How would NASCAR be different if Dale Earnhardt hadn’t died in 2001?

As would Edwards

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Some people say the sport died when Earnhardt died in Daytona.

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The sport would probably see a decline but I feel like he'd be very vocal with a lot of decisions they'd make(not 100% sure which ones). I think it would be a little different today.

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It would still be the same today but probably back then they wouldn’t have gone the extra mile for driver safety.

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It was going to take a death for them to make changes.

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How would NASCAR be different if Dale Earnhardt hadn’t died in 2001?

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- Cars would have never changed. Racing would have stayed good.
- TV Ratings wouldn't have spiked as much as they did after his death and probably wouldn't have tanked as much as it has now. It would've stayed consistent
- Dale Jr would still be at DEI, would've been much more successful. Maybe even won a championship.
- I doubt Hendrick would have become the Chevy powerhouse it became. Jimmie wouldn't have won 7 titles because DEI would have put up more of a fight in the Chevy camp.
- Harvick probably would have left RCR. RCR and DEI may have merged together once Sr retired. Who knows

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I think Earnhardt would be a Foyt like owner not great results but fair.

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I think he'd be just like Tony Stewart is now. Involved but not at every race. He'd have other interests to involve himself with

I think Brian France would have still ruined things somehow.

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NASCAR would still see a ratings decline in the late 2000s.

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Nascar hit its apex in the mid-2000's. 4-5 years later.

Sports Illustrated was covering it like baseball.



Then it was all downhill from there.

Earnhardt Jr would've been a better driver, not saying his career was bad but I think his father dying took some of his aggression away.