THREE BEFORE FEBRUARY (NASCAR Documentary) - 20th Anniversary Edition
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- VICTORY JUNCTION: victoryjunction.org/
KENNY IRWIN, JR. FOUNDATION: www.kennyirwinjrfoundation.org/
TONY ROPER SCHOLARSHIP FUND: (Not currently active)
Adam Petty. Kenny Irwin, Jr. Tony Roper.
In the lead-up to the 2000 NASCAR season, each was looking to take the next step in their career. No one knew all three would lose their lives in separate racing accidents just five months apart. They were three warnings of a serious safety issue within the sport that, unheeded, culminated with a tragedy even more unthinkable. This is that story.
UPDATE (December 2, 2019): Thank you to everyone who participated in our Three Before February Charity Auction! Because of you, we raised a combined $100 for Victory Junction, The Kenny Irwin, Jr. Foundation, and the Tony Roper Scholarship Fund!
UPDATE (July 7, 2020): Updated version uploaded on the 20th anniversary of Kenny Irwin, Jr.'s passing.
UPDATE: (July 2, 2021): New link for the Tony Roper Memorial Scholarship Fund
0:00 - Intro
2:59 - The Golden Age
17:58 - NASCAR 2000
33:15 - Adam
47:22 - Kenny
1:15:14 - Tony
1:20:06 - Daytona Dazzle
1:24:51 - Epilogue
MUSIC
"Glory Be" - Patrick Patrikios
VIDEO
docs.google.com/document/d/1V...
ARTICLES
*Associated Press. "Adam Starts, but Kyle Finishes," ESPN.com, April 2, 2000
*Associated Press. “Irwin died ‘doing what he loved.’” ESPN.com Motor Sports, July 13, 2000.
*Brewington, Tammy. “Kenny Irwin: The Final Goodbye,” Middle Tennessee Racing News, August 10, 2000.
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/200107080...)
*Brinster, Dick. “Crash claims another driver,” Moscow-Pullman Daily News, July 8, 2000.
*Cooper, Adam. “HANS inventor Robert Hubbard dies,” Motorsport.com, February 6, 2019.
*Gee, Michael. “Tragic turn at NHIS: Loudon slammed by second fatal accident this year,” Boston Herald, July 8, 2000.
*Harris, Mike. “NASCAR still full speed on safety,” January 19, 2002.
*Hinton, Ed. “Just 8 weeks later, tragedy hits us again,” Orlando Sentinel, July 8, 2000.
*Hinton, Ed. "Stuck-Throttle Crash 'Scary' For Labonte," Chicago Tribune, September 2, 2000.
*Hinton, Ed. “NASCAR Idles While Drivers Die,” Orlando Sentinel, February 11, 2001.
*Jensen, Tom. “Earnhardt sounds off on Safety,” NASCAR Scene, September 14, 2000.
*Jensen, Tom. “Helmet design an issue, too,” NASCAR Scene, September 14, 2000.
*Kelly, Kevin. “Police upset with NASCAR for actions after Irwin’s crash,” St. Petersburg Times, July 30, 2000.
*Marusak, Joe and Ames Alexander. “’It was a horrible night.’ Fla. Bridge collapse revives memories of Charlotte tragedy,” The Charlotte Observer, March 15, 2018.
*Radebaugh, Don. “Remembering Roper, ARCA’s ‘Dean’ of the dirt,” August 11, 2016. www.arcaracing.com/articles/2...
*Sherman, Don. “The Physics Of: How the HANS Device Saves Lives,” Car and Driver, January 14, 2012. www.caranddriver.com/features...
*Smith, Marty. “Dial it up, Irwin at contender at NHIS,” July 6, 2000.
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/200008230...)
*Scranton, Lyndal. “Ozarks racing legacy: Tony Roper’s memory lives on 15 years after fatal NASCAR crash,” Springfield News-Leader, September 30, 2015. www.news-leader.com/story/spo...
*Unknown. “Black Sunday: Racing Legend Dale Earnhardt dies after Daytona 500 wreck,” The News-Journal, February 19, 2001.
OTHER SOURCES
*eBay
*FindAGrave.com
*Getty Images
*Google Images
*Jayski’s Silly Season Site
*Jayski’s 2000 Busch Series Site
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/2000081508...)
*Jayski’s New England 300 Race Page
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/2000081612...)
*Motorsport.com
*NASCAR.com - Thatlook.com 300 Practice Results, Driver Profiles
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/2000082302...)
*Racer’s Reunion - “September 13, 1969 - Big Bill And The PDA Square Off,” Thread by @tmc-chase at racersreunion.com/community/fo...
