Thread: Where were you on 2/18/2001?

February 18, 2001 was one of the saddest days in NASCAR history. Thousands of fans mourned the loss of one of the most amazing drivers in America. I remember that day because I was working as a waitress in a local restaurant. Our manager had the race on the TV in the lobby. When that horrible tragedy occurred, nearly all the workers and customers were so shocked they were in tears. Do you remember where you were that day?

Is that when Dale Sr. crashed? I wasn't watching racing at that point in time. I've seen the accident on TV a lot over recent years. I felt bad for Darrell Waltrip, who was so conflicted in the booth.

Yes, that was the heartbreaking day when Dale Sr. lost his life. It was such a sad day for all of his fans and we are all so thrilled that Dale Jr. has done so well in following in his Dad's footsteps.

I was playing on the internet (go figure!) and had the race on in the background. I think I was either sick or tired because I remember being very out of it when the wreck happened. It was heartbreaking.

It has definitely changed the sport, that's for sure. I don't think anyone can argue the fact that Sr's loss has affected NASCAR greatly.

I remember this day all too well. I was over at my husband's friend's house and we were watching the race. I was 6 months pregnant with my twins and I just thought he crashed. When I found out he died I started crying. I had been rooting for Dale since I was 15. That was the end of an era.

I was sitting in the living room at a friends house watching the race. I remember when they came back on the air saying he had died none of us could believe it.

It's so hard to lose someone you've watched and/or admired for a long time, especially in a crash like that. It's harder knowing that had Sr. worn the latest safety gear, he probably would have been fine. It's a dramatic example of what that gear can do.

Originally Posted by RainbowWarrior

It's so hard to lose someone you've watched and/or admired for a long time, especially in a crash like that. It's harder knowing that had Sr. worn the latest safety gear, he probably would have been fine. It's a dramatic example of what that gear can do.

Unfortunately it usually takes a tragic crash before new safety measures are introduced, in fact most safety measure can be directly traced back to one or several crashes. Who remembers hay bales lining the edge of race tracks, followed by armco barriers, to concrete and now shock absorbing material in front of concrete barriers. Drivers wearing a suit and tie (bowtie for Mike Hawthorne) and glorified salad bowl for helmet.
A few of the most significant improvements, in my opinion, before the hans device was the addition of the "anti submarine" straps to the 4 point harness after Jochen Rindt's fatal crash in Monza in 1970, the foam filled fuel bladders that reduces the risk of fire if the fuel tank is pierced and the multi layered flame proof driver suits.

Something that amazed me when NASCAR lost Dale Sr. was how many fans he REALLY had. NASCAR itself had a huge fan base, but people you never even knew watched it came out with license plates and auto decals in his honor. Though I am sure that his family knew how well his fans loved him, I'm guessing they were even amazed at how many fans he actually had.