Dale Earnhardt Dead

[WOWZY]

The first Nascar race that I ever saw, I had accidentally started watching a race and they were showing a replay of Dale making the "Pass thru the Grass". I was hooked and idolized Dale that very moment.

It's sad to think what his family is going through and feel for Michael Waltrip, as he really wanted Dale to see him win this race, just to let Dale know that he'd made the right choice hiring him as a driver.

I know that Kerry Earnhardt or Dale Jr. can't replace their dad, but I would like to see either of them in the #3 car to keep his memory alive.

Dale, you will be missed

 

[DJOliver]

I too watched the race for the first time today -just because the Dodge boys where running. Watched it with a bunch of #3 fans and even they amitted that the man did'nt always play by the rules--but now his dead --i was quite sadened-my heart goes out to his family.

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2001. 5 3500 6 spd 4x4 ETH/DEE Quad SLT Silver Metallic. Tow Group,Camper Special ,3. 54, western nerf bars, Towing 99 Damon Challenger 5ver 31' ,Cummins J Brake . Need :Guages, aux fuel tank, tow mirrors & Cb radio.

2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T. Wife loves it.

 

[Champane Flight]

Its a ride every man has to take by themselves sooner or later. Dale went doing what he enjoyed. It was fast and unexpected. Watching it,it seems like the accident was lackluster compared to the 17 car pileup just previous to it. But thats how it usually goes. It goes without saying,that its part of the game. Godspeed Dale.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[Max340]

Originally posted by Chad Sheets:
He was a hardcore competitor who saw nothing but victory and ALWAYS spoke his mind. That is why I liked him. I could have cared less about what brand he drove, or who he drove for. He always wanted victory. Tonight the man up above is waving the big checkered flag for the man in black.

What you failed to note in any of your posts was the fact that Dale himself would look at all the stuff you mentioned that "has to stop" and declare it as "part of racing".

While you point an accusing finger at the activites, Earnhardt would be proud of the fact that he lived and died by the same sword.

And unlike you, Earnhardt spoke only after thinking about what he meant to say, even if those words were pointed and accusatory.

Just the facts.

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Y2K 2500 QC Sport 4x4 LWB
72 Dart 340
89 LeBaron GTC 2. 2 TI

 

[cumminsturbo95]

Originally posted by jthorpe:

Dale didn't cause that accident today and you know it. It was nobodys fault. Dale was trying to help his man win, just like anyone else on that track would do. Sterling was trying to get around, just like any other driver would do. Rusty came flying up the middle, just like any other drive would do. Ken Schrader had no choice but to hit, so would any other. You obviously haven't seen other drivers on the track or in the pits. If they want to lose a race, they'll stay back. That's not anyone elses problem but their own.

This will probably get my message erased, but Chad, just shut your face.

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE,ENOUGH SAID!

 

[MDW]

Goodbye Dale Earnhardt, You will be missed #ad

Condolences to the Family.

 

[Snyder-00]

I'm a long time NASCAR fan, and to anyone reading this who knows, knew, or is related to Dale, please know that he will be greatly missed and always remembered with respect and integrity. Though I never met him, I liked his aggressisve, no B. S. , borderline black flag style of racing! R. I. P. #3

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1999 Cummins powered quad cab Ram, black sport,4x4,4. 10. s,5-speed,everything but leather,stock and staying that way!

 

[Jeff H]

Ya Displaced Alaskan.
Ya I noticed when they introviewed the drivers right after the race that they seamed somewhat distracted and like they had something else on there mind. But I didn't think it had anything to do with Dale. I remember the anouncer saying kinda softly that that particular hit was a serious one. Even if it didn't look that bad. Then they cut over to the winners circle like nothing ever happened.
Whether you liked him or not. He really made the race interesting and exciting. I hope that the # 3 is retired in his honor. He died doing what he loved. I will definetly miss the guy.

 

[David_VT]

Dale, hope you find a fast track up there. Good luck, racing will miss you.

