He got in his car and I got in my car and we ran a race.". Fellow racer Ken Schrader was the first to get to him and realized he was dead, per ESPN. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. 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. 3 on top | Dillon and RCR | Daytona from Goodyear Blimp | Duel lineups. I don't know why people are so fascinated by this. That's when Bohannon realized someone else was in the room with them. France Jr. was happy. It's not going back into my body as a race car driver. There was this noise coming out of me that I can't re-create. The hardest part was yet to come. Whatever that was. Today is the 10th anniversary of the day Dale Earnhardt died. Though you have intimate knowledge of those moments, you are a keeper of that delicate information. He was racing at Daytona International Speedway and was on the last lap. 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 Earnhardt suffered a broken ankle, broken ribs, a fractured sternum and cuts to his scalp and chin. "So, now, here we all were, balancing grief, the loss of our 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. Sterling Marlin went on to finish fifth behind Waltrip, Earnhardt Jr., Wallace, and Rudd. Ken said more recently he knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV. It happened with 25 laps to go, a multicar crash on the backstretch that involved 20 cars, nearly half the field. 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. 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 Stream now on demand. I am not sure if he lost all of his blood volume but seems like a lot of it. 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. 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. 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 But the fatal injury was a basilar skull fracture, with breaks in every bone where the skull meets the spine. He talked about his renewed life as a family man, finally getting marriage and fatherhood right on the third try. 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. 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. But he can do something about how it affects him. Could this thing that a few drivers wore, called the HANS Device, really have saved him? "He came up and was like, 'Hey, you can do this. His brother Michael Waltrip, who was unaware and celebrating in Victory Lane, went on to release a film in 2019 about that day, Blink of an Eye. "I didn't think it was my place to tell the world," Schrader said. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. You got the sense that something wasn't right.". There's nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. A new @DaleJr Download Ken Schrader: The Best Week Ever! 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. 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. In the garage, just a few paces from where Helton was speaking, Earnhardt Jr. had returned to the garage to see his team. Ken Schrader would have the most accurate account. That's always stayed with me. 3. "It was strange enough when he said it at the time," Labonte said when he recalled the comment in 2019. Schrader had to talk to his 11-year-old daughter, a fan of The Intimidator and friend of Earnhardt's daughter, Taylor. 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. 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. There were just so many questions. There was no movement from Dales #3 car, but Ken managed to wiggle out of his and ran to his friends window. I was sad, but unfortunately, death is a reality in racing. We'll never get a detailed account of it, His crash report is a public document, which includes the autopsy. Earnhardt Jr. recalls the day of his dad's fatal crash (3:04), 'How did we let this happen? And that's the other stupid saying you'll hear. Dale was in serious trouble." 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. 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. 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. It was 13 years ago today when Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. 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. Back then, The Observer had two beat writers who covered NASCAR the late David Poole and myself. Nowadays, the cars are designed to prevent things like blunt trauma to the head. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Schrader had to talk to his 11-year-old daughter, a fan of The Intimidator and friend of Earnhardts daughter, Taylor. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad. Rescue personnel work to free Dale Earnhardt Sr. from his No. Crews worked quickly to get Dale Sr. out of the race car, even cutting off the roof. 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. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "I went back in my bus in the room and shut the door to my bedroom and just sat there," Earnhardt Jr. says. I once interviewed him in his hauler at Michigan for a story about Daytona. "People didn't realize how hurt Dale had been back in 1996 and then again in '99," recalls Richard Childress, car owner for six of Earnhardt's seven Winston Cup championships and his closest friend in the garage. The world began looking at racing in a completely different way after his autopsy results. 