Comment: NASCAR's Response to Findings

Comment: NASCAR Tarnished by Earnhardt Tragedy

New York, April 14, 2001 -- In the wake of new information regarding what caused the death of racing legend, Dale Earnhardt, many are increasingly skeptical about the motives and credibility of NASCAR.

Earnhardt's sudden demise in the last lap of February's Daytona 500, has fueled speculation everywhere about NASCAR's credibility and what actually caused his death, as well as the deaths of several other drivers within the past year.

The Orlando Sentinel has doggedly pursued these issues, even in the face of intense criticism from Earnhardt's wife, Teresa. Teresa Earnhardt and the Sentinel reached an agreement March 16, mandating that autopsy photos of her husband not be published [click here]. The newspaper has stated several times it never had any intention of publishing the photos, only investigating the truth about Earnhardt's violent and sudden death.

As reported by the Sentinel, Teresa Earnhardt was successful in suing to have the autopsy photos sealed not long after the fatal crash at the Daytona speedway, on February 18. At the time, autopsy photos had been a matter of public record in the state, but as of late last month, a new state law was enacted, prohibiting medical examiner's from making the photos public. The Sentinel proceeded to challenge the constitutionality of the new law by filing a lawsuit.

As a result of the agreement between Mrs. Earnhardt and the Sentinel, Duke University professor, Dr. Barry Myers, was brought in to conduct an independent investigation into what caused the death. Myers has concluded that, contrary to early reports, Earnhardt died due to violent head whip, and not due to the failure of his seat belt.

NASCAR officials had been quick to put blame on the seat belt as the likely culprit in the death. However, the new report by Dr. Myers appears to vindicate the seat belt, and its maker, Bill Simpson, of Simpson Performance Products, as well as create new questions surrounding NASCAR's intentions.

In defense of NASCAR, according to an Associated Press article, Dr. Steve Bohannon, one of the doctors who attended to Earnhardt immediately after the fatal crash, had stated that in his opinion, a malfunctioning seat belt likely led to massive head injuries and the death.

NASCAR President Mike Helton, has steadfastly defended the organization in response to its many critics. The organization has announced plans to conduct a broad,sophisticated investigation of the crash, however, it will not be complete prior to August. There are now those who are questioning why such a report would take nearly so long. This type of in-depth safety study, does however, mark the most serious commitment ever by NASCAR.

The persistence on the part of the Orlando Sentinel to thoroughly investigate the crash and cause of death, may have forced NASCAR's hand into doing what it never would have done otherwise. Dr. Myers' proclamation that Earnhardt died of violent head whip raises another safety issue. Formula One now requires its drivers to wear a head-and-neck support system called the HANS, in all of its races. NASCAR, on the other hand, has not yet instituted this requirement. There is speculation that the HANS may have saved Earnhardt's life had he been wearing it at the time of the fatal crash.

Sources :

NASCAR Commits to Investigating Crash, Orlando Sentinel, April 10, 2001.

Medical, Safety Procedures Differ in Every Racing League, Orlando Sentinel, April 10, 2001

Expert: Earnhardt Died of Head Whip, Associated Press, April 10, 2001. Expert : Seat Belt No Factor in Earnhardt Death, Orlando Sentinel, April 10, 2001.

David Burkey