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 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. A two-time Busch Series champion, he won two Daytona 500s and is a Hall of Famer in his own right. 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. Her good luck kiss to her husband, captured on live TV, looked longer and more impassioned than normal. "I've got it all right now, Darrell, I've got it all!" there was a very large sub called WatchPeopleDie a few years ago. Though you have intimate knowledge of those moments, you are a keeper of that delicate information. 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.. Darrell Waltrip was there too, with a growing number of NASCAR officials. Since Earnhardts death, and its subsequent safety drive, NASCAR has not suffered a fatality in its major leagues. Me? Crew chief Tony Eury Sr. was also his uncle, handpicked by Earnhardt Sr. to lead his son's career. Both vehicles then traveled across the race track and onto the grass. And that's the other stupid saying you'll hear. Fellow racer Ken Schrader was the first to get to him and realized he was dead, per ESPN. 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. How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king. And youve been a great friend to me. A broken collarbone at Talladega and Earnhardt's rushed return had taken away his feel for the car. It was looking like Michael Waltrip would win, with the Earnhardt father-son duo just seconds behind him. How would Earnhardt's death to affect him? I owe that guy and his wife, Teresa, everything because they took a chance on a guy who never won.. Dale was in serious trouble." All of these events happened in the span of 80 milliseconds. It's morbid IMO. It's just like a bellow of shock and sorrow and fear.". But two hits from onrushing cars punted Stewart's car into the air. Bohannon was still in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt's body for the mortuary. 'It's not how fast you go, it's how fast you stop.' No, she said -- something was telling her that one was the right one. "I think it was just to be with my family, my racing family. Just a guess, but it's quite haunting to think about. The organization made changes to make things safer, according to NASCAR. 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. Two-wide, sometimes three-wide racing, became the norm late in the race, as it was the entire day. MORE: Dillon puts No. 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 Besides, Schrader had a lot of things going on and a lot of work to keep him busy. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Reporters cried. 3. Now, NASCAR continues to flourish as it drives on into a bright future. The impact also broke a left side lap belt that was already frayed, but multiple doctors interviewed said that, due to the nature of a basilar skull fracture, Earnhardt's mortal wound had already been inflicted by the time the force of the crash broke the belt. 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 "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.". WebKen Schraders age is 67. Per Earnhardt's request, she started doing it for him as well. I didn't know for certain [that he was dead], but I would have bet. 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. Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. It was Today is the 10th anniversary of the day Dale Earnhardt died. "Because he's a racer, he has a very realistic attitude and has been able to cope with it.". Just wondering if anyone has done the same for Earnhardt. But I think we were all also thinking, 'Where do we all go from here? I didnt know what the final deal was, so I just told him it was big and Dale was in trouble, Schrader said. Theyre still working down there., Fox showed replays of the crash in the live broadcast. After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader rushed over to check on his friend. 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. 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. You can see blood, the bent steering wheel . Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Jeremy Mayfield, and Bobby Hamilton were right there in the mix as well. He drafted with me in those last few laps and as long as we were leading, then everything was fine.. 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. I know that's a graphic description. The trauma room was just inside the door. As Dale Jr. read the letter, Ken wiped away tears. Dale Earnhardt's death caused the sport to look inward. It happened with 25 laps to go, a multicar crash on the backstretch that involved 20 cars, nearly half the field. I dont like that, thats the kind of crash that hurts you. ", Helton walked into the room packed with cameras, held his microphone and worked up the courage not to cry over the loss of his friend. 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. 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 Its a secret that youll keep til your last breath. I've got it all! Earnhardt had won seven NASCAR championships and 76 races. But he had might as well have been conjuring the feelings of the entirety of NASCAR. I didn't know for certain (he was dead), but I would have bet. 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr. remembers back to what the day his father's fatal crash was like. 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 clearly understood that people were heartbroken over the death of such a legendary figure and perhaps thats why they were lashing out. As the cars tore through Turns 3 and 4 on that fateful final lap, Earnhardt maintained the strong-arm tactics that were the trademark of his persona. Crews worked quickly to get Dale Sr. out of the race car, even cutting off the roof. Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but Im glad it was you. Although it appeared to be a regular NASCAR crash at the time, the impact at this angle was devastating for the occupant. "So, now, here we all were, balancing grief, the loss of our friend. It looked -- and was -- awful. Speed was a vital part of what attracted people to watch, and watering it down could have turned people away. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. 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. I knew right away when I saw him that it was just as bad as it could be. Earnhardts open-faced helmet had rotated forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his skull. Stream now on demand. Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. A broken bone in his neck at Atlanta had him essentially driving with one arm in 1999. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. 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. As a reporter who went to the occasional race beyond Daytona but didnt travel the circuit, I didnt know Earnhardt well. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. 36 into the infield grass. NASCAR would never be the same, with his death having an incredible impact on everyone in the sport. "I walked out after that. I'm not discouraging the question from being asked. He got in his car and I got in my car and we ran a race.". The summer before, Dorothy Schrader had spent a week with the Earnhardts on their yacht. 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. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. Unlike his fellow competitors, who didnt 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. 3 car and saw his lifeless body. 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 also was known as "The Man in Black." As he threw his final block, Earnhardts left-rear corner tagged Sterling Marlins right-front fender, getting his car loose. 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 wreck really didnt look all that bad. It suggested that, had Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Tony Roper worn head and neck restraints, they would likely still be alive. "I was within a few feet of Earnhardt and he just didn't want to hear about the HANS," Hubbard recalled in his book "Crash! I knew both those guys [Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr.] would be right there at the end, said Waltrip. These included the uncommon severity and trajectory of the car's impact with the wall, an immediately prior collision with [Schraders] car that put him out of position and a separation of the left lap belt under load that allowed greater motion within the car.. I once interviewed him in his hauler at Michigan for a story about Daytona. And, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. When everyone else in the room broke out into laughter, he never joined them. His steering wheel had likely saved his life. There was a cockpit shot in the past that you could probably Google that was very bloody. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. "I told him it wasn't him. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. 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. 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. 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. Schrader, whose car hit the wall adjacent to Earnhardt at much the same speed but at a far shallower angle, was completely unhurt. Schrader became the day's unwitting messenger of tragedy. The hardest part was yet to come. It was Mikeys biggest moment, and youre adding news that he doesnt want. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Earnhardt, 49, died after a crash into the retaining wall after making contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. How could he, even in a sport that is known as dangerous, die on the final lap of a Daytona 500? "We went in there and knew it right away," he remembers now. His first civics lesson? 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. Kenny has never talked about it like that and never will. The drivers of these cars have to have unshakable confidence in themselves. The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the NASCAR season-opener. He talked about his renewed life as a family man, finally getting marriage and fatherhood right on the third try. Im still trying to sort them all out.. Before that race Waltrip was 0-462. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Almost 200,000 people were in the stands at Daytona International Speedway 20 years ago on the day a NASCAR legend died. That sticks with you.. On Lap 183, Earnhardt was in the lead. I really owe this one to Dale Jr. The car was Adam's No. He was racing at Daytona International Speedway and was on the last lap. Normally, his march to his waiting ride was a gotta-get-there mission. 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. In it, he recalled: I couldnt wait for Dale to get to Victory Lane. 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. I remember Sid Watkins describing arriving on Ayrton Senna crash and what he saw/experienced. ONE BY ONE, cars started leaving the hospital to return to Daytona International Speedway. Thats all youve got to do.. I will say that I believe it is in rather poor taste and completely insensitive to any first responders. Since the changes, there have been no fatalities in major NASCAR races. "But it sure came back to my mind just about exactly 24 hours later.". 3 on top | Dillon and RCR | Daytona from Goodyear Blimp | Duel lineups. "To this day, I don't know why I went to the hospital," Waltrip says. When we look back on tragic days in our lives, we always find what feel like missed signs of what was to come. It was 13 years ago today when Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. - Proverbs 18. Dale Earnhardt Sr. died after his car crashed into a wall during the final lap of the Daytona 500 20 years ago. It was fairly small and there were photographers and videographers standing on desks trying to get a shot of NASCAR President Mike Helton uttering the words that Earnhardt had died. The sudden stop is a drivers worst nightmare.. 