PART FOUR - 500 Days: Lost Storylines of the 2001 Daytona 500 (NASCAR Documentary)

At first, the wreck didn’t look so bad. Just another of a series of late-race incidents in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. After all, the day belonged to Michael Waltrip, who finally broke through with his first win in his 463rd start. But conspicuously absent from victory lane was team owner Dale Earnhardt, who had yet to climb from his wrecked No. 3. What was announced that evening – and what followed over the next several days – would shake the sport of professional stock car racing to its core.

MUSIC
*"Hallowed Days" - Chasms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F6xmRLGa0Y
*“Heaven's Path (Creative Commons)” – RomanSenykMusic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySKJcr7lCDk
*“Epic Movie Documentary Trailer [Royalty Free Music]” - Sergio Productions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnt-KAzxU8

STORIES FROM
Jayski’s Silly Season Site

VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjZQnMo0uMCGhT1jGNJYaNmIDZWPKlYsm

FEATURED VIDEO ARCHIVED BY
Dave W: https://www.youtube.com/@de31168
Scott Allen Brown’s Mashup Museum: https://www.youtube.com/@SABMashupMuseum

PHOTOS
Bryan Hallman, BRH Racing Archives
(including thumbnail)

ARTICLES
*Bianchi, Mike. “Time For HANS-On Approach,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, February 19, 2001.
*Brinster, Dick. “Who will replace No. 3?” The Wichita Eagle, February 20, 2001.
*Fryer, Jenna. “Little E forced to grow up,” Northwest Herald, February 24, 2001.
*Harris, Mike. “Broken lap belt may have cost Earnhardt,” Northwest Herald, February 24, 2001.
*Harris, Mike. “Earnhardt’s legacy will remain,” Pensacola News Journal, February 26, 2001.
*Hinton, Ed. “NASCAR remains in denial on deaths,” Chicago Tribune, February 26, 2001.
*Litke, Jim. “A sky just waiting to cry,” The Bellingham Herald, February 26, 2001.
*Poole, David. “Tragedy shouldn’t be lost on anyone as expectations clash with reality,” The Wichita Eagle, February 20, 2001.
*Uncredited. (Driver quotes on Earnhardt), The News and Observer, February 20, 2001.
*Uncredited. “Some are blaming Marlin for Earnhardt’s fatal crash,” Albuquerque Journal, February 21, 2001.
*Uncredited. “Earnhardt’s left lap belt was broken,” The Call-Leader, February 23, 2001.
*Uncredited. “Harvick: I’m not Dale,” News-Press, February 24, 2001.
*Uncredited. (Photo inside Earnhardt’s car), Fort Worth Star-Telegram, February 24, 2001.
*Uncredited. “Some NASCAR drivers calling for safety panel,” Press Enterprise, February 26, 2001.
*Uncredited. “Thousands remember Earnhardt at memorial,” Pensacola News Journal, February 26, 2001.
*Uncredited. “We made Dale proud,” The Daily News-Journal, February 27, 2001.
*Uncredited. “Several drivers tried new safety gear during Dura Lube 400,” The Post-Star, February 27, 2001.
*Wood, Skip. “Rockingham begins post-Earnhardt era,” News Herald, February 23, 2001.
*Youngblood, E. Garrett. “Minute-by-minute: The rush to save Earnhardt,” The Odessa American, February 21, 2001.

OTHER SOURCES
2001 Dura Lube 400 Official Program, ISC

SPECIAL THANKS LASTCAR.INFO PATREON
https://www.patreon.com/lastcaronbrock

CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro / Sunday, February 18
17:46 – Monday, February 19
32:44 – Tuesday, February 20
40:11 – Wednesday, February 21
40:43 – Thursday, February 22
57:21 – Friday, February 23
1:04:35 – Saturday, February 24
1:28:33 – Sunday, February 25
2:12:27 – Monday, February 26