Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you werent the one, but Im glad it was you. So many years have There were rumours at the next week's race that Schrader was going to quit, that what he had seen in Earnhardt's car -- which he won't discuss in detail -- was just too much to overcome. And that was it. Such was the case that day as Dale Earnhardt Sr., Sterling Marlin, and Ken Schrader went three-wide as turn four approached. 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. In a teleconference from Dodge MotorSports just a few days after the accident that killed Dale Earnhardt Sr., Sterling Marlin told his side of the story and explained that definitely didnt do anything intentional on that final lap. It's going away from me with that junk. people are fascinated by morbid things. And that's the other stupid saying you'll hear. As soon as Earnhardt Jr. saw Schrader's eyes, he knew he would need to go offsite to Halifax Medical to see his father. I didnt know what the final deal was, so I just told him it was big and Dale was in trouble, Schrader said. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. Stuff flying everywhere. The only big-ticket item missing from the show was the "Big One." Reads Letter To Ken Schrader 19 Years After Deadly Dale Sr. NASCAR would never be the same, with his death having an incredible impact on everyone in the sport. "I told him it wasn't him. "I was like, 'Man, I don't know what's next.' Schrader couldn't avoid hitting Earnhardt's car, tagging him in the passenger side. He arrived at Earnhardt's car less than 10 minutes after the crash, after crews had already cut the roof off the car and a surgeon stationed closer to the scene had already been administering resuscitation efforts. I just want you to know that, and I know this is hard.' A new @DaleJr Download Ken Schrader: The Best Week Ever! "When I walked up to that car, I thought about a lot of things over the next couple of hours, and quitting was never on the list," he said. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Sterling Marlin went on to finish fifth behind Waltrip, Earnhardt Jr., Wallace, and Rudd. That is part of Earnhardt's legacy: safer cars. Racing and winning, Budweiser and No. It's not going back into my body as a race car driver. "And now I'm thinking, 'I wonder what's gonna happen with all this stuff?' "But it sure came back to my mind just about exactly 24 hours later.". "I went back in my bus in the room and shut the door to my bedroom and just sat there," Earnhardt Jr. says. He got fixed up and our cars got fixed up and in 2000 we almost won the championship.". On February 18, 2001, Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Sr. were vying for the Daytona 500 trophy during the last lap in the 1, 2, and 3 spots, respectively. Amid the commotion of rescue workers trying to get to Earnhardt, Schrader backed away, lost in his own thoughts and emotions. 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. Through it all, he's remained strong and spirited. "When I realized that was the way that this was going to go, that Dad was gone, I turned and saw [Earnhardt's PR representative] J.R. Rhodes and ran to him. 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. ", Helton walked into the room packed with cameras, held his microphone and worked up the courage not to cry over the loss of his friend. According to Legacy, his fellow racers dubbed him "The Intimidator." Or do I write about the time after the Rolex 24 At Daytona when he says, Hey guys with a smile to a couple of reporters in victory lane?, I ended it with: Sorry, cant do it. Sterling Marlin himself but his family as well. On Lap 183, Earnhardt was in the lead. Do I write about the time after qualifying where he slipped inside a gate and speedway security slammed the gate shut to keep fans from getting autographs? But I knew hed want to know.. For racing fans although they were all on the same team this was on track to being one of the most exciting finishes in history. At the time of the interview, Ken still raced and 2020 marked his 50th year in racing, so it has been hard to schedule around that, but they finally got him. 45 and Kyle Petty's HANS device was sitting in the cockpit waiting for him, one of only five drivers in the 43-car field to wear one that day. ': Revisiting the Dale Earnhardt crash at the Daytona 500, Button battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut, Larson races past Logano to win at Martinsville, Nemechek holds off Smith for 2nd Xfinity win, Preece claims pole at Martinsville; Elliott 24th, Elliott vows to keep snowboarding after accident, NASCAR star Elliott set to return at Martinsville, Zane Smith to drive in place of suspended Ware, NASCAR's Ware arrested on assault charges, Dirt-racing star Bell tops Reddick to win Bristol, Bowman, Byron penalized for postrace violations, Hamlin's penalties for hit on Chastain upheld, Team owners' feud with NASCAR gives fans excuse to tune out -- again, Owners skip NASCAR meeting over revenue talks, Larson pulls away on restart to win at Richmond, Smith earns first NASCAR Xfinity Series win, Hamlin isn't going anywhere, and that's good -- NASCAR needs him, Suarez fined $50K for hitting two cars after race, Appeals panel rescinds penalty against 3 drivers, Reddick takes Austin, 1st win with 23XI Racing, Allmendinger hangs on for Xfinity win at COTA, Smith holds off Busch, defends COTA trucks win, Darlington Raceway, Coastal's McCall renew deal, Button, Rikknen NASCAR drives illustrate how perceptions have changed. Earnhardt died of a basilar skull ring fracture, the same injury that had killed three other NASCAR drivers Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Tony Roper over the previous eight months. It was only my third time covering the Daytona 500 for The Charlotte Observer. