Dale Opinion

[Mopar-muscle]

Originally posted by Papa Joe:
Guys, I think the telephoto effect (very long shots with very powerful lenses) takes away the built-in dimensioning you and I deal with in our minds and calculate subconsciously everyday. In other words, the impact didn't look to bad on TV, but it was truly horrible in real life. (Look at the front end after impact #ad
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Joe

granted joe i was at the start finish line in the upper most section of seating , but to me the accident didn't look that bad , definitely not worse than the turmoil on the back straight that sent stewart in the air .

its a great loss to nascar , hopefully they will bounce back from it .

godspeed dale

 

[BCFAST]

One more time guys... . the doctor is working for NASCAR. He will NOT say anything to incriminate NASCAR or show negligence on their part. If he would have said "the HANS or horse collar might have" or "would have saved Dale"... then the lawyers would be pointing fingers and slinging paper. His death is tragic to be sure. But the fact that he loves his wife and kids and STILL wont use EVERY safety device available (including a modern helmet) is just plain foolish.

 

[Chad Sheets]

The ordering of the HANS device by all the drivers, I am sure, is not because they know it could have saved his hide, but more for precautions.
Kind of like when you hear about a friend getting hurt or dying in a crash that was due to high speeds or lack of seat belt. You automatically start buckling up and watching your speeds for a while. I know a guy at work who lost 175 lb. after his younger brother bit the bullet from being a fat body.

Drastic and dramatic things happen during a lifetime. We either blow them off and go on down the road saying "it wont happen to me" or "thats just part of it", or stop, take inventory of the situation and try to cope and change lifestyles a little. I hope alot of people stop and take inventory, not only in the racing world, but everywhere. We all would hate to see E's death not teach us something. I know its all in the name of "racin", but even the people waving that "racin" banner around know things need to change. Whether that change be in the form of driving style, safety related equipment, or restrictions. Something has to give.

 

[WOWZY]

BCfast, You just don't get it do ya? We're not buying your idea.

Put an egg in a covered bowl and throw it against the wall. What will happen to the egg?
Please forgive me Dale.

On another site a math professor estimated that his body was subjected to an estimated 22-25 G's at the point of impact.

 

[Big MAK]

Maybe he would still have died with the HANS on, but wouldn't most people use a device that would improve their odds? Even only a little? So it's calculated risk for image. His call to make, I'm not criticizing it. Just the way it is.

 

[BCFAST]

WOWZY, no need to get nasty... my point is to make you think, rather than be blindly complacent like the folks over at Speedvision.com... they truely believe it's 'God's will' and stuff... I understand the physics involved... been there, done that. . dont care to do it again. Remember Ernie Irvan's crash? No broken bones, no black 'n blue marks... nothing! But, with "brain slosh", his brain swelling resulted in a long coma. But, he did live to race another day! My point is: why not use every means available knowing you are in a potentially dangerous situation? Dale was wrong and you know it! Do I feel bad for him. . sure. Do I feel bad for his family ... yes, especially them. His crash was NOT. . repeat NOT a biggie, but it was enough to kill someone without modern safety gear.

 

[KatDiesel]

<font color=blue>For a long time I have been taking this "Stance" on the issue :
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Ok I have been keeping my mouth shut here for a while, but heres my viewpoint. Who cares what he "should have" or "could have" done if he had this or that on, it can not be changed now. It was his choice not to wear the equipment, and he paid the price. If you drive a Winston Cup race car you have to "accept" an amount of risk of injury or even death regardless what type of safety equipment is availabe, it just happens from time to time. Its the "highs" and "lows" of racing. <font size=-2>



[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (Eric Howard) (edited 02-22-2001). ]

 

[Joe G.]

BCFAST,

I have to agree with you on this one. It there is safety equipment available that might have reduced the injury in a crash like this one why aren't they using it? NASCAR should mandate it. I believe the other racing governing bodies do that so why can't NASCAR? Everybody wears a full face helmet except the Earnharts? I don't see this kind of thing in NHRA or even in the Saturday night racing at Redwood Acres in Eureka. Drivers are still going to get killed, but they should do their best to prevent it.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Big MAK]

Absolutely their choice to make.

Example: Remember the old speed limit? I. e. 55mph? UGH! Well, it's SAFER to drive 55mph... right? Personally, I like to drive the 75mph speed limit more.

Remember my saying... . "The price of freedom is responsibility". Laws (rules) can be made to attempt to protect everyone from everything, but with each one we're trading in our freedom. The fewer laws (rules), the more responsible we are for ourselves -- and the consequences of our actions.

You get the picture.

Dale died doing what he loved to do the way he loved doing it. Regardless of my opinion of his driving style, I'll always respect him for that... BIG TIME.

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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 275s and Original PowerMax
A "WARRANTY FREE" ZONE
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Mark Kitchell:
Remember my saying... . "The price of freedom is responsibility". Laws (rules) can be made to attempt to protect everyone from everything, but with each one we're trading in our freedom. The fewer laws (rules), the more responsible we are for ourselves -- and the consequences of our actions.

Excellant analogy Mark, almost exactly what I was going to mention in my above post, but since ya already said it for me I jsut added a picture to my above post.

 

[jthorpe]

Originally posted by Joe G. :
BCFAST,

I have to agree with you on this one. It there is safety equipment available that might have reduced the injury in a crash like this one why aren't they using it? NASCAR should mandate it. I believe the other racing governing bodies do that so why can't NASCAR? Everybody wears a full face helmet except the Earnharts? I don't see this kind of thing in NHRA or even in the Saturday night racing at Redwood Acres in Eureka. Drivers are still going to get killed, but they should do their best to prevent it.

Why do you think they should mandate it? If the drivers want to risk their life by not using the device, then why should NASCAR make them? I understand about air spoilers and other stuff that will protect ALL drivers during an accident. However, if someone decides they don't want to use the HANS device, that's their perogative. This is supposed to be a free country. Seat belt laws etc. are prime examples that the US is not a free country. If I decide that I want to risk my own life and not wear a seatbelt, that is my problem. Period. So many people feel like they need to push their own personal agendas on everyone else.

 

[Paul Somers]

I live about 90 miles from Talladega and have not missed many races since track opened in 1969. Also been to Daytona several times. Have seen many spectacular wrecks and most walked away with only scraps or a broken bone or two. Look at Dale's, Neil Bonnett's or Bobby Allison's and those wrecks weren't spectacular. Just a sudden decellaration. Brain can't stand those G's. By the way, Neil Bonnett's wreck was at Daytona in the same place as Dale's. Looked very simular but Neil's was practice lap and not racing. Remember Fireball Roberts burning up in pits because he refused to wear fire suit. I am as sadden as any body about Dale's passing but these nuts that are threating Sterlin Marlin need to review the accident closely.

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Northport,AL. 1999 2500 quad cab, driftwood, 5 speed ISB. Boost and Pyro gauges. Line-x.
Amateur extra W4XH

 

[Road Hazard]

Dale Earnhardt, See Ya later. I never pulled for you, but I'm the proudest SOB in the world to have lived in the same lifetime with you.