Two-time Daytona 500 winner Earnhardt, in his 18th full-time season, told reporters, holding back some emotions, the reason was “simple. In 2016 Earnhardt announced on Twitter that he was donating his brain to science after his death. Before the Daytona 500 this February NASCAR announced all drivers involved in a crash would be evaluated on the scene. NASCAR previously instituted sweeping safety measures after the death of his father, Dale Earnhardt at the 2001 Daytona 500. Even though the younger Earnhardt did not achieve the historic heights of his father, who won seven NASCAR series championships, he did have two junior series titles.

Source: The Star April 25, 2017 23:26 UTC