There's considerable force involved, small blood vessels are torn, the brain is bruised and torn, and with the impact of Dale's nature, even if he had the device on, hitting the wall that fast may have resulted in the same injuries. Most accept that the HANS device at least improves a driver's chances in major frontal crashes. Waltrip, remarkably composed throughout, explained his and other drivers' concerns about the safety device. I have a hard time getting in and out of the car without a helmet on 'cause I'm so big. But it's the last lap, it's racing, and I don't think that wreck looked to me like anything but guys wanting to get to the checkered, and I believe that in my heart.
Concrete is still the best available.
I would talk all the time about me driving for him. But that wasn't to be. My belief is that in a twinkle of an eye you're in the presence of the Lord. And that's where I think Dale is. And so instead of patting me on the back and having a party with me, he's up there hanging out with my dad.