Dale Earnhardt's crash - Daytona 2001 (part 1)

[MrKwahwerd]

I was there at Daytona in the infield between turn 3 and 4 about 4 rows in from the fence that day. The crash did not look all that much, we did not know of the death until on our way home to Kissimmee later that night and heard it if a gas station. Bad day for NASCAR.

[jzk420]

I wish Gordon would of put him into the wall.

[1hardycena]

@jzk420 y?

[JMC01644]

That is so sad the way Darrell reacted to Dale's crash. The tears in his eyes and emotion shows a true man! God bless you! Rest in peace Mr. Earnhardt.

[1hardycena]

@JMC01644 he was crying for his brother winning

[GrassValleyGreg]

I was in a Napster chat room when I heard. I'm not even a NASCAR guy but I distinctly remember that for some reason.

[theblingblingkitty]

Rip Dale

Today is the day. I will always remembee

[evxdaddy]

I was 16 when this happen and I started watching NASCAR after this and never stop. Sadly NASCAR lost a great man, but he also brought a lot of fans, like Elvis in death became more LEGENDARY.

[foodeater398]

the big brown truck, how bad have you got it, throwback commercials!!

[melodiebt]

this happened on my birthday, and i will always remember it. RIP Dale

[joeu5431]

I rember that horrible day I rember saying f*** earnheart dident win when I saw that crash I had a strange feeling that it was the last ride for earnheart r.I.p earnheart we miss ya buddy

[pwnzor3000]

At the beginning of the video, you hear Darrell Waltrip say, "If he can survive this run, he'll be okay."

It seems so eerie to me :(

Its hard to believe that this upcoming February will mark the 10 year Anniversary of Dale's death.

Dale, where ever you are, we miss ya bud!

That #3 Chevy Monte Carlo made NASCAR what it was.

Without Dale, NASCAR just doesnt have that sense of danger, or competition.

RIP Dale Earnhardt

1951 - 2001

Godspeed

[xx24carfan4xx]

such a little crash could kill him, actually, i kinda feel like it's JR's fault

[veryslyfox]

Crappy American made cars. It wasn't even that serious a collisions and he died?

[timmohthee]

@veryslyfox apart from your comment on american made cars (these aren't the same cars you can buy at the chevy dealer if you didn't know that lol), you do realize that he hit a concrete wall, head on, at nearly 200mph? if it's not that serious of a collision, you should give a try sometime then

[moeguy9999]

This race and peoples reactions reminds me of the Kentucky Derby a few years ago. When the horse Eight Belles died right after she finished second behind Big Brown. Jockey Kent Desourmeux,who rode Big Brown the winner, fell off,after turning

his horse around,to make his way to the winners circle. He was so happy he won the derby, but, catching Eight Belles as she laid dead on the track,was the biggest shock of his life. I know Kent, he looked like a ghost just took his Derby Win Roses.

[bronc30td]

"I hope Dale's OK. I guess he's alright isn't he?"

Sad to hear Darrell say those words in retrospect.

[MR30CALCHRIS]

nascar is a team sport he died to help his son and teamate win

[brian8556]

Now everyone hates or doesn't know who Sterling Marlin is. Sterling forced the crash that changed NASCAR. Marlin's bump on Dale forced the fatal crash.

[southerncomfort655]

@Theburn77 duhh he was crying cause he was happy Micheal won Noone even knew Dale had died yet geeez

[macdisciple]

This is heart-wrenching. It's so tough to hear Darrell Waltrip's joy for Michael's win while knowing that he doesn't know Dale has passed away.

[tubeyou443]

only video on youtube that makes me tear up every time.. just the emotion from DW is incredible.

[pearsonbowhunter]

i wish dale woulda had the safty stuff we have today nascar would be 100% different with the intimadator still here. 

[lewisr993]

NASCAR went to hell starting in the evening of February 18 2001

[bwturner3]

It is interesting to see Waltrip looking over at the wreck because he knows something is not right wtih the scene. Probably a racer's instinct or something like that when he can tell what the rescue team is doing.

