do you think sterling marlin was responsible for the death of dale earnhardt?
The circumstances surrounding Dale Earnhardt's death in the 2001 Daytona 500 were tragic and complex. Sterling Marlin was involved in the crash that ultimately led to Earnhardt's fatal injury, but it is not accurate to say that Marlin was responsible for Earnhardt's death.
The crash occurred on the final lap of the race when Earnhardt's car made contact with Marlin's, causing Earnhardt's car to spin and hit the wall. The exact sequence of events and the factors contributing to the severity of Earnhardt's injuries have been extensively analyzed and debated.
Ultimately, NASCAR's investigation concluded that the primary cause of Earnhardt's fatal injury was a basilar skull fracture due to head whip during the crash. This type of injury was a significant concern in NASCAR at the time and led to subsequent safety improvements in the sport, including the mandatory use of head and neck restraints for drivers.
In summary, while Sterling Marlin was involved in the crash, he was not deemed responsible for Dale Earnhardt's death as it was determined to be a tragic accident resulting from the dynamics of the crash and the nature of the injury sustained.
But Marlin bumped Earnhardt which in turn caused Earnhardt to go into the wall
You're correct that Sterling Marlin's car made contact with Dale Earnhardt's in the 2001 Daytona 500, which contributed to the chain of events leading to Earnhardt's crash. It's important to note, however, that racing incidents often involve multiple factors, and assigning direct responsibility for a crash can be complex.
In the case of the 2001 Daytona 500, the contact between Marlin and Earnhardt's cars did play a role in causing Earnhardt to spin and subsequently hit the wall. This incident was a part of the final-lap scramble for position, which is common in NASCAR racing. While Marlin's contact was a contributing factor, it's important to view such incidents in the context of the high-speed, close-quarters racing that typifies NASCAR competition.
Ultimately, NASCAR's investigation and subsequent safety improvements focused on the factors that led to Earnhardt's fatal injury, particularly the dynamics of the crash and the type of injury sustained rather than solely attributing blame to one driver. The sport has since implemented numerous safety advancements to reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries in similar situations.