07/31/96
Two days after sustaining injuries in a crash during last Sunday's DieHard 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt is reportedly planning to start this weekend's Brickyard 400. He won't finish the race, however, due to his injuries.
Earnhardt, who was leading the DieHard 500 when the crash occurred on lap 117, fractured his clavicle and his sternum in a pileup in turn one. Sterling Marlin and Ernie Irvan made contact and Marlin's car was sent into Earnhardt's, which turned over onto its roof and continued to spin as it was struck by other cars involved in the wreck. Earnhardt's car was destroyed.
Earnhardt managed to pull himself from the twisted wreck; track safety workers helped him into an ambulance. A medical helicopter took Earnhardt to Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama, where his fractures were diagnosed. He stayed in the hospital overnight and was released Monday morning.
Starting in next Saturday's Brickyard 400 will help Earnhardt maintain his position near the leaders in the points standings. According to USA Today, Mike Skinner will relieve Earnhardt at the first opportunity. By starting the event, Earnhardt will collect the Winston Cup points earned for finishing position. Going into Sunday's race Earnhardt was second in the Winston Cup points standings. The results of the race, however, will drop him to third. DieHard 500 winner and defending Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon leads the driver's point standings; Terry Labonte ranks second.
Earnhardt is trying to break Richard Petty's record of seven titles in NASCAR's top division. Additionally, last Sunday's race was Earnhardt's 501st consecutive NASCAR event, the second longest active streak of starts, and the third longest streak of starts in Winston Cup history.
Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel
