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Earnhardt’s death affects
campus
By Matt Lindner
Staff
Writer
 The
day after 49-year-old racing legend Dale Earnhardt died at the Daytona
500, racing fans across the country and campus were still in a state
of shock at the loss of one of their heroes.
Several students were seen wearing baseball caps
and T-shirts bearing the black number three that Earnhardt made famous
during his racing career.
For Ryan Fritz, a freshman in the School of Agriculture,
the news of his hero's death hit rather hard. He was watching the race
with his girlfriend in his residence hall when he saw Earnhardt crash
into the wall on the final turn of the final lap of the race.
"When I heard about his death, I was in awe, almost
devastated," Fritz said with tears in his eyes.
"You never think it would happen like that, especially
because the wreck wasn't that bad. This is a huge loss for the racing
world, especially because he was one of the best NASCAR racers ever."
In his career Earnhardt tallied 76 victories, seven
Winston Cup championships and a long-awaited victory at the Daytona
500 in 1998.
Chris VerHoeven, a sophomore in the School of Liberal
Arts, was watching Sunday's race at his home in West Lafayette when
he saw the accident.
"I was real shocked when I heard that he died in
the accident, especially because I grew up watching Dale win races and
respected his talents," said VerHoeven. "This is almost unbelievable."
Even racing fans that disliked Earnhardt were shocked
and dismayed by the news of his death. Mitchell Carter, a senior in
the School of Nursing and a fan of Earnhardt rival Mark Martin, felt
a sense of disbelief when he heard of Earnhardt's death.
"When you think of Dale Earnhardt, you think of
someone that is a real tough driver, almost invincible, which is why
the news of his death hasn't quite sunk in yet," said Carter, who was
watching the race at his apartment with some of his friends.
"I was never really a fan of his, but I always
respected him for his achievements."
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ext. 251
Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki Assistant sports
editor:
Anne
McLaren
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