In the closing laps of the race, it was apparent that Sterling Marlin had the car to beat. He was blocked successfully by Dale Sr., with Dale Jr. pushing Michael on for the win. I hate to say this, because there is no way that I can prove it. But, it certainly looked like Marlin bumped into Dale Sr. on the last lap as a payback gesture for not allowing his faster racecar to pass. Marlin had to be frustrated and upset.
Tempers flare, and actions are taken as a result.
If the roles had been reversed, Sterling did not do anything that Dale Sr. would not have done. As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember Dale Sr. bumping a couple of racecars out of his way during the race. I read a report that Marlin claimed that Dale Sr. got loose and hit him while he was in between him and Schrader, so who knows. My heart goes out to the Earnhardt family. Used under License.