Almost all Americans love the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR). In fact, it is the number one spectator sport in the United States.
Many Americans root for their favorite teams and drivers – the adrenaline rush and the speed can easily captivate many “motorhead” Americans. However, amidst the thrill and chill of speeding cars on the track, accidents are always just around the corner. Unfortunately, the truth is that accidents have no pit stops – they can happen anytime.
Since its establishment, NASCAR has become an avenue for many successful racers. However, it has also become a death valley to some drivers who experienced life-changing accidents while on the track. The following are two of the most horrific accidents in NASCAR’s history:
Many Americans root for their favorite teams and drivers – the adrenaline rush and the speed can easily captivate many “motorhead” Americans. However, amidst the thrill and chill of speeding cars on the track, accidents are always just around the corner. Unfortunately, the truth is that accidents have no pit stops – they can happen anytime.
Since its establishment, NASCAR has become an avenue for many successful racers. However, it has also become a death valley to some drivers who experienced life-changing accidents while on the track. The following are two of the most horrific accidents in NASCAR’s history:
The “Fireball” caught fire – Glen “Fireball” is a legend in the NASCAR circuits during the 1950s and 1960s. He was one time the most popular drivers (1957), and he also won the 1962 Daytona 500. Unfortunately, his fame and expert driving skills were not enough to save him from a tragic track accident.
On May 1964, while competing for World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Roberts slammed his race car in one of the tracks’ retaining walls after avoiding a crash involving two other drivers. Roberts’ car rolled over and caught fire. The flame immediately burnt about 80 percent of his body.
Roberts was airlifted into a hospital where he struggled for his life for six weeks. When everybody thought that he was recovering, he sustained other health complications like pneumonia. Ultimately, on July 2, Roberts got the checkered flag of his life.
On May 1964, while competing for World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Roberts slammed his race car in one of the tracks’ retaining walls after avoiding a crash involving two other drivers. Roberts’ car rolled over and caught fire. The flame immediately burnt about 80 percent of his body.
Roberts was airlifted into a hospital where he struggled for his life for six weeks. When everybody thought that he was recovering, he sustained other health complications like pneumonia. Ultimately, on July 2, Roberts got the checkered flag of his life.
The legacy of the “Dale Devil” – Dale Earnhardt is one of the senior drivers during the Daytona 500 in 2001, but for him, age is just a number. However, while on his way to the final lap of race, his black Chevrolet hit the wall, sending all of the car’s initial energy to his body. Even though the accident is not an eye-candy to people who are morbidly inclined to car crashes, the Earnhardt incident is considered as the worst in NASCAR’s history because of certain factors.
The death of Earnhardt paved the way to drastic improvements in the race’s safety standards. Before the death of Earnhardt, drivers were not mandatorily required to wear Head and Neck Support (HANS), but now, everyone must use it. The concrete walls outside the tracks were replaced with Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) soft barriers to avoid another Earnhardt incident.
The tragic stories of Roberts and Earnhardt are proofs that even the most talented and adventurous driver are not accident-proof. This is why Los Angeles car accident attorneys always remind drivers to take all precautionary measures when driving.
The death of Earnhardt paved the way to drastic improvements in the race’s safety standards. Before the death of Earnhardt, drivers were not mandatorily required to wear Head and Neck Support (HANS), but now, everyone must use it. The concrete walls outside the tracks were replaced with Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) soft barriers to avoid another Earnhardt incident.
The tragic stories of Roberts and Earnhardt are proofs that even the most talented and adventurous driver are not accident-proof. This is why Los Angeles car accident attorneys always remind drivers to take all precautionary measures when driving.
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