Dale Earnhardt

[PrerYDoG]

Okay, I may have mispelled his name, and I'm not a huge NASCAR fan, nor a huge Dale fan, but in the spirit of racing, I want to just say that his death is a shock to us all, and a reminder that even in an environment such as NASCAR, at the biggest racing event in America, one of the best drivers on the course has died.

I know he and his family were at the 24 Hours of Daytona (I won't fault him for Racing Corvettes) and has won many many races, and the loss of him is a loss to us all.

So, I'm not saying slow down (cause I know 1.2 gees will just ignore me ), but take note of what can happen.

[lm6y]

What a shame. It was said that he was the greatest NASCAR driver of all time.
I watched the race, and it didn't look like he hit that hard at all. Earlier in the race a guy got completely airborne, and flipped quite a few times. He walked away with a concussion and a seperated shoulder. It just shows you that if the circumstances are just right, a survivable crash can be deadly.
To all of you that drive "agressive", and auto-x, take note, and be careful. We don't want to lose ANYONE from this BBS.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!

[RealRideRacing]

My Heart Goes out to the Earnhardt Family.
A great man with a good heart.
This year's Daytona 500 was a Hollywood story. From the eventual winner Michael Waltrip who in 15 years of NASCAR had never won a race. Dale sr. was the only one to believe in him and offer him a ride while others kept telling him that Michael was all washed up. The final laps of the race were truly exciting, and this is what NASCAR is all about. Both Earnhardts were blocking for Michael and Dale Sr. paid the ultimate price while letting his "employee" and competitor win. Dale also gained a lot of respect recently when he drove the Rolex 24 in the Corvette. Watching him that day was intriguing as he seemed so relaxed behind the wheel and even managed to gain a few positions in the rain. Proving that "Roundy Rounders" can turn right after all. He even commented about how much fun he had that day and was discussing a possible entry at LeMans this year. Who knows, we could have had a new Road Racing star in our hands. The kind of publicity Dale brought to Road Racing can only help our sport. Ironic also was the fact that he kept saying how he had finally gotten the opportunity to Team up with his son. At the Rolex, Dale was also asked about the HANS device, a driver head restraint system now mandatory in F1, ironically what could have possibly prevented his death.
It's always a sad day when a fellow race driver is killed. I had a lot of respect for Dale Earnhardt, especially when he came to the Rolex. Dale Jr and Kyle Petty are also noted on my list of NASCAR crossovers, as was Kulwicki, Mark Martin, Robby Gordon, and not to mention the Road Racers turned Oval drivers (several Andretti's, Boris Said, Scott Pruett, Wally Dallenbach, the list goes on...).
At least Dale Earnhardt died doing what he loved most.
Respectfully,
David
PENNYWEB/REALRIDE.COM RACING
http://www.RealRide.com

[Guitarsmith]

Dale's death, like that of any driver, is a tragedy. He knew the risks. I remember a couple years back when they red flagged a race and when the pit reporters came by to talk to him parking in his car in the pit lane with the other cars, Dale was sound asleep in the car. I knew then it was time for him to hang it up.
It's worth noting that the winner, Darrel Waltrip and Dale Jr. in 2nd were in cars owned by Dale Sr.

I know we don't go 180 on public roads and shouldn't, but a Cup car has 1 3/4 Steel cages offering about the best protection of any racecar--certainly more than any open wheel car. Tony Stewart is a lucky man today.
The rest of us have lost a great driver.

Be careful out there.

[kukunaokala]

I was going to post an idiot mechanic's experience (mine), but seeing this thread kind'a grounded me. Be careful out there.

A subdued Aloha, Neal

[monteness]

The racing world lost a benchmark. He was mentioned with Petty & Yarborough. He helped bring NASCAR to where it is today. I think his teams have done for NASCAR what Penske and McLaren have done for CART and F1,,,,which is to make each one, one of the greatest in their own venues.

[Leigh 13]

I just got back to the Northeast after a weekend in North Carolina.

NASCAR is not particularly popular here in NJ, proven by surprising number of people I talked to who had never heard of Earnhardt. However, I was at the airport in Raleigh-Durham when I heard the news, and I saw several people in tears and many more who were visibly upset.

Just a heads up for those of you who may live in a part of the country where this wasn't all over the news--it is, in fact, a very big deal.