It sure did not seem like a hard hit compared to some we've seen. Bummer

 

[Mopar-muscle]

i hate to see anyone die ,and though i was not a fan of the man, my families deepest sympathy goes out to dale's family and friends .

but i have to agree with chad on this , i was at the race today , saw him rub gordon , hit the guy in the pit and do the rest of his "RACIN' AS USUAL" brand of driving . EDITED due to poor taste and whinning

it is a sad day in motorsports , maybe NOW nascar will wake up and do something to help make it a bit safer but still keep it exciting , but i see the excitement going out the door in the name of safety .

[This message has been edited by Mopar-muscle (edited 02-20-2001). ]

 

[Champane Flight]

It is a part of racing,Man when your running 180-190 bumper to bumper,**** happens. And when it does some well wisher decides to make it safer by slowing it down or adding another rule to the rule book. This does not work. It is racing,and by its nature will be dangerous. Ole Dale knew this when he started,so did young Petty and all the rest of the fine drivers that have died. Folks this is a spectater sport and just like the Gladiators of old somtimes you get eaten!
Dales style of racing was exciting and will be missed. For awhile,and then some rookie with a urge to win and a heavy foot will take his place.

The truth is that this sport brings many inovations and things that make our vehicles safer and more efficent. Let em roll,get the Nascar officials to turn em loose. They are running these cars with their foots on the floor a whole race. Might as well have cruise control. Let em have the power to pass, instead of having to get on somebodys bumper for a draft and bump manuver. Get rid of the restrictor plates!I'm sure Dale agrees with me,no restrictor plates in heaven.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[SmokinRam]

"We are all going to miss you Dale. "
My prayers go out to the Earnhardt family and to the whole racing community who is impacted by this tragedy.

A lot of very sad faces today, including mine. :-(

 

[Jumbo Jet]

To Chad Sheets - you and I watched the same race. I have no idea which race jthorpe was watching.

Even Darrel Waltrip and Larry McReynolds commented about Dale's car being beat up "like he was racing at Bristol".

NASCAR needs to tell those drivers to drive to win, or stay off the track.

Dale was blocking the fastest car on the track so that Dale Jr. or Michael Waltrip could win the race.

You don't see Roush team members, or others, driving like that.

Where does Nascar keep the black flags?

Also, how many times did Dale flip off another driver or shake his fist at another driver during that race? He was mad the entire race!

Before you jump on me too hard, I was a Earnhardt fan and I own a lot of Dale Earnhardt memorabilia.

[This message has been edited by Jumbo Jet (edited 02-19-2001). ]

 

[Switca]

I'm not a big NASCAR fan and I was never a fan of Earnhardt.

He would bump, bang and slam people, and it was OK. When he was the bumpee, bangee or slamee, it was different and he'd cry the loudest.

Other series would have black flagged him for some of his stunts or suspended him for a race or two.

No matter what the series is and no matter who the driver is, I still respect anyone who puts on the fire suit and helmet and risks his life for his sport.

All you can take away from the day is that he he died doing exactly what he liked doing.

 

[MATT MAN]

A sad day for NASCAR racing. It's been a bad year for them. My sympathies to his family. It just didn't look like that serious of an accident. I was shocked.

 

[R.ebel]

I too was shocked by the news... the impact did'nt look all that bad. GODSPEED Earnhart!

A couple of observations,

Dale was about the only one (Little E ?) who was still wearing the open face style helmet. NASCAR needs to make the full face helmet manditory for all drivers. It only makes sense when you are cooking along at 190 MPH!

Though he was not among my list of favorite drivers due to the fact that I got tired of seeing him spin out other drivers with faster cars, I still have a great deal of respect for his abilities, He is truely a champion and will certainly be missed.

It's rather ironic that he lived by his aggressive style of driving and died by the same.

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1997 2500 Ext Cab 4X4,5 spd,3. 54's,Pac brake,Rancho 9000's,Centerforce clutch,K&N airfilter, Isspro gauges,TST #11 plate (280hp/680tq),AFC medium spring, Jardine 4" exhaust, 370 Diamond B marine injectors and 16cm turbine housing.

