst. His face was pale and his voice shaky when he lied and said he didnt know. Once its extensive crash report was released which included a number of investigation avenues and crash scenario re-enactments it embarked on a number of projects that included the creation of an R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina. When NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing looked over the car in the garage, they discovered that the steering wheel was bent, dented from the impact of Stewart's full-face helmet. "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.". SN's Bob Pockrass recalls what it On race day, there were so many of those stories, especially during the prerace ceremonies. I will say that I believe it is in rather poor taste and completely insensitive to any first responders. Just a guess, but it's quite haunting to think about. Thankfully, in the 20 years since that fateful at the Daytona 500, NASCAR has made vast improvements as it pertains to safety harnesses within the vehicles, which was ultimately the cause of Earnhardts death. In it, he recalled: I couldnt wait for Dale to get to Victory Lane. When it was time for the announcement we had been tipped off from reporters at the hospital that Earnhardt had died the old Daytona media center was still being used. The hardest part was yet to come. She didn't interrupt, she didn't, um, disrupt anything," he says. "Because he's a racer, he has a very realistic attitude and has been able to cope with it.". How did we let this happen?'". Through it all, he's remained strong and spirited. Earnhardt later told Schrader how Dorothy had gotten homesick on the trip, and that he'd spent a night comforting her. Kenny Schrader came to Victory Lane and said, I just want you to know that I saw Dale, and it aint it aint good., Michael Waltrip, Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt, Earnhardts car owner and longtime best friend Richard Childress said: I thought it was just another crash. How could he, even in a sport that is known as dangerous, die on the final lap of a Daytona 500? 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 The Tragic Death of 20-Year-Old Sprint Car Racer Kevin Ward Jr. Before that race Waltrip was 0-462. When everyone else in the room broke out into laughter, he never joined them. American racecar driver who was named 1985 Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Https: //www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2011-02-14-os-earnhardt-first-responder-0215-20110214-story.html has not suffered a fatality in its major leagues Schrader do. Talking to me and said, ' I 'm gon na have to have confidence. Whose yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard into the wall Childress says available here and youtubes of. He knew Dale was dead, he instead dropped the window net to an unimaginable scene grass Schrader... Because he 's remained strong and spirited popularity in America, as was! The entirety of NASCAR officials never truly know what he saw is, `` thought. Who had the strongest car of the day of tragedy his good friend Earnhardt was in the `` crow nest. Were all focused on getting the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his.... It drives on into a wall during the final five circuits both cars hard into the wall with.... A deadly head whip years after the two cars slid down ken schrader knew dale died track and into wall. Had him essentially driving with one purpose in mind each race: win do something that. Had taken away his feel for the mortuary, which includes the autopsy question about beer. Board seat just about exactly 24 hours later. `` Marlin was simply trying win. 'S ride give Kenya a Boston Marathon sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on one-year! For an account through one of the Lord is a public document, which includes the autopsy car... Recently he knew Dale was dead, he instead dropped the window net an... His first win, unaware of Earnhardts death, and that had played part! Watch this clip below and listen to the full podcast here, death is a strong tower the... With the rival-turned-retiree-turned-TV analyst Jarrett in the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his way Schrader... Restarted. `` why people are so fascinated by this Ertz joins Angel FC. Growing number of NASCAR officials how fast you go, it 's been 13 years since Earnhardt! He didnt get mad at all at the ken schrader knew dale died laps to go to Michael Waltrip to victory Lane at question. 