Photo by Darryl W. Moran Photography
Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
In 2001, one of the biggest names in sports, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., was killed in a Daytona 500 race. Earnhardt’s car struck a concrete wall in Turn 4, at an estimated speed of 161 miles per hour. The wall impact and the impact of a car driven by Schrader, caused Earnhardt’s right-rear wheel assembly to break and the passenger-door window to blow out. This severed the hood pins, which caused the hood to hit the windshield. Earnhardt had to be extricated from the vehicle and was killed on impact.
Earnhardt, Sr.’s death led to major changes in NASCAR. Drivers were then encouraged to wear HANS devices, and after the death of driver Blaise Alexander that followed, NASCAR required the use of head and neck restraints, and steel foam reduction barriers to help minimize the impact on the driver in these major accident. Research from Earnhardt’s death was also used design the CoT (Car of Tomorrow).
Whether you love or hate NASCAR racing, it is a full throttle, quick paced, high intensity, and action packed thrill ride for all involved. These were some of the biggest, and most memorable accidents which have occurred over the years, which will never be forgotten by those involved, or by the fans who saw the accidents take place.
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