Dale Jr. Sadly Reveals Sterling Marlin Haunted by 2001 Daytona 500 Race and Watches It Regularly 

My dad told me before he passed that. "Dale died doing what he loved and hell what a better way to be sent off than to watch your 2 cars you own sailing off into the sunset as your surrounded by your best friends that you have raced with for decades." Still after 20 years it's still hard not to cry when talking about the 2001 Daytona 500. I always loved Sterling and never blamed him for what happened. I have watched the tape a thousand times as well and honestly there's nothing you could have done differently to change it.

Hope he can find some peace. His illness is more than enough to deal with , much less being haunted by memories.

My heart breaks for Sterling. He doesn't deserve beating himself up over and over again. God bless him (Sterling). He was a damn good driver and he's a good man. I'm praying for you bud.

Only Dale Sr knew what he was really doing in that moment, but seems to me he was doing his best to keep the pack, particularly Marlin, at bay as long as he could, and he was not trying to win. I always felt it ironic though... the one time Dale Earnhardt wasn't the intimidator and doing everything in his power to win, it cost him his life.

I've been a Dale Earnhardt fan since I started watching racing in the early 90's and anyone with more than a whit of common sense can see that it was simply a racing accident. I never once blamed Sterling for the accident and I hope he finds peace with himself because that is a huge load to bear. We love ya Sterling and keep your chin up 🤗

Sterling's feelings about this really is a tragedy in and of itself. If I had the chance I'd simply tell him it's not his fault and there was nothing he could've done differently. Shame on all the idiots that sent him death threats.

Poor dude. Tragic way to spend the last 20 plus years.

So sad to hear this. I was a great fan of his father Coo Coo Marlin in the 1960's and 70's. Coo Coo never won a race in cup but he was a never say die kind of driver he never quit. I am so sad for his son Sterling. I had no idea what a burden he was carrying on his soul for all these years. it make me hurt inside for his suffering. heart beaking.

Dale Jr came out at Rockingham I think and told EVERYONE that Sterling was not the cause of that accident. I think emotions where still to high for Earnhardt fans. But death threats were just completely ridiculous. Sterling should never had to put up with that junk.

The thing I remember the most about that day is going into a chatroom that was specifically for Dale Sr fans and seeing people say that Sterling Marlin must die. It was crazy because it was so obvious Sterling had no intention of wrecking him. It was clearly a racing accident. It's hard to figure how people can have so little common sense.

Sterling, when people are hurting they often say and do things they don’t mean. Anyone that knows racing after thinking with a clear head knows it was just a racing deal, an accident. The fans have no ill will, Jr doesn’t, and Sr will be the first one to give you a hug and tell you that you should have let it go a long time ago. You’ll see each other again, but for now put it down get back to the track. We all miss you, and that’s how the rest of us healed. It’s time for you to do the same. Be well my friend.

Earnhardt fan thru n thru! We love Ya Sterling! May the Lord bring peace in your heart!

equally heartbreaking is seeing how badly Parkinsons has affected Sterling and yes I watched the wreck live on TV and I never blamed Sterling and called it just racing

Man that's tough to here Sterling I'm writing this with tears in my eyes man give it up it wasn't your fault , Jr knows that we all do. Love ya man

I have been following NASCAR since 1972, and watched the rise of Dale Earnhardt. He was always his own man and always said the same thing about the inevitable; if he died in a race car, it was doing what he loved. There were so many contributing factors to the accident; the aero package at the time, the lack of safety equipment - both in the car and on the track, the way the seat was installed, which Dale normally did himself. It was an accident, with tragic consequences, and I never once blamed Sterling Marlin, Rusty Wallace or Ken Schrader, NASCAR or even Dale himself. They all played a part but those are a part of racing and it was just a reminder of how dangerous the sport could be.

At first I hated Sterling, but then realized and understood it wasn't his fault, I feel bad for him, must be a nightmare to live with.

This is heartbreaking sterling is and never was to blame for that accident.it makes me proud to see that Dale Jr stood up and said that it was a accident. Dalr Jr please reach out to him it might help him to realize that if Dale Jr doesn't blame him he might be able to let some of the blame go..love to you both.a wonderful example of great human beings you both are.

