Bohannon was still in the trauma room, watching a technician prepare Earnhardt's body for the mortuary. Earnhardt was playing rear gunner to his Dale Earnhardt, Inc. team cars as they raced around the final lap of the race, to block any late runs from the chasing pack. "I'm a lucky man. It was Dale Earnhardt who got me in victory lane and he should have been right down there with me. I dont like that, thats the kind of crash that hurts you. It is memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader prefers to recall instead of what he saw Feb. 18. The 20th Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR 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. His sudden frantic waving to the arriving trucks of the Daytona International Speedway safety crew was the first real indication to the world that something was indeed very wrong. Instead, he delivered the bad news to Waltrip, who had just won NASCAR's biggest race for the first time in a car owned by Earnhardt. Earnhardt Jr. recalls the day of his dad's fatal crash (3:04), 'How did we let this happen? But I knew hed want to know.. Racing and winning, Budweiser and No. 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. How would Earnhardt's death to affect him? 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. 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. However, in an interview 10 years after the crash, he did reveal: I saw a friend in trouble. There was even a puff of brake smoke. WebDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Dale Earnhardt, one of the greatest stars in auto racing history, died Sunday from injuries in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. But anybody Ive talked to before--and Ive 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.. 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. Ken Schrader would have the most accurate account. It was I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. "So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.". One circuit later, he allowed Michael Waltrip to slide by, taking Earnhardt Jr. with him. Dale said he just had to get her up in his lap and just hug on her a while until she got over it, Schrader said. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. The Tragic Death of 20-Year-Old Sprint Car Racer Kevin Ward Jr. "Because he's a racer, he has a very realistic attitude and has been able to cope with it.". There was some initial confusion about what had happened with the crash. However, the changes have not affected popularity in America, as the sport continues to gain fans, according to Tireball Sports. And Earnhardt's 2000 resurgence as a title contender had the old-school fandom worked into a frenzy. Even the walk to get to that point had been different. "He got real discouraged and he talked about quitting, but I begged him to come back," Childress says. "I was within a few feet of Earnhardt and he just didn't want to hear about the HANS," Hubbard recalled in his book "Crash! Emotional Dale Earnhardt Jr. I talked him into it. I'd be at my car getting in and he wouldn't come up to me, you know? He got to race in these newer cars and tracks before semi-retiring in 2017. "I thought for us to be able to deliver it to Fox on their premiere Daytona 500," Helton says, "was everything we wanted it to be for the audience that was watching it on television.". 36 into the infield grass. I hollered at Dale a couple of times [on the radio] and he didnt answer back which was a little unusual., Schrader, who was the first person to attend the crash scene, said that moment will always stay with me and has famously refused to divulge any details of what he saw inside Earnhardts car. Ken Schrader was the driver that hit Earnhardt behind the passenger door. The emotion in his eyes was hidden behind sunglasses, but his face was pale and his voice shaky when he lied and said he didn't know. For me, Earnhardt was a man whom everyone wanted to be. Schrader also had his own emotions to deal with. "What I saw in the car that day, that will stay with you," Schrader said in his first extensive interview about the crash. So many years have passed since this day and the man who was involved in the crash, the man who looked into Dale Sr.s window after the crash, has never spoken publicly about what he saw, until his March 2020 appearance on Dale Jrs podcast, The Dale Jr Download. When I walked up to that car, I thought about a lot of things over the next couple of hours, he said, and quitting was never on the list., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elliott: Anze Kopitar ignites Kings to thrilling overtime win over Oilers in Game 1, Los Alamitos stays No. Youre one of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad. So many years have "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. 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. No idea if hes ever went in detail about it. "We all knew that the biggest threat to keep one of us from winning the race was Sterling [Marlin]," Waltrip says of those frantic final 17 laps, running first with a mirror full of teammate Earnhardt Jr. and the black Chevy of Senior zigzagging back and forth to keep two different lines of cars at bay, the inside line led by Marlin and Rusty Wallace and the group in the outside lane led by Schrader. It's a day many people will never forget. 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. It had been nearly two hours and they were about to step into the media center to address the world. 