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Resurfaced footage shows harrowing final words of Nascar driver before fatal crash

Home> News> Sport

Published 14:58 29 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Resurfaced footage shows harrowing final words of Nascar driver before fatal crash

Professional racer Dale Earnhardt was widely regarded as one of the greatest Nascar drivers in history

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

In his last ever interview, Nascar legend Dale Earnhardt was chillingly prophetic about his chances at Daytona 500 in 2001.

At 49, the American stock car racer was at the backend of his career, which began in 1975 during the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

Speaking to FOX before the race, however, the 7-time Cup Series champion, known as 'the Intimidator', opened up about his concerns.

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2001 Daytona 500 turned out to be one of the darkest days in Nascar history when the veteran was involved in a fatal collision during the final lap.

While in third place, Earnhardt collided with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin, which caused his car to veer into the outside retaining wall at high speed.

Dale Earnhardt tragically lost his life at the Daytona 500 in 2001 (Fox)
Dale Earnhardt tragically lost his life at the Daytona 500 in 2001 (Fox)

The impact resulted in a fatal basilar skull fracture, and Earnhardt was pronounced dead at Halifax Medical Center shortly after the crash.

His interview with FOX has resurfaced online and it appears that Earnhardt flagged some issues at the time.

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"Well, we got a good shot. Got a good race car," he began.

"Wasn't really excited about the car yesterday afternoon in the last practice, but the car is coming around. I think it's gonna be okay. We got a good engine in it.

"Little wind today. Little exciting, I think. It's going to be some exciting racing. You're gonna see something you probably have never seen on FOX."

The Daytona 500 happened to be the first NASCAR points race ever telecast by Fox.

Commenting on the resurfaced clip, one fan said: "I remember that race like it was yesterday. I watched Earnhardt wreck and it didnt seem that bad at the time, so I went about my day.

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"Later, when I go home, I turned on ESPN to hear the news and I was shocked. Dale was arguably the best driver to ever race and it was a huge loss for the sport."

The crash sent shockwaves through the Nascar community (FOX)
The crash sent shockwaves through the Nascar community (FOX)

Another added: "I remember when this happened my hubby was a huge Earnhardt fan I was not, he crashed & we thought nothing of it it had happened before & found out he died it changed everything."

As someone else pointed out: "Those unfamiliar with Nascar don't realise that losing him is the equivalent of losing a Tom Brady or Michael Jordan."

A month prior to his death, Marlin said that Earnhardt had discussed the possibility of dying in a race car.

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"Dale said, ‘If I ever get killed in a race car…I don’t want nobody crying and moaning and groaning. It’s what I love to do, and don’t worry about it'," Marlin said.

"That’s the way Earnhardt was, and when he buckled that seatbelt Sunday, he knew anything could happen."

Featured Image Credit: FOX

Topics: Formula 1, Cars, History

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

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@Anish_Vij

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