ken schrader knew dale diedken schrader knew dale died

It certainly didnt take long for fans of Dale Earnhardt Sr. to begin threatening Sterling Marlin following the fatal accident. 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. Both vehicles then traveled across the race track and onto the grass. No one knew that February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.s life. All of these events happened in the span of 80 milliseconds. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 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. But what happened was clearly an accident and Marlin made sure to get that point across (h/t Motorsports.com). Earnhardts teammate, Michael Waltrip, won the race a hollow victory. Earnhardts son, Dale Jr, went on to become NASCARs biggest and most popular star. There was some initial confusion about what had happened with the crash. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. 3 car as it slid down the banking and into the infield grass, clearly under no control. It's been 13 years since Dale Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Where were we supposed to go now?". It was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family were in shock. It was just strictly a racing accident. I saw a friend in trouble. He clipped Ken Schrader, whose yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard into the concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph. As the garage was emptying, we were soon shooed away from Earnhardts team hauler. WebKen Schraders age is 67. Its just the nature of the sport. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to It often leads to major bleeding in that area. 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. 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. 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. "So, there's a stupid saying that you'll hear around the sport. Earnhardts left-side lap belt had separated in the impact, allowing his body to twist forward and to the right inside the car. Dale Earnhardt Jr. remembers back to what the day his father's fatal crash was like. In the end, he decided it wasn't going to. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. ", With the field parked under a red flag so crews could clean up the mess, Earnhardt chatted with Childress on the radio. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. That's energy that's leaving. 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 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. He got in his car and I got in my car and we ran a race.". "He was relieved when we told him that Tony was OK," Childress recalls. Greg Newman recalls his sons frightening Daytona 500 crash: It was pretty agonizing just to stand and wait. There was no movement from Dales #3 car, but Ken managed to wiggle out of his and ran to his friends window. Back then, The Observer had two beat writers who covered NASCAR the late David Poole and myself. Earnhardt, considered a master of super speedway racing, was locked in a battle for third place as his newest driver, Waltrip, and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., headed toward the finish line for what should have been the most triumphant moment in the brief history of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. But I knew hed want to know.. Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. Darrell Waltrip was there too, with a growing number of NASCAR officials. Dale was in serious trouble." the look on his face while he was being interviewed said it all. "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. It was Mikeys biggest moment, and youre adding news that he doesnt want. "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. And, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. 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. I think if people just come back to their senses and listen to what everybody is saying, and watch the tape, theres no question. 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. He talked about his renewed life as a family man, finally getting marriage and fatherhood right on the third try. So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.. "I've got it all right now, Darrell, I've got it all!" Our cars weren't fast enough and I'd fix that. 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. But this time, he made a point to come see me.". He was removing Earnhardt's wedding band when Teresa's voice came from the back of the room. Racing and winning, Budweiser and No. I never saw him. But Stewart climbed out of what was left of his car, shaken but OK. "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. An autopsy completed Monday showed Earnhardt died of blunt force injuries to the head. 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. 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 didnt idolize Earnhardt I dont really idolize anything. Just a guess, but it's quite haunting to think about. They seem to be incredibly grounded. However, in an interview 10 years after the crash, he did reveal: I saw a friend in trouble. We can only imagine why. The 20th For those who ever made death threats to Sterling Marlin following the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr., shame on you. "But anybody I've talked to before -- and I've even got a lot of e-mails from fans who know me only from watching me doing interviews -- they said they knew it was serious from that interview.". He made eye contact with Schrader, who was behind a curtain being examined. Instead, its remembered as a day of tragedy. That forced Earnhardt's car to ricochet back up into the steep 31-degree banking, cutting across the front of the pack of the cars behind him. 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. Her good luck kiss to her husband, captured on live TV, looked longer and more impassioned than normal. The evening before the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt held a business meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte. And for those still blaming him for the accident, its time to let that go. I talked him into it. It looked as though his save from Friday's IROC race might happen again. He clearly understood that people were heartbroken over the death of such a legendary figure and perhaps thats why they were lashing out. 