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Reactions: Daytona 500

Earnhardt tragedy will forever mark 2001 Daytona 500

The 2001 Daytona 500 will probably not be remembered as the first Winston Cup win for Michael Waltrip. Instead February 18, 2001 will most be remember as the day Dale Earnhardt, perhaps NASCAR's greatest driver ever, lost his life in the final turn on the last lap of the Daytona 500. We asked CNNSI.com users to share what will be their lasting memory of the 2001 Daytona 500. A sample of the responses received follows:

Unfortunately, my lasting thoughts of this particular "Great American" race will be that all of NASCAR had to watch as they lost the best driver that ever was and ever will be on the last lap in the final turn of it all. Dale Earnhardt will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues and fans through out this sport. But will always be remembered as "The Man in BLACK, The Intimidator." We will all have his legend and the memories he left with us, but racing won't be the same without him! We are going to miss you Dale!
Adrienne, Kitchener, Ontario

No one will remember this race for its winner, but for its loss. NASCAR has lost its greatest competitor and champion, and now the safety and sanity of the sport must be called into question again. Because its most venerable star went out in the final lap at Daytona. And the wreck that took Dale Earnhardt's life did not appear as violent as others that have occurred, sending a final chilling wrinkle into this horrible incident.
Beau Wilcox, Conway, Ark.

This has to be one of the saddest days in NASCAR history. They have truly lost a legend. May God be with the Earnhardt family and all of the NASCAR fans out there. Rest in peace Dale, you will be missed.
Chris, Holmesville, Ohio

As a Dale Earnhardt fan, my lasting impression will be the horrific wreck and the tragic death of the greatest racer of all time. For me, racing will never be the same again.
Christen Todd, Arcadia, Fla.

The best Daytona 500 ever -- Mike Waltrip won his first race. And it was very emotional, and the tragedy of Dale passing just makes everything weird. He died where he lived, at the Daytona 500.
Brandon, Saint Charles, Iowa

My lasting memory will be that in the seconds before Dale Sr.'s fatal wreck. He was happy that the cars he owned were in first and second spots, and he would have been proud that they finished in those spots. We love you Dale!
Crystal Lewis, North Carolina

I'm sorry, but if NASCAR wants to improve racing, they need to look at the design of the walls, which just took the life of our greatest driver.
D.R. Forbes, Mulvane, Kan.

Congratulations go out to Michael Waltrip. I knew he would eventually get there. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Earnhardt family. I was an Earnhardt fan when it wasn't popular to be one. The most aggressive, most talented driver this sport will ever know. Just know Dale went while doing one of the things he so loved. Race on Black Knight, Race on!
Dan, Rutherford, N.C.

My lasting memory of this the Daytona 2001 will be when I watched Dale Earnhardt drive out of our lives in that No. 3 and through the gates of heaven. I have been watching NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt since the early '80s. We have lost the greatest driver ever, and I am proud to have known who he was -- a winner in every sense of the word.
Lynn Arbuthnot, Ontario, Canada

The race was the most exciting yet. Our sincerest condolences go to the Earnhardt family and the Richard Childress Racing Team. His contribution to the sport was great and he will always be missed.
Ordinary Tom, Globe, Ariz.

How sad that on a day that should have been one of the happiest days in his life, Michael Waltrip is instead mourning the loss of a friend, colleague and boss. I feel so bad for the family and friends of Dale Earnhardt. And I hope (once again) that this terrible tragedy will cause officials and fans of this sport to realize that "putting on a great show" is not worth it if we are going to continue to lose drivers in such senseless, horrific crashes.
Shelly Williams, Pine Bluff, Ark.

Earlier I thought the story was about Rusty Wallace coming back from one lap down and being involved in an accident to coming in third! But, after hearing of Dale's death, where anybody finished or how he got there means nothing. My heart goes out to his family.
Steven, Jacksonville, Fla.

I watched the race from start to finish, never once realized there had been such a tragedy. I figured Dale would have been bruised up but OK. I went to work around the house when a friend called and told me the news. I was shocked and in disbelief. I felt very sad for the family, the crew and the fact that the memories of a terrific win by Michael Waltrip had been replaced with the only thing we will all remember as the race that took Dale Earnhardt's life.
Ty George, Jacksonville, Fla.

I think that the thing that I will remember about this race through out my life is that the life of a great racer was taken away from him. And that two of Earnhardt's cars placed in the top two spots.
Kori Schaeffer, Pa.

The most memorable aspect will have to be the death of one of the greatest drivers to ever race in the sport. He was still at the height of his racing and managing career, and had many more years of influence and contribution to the sport of auto racing. He, among many other stars in NASCAR helped to make it as widely popular as it is today. He will be missed by millions.
Jason Windes, Kalamazoo, Mich.

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