*** Official thread *** Dale Earnhardt dead.....

[Ausm]

Still in total shock myself. I think Nascar is partially reponsible for the introduction of restrictor plates and also messing with the aerodynamics of the cars itself.

I realize they were trying to make the races more competitive but on the downside i think it made it much more dangerous...



Ausm

 

[piku]

Sad thing is, I just heard before on ESPN I think it was that Earnhardt and many other top NASCAR drivers tried out that HANS system and they all didn't like it because of the discomfort.

 

[KennyH]

I am his cousin by marriage. He would want everyone to continue watching and loving the sport that he loved.

 

[shiznut123]

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

[Ausm]

No $hit? Well i have to extend my deepest condolances from Me and my Family. We used to watch him Race at Michigan.

Ausm

 

[MissingLinc]

This is very shocking and sad indeed. I have been a big NASCAR fan since I was very young (early '80s) thanks to Mom. This is an unfortunate part of such a great sport and I will never get used to the passing of these dedicated drivers. I have never been much of a fan of Big E but I respected him as a driver and respected him as a good man off of the track. I am sure there are going to be major rules changes, but I believe NASCAR has done an admirable job to protect these drivers. Unfortunately, physics can overcome the frailty of a human body despite the best equipment. And making a bunch of race cars a whole lot slower will take away the excitement that makes racing popular. It will be interesting to see what rules changes come out of this.

And for those of you who are bagging NASCAR in this thread, FVCK OFF!!! Wrong thread. This is a true sport --it involves teamwork and strategy, excellent planning and dedicated hard work, it requires the drivers and the pit crews to be in damn good physical condition to give 110% skilled concentration for a long period of time and turn a car around in short order, and it has a huge population of loyal fans.

This NASCAR fan will miss Big E. And my heart goes out to the family and fans out there.

 

[Engineer]

Rest In Peace....

 

[Emulex]

everyone take a moment and play a nascar game in his honour.

Try to drive safely, too, cause accidents can occur on the road, just as bad as on the track.

werd.

 

[prodigy]

May he rest in peace.

 

[vailman]

My prayers will be with the Earnhardts this week. He was a great man, driver, and father...he will truly be missed.

BTW, without restrictor plates the cup cars would be doing 220+ mph at Daytona - they were put in place to slow that cars down. I don't totally agree with this method, as mentioned it bunches the cars up really close, but if these cars where running at 220 mph at Daytona we would be seeing a lot more fatal accidents. I'm sure that this event will cause a rule change - it always does after a huge tragedy such as this.

 

[SonOfZeuz]

Tis a sad day for motorsports, hell for all sports

 

[KennyH]

Thanks guys

 

[Zipperhead]

he was the kind of guy you love to hate.even i am floored by this tragedy.i feel for the family!

 

[dawheat]

WTF!

While I'm not a fan of NASCAR, this is a tragedy for all of motorsports. I just read that 3 NASCAR drivers were killed last year. What the h*ll? 3 drivers in one season?

Any racing series, CART, F1, etc should always put safety first. Deaths, while unavoidable in an inherently dangerous sport, should be minimal and the exceptions to the rule. Continuing to race when in a single year, 3 drivers have been killed is criminal.

NASCAR should have made all and every saftey measure a requirement for their drivers- not an option. Link

 

[rarebear]

Sad Day Indeed..
Eddie Matthews HOF 500+ HRs Atlanta Braves also died today
My They Rest in Peace

 

[yos]

Very sad... very very sad... I am not a nascar fan, but I must say that I am feeling somber right now for the loss of a legend....

 

[AU Tiger]

During his pre-race interview his last statement was along the lines of...

"Fox is going to see something they have never seen today."

I know I will remember this race for a long time.

 

[zsir]

Wow......

How touching is that......He's holding off Marlin so his team can win and .....

that's too sad

 

[jonnyGURU]

OMG! That's unreal! :Q

If I was Waltrip I would NOT want to be in the winners circle today. What an awkward moment that must be.

 

[BenSkywalker]

This is actually Mrs.Skywalker...I just read about this tragedy and felt I had to post. Pardon me for using Ben's handle.

I cannot believe this has happened. Daytona is not exactly a difficult or historically dangerous track. And to be killed in the last half of the last lap, too. What a horrendous blow to the sporting community. Dale Earnhardt was one of the few sports stars that kids could look up to and idolize. He stood for decency and honor, and was one of the few left who wasn't afraid to say "God bless America, amen".

Sadly, it was his time to go. But I firmly believe that he went doing what he loved best. He died quickly and painlessly doing what he loved and with the knowledge that his son was going to finish in the top of one of the biggest races of the year. It doesn't make it easier to accept, but I bet he was one of the "lucky" few to die happy.

My heart and my prayers go out to his family, especially Jr. who now must face the decission whether or not to race again. I sincerely hope he keeps the Earnhardt legacy alive, but it will be one tough road to travel.

Thank you, Dale. You will be greatly missed.

 

[rarebear]

Sad Day Indeed...
Eddie Matthews of the Atlanta Braves HOF 500+ HRs also died today..
Rest in Peace ya'll..

Sorry for the double post

 

[BayouL]

Thanks "NFS4", for NOTHING! :disgust:

 

[Mykex]

Very Very Sad news,
I've been a fan of racing as long as I can remember and very few in the racing world can even be mentioned along with #3 Dale Earnhardt. He will be greatly missed.

 

[NFS4]

What?

 

[SuperSix]

I simply cannot believe it. I'm almost in tears.

MY GOD!!!!!!!

:frown::Q

He was arguably the best NASCAR driver ever.

I will never watch the Daytona 500 the same way again.