Childress' statement
August 23, 2001
12:55 PM EDT (1655 GMT)
Richard Childress' statement regarding comments made by representatives of Simpson Race Products relating to NASCAR’s investigation of the last-lap incident in the 2001 Daytona 500:
 | |
Richard Childress
|
|
|
“When I left Atlanta Tuesday, I was very comfortable with the thoroughness and the findings of NASCAR’s investigation. I felt a sense of closure because the investigation made it clear to me that many factors occurring at one time made the crash much more devastating than we had originally thought.
“Bill Simpson has been a friend of mine for many, many years. Bill Simpson and Simpson Race Products have contributed to saving many lives in all forms of motor sports. I am disappointed and upset, however, by the remarks that have been made by Bill's representatives and representatives of Simpson Race Products.
"I feel it is my responsibility to respond on behalf of my friend, Dale Earnhardt, and everyone at Richard Childress Racing.
“The statements made by representatives of Simpson Race Products concerning Dale Earnhardt on the seat belt issue are undeserved and unfair, especially when Dale is not here to defend himself.
"Simpson Race Products' representatives said that Bill spoke to Dale many times over the years about seat belt installation. In the 16 years that Dale and I were together, Dale never said anything to me about any conversation with Bill Simpson or any of Bill's representatives regarding the installation of the seat belts.
 | |
Dale Earnhardt
|
|
|
"Bill did speak to Dale and me over the past 16 years on several occasions concerning safety issues -- including gloves, shoes and full-face helmets -- but nothing was ever said to me by Bill or any representative of Simpson Race Products about the installation of the seat belts.
"I have checked with every crew chief that ever worked with Dale at RCR to see if any of them had been approached by Bill or any representative of Simpson Race Products about incorrect seat belt installation. Not one of them said they ever had.
“Also, in those 16 years, we never heard the term ‘dumping’ or had any knowledge of it in relation to seat belts. It wasn’t until after Daytona that ‘dumping’ was brought to our attention.
“Dale Earnhardt was extremely serious about every decision he made involving the race car. He was concerned about safety, and I reject any statement to the contrary as being simply wrong.
"The style of seat belts in the Daytona 500 car were installed behind the seat, in the same area they had been installed since 1986. Those belts in that position had held up through some very horrendous crashes.
“I feel that it is necessary to get my thoughts about this matter on the record. However, I think we now all owe it to Dale, Dale’s family, friends and fans to bring this matter to closure.”
| 
