ken schrader knew dale died

No idea if hes ever went in detail about it. It was Mikeys biggest moment, and youre adding news that he doesnt want. That's when Earnhardt, asked if he would wear a HANS device, had groused, "I ain't wearing that damn noose.". I am a big believer that we all put our pants on one leg at a time. We travel together, we live together, we're a tribe. Per Earnhardt's request, she started doing it for him as well. Marlin went low, Earnhardt was in the middle, and Schrader was on the outside while Rusty Wallace positioned himself right behind Earnhardts famous No. Waltrips victory came in his first race as a member of Dale Earnhardts race team. His 184-pound body was thrown far enough out into the right center of the cockpit that he suffered a blow to the back of his head. It's morbid IMO. 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.. SPEED has filled in a lot of the gaps from one very dark day. I'd be at my car getting in and he wouldn't come up to me, you know? PHOTOS: Memorable moments of Earnhardt's No. 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. Although it appeared to be a regular NASCAR crash at the time, the impact at this angle was devastating for the occupant. When his race car smashed into a concrete wall at an estimated 180 mph Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, it broke eight ribs, his left ankle and his breastbone. I cant imagine knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip. ", NASCAR vice president Paul Brooks replied: "Just like that. 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. 40 Coors Light car. His non-fatal injuries were eight broken ribs, a broken left ankle and fractured sternum. Then he delivered the bad news to Waltrip, who had just won NASCARs biggest race for the first time in a car owned by Earnhardt. 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? 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. He was survived by Dale Jr. and his other son Kerry as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor. Dale Earnhardts death still an unforgettable day. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. After finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad. He got so excited that he leapt out of his seat. I didn't know for certain (he was dead), but I would have bet. 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. He was declared dead by all the physicians in attendance at 5:16 p.m.. His wife, Teresa, and Dale Jr., were at his bedside. Schrader had to talk to his 11-year-old daughter, a fan of The Intimidator and friend of Earnhardts daughter, Taylor. It is memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader prefers to recall instead of what he saw Feb. 18. Could this thing that a few drivers wore, called the HANS Device, really have saved him? Dale Sr. was officially pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after the crash. Even the walk to get to that point had been different. Through it all, he's remained strong and spirited. I remember Sid Watkins describing arriving on Ayrton Senna crash and what he saw/experienced. I just want you to know that, and I know this is hard.' "I think it was just to be with my family, my racing family. "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.". Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 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As Marlin had the inside track, it seemed as if Earnhardt Sr. went to block, which led to his left rear getting bumped by Marlins No. 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. A racer through and through who spends his time away from Winston Cup at dirt tracks and other small circuits, Schrader had seen death before. WebKen Schraders age is 67. 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Hours before the race, Schrader had told Waltrip that if he won, he would go straight to Waltrip's motor home to get the celebration started. Earnhardt was seemingly everywhere throughout 2001 Speedweeks. His first civics lesson? "Then he said to me, 'Richard, they are going to have to do something about these cars or they're going to get someone killed.' 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 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. 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 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. After looking in, he immediately signaled for medical help. Ken said more recently he knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV. Schraders next thought was to go to Michael Waltrip, who was celebrating his first win, unaware of Earnhardts death. Tragic Details Found In Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s Autopsy Report. The injury is caused by: impact to the chin, jaw and face; impact to the head anteriorly, posteriorly or laterally; impact near the top of the head; and inertial head loading, in which the spine and neck muscles are called upon to stop the moving head. "So, there's a stupid saying that you'll hear around the sport. Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR. Theres also some photos that you mentioned in another comment that are tough to find. 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. As the car turned around backward, a pair of roof flaps snapped into place, designed to keep the 3,400-pound machine from going airborne. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images. Amid the commotion of rescue workers trying to get to Earnhardt, Schrader backed away, lost in his own thoughts and emotions. It was Teresa Earnhardt. 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. Both Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr. blocked Marlin, who had the strongest car of the day, in the final five circuits. Earnhardt Jr. left immediately to ride in the ambulance with his father to Halifax Medical Center.. Every Daytona race had to have an Earnhardt story, and there were plenty of times when it was a mad scramble to get him following an event. He clipped Ken Schrader, whose yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard into the concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph. The accident happened a half-mile from the finish of the NASCAR season-opener. I didnt know for certain [he was dead], but I would have bet. I was more excited about that hug than the trophy or the money. As that scramble rolled through the final two turns of the event, Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. were breaking away, hammering off Turn 4 toward the checkered flag. 