I hate that to this day sterling would blame himself or idiots blame him for the move . No one did anything wrong that day , not him , Schrader , or Sr .

Pray that Marlin has this burdened of guilt lifted. So sad.

I would tell Sterling to please let it go it could have as easily been him that wrecked into the wall it was a racing accident and there is no way in this world Dale Earnhardt would want Sterling to feel bad it was an accident plain and simple Sterling has nothing to be sorry for my prayers and thoughts go out to Sterling and his family

I remember the race. Watched it as I had for years and years. Still vividly remember Sr, even the commentary staff, included Darrel Waltrips elation at watching his brother not only win his first race, but the biggest race in the sport. I've seen that same type of accident more than 100 times since that day in 2001, and knowing and remembering even the death threats Sterling was receiving from the teleconference you re-aired in portion, something like that would effect him the rest of his life. It's sad to say it, but we lost more than an icon in 2001. Sterling is another tragic loss from that sad day. Sterling, as a life long fan of NASCAR, who watched you win back to back, I hope peace will find you some day. As then as it is now, it could have happened to anyone and anywhere. It really was racing.

While i always rooted for Mark Martin, My mom always rooted for Sterlin Marlin. She even switched up her favorite Beer to Coors Light when they sponsored him. So every Sunday me and her would watch the race and i would drink coors light with her. We were both devastated that day. I hate that Sterlin has to deal with that in his head. The great man has enough shit to deal with.

He should seek professional help and go talk with someone. I'm surprised NASCAR doesn't step in on this and try and get him the help he obviously needs. 20+ years of holding that poison of self blame in can do you in...

It's disheartening to know Sterling still struggles with this, but understandable. I feel like taking a life in war or self defense u could learn to accept it. Taking a life in an accident would no doubt be a very heavy burden. If u analyze the tape, it appears Dale changed from the Intimidator to the Defender in those closing laps. Trying to insure a longtime friend (Michael) or his son Jr would win. The biggest race in Nascar, everyone left in that field running at 110%... there's just no fault. A tragic accident 😔. Sterling for your own good, find a way to make peace with it. I don't believe for a second Dale Sr would want u to carry that burden.

For a while i wondered on Sterling’s perspective on it. That’s so sad. I cannot imagine being in his shoes

For Sterling Marlin: You can never, ever take the responsibility for God's will! God took Dale Earnhardt, Sr exactly when he wanted him, nothing you could have done about it brother!

Poor Sterling. He has had to live with this for all these ears and it was just a racing deal no one to blame. I was a big Earnhardt fan and I never blamed Sterling. I remember a couple weeks after the crash Sterling was sitting on the wall next to Dale Jr. and you could tell he was heartbroken and still didn't know how to deal with it. Dale Jr. has always had Sterlings back on this and never blamed Sterling what so ever. It makes me sad to see Sterling not well and hope after being on the Down Load with Dale Jr. and knowing June Bug never blamed him will help him to get some peace of mind.

The heartbreaking thing is that I had an interaction with a fan on Facebook that blamed Sterling for Dales death. Is it any wonder the poor bastard is still suffering when the fans looking for someone to blame jumped on his back?

Did sterling look into that Paraquat ,not sure if that's it but farmers use it and they think it causes parkinsons. Just hope he looked into that. Hurts seeing ol sterling like this. Wishing him well

It tears me up to see Sterling beat himself up over something he had no control over. I couldn't blame him or anyone for that accident. Sr. Backing up to the pack is the cause, pretty sure he blamed himself for getting behind on steering the car.

I love Sterling Marlin. He was a guy you rooted for especially after how long it took him to finally win a race. He was a respected veteran in the garage area that embodied what NASCAR was all about. I’m utterly heartbroken by his current situation battling a horrible illness with the slight feeling of guilt on his mind about Dale. I wish I could tell him how much he’s meant to all of us and the sport itself.

I look at that man (sterling) ...look at him he looks old and weak. Just him battling with his own things is terrible enough, but the fact that he feels guilty for Dale Earnhardt's Death and has to re-watch those last laps over and over is another. I don't know if he watches it to re-assure that it wasn't his fault, or expecting a different outcome, or pondering and what could he have done differently so what happened didn't happen. I feel bad for him, I know he's living hell. But I'm glad he has supporters and people around him. I don't want him to take his life

As one of the many Dale fans that had to witness that day as it happened, I can't say blaming Sterling ever crossed my mind after watching replays. It was never a thought and it will never be a thought at this point.

That really makes me feel sad! Sterling you were not responsable for that crash! God needed a driver! God Bless You Sterling! I ask in Jesus name to take to burden of that day from you! Your really a great person, felling the way you do about that day proves it! God Bless You and believe it wasn't your fault! He died doing what he Loved to do, no fault of yours, Just racing!

Sterling held his line, he was as far down to the apron as he could have been. Dale drifted down toward the apron and made contact. No way this could be Sterling's fault, it's sad this has haunted him for so many years and people blamed and threatened him. RIP Dale

dale took alot of chances behind the wheel during his carreer.95% of the time he was successful with those chances.there what made him stand out as a driver.but, as with anything the more chances you take, the numbers add up & sooner or later the numbers catch up to you.dale just took one too many risky chances to block sterling & paid the ultimate price.dale just got cocky behind the wheel at the wrong time , it bit him in the ass.you can get away with something a thousand times, but sooner or later you run out of numbers & luck.sterling did NOTHING wrong in that situation.

Sterling didn't do shit wrong. Dale was blocking two lines protecting his cars. I would've done that for my son too.

Time does not heal it just helps you get use to the idea they are gone 😞

Senior wasn't racing, he was blocking! Both him and Sterling paid the price!

Man as a kid I wanted to hate Sterling Marlin but always understood that it just wasn't his fault

I fell asleep watching this race and woke up the moment the crash happened. i didnt think it looked that bad so i wasnt worried. then i heard he died. RIP to the Intimidater

The saddest part about this for anyone thats raced superspeedways that knows the aero forces. Sterling had nothing to do with it. (Btw if I was him I would’ve wrecked Dale intentionally long before. Just by his aggressive cutoffs. how he maintained his cool is impressive) not to play a blame game but to find out how to avoid the same wreck in the future. I always watch tape to understand what happened. If you watch the incident. It was a combination of the #36 & #2. The #2 was the straw that broke the camels back. Wallace drove up and shoveled a ton of air under dales bumper (he was trying to help him get out front being rustys hero was Dale) but unfortunately the winds that day coupled with the #36 taking side force it cancelled out the spoiler down force. Which cause Dale to hit sterling. But sterling held his position he never tried to take dales air or do any move. Dale actually hit him. Yes sterlings car would’ve added some air under dales bumper. But Dale moved into him sterling holds his line perfectly. So sterling literally had nothing to do with the crash only the ignorant that have never turned a lap and don’t understand the aero forces think that.

God Bless Sterling Marlin. Lord, show him that he has nothing to have a guilty conscience for & that everyone, will one day die. Sterling Marlin is a lifelong hero of mine, it disturbs me to hear that he is bothered. Guide him through his battles with mercy. Thank you. Amen. 🙏🏻

Damn man, we love you Sterling. Give that up to The Lord, that's to much to carry. Let The Lord carry that burden. God Bless you and may HE keep you!🕊️🕊️🕊️

It was never Sterlings fault. Dale was trying to keep his cars out in front. Dale was and still is my favorite driver. He died on my birthday and his memorabilia is the only race things I wont part with. That being said i still think and sometimes maybe not mad but if he didnt try so hard to keep them all behind him he would still be here. Oh well my thoughts

All you can tell Sterling is that it’s not his fault. Plain and simple. There was no malicious intent behind the accident and there’s nothing he could’ve done differently. Everyone was jockeying for position in the closing laps. It was just hard racing that caused an accident and unfortunately a man lost his life in the crash. I truly hope that Sterling can find some peace and solace with what happened and that it wasn’t his fault.

I was wondering Sterling he was moving around so much on that episode, until I realized he had Parkinson's disease. Hope he'll get through this soon

Marlin should of never been blamed.