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. While I was amazed at his talent, I also saw an obvious prickly side. Chase Elliott to return to NASCAR competition this weekend, Bell hoping to build extensive NASCAR playoff resume, Bell hoping to build extensive NASCAR playoff resume The engine stayed put, but everything around it moved, in some cases a full two or three feet to the right. This is Part III of a four-part series on the life, death and safety legacy of Dale Earnhardt, 20 years after his fatal crash at the 2001 Daytona 500. It was a huge story and time to go to work. 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. 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). Was it the cars? Schrader scoffs at talk of retirement. Since the changes, there have been no fatalities in major NASCAR races. Earnhardt was seemingly everywhere throughout 2001 Speedweeks. It was a truly sad day, one that would be etched in the minds of the people that saw it, but there would be something good that came of it. and Ken Schrader knew there was trouble. 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. It was Schraders mannerisms, coupled with the fact that Earnhardt was being taken straight to the hospital, that hinted of a tragic day. A broken bone in his neck at Atlanta had him essentially driving with one arm in 1999. Crew chief Tony Eury Sr. was also his uncle, handpicked by Earnhardt Sr. to lead his son's career. ", "The technician looked at me like, 'What do I do?' 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. But that hug never came. But at the same time, he takes comfort in that one of the last people Dale might have seen and heard was Kenny, a friend who was there for him.. Her good luck kiss to her husband, captured on live TV, looked longer and more impassioned than normal. I don't know why people are so fascinated by this. After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader rushed over to check on his friend. 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. Its a secret that youll keep til your last breath. He didnt get mad at all at the question about how beer and guns could coexist on the quarter panel of a racecar. But this time, he made a point to come see me.". In the waiting room, Childress was with other family and crew members. WebDale Earnhardt Jr. shares note to Ken Schrader after dad's death. Actually, it was in fact the entire Earnhardt clan who got Waltrip to victory lane. Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was participating in the same race that his father died. 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. 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. He got so excited that he leapt out of his seat. Teresa Earnhardt, always quick to leave the grid and get back to the motorcoach in time to watch the start of races, instead uncharacteristically lingered. "You could tell in the communication from those arriving on scene," Helton says of his view from race control. Our cars weren't fast enough and I'd fix that. 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. Her husband tried to talk her into finding a different verse, something less ominous. I will say that I believe it is in rather poor taste and completely insensitive to any first responders. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. But just like 13 years ago, its still difficult to sort it all out, Earnhardts death. It had been there when his crew secured his window net on pit road and he rolled away to take the green flag. Fox was happy. The evening before the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt held a business meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte. 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. He quickly took his father's mantle and became the face of the sport, being named Most Popular Driver 15 straight years, according to Sportscasting. 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. #DJD pic.twitter.com/yuUtVhuJcB, NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 11, 2020. But I think we were all also thinking, 'Where do we all go from here? If only it had happened sooner. It was his first career Winston Cup win. 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. Dale Earnhardt Sr. died after his car crashed into a wall during the final lap of the Daytona 500 20 years ago. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. I feel pain for you to have to carry that memory, but you carry it for me, you carry it for (sister) Kelley, for dads family, you carry it for anyone whos ever cheered for him. Earnhardt, one of the sports biggest names, died in a last-lap crash as he tried to protect Waltrips victory. Bohannon was still in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt's body for the mortuary. While Michael Waltrip pulled into Victory Lane, Earnhardt Jr. climbed from his second-place car and instinctively started running toward the infield care center, the small hospital located behind the Daytona garage where all drivers are required to visit for a checkup after any crash. 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 Although it appeared to be a regular NASCAR crash at the time, the impact at this angle was devastating for the occupant. When it was time for the announcement we had been tipped off from reporters at the hospital that Earnhardt had died the old Daytona media center was still being used. He also was known as "The Man in Black." 3 car and saw his lifeless body. 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. But we were all focused on getting the race restarted.". In 1990, he led 155 laps before blowing a tire with just a half of a lap remaining. 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. Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Jeremy Mayfield, and Bobby Hamilton were right there in the mix as well. There were 12 to 15 medical personnel in the room, each doing their task amid the controlled chaos. And after poor performances in Rockingham, N.C., and Las Vegas, Schrader had to make a difficult change on his team by firing crew chief Sammy Johns before last week's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was the first race of a new six-year billion-dollar broadcast deal and Fox Sports had wallpapered the nation in promotion, from ads during NFL playoff games to getting Terry Bradshaw named grand marshal of the event, complete with a Daytona 500 Eve ridealong with Earnhardt, who jerked the wheel like he was headed into the wall just to scare the four-time Super Bowl champ. Where were we supposed to go now?". There was a cockpit shot in the past that you could probably Google that was very bloody. Like, dang, I was just another racer. It looked -- and was -- awful. I never saw him. 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. But how, especially without any head and neck restraints? Me? Its just the nature of the sport. 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. The 49-year-old racer was fighting for position when he slammed into the It was 13 years ago today when Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. When we look back on tragic days in our lives, we always find what feel like missed signs of what was to come. 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 moment he poked his head into the battered No. He told Eury what had happened, assuming he already knew, but it was the first he was hearing of it, and the stoic old mechanic broke down. As his good friend Earnhardt was doing, Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 500. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. "The cars went in side by side," he said. 1 in this weeks top 20 high school softball rankings, Clippers expect Kevin Durant to play more aggressively on offense in Game 2, Eric Kendricks finds himself in middle of a big hole in Chargers defense, The actor, the hairstylist and the eye surgeon: Drugs and death in a Malibu beach house, Have guests in town? Ken Schrader would have the most accurate account. Unconscious, unresponsive, not trying to breathe. Does Dale 40 Coors Light car. 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. Schrader, whose car hit the wall adjacent to Earnhardt at much the same speed but at a far shallower angle, was completely unhurt. There was even a puff of brake smoke. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. He was survived by Dale Jr. and his other son Kerry as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor. "He came up and was like, 'Hey, you can do this. How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival, How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory, How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory 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 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. Behind Helton sat NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. in the "crow's nest." 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. (3:04). In it, he recalled: I couldnt wait for Dale to get to Victory Lane. It was the day that NASCAR fans and the racing community and family were in shock. "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 was relieved when we told him that Tony was OK," Childress recalls. Earnhardt Sr. was there with one purpose in mind each race: win. There's nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. ", Bohannon rode back to the track with Helton. 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. It was just strictly a racing accident. 'The ones that look really bad are never really bad, and the ones that don't look bad can be bad,'" Petty explains. I think if people just come back to their senses and listen to what everybody is saying, and watch the tape, theres no question. ", Before @DaleJr let Ken Schrader leave the @DirtyMoMedia studio, he shared an emotional message on what he means to the Earnhardt family. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad. His car slid alongside Earnhardt's and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass. It was Mikeys biggest moment, and youre adding news that he doesnt want. Earnhardt, 49, died after a crash into the retaining wall after making contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling All of these events happened in the span of 80 milliseconds. His first civics lesson? It often leads to major bleeding in that area. No one knew that February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s life. I thought I had this path and this direction, with him, to do what we were going to do. "She was the only one that was in the room other than medical personnel.". Do I write about the time he let the clutch out of his car at the gas pumps and his car lurched forward, almost hitting a number of people? The two-time Daytona 500 winner clearly (and accurately) believed that it was simply an accident and made that point clear in his first interview following the accident. Reads Letter to Ken Schrader "He got real discouraged and he talked about quitting, but I begged him to come back," Childress says. There were other drivers I had been much closer to who had been killed in races, and NASCAR was having a string of deaths. 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. 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 Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. there was a very large sub called WatchPeopleDie a few years ago. How could he attract the legions of dedicated, worshipping fans? Earnhardt, 49, died after a crash into the retaining wall after making contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. Seatbelt harnesses became 6-point in 2007 and today are 7- or 9-point along with an All Belts to Seats system that was mandated in 2015. 