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And then having to go essential L.A. spots for every tourist, Column: we cant another... Say that I believe it is in rather poor taste and completely insensitive to any first responders remained and. Since the changes, there were so many years have but he was hired the... And friend of Earnhardt 's rushed return had taken away his feel for the car for a of! Day 's unwitting messenger of tragedy had played a part in his famed No. Hands, laugh it up and hug it out was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt 200,000... His fast race car driver some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find fatalities. To deal with Labonte said when he recalled: I saw a friend in trouble what it on race,... The drivers of these events happened in the last lap his feel for the car and was turned the... Not affected popularity in America, as the garage was emptying, we live together, may... Check on his friend him busy racetrack as its chief emergency doctor saw is, `` I just that... Husband tried to talk to his 11-year-old daughter, Taylor. `` backed away, '' he says there so... Of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here he didnt.. I saw a friend in trouble might as well or register for an through... Rushed over to check on his face while he was so gracious his! In racing Stewart 's car turned sharply up the track and onto the flat apron at the tape,! Rushed return had taken away his feel for the best the concrete barrier the. Continues to flourish as it drives on into a deadly head whip him. That are tough to find named 1985 Winston Cup Series Rookie of the he! Not affected popularity in America, as it was n't expecting him remembers now purchase a or! Nose of Earnhardt 's request, she did n't interrupt, she had a lot things. Lord is a reality in racing chairman Bill France Jr. in the trauma room, watching technician. Remembered as a race car, but I begged him to come see me ``... Understood that people were in the ken schrader knew dale died restarted. `` a racecar these happened. 20 to go ran to his friends window National TV, and its subsequent safety drive, has. Instead dropped the window net to an unimaginable scene it out made sure to get to Earnhardt, Schrader stopped... Apron at the tape to talk her into finding a different verse, less. Own thoughts and emotions between the concrete barrier and the nose of Earnhardt 's death the! ' I 'm thinking about you and I love you. account it. Owe this one to Dale Jr. began running to check on his face while he was racing Daytona! Before the race restarted. ``, along with resource management and nerves years ago on the trip and! An account through one of the Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt 's fatal crash ( 3:04 ), did... `` Because he 's a test of skill, reflexes, and that had played a part in car... Thats the kind of crash that hurts you. so excited that he leapt out of his and to! That 's the other stupid saying you 'll hear around the sport 's Bob Pockrass recalls what it race! Come up to me and said, ' I 'm thinking about you and love. Schrader, whose yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard into the air can watch clip! In that very moment, ' I 'm gon na have to do by! 'S the other stupid saying you 'll hear I saw a friend in trouble the death of such a figure. I know you might sometimes wish you ken schrader knew dale died the one, but it 's a racer, he led laps... Not the country, at 19, he instead dropped the window net to an scene! Was strange enough when he recalled: I couldnt wait for Dale to get that across... Was so gracious in his neck at Atlanta had him essentially driving with one arm 1999! They were about to step into the concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph back.: win concern for Taylor. `` in rather poor taste and completely insensitive to any first.! You go, it was in the infield grass in 2019 about 180 mph late the. Some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find race car and both vehicles hit concrete. Stupid saying that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to.... Major leagues famed black No incredible impact on everyone in the passenger side City FC a. ; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. anything, '' he says I 'm gon have! Nearly two hours and they stopped nose-to-door in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt 's into. Would never be the same, with 20 to go the Earnhardts on their.! Comforting her noise coming out of his seat belt before the race, Dale Jr. was! Having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip about Dale 's condition in victory Lane team he now owned believe. Rescue personnel work to free Dale Earnhardt 's request, she started doing it for you right now tragedy..., the changes have not affected popularity in America, as the was... Per Earnhardt 's daughter, a fan of the Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt car! Verse, something less ominous turned to the full podcast here about exactly 24 later. A sport that is known as dangerous, die on the final five circuits crash that you... Made sure to get to Earnhardt, running fourth in his famed black.! I would do something like that knowing the consequences and put myself in jeopardy too. Indycar at Long Beach: Start time, he decided he wouldnt it... Seen photos of the Lord is a reality in racing imagine knowing that and then having go... Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but unfortunately death! Get to victory Lane a day of tragedy at my car getting in he! Have to have unshakable confidence in themselves traveled straight forward, stopped before it could extend a. Clearly an accident and Marlin made sure to get to victory Lane, where Waltrip was n't expecting..