I cant help but wonder..

#26
#26
I don't have a problem with Jr. I don't think he is that great of a driver though. He is an average race car driver. He is where he's at bcause of his last name. He was his dad's poster child. He sells shirts, hats, cars......... that's why he's where he is today. His car is as good as it gets at the beginning of the race. Usually as the race goes on he slips further and further back. JMO.
 
#27
#27
I'll add a different angle to this discussion that doesn't have to do with Dale Jr. or DEI, but if Dale Earnhardt was still here today, I'm afraid more drivers would have lost their lives in the period from 2001 to now. The one and only good thing that came from the tragic loss of The Intimadator is the huge strides in safety NASCAR has gone in the last eight years. If Dale was still alive, there would be no devices like the HANS or Hutchens, no Safer Barrier walls, and no COT. It took a loss of Dale's magnitude to wake NASCAR up to the real dangers in the sport. As tragic as losses like Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and others were, they weren't big enough to get NASCAR's attention. It took losing the sports biggest name to do that.
 
#28
#28
TheSyxxSynse said:
I'll add a different angle to this discussion that doesn't have to do with Dale Jr. or DEI, but if Dale Earnhardt was still here today, I'm afraid more drivers would have lost their lives in the period from 2001 to now. The one and only good thing that came from the tragic loss of The Intimadator is the huge strides in safety NASCAR has gone in the last eight years. If Dale was still alive, there would be no devices like the HANS or Hutchens, no Safer Barrier walls, and no COT. It took a loss of Dale's magnitude to wake NASCAR up to the real dangers in the sport. As tragic as losses like Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and others were, they weren't big enough to get NASCAR's attention. It took losing the sports biggest name to do that.
Click to expand...

Sadly your post is pretty much on the money.
 
#30
#30
You know while I think Earnhardt's death was tragic and all I don't think it altered the landscape all the much honestly. Sure, DEI would probably still be around in a strong capacity which would be a difference. If Earnhardt hadn't got killed it would have been someone else though. You can credit Michael McDowell's life with Earnhardt's death. Without soft walls, HANS devices, and the safety features of the COT that crash at Texas last year would have killed him instantly.

I think there are more interesting what if's besides Dale Earnhardt's case though. Just a few.......


1. Tim Richmond. If he hadn't have contracted AIDS and died how would he have altered things to come? I would argue he would have definitely had at least two Cup titles. Say he doesn't die and continues to drive for Hendrick. Where does that leave Ken Schrader? Schrader would have been the odd man out at Hendrick. If I remember correctly Ford was very high on Schrader back then and he drove the 90 Red Baron car for Junie in 87. So, Richmond is still going strong in 88 that could have led Schrader to a good Wood Brothers team in 88 replacing Kyle a year early? See how it snowballs?

2. Rob Moroso's passing. He would have had great wars with Jeff Gordon in the 90s as they both fought to become the Next Big Thing. Say he doesn't pass away - there might have been a Cup title or two in his future and Moroso Racing with his fathers backing could have became a very successful multi car organization. Remember, Rob would only be 40 years old right now if he were still alive.

3. Alan Kulwicki/Davey Allison. These two deaths in 1993 CHANGED the sport forever. It would be a much different landscape today if not for those two passing away in 93. I won't break everything down because it would make my head explode but here's a few things that changed....Kulwicki passes away and Geoff Bodine leaves a pretty good Bud Moore team at the time to take over the 7 ride as he bought the team. They replaced Bodine with Lake Speed and then the slide started for the team. Allison's death led to Ernie Irvan leaving Morgan McClure and taking over that ride. This led to Sterling Marlin leaving the Stavola Brothers to take over the 4 ride. That allowed Jeff Burton to break into Cup racing in 94.

4. Most recently Adam Petty. I think he inherited at least a good bit of the talent from the King that somehow skipped over Kyle. Adam would have got some big sponsors and brought Petty back to a contender. His passing saw the demise of Petty Enterprises as we know it. If Adam wouldn't have passed away he would likely be a serious threat for the Cup year in/year out.
 
#32
#32
DownNDirty said:
You know while I think Earnhardt's death was tragic and all I don't think it altered the landscape all the much honestly. Sure, DEI would probably still be around in a strong capacity which would be a difference. If Earnhardt hadn't got killed it would have been someone else though. You can credit Michael McDowell's life with Earnhardt's death. Without soft walls, HANS devices, and the safety features of the COT that crash at Texas last year would have killed him instantly.

I think there are more interesting what if's besides Dale Earnhardt's case though. Just a few.......


1. Tim Richmond. If he hadn't have contracted AIDS and died how would he have altered things to come? I would argue he would have definitely had at least two Cup titles. Say he doesn't die and continues to drive for Hendrick. Where does that leave Ken Schrader? Schrader would have been the odd man out at Hendrick. If I remember correctly Ford was very high on Schrader back then and he drove the 90 Red Baron car for Junie in 87. So, Richmond is still going strong in 88 that could have led Schrader to a good Wood Brothers team in 88 replacing Kyle a year early? See how it snowballs?

2. Rob Moroso's passing. He would have had great wars with Jeff Gordon in the 90s as they both fought to become the Next Big Thing. Say he doesn't pass away - there might have been a Cup title or two in his future and Moroso Racing with his fathers backing could have became a very successful multi car organization. Remember, Rob would only be 40 years old right now if he were still alive.

3. Alan Kulwicki/Davey Allison. These two deaths in 1993 CHANGED the sport forever. It would be a much different landscape today if not for those two passing away in 93. I won't break everything down because it would make my head explode but here's a few things that changed....Kulwicki passes away and Geoff Bodine leaves a pretty good Bud Moore team at the time to take over the 7 ride as he bought the team. They replaced Bodine with Lake Speed and then the slide started for the team. Allison's death led to Ernie Irvan leaving Morgan McClure and taking over that ride. This led to Sterling Marlin leaving the Stavola Brothers to take over the 4 ride. That allowed Jeff Burton to break into Cup racing in 94.

4. Most recently Adam Petty. I think he inherited at least a good bit of the talent from the King that somehow skipped over Kyle. Adam would have got some big sponsors and brought Petty back to a contender. His passing saw the demise of Petty Enterprises as we know it. If Adam wouldn't have passed away he would likely be a serious threat for the Cup year in/year out.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
#33
#33
Good post Dirty, I've never really looked at it like that. I would give anything to see Adam Petty alive and winning races today. He looked a lot like Richard too.
 
#34
#34
1. I am on record as putting TR high on all time driver list, but I disagree he would win two titles. Tim's weakness was he never knew when or how to slow down to win. It wasn't in his nature. He wasn't satisfied just taking what the car could give. He always tried to push for more than was there.
2. I have to disagree here too. Moroso was nowhere close to Jeff Gordon in talent.
3. Spot on!
4. Probably so.
 
#35
#35
rbroyles said:
1. I am on record as putting TR high on all time driver list, but I disagree he would win two titles. Tim's weakness was he never knew when or how to slow down to win. It wasn't in his nature. He wasn't satisfied just taking what the car could give. He always tried to push for more than was there.
2. I have to disagree here too. Moroso was nowhere close to Jeff Gordon in talent.
3. Spot on!
4. Probably so.
Click to expand...

Your analysis of Richmond sounds much like Kyle Busch, another guy that only has one speed. Speaking of that, Kevin Harvick has to be one of the best at saving his car until it's time to go.
 
#38
#38
orange parmejohn said:
this is an interesting discussion, but very saddening, to talk about all the drivers that have past away.
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Death is always going to be a part of racing. To see drivers cheat it is part of its allure to fans, and what brings the adrenalin rush to a driver. At least it was that way for me. I recall having close calls that had my heart rate so fast it hurt, and when back on pit row my hands would tremble uncontrollably. To paraphrase someone, life is never so alive as when it is at risk.
 
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