Dale Earnhardt killed in crash

Hi I know this is not rollercoaster related but I know we have a few Nascar fans. Dale Earnhart was killed in a crash on the final lap of the daytona today we will miss this great racer rip dale.

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Army rangers lead the way

After watching the video of the crash, I was astonished to hear that he was killed. I mean, I have seen so many worse looking crashes where the driver walked away. This is really weird.

Yes, but not all of them go straight in to a wall at 185 mph. I saw the news on Yahoo.com. I am a Daytona 500 fan not really a nascar fan. I love the daytona 500, but anyway the tony stewart crash look worst. The commentators said it though when it rolls and stuff the speed stops. He will be greatly missed. I could tell something was wrong like he was dead. It was because they had a blanket over him, they never knew what was going on and they said he was unconsious and had to CUT him out of the car. We will all miss him very much.

yeah right

bryang said:
"yeah right"

Yeah right WHAT?

The greatest driver in NASCAR history.

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BMCOASTER

bmcoaster@wi.rr.com

bryang::

go here and look in the middle

http://www.nascar.com

What will this mean for his roller coaster?
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"God gave me a wake up call," RelientK-"Wake Up Call"

What are you talking about?

And 'Yeah right?' What was that?

A lot of times, when you flip over numerous times (a la Tony Stewart), you get a lot of minor injuries, like broken bones and bruses, because of the impact speading out all over your body. Also, there is no real impact, because they roll so cleanly... Well, cleanly for a rolling car, anyway.

The reason Earnhardt's crash was so bad was due to it's abrupt stop. He went from 180-0 in a matter of milliseconds, if even. He most likely was thrown forward at such a force that it disabled his seat belt and sent his chest into the steering wheel.

The sad part was that on the lap before, I knew that Marlin was going to hit him. All Earnhardt was doing was trying to fend off Marlin so Waltrip and Dale Jr. could coast to the finish line (him owning both the cars.) All Sterling did was tap his rear, but at 200 MPH, that's all one needs to fling into the wall.

It's really a shame, too, because that was one of the most exciting races I'd ever seen, and I'm really not a NASCAR fan.

oh! my bad. i thought u guys were joking. so did he spin him out on purpose? if he did than that kinda sucks.and it is on the news now too.

The doctors said that his expectedly died from severe head wounds, particularly to the skull. I am not a big NASCAR fan, but having a player lost so tragically just to let his son win a race is just horrifying. I can guarentee that he will never be forgotton

I heard the cause of his death on ESPN today

I'm not a big race fan, but a huge sports fan and competitor in athletics. I watched most of the race today and it was very exciting...I feel as bad as I did when Payne Stewart died 2 years ago or when Steve Olin/ Tim Crews (Indians pitchers) died in the boating accident. We don't know these people personally, but when it happens to good, solid people that make the sport special, then it indeed becomes tragedy. When you compete, like I do, you can relate to these athletes/ competitors and the numerous hours preparing for excellence that these people withstand and endure to become great. With that in mind, this is truly a sad day in race history and sports for that matter.

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There's nothing like a woodie...

That's one of the most shocking things I have heard in a while. Too bad race cars aren't as safe as coasters.

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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air were gonna sleep like babies"

I'll tell you what... I watched that race, but since the crash happened almost at the exact time of Michael Waltrip crossing the finish line, FOX didn't really focus on it. Big Brother Darrell was justifiably happy for his little brother, but when he finally realized him what had happened back in turn four, he got quiet pretty fast. After the (shortened) celebration, I basically turned the TV off and went about my ways... I mean, in 99% of these crashes, the drivers just climb out and walk away.

Roughly an hour later, I heard someone mention the death... I, like bryang, didn't believe it, but I turned the television back on anyway. Then, there it was. "Dale Earnhardt dies in a crash in the final lap of the Daytona 500." Only one word can describe it: surreal.

Though I've never been a huge NASCAR fan, my favorite driver was always Earnhardt. He's the first "big name" I remember, and I suppose it just stuck with me.

Let's not forget about the family he leaves behind. No matter how much the media talks about this or how many of us are going to miss him, there's still a wife out there that just lost her husband, and some kids that just lost their dad. That's just plain heartbreaking.

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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com *** This post was edited by Lynch on 2/18/2001. ***

Its just horrible when something like this happens. But, lets remember, (i know this isnt the time for it though) they lived off of speed, sorta like us coaster fanatics. He died doing something for someone else as well. He will be missed by a lot of people, including myself.

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tom
Webmaster@ http://www.islandguide.8m.com

I saw this thread before I watched the race. I was in disbelief, especially after seeing the crash. It didn't look that bad. I let my parents watch it all the way through before I said anything to them. They were in denial when I told them. The thing that gets me is the little bit of video of Earnhardt and Bradshaw before the race looking so happy. Then this happens. Darrell Waltrip said something about it being ironic that he owned Michael's car and that he sacraficed himself on his behalf. In retrospect, we find out this is all too true.

This proves that life is short and that it can end in an instant. Rest in Peace Dale Earnhardt.

Like many others, I'm not a *big* racing fan, though I do check out certain races like the Daytona, the Brickyard and the race at Taladega. I actually was watching the race and I wouldnt have though that the crash was that bad, especially after the more spectacular crash that happened earlier today. Seeing the replay though, knowing that those cars dont have 'crumble zones' like most passengers cars...well physics just took over. I'l just say a prayer...
jeremy
--who suddenly feels the urge to call his grandmother

This is sad.......... very sad

I was at the California 500 in 1999 when Greg Moore was killed in an accident. On the way out I overheard a guy that looked tough as nails say "This Sucks!" That pretty much sums it up.

My heart goes out to Dale Earnhardt's family and friends, as well as the whole racing community.