Sterling is a great guy GOD please help this this wonderful man. Sterling doesn’t deserve this pain. It is racing

At the time the great loss I felt for my hero overtook my emotions. As Sterling has done I too have watched that race over and over again not just to honor my hero but to see for myself what happen that said I want Sterling to know it was just a racing deal and I know Dale Sr. Would tell you the same thing. Life has been hard but life goes on and you too must do so. Dale would not want you to carry a burden such as this. You are part of NASCAR history and should be honored as such. We love you and hope you can put this behind you. God Bless

Broken hearted to hear that

I met Sterling Marlin in Canada 🇨🇦 at the Cayuga Speedway. That was the year Sterling lead the points for around 26 races and got into a accident and hit the wall and because of his serious neck injuries they got Jamie McMurray to replace Sterling I'm a big Sterling Marlin fan in the Coors light Silver Bullet.I never blame that accident on Sterling at all. Dale was being aggressive trying to keep Sterling and Ken Schrader behind him so Michael and Dale Jr could go and win the race.. PLUS I heard if he wore his seat belts properly he'd probably would still be alive. BREAKS MY HEART TOO HEAR ABOUT STERLING MARLIN, WASN'T YOUR FAULT SOME SR FANS ARE JUST IDIOTS FOR BLAMING YOU AND THREATENING YOUR LIFE BECAUSE OF A RACING ACCIDENT. GOD BE WITH YOU MY FRIEND. TAKE CARE STERLING.

Every time I see the replay of the wreck I for some reason hope the outcome is different even though I know it’s not possible

I hope with Sterling being on the podcast helps him bring some closure to this

I always defended Sterling from the start when it first happened. Looked like he just took the air off his spoiler. But nobody wanted to hear that. They just believed the man purposely wrecked their driver. it was sad. And that survivor's guilt has and will haunt Marlin for the rest of his life. Add Parkinson's to it and it's just a torture. Sometimes as fans, our own voice can be the detriment of people who we feel are opposing to the person we passionately follow.

The HANS device has saved many lives.

Sterling did absolutely nothing wrong in this deal I really feel for him.

Doesn’t help that Earnhardt fans were real scumbags to him

He was unbuckled... He had a habit of doing that in late-race cautions.

They didn’t really get serious about those safety features till Blaise Alexander suffered similar fate in an arca car later in the year.

I will never forget that day especially with Darrel Waltrip in the Fox Press Box asking if Dale was ok. I do not think I would say anything to Sterling. I would just sit there and listen to him to comfort him. As we know, Dales death changed many safety aspects of NASCAR. Great video and thank you for posting.

Heartbreaking. Someone should have spoken up long ago.

I sure miss watching that guy's talent.

I loved Dale. He was my idol, but this was NOT Sterling's fault and I hate to see him racked with this guilt. It was just an accident, plain and simple. If Dale could speak to us from the other side, he would tell everyone the same thing. It was just racing.

The 500 was always a fickle beast for Sr. Still remember that night like it just happened. Praise Dale.

Sterling was holding his line. Dale was blocking and came down on him a little late. To blame Sterling is ridiculous. To blame Dale is ridiculous. That's just racing, things happen, good and bad.

Marlin is a respected driver in the NASCAR community, but to be blamed for something he could have not handled is wrong. I’m not saying that his teammates are saying he did it but the fans of Earnhardt do. Sterling had no where he could have gone, if he backed off Bobby Hamilton would be up his a*s if he cut down he’d lose speed and possibly cause another wreck enter the track again. If he’d cut up Rusty Wallace would have no room and hit Ken Shrader. There was no possible why he could avoid it Like if you agree.

Mr. Marlin, I ask you what could/would you have done differently? If Dale Jr does not blame you then it is time to put it down and move on. You deserve better than this. You suffer from PTSD, there is help, look up EMDR, it works. May you find peace sir.

Cars get loose that close adeline runs high and hell everyone knows or should know dale was stubborn that had fullface helmets he didn't use but hell he drove hard everyone does it wasn't sterlings fault dale hit the wall it was a freak of nature when u put speed excited and dale in the mix he was and always will be the intimidator but ABOVE ALL IT WAS AN HONEST ACCIDENT

So sad that he rewatches the tragedy happen over and over. You think defending from Jr. would be the best kind of support but still seems that will never be enough for him, sadly.

God Bless you and be with you Sterling.

Dale Sr was God's plan for him not Sterling not Dale Jr no one could have Dave him that day. It was already written in the Big Guys book he could have been going to get milk from store this sad day was out of our hands..pray for Sterling and heal his heart

Sr was going finish 3rd or crash. Watch fan footage from the stands He threw one insane block Really wish I knew what he was thinking in that moment.

I think any caring person would feel the same way but the bottom line is it was racing and was a accident like thousands before, nobody's fault , it was his time because he has had ten times the impact as have others , I pray Sterling can forgive himself for what isn't his fault.

That silver bullet car was a serious competitor in the year or two just prior to that, as a kid I always remember seeing that car near the front of the pack.

Watched that race live. Thought nothing of it really. Another crash i never thought Dale would be hurt never mi nd killed. Still shocking.

Im an Earnhardt fan but i will admit. The 3 car was losing pace those final laps and Dale Sr was actually kinda blocking everyone for his 2 cars in front. So in reality If it was anyones fault atr all it on Dale himself. Thats the truth

Wow he is torturing himself by watching that so often I can’t imagine how he really feels and the world knows there was no Ill intent and I didn’t know he had Parkinson’s my prayers are with him god bless sterling you are loved brother

Man I feel really really bad for Sterling. Didn't know he was fighting parkinson's. I figure she had a heavy trauma from that day. But man, Sterling is struggling....

I had the opportunity to meet Sterling in 2005. Wonderful human being and very much a tortured soul. I've no doubt that myself and countless others have told him the same thing over the years. "Let 2001 go, it's racing. Sometimes, shit happens." He was gracious in his reply, that I will keep to myself. It was clear though, peace of mind wasn't something that was coming anytime soon. I've often struggled with that memory and thought long and hard about whether it was heartwarming or heartbreaking. Even today, I'm still not sure I know the answer.

Dale Earnhardt as good as he was chose unwisely not to wear safety equipment that could have saved his life that day

I put the blame on restricter plates. The restricter plates cause all the 'big ones' at the superspeedways.

Sad to hear... I can't imagine being the guy who was involved in the death of a super hero to everyone. The second guessing of what he could have done differently will haunt him forever, like a friend who was driving and killed their buddies.

I can't imagine how sterling must feel about this 24 hours a day especially with his condition. I've watched that video a hundred times. I don't even think there was contact, just the air off the back is what it looked like. Schrader can't even talk about it to this day without falling apart either. So what the commentary said at the beginning isn't always true, time doesn't heal wounds in every case. Not completely any way.

To both Sterling and Kenny, you guys can't keep blaming yourselves for this, it was an accident and I'm sure Sr. would say the same

I'll admit, I blamed Sterling for that back in 2001. But, I was a bipolar and autistic 13 year old at the time. I didn't know any better. Nobody else needs to forgive Sterling Marlin, because he didn't do anything wrong. Sterling needs to understand that for himself, though. I know he and Dale were friends off the track, and it is human nature to want someone to blame. The logical person will blame NASCAR and their underwhelming safety standards, or blame Simpson for their QC issues, but poor Sterling chose to blame himself. I'm actually crying thinking about how horrible he must feel. I'm crying thinking how fucked up I was to blame him for most of my teen years. I was a kid, though, so I didn't understand. I don't blame myself. Sterling needs to understand that it was an accident, and if he can't do that, even if he did nothing wrong, he still needs to forgive himself, even if only for holding himself accountable for all these years for something that wasn't his fault. That's a lot of years to spend hating yourself. Heart breaking. Utterly heart breaking.

Always wondered about this , it’s gotta be tuff .

I would tell Marlin it was Dale's time to go and be with God

i know the pain he is feeling because the last time i saw my mom alive i was in my car leaving to go back home and she came out to the front steps to say goodbye and i wanted to go giver her a hug but didnt and she died the next day, that vision still bothers me 20 years later. somethings you just feel so much regret that its hard to let go

We all love you Sterling, it wasn’t your fault, you’re a good man, a great driver and a great ambassador for NASCAR. There’s a steakhouse I love to go to out here in California that has a Sterling Marlin signed Coors Light Hood hanging above the bar. It’s been there for decades and every time I see it I remember those great racing days in the 90’s when NASCAR was awesome, don’t ever forget you were apart of that and helped make it great!

You know, everybody put the blame on Sterling. Me? I've seen it many times to see Rusty give Dale a bump before Dale went across the nose of Sterling. So I always put the blame on Rusty, but not in a bad way. It's just racing.

I think Sterling Marlin has been treated terribly by NASCAR fans, PERIOD!! I was a Dale Earnhardt fan. I hate he did that day. But, here"s the facts folks, that's exactly what God has planned. Nobody was paying attention. This great driver today, is 65 years old, has a terrible disease, and is haunted by something that happened over 20 years ago. How many people have had the courage to apologize to Sterling? Before he is gone? Does it matter? I understood back then, that most all wrecks are a part of racing. Unless you do something stupid, say, like restart the race every so many laps, like NASCAR does today, to save money? Yet, they want to slow down the cars? Here's what they need to do, it's really simple, run all short tracks. Close all tracks over 1 mile. That makes better sense than run all over the country, spending millions each year on each team. Then stopping the races in order to have enough wrecks for those who do not understand racing. That is unless it's open wheel racing. Stock car racing can be just as fun too watch, just as, or more safe.

We all have " Watched the Tape" more times than we would admit! It was a racing accident caused by many factors, Chiefly, it was Daytona! 1st and 2nd was racing for their history and rest of the field for 3rd. Dale was massaging the field back some, happily, to let race unfold ahead. The accident did not kill Dale, the safety equipment did... He was comfortable with his rig in the 3, but it failed. We saw Phil Parsons rolling on the front stretch at Talladega, a sound that was deafening, and I said nobody lives through That!!! But, the safety equipment worked. Sterling was a Fanfastic Racer, and he drove much like Dale, RaceCraft was their Skill. I hope Sterling can feel the fans understand his pain, but we do not cast the blame on him. Thats the Media🫳🏻🎤

Sterlin, what do you think Dale would say to you if he could? Do you think he would blame you? I believe he would tell you it wasn't your fault, and he doesn't blame you for anything. The Lord was riding with Dale that day. He was not alone. God knew Dale was going home that day. He was a believer in Jesus Christ and had read his Bible verse taped to the dash of his car before leaving pit road. He would want you to concentrate on living for Jesus so he can see you again soon. I too have a chronic disease, fighting it for many years (20+). I'm 64yo. Be ready for when we are whole again. Met you once, Sterlin, such a nice human being, not stuck on yourself as some are. Looking forward to seeing you again. God Bless you!!!

We don't blame him we pray for his healing we pray that he can stop grieving and live life.

I really believe Sterling meant no harm, but was so frustrated with Dale's incessant blocking, he pit maneuvered Dale, never thinking that he would fatally imjure him, but would just put Dale's car out of the race. Sterling didn't know Dale didn't have a H.A.N.S. Device on. Sterling also knew that he had the fastest car that day and so did Dale. That's why there was the constant blocking. Dale knew that Sterling was the only one there that could win if left unimpeded. Sterling also gave Dale a tap on the prior lap to let him know to stop the blocking.

I quit watching NASCAR. Dale is the best racer that ever 🏁 raced. I was hooked when first race I ever sowed. I was pulling for Dale. He won. One time he was Knocked into the infield in the grass and come up and won the race.

For once in Dale Earnhardt Sr. Life he wanted some else to win a race instead of himself. I believe he was trying to keep the rest of the field behind him so Michael Waltrip n Dale Jr. Could take 1st n 2nd. In that moment he was probably protecting his business n his son's place on that track. He wasn't being the Intimidator he was being a businessman n a father. That was Dale Sr.'s decision. The accident wasn't anyone's fault it was just racing. I was there that day I had my binoculars trained on them. It looked like Dale Sr. Was trying to protect his driver's for his company. Dale Sr. Didn't use head n neck restraints that's what helped end his life. Schrader is the keeper of how awful Dale Sr.'s last moments of life were. N Stirling M. Should never blame himself. The Earnhardt family doesn't. My question is how many concussions did Sterling Marlin have in his career n do concussions contribute to parkens disease.???

They didn't implement shit after the Dale Sr crash. It was actually the father of Blaise Alexander who pushed for the changes and succeeded when his own son died in October 2001 in a very similar accident. It's a common misconception that Dale Seniors crash changed the rules. It didn't.

God bless him praying for him