Celebrity Deathwatch: Dale Earnhardt Sr., NASCAR Driver, 49

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorsports/2001/daytona500/news/2001/02/18
/earnhardt_ap/index.html

Earnhardt dies after last-lap crash

Posted: Sunday February 18, 2001 5:32 PM
Updated: Sunday February 18, 2001 8:11 PM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt, the seven-time Winston Cup
champion and one of the most beloved stars in auto racing history, died
Sunday from head injuries in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. He was 49.

Earnhardt, known as The Intimidator for his aggressive driving, had to be
cut out of his car after slamming into the wall at about 180 mph on the
final turn of the race while fighting for position.

He was taken to the hospital accompanied by his son, Dale Jr., an
up-and-coming driver who finished second in the race. The elder Earhardt's
wife, Teresa, also was at the hospital.

"This is understandably the toughest announcement I've ever had to make.
We've lost Dale Earnhardt," NASCAR president Mike Helton said.

Earnhardt died instantly of head injuries, said Steve Bohannon, a doctor at
Halifax Medical Center who also works at the track.

"There was nothing that could have been done for him," he said.

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

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

Earnhardt, running fourth, grazed Sterling Marlin's car, crashed into the
fourth-turn wall, and was smacked hard by Ken Schrader.

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

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

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

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

Earnhardt was the leader among active Winston Cup drivers with 76 career
victories. He also had the most wins (34) at Daytona International Speedway,
which lowered its huge American flag in the infield to half-staff after the
race.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last year, Busch Series driver Adam Petty, the grandson of stock car great
Richard Petty, and Winston Cup driver Kenny Irwin were killed two months
apart on the same turn at New Hampshire International Speedway. Truck series
driver Tony Roper was killed in a wreck at Texas Motor Speedway in October.

Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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