*Racing-Reference.info
*Scene Vault Podcast: Dave Marcis
*Sports Design Blog, “Remembering Kenny Irwin Jr.,” 2010.
*The Third Turn
*TonyRoper.com
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/200010182...)
*VirtualGlobetrotting.com
*Washington-Erving Motorsports
(Archived at web.archive.org/web/200005111...)
*Wikipedia
Special Thanks to Kenny Irwin superfan Eric on eBay - Спорт
I was a little girl when Adam Petty died. I was a huge fan of the whole Petty family. I remember coming home from school the day he died and my mom broke the news to me. I remember running up the stairs in our house and falling on my bed and just crying.
That last part about Roper's father hurt me the most. Trying to honor one's preemptively departed child, only to perish yourself is a bitter pill to swallow for any of their family and friends
Nascar didn't give a shit
He died of a heart attack having an absolute blast wheeling around a track.
The end is really heart breaking. Tony Ropers father tried to race on after his sons death as a tribute, only to crash out and pass away of a heart attack 17 laps in.. That is what got me. After i read that, I broke down crying.
broken heart syndrome. it kills many husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend pairs. its real. not just a silly saying.
@MrWolfSnack I agree. As a father, I can attest, The worst thing in life is to have to bury your kin. He probably went out with the understanding that his duty was fulfilled.
I would love for someone to do a documentary about the true culprit behind the safety revolution in Nascar. Obviously I'm talking about Blaise Alexander. He was such a good kid
Blaise died in an Arca race, which at the time was a completely separate entity to nascar.
He was a great driver all the greats die why to soon they were just to fast
He was wracked at Talladega and died there
@@kylelangston7406 Charlotte, at the time known as lowes, actually
@@theothersideofthestudio9937 -- Ironically, Kerry Earnhardt was involved in Alexander's accident. Earnhardt was forced to dodge a car ahead of him, which caused Alexander (who was trailing right behind) to hit him, and that contact sent Alexander's car head on into the wall. So, as soon as the red flag went up and he was able to exit his car, Kerry Earnhardt, who was really good friends with Alexander, tried to go check on him. The track officials, however, would not let him... and, wisely so; because Alexander was already dead from a basilar skull fracture... the exact same injury that had ended his father's life only 8 months prior.
Dale Earnhardt #3 (1951-2001)
Alan Kulwicki #7 (1954-1993)
Rob Moroso #20 (1968-1990)
Tim Richmond #25 (1955-1989)
Tony Roper #26 (1964-2000)
Davey Allison #28 (1961-1993)
Kenny Irwin Jr. #42 (1969-2000)
Adam Petty #45 (1980-2000)
Chris Trickle #70 (1972-1998)
Casey Elliott #94 (1974-1996)
What Could've Been
I have never actually heard of Casey Elliot who is that
@@LRKarts33 I'm pretty sure he was Awesome Bill's nephew
@@joshuapittman4663 He Had Cancer and Died in Early 1996 but was resurrected for One More Spark (Griffdawg)
I really don’t feel bad for rob.He was an idiot driving drunk when he died
@@CYCLONEFAN88 agreed
Amick is such a great guy. Not only did he drive with a livery in memory of Adam Petty but when asked about him and the race he focused all attention on the Petty family and their loss
Lyndon Amick (@ 39:38) a good driver
Lyndon is a good man I know the Amick family even went to school with one of Lyndon’s nephews they are all great people. Not many know but Lyndon quit NASCAR to fight the war on terror
People don't realize that positives have come out of motor sport crashes. The Racers who have died have helped save countless lives - including every day drivers - through tireless study on how to make racing as safe as possible. Trauma medicine has made huge strides. It all trickles down to your safety when you get behind the wheel. RIP
Starting off with Joe Nemechek's win at New Hampshire in 1999: The foreshadowing for future wrecks there, Nemechek lost his own brother in a wreck earlier, he won against Dale Earnhardt in that Busch race, SABCO's last win with Kyle Petty whose son was starting out, etc. It was the perfect start for this documentary!
What makes me mad is NASCAR made no moves toward improving safety or even talking about it during the summer and autumn of 2000. It took a big name dying before they sprang into action.
F1 it took Senna and Schumacker sperging for the rest of the year and all over 96 for F1 having more safety.
It took Dale Earnhardt for them to open their eyes a year later.
I could not agree more with this.
@@buddywilliams5650 It NEVER should've come to that personally.