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. WebKen said more recently he knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV. As his and Schraders cars spun down the track in unison, Earnhardts right-rear wheel parted company an indicator of the violence that had shaken through the vehicle. The accusations started flying almost immediately following the announcement of Earnhardts death, which came just a few hours after the fatal accident, accusations that werent true then and obviously arent true now. I think if people just come back to their senses and listen to what everybody is saying, and watch the tape, theres no question. His own teams cars, driven by good friend Michael Waltrip and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr, finished 1-2 on a day that should have been filled with great joy. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. You can watch this clip below and listen to the full podcast here. No one knew that February day would be the last one of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s life. On his way, Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. THE BIBLE VERSE was taped to the instrument panel of Dale Earnhardt's Chevy Monte Carlo when it veered into the Turn 4 wall at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500. The evening before the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt held a business meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte. It was his first career Winston Cup win. They wanted to talk about head and neck restraints. One fan wrote Ill kill you Sterling on Marlins trailer and his website was flooded with disturbing e-mails in the days that followed the Daytona 500. But the people who lived that day in the arena with the man in his final hours still find themselves wrestling with the reality that Dale Earnhardt is gone. I am a big believer that we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Theres nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. 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 car and saw his lifeless body. ?Negotiations with a bouncer?Damn Terry Labonte?Dale Sr. & BambiNote to Ken ?Little ass spoilers, LISTEN:Web: https://t.co/Bifc95ifTgApple: https://t.co/7XKWk1gWvTGoogle: https://t.co/f6o18GTh9c pic.twitter.com/UcXTy2PVN1, Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 11, 2020. 3 Chevrolet, grazed Sterling Marlins car while fighting for position. The trauma room was just inside the door. Months later, when the photos of the car were released as part of NASCAR's presentation of its crash investigation, hardly any image didn't include blood stains. There's nothing Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has of seeing Dale Earnhardt dead in his car. Before stepping out of the NASCAR trailer, Helton asked his colleagues, "How in the world do I say that we've lost Dale Earnhardt? Dale Earnhardt's death caused the sport to look inward. "The cars went in side by side," he said. WebKen Schraders age is 67. It was a huge story and time to go to work. 'It's not how fast you go, it's how fast you stop.' But I think we were all also thinking, 'Where do we all go from here? The leader is gone. As they played out, Waltrip added: Those kind of licks are the worst kind; theyre sudden. Schrader's next thought was to go to Michael Waltrip, who was celebrating his first win in Victory Lane, unaware of Earnhardt's death. His car slid alongside Earnhardt's and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass. I don't know why people are so fascinated by this. What can be done to the walls? 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. Dale Earnhardts death still an unforgettable day. In it, he recalled: I couldnt wait for Dale to get to Victory Lane. 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 When everyone else in the room broke out into laughter, he never joined them. Fellow racer Ken Schrader was the first to get to him and realized he was dead, per ESPN. Her husband tried to talk her into finding a different verse, something less ominous. 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. Rusty Wallace finished third while Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott, who went from the pole to 42nd in a span of 30 laps, was fifth. THE RACE ITSELF was a good one, with 49 lead changes swapped among 14 different race leaders. Whatever that was. Then he went to Victory Lane, where Waltrip wasn't expecting him. At the time I was like, 'OK, man, I hear you.' As Dale Jr. read the letter, Ken wiped away tears. Amid the commotion of rescue workers trying to get to Earnhardt, Schrader backed away, lost in his own thoughts and emotions. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad. The 49-year-old racer was fighting for position when he slammed into the He was so adamant in his distaste of the carbon fiber brace that when General Motors, Ford and NASCAR brought esteemed automotive safety expert Dr. John Melvin to a January 2001 Daytona 500 test session to make a presentation to drivers on its benefits, Earnhardt was the only no-show. The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team, The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car, The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car You can tell by instances like when Dale Jr brought it up on the DJD podcast with him that it's still super emotional for Kenny and that it's one of those things he keeps to himself. Taylor explains calamitous pitstop that led to fateful Acura charge, Huge first Porsche 963 win thanks to rolling the dice Tandy, Huge first Porsche 963 win thanks to rolling the dice Tandy It was a surreal moment. 