[amberstarfire]

I remember this like it was yesterday. I was watching the race in Richmond that day, and saw the wreck. After the race was over, I left Richmond headed home to NC. About halfway home, I heard on the radio that he had died. I was SO distraught I had to pull off of the highway, because I couldn't see to drive! I've NEVER watched another race since that day....

[boogioogigoof]

What happened was weird.

[kooldude1120]

Nascar just was not the same after this happen R.I.P Dale Earnhardt Sr

[gameglitch100]

RIP dale sr nascar needs u

[suzuki400boi]

It was kinda creepy how DW say's is Dale okay? I fondly remember alot worse crashes he was in and that was never said.

[75jimmie75]

@suzuki400boi well he didn't put his window net down (grammar fail?)

[EminemFan202]

Nascar died along with Dale Earnhardt Sr.

[RetroGamerr1991]

@EminemFan202 Actually it died with Bill France.

[werdepaul02]

It's really sad that he died and all, but he was actually the main cause. He chose not to have the proper safety gear and then once he died, DEI sued the people who told him what he should have worn. Guess who lost the case? Gee I wonder...

[JG24JM26]

@werdepaul02 good point

[Dcook329]

This was the day NASCAR Died all of Sudden!....! =(

[18sux29rox]

Dale was the guardian, he was blocking everyone away froom his son and Waltrip, to me he died a winner............

[Harperracing44]

They should take all the videos of this and not show it

[Roushfan5]

@Harperracing44 Why?

[Brianwwecw48]

boy i wish dale was alive i remember i was 11 been a nascar fan since 1999 when my parents took me to atlanta and been one ever since but i remember my dad and i watching this all night cause i had monday off from school and i didnt wanna beleive he passed on and still to this day i think he passed before he hit the wall

[Jazzybell211]

I have't watched NASCAR since he died. the last race that I ever saw was the one to where he crashed. what made it so bad it was my first time going to a live race too with my dad. that was a sad day for my family and it still is today.

[Chevy4thewin]

he died because he didn't wear the new safety devise for the neck. he apparently didn't believe that was a part of racing. and sadly such a small crash killed him and it could have been prevented

[kchuk]

in all honesty the crash didnt look all that bad... whiplash im assuming?

[CCMKBProductions]

Lol all of that sad Earndhart crash and all... Then erectile disfunction commercial

[Number10pen]

@CCMKBProductions HOW CAN YOU LOL A PERSON's DEATH!?!?!?

[CCMKBProductions]

@Number10pen I didnt

[noex100]

I'll bet he wouldn't have crashed if Dale JR. were not in 1st or 2nd place.

[ProxGamer100]

@noex100 he did it on purpose so waltrip can win

[racerxgtpro]

the pre interveiw with dale,sitting outside his rv,is what inspired me to record the race that day.Dale looked into the camera,and said something to the extent of: get the whole family in the living room,this is gonna be a race to remember,your gonna want to record this race,(then chilling) said something speacial is gonna happen today," then what happened on the last lap,has haunted me,like none caught what he said earlier.the pre race interveiw with dale is errie.its worth looking at.

[bleearg]

I saw that too that morning but never saw it again

[sunkistxk9]

@racerxgtpro where can i find the video

[Zantom24]

Dale Sr. dies....then 911....official...2001 worst year of all

[CCMKBProductions]

also a boys arm was bit off in a shark attack.

This year there is the Haiti and Chile, looks like another one of those years.

[cory1438]

@14TheAnimal.......midhael waltrip didn't know that dale earnhardt was killed instantlly.........it is the sadest thing i've seen

[noex100]

He didn't die instantly, he died just as he entered the hospital, supposedly.

[14TheAnimal]

michel waltrip didnt even care

[useddentalfloss]

@14TheAnimal He did care very much. He was not told until after the victory lane celebration. Their is footage of him sitting in victory lane crying when he heard the news. Dale gave him a shot when everyone else had given up on him.  He cared very deeply.

[xxGIxGuardianxx]

lol for you info, dale jr finished 3rd, micheal waltrip finished 1st lol

[useddentalfloss]

@xxGIxGuardianxx Actually Dale Jr. finished second, we all know Waltrip finished first. Please explain your comment further, it makes no sense.

[lover3me3do88]

worst year for some of us. there was dale's death then 911 how awful

[43labontepetty]

dales death was worse than 911.

[Radar19792008]

And how.

[thebrandonp88]

dale u rock R I P dale

[ChaSt33n]

Is there anywhere you can find a picture, or video of dale after the wreck, or an onboard view of it? Dale is the greatest of all time, imagine how much different nascar would be today if he was still here

[rightwinglefty1]

What a shock this must have been. I'm not a racing fan but I can imagine. There have been a million NASCAR crashes that look waaaay more horrific than this one where the drive was okay or at least lived, but this seemingly run of the mill crash resulted in death.

[kdog1064]

but anytime someone is going 160+ mph and crashes head on into the wall can be serious

i just personally think they should have acted like they cared more about the crash

[kdog1064]

these commentators pissed me off. Dale crashes and these guys don't even say anything for a while. Then all they say after celebrating is "o by the way how is dale? is he ok?"

real dick move in my eyes by the commentators

[bartus88]

You can't really blame them, the crash didn't look serious, especially compared to his 1996 Talladega crash.

[chipattack911]

@kdog1064 its the guy's son who won. what the hell do you want him to do?

[soccermet12]

Not his son...his brother......

[chipattack911]

@soccermet12 oh seriously? hahaha wow i never knew that...

[soccermet12]

yup

[blueangel0394]

how would they kno? they didnt think it was bad.

[MrRunout]

dale must have died happy, because either one of his team's cars would've won

[dolphinmagic24fan]

Man, what a bitter sweet day for Darrell. He was so happy seeing his brother win the 500, but when you see this video, he always stares back into turn 4. He knew something was wrong, it must of been hard for him.

[ghostinthefog1666]

i was just looking at the commercials and cant believe its been almost 10 years. i remember all those commercials i didnt even realize it had been that long for any of them. since being on tv

[CBright7831]

In his last few moments - Earnhardt was holding off the ENTIRE FIELD. That is amazing. Intimidator until the very end.

[99boyz]

he had tears cuz his brother 1 moron

not cuz dale wrecked

[snapascrew]

the crash didn't look that bad... i thought it was going to be worse

[rampageriley99]

dales vertabre snaped all of them and broke his neck

[smileysteph97]

you jerk thats not what happened he wasn't wearing a full facemask t\so when he hit his face got crushed bc his helmet was and open face helmet

[wcwchris]

It says a lot that Darrell's brother had just won and Darrell was still wondering about Dale...

[nnhs08]

@wcwchris that was a very touching thing that D.W. said...after his brother won...he asked if Dale was ok...if that aint true friendship, i dont know what is!!

[brandont28]

@wcwchris I really liked Darrell Waltrip a lot after this he really cares a lot about people and NASCAR.

[jenniferkbowman]

my birth day is feb 18 .we had a party to watch the 500 .After that day I do not have birthdays anymore it`s just another day to me now.I still watch but it took me a very long time to watch a race to the end.

[leifshady]

i hear ya

[blueangel0394]

wow then ur dad knos jack shit about nascar

[clipshooter]

Thanks for posting this as-is, man. I'm not a long-time fan or anything, but wanted to find the footage of this. Yours is basically the only one without excessively-soaring classical music or anything. (the ads are very cool, too!) Cheers.

