On this day, February 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt died.

[Mopar151]

1. Dale had to do it "his way"

Pulled his belts through the adjusters at an angle, reducing their strength by 70%. His friend Bill Simpson, who manufactured belts and other safety gear, begged - literally begged - him to use the belts correctly, offered to make custom belts to suit, etc.

The left lap belt failed. Some attribute that to the adjuster issue, although Randy Earnhardt (@RCR) claimed that the extensive chassis dyno work had damaged the belt.

PS: I bought some NICE Simpson safety gear, and some other RCR "surplus", from the guy that told me that story. He had bought 3 trailer loads from Randy E. @ RCR.