Very unfortunate and a great loss to racing! He was killed on the final lap of the race. Hard to believe.

 

 

How much more pain can NASCAR take.

 

I watched alot of the race (not a NASCAR fan) basically waiting to see when a major wreck would occur. What they have done to the cars is not good for racing IMHO. 30 cars all in a tight bunch and 3 abreast for 100 laps is not a good thing. I was telling my Mother (watched at her house) that there was going to be a major wreck before the race was over and then just as I predicted half the field was taken out in one crash.

This was not where Earnhardt was killed, however. He was involved in an accident that didn't look to bad on the last lap of the race. I turned off the TV and didn't see that he died until just recently. It is a sad day for racing, as he was a true champion of the sport.

I'm amazed that people like NASCAR. They make the cars so equal that the only way to win is to draft effectively. That isn't racing in my opinion.

 

I recall the shock when Senna died, I was watching the race at 2:00 AM here and I couldn't believe what I saw. Back then my "online community" was the compuserve forums. These forums were the best precursers for our current format, but because of the lack of other "meeting places", every race fan logged into CIS. I ran straight to my computer and logged in and you would'nt believe the outpouring of grief there. NASCAR is not my favorite form of racing, I never even watch the races, but I know what Earnhardt meant to the racing community and I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by meat
[B]They make the cars so equal that the only way to win is to draft effectively.

 

I'm a big fan and in shock. I almost cried with happiness when Michael Waltrip won - it was an unbelievable finish. Now, all the joy is gone and NASCAR will never be the same. I was not a fan of his, but respected his driving. He filled the stands with fans that loved him and hated him. It is a very sad day.

 

The success of NASCAR is probably its biggest enemy, close practically even race cars traveling at tremondous speeds bunched up. Its all done in the name of exciting racing for the fans, ufortunately this is the result.

Its almost chilling but just a couple of weeks ago Jackie Stewart while up in the commentating booth during the 24 Hours of Daytona was slamming Dale's lack of full face helmet and Hans device claiming it was irresponsible and setting a poor example for upcoming drivers. We will never know if such device would have saved his.

 

This is a truly sad event. Losing a figure of his stature is a loss not only for NASCAR but for America. I can't think off of the top of my when America lost such a prominent figure in front of so many people. I don't think the media will grasp how big of a loss this is to poeple. The media was just starting to realize how big motor racing, specifically NASCAR is in our country. I fear non racing fans may not truly get to understand how many people know the name Earnhardt and what kind of role he played in the American racing community.

I'm rambling, but I just wanted to say my prayers go out to the Earnhardt family and to all of the NASCAR community.

-- tom

 

I spent some time tonight over at http://www.hansdevice.com

and a link of theirs: http://usff.com/BOLT/articles/0198pan.html

I now have a better understanding of head and neck trauma.
Worth a look if you haven't seen it already.

A sad day.

-John