Page "Dale Earnhardt" Paragraph 24

Rain-delays had canceled the live telecast of the race and most fans first learned of the accident during the night's sports newscasts.

Video of the crash showed what appeared to be a fatal incident, but once medical workers arrived at the car, Earnhardt climbed out and waved to the crowd, refusing to be loaded onto a stretcher despite a broken collarbone, sternum, and shoulder blade.

Many thought the incident would end his season early, but Earnhardt refused to give up.

The next week at Indianapolis, he started the race but exited the car on the first pit stop, allowing Mike Skinner to take the wheel.

When asked, Earnhardt said that vacating the No. 3 car was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

The following weekend at Watkins Glen, he drove the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet to the fastest time in qualifying, earning the " True Grit " pole.

T-shirts emblazoned with Earnhardt's face were quickly printed up, brandishing the caption, " It Hurt So Good.

" Earnhardt led most of the race and looked to have victory in hand, but fatigue finally took its toll and Earnhardt ended up 6th, behind race winner Geoff Bodine.

Earnhardt did not win again in 1996, but still finished 4th in the standings behind Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett.

David Smith departed as crew chief of the No. 3 team and RCR at the end of the year for personal reasons, and was replaced by Larry McReynolds.