Earnhardt's death is a result of Broken Left Seat Belt.

[Steveo]

The Left Seat Belt on Dale Earnhardts harness was nicked or cut when he hit the wall, and it broke the harness to wear his head hit the steering wheel and therefore, cracked his skull. That is the conclusion from Nascar. Well, not confirmed but is the one they are thinking about now.

Very Sad.

Ahkmid.

[igor@af]

Im mad at the Nascar safety regulations

[Robs944S]

Originally posted by Ahkmid
The Left Seat Belt on Dale Earnhardts harness was nicked or cut when he hit the wall, and it broke the harness to wear his head hit the steering wheel and therefore, cracked his skull. That is the conclusion from Nascar. Well, not confirmed but is the one they are thinking about now.

Very Sad.

Ahkmid.

I'd also leave some blame for the lack of full helmet & neck brace....

[Steveo]

Originally posted by Robs944S
I'd also leave some blame for the lack of full helmet & neck brace....

Yeah, they have been talking about Earnhardt's open faced helmet saying that if he had a full face helmet on, maybe he would have survived. Some people highly doubt that though. He would have still sustained bad injuries.

Ahkmid.

[Seb928S@af]

Originally posted by Ahkmid

Yeah, they have been talking about Earnhardt's open faced helmet saying that if he had a full face helmet on, maybe he would have survived. Some people highly doubt that though. He would have still sustained bad injuries.

Ahkmid.

But if he had a nack brace he maybe still alive.

[verboom]

But, then again, the body can only withstand so much. The skull could be in one piece, but the brain is still floating around up there. With forces like that, the brain can slosh around so much that that kills you, and then even the full helmet wouldn't save your sorry butt. But, everybody knows the risks that come with high speeds. I'm not going to say it isn't tragic though.

[Chris]

When you go from 180-0, your brain and all your internal organs smash against your skull and ribcage, respectavly. Its not nice, but I don't think anything could have saved him. His brain just hit his skull, causing lots of trauma, killing him. Again, not nice, but true. And there hasn't been a proble with the belts for 30+ years, so don't be mad, be sad.

[Kristasw]

Ok kids--stop fighting. Whether you liked Dale Earnhardt Sr. as a driver or not you have to admit that NASCAR has been a bit empty since his untimely passing.
Every driver gets into his car on race day and KNOWS that there's a possibility that he won't climb out at the end. It HAPPENS when you are racing that many cars at that speed--there's very little room for error.
Personally I wasn't a fan but I do miss him. He was the driver that I loved to hate but for God's sake I'd never wish the man dead.
When I saw the blue tarp come out I knew that we'd lost one of the best drivers we'd ever seen. My heart hit the floor, I didn't need to hear the news later.
Just remember that he went probably the only way he would've wanted to. I don't think he thought it would be so soon but that is racing. You can't predict WHERE you'll finish.
Seatbelt knicks, open faced helmets, no HANS or similar device...it's RACING folks--there's risks and flukes.
My thoughts are with Teresa and all of the Earnhardt family.
My thoughts are also STILL with the Kulwicki family.

Gentlemen, start your engines-but be careful out there!

[Murco]

What I found to be sickening in the aftermath was Richard Childress blaming the Simpson Racing belts for Dales death. Poor Bill Simpson was recieving death-threats and his company was raked over the media-coals because RCR couldn't admit to NEGLIGENT BELT INSTALLATION! If you read that report it quietly said INSTALLATION of the seat belt was the issue (it being twisted and not in-line with the waistline of the driver.) RCR never did retract the accusation and Richard Childress needs to fess-up!!