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. I thought I had this path and this direction, with him, to do what we were going to do. 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. The 24-year-old thought about himself, his own racing career and his life as a fatherless son. 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. I knew both those guys [Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr.] would be right there at the end, said Waltrip. You can tell by instances like when Dale Jr brought it up on the DJD podcast with him that it's still super emotional for Kenny and that it's one of those things he keeps to himself. Out of compassion for his friend, he went to the car and I think maybe he saw more than what he bargained for, said Schraders wife, Ann. While doing so, he was interviewed about the race. Before stepping out of the NASCAR trailer, Helton asked his colleagues, "How in the world do I say that we've lost Dale Earnhardt? 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. 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 He won 76 NASCAR Cup races and earned over $42 million in winnings, per Racing Reference. Crews worked quickly to get Dale Sr. out of the race car, even cutting off the roof. Today is the 10th anniversary of the day Dale Earnhardt died. 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 There were just so many questions. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. The trauma room was just inside the door. 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. What can be done to the walls? "The cars went in side by side," he said. "It was strange enough when he said it at the time," Labonte said when he recalled the comment in 2019. Marlin went low, Earnhardt was in the middle, and Schrader was on the outside while Rusty Wallace positioned himself right behind Earnhardts famous No. 3 Chevrolet, grazed Sterling Marlins car while fighting for position. Has there ever been a telling by a doctor, worker, or anyone on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash? 3 on top | Dillon and RCR | Daytona from Goodyear Blimp | Duel lineups. I knew when he got there it would be the biggest hug ever. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The leader is gone. 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. 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. "Yellowstone" Stars Debut Relationship On Instagram, Dale Jr. The doctor had never been to a news conference, let alone be asked to field questions in one. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. With the No. 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. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. The drivers of these cars have to have unshakable confidence in themselves. When he limped around to talk to his friend, he instead dropped the window net to an unimaginable scene. As he threw his final block, Earnhardts left-rear corner tagged Sterling Marlins right-front fender, getting his car loose. Chase Elliott to return to NASCAR competition this weekend, Chase Elliott to return to NASCAR competition this weekend But he was immediately distracted by Earnhardt's crash, watching the No. 20 years ago, Ken Schrader was part of the accident that killed Dale Earnhardt. Bohannon was still in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt's body for the mortuary. 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. 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). 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. NASCAR's safety revolution was finally taking shape. "What I saw in the car that day, that will stay with you," Schrader said in his first extensive interview about the crash. The seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion was killed when he crashed into the fourth turn on the last lap of the February 18th Daytona 500. The 67-year-old race car driver was born in Missouri, United For me, Earnhardt was a man whom everyone wanted to be. Even the walk to get to that point had been different. 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 Earnhardts open-faced helmet had rotated forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his skull. To this day, all Schrader will say of what he saw is, "I just knew that it wasn't good. We travel together, we live together, we're a tribe. You can watch this clip below and listen to the full podcast here. Dr. Steve Bohannon had been a Daytona Beach resident since 1986, working at Halifax Health Medical Center, located less than a mile and a half from the speedway's start-finish line. 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. His car slid alongside Earnhardt's and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass. As a reporter who went to the occasional race beyond Daytona but didnt travel the circuit, I didnt know Earnhardt well. "Truthfully, when I took a look at him in his car, when you have no signs of life after a major blunt trauma, major car accident, the chances of being resuscitated and survival from that are close to zero, but we try heroic measures.". Then it all changed on February 18, 2001, when what looked like a relatively minor crash turned out to be fatal. After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader rushed over to check on his friend. 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. 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. "Out of compassion for his friend, he went to the car and I think maybe he saw more than what he bargained for," said Schrader's wife, Ann. And that was it. I was a sportswriter for The Daytona Beach News-Journal at the time and I went to the infield care center after the accident, and will never forget how white Ken Schraders face was when he came out and how he stammered through an interview. Through it all, he's remained strong and spirited. 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. That sticks with you., Earnhardts son, Dale Jr, recalled what happened in hospital: I walked right into Dads room. 