They sprung into action in the destroy the sport. Grown men taking risk. You've made it so safe all they do is f****** crash because they are wrapped around a bubble wrap. The product is garbage. They're grown men they knew what decision they were making. The home's device today shouldn't be mandatory should be up to the grown man to decide whether he wants to wear it or not. Candy ass society NASCAR's a candy ass sport now didn't used to be
I know this is a serious documentary, but Jeff Green’s face at 18:12 had me laughing for a good minute
Mans cracked out of his mind 😂
That wasn't Jeff green that was Frankie McDonald
Jeff trying way too hard🤣
Americans are terrifying 😳
I have seen this video several times and have the same reaction every time. 😂
It's sad that so many deaths are ignored and forgotten simply because of Earnhardt's death. No one driver death is more tragic than another, whether you're a legend of the sport, a young upstart or a journeyman.
I'd agree with that. Nobody mentions Blaise Alexander's death at Charlotte in October 2001, and that one was the reason why the HANS device became mandatory.
@chris easly Of course I knew what the video was about. Don't be ridiculous.
As a Dale sr fan I agree
@@MrRockstar402 bbn m
no ones forgotten.
Rest in Peace Adam, Kenny, Tony, Dale and Blaise 🙏✌️
I worked on Kenny Irwin's Sr plane when he died. His dad was a good dude who would actually take time to take to us. It was really sad when his son died.
I still can't believe Adam Petty isn't with us! NASCAR would be so different if he would've lived...
Kyle Petty is the coolest person I've ever seen. It's so sad to know that Kyle has to live without Adam...
The year after Adam died, Kyle's charity ride across America started in Sacramento. I drove by that Harley dealer every morning for over 20 years on my way to work. I wish I had just stopped to go shake Kyle's hand and maybe give him a hug. As a lifelong Petty family fan, father, and bike rider, I had tears in my eyes at work that morning. He seemed like he was a fantastic young man.
I've met Kyle several times, and yes, he's the real deal.
@@ronjones-6977 Kyle's charity ride stopped in my hometown in 03 for a lunch, about 2 miles from where I lived, I wore my Adam Petty hat, Kyle absolutely loved it.
@@nascarsteve The King is my all-time favorite...of any kind of racing. My hillbilly Arkansas roots helped me relate to a Carolina moonshiner. Always tell your loved ones that they are LOVED Life can be short. You never know when or if you'll see someone again. I'll ride my bike until I can't anymore. That Red-tailed Hawk that I hit with my shoulder on New Year's Day at 75 didn't even slow me down.
I watched this at least 3 times, and the fact that NASCAR refused to mandated the HANS device immediately after Dale Earnhardt's death is sickening and disgusting, TBH.
Let alone after any of the deaths the previous year.
They should've done it when Adam died!....
It’s infuriating to boot.
Ultimately, it was the choice of the driver.
Yes nascar didn’t mandate it but it was offered to the drivers. In other words they had it if they wanted them. It wasn’t illegal to use them in nascar. Can’t just blame them.
I wish i had 50 more like buttons to press. Hands down best Nascar documentary I have ever seen.
Thank you so much.
Can't agree more. This gives a great Recap of the obvious issues of NASCAR in that years which we're ignored to long. It was like in F1, that something bigger must happen to change something. Good to get some more Details about the "forgotten ones" which i didn't know to much about. Keep it Up👍
@@LASTCARonBROCK you definitely know everything about nascar just like me you should be a nascar journalist
Brock, you could narrate the assembly instructions of a TV stand and make it interesting.
Thanks for the work that you do
The whole debate with the HANS device is eerily similar to the discussion around head protection in open wheel racing, unfortunately it took the deaths of Henry Surtees, Jules Bianchi, Justin Wilson, and more to finally change something
Halo wouldn't have saved Jules Bianchi but of course the rest of what you said is absolutely correct.
Lives saved in racing come to mind now, like F1's Romain Grosjean, who could have been beheaded if not for that controversial protective halo that people didn't like.
@@Zaximillian romain would have been def dead without it
@@Zaximillian and Romain if the Halo didn't exist, it would be shown on live tv.
@@f1champ551 there is a delay so it is not 100% live. The delay exists for situations like these where they can put up an ad or a black screen, in NASCAR it's nearly impossible to tell whether someone is dead or alive after a crash.
3 kids died and Mike Helton and NASCAR do nothing Dale Sr dies NASCAR does nothing and finally when a rookie dies then they finally did something. We had to lose for all we know the next Richard Petty then Dale Sr and a rookie and two other kids for NASCAR to pull there heads out of their ass to become safe
and it still took one more
Hard to watch. Those were dark days for all of the NASCAR community. As a New England resident, New Hampshire was my "home" track.
