Earnhardt Revisited

Every year about this time, as folks begin to gear up for the new racing season, the tragic accident that claimed Dale Earnhardt’s life six years ago becomes a topic of discussion among race fans, many of whom are still in mourning over the loss of “The Intimidator.”

Earnhardt tied “The King” Richard Petty for the most championships ever in NASCAR’s premier series, each winning the title seven times. Many feel The Intimidator had at least one more championship in him when, at age 49, he suffered the fatal injuries on the final lap of the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2001.

On my weekly radio show, the award-winning Dave Coffin Motorsports Show, this Saturday (Jan. 6), noted neurosurgeon Chris Carver will join the show’s founding host, Tony Karis, and myself to talk about Earnhardt’s accident and what really claimed his life. Dr. Carver will also address why doctors sometimes induce comas, such as when open-wheel star Cristiano da Matta was involved in his freak testing crash at Road America.

Dr. Carver is the man I believe God used to spare me from a wheel chair in 2005. He is a partner in Central Coast Brain & Spine Associates with offices in Monterey and Salinas and a very gifted neurosurgeon.

If you have questions for Dr. Carver, or any of the guests Tony and I have on the show, you can call (831) 373-1234. The show is on every Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to noon (Pacific time) on historic news talk radio KNRY-1240 AM. You should also be able to pick up the show on the web at www.knry.com.

An official announcement will be coming out shortly, but get ready because tickets go on sale Monday for all the events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca except the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Tickets and information are available by calling 1-800-327-SECA (7322) or logging on to www.laguna-seca.com. There are still tickets available for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, but I would recommend you get on that as soon as possible because they will go fast.