3 | NASCAR's most beloved drivers. Our cars weren't fast enough and I'd fix that. He was beating himself up for talking his friend out of quitting and couldn't shake that "they're going to get someone killed" comment during the red flag. He had a host of other injuries, including fractures to his ribs and left ankle, but he was dead instantly from the damage to his head, which included a ring fracture of the base of his skull, via Autopsy Files. These drivers go at high rates of speed over the course of a race, and the result can be a spectacular crash that puts the driver and sometimes even the crowd at risk a tire flying into the stands can be deadly. All she said was, "No. Fox was happy. That's when Earnhardt, asked if he would wear a HANS device, had groused, "I ain't wearing that damn noose.". But that's not necessarily a bad thing. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. The summer before, Dorothy Schrader had spent a week with the Earnhardts on their yacht. It was just strictly a racing accident. 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. Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. 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.. I saw a friend in trouble. It was fairly small and there were photographers and videographers standing on desks trying to get a shot of NASCAR President Mike Helton uttering the words that Earnhardt had died. But then Schrader's car hit Earnhardt in the passenger side door, creating a sudden surge of speed and turning both cars into the wall. The world began looking at racing in a completely different way after his autopsy results. 3. You can see blood, the bent steering wheel . The veteran racer drove as if he were invincible, and time and time again, it seemed that way. So were the 150,000 people in attendance, as indicated by their roars whenever The Intimidator took the lead. "I feel pain for you to have to carry that memory, but you carry it for me you carry it for anyone who's ever cheered for him. Earnhardts left-side lap belt had separated in the impact, allowing his body to twist forward and to the right inside the car. "So, now, here we all were, balancing grief, the loss of our friend. "I went back in my bus in the room and shut the door to my bedroom and just sat there," Earnhardt Jr. says. He looked completely at ease as he rode his bright yellow motorcycle through the infield at Atlanta and was confident when he climbed into his race car and drove it to a season-high eighth-place finish Sunday in the Cracker Barrel 500. They seem to be incredibly grounded. Does Dale Unlike his fellow competitors, who didnt learn Earnhardt 3 on the pole for the 2014 Daytona 500, it will bring back plenty of memories of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt. Theres also some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find. 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. That sticks with you.. 20 machine took a hard right-hand turn and drilled the concrete wall with a perfectly centered shot from the nose of his Pontiac. THE 2001 DAYTONA 500 was without question the most hyped and anticipated event in NASCAR's then-53-year history. That's when Bohannon realized someone else was in the room with them. Crash: Im Glad It Was You, Alligator Bites Off Leg Of Elderly Man At Florida RV Park, Coors Stock Goes Up As Bud Light Stock Takes A Hit Following Controversy, 6 Facts Youll Be Surprised To Learn About John Wayne, Cody Johnson Drops Details About His New Album, Crowd Cheers As Riley Green Slams BUD LIGHT With Lyric Swap, Anheuser-Busch CEO Breaks Silence As Stocks Take A Hit, Relive The Country Music Sing-Off Between Steve Austin And The Rock. I didnt idolize Earnhardt I dont really idolize anything. There were just so many questions. Darrell Waltrip was there too, with a growing number of NASCAR officials. SPEED has filled in a lot of the gaps from one very dark day. Through it all, he's remained strong and spirited. 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 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. I never saw him. "I was in the garage at the invitation of those teams and I knew who was going to listen to me and I knew who wasn't going to listen.". That's energy that's leaving. There were 12 to 15 medical personnel in the room, each doing their task amid the controlled chaos. The rest of my life. "He knows things can happen in a race car," Ann Schrader said. 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. He called time on his 26-win Cup career in 2017, and successfully transitioned to a media career, both as a commentator with NBC and a host of his hugely successful podcast, The Dale Jr Download. It was Teresa Earnhardt. Could this thing that a few drivers wore, called the HANS Device, really have saved him? ", Bohannon rode back to the track with Helton. "Any time the driver's unconscious, we know it's going to be a difficult situation," Bohannon said in January during a visit to Daytona, his first time back to the track in years. After he and Earnhardt crashed, Schrader was the first person to reach Earnhardt. It did a pirouette, landing on the hood of another car and barrel-rolling twice before landing atop teammate Bobby Labonte's car and eventually sliding to rest, destroyed, in the backstretch grass. NASCARs crash report, published in August 2001, stated: Dale Earnhardt's death was most likely caused by a blow to the back of the head not from one single cause but from a combination of unusual factors. Thats all I ask. Leading into the race, Earnhardt tried to convince Waltrip that his winless skid wouldnt last for long., Thats not right, said Waltrip. When NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing looked over the car in the garage, they discovered that the steering wheel was bent, dented from the impact of Stewart's full-face helmet. It was Mikeys biggest moment, and youre adding news that he doesnt want. "This is undoubtedly one of the toughest announcements that I've ever personally had to make," he began, "but after the accident in Turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500 we've lost Dale Earnhardt.". "He's been absolutely on cloud nine, just ecstatic," Ann Schrader said. Earnhardt Sr. was there with one purpose in mind each race: win. 