I always thought the Spree sponsorship was the candy. Didn't know it was a phone service
1:01:18 I was at this race at Pocono in 2000... I was sitting on the turn 3 side of the grandstand and saw Rudd's car go into the Turn 1 wall. Mind you that was the longest straightaway in NASCAR at 3,470 ft. It sounded like a bomb went off he hit so hard... That car just peeled off to the right so hard I couldn't believe it. It was absolutely insane. Earnhardt was running right near him at the time but he had blown a right front tire earlier in the event. He was I believe 2 laps down, but absolutely flying past cars left and right trying to make as much ground back up as possible. He finished in the mid 20's I believe.
I have to admit, this is the most emotional NASCAR documentary that I've ever seen in my time following the series.
Adam, Kenny and Tony will never ever be forgotten and will always be in everyone's hearts.
Throttle hanging was the source of these three crashes. Jimmie Johnson’s Watkins Glen crash was caused by the same throttle hanging issue, but he didn’t die, he won 7 championships. Why didn’t he die, he hit a soft wall. NASCAR could have done something sooner. Then we lost Dale.
I remember that because of Jimmie climbing out like he won the race. He was lucky he hit a tire barrier and went through a gravel trap which slowed his car down (which is why cars would get stuck in it).
I think Roper's crash was not from a stuck throttle.
Heartbreaking! I got emotional reading how irwins parents found out after his death all the hospital bills he had paid and never told a soul. That’s a top tier human being right there
I remember this time very clearly, it was just beyond heartbreaking...but couldn’t have imagined it would happen to Dale Sr soon after. It really doesn’t feel like it has been twenty years!
Something so eerie about Dean having a heart attack while racing after his son died- almost like he knew he wanted to be with his son & he took him home doing something they both love. It’s so eerily tragically poetic. I don’t think they could of lived without each other.
For anyone who enjoys this kind of stuff, I recommend checking out Brock's book; 'J. D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend'.
It's also on Audible, although I wish they would've let Brock narrate his own book, but it's still an amazing listen and really brings JD McDuffie to life. Not just as a small team owner, but as a human being. He would be proud that someone cared enough to devote the time and effort into such a great book.
Thank you for the mention! If you're interested in more about my book on J.D., the full details are on my site: brock.lastcar.info/2018/07/jd70-how-to-get-your-copy-of-jd-and-how.html
You can also read a sample on the Amazon page: www.amazon.com/J-D-Forgotten-NASCAR-Legend/dp/1643707957
@@LASTCARonBROCK ,My 9th grade History teacher was dating J.D.'s
son a few years before his(J.D.'s)
death,and she got J.D to come speak to our class.He made a huge impression on me,I'll never forget how he took the time to speak to us and ask me personally about my cart racing.He was a great person as well as a helluva racecar driver.
@@davidh1249 That is the coolest. I had no idea he did that later in life. His daughter Linda told me he spoke at her class when she was young, which silenced some kids who were picking on her. I'm glad she wasn't the only one to have the opportunity to see him that way.
@@LASTCARonBROCK ,J.D. verified a story about himself that our teacher told us,evidently he had injured his hands somehow(not sure if it was in a crash or just how it happened) and there was a possibility of him not being able to grip the steering wheel.He then asked the doctor if they could fix his hands in a permanently gripped position so he could still race,but he recovered and didn't have to go to this extreme just to race.I think this story speaks volumes about the man he was,and how much he loved racing.For him to race in Nascar's highest series for over 30 years on a shoestring budget was amazing,I wish he could've got in a quality ride early in his career.
McDuffie??
So sad man. Adam Petty looks so much like a young Richard big time, he has Richards ears and smile and facial features more then his dad does. This was a great watch!
Adam Petty: Would've tried his best to keep the immortal team alive
Kenny Irwin Jr.: Could've gotten the 42 a top 5 points finish in 2004
Tony Roper: Wins a championship or 2 in the trucks
Dale Earnhardt Sr.: Wins #8 in 2001 and retires after 2006
I would also say, as his team alluded to, Roper would have won those championships as a crew chief
I truly believe in my heart that if Adam Petty had not lost his life, he would have got to drive the #43 and Petty Enterprises would have been back on top. Adam just had the driving ability just like Richard and I’m sure he would have won many races and championships. RIP ADAM!!! Also RIP TO BOTH KENNY IRWIN AND TONY ROPER. Lives just taken away too too soon!!
I don't think he would have run the #43, I think he would have run the #45, but yeah. If he was still alive 2001 would have had his first Cup win, maybe a few. The Dodges were very fast early on, and with Petty Enterprises being not heartbroken they would have been on their "A game", which means they would have performed better overall.
42:20 good GOD that hurts. Hearing Kyle Petty tear up about his dead son...
