Racing notebook: Teresa Earnhardt wants autopsy photos private

Monday, March 5, 2001 | 10:05 a.m.

Teresa Earnhardt on Sunday made her first public appearance since the death of Dale Earnhardt in the Feb. 18 Daytona 500 and pleaded for racing fans to support her in her effort to keep private her