Charlotte writer Poole dies

Longtime NASCAR journalist David Poole died of a heart attack on Tuesday. He was 50.

Poole was a writer for the Charlotte Observer and also hosted The Morning Drive from 7-11 a.m. ET weekdays on Sirius.

Poole was stricken at his Stanfield, N.C., home and his daughter called 911, the paper said. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Poole

"The NASCAR community is stunned and saddened by the loss of David Poole," NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said in a statement. "David was as passionate about NASCAR as anyone and had very definitive opinions about the sport.

"He served the industry, and most importantly the fans, through his reporting and commentary in the Charlotte Observer and Sirius Satellite Radio. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David's family and friends. He will be missed."

Poole was a four-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's George Cunningham Award as that organization's writer of the year.

"David didn't always write what was the popular opinion and I have a lot of respect for that," said Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. "To equal what he did, the Charlotte Observer will probably have to hire three people."

Poole -- remembered as a "one-of-a-kind individual and an extremely talented writer," by Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- authored several stock-car racing books, including Tim Richmond: The Fast Life and Remarkable Times of NASCAR's Top Gun; Race with Destiny; NASCAR Essential: Everything You Need to Know to Be a Real Fan! (with Jim McLaurin); and Flat Out and Half Turned Over: Tales from Pit Road with Buddy Baker.

"The thing I liked about David was that you could argue a counterpoint to his thoughts and while he might argue his point vociferously he had an open mind to understand your position," said Eddie Gossage, president of Texas Motor Speedway. "Even if he still disagreed, he would respectfully concede the validity of your position."

Added Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway: "NASCAR racing was David Poole's world and that world is a lesser place without David in it. David's writing and analysis was always accessible to the casual racing fan, but his real talent was as a contrarian, raising the kinds of thought-provoking questions that could engage the people whose lives revolve around the sport."

A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Poole began his journalism career as city editor of the Gaston Gazette in 1981. He joined the Observer in 1990 and became the paper's NASCAR writer in 1997.

"David had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of legendary motorsports journalist Tom Higgins," said Jerry Gappens, general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "His success came from bringing his own style, direction, unique vision and perspective to his coverage of motorsports. David always spoke his mind and wasn't afraid to hold people accountable."

Poole is survived by his wife, Katy, sons Matthew and David, daughter Emily and grandson Eli.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to David's family," team owner Richard Childress said. "He was a friend of everybody in the garage area. He could be controversial from time to time but he always wrote and spoke what he believed.

"He didn't pull any punches with anybody and that's what people respected about him. He was good for the sport and will be missed."

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