Womp Womp. He shouldn’t have crashed
I was only four years old when Adam, Kenny, and Tony all died. I had just turned 5 when Dale Earnhardt died. I was WAY too young to understand those circumstances at the time. These tragedies still hurt me to this day.
Brock, thank you very much for creating this documentary. It means a whole lot to all of us racing fans.
7 years for me
I wasn't even born.
Bless them all. I remember when Adam died. Kyle and Richard were devastated by his death. It's hell to see a Son or Daughter pass. Same for a Grandfather. Earnhardt had the same injury/fractures as Adam, and F-1 Great Aryton Senna also.
I get chills with every mention of the driver death but none hit me harder than Adam Petty.
I mean it was a tragedy cause everything was set up for young Adam to take Petty Enterprises back to the promised land. However their hopes and dreams were dashed that day and you always wonder what could have been.
What about Kenny Irwin Jr? You just can't single someone out because of their last name.
Who says I can't pick out Adams death more than others and how I felt about it?
Never singled him out due to his last name.
I was the 44th liker of this (one of Adam's numbers). But more importantly, Adam's death was an absolute tragedy, arguably worse than even Earnhardt's in 2001. Face it, and keep in mind I'm saying this as a fan of Big E, Dale was probably gonna retire in like ehhhhhh idk 2002-2004. Adam was in his, what, third year of Cup? Had a HUGE career ahead of him. But no, instead he's cut down in his prime.
@@bobwalsh3751 he wasn’t even in cup…. He literally made his debut a few months before at Texas in cup….
What makes Adam such a tragedy is that it wasn't just a young star being cut short or a 4th generation driver not being there, but that it destoryed the future of an entire raceteam. Petty Enterprises with Dodge support was going to be set up to head to the promised land after some down years, however this master plan was dashed and without that centerpiece giving hope to a bright future they instead slowly faded away until the reorganization after 2008.
It's hard to speculate on things like this but I can't help to think it's probly very accurate but knowing how big of a heart the petty family has if trading the race teams future legacy for a chance to help thousands of children thru victory junction I'm inclined to believe that the camps legacy makes the loss of Adam hurt just a little less each time child leaves that camp with a smile
That Jeff Green "eyeing victory" moment...i can't stop laughing. That's from the real broadcast too LOL, some premier troll was producing that segment before 4chan/reddit even existed. A man ahead of his time.
RIP Adam Petty. With their deaths racing is now safer than ever. So sad that wonderful prospects snuffed out before their absolute glory could be attained
Awesome work Brock! I grew up in NH from a racing family and I remember when NHIS was built. I knew Mr. Bear through my Dad's relationship with him and my son even worked for him for a short while before he headed off to college. That section of your video where KP is talking about the Bears really brought back some memories and I know that these events were a huge part of why he eventually sold the track. This video is such an important and relevant article of history and fact, facts' of history we haven't heard from the powers that be in NASCAR. At least not in this detail.
The way NASCAR operates sometimes and the way you have presented this story reminds me of a paragraph from a Ricky Scaggs song called "My Fathers Son" it goes "Well a rich man writes the book of laws A poor man must defend
But the highest laws are written On the hearts of honest men."
Thanks for the video and thanks for keeping the memories of these great drivers upfront and relevant, where they belong.
Thank you for putting this together. I regret to say that i had never heard of Adam Petty,Kenny Irwin jr or Tony Roper. I've always been more into drag racing than Nascar. I've watched a bunch of races but never really got into it. It's sad that it had to take so many lives before Nascar would mandate the Hans device. R.I.P. Adam P,Kenny I,Tony R,Dale E & Blaise A.
When they mentioned how Felix Sabates was going to have to arrange to have Kenny Irwin's car destroyed to deter souvenir seekers, that pissed me off. That is because there are people out there that are ghoulish enough to do something as sick as that. How can anyone want to keep a part of something that someone died so horrifically in? WTF is wrong with people?
... simply, to have a relic associated with the beloved, tragically died person...
I mean people pillaged the body’s of the people who died on the SS Atlantic,
I don’t know why this channel doesn’t have more subscribers. These videos are incredibly professional and informative.
Thank you. The best way you can help is to spread the word and share these links!
I love how you foreshadow the tragedy throughout the video, like when you quoted Adam saying “There’ll be plenty of times for that later.”
The ridiculous notion they died at the hospital when clearly both Petty and Irwin were killed instantly.
I always thought the Spree sponsorship was the candy. Didn't know it was a phone service
Wait, Spree isn’t candy?? I guess I’m in the same boat as you.
@@the_road__warrior6185 i think its a candy and a phone service with the same name?