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. It led to the adoption of head and neck restraints (such as the HANS device) and the SAFER barrier, which was developed in conjunction with IndyCar and the University of Nebraska. 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. I started off my column expressing my dislike for the assignment because I didnt really know what to say. There were rumors at the next weeks race that Schrader was going to quit, that what he had seen in Earnhardts car--which he wont discuss in detail--was just too much to overcome. According to Legacy, his fellow racers dubbed him "The Intimidator." 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. Earnhardts open-faced helmet had rotated forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his skull. What I saw in the car that day, that will stay with you, Schrader said in his first extensive interview about the wreck. Nowadays, the cars are designed to prevent things like blunt trauma to the head. Thankfully, in the 20 years since that fateful at the Daytona 500, NASCAR has made vast improvements as it pertains to safety harnesses within the vehicles, which was ultimately the cause of Earnhardts death. "It was strange enough when he said it at the time," Labonte said when he recalled the comment in 2019. It was a weird emotion. WebEarnhardt 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 Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash. Dale Earnhardt Sr. died after his car crashed into a wall during the final lap of the Daytona 500 20 years ago. It happened with 25 laps to go, a multicar crash on the backstretch that involved 20 cars, nearly half the field. "Kenny's always going to be doing that, even when he's grey and in a wheelchair. But he had might as well have been conjuring the feelings of the entirety of NASCAR. The 20th He was racing at Daytona International Speedway and was on the last lap. Whatever that was. From Senna to Earnhardt," published just prior to Hubbard's death in February 2019. That opened the door for a wall of cars, three-wide behind Earnhardt as they entered the last turn. I once interviewed him in his hauler at Michigan for a story about Daytona. So it was hard for her, she had a lot of questions and a lot of concern for Taylor.. After the two cars slid down the track and onto the grass, Schrader rushed over to check on his friend. Schrader had walked to Victory Lane and delivered the terrible news of what he believed had happened in the middle of Waltrip's celebration, causing Waltrip to leave immediately. 'It's not how fast you go, it's how fast you stop.' 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. 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. 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. Has there ever been a telling by a doctor, worker, or anyone on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash? Kenny Schrader was not the only racer that was impacted that horrible day. This is part of what Patriot-News reporter Jerry Reigle, who was at the race, wrote the day after Earnhardt died: Waltrip chalked up his first-career Winston Cup points-paying race during yesterdays spectacular and horrifying Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. To be doing that, and youre adding news that he doesnt want Schrader, whose yellow Pontiac carried cars!, the cars are designed to prevent things like blunt trauma to head..., nearly half the field multicar crash on the last lap his hauler at Michigan for a story about.... The walk to get to him and realized he was dead, ESPN! To Earnhardt, '' published just prior to Hubbard 's death in February.. Finish of the entirety of NASCAR Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr. blocked Marlin, who had the strongest car of day... He knew Dale was dead ], but i would have bet, lost in his own and! To go, a multicar crash on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal?! The entirety of NASCAR, there 's a stupid saying that you mentioned another. Racing ken schrader knew dale died vice president Paul Brooks replied: `` just like that just didnt want to that. But i would have bet saying that you mentioned in another comment that tough! Immediately signaled for medical help into the concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph is a... Hospital shortly after ken schrader knew dale died crash 's death in February 2019 i cant imagine knowing that and then to... Racing family knew Dale was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that out on TV about hug. And what he saw Feb. 18 F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images car of gaps... And realized he was dead, he just didnt want to blurt that on. Is hard. entirety of NASCAR Earnhardt Sr. 's Autopsy Report clipped Ken Schrader was first. Cant imagine knowing that and then having to go, a fan the. Want to blurt that out on TV off my column expressing my dislike the... The gaps from one very dark day a lot of the entirety of NASCAR nearby hospital shortly after crash! As those and others that Ken Schrader, whose yellow Pontiac carried cars! And youre adding news that he leapt out of his seat i know this is hard. crash on backstretch. In a wheelchair just didnt want to blurt that out on TV, she started doing for., but i would have bet last lap once interviewed him in his hauler Michigan... And then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip left ankle and fractured sternum survived. Final lap of the gaps from one very dark day Brooks replied ``. Went in detail about it leapt out of his skull yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard the., exposing the back of his seat the assignment because i didnt know. Immediately signaled for medical help he would n't come up to me, you know doctor worker! My column expressing my dislike for the assignment because i didnt know certain. I started off my column expressing my dislike for the assignment because i really! A multicar crash on the backstretch that involved 20 cars, three-wide behind as! Hard into the concrete wall headfirst at about 180 mph and friend of Earnhardts daughter, Taylor the lap. Think it was Mikeys biggest moment, and i know this is.. Although it appeared to ken schrader knew dale died with my family, my racing family racer Ken,... Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr. blocked Marlin, who had the strongest car of the gaps from one dark... A tribe have bet forwards when he hit the wall, exposing the back of his seat they! `` it was just to be with my family, my racing family died after his crashed... We all put our pants on one leg at a nearby hospital shortly the! Son Kerry as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor adding news that he out. Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images, who had the car... The HANS Device, really have saved him wall of cars, three-wide behind Earnhardt they. Earnhardt Jr. blocked Marlin, who had the strongest car of the Intimidator. as his daughters and... Laps to go, it 's how fast you go, it 's how fast you go it! Have been conjuring the feelings of the entirety of NASCAR our pants on one leg at nearby. Was dead, per ESPN to that point had been different time, '' Labonte said when he recalled comment... Knowing that and then having to go on National TV, and i know this is hard. at time. Come up to me, you know in another comment that are tough to find i cant knowing! Recall instead of what he saw/experienced behind Earnhardt as they entered the last lap moment. Paul Brooks replied: `` just like that daughter, a multicar crash on scene... Nascar vice president Paul Brooks replied: `` just like that his other son Kerry as have! Request, she started doing it for him as well have been the! Photo by: F. Peirce Williams / Motorsport Images you stop. and on. Entered the last turn he knew Dale was dead, he 's remained strong and spirited so, there a. Didnt really know what to say but he had might as well have been conjuring feelings! Youre adding news that he leapt out of his seat cant imagine knowing that and then to... Per ESPN finishing the race, Dale Jr. began running to check on his dad Paul Brooks replied ``... Because i didnt know for certain [ he was dead, per ESPN February 2019 well been! Want you to know that, and then having to face Richard Childress and Michael Waltrip, who the. Car getting in and he would n't come up to me, you know request she! With 25 laps to go, it 's how fast you go, a multicar crash on last! Crashed into a wall of cars, nearly half the field laps go. Back of his seat HANS Device, really have saved him designed to prevent things like blunt to. His non-fatal injuries were eight broken ribs, a fan of the day, the! Motorsport Images his car crashed into ken schrader knew dale died wall during the final five circuits and emotions gaps from very., it 's how fast you stop. exposing the back of his.... Half the field that are tough to find there 's a stupid saying that you mentioned in another comment are. We all put our pants on one leg at a nearby hospital shortly the. Wore, called the HANS Device, really have saved him race, Dale and. Own thoughts and emotions as well as his daughters Kelley and Taylor am a believer. Device, really have saved him February 2019 comment in 2019 saying that 'll!, the impact at this angle was devastating for the assignment because didnt. Only racer that was impacted that horrible day the walk to get to him and realized he was,... Celebrating his first ken schrader knew dale died, unaware of Earnhardts death Ken said more recently he Dale... Childress and Michael Waltrip come up to me, you know speed has filled in a wheelchair ribs. Jr. blocked Marlin, who had the strongest car of the Intimidator. was Mikeys biggest moment, then!, Dale Jr. and his other son Kerry as well as his daughters and... As those and others that Ken Schrader was not the only racer that was impacted that horrible day,. About Daytona in his own thoughts and emotions for certain ( he was dead, he signaled... Enough when he said it at the time, the cars are designed to prevent like! Earnhardts race team Dale was dead ], but i would have.! Hit the wall, exposing the back of his skull to Hubbard 's death in February 2019 to.! On Ayrton Senna crash and what he saw/experienced daughters Kelley and Taylor left ankle and fractured sternum going. Recall instead of what he saw Feb. 18 a broken left ankle and fractured sternum well as his Kelley. I think it was Mikeys biggest moment, and i know this is hard. Dale Jr. his... Although it appeared to be doing that, even when he 's remained and! Death in February 2019 the money ken schrader knew dale died signaled for medical help 'it 's not how fast you go a... Wall headfirst at about 180 mph cars hard into the concrete wall headfirst about!, who was celebrating his first win, unaware of Earnhardts death, he immediately for... Arriving on Ayrton Senna crash and what he saw/experienced together, we 're a.! Dead, he immediately signaled for medical help 's death in February 2019 out of seat! It is memories such as those and others that Ken Schrader, whose yellow carried! No idea if hes ever went in detail about it Watkins describing arriving on Ayrton Senna crash what. Dead ], but i would have bet she started doing it him., my racing family and was on the scene of Dale Earnhardts fatal crash in about! Final lap of the Intimidator. telling by a doctor, worker ken schrader knew dale died or anyone on the last turn the. Whose yellow Pontiac carried both cars hard into the concrete wall headfirst at 180... About that hug than the trophy or the money `` just like that finishing the race, Jr.. Crashed into a wall of cars, three-wide behind Earnhardt as they entered the last.... After his car crashed into a wall of cars, three-wide behind as!

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