Tuesday, July 7, 2020

YOUTUBE PREMIERE
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 AT 7 P.M. EASTERN (4 P.M. PACIFIC)
POST-VIDEO LIVESTREAM TO FOLLOW

On July 7, 2000, Kenny Irwin, Jr. lost his life in a practice crash at Loudon, New Hampshire after his throttle stuck heading into Turn 3. The same track saw 19-year-old Adam Petty die under frighteningly similar circumstances less than two months earlier. On that July day, Petty's seemingly freak accident, combined with Irwin's, started a serious safety debate which lingered for the rest of the season. But progress was slow - too slow for one more driver, Tony Roper, who would lose his life after yet another brutal crash at Texas. Before February 2001, these three would be mourned as rising stars cut down in their prime. After February, they were all but forgotten as an event even more unimaginable nearly stopped the sport in its tracks. This is that story.

To mark the 20th anniversary of this significant day in NASCAR history, I will be re-releasing my 90-minute documentary "Three Before February." The film will contain a few small changes, including new information that did not make it into the original November 2019 version, plus a few corrections and some overall tweaks to make it look more professional. The story, however, will remain unchanged. The original version will also remain online.

Please join me for this special event. I will be in the chat room for the premiere and can do a post-video livestream for anyone who would like to stick around to discuss it after.

MUSIC
"Glory Be" - Patrick Patrikios

CLIPS
VIDEO: 2000 thatlook.com 200 at Loudon
USER: Mike Pinto
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX900QArpQ4

VIDEO: Thatlook.com 300 at Loudon
USER: NASCAR Archives
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jPO1kHGzKw

VIDEO: 2000 Busch 200 at Loudon
USER: SMIFF TV
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YLEUk18mBg

VIDEO: 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Motorola 200 at Fontana
USER: Dave W
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhfZ-6iUVwk