PART FIVE: LAS VEGAS – 500 Days: Lost Storylines of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Season

Las Vegas marked the third race of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Season, where fans continued to pay tribute to the life of Dale Earnhardt. With Sterling Marlin now atop the point standings, Dodge teams were favored at a track Roush Racing’s Ford team had dominated in its brief history. But the first “No Bull 5” race of the season proved particularly competitive.

MUSIC
“Epic Movie Documentary Trailer” – Sergio Productions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnt-KAzxU8
“Inspiring Adventure Cinematic Trailer” – Sergio Productions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPCIZAPvqBQ

VIDEO CREDITS
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjZQnMo0uMCF-9yIiZGMEpU5EqVchrUmL

PHOTOS
Bob Leverone, TSN
Bryan Hallman, BRH Racing Archives
Joe Robbins Photography

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro
03:21 – Tuesday, February 27, 2001
07:05 – Wednesday, February 28, 2001
18:35 – Thursday, March 1, 2001
20:30 – Friday, March 2, 2001
29:34 – Saturday, March 3, 2001
46:48 – Sunday, March 4, 2001

SOURCES
2001 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Program
Jayski’s Silly Season Site

ARTICLES
Berry, Steve and Charean Williams, “Probe finds NASCAR lax,” Daily Press, June 29, 1994.
Cote, Greg. “Little to feel good about in NASCAR,” The Miami Herald, February 26, 2001.
Dolack, Chris. “Drivers who don’t use safety devices stick their necks out,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 4, 2001.
Finney, Mike. “Safer cars not on fast track,” The News Journal, March 8, 2001.
Fleischman, Bill. “NASCAR feels the crush of calls for more safety,” Philadelphia Daily News, March 8, 2001.
Fowler, Scott. “In wake of Earnhardt tragedy, NASCAR needs to come clean,” The Courier, March 8, 2001.
Fryer, Jenna. “Drivers consider a safety council,” Courier-Post, March 2, 2001.
Glick, Shav. “Gordon’s cool as cash while winning race,” The Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2001.
Harris, Mike. “Roush team eyes Las Vegas turnaround,” The Leaf-Chronicle, March 2, 2001.
Hill, Michael. “NASCAR rules make the race unsafe at any speed,” The Baltimore Sun, March 1, 2001.
Hinton, Ed. “Recent auto racing deaths bring the question: Are NASCAR cars too rigid, without flexibility?” The Odessa American, March 3, 2001.
Kupper, Mike. “With sadness comes some suspicion,” Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2001.
McLauren, Jim. “Rubber Match: Goodyear simplifies NASCAR tire options,” Ledger-Enquirer, March 2, 2001.
Morrissey, Rick. “Truth not sole possession of NASCAR officials,” The Paducah Sun, March 7, 2001.
Schneider, Mike. “Newspaper feels wrath over Earnhardt autopsy photos,” The Paducah Sun, March 7, 2001.
Utter, Jim. “Fresh faces: six drivers in battle to become the best of the Class of ’01,” The Courier, March 8, 2001
Whitehead, Bill. “NASCAR plays ‘Blame Game’ over Earnhardt tragedy,” St. Lucie New Tribune, March 3, 2001.
Wood, Skip. “Seat belt supplier withholds comment,” Florida Today, March 4, 2001.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Associated Press. “Attorneys discuss deal on pictures,” The Evening Sun, March 1, 2001.
Associated Press, “Hutchins’ suit considered ‘opportunistic,’ South Coast Today, March 2, 2001; https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/2001/03/03/hutchins-suit-considered-opportunistic/50342953007/
Associated Press. “NASCAR Notebook,” The Odessa American, March 3, 2001.
Uncredited. “Weekly rumor mill,” The Cincinnati Enquirer, March 4, 2001.