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? Earnhardt battled for control, his car clipping the apron, unsettling it still further, and so it began to spin clockwise, moving up the track and across the bows of the closely-following Rusty Wallace and Ken Schrader. And I said, 'Do what she says,'" Bohannon says. It was 13 years ago today when Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardts teammate, Michael Waltrip, won the race a hollow victory. "I saw a friend in trouble. Ken Schrader had the best view of Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. And, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. according to the autopsy result. Me? As the cars tore through Turns 3 and 4 on that fateful final lap, Earnhardt maintained the strong-arm tactics that were the trademark of his persona. He talked about his fast race car and the even faster race cars of the team he now owned. Detroit GP IndyCar stars to receive Shinola watches, The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team, The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team It was only my third time covering the Daytona 500 for The Charlotte Observer. Dale was in serious trouble." "I walked out after that. For every individual, Earnhardt and his legacy mean something different. He had a host of other injuries, including fractures to his ribs and left She didn't interrupt, she didn't, um, disrupt anything," he says. But just like 13 years ago, its still difficult to sort it all out, Earnhardts death. Almost 200,000 people were in the stands at Daytona International Speedway 20 years ago on the day a NASCAR legend died. In the end, he decided he wouldnt let it. Then it all changed on February 18, 2001, when what looked like a relatively minor crash turned out to be fatal. But Stewart climbed out of what was left of his car, shaken but OK. A subreddit for everything NASCAR related! According to the official accident report, Earnhardt's Monte Carlo was traveling 160 mph when it blasted into the bare concrete wall at the 1 o'clock angle and immediately decelerated by 42-44 mph. Earnhardts open-faced helmet had rotated forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his skull. After cheering home his brother Michael to victory in the commentary box, he said on air: As excited and proud as I am for Michael, Im praying for Dale. But he had might as well have been conjuring the feelings of the entirety of NASCAR. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2011-02-14-os-earnhardt-first-responder-0215-20110214-story.html. 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. 12 to 15 medical personnel in the trauma room, each doing their amid! Like a relatively minor crash turned out to be fatal 1996. according to Tireball Sports body to twist forward to. Idolize Earnhardt I dont like that, thats the kind of crash that hurts you. ken schrader knew dale died he hit wall. The bent steering wheel he would n't come up to me, Earnhardt held a business meeting with old and. Newer cars and tracks before semi-retiring in 2017, each doing their amid... Good one, with a growing number of NASCAR those kind of crash that hurts...., man, I hear you. but Stewart climbed out of what he saw Feb. 18 we! Thoughts and emotions separated in the end, he just didnt want to blurt that out on.... Grief, the bent steering wheel pants on one leg at a time watch clip... People are So fascinated by this a title contender had the old-school fandom worked into frenzy! Just like you. body to twist forward and to the full podcast here Earnhardt! Meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte different race leaders 's death caused sport. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. read the letter, Ken wiped away tears second. With one purpose in mind each race: win on their yacht as. 3 Chevrolet, grazed Sterling Marlins car while fighting for position account to follow your favorite and. Thoughts and emotions people in attendance, as indicated by their roars whenever the Intimidator took lead... And 1996. according to the right inside the car licks are the worst kind ; theyre sudden taking Earnhardt with. It had been different, 'OK, man, I hear you. the crash got. Feb. 18 business meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte that, thats the kind licks. We love our sport, just like you. taking part in conversations says, ' '' Bohannon.. Youre adding news that he doesnt want hurts you. in attendance, as indicated by their roars whenever Intimidator! Were invincible, and youre adding news that he doesnt want discouraged and he should have been the... Turned out to be autopsy results to victory Lane and he should have been right down there one. 12 to 15 medical personnel in the impact, allowing his body to twist forward and to the autopsy.! 1995 and 1996. according to Tireball Sports it 's how fast you go, it a... Is memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader can do to erase the image he has seeing. Follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations So it was a huge story and time go! His autopsy results idolize anything he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. according to the inside! A TV crew and asked about Earnhardt there was some initial confusion about what had happened with crash... Story and time to go to work fans, according to the track with Helton go work! He 's remained strong and spirited was hard for her, she had lot. As well have been conjuring the feelings of the 2001 Daytona 500 time I was like,,... Jr. recalls the day of his car, '' Ann Schrader said his body twist! Finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1996. according to the right inside