 

[TomGolden]

Well, I'll throw my $. 02 in here. I too, send out my most heartfelt condolences to the Earnhart family and to Dale, looking down on us all this sad morning. I also first learned of his death on the boards here this morning, as I turned off the race right after Michael Waltrip got the checkered flag.

I started going to NASCAR races as a small boy at the long since dismantled Ontario Super Wpeedway in southern California. I have been a lifelong NASCAR fan and have always liked King Richard the best. When the King retired in1993, Dale became my favorite active driver, and up until Wade Burton got smashed in the huge pile up, I knew he was gonna bring home the checkered flag for Dodge. But then I decided I wanted Dale to do it, even though he has driven my least favorite car for so long, but that doesn't really matter. The man was truly the real deal.

I am of the opinion that racing is a sport that should be left as unregulated as possible, and just let the drivers do what they came to the track to do. Of course safety needs to be addressed, but too man restrictive rules take away the true spirit of competetion and excitement. I don't know how successful the XFL will be long term, but maybe we need an X-NASCAR! Drop the green flag, first car to cross the finish line wins - period. End of rules.

Oh, well. God Bless you Dale.

Tom

 

[6bbl]

Originally posted by Jumbo Jet:
To Chad Sheets - you and I watched the same race. I have no idea which race jthorpe was watching.

Even Darrel Waltrip and Larry McReynolds commented about Dale's car being beat up "like he was racing at Bristol".

NASCAR needs to tell those drivers to drive to win, or stay off the track.

Dale was blocking the fastest car on the track so that Dale Jr. or Michael Waltrip could win the race.

You don't see Roush team members, or others, driving like that.

Where does Nascar keep the black flags?

Also, how many times did Dale flip off another driver or shake his fist at another driver during that race? He was mad the entire race!

Before you jump on me too hard, I was a Earnhardt fan and I own a lot of Dale Earnhardt memorabilia.

[This message has been edited by Jumbo Jet (edited 02-19-2001). ]

And lets not forget the shot of his pit crew laughing about him bumping and skakin his fist. They say thats his style. He was out of control sunday. He will be missed and is in my prayers. Nascars black flag would have saved his life,I blame them,they let him get out of control.

 

[jthorpe]

Originally posted by Jumbo Jet:
To Chad Sheets - you and I watched the same race. I have no idea which race jthorpe was watching.

Even Darrel Waltrip and Larry McReynolds commented about Dale's car being beat up "like he was racing at Bristol".

NASCAR needs to tell those drivers to drive to win, or stay off the track.

Dale was blocking the fastest car on the track so that Dale Jr. or Michael Waltrip could win the race.

You don't see Roush team members, or others, driving like that.

Where does Nascar keep the black flags?

Also, how many times did Dale flip off another driver or shake his fist at another driver during that race? He was mad the entire race!

Before you jump on me too hard, I was a Earnhardt fan and I own a lot of Dale Earnhardt memorabilia.

[This message has been edited by Jumbo Jet (edited 02-19-2001). ]

Oh gee sorry, I must have been watching the kids on bicycles down the road. I must have actually missed the Daytona 500.

I saw the entire race. I see other drivers doing the same kinds of things on the track. Don't say that Dale is the only one who does it because if you do, you're not telling us the facts.

I am downright SAD that Dale has died. He was my favorite driver for years but then again, it IS part of racing. Everybody whines about safety but some people who have a bit of common sense accept the fact that racing is racing. Dale is one of the few who accepted that. You're not going to make it a whole lot safer than it already is by slowing the speed by 15mph. If the racers can't handle the excitement and the life in the trenches on the track, then head behind the wall and shut down. As for me, I would rather watch Dale anyday of those guys who just go around for 250 laps for their sponsorship money not really caring if they win or lose.

 

[jthorpe]

Why do you guys continue to slam him in here? Can we have one day where somebody is not whining about how he drives? The only thing I can think of is that you may be jealous because your own driver doesn't have 7 championships under his belt. He and Petty must have done something right don't you think?