Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes the seat belt in his father's car was broken during his fatal accident, brushing aside claims by a rescue worker that the belt was intact when emergency crews arrived at the car. Rusty Wallace celebrated old friend Dale Earnhardt's 50th birthday Sunday with a dominating victory in the NAPA Auto Parts 500. With drivers worried they could pass out at speeds of more than 230 mph, CART took the extraordinary step Sunday of calling off its inaugural race at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeremy Mayfield is the winner of the NAPA Auto Parts 500. It's chiseled in stone.
Trouble is, that was last year.
Bobby Labonte, the subject of death rumors earlier in the day, proved Friday afternoon he is very much alive by winning the pole position for Sunday's NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway.