The Day

[Chris Paff]

Did anyone else see the documentary that was on Speed about Earnhardt's death?

Pretty emotional stuff, I really disliked the man when he was alive but his death really hit home for me.

Sad stuff but a must see documentary for any NASCAR fan.

[roach]

Didn't watch it.

Watched the race live and have it on tape. Never watched the tape either.

[Liz]

I watched it and I was/am an Earnhardt fan. It was pretty excruciating in spots (insofar as bringing up a lot of supressed memories). Very emotional...I'm glad I watched it but I think once will be enough.

[KevMcNJ]

Hated Earnhardt but it was a kidney punch when he died. Watching that show was like pulling the box of photos of my dead friends out of the attic. Its not a good feeling to look but sometimes you gotta take a peek just to remember the times.

It was chilling seeing the vid of him 24 or 48 hours before the 500. Dale being Dale. Just wanted to reach thru the TV and shake him... tell him to go home...take the rest of the weekend off and get ready for Rockingham

Dont like seeing Schrader get all choked up. Like seeing John Wayne cry. I never saw the shot of Mikey being told by Schrader in victory lane before. That was not good. Then to see Mikey smiling for the hat dance when it was obvious he didnt want to be there any longer than he had to. You could see it in his eyes even though you wouldnt have seen it if you were looking at him back then. I think Mikey is a mid packer at best most of the time but I feel for him. He won the Daytona 500 and no one in motorsports wants to think about that day

You could only see it for a fraction of a second but when they could be seen still giving Dale CPR as hes rolled into ER was not good. They knew. But I bet they couldnt legally stop until a real doctor took a look and said they could stop.

Very sad day. Im not a fan of Junior but I really feel for him and his family.

Im sure they will show it again but I dont know if I will watch it again

FWIW, even though I didnt like him, my pick up has a small white #3 on the side glass now ( I think thats called respect)

[MoparsRule]

I watched it. It was tough to watch the interview portions with Kenny Schrader.

[Ann Dretti]

Watched it as well and thought it was very well done. The movie "Dale" is also very good. The sport hasn't been the same without him.

[MS]

Hated Earnhardt but it was a kidney punch when he died. Watching that show was like pulling the box of photos of my dead friends out of the attic. Its not a good feeling to look but sometimes you gotta take a peek just to remember the times.

It was chilling seeing the vid of him 24 or 48 hours before the 500. Dale being Dale. Just wanted to reach thru the TV and shake him... tell him to go home...take the rest of the weekend off and get ready for Rockingham

It's like watching footage of Kennedy on the morning of November 22, 1963.

I didn't see the program. I might or might not.

I really didn't like Earnhardt but I mellowed on him as he mellowed in the late 90s. I actually was happy for him when he won the Daytona 500 in 1998.

I remember the day. I can't believe it's been 10 years.

[FTHurley]

Don't like seeing Schrader get all choked up. Like seeing John Wayne cry. I never saw the shot of Mikey being told by Schrader in victory lane before. That was not good. Then to see Mikey smiling for the hat dance when it was obvious he didnt want to be there any longer than he had to. You could see it in his eyes even though you wouldn't have seen it if you were looking at him back then. I think Mikey is a mid packer at best most of the time but I feel for him. He won the Daytona 500 and no one in motorsports wants to think about that day.

Yeah, watching Schrader was tough. It just hurt. My wife felt bad for Mikey watching it. I'm so glad he won another one. I remember watching that race in my fraternity basement. Once it ended, I went out for a ride. I figure they were just being cautious with Dale, and that maybe he was banged up a bit. When I got back I opened my laptop and in the time it took for CNN.com to load, I thought, "Man, I hope he's OK. It was weird that they didn't have ANY update." Then the page loaded. Oof.

I think what surprised me the most watching the special was that so many people knew what was going on. I sort of assumed that with the chaos of the post-race and the general logistical chaos with any big event that people just didn't have any info. But no, it was circulating to key people well before they went off the air.

And on a happier note, the thing I'll remember from that race was hearing DW call him kid brother home to the win. It didn't quite match Ned Jarrett calling his son to the win, but it was close. It was just pure fraternal love and joy, and I felt so good for them both.

[DavidM]

I watched it, what got me the most was the interview with Richard Childress. Hearing him say he lost his franchise, friend and hunting buddy gave me a lump in my throat.

[porscheman]

Watched it. Well done. I was a fan. That was a very bad day. Hard to believe it's been 10 years already.

porscheman

[KevMcNJ]

I watched it, what got me the most was the interview with Richard Childress. Hearing him say he lost his franchise, friend and hunting buddy gave me a lump in my throat.

No doubt Childress and Earnhardt had the next 30+ years planned out. From bucket list hunting trips to getting grandkids into Cup in the 2020s.
Sad

[stnkypete]

You could only see it for a fraction of a second but when they could be seen still giving Dale CPR as hes rolled into ER was not good. They knew. But I bet they couldnt legally stop until a real doctor took a look and said they could stop.

That has something to do with it. Most states have pretty specific laws on when, where and by whom people can be declared legally dead. Also, while I am not sure exactly what NASCAR's policy is, CART never declared anyone dead at the track. They always transported the driver to the hospital alive - legally at least. The reasons had to do with investigations and jurisdictional issues with legal authorities. Dr. Trammel discusses it in his book. I would guess all race organizations have similar policies.

I caught a bit of the show and it was exceptionally well done. I plan of recording it so I can see the whole thing.

[Phil H.]

After the race, I seem to remember a reporter finding Schrader and asking him about Dale and his body language pretty much said the worst had happened. I believe Shrader's response was something like "I'm not a doctor."

Seeing Kenny relive that day was hard to watch and I believe this was the first time I have ever seen Childress talk about that day and what happened. That was also hard to watch.

There was also a scene where Mike Joy, D. Waltrip and L. McReynolds were standing in front of the camera waiting for the ads to end. McReynolds looks pale and in shock. That look he had is all that anyone needed to know.

Love him or hate him, Earnhardt was the personification of NASCAR. NASCAR hasn't recovered from 2001.

[KevMcNJ]

. NASCAR hasn't recovered from 2001.

Im gonna assume he would have hung around 'til 2005 or so.

Then he woulda retired and made DEI into a monster of a race team.

Hard to think of Dale as a 60 year old man which is what he would be in 2011.

[DaveL]

I saw the program. It was very well done. My opinion of Earnhardt as a driver has not changed, however.

I remember the day. I knew he was gone. When the ambulance drives that slow and they put a tarp over the car, that means the driver did not survive. It's an unfortunate piece of knowledge a race fan gleans after watching for years.