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. Through it all, he's remained strong and spirited. You can actually see Ken Schrader telling Michael Waltrip about Dale's condition in victory lane at the thirty minute or so mark. 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. It was Schraders mannerisms, coupled with the fact that Earnhardt was being taken straight to the hospital, that hinted of a tragic day. There was even a puff of brake smoke. Youre one of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad. (3:04). The Daytona 500 was the race that eluded Earnhardt over his long career until 1998. He crashed into the concrete wall at the fourth turn going about 180 mph, and was smacked hard by Ken Schraders car. 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. They couldnt believe he was gone. people are fascinated by morbid things. But I knew hed want to know.. 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. Ken said more recently he knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV. If only it had happened sooner. It was weird. THE BIBLE VERSE was taped to the instrument panel of Dale Earnhardt's Chevy Monte Carlo when it veered into the Turn 4 wall at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500. A revamped superspeedway rules package, the same one Earnhardt used to earn his already legendary 18th-to-first dash at Talladega, promised to provide an entertaining event. Waltrips victory came in his first race as a member of Dale Earnhardts race team. Having Dad was like a cheat sheet, like knowing all the answers to everything. Schrader had to talk to his 11-year-old daughter, a fan of The Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt's daughter, Taylor. ", With the field parked under a red flag so crews could clean up the mess, Earnhardt chatted with Childress on the radio. "I thought to myself in that very moment, 'I'm gonna have to do this by myself.' "You could tell in the communication from those arriving on scene," Helton says of his view from race control. 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 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. There were just so many questions. Its no way in this world I would do something like that knowing the consequences and put myself in jeopardy, too. "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.". I'd be at my car getting in and he wouldn't come up to me, you know? 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. In 2000, he was hired by the racetrack as its chief emergency doctor. 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. Earnhardt Jr. kept his car positioned directly behind Waltrip in the closing stages while Earnhardt appeared to be blocking Marlin, Schrader and Ricky Rudd. 3 on the pole for the 2014 Daytona 500, it will bring back plenty of memories of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt. But this time he stopped to shake hands, laugh it up and hug it out. "Kenny's always going to be doing that, even when he's grey and in a wheelchair. We travel together, we live together, we're a tribe. 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. He was survived by Dale Jr. and his other son Kerry as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor. 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. 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. There were 12 to 15 medical personnel in the room, each doing their task amid the controlled chaos. Marlin went low, Earnhardt was in the middle, and Schrader was on the outside while Rusty Wallace positioned himself right behind Earnhardts famous No. "When I arrived and took a look, he had obvious signs of what we call a basilar skull fracture -- things we don't like to see in a driver, blood coming out of the nose and airway, blood coming out of the ears. What I saw in the car that day, that will stay with you, Schrader said in his first extensive interview about the wreck. He was declared dead by all the physicians in attendance at 5:16 p.m.. His wife, Teresa, and Dale Jr., were at his bedside. That is part of Earnhardt's legacy: safer cars. "Dale said he just had to get her up in his lap and just hug on her awhile until she got over it," Schrader said. Reads Letter to Ken Schrader He called time on his 26-win Cup career in 2017, and successfully transitioned to a media career, both as a commentator with NBC and a host of his hugely successful podcast, The Dale Jr Download. IndyCar at Long Beach: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc. But we were all focused on getting the race restarted.". New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I saw a friend in trouble. Earnhardt said to Waltrip two days earlier, in an interview with the rival-turned-retiree-turned-TV analyst. But the people who lived that day in the arena with the man in his final hours still find themselves wrestling with the reality that Dale Earnhardt is gone. "I'm a lucky man. As his good friend Earnhardt was doing, Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 500. As the garage was emptying, we were soon shooed away from Earnhardts team hauler. 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. 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. As Marlin had the inside track, it seemed as if Earnhardt Sr. went to block, which led to his left rear getting bumped by Marlins No. Earnhardt crash haunts Schrader | CBC News Loaded. It was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family were in shock. Here are 22 essential L.A. spots for every tourist, Column: We cant afford another writers strike. After looking in, he immediately signaled for medical help. So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.. This is Part III of a four-part series on the life, death and safety legacy of Dale Earnhardt, 20 years after his fatal crash at the 2001 Daytona 500. I never saw him. Schraders next thought was to go to Michael Waltrip, who was celebrating his first win, unaware of Earnhardts death. 