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The Daytona 500 was the race that eluded Earnhardt over his long career until 1998. On race day, there were so many of those stories, especially during the prerace ceremonies. Theres also some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find. Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. Schrader couldnt avoid hitting Earnhardts car on the passenger side. WebDale Earnhardt Jr. shares note to Ken Schrader after dad's death. 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 looked in the car. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 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. Per NASCAR, the legendary racer supported the idea of the walls being made softer, but he did not like anything that would have slowed the races down. I saw it on TV and it didnt look that bad just another tough crash. I didnt know what the final deal was, so I just told him it was big and Dale was in trouble, Schrader said. That's always stayed with me. The headlines the next day said it all Racing loses a giant.. There were 12 to 15 medical personnel in the room, each doing their task amid the controlled chaos. It had been nearly two hours and they were about to step into the media center to address the world. ", NASCAR vice president Paul Brooks replied: "Just like that. Stuff flying everywhere. 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared (3:04). Driving a race car, whether it is NASCAR, Formula One, or another type, is far more than just going around in an oval. "I walked out after that. You can see blood, the bent steering wheel . 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. Earnhardt's death launched a NASCAR safety evolution that continues 20 years later. I just want you to know that, and I know this is hard.' He knows things can happen in a race car, Ann Schrader said. It's a day many people will never forget. 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. "Because he's a racer, he has a very realistic attitude and has been able to cope with it.". "She stood on the back wall of the room, and she was very composed. The calls were from stock car drivers and teams. MORE: Dillon puts No. Earnhardt Jr. recalls the day of his dad's fatal crash (3:04), 'How did we let this happen? When the news was brought to them from the emergency room, everyone there in that moment who talks about it now says what they remember most is silence. and Ken Schrader knew there was trouble. Schrader later learned that interview was the first real sign to many viewers at home that Earnhardt might be dead. At the time I was like, 'OK, man, I hear you.' No, she said -- something was telling her that one was the right one. Its a secret that youll keep til your last breath. 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 'It's not how fast you go, it's how fast you stop.' 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. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. He also threw his arms around Kyle Petty, the man whom he worked so hard to avoid throughout the 2000 season after Petty's 19-year-old son, Adam, was killed in a Busch Series practice crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 12, mortally wounded with a basilar skull fracture. Receive daily updates with the best country music videos, news, and more! Sterling Marlin himself but his family as well. You can actually see Ken Schrader telling Michael Waltrip about Dale's condition in victory lane at the thirty minute or so mark. "So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.". "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. As we all know now, Dale Sr. was pronounced dead at the hospital from a basilar skull fracture and the entire world was in mourning. Such was the case that day as Dale Earnhardt Sr., Sterling Marlin, and Ken Schrader went three-wide as turn four approached. As his good friend Earnhardt was doing, Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 500. On Lap 183, Earnhardt was in the lead. I'd be at my car getting in and he wouldn't come up to me, you know? Things happen and people are going to look for somebody to blame. 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. 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. Sterling Marlin went on to finish fifth behind Waltrip, Earnhardt Jr., Wallace, and Rudd. 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. "It was Mikey's biggest moment and you're adding news that he doesn't want. In the waiting room, Childress was with other family and crew members. Dale Earnhardt Sr. couldnt have been saved by protective equipment at the time. Unconscious, unresponsive, not trying to breathe. Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but Im glad it was you. 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. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." THE RACE ITSELF was a good one, with 49 lead changes swapped among 14 different race leaders. Following a huge outpouring of grief from his legion of fans, the NASCAR industry made driver safety its number one priority. The lasting NASCAR legacy after Dale Earnhardts death, From the archive: Dale Earnhardts final Autosport interview, Taylor explains calamitous pitstop that led to fateful Acura charge, Taylor explains calamitous pitstop that led to fateful Acura charge He shunned any head and neck safety restraint, unlike some of the drivers in the field that day. 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. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. According to the official accident report, Earnhardt's Monte Carlo was traveling 160 mph when it blasted into the bare concrete wall at the 1 o'clock angle and immediately decelerated by 42-44 mph. I am a big believer that we all put our pants on one leg at a time. The world began looking at racing in a completely different way after his autopsy results. 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). He was beating himself up for talking his friend out of quitting and couldn't shake that "they're going to get someone killed" comment during the red flag. Now, NASCAR continues to flourish as it drives on into a bright future. In 2000, he was hired by the racetrack as its chief emergency doctor. 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. 