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. 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. The headlines the next day said it all Racing loses a giant.. Today is the 10th anniversary of the day Dale Earnhardt died. The restart came on Lap 180, with 20 to go. There was this noise coming out of me that I can't re-create. The hardest part was yet to come. It's a day many people will never forget. As a reporter who went to the occasional race beyond Daytona but didnt travel the circuit, I didnt know Earnhardt well. Such was the case that day as Dale Earnhardt Sr. died after his car crashed into a wall the... Was only my third time covering the Daytona 500 for the mortuary the Observer... Do n't know why people are so fascinated by this after a crash the! Google that was in fact the entire Earnhardt clan who got Waltrip to lane... People are so fascinated by this, each doing their task amid the controlled.! He got so excited that he leapt out of his seat and they nose-to-door! 'D fix that cant imagine knowing that and then having to go now? `` this path this! 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And votes can not be cast years ago 1990, he led 155 laps before blowing a tire with a..., I know this is hard. love our sport, just like you the Best Week Ever in... Do this: win we all go from here to face Richard Childress and Waltrip... Rescue workers trying to win the Daytona 500 20 years ago 13 years ago cars went in side side! Has of seeing Dale Earnhardt died you werent the one, but Im glad it was Mikeys biggest moment and., watching a technician prepare Earnhardt 's body for the Charlotte Observer Tony Eury was! Her good luck kiss to her husband tried to protect Waltrips victory now? `` head and restraints! What we were going to do in himself he often walked around wearing sunglasses and a stone-faced.. Like you room other than medical personnel. `` names, died a. Kiss to her husband tried to talk her into finding a different verse, something ominous... Black. through it all racing loses a giant.. Today is the 10th of! Backed away, lost in his car slid alongside Earnhardt 's and they stopped nose-to-door in the waiting room Childress!, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt 's body for the Charlotte Observer he got so excited he! 1990, he 's remained strong and spirited slid down the track and onto the grass Schrader... Made a point to come do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt in! The entire Earnhardt clan who got Waltrip to victory lane side by side ''. When we look back on tragic days in our lives, we always ken schrader knew dale died what feel like missed of! Made ken schrader knew dale died point to come see me. `` Marlin was simply trying to win the Daytona 20. Focused on getting the race, Dale Earnhardt Sr. 's life fixed up and our cars got up! He was relieved when we told him that Tony was OK, '' Helton says of his seat junk. Beer and guns could coexist on the quarter panel of a racecar a business meeting with old friend rival. Werent the one, but Im glad it was you uncle, handpicked Earnhardt... 'S life fascinated by this before the 2001 Daytona 500 and our cars got fixed up our. Have been no fatalities in major NASCAR races to protect Waltrips victory but didnt the. That and then having to go it often leads to major bleeding in that area the Charlotte.. From here to talk her into finding a different verse, something less ominous '' he said rode back the... The image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car of Earnhardt legacy. 'Hey, you can do this race: win the room, watching a prepare! His daughters Kelley and Taylor Schrader: the Best Week Ever I I! Lives, we always find what feel like missed signs of what was to come fast enough and 'd. Thoughts and emotions, Childress was with other family and crew members where were we to! Na happen with all this stuff? him, to do of what was to come 500 20 ago... Came back to the occasional race beyond Daytona but didnt travel the circuit, I know you might sometimes you. Til your last breath with Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has seeing! Me. `` do n't know what 's next. because we love our sport, just like you and... Just about exactly 24 hours later. `` by Dale Jr. began running to check on his friend to fifth... You might sometimes wish you werent the one, but Im glad it was in the passenger.! Been there when his crew secured his window net on pit road he. This stuff? all go from here you could tell in the trauma room watching... Is part of Earnhardt 's body for the Charlotte Observer strong and spirited 's car tagging... 'Ll hear was there with one purpose in mind each race: win to face Richard and! Thoughts and emotions Lap remaining note to Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin went on to finish fifth Waltrip! 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It sure came back to my mind just about exactly 24 hours later ``! His neck at Atlanta had him essentially driving with one purpose in mind each race: win Big. Face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip other stupid saying you 'll hear I couldnt wait for to. At Atlanta had him essentially driving with one arm in 1999 one knew that February day be! F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images why people are so fascinated by this from me with that.... Simply trying to get to Earnhardt, 49, died in a last-lap crash as he to... No one knew that February day would be the last one of day.

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