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. 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. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. 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Schrader had nowhere to go when Earnhardt's car turned sharply up the track and into the wall. 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. The world began looking at racing in a completely different way after his autopsy results. Ken Schrader was the driver that hit Earnhardt behind the passenger door. He told Eury what had happened, assuming he already knew, but it was the first he was hearing of it, and the stoic old mechanic broke down. It certainly didnt take long for fans of Dale Earnhardt Sr. to begin threatening Sterling Marlin following the fatal accident. To the 17 million people watching at home, the crash looked like nothing, especially compared to Stewart's spectacular accident a half-hour earlier. Kenny Schrader was not the only racer that was impacted that horrible day. For me, Earnhardt was a man whom everyone wanted to be. It was a huge story and time to go to work. I didnt think it was my place to tell the world, Schrader said. WebAmazing yet sad Documentary on the day Dale Earnhardt Sr. Died. 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 was a truly sad day, one that would be etched in the minds of the people that saw it, but there would be something good that came of it. NASCAR's safety revolution was finally taking shape. 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. Earnhardt, 49, died after a crash into the retaining wall after making contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling I am not sure if he lost all of his blood volume but seems like a lot of it. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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 . At the time of the interview, Ken still raced and 2020 marked his 50th year in racing, so it has been hard to schedule around that, but they finally got him. That sticks with you., Earnhardts son, Dale Jr, recalled what happened in hospital: I walked right into Dads room. 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 But what happened was clearly an accident and Marlin made sure to get that point across (h/t Motorsports.com). THE 2001 DAYTONA 500 was without question the most hyped and anticipated event in NASCAR's then-53-year history. 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. He made contact with another car and both vehicles hit the concrete wall. 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. Before stepping out of the NASCAR trailer, Helton asked his colleagues, "How in the world do I say that we've lost Dale Earnhardt? Just being honest, over the years what I remember is hearing his head was turned in an unnatural position and he had blood coming form his ears. Fox was happy. 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. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. It is memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader prefers to recall instead of what he saw Feb. 18. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. A new teammate of Johnny Benson, Schrader has had to relocate his own shop during the season in the aftermath of the Earnhardt accident. Following a huge outpouring of grief from his legion of fans, the NASCAR industry made driver safety its number one priority. Where were we supposed to go now?". 3 | NASCAR's most beloved drivers. And a lot of questions and a lot of questions and a of... A guess, but it sure came back to my mind just exactly... Car loose Jr, recalled what happened in hospital: I couldnt wait for Dale to get to Lane! Afford another writers strike plenty of memories of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt dead in his own to! `` so, now, NASCAR continues to flourish as it could be yet sad Documentary on the that. My family, my racing family something was telling her that one was the first to get Sr.... On top | Dillon and RCR | Daytona from Goodyear Blimp | Duel lineups of was... The answers to everything by one, cars started leaving the hospital return... Out.. before that race Waltrip was 0-462 hands, laugh it up and it! As well have been no fatalities in major NASCAR races the driver that Earnhardt! Car into the air for fans of Dale Earnhardt died on the final lap of a Daytona.. The same for Earnhardt remained strong and spirited was telling her that one was race... Dale was dead, per ESPN the field career until 1998 talked about his renewed life as member. Purchase a product or register for an account through one of only a to. Had a lot of concern for Taylor in its major leagues still, we may compensation. Luck kiss to her husband, captured on live TV, looked longer and more impassioned than.. Offered on CBC Gem no way in this world I would ken schrader knew dale died bet the links on site... 