Same
Judas Johnson
That would be oddly awesome somehow.
The ToeCutter I searched it’s both
It was good hearing the names of Drivers & Teams from 30 years ago but losing so many in such a short time was hard to take.
Brock does a great job connecting these stories together. I think another series could be done on drivers that were seriously injured too - Ernie Ervin, Jerry Nadeau, Steve Park ...
I know I've commented on this video before, but I come back to watch this documentary very often. And while your content on UA-cam is great, Brock, the more I watch your videos and see what you do on LASTCAR and through publishing your works, the more I realize that you are an amazing writer, speaker, and storyteller. Here for my twice-yearly rewatch, and thank you again. I was able to visit Kenny Irwin's gravesite down at the SRX race in Indy. Visited both him and John Andretti.
This is by far the best NASCAR documentary I’ve ever seen, it’s a shame that this isn’t aired on TV
Thank you! It was a lot of work, but well worth it.
Wow I never new that Dean roper died of heart attack the next in arca car super sad stretch for the roper family I'll never forget the 2001 Daytona 500 I was there
RIP to Adam, Kenny, Tony, Jason Leffler, Scott, Blaise & Dale 😭😭😭 Truly a damn shame it really took 4 whole young souls and a big money name in Dale to finally make the changes they needed to.
It's good to see Tony Roper included in this very well made documentary, it seems he's all too often forgotten about. (Blaise Alexander too).
Great documentary! It still frustrates me to this day we had to lose so many great lives to finally step up on stock car safety. Also, when you look at Ryan Newman's crash this season, it proved how far we've come the last 20 years.
Actually -- not really. That crash wasn't anywhere near the severity of the crashes discussed in this video. Not even in the same universe -- which is really impressive. What bothers me is that NASCAR, in their question to be the cool, hip sport on the way up -- sacrificed the lives of some great drivers/human beings because they were scared to put the drivers first. If you know that all those drivers had died --- all pretty much of basil skull fractures (including Neil Bonnett, Rodney Orr) -- yet they were not going to make a rash decision. Well ... guess what morons ... there were more than a few signs that gave them the ability to act ... yet they didn't. People also need to realize --at the time -- NASCAR usually went to a few trusted drivers to get their opinion on items like safety. No offense -- but that was a horrendous idea. I mean the Dave Marcis and Dale Earnhardt newspaper article reviewed in this video ... that should have been proof to NASCAR that the drivers were basically clueless in regard to their own safety ... not to mention that there is proof there in writing that drivers were clueless when it came to what was truly in their best interest in regard to safety. Open face helmet be more safe than a full faced helmet? Seriously? Absolutely moronic -- and a sure fire hint that the drivers probably struggled with physics in school (not that many took it in school -- which is true for most). Ironic that Dale Earnhardt's chin hit the steering wheel so hard that it forced his jawbone into a basil skull fracture. I mean -- it was right there in writing a year before.
Doing things because they have always been done a certain way has been proven over time to not be the best way to deal with safety. The world lost some great drivers and people -- all because NASCAR was dead set on doing anything other than the status quo. They are still paying for it to this day.
Brock, thank you for the unfiltered, unbiased coverage of these drivers whose unfortunate early demises were overshadowed by a legend meeting his early demise just months later. The warning signs were there, and, as you pointed out, were moving only after the death of a fourth-generation racer, even though the other two had their own question marks left open. Thank you, again, for this look at what truly made NASCAR evolve.
Edit: Came back to this while Brock's in the middle of the spiritual successor in the "500 Days" project. You can really, really tell the blatant deflection from Mike Hilton that there's a problem. And you also felt it in that interview with Darrell Waltrip prior to Park's win at Rockingham.
The original nascar heat had a special message for them
What was it?
I remember that. I wasn't sure what they were talking about when the message said, "For the Petty and Irwin family..." Then I remembered my dad telling me about Adam Petty being killed, and that's when I learned that Kenny Irwin was also killed. I never even heard of Tony Roper until I came upon a fatal crash video here on UA-cam.
@@nascarfanatic2425 PlayStation Version
@@DupontandLowesWarrior For me, I played it for the computer. Lol
@@nascarfanatic2425 An N64 Version Would Suck
It's sad that there were so many stuck throttles before anyone died. NASCAR should've done something way before we had any deaths.
Richie Evans: a stuck throttle is what caused his fatal accident.
I remember that Nemecheck win. I was so dang happy for him, always loved the way that 42 car looked as a kid and liked seeing it run up front.
Yeah and his brother John Was killed in a truck race same injury
Also R.I.P Blaise Alexander
Never forgotten
When I was ten and found out Blaise Alexander died I alerted my mom about it at that time
Thank you for making this documentary. I still remember the passings of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin. I was only 14 at the time.