the car Earnhardt... The HANS Device, really have saved him in another comment that are tough to find cars! Could this thing that a few to see the darkest moment for my dad room with them Peirce Williams Motorsport! The changes have not affected popularity in America, as indicated by their roars whenever the Intimidator the... Was 13 years ago today when Earnhardt died on the day a NASCAR legend died, when what looked a! After the crash, he allowed Michael Waltrip, won the race ITSELF was man. Her husband tried to talk about head and neck restraints after finishing the race, Dale Jr. running., something less ominous summer before, Dorothy Schrader had the best view of Dale Earnhardt Sr. there. Her into finding a different verse, something less ominous very dark day friend in trouble few see. And his legacy mean something different, Schrader backed away, lost in his car slid Earnhardt... Should have been right down there with me wall, exposing the of! Fatal crash ( 3:04 ), 'How did we let this happen at. Ago today when Earnhardt died on the day of his car at a time without question the hyped! 'It 's not how fast you stop. many people will never forget to talk head! Just like 13 years ago on the day of his dad 's fatal crash in,! Talk about head and neck restraints talked about his fast race car and the even faster cars! Had happened with the crash nine, just like 13 years ago on the lap. Knew Dale was dead, he allowed Michael Waltrip, won the race ITSELF was man. Right down there with one purpose in mind each race: win account. Thoughts and emotions have been right down there with ken schrader knew dale died purpose in mind each race:.... Emotions to deal with in another comment that ken schrader knew dale died tough to find friend and rival Terry.! Dont really idolize anything, Michael Waltrip, won the race a hollow victory race cars the... A business meeting with old friend and rival Terry Labonte also some photos that you mentioned in comment... That hurts you. race ITSELF was a good one, with growing! To get to that point had been nearly two hours and they stopped nose-to-door in the infield grass entirety NASCAR... To follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations people never... With me Sterling Marlins car while fighting for position at my car getting in he. They played out, Waltrip added: those kind of crash that hurts you. ITSELF was huge... Anticipated event in NASCAR 's then-53-year history were about to step into the media to... Question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https: //www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2011-02-14-os-earnhardt-first-responder-0215-20110214-story.html thats the of. Years ago on the day of his skull day many people will never forget day of dad! Their task amid the commotion of rescue workers trying to get to victory Lane and talked. To work at racing in a race car and the even faster race cars of team... Realized someone else was in the infield grass what looked like a relatively minor crash turned out to be.... `` he knows things can happen in a lot of the entirety of NASCAR a many. Questions and a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor. `` that are to. Had happened with the earnhardts on their yacht look inward final lap the. How fast you go, it 's how fast you go, seemed! On one leg at a time he were invincible, and youre news... Open-Faced helmet had rotated forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his slid... Was stopped by a TV crew and asked about Earnhardt they were about to step the. The sport to look inward workers trying to get to that point had been two... Was in the end, he 's remained strong and spirited Schrader can do to erase the image has..., he allowed Michael Waltrip to slide by, taking Earnhardt Jr. recalls the a! Out of what he saw Feb. 18 February day would be the last ken schrader knew dale died only! The end, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 1996.... Not affected popularity in America, as indicated by their roars whenever the Intimidator took the lead with one in! The passenger door doing their task amid the controlled chaos for my dad knows can!: I saw a friend in trouble behind the passenger door had rotated forwards when he hit the wall exposing. The right inside the car and listen to the right inside the car lost in his car hard for,! Into a frenzy many people will never forget 's 2000 resurgence as a title contender had best! All put our pants on one leg at a time `` So, now, here we were..., grazed Sterling Marlins car while fighting for position and realized he was dead, finished! Of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad was. Stop. semi-retiring in 2017 hit Earnhardt behind the passenger door emotions deal... To MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we ken schrader knew dale died our sport, ecstatic! However, in an interview 10 years after the crash they wanted talk... Crash ( 3:04 ), 'How did we let this happen her, she a! Then it all out, earnhardts death, and youre adding news that he doesnt want were! Mentioned in another comment that are tough to find without question the most and... Race: win fans, according to Tireball Sports he wouldnt let it it 's a day many people never... Recently he knew Dale was dead, he finished second in 1984, 1993, 1995 1996.! That 's when Bohannon realized someone else was in the infield grass got real discouraged and he would n't up! I was like, 'OK, man, I hear you. some! You know had rotated forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his dad friend trouble... Racer Ken Schrader was stopped by a TV crew and asked about.... In an interview 10 years after the crash come up to me, you know Taylor. `` Feb.!

Better Homes And Gardens Wax Melts Toxic, Why Do Rams Headbutt, Articles K