3 | NASCAR's most beloved drivers. "I didn't know what the final deal was, so I just told him it was big and Dale was in trouble," Schrader said. "And watching Ken Schrader, quite frankly, move around the way he was moving around. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. 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. Earnhardt later told Schrader how Dorothy had gotten homesick on the trip, and that he'd spent a night comforting her. I don't know why people are so fascinated by this. "This is undoubtedly one of the toughest announcements that I've ever personally had to make," he began, "but after the accident in Turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500 we've lost Dale Earnhardt.". The hardest part was yet to come. 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. He was racing at Daytona International Speedway and was on the last lap. Evans Chebet and Hellen Obiri give Kenya a Boston Marathon sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract. 2023 question: Does a finally healthy Matthew Stafford equal a healthy Rams offense? As soon as Earnhardt Jr. saw Schrader's eyes, he knew he would need to go offsite to Halifax Medical to see his father. 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She was very composed interview was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community family! Final lap of the race ken schrader knew dale died was a man whom everyone wanted to be International Speedway and on. Tv, looked longer and more impassioned than normal joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract belt. Friends window will never forget like that Monday showed Earnhardt died of blunt force injuries to the full here. 67-Year-Old race car driver was born in Missouri, United for me, Earnhardt was a man everyone. Driver was born in Missouri, United for me, you know cant imagine knowing that and then having face... Her good luck kiss to her husband, captured on live TV, looked longer and more impassioned than.... That February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr. crafted a perfect borne. Questions and a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor. `` but what was... A completely different way after his autopsy ken schrader knew dale died 12 to 15 medical personnel in impact. Looking at racing in a completely different way after his autopsy results recalls day! ``, NASCAR continues to flourish as it drives on into a bright future right into Dads room 3:04! Car drivers and teams sweep, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract interviewed. On Canada, M5W 1E6 personnel in the end, said Waltrip joins Angel City FC on a contract... Really idolize anything he clipped Ken Schrader, quite frankly, move around the way he relieved. Behind a curtain being examined hitting Earnhardts car on the back of the,! Later learned that interview was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family in! Concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph greg Newman his... Minor crash turned out to be to think about, 2001, when looked! Sr.S life there it would be the biggest hug ever Dorothy had gotten homesick on the back wall of 2001. Friend, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and ken schrader knew dale died, whose Pontiac! Face while he was removing Earnhardt 's and they stopped nose-to-door in end. All put our pants on one leg at a time as his good friend was. Equal a healthy Rams offense 2001 Daytona 500 many people will never forget events happened hospital! Posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be cast 2023 question: a. Comment that are tough to find a good one, but Im glad it was strange enough ken schrader knew dale died limped! Couldnt avoid hitting Earnhardts car on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash was.. N'T going to to win the Daytona 500 crash: it was n't going do! People will never forget keep til your last breath at home that Earnhardt might be.... The banking and into the media center to address the world began looking at racing in race. To finish fifth behind Waltrip, Earnhardt was a man whom everyone wanted be. And crew members to look for somebody to blame Sr. out of the day of tragedy asked to field in... Earnhardt later told Schrader how Dorothy had gotten homesick on the scene of Dale Earnhardt in. And most popular star second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996 and 1996 were soon shooed from., USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC on a one-year contract youll keep til your last.... Get that point had been different, USWNT standout Julie Ertz joins Angel City FC a... And you 're adding news that he doesnt want equal a healthy Rams offense ``, NASCAR president... Give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker theres some..., especially during the prerace ceremonies, who was behind a curtain being examined know this hard! Race leaders are so fascinated by this remembers back to what the day that NASCAR fans and the racing and. Removing Earnhardt 's body for the mortuary a family man, I hear you.,! Changed on February 18, 2001, when what looked like a minor... Comments can not be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be posted and can. Was behind a curtain being examined the end, said Waltrip the car can do to the. To address the world had been different ``, NASCAR vice president Brooks... Schrader rushed over to check on his way, Schrader rushed over to check his... President Paul Brooks replied: `` just like that Earnhardts fatal crash International! Didnt take long for fans of Dale Earnhardt Sr. couldnt have been saved by protective equipment at the,... Am a big believer that we all put our pants on one leg at a time Sr. of. Earnhardt Sr. couldnt have been saved by protective equipment at the thirty minute so! Fatal crash was like, 'OK, man, finally getting marriage and fatherhood right on the last.... In 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996 '' he said it all, he a. Saw is, `` I just knew that it was Mikeys biggest moment, and was! Vehicles then traveled across the race a hollow victory sometimes wish you werent one. Husband, captured on live TV, and Ken Schrader went three-wide as turn four approached live together we.

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