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. Then he went to Victory Lane, where Waltrip wasn't expecting him. I knew when he got there it would be the biggest hug ever. On the night of Feb. 18, 2001, phones started ringing at the homes of HANS device co-inventors Jim Downing in Atlanta and Robert Hubbard in Michigan. I didnt idolize Earnhardt I dont really idolize anything. A subreddit for everything NASCAR related! His sudden frantic waving to the arriving trucks of the Daytona International Speedway safety crew was the first real indication to the world that something was indeed very wrong. They seem to be incredibly grounded. SN's Bob Pockrass recalls what it Crew chief Tony Eury Sr. was also his uncle, handpicked by Earnhardt Sr. to lead his son's career. As the car turned around backward, a pair of roof flaps snapped into place, designed to keep the 3,400-pound machine from going airborne. But that hug never came. WebKen Schraders age is 67. Theyre good people, and that is a reflection of the influence of their father and others on their lives. I couldn't do it for you right now. In it, he recalled: I couldnt wait for Dale to get to Victory Lane. 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. Earnhardt led four times for a total of 17 laps up front. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. How would Earnhardt's death to affect him? "I didn't know what the final deal was, so I just told him it was big and Dale was in trouble," Schrader said. 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. Just use common sense and look at the tape. The hardest part was yet to come. 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. Here are 22 essential L.A. spots for every tourist, Column: We cant afford another writers strike. "The cars went in side by side," he said. 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. "So, there's a stupid saying that you'll hear around the sport. According to Legacy, his fellow racers dubbed him "The Intimidator." 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. WebDale Earnhardt Jr. shares note to Ken Schrader after dad's death. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). I knew right away when I saw him that it was just as bad as it could be. I just want you to know that, and I know this is hard.' 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. 40 Coors Light car. Does Dale Dale Earnhardt's death caused the sport to look inward. The 24-year-old thought about himself, his own racing career and his life as a fatherless son. 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. Schrader, whose car hit the wall adjacent to Earnhardt at much the same speed but at a far shallower angle, was completely unhurt. 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. Dale Sr. was officially pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after the crash. She had arrived with her stepson, Earnhardt Jr. He talked about his fast race car and the even faster race cars of the team he now owned. Chase Elliott to return to NASCAR competition this weekend, Chase Elliott to return to NASCAR competition this weekend 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. That opened the door for a wall of cars, three-wide behind Earnhardt as they entered the last turn. And, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. You can actually see Ken Schrader telling Michael Waltrip about Dale's condition in victory lane at the thirty minute or so mark. 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 were other drivers I had been much closer to who had been killed in races, and NASCAR was having a string of deaths. The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the NASCAR season-opener. It was Teresa Earnhardt. If only it had happened sooner. 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 a secret that youll keep til your last breath. The drivers of these cars have to have unshakable confidence in themselves. 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. Theres also some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find. 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. Schrader couldnt avoid hitting Earnhardts car on the passenger side. "I've got it all right now, Darrell, I've got it all!" 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. Reads Letter to Ken Schrader Bohannon was still in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt's body for the mortuary. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. 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. Im still trying to sort them all out.. "Because he's a racer, he has a very realistic attitude and has been able to cope with it.". There were 12 to 15 medical personnel in the room, each doing their task amid the controlled chaos. The slip of paper was given to Earnhardt by Stevie Waltrip, wife of Darrell, as part of a prerace routine she had with her husband for years. It's morbid IMO. "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.". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Earnhardt had won seven NASCAR championships and 76 races. Has there ever been a telling by a doctor, worker, or anyone on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash? His steering wheel had likely saved his life. THE 2001 DAYTONA 500 was without question the most hyped and anticipated event in NASCAR's then-53-year history. Since Earnhardts death, and its subsequent safety drive, NASCAR has not suffered a fatality in its major leagues. Taylor explains calamitous pitstop that led to fateful Acura charge, Huge first Porsche 963 win thanks to rolling the dice Tandy, Huge first Porsche 963 win thanks to rolling the dice Tandy 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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? Earnhardts left-side lap belt had separated in the impact, allowing his body to twist forward and to the right inside the car. 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 Earnhardt, one of the sports biggest names, died in a last-lap crash as he tried to protect Waltrips victory. To this day, all Schrader will say of what he saw is, "I just knew that it wasn't good. And that was it. It looked -- and was -- awful. It's been 13 years since Dale Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. ", NASCAR vice president Paul Brooks replied: "Just like that. Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was participating in the same race that his father died. ", Bohannon rode back to the track with Helton. The veteran racer drove as if he were invincible, and time and time again, it seemed that way. Reads Letter To Ken Schrader 19 Years After Deadly Dale Sr. Then it all changed on February 18, 2001, when what looked like a relatively minor crash turned out to be fatal. His car slid alongside Earnhardt's and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. 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. But I think we were all also thinking, 'Where do we all go from here? It was Schraders mannerisms, coupled with the fact that Earnhardt was being taken straight to the hospital, that hinted of a tragic day. It certainly didnt take long for fans of Dale Earnhardt Sr. to begin threatening Sterling Marlin following the fatal accident. MORE: Dillon puts No. Ken Schrader had the best view of Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. Stuff flying everywhere. I saw it on TV and it didnt look that bad just another tough crash. It was only my third time covering the Daytona 500 for The Charlotte Observer. 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 think if people just come back to their senses and listen to what everybody is saying, and watch the tape, theres no question. It was This is part of what Patriot-News reporter Jerry Reigle, who was at the race, wrote the day after Earnhardt died: Waltrip chalked up his first-career Winston Cup points-paying race during yesterdays spectacular and horrifying Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. I had to ask him, for a different story, about having Budweiser and Remington on the side of his sons car at the same time. 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. The restart came on Lap 180, with 20 to go. Sometimes, it's through a formal investigation of a historic event, like a terrorist attack or space shuttle explosion. There was even a puff of brake smoke. A broken collarbone at Talladega and Earnhardt's rushed return had taken away his feel for the car. 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. Before stepping out of the NASCAR trailer, Helton asked his colleagues, "How in the world do I say that we've lost Dale Earnhardt? "I think it was just to be with my family, my racing family. The organization made changes to make things safer, according to NASCAR. It was looking like Michael Waltrip would win, with the Earnhardt father-son duo just seconds behind him. Schrader became the day's unwitting messenger of tragedy. Fellow racer Ken Schrader was the first to get to him and realized he was dead, per ESPN. 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 Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. As Dale Jr. read the letter, Ken wiped away tears. Ive seen photos of the wrecked car. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. Kenny has never talked about it like that and never will. 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. 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. Greg Newman recalls his sons frightening Daytona 500 crash: It was pretty agonizing just to stand and wait. I saw a friend in trouble. Youre one of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad. I'm not discouraging the question from being asked. That sticks with you.. It was Her good luck kiss to her husband, captured on live TV, looked longer and more impassioned than normal. The trauma room was just inside the door. After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader rushed over to check on his friend. ", E60 explores the legacy of Dale Earnhardt 20 years after his death. "Tony's crash looked really bad, right? As a reporter who went to the occasional race beyond Daytona but didnt travel the circuit, I didnt know Earnhardt well. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Tony Stewart's orange No. Other racing drivers to be killed by a similar injury were Roland Ratzenberger (F1), Blaine Johnson (NHRA drag racing), Blaise Alexander (ARCA stock cars) and Gonzalo Rodriguez (IndyCar). #DJD pic.twitter.com/yuUtVhuJcB, NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 11, 2020. On race day, there were so many of those stories, especially during the prerace ceremonies. Following a huge outpouring of grief from his legion of fans, the NASCAR industry made driver safety its number one priority. He crashed into the concrete wall at the fourth turn going about 180 mph, and was smacked hard by Ken Schraders car. 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. Not Hollywood, not L.A., not the country, At 19, he won a local school board seat. Like most observers, he can't believe it was bad enough to kill the racing legend. Having Dad was like a cheat sheet, like knowing all the answers to everything. 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. But what happened was clearly an accident and Marlin made sure to get that point across (h/t Motorsports.com). I never saw him. 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. 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. THE RACE ITSELF was a good one, with 49 lead changes swapped among 14 different race leaders. Darrell, I didnt know Earnhardt well go from here, captured on TV... Of a historic event, like a cheat sheet, like a cheat sheet, like knowing all answers. Letter to Ken Schrader telling Michael Waltrip would win, with the Earnhardt father-son duo just seconds behind him is... 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