[nascarnhis24]

*completion* not 'completeion'; spelling error

[nascarnhis24]

i remember watching the race, but i could then only see up to the completeion of lap 195. I was so happy that Michael Waltrip (who, at that time, was my 3rd favorite driver behind Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr.) had won. But when i watched Victory Lane that night, i heard the tragic news and saw the crash, and i couldn't believe it; Dale Earnhardt was my dad's favorite driver, and mine too. R.I.P. Dale

[TheRodman2000]

I STELL MISS BIG E

[TheRodman2000]

I MENT I STILL MISS BIG E #3

[1badsho]

I was there as well. Compliments of Ford Motor Co. I was actyally listening to dale Sr's radio broadcast when he hit the wall. The pit kept asking Dale if he was ok // " Dale u ok ? " .... than on the bus back to Olrando about 3 hours later ... the dam bus guide said " its my sad duty to announce that dale jarret died at so and so hospital .. she immediately caught what she had said and corrected her self ... dale earnhardt has passed away"

[4JayeP]

I remember that:

'Dale you alright'

*no response*

'Dale you OK'

*no response*

"Dale, Dale, YOU OK"

*no response*

RIP Dale.

[demoderbyguy1]

I was there that day. I met Dale before the race and to see him crash on the last lap ws heartbreaking. When I found out that he died I felt like a piece of me had died too.

[stopxthisxfall]

Shit was SO crash

[tubeyou443]

It is so weird I was only 8 at the time but I remeber this race, where I was sitting, who was around me, and I still laugh at these commercials and remember seeing every one of them. But the funny thing is, I don't remember what happened in 2002, 2003, 2004, ect... We lost something on February 18, 2001.

[antgun007]

What is weird for me is that this was my first nascar race I ever watched all the way through. I've seen parts of races, like half, or the last few laps. But since I was getting older, my uncle, a huge nascar fan, came over to my house and watched it. It was very crazy that day and night. my uncle actually cried. RIP Sr.

[nascarvan]

Emotionatly and... tragic.

[philritter21]

It was a basilar skull fracture, not his neck.

[1fiddy3]

he fractured his skull

[bfsab61]

it was the 1st time ive seen my dad cry..

[ITW84]

shut the fuck up and show some respect

[pepsibottleq]

Same here

[bigyodatheman]

Look at Dale take air away from the guys on the backstretch and get back in front of them to block for his son and driver to run away with it. RIP Dale.

[chechnya]

That's what he died from? Didn't look that serious.

[AEMoreira81]

When he hit the wall---his forward progress stopped, which called the fractures that killed him.

Remember, there was no SAFER barrier at the time.

[chechnya]

It was always said that it was blunt trauma that killed him. I didn't realize it was fractures is what really killed him.

[homer7018]

or no HANS device

[sedman3]

man any crash can be serious at that speed

[Crisgo3d]

To me this seems like the day NASCAR died too

[halftwin17]

@Crisgo3d i was too young to remember i started watchin in 2002 but i have to conclude it was kinda toyotas fault and COT

[AutoRockinRacing94]

The Only Way they would show the Whole 2001 Daytona 500 Race if they have their own Channel, like the NBA/NFL/MLB/NHL has, NASCAR needs one, so they can show it, I hope they launched NASCAR Network.

[ChelsABaird]

i miss dale

[GhalibGames]

man we all do....

[Sk8BoardTrucker]

"I hope dales ok" i forgot about that..its the saddest and most ironic thing i have ever heard..but it shows why everyone loves DW..he is a great man

[pwnzor3000]

listen to DW at the beginning, if he can survive this run he'll be okay =[

r.i.p. dale sr!

[rickallen94]

i think DW means micheal waltrip

[pwnzor3000]

I know, but it seems suitable for Dale.

[hockeyboy1231]

With the exception of Earnhardt's death, this was truly one of the greatest races of all-time. Also I laaughed really hard at the Mark Martin and Terry Labonte Commercials and the old UPS brought back memories

[DoMw94]

Hard watching this it's like its live. I just wish i was watching nascar when Dale Earnhardt was racing

[EWSC37]

if schreader wasnt there he would have slapped the wall and wouldnt of gone head-on! RIP DALE SR.

[PYLrulz1984]

Not only that, had Sterling Marlin not been below Earnhardt, me could of did nothing more than get the car sideways, get hit by a few cars, and more than likely walk out of it ok. Marlin and Schrader were just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[chevydj]

nice good thing u saved it

[somagtrucking]

That was a sad day in racing history. RIP Dale you are the best!!!!!!!!