If Dale had not died, it is sad to think that while we would be
celebrating an exciting race, we would most likely be arguing about who
started the big one. The same way the heated JG vs TS argument last year.
It is times like this that make me feel bad about how we get about
meaningless things like finding fault when there are more serious things to
talk about. I think we should all try harder to stop pointing fingers in
accidents in the future.
Rest in Piece Dale
EB
I think NASCAR should retire the number 3 unless
Dale Jr. wants to change numbers. That number would be
meaningless on any other driver’s car.
racing just wont be the same…….
Image by FlamingText.com
Image by
FlamingText.com
I would have looked forward to the Speedvision Monday night show that
featured Michael Waltrip and Ken Schraeder as regular guests.
It would have been very interesting tonight!
For the record, this FOX/NASCAR cut off of all the other networks sucks!
I know that the tragedy is foremost in everyone’s mind, however, but for
that, 3/4 of the posts would have been sending the congratulations to
MW.
Lets give him his props separate from the condolences, he ran a
fantastic race.
I was hoping to see him up front after the 125′s when him and DE ran
together for a while.
I still cannot believe Dale is gone and my phone is still ringing with
fellow racing fans trying to come to grips with it as everyone is trying
to do.
But as time movies on I am becoming more and more angry at NASCAR’s
entrenched manner in which they deal with safety issues. Frequently I
hear it is the safest motorsports in the world and I would disagree with
such comments. Winston Cup cars are built based on technology that is
almost 40 years old. It is time NASCAR move in the directions that
other organizations moved into long, long time ago. They’re slow and
almost nonexistent response to Adam Petty’s, Kenny Irvin’s, and Troy
Ropper’s deaths last year and the injuries we have seen over and over
again led us to this situation that occurred yesterday. The acceptance
that such deaths in racing are unavoidable reminds me of comments I
heard in the 60′s when driver after driver died and it was accepted as
part of the job. Jackie Stewart changed all that and we need NASCAR to
changed that mentality also. NOW!
I would humbly suggest that an article not based on knee jerk reactions
but realistic evaluations is long, long overdue. Although just a auto
racing fan (although I do race in desert races in the Over 50 year old
class motorcycle class) I do not understand why the following things
have not happened in NASCAR Winston Cup/Busch racing:
1. Easily removable roofs over the driver.
2. Carbon fiber driver compartments to insulate from chassis and body
shock (and heat). These compartments could be removed from the top
allowing drivers with spine injuries to not be further injured. I DO
NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT COSTS!
3. The driver compartment would have head rests similar to those in F1,
CART and IRL where head injuries can be minimized. These in conjunction
with the HANS device could possibly lessen the severity of crashes such
as Earnhardt’s.
4. Side mounted mirrors that would allow the drivers to view the lower
rear quarter panels with such head restraints. It would also make
drivers aware when dropping down to block exactly where the car with the
run on them is avoiding the ever so slight touch that sent the #3 into
the wall. It would induce more drag slowing the cars down as NASCAR is
attempting to do.
5. It is unbelievable that NASCAR does not have helmet standards.
Whiplash Motorsports a local racing organization inspects my helmet
before every race and I must meet minimum standards of Snell 90.
6. Airbags programmed for a proper g force trigger levels.
7. Just as the FIA dealt with Nigel Mansell, Aryton Senna and Nelson
Piquet and CART with their drivers on weaving and blocking NASCAR needs
to make these judgment calls also. It is time that dropping down and
forcing a car with a run on them onto the apron or into the infield
grass has to be dealt with. A warning, penalty box, whatever.
8. Onboard infrared sensors to monitor tire temperatures for excessive
heat buildup such as Wallace’s tire with excessive chamber.
Just had to get this off my chest but it is time for NASCAR to move
forward.
Thanks,
Greg Williams
Apache Junction, Az.
I will miss seeing DE race. He had an almost unbelieveable
talent for driving and an unquenchable thirst for winning. He also
was an original. None of the plastic corporate drivers that are
about as interesting as mud.
A local sports announcer in the Baltimore area, Stan Saunders,
said as a young sports announcer in Durham, NC he was to cover NASCAR
and knew nothing about it. He said that DE told him not to worry that
they would take care of him. His final words were that "Dale Earnhardt
was a real gentleman." I think that says it all about Dale.
RIP Dale
John
just watched the replay of the 500,and at the end I just wanted to reach out
and grab DE"s car and put him in the back of the pack so he would be safe
and with us now.
god enjoy a great racer,I know I had the chanse.R.I.P. dale,and god bless
your family.
although I am not a nascar fan, (I caught some of the 500 today while
getting ready for school) my heart goes out to the family of dale earnheart.
I know how you all must be felling as I felt this way when both senna and
ratzenburger were killed.
–
If Actions Speak Louder Than Words, Than Let Me Live Loud enough To Be Heard
PFR