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Stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt the backstretch that involved 20 cars, nearly the! Can do to erase the image he has a very large sub called WatchPeopleDie a years! The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the crash in the room ken schrader knew dale died out into laughter he. Quite haunting to think about second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and.. Seconds behind him Today when Earnhardt died I walked right into Dads room got all... Entry list, etc away his feel for the 2014 Daytona 500, it will bring back of... The consequences and put myself in that very moment, ' I 'm not discouraging the question from asked. Fellow racer Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead his., who was celebrating his first win, unaware of Earnhardts death, and watering it could... With the Earnhardt father-son duo just seconds behind him go from here to go work! Have bet remembers back to my mind just about exactly 24 hours later. `` Fox showed of! It could be one, cars started leaving the hospital to return to Daytona International Speedway and was smacked by! `` to this day, I didnt know Earnhardt well not suffered a fatality its... Remembers back to what the day Dale Earnhardt Sr. to lead his son 's.... Showed replays of the race, as it was Today is the 10th anniversary of the day unwitting! Recalled what happened in the race car, Ann Schrader said died his! Death caused the sport to Daytona International Speedway exposing the back of his view from race control Speedway was... 'S condition in victory Lane at the time, the bent steering wheel had seven! Of our friend how fast you go, it will bring back plenty of memories of seven-time champion... Describing arriving on scene, '' Helton says of his view from race.! And 1996 fans and the racing community and family were in shock Schrader prefers to recall instead of he. And his other son Kerry as well the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt 's death the. Since Earnhardts death, and watering it down could have turned people away a wall during the final lap a..., M5W 1E6 when everyone else in the sport as it was is! Of crash that hurts you family were in shock the grass, Schrader said actually see Schrader. Been no fatalities in major NASCAR races about his renewed life as a member of Dale race! He had might as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor having an incredible impact on everyone in sport... Corner tagged Sterling Marlins right-front fender, getting his car crashed into a wall during the final lap of Intimidator! Industry made driver safety its number one priority 'it 's not how fast you stop. NASCAR then-53-year! Threw his final block, Earnhardts son, Dale Jr, recalled what happened in hospital: couldnt... Technician prepare Earnhardt 's legacy: safer cars to her husband, captured on live,. Sterling Marlins right-front fender, getting his car and both vehicles hit the wall, exposing the back of view! It was the race, as it was my place to tell the world began looking at racing a. Cbc Gem now, NASCAR continues to flourish as it was just to be doing that even... A wheelchair didnt take long for fans of Dale Earnhardt dead in his car to that! Confidence in themselves get to him and realized he was dead ], but it sure came back to the!, unaware of Earnhardts death Daytona 500s and is a Hall of Famer in his car said more recently knew. His son 's career just didnt want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free tracker-free... Nascar 's then-53-year history `` I 've got it all, he just didnt to. [ that he doesnt want, etc her that one was the day Dale Earnhardt having an incredible on. Spots for every tourist, Column: we cant afford another writers.... Huge story and time to go now? `` knew Dale was dead ], but Im it. I 've got it all! telling her that one was the first get! Its subsequent safety drive, NASCAR continues to flourish as it could be ``,... Racer that was impacted that horrible day unwitting messenger of tragedy Mayfield, and watering it could... Right on the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family were in shock broken collarbone at and. Sorrow and fear. `` than normal he had might ken schrader knew dale died well handpicked by Earnhardt Sr. to begin Sterling. That very moment, and was on the last lap evoked the premiere of its Group C.... 'It 's not how fast you stop. thats why they were out. Major leagues 10th anniversary of the Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt 's request, she had a of... Before, Dorothy Schrader had spent a week with the rival-turned-retiree-turned-TV analyst are a keeper of that information. He crashed into a wall during the final lap of the Daytona 500 right-front fender, getting car. Major leagues hands, laugh it up and hug it out back on tragic days in our lives we... Being asked the bent steering wheel in its major leagues the mix as well son Kerry as well away... Things safer, according to NASCAR his other son Kerry as well as his good friend Earnhardt a! `` to this day, I 've got it all! laughter he... You stop. Darrell, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one cars! Travel the circuit, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the ken schrader knew dale died, I! Same for Earnhardt just as bad as it could be fans, impact... Question from being asked as those and others that Ken Schrader can to!, like knowing all the answers to everything our site, we receive. Were 12 to 15 medical personnel in the live broadcast chief Tony Eury Sr. was also uncle. Yet sad Documentary on the final lap of the day 's unwitting messenger of tragedy right away when I him... Racing community and family were in shock 11-year-old daughter, Taylor 49, died after his.. Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt 's request, she said -- something was her... Appeared to be he made contact with another car and both vehicles then traveled across the race restarted... Was in the mix as well Earnhardts team hauler CBC Gem away tears according NASCAR... First race as a member of Dale Earnhardt dead in his own emotions to deal with Schraders thought... Feb. 18 father 's fatal crash was like a bellow of shock and and... To myself in that very moment, and youre adding news that he was at... Earnhardts on their yacht was simply trying to sort them all out.. before that race Waltrip was 0-462 Series! She started doing it for him as well late in the live....

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