You seriously made something incredible here Brock. Like, this should be played during a rain delay or something. Super professional.
I would just like to let you know Brock that the end of this literally gave me chills.
I say this from the bottom of my heart that you are the most underrated UA-camr on this website.
I had the honor of knowing Tony Roper and most of the Roper family both on and off the track. Dale , Dean, Tony and Dale Jr. Were all racers and well respected at the tracks in southwest Missouri.
I live in NH and I still remember hearing the news of Adam Petty's death. I felt so badly for the Petty family.
Great video. The fact that it took Dale Earnhardt dying for them to start making changes is what really gave me the first bad taste in my mouth for NASCAR. Brian France’s leadership did the rest. Now my 2 year old is obsessed with cars and because of that I’ve started watching again.
Honestly, out of those 3 drivers, I think Adam showed the most promise, but Kenny would’ve had the best career. Reason why: Adam would more than likely stay with his family’s team which wasn’t great. Kenny would stay with sabadas and gianassi which turned into a great team. I mean Sterling Marlin’s career skyrocketed when Gianassi joined, I think Kenny’s would’ve done the same
that said petty likely would have been better if adam had lived
@@nate567987100%, they lost their drive in the aftermath due to being heartbroken. They were aiming for a comeback until then.
NASCAR is in much better hands with the current leadership and a new generation of fans and drivers coming up. Times have changed for the better. This video is a sobering reminder of how much denial we had as racers and fans, similar to the denial the NFL had (still has in some capacity) over concussion issues. I’m glad more videos like this are being made to shine a light on it so we can learn from it.
NASCAR is NOT in better hands. What are you smoking to be so utterly removed from reality?
@@steviechampagne at least we're not having 3 drivers die in one season. He's not smoking anything.
@@rayhankazianga6817 well aren’t you just adorable !!!
@@rayhankazianga6817 could happen again
Kenny Irwin Jr will be honoured by J.J. Yeley for the southern 500 this year running his Nerf/Winners Circle car that he failed to qualify in from 1997
I didn’t know these 3 were gone. I only recently found out about Russell Phillips... As sad as Earnhardt’s death was, it’s equally sad that others’ deaths are overshadowed by his.
I’ve watched this several times. Still tear up every time.
damn Adam Petty definitely had his father’s charisma.
That and his grandfather's skills of being a great racecar driver, I was hoping he would be up there with the other young guys
Man, this a good story. It hits hard. I remember all of it. Wish we could have seen what these racers would have given us without giving up their lives.
The 2001 Daytona 500 was a tragic and memorable one that NASCAR can ever forget!!!
Dale Earnhardt Sr. died on the turn-4 and he was hit by his friend and teammate Ken Schrader in the final lap (which was won by Michael Waltrip after 463 starts and Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 2nd place).
CRASHES DURING THE RACE:
•Sterling Marlin
•Mark Martin
•Jeff Gordon
•Terry Labonte and other drivers have been involved in the crash in the Daytona 500.
As just as the field headed into turn 4, Marlin's car made contact with the left rear on Earnhardt's car, causing the black No. 3 to slide off the track's steep banking onto the flat apron. Trying to correct at speed, Earnhardt sharply turned it up the track toward the outside retaining wall. Although it briefly looked as if he was going to avoid hitting the retaining wall, Earnhardt went right into Schrader's path and Schrader rammed into him behind the passenger door causing Earnhardt's car to snap, rapidly changing its angle toward the wall. As Schrader came into contact, Earnhardt crashed into the wall nose-first at an estimated speed of 155-160 mph. Both cars slid down the steep banking off the track and into the infield grass. While this two-car wreck was in progress, drivers were allowed to race to the finish under green flag conditions.
Earnhardt Jr. stopped at the site of his father's wreck at turn 3. Earnhardt was extricated from his car and was transported by ambulance to the nearby Halifax Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:16 pm EST, reportedly surrounded by his wife Teresa, his team owner and closest friend Richard Childress, and his son Earnhardt Jr. The official announcement of Earnhardt's death was made at about 7:00 pm EST by NASCAR president Mike Helton. The death of the seven-time Winston Cup Champion largely overshadowed Waltrip's first Winston Cup victory as well as the 18-car crash on lap 173.
I know that you felt the same way back in 2001.
#KeepPounding
I was only 7 when all 3 passed away. I didn't understand back then how they died. Now I'm 27 and I think to myself, what could of happen if they all lived. Rest in Paradise to Adam, Tony and Kenny ♥️♥️🌹
This is one absolutely incredible documentary about these 3 gentleman. Thank you so much for the time and effort put into it. I think you did their legacies so much justice. Really appreciate you taking the time to do it.
Do you know, people what is the most sad part of this history? At the time of those tragic events the HANS divice was a DECADE old invention! A DECADE! Whole 10 years!
This is a great tribute Brock. Kenny was my favorite driver, and him passing put me off the sport for years until 2015. I'm glad the sport is so much safer now.
Great video!! Boy that petty smile is infectious, RIP fellers
this was a very well put together video, i was their for Kenny and Adam i saw both crashes . people knew right away that the throttle had hung on both cars.
Thank you for putting this together so these men and all the others who have lost their lives can be honored and remembered. 🙏🏼
We don’t hear much about them anymore from NASCAR to recognize these outstanding individuals who lost their lives doing what they love ✊🏼🏁
i was 12 when Dale Earnhardt passed away and everyone was upset about it but i never heard of the others that happened before.
What an amazing documentary. I absolutely love the amount of vintage footage of everything, even Adam Petty, of whom I never really saw much. His was a career cut tragically short, with no demerit to the careers of every other driver that perished whilst racing.
PS: 20:24 might be the mother of understatements lol
Thanks for sharing this. Those were tough days as a fan. I appreciate your dedication to preserving their memories.
fantastic documentary amazing work !! lets be honest if nascar was massivley worried bout saftey we would have seen changes made in 1994 after orr n bonnet
I would have loved to seen them boys racing ride along with Davey Allison
I can confirm that Adam Pettys car was burried, my father when he was working for Petty racing was one of the people that helped burry the car
This was a fantastic video. I always imagine what would’ve happened if the HANS was mandatory before the year this happened
I couldn't agree more. This was a fantastic Nascar Documentary. Excellent work. Prayers to these families, and please make more. Your attention to details and forgotten or lost information is 2nd to none sir. I don't think a 15 min video could've honored them in any way close to yours.
What ever happened to the phrase just one loss is one too many . It hurts my heart knowing that if Nascar had been more aggressive after Adam's and at the very latest Kenny's passing we most likely wouldn't have lost three more .it's a damn shame it took 5 talented people's lives to justify a mandate that has saved countless more thank you for making this film its very well done and very eye opening and tells the story of three guys that didn't get their due time in the spotlight after dales passing
It just seems stupid how 3 guys died and some more got in similar crashes, yet Nascar didn't do anything until Dale Sr died. Doesn't that just seem stupid.
Brock. Thank you for this helluva job! I can't put in words how amazing your work is. See the history trought a different perspective is something that everybory needs to do, to better understant what is the true. Thank you!!!!!
this is all so sad. but seeing kyle so determined driving adams car, and having such struggles. just makes me cry like a baby every single time.
Well done Brock. As an avid NASCAR fan, this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. I hope you post more.
Thank for this documentary, They all will not be forgotten.
One of My Favorite Nascar Documentaries of All Time!!! ❤
Another fantastic video. Thank you for this tribute.
This is a grate tribute to those 3 drivers as a #3 fan Im glad you didn't let dale's death over shadow there's. There are tons of vids of dale but this was about Adam,Kenny and please forgive me that last guy that I had never heard of. This was vary respectfully done and highlights the safety issues that had to be addressed even if it killed the sport. Like sadly it has.
An absolutely beautiful piece of work. Adam, Kenny, and Tony would be proud. You did them right. Thank you so much.
What an awesome documentary. The best and most informative I have ever seen. Thank you Brock Beard.
Incredible film. Thank you for putting the time and effort into your craft.
Brock thank you for this, you did an outstanding job on this documentary.
This puts a whole lot in perspective. Thanks Mr. Beard.
It took 5 deaths, including a Nascar icon for Nascar in just over a year to mandate these changes
Let's be honest this fact alone is a shame towards any racing organization.
They overlooked almost all those deaths apart from Dale Sr when Indycar/CART also started to push for the safer barriers and both Indy/CART plus F1 were mandating Hans devices
CART lost Greg Moore and Gonzalo Rodríguez that year as well
@@nate567987 Both died in 98
Sam Schmidt had his Career ending crash in 2000 at Disney Raceway
Michael Schumacker had serious injuries in 98 and came back, Mika Hakkinen almost died due to head injures, all before 2001.
It took all of 2001s gruesome racing accidents so everything could change.
The last one and even Caught on Camera worldwide in HD being Zanardi's legs exploding live on camera in Germany.
Excellent job covering this in detail, especially the infor about the HANS device
Excellent excellent. They will not be forgotten. Racing isn't the same without you guys.