Last week's Daytona 500 in Florida ended in tragedy. One of auto racing's biggest stars, Dale Earnhardt, 49, was killed when his car slammed into a wall during the last lap of the race. "NASCAR has lost its greatest driver ever," said the racing association's chairman, Bill France Jr.
Earnhardt's death sent shock waves through the racing world. The man fans called the Intimidator seemed unstoppable. "I still don't believe it," said Judy Holland, who saw the crash from the stands. "It's not like him to get into a wreck and not come out of it."
The accident has left people asking if the sport needs new safety rules. Earnhardt's lap belt was found broken after the crash. He died of severe head injuries, the fourth driver to die on the track in a year.
"If his belt had held, he would have had a much better chance of survival," said Dr. Steve Bohannon, head of medical services at the Daytona racetrack.
Like many drivers, Earnhardt didn't use protective headgear because he found it uncomfortable. His death has led some to call for requiring such gear in all race cars.