Nearly eight years later, you can still feel the sense of raw emotion NASCAR fans have concerning the loss of he beloved Dale Earnhardt. Right after I has finished my series Remembering Dale, I received this story from Jeremy Sellers, who does a fair amount of writing of his own for his own site- Jerm’s Joint and Racing Pub, and Cars and Racing Stuff.com.
Today’s guest provides a first-hand account as one present at Daytona International Speedway that fateful day- February 18, 2001. It might be easy to dismiss as macabre, Jeremy’s refusal to leave the scene- yet as a rescue professional he had the ability to read what was happening.
More than that, it was more like a son, brother, or best bud who could not bear to leave a fallen loved one. The scenes that followed that Jeremy describes remind us that the passing of Dale Earnhardt was like that of other iconic figures such as JFK, Elvis and John Lennon.
Here’s Jeremy’s story, told in his own words:
“Yes, indeed, the day racing died. I was sitting outside of turn four that day. I had met up with my fire chief down in Daytona and he swore he had better seats than my original on the Super Stretch. Not only did I not like my new-found seating arrangement, it put me in bird’s eye view of my favorite driver’s last lap crash.
“It was befuddling to me how everyone cleared out of the stands so fast. Me? I stayed to watch the extrication, though they stealthly removed Dale from the track without anyone knowing. However, it was when they covered the car with the blue tarp, I knew the outcome wasn’t going to be favorable. Many are unaware, but NASCAR only does that in the most severe of crashes for investigational purposes. ”
“Nearly three hours had passed before the official announcement was made. Daytona
International Speedway and NASCAR wanted to assure everyone was away from the track before passing the news. I was beach side by the time the word was brought to us, just a few steps away from “Daytona 2000″, the city’s most famous NASCAR souvenier shop. It was at that store, I had my first experience with looters. Dale Earnhardt memorabilia flew off the shelves and out the door faster than anything I’d seen in retail sales. Two Daytona Beach Police Officers were working the front and back doors, but they couldn’t keep up with the thieves. It was chaotic. I stood in line for 45 minutes just to pay for a Dale Earnhardt Flag that had been used as a table display dressing, and some other items, crying like a baby the entire time.”
“It was surreal to be in the city that night. Ending up at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Ponce Inlet, the place was nearly empty. (Very odd for post race) The cook stated he had heard it was like that throughout the region, you could get a seat anywhere, just walk in. Realizing by my attire, and welted eyes that I was a Dale Sr. fan, the cook went to his car, and came back in with a Dale Sr. computer mouse pad, and a mouse in the form of his #3 car, gave them to me and said, “I was going to sell these, I’m not a big NASCAR fan, but I think you’ll get better use out of them than any amount of money I’d get.” I still have them to this day.”
“My birthday is February 15th, and the last two times the 500 has been run on that day, an Earnhardt has won. 1998 with Sr. followed by his son in 2004. I guess this is my hope for this year that Dale Jr. will pull it off once more. Though I have made the trip to Daytona every year since Dale Earnhardt’s passing, and will again next month, I still find myself not only looking for that #3, but wishing for racing’s return of true grit and passion.”
This is the first time Sellers has shared his own experience from that day. He tells me he’ll never give up those “Super Stretch” again.
As one who was not as close to the sport then as I am now, I appreciate hearing these stories that provide valuable perspective. They are a part of NASCAR’s rich history.
PHOTO CREDITS: Daytonsa at night by johnmiller613 and Dale Earnhardt statue photo by c.marsh. More of their photography may be found at flickr.com).
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Your story sounds like mine. I have been going to the 500 for 25 years and we always hang around to watch the victory lane celebrations but this year we did not pay attention on what was going on there I could not believe it when they put a trap on the car I told my DAD and Brother and Son he had to of died because of them doing this nobody could believe it we were in shock then they parked the car in the infield right in front of our seats we just stood there and said nothing for about 10 minutes. The following day I tried to buy a newspaper but they were all gone our buddy who owns the motel we stayed at gave us his copy and we still have it. The sport has never been the same, we still enjoy it but it is not the same. The only time I ever seen a tarp put on a car when some did not die was at Darlington when Steve Park crashed.
It amazes me still to this day, that even though i was never lucky enought to see him race live, each and everytime i read something about that day, it takes me back to that last lap, sitting on the couch holding my daughter. And i still get that funny feeling in my stomach. He was, is, and always will be a legend that we will all miss. Thank you for this story
“The day racing died”?
That’s sure news to me. I believe that I’ve enjoyed at least six seasons of racing since the dirtiest driver in NASCAR died.
Yes, it was sad to see him pass. It was sad to see Adam Petty pass. along with a host of others who gave their lives to the sport.
But, racing didn’t die with Earnhardt. The really sad part of this entire thing is people, such as the author of this article, refuse to let Earnhardt die.
Earnhardt was a race car driver, not a God or an idol. And while he was a sports icon, he was no hero and y’all need to get over it.
No,Whatever,
His fans don’t “need to get over it.” Grieving is a real process. Not to be taken lightly, or scoffed out. I suspect your “name,” “Whatever,” says it all. You could care less about anything. A sad way to live ones life.
By the way, I was not a Dale Sr. fan, but I certainly understand his fans’ emotions.
To Whatever,
It is obvious that you have never been a true fan of anything. While Earnhardt was certainly only human he was a person who transcended the sport he participated in. Although not very knowledgeable about Nascar I have always known names like Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon, Jarret et al. It is truly impactful on the racing community when a racer dies and a fan is a fan because they care.
Racing has gone on and flourished without Earnhardt but that does not diminish the contribution he made to the sport, good or bad depending on your allegiance. His fans still remember the man because of the legacy he left behind as one of the greats.
Thanks for the article,I haven’t been back to Daytona since he died until the bud shootout last year,and Lil E put on a show! Thanks again!
I followed Dale E. from the time he first drove for RC and became a big fan of his. I don’t think he gets enough credit for all he accomplished off the track. I have a very special tape of his last race – the tape ran out a little before the race ended, and when I watch it the 3 is still running…..
First of all, Whatever needs to realize I am a multi-faceted race fan. His arrogance is truly annoying as he knows not me, nor my spirit for the sport of NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt epitomized what a truel hero is to the working class of America. He came from grossly deep blue-collar roots and refuse to let go of a dream, even at his darkest hours. With that mind-set, he achieved success, and gained the respect of all others like him, the little guy. Dirty racer? Well, I can recall a certain three-time champion by the name of Darrell Waltrip will readily admit he was just as dirty. With that, the names of AJ Foyt, Kyle Busch, Robby Gordon, David Pearson, Curtis Turner, among others could be thrown into the mix. He was gritty, and raced old style, like his predicessors. If dirty is the term you use, then dirty is what made racing, racing! Come on, educate yourself on NASCAR history before you speak of dirty. NASCAR was founded upon bootleggers running moonshine in back woods south USA. Yet, I am sure they raced much cleaner than Dale Earnhardt.
You know, I obtained Adman Petty’s autograph in Phoenix back in ‘99. He was a very shy young man and definitely was an up and coming. It was a very tragic loss to the sport of NASCAR like Kenny Irwin Jr, Fireball Roberts, and Neil Bonnett. Have I bored you yet? Good. You are ignorant, and failed to receive my article for what it was. Take things at face value, and hope to hell you never lose your favorite driver.
2/18/01 changed racing forever for me. For years since, when I’ve attended races, I still look for that black #3. I’ve given racing almost 8 yrs. I just don’t care about it now. I can only imagine what Dale would say with some of the things that have taken place over the years.
I’m glad I went to ‘dega in Oct 2000 and saw Dale’s 76th win. Little did we know then that would be his last.
And now the company he built is just a building. No longer the garagemahal. Sure the glass and brass fixtures are still there, but there’s no soul to it. It’s been merged with Ganassi.
I was asked yesterday if I was looking forward to the 500. Said nope. Only reason I’d look forward to it is to have “noise” on tv to fill the void on Sunday afternoon.
i was never an earnhardt fan, but i’ll never forget that day. something about how the air was sucked out of the announcers, the cameras didn’t follow michael waltrip to the checkered flag, DW was choked up…something wasn’t right, and it would be considered a ‘normal’ crash. i remember i cried that night…
also, it was just a ‘racin’ deal’, but can you imagine how sterling marlin may feel watching the replays…he’s the one that tapped him. and ken schrader, the first one to ‘know’…wow, what a weird day that was.
I, too, was at that race. I remember two things vividly.
First, while waiting for the buses to take us back to the parking area after the race, many fans were laughing that Dale had crashed on the last lap. We knew, by listening to the scanner traffic, that he was dead and it would announced officially later.
Second, the day following the race, most every race fan dring North on I-95, had a hand written message of some sort on their car/truck/camper remembering Dale.
He was the one driver everyone loved or hated, but that day, everyone respected what he meant to NASCAR.