Nerve-Wracking Crashes That Changed NASCAR Forever: Edition 5 – Dale Earnhardt

On February 18, 2001, what is usually one of the most anticipated races in the NASCAR season turned into one of NASCAR’s worst nightmares. But Michael Waltrip had just won the prestigious Daytona 500, followed by an eager Dale Earnhardt Jr. How could things have gone so wrong? For Dale Earnhardt Sr, the weekend would have been the ultimate dream. Two of his team’s cars had bagged a 1-2 at the Great American Race. Unfortunately for fans of the No. 3 RCR Monte Carlo, Earnhardt Sr’s race would come to a startling halt after a few scraps with Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader resulted in the infamous crash at turns 3 and 4.

As the track fell silent and Dale Earnhardt Jr ran towards his father, no one expected the crash he had on the last lap with Ken Schrader to be the Intimidator’s last.

How the world lost Dale Earnhardt Sr

It all started when Dale Earnhardt Inc. was running two cars up front, with Dale Earnhardt Jr and Michael Waltrip behind the wheels. There would not have been a prouder moment for Dale Earnhardt than seeing his long-time friend Michael Waltrip win his first-ever race. And what could have been a better reward for his blocking efforts to see his son finish ahead? Unfortunately, Senior didn’t get to witness any of that.

Continuing his intense battle with Sterling Marlin, the Intimidator threw some wild maneuvers until his left rear bumped Marlin’s right front. It was only a matter of time before Earnhardt was battling his car as it slid in front of Rusty Wallace and Ken Schrader.

Whilst Rusty Wallace made it through, the story was different for Ken Schrader. The driver of the No.36 M&M car slammed into Earnhardt’s left rear. Which inadvertently turned the intimidator around at over 150 miles an hour into the concrete barrier. The commentators were focused on Earnhardt Jr and Waltrip’s achievement and believed Senior would be right there with them to celebrate soon enough.

But that moment never came. Instead, when Ken Schrader ran up to Earnhardt’s car to assist him. What he saw would leave him speechless about the incident to this day. Earnhardt’s crash was so violent it had snapped the right-rear wheel off. He frantically waved for the medical team to assist Senior as soon as possible, and he was taken to Halifax Medical Center, where he passed away.

WATCH THIS STORY: The Daytona disaster: Richard Petty’s near-fatal encounter 

How could the mighty Dale Earnhardt have succumbed to an incident that many NASCAR pundits believed was a regular occurrence? Many fingers were raised both toward Sterling Marlin and the belt manufacturer for Earnhardt’s car, Simpson Performance products. But ultimately, it all came down to an injury that could have been avoided altogether.

What injury did Earnhardt suffer that was fatal?

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Dale Earnhardt died due to a basilar skull ring fracture, which was notorious for causing a few NASCAR driver’s deaths in the past. From Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin to Tony Roper, three other drivers had lost their lives to this very injury caused due to a lack of safety for the neck. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “the most serious type of skull fracture, and involves a break in the bone at the base of the skull” 

This kind of injury often results in internal bleeding that is visible through the auditory canals and is the result of the head snapping forward due to inertia. Roland Ratzenberger, Blaine Johnson and Gonzalo Rodriguez have also been victims of such a fracture, causing widespread tragedy in the motorsport world. Digging deeper into Earnhardt’s death, NASCAR’s crash report from 2001 reveals that his death was likely caused due to a blow to the back of the head in the accident resulting from multiple variables going wrong.

According to Motorsport.com, a crash report stated, “An immediately prior collision with [Schrader’s] car that put him out of position and a separation of the left lap belt under load that allowed greater motion within the car.” The intimidator’s left-side lap belt had buckled under the pressure of the impact, which caused his head to lean forward and hit the steering wheel. Earnhardt’s head also faced severe trauma when he recoiled back into the seat and left visible marks.

The incident in part occurred due to Earnhardt’s disapproval of head and neck restraints, such as the Hans-device. Had the Intimidator been using one, his life may have been saved. Ken Schrader, who made his way to Earnhardt’s side, believes he will never forget what he saw. His death triggered a wave of gratitude and sorrow in the community, and his legacy remains cemented in the hearts of millions to this day.

It was only after such a massive tragedy that NASCAR made strides to improve driver safety like never before. The Hans device and the SAFER barrier were introduced to account for such crashes. Seatbelt harnesses are also mandated to have 7 or 9 points. It’s safe to say that Earnhardt’s death changed the world of motorsport forever.

READ MORE: Nerve-Wracking Crashes That Changed NASCAR Forever: Edition 4 – Adam Petty