Dale Earnhardt Lives?

I have been thinking about doing a short TL where Dale Earnhardt would still be alive right now and the effects it would have on NASCAR.


Would this type of TL be enjoyed here or has it been done before? It you could give me some feet back I would be thankful.
 

MacCaulay

Banned
It'd definitely be interesting. I'm a Petty fan myself, but it would've been interesting. Had the Daytona crash not even happened there would've been less impetus for safety features in the cars, but I think it still would've come up with the Adam Petty crash, though.
 
It'd definitely be interesting. I'm a Petty fan myself, but it would've been interesting. Had the Daytona crash not even happened there would've been less impetus for safety features in the cars, but I think it still would've come up with the Adam Petty crash, though.

You're probably right. I think Earnhardt would have put in a few more years and then called it a career in probably 2005 or 2006. He had another few interests, too - his drive with the Corvette Le Mans team was something he was well-known to have highly enjoyed, and one of the regular rumors floating around then was that the Earnhardts were one day going to go to Le Mans with the Corvette boys. Doing this in later years doesn't change much if the Corvette teams are kicking ass, but it may raise the profile of sports car racing in North America.
 
The increased emphasis on Saftey would have happened anyway, although it may have taken 1 more fatal or near-fatal crash to complete the process. Dale Sr's death was the last in a series that included Adam Petty's (which may have had more long term-effect on NASCAR that Dale Sr's death). The real impact comes on Dale Sr's role, as he lives, as team owner and mentor to his son. Dale Sr was 49 and his career as a driver was waning. However, it is easy to imagine that if Dale Sr had survived, DEI would have assumed the position of superiority that Hendricks has gained and the beneficiary of this would be Dale Jr. Given more time to develop before becoming the racing head of family and racing in a team directed with incredible precision and dedication by his father, it is quite likely that Dale Jr would be five-time, not Darth Johnson. For a double POD, have Adam Petty live as well, therefore maintaining the spark of Petty Racing and giving Dale Jr the true rival he deserved.
BTW - I am not a member of Junior Nation, I did not like Dale Sr and I don't like Dale Jr, but had Sr lived to retire and build DEI into a powerhouse (and he would have) Jr would be the big winner. Like it or not.
 
If Dale Earnhardt lived would raced for 3 or 4 more cup than in Le Mans with Dale jr maybe after Le Mans Earnhardt would the Grand am or amls series full time for a few years. On Adam Petty living Petty team would be much stronger with him running for championships giving Jr and DEI run for their money. I see in Adam lived Kyle Petty would have retired early maybe Kyle would join Earnthardt in run grand am or amls series. Kyle was always a good road racer.
 
I agree that if Earnhardt had lived that DEI would have come a powerhouse team at level of Hendricks. It would have great to see Adam/Jr rivalry. Dont think ever if Adam lived Petty team would at the Hendricks level maybe at the of penske or ganassi teams.
 
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