NASCAR mourns the loss of the legendary Dale Earnhardt
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY (TICKER) -- Reactions to the death of seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt after a crash during the final lap of Sunday's Daytona 500:
Teresa Earnhardt, wife:
"On behalf of Taylor, Dale Jr., Kerry, Kelley and the entire Earnhardt family, which also includes all the employees of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, we want to sincerely thank everyone that has offered their condolences during our very tragic loss. This outpouring has been overwhelming. We kindly ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers."
Dale Earnhardt Jr., son:
"We're deeply saddened by the loss. We appreciate everybody for their support. We'll get through this. I'm sure he'd want us to go on, so that's what we're going to do."
Richard Childress, owner of Dale Earnhardt's car:
"Words cannot express the tremendous loss all of us at Richard Childress Racing are feeling at this time. All of our thoughts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with Martha, Teresa, Kerry, Kelley, Dale Jr. and Taylor Nicole and the entire Earnhardt family.
"Dale Earnhardt was much more than a race car driver. He was a very loving husband and proud father and grandfather. He was a successful businessman. He was also a hero to millions of racing fans throughout the world.
"Dale was my friend. We hunted together and raced together. We laughed and cried together. We were able to work side-by-side and have success we have for almost 20 years because we were friends first. I will miss him always. He was the greatest."
NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr.:
"NASCAR has lost its greatest driver ever, and I personally have lost a great friend."
NASCAR president Mike Helton:
"This is undoubtedly one of the toughest announcements that I've ever personally had to make. But after the accident in turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500, we've lost Dale Earnhardt."
Michael Waltrip, driver and Daytona 500 winner:
"My heart is hurting right now. I would rather be any place right this moment than here. It's so painful."
Jeff Gordon, driver:
"Brooke (Gordon) and I are deeply saddened by this devastating loss. Not only is it a huge loss for this sport, but a huge loss for me personally. Dale taught me so much and became a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Teresa and the entire Earnhardt family."
Mark Martin, driver:
"I will tell you that some of the fiercest and most successful drivers are also the most aggravating on the track. Dale was incredibly tenacious; he drove me to rise to his level. He made me want to be best, because he made wnat to beat him. I have never in all of my experience raced against anyone with as much desire to win as he had, and that's saying a lot, because I've raced against them all. He was so tenacious, but he was so different from that away from the track. I was really fortunate to know tthat side of him, because not everyone did, but there was a softer side to Dale that most people I know didn't know he had, but it was there."
Jeff Burton, driver:
"He's tough as hell on the track. He never gave anything, but you always knew what to expect, adn he had a lot of respect for it, because he treated everyone equally. He was really frustrating to drive against, because there were times when he could have made it much easier, but that wasn't in his personality. You always had to work that much harder with him.
he had that persona of being tough all the time, but he had another side to him that not everyone saw. Plus, I think he respected me, which means a lot, for standing my ground with him on the racetrack. But how could you not respect him. The guy was the ambassador for our sport, our trendsetter. It's just a huge loss to our community; he was a huge influence on so many people."
Matt Kenseth, driver:
"I only knew him a little bit, mostly because of racing against Dale Jr. He came to the Busch banquet the year Junior won, so I got to spend a little time with him, but what I knew of him was mostly about, you know "DALE", in capital letters, the legendary, hard-driving champion. it's overwhelming, all of these loses, and it's hard to get over them."
Kurt Busch, driver:
"I grew up in an Earnhardt family. They were fanatics, my mom, my dad, brother, everybody. My parents really enjoyed the way he raced, the way he changed other people's driving styles, and because my dad liked him so much, I liked him too.
"My first race against him was at Dover last fall, which was also my first-ever Winston Cup race, and right after I got out of the car after qualifying, Dale was the second person to come over to me, after my crew chief, Matt Chambers, did. He asked me if I was going to lift, because he was sure I wasn't going to lift, adn then he laughed and asked me if that was all I had."
Bobby Labonte, driver:
"I, like everyone else, am in shock with the passing of Dale Earnhardt. Besides being an incredible driver and spokesman for the sport he so loved, he was a true friend and has been a major influence on my life and career. Understandably, my family's thoughts are with Teresa, Kerry, Kelly, Dale Jr. and Taylor Nicole. May god bless all of them and watch over them in this time of need."
Tony Stewart, driver:
"Dale Earnhardt made a difference in the world. On the track, he made us all better drivers because he set a standard of excellence we all aspired to achieve. He had a passion and a desire that took the sport of NASCAR to a new level every time he climbed in the car. Off the track he was kind, giving, loving man who gave his all to his family and friends. He worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for as many people as possible who were less fortunate than he. I did not know him as long as most of the other drivers but he made a huge impact on my life in the years I have been in NASCAR. I am grateful and blessed to have had the benefit of his wisdom and guidance."
Joe Gibbs, car owner:
"On behalf of everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Teresa and the entire Earnhardt family as well as everyone at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and Richard Childress Racing. While Dale was a fierce competitor on and off the track and leader in the community, he was a member of our family and as you can imagine, we are grieving that loss."
Joseph Heitzler, president and CEO of CART:
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dale Earnhardt. He was a true champion as well as a wonderful ambassador for our sport. The thoughts and prayers of the entire CART community are with the Earnhardt family and everyone involved in NASCAR racing during this difficult time."
Tony George, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and CEO:
"The loss of Dale Earnhardt is an unbelieveable and devastating tragedy to his family, his fans and to the sport of auto racing. It is very difficult for me and for our family because of our close friendship with Dale, Teresa and their children. He personified what NASCAR is about, and the growth of motorsports during the last 20 years was attributed in many ways to him.
"He was a man who loved the life, the sport and enjoyed every week of it. He was intense, focused and competitive in everything he did."
Ned Jarrett, broadcaster, former driver and father of driver Dale Jarrett:
"Dale Earnhardt was the greatest race car driver that ever lived. He could do things with a race car that no one else could. He had a tremendous impact on NASCAR racing. He's done so much to help the sport get where it is today."
Jay Signore, IROC president:
"There are no words to express the extreme sense of loss we are feeling now. Dale's greatness as a champion speaks for itself. The significant loss is of the man himself; we've lost a dear friend."
Kyle Petty, driver:
"No matter where it happens or how it happens or even how prepared you think you might be for it, losing somebody close to your hurts. My heart just breaks for Teresa and the family."
John Andretti, driver:
"I feel like somebody kicked me in the chest. I'm stunned. And I'm really sad."
Jeremy Mayfield, driver:
"I don't know what to say. This is incredible, just incredible. I think everybody is just in shock right now. I didn't see much of what happened. After the race was over, I heard things didn't look very good, but, man, Earnhardt. You'll figure he'd bounce right back."
Eddie Cheever Jr., IRL driver:
"I have known only two individuals whose very presence transcended the fact they were extraordinary racing drivers: Dale Earnhardt and Ayrton Senna. No one else could fill a room like they could. I met Dale just two years ago, but I feel like I have lost a member of my family. There is truly nothing you can say -- it is an enormous loss. The last words that Dale said to me were, `I'll race you next time, and we'll have just as much fun.' I'm incredibly sad that that won't happen. My heart goes out to all of Dale's family, friends and fans at this very difficult time."
August A. Busch IV, Anheuser-Busch vice president (Earnhardt main sponsor):
"All of us at Anheuser-Busch are deeply saddened by the death of Dale Earnhardt. Dale was a great man, a dear friend of my family, a true champion and a great ambassador for NASCAR and the sport of auto racing. Our prayers go out to his wife, Teresa, Dale Jr., and the entire Earnhardt family, as well as everyone at Dale Earnhardt Inc."
