R-E-S-P-E-C-T - The Fans Speak Out - Letter to the Editor

Auto Racing Digest, June-July, 2002 by Richard Hanley

Darrell Waltrip's interview in a recent AUTO RACING, DIGEST ["The `Jaws' That Roared," May 2002] seemed to contain an odd opinion about the Dale Earnhardt tragedy. When asked by your reporter whether NASCAR could take any positives away from the "Intimidator'"s death, I believe the questioner probably meant safety issues--things that could help save the lives of other drivers. Instead, Waltrip starts going on and on about television ratings! This makes it seem as if his priorities are a bit out of line.

Richard Henley
Westchester, N.Y.

The original question does seem intended to be about safety and is misinterpreted by Waltrip, but he speaks at length about safety and is extremely respectful of the late Earnhardt at other points in the interview.