Wallace missing Earnhardt days

Earnhardt, known as the Intimidator, was killed in a crash on the final lap of the 43rd Daytona 500, held on February 18th 2001.

Former champion Wallace, who left the sport at the end of last season following a 21-year Cup career, described Eanrhardt's death as the day the sport changed forever.

He also admitted he feels that the sport should have stopped racing for a period after Earnhardt's death.

"I lost a front tyre early in that race and made the lap back up at the very end," Wallace said. "I looked at the teams on the pit wall. I told everybody all hell is going to brake loose in Turn 3 on the final lap, because it always does.

"Sure enough, it happened. People were fighting for position going into Turn 3, and I stuck my nose right in there. Then I see Dale fly across my bow and he missed me by inches. He hit the wall and I slotted into third.

"Then I was thinking that Dale would be so mad at having lost victory. I never thought he would have lost his life.

"I was in jubilant form coming a lap down to finish third. But then 20 seconds after the race I hear silence and I don't see the media coming to the cars; something was strange.

"I was thinking Earnhardt was going to be pissed, but then later I hear from one of my friends that he thought Earnhardt just got killed. Then I left and went to the hospital and nobody was saying nothing.

"I was devastated and I am still devastated to this day. I love how this sport is doing now and continue to grow, but it is like a lead ball that is 10 foot tall and nobody can stop it.

"I still feel the sport needed to stop and mourn over his death. But everyone said that it was what Earnhardt have wanted. The sport came back immediately and this is the way it is going.

"Then I was in the mood for stopping. But the sport is now healthy and strong, and it continues with new names and faces.

"I miss the days of the country music with Earndhardt, but then Dale Earndhardt Jr came along with that acid jazz stuff. The whole world changed the day he passed on."