By Shawn A. Akers
NASCAR Online
CONCORD, N.C. (May 16, 1998)
Dale Earnhardt fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Earnhardt,
who crashed on theninth lap of the first segment of Saturday
night's running of The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway,
was treated and released from University Medical Center in
Charlotte, where X-rays taken on his shoulder and arm were
found to be negative. The seven-time NASCAR WinstonCup
Series champion and three-time winner of The Winston was
involved in a three-car accident in the early stages of the event.
Darrell Waltrip's No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet, owned by
Earnhardt, blew an engine and put down oil. The fluid caused both Earnhardt, in
the No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet, and John Andretti, in the No. 43
STP Pontiac, to spin out, ending both of their evenings.
Following the accident, Earnhardt was transported to University Medical
Center, where he was checked out and X-rayed. After discovering he was OK,
Earnhardt left for his home in Kannapolis, N.C., via his private helicopter.
"It could have broken Dale's ribs," said Richard Childress, owner of the No. 3
Chevrolet, which sported a gold color Saturday for a special Bass Pro Shop
sponsorship. "He had a lot of pain in his chest.
"I've made way too many visits to the hospital this year. He's real sore. It's a
tough deal. It's one of those deals. I guess the (No.) 1 car blew up and we
happened to be in the wrong place."
Childress' other driver, Mike Skinner, had just come off a six-week stint on the
shelf after a hard crash at Texas Motor Speedway on April 5. He made his return
to the No. 31 Lowe's Chevrolet Saturday night in The Winston Open.
Earnhardt will return to action on Wednesday night for Bud Pole Qualifying for
next Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.
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