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Earnhardt dies following Daytona 500 accidentDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, 49, was fat alto take hold ofhery injure Sunday in a multi- automobile accident on the final rophy of the 43rd Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. "NASCAR has lost its greatest driver," tell NASCAR Chairman of the Board Bill France, who himself is recovering from life threatening illnesses, "and I personally have lost a great friend." His wife Teresa was at his side at the time of death. Dr. Steve Bohannon, emergency trauma surgeon who was on one of the ambulances that responded, said, "My speculation would be head injuries, basically to the base of the skull." Earnhardt, who win the 1998 Daytona 500, was unconscious when he was cut from his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet afterwards the accident between Turns 3 and 4 of the 2.5-mile speedway as a complex pack of cars raced to the checkered flag. He was immediatel y transported to Halifax, less than one-mile from the speedway. "I tiret know what to say. This is incredible, just incredible. I think everybody is just in shock even up now. "I didnt see much of what happened up at that place (in the fourth turn). After the race was over, I heard things didnt look very good but, man, Earnhardt. You figure hell bounce right back," said Jeremy Mayfield, driver of the No. 12 Penske Ford. Your first thought is, hey, hell probably come back next week at Rockingham and skirt us all. "My heart goes out to Theresa and Dale, Jr., Kerry and Kelly, and to Taylor Nicole." Earnhardt was pronounced dead while his driver, Michael Waltrip, was universe interviewed in the Daytona press box after his first career conquest in 463 starts. In the accident, Ken Schraders No. 36 Pontiac was pinned against the outside groyne by Earnhardts out-of-control No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, which came from a lower channel on the 31-degree banked turn. "I dont know what happened -- all of a sudden we were all crashing," said Schrader, who was unhurt in the accident. "I guess someone got into Dale because Dale got into me and whence we went up. We hit pretty hard and Dale hit harder." Schrader tried to visit Earnhardts car after the accident ended, but quickly left the area. I didnt get to talk to Dale," Schrader said of his escape. "I went over there and then they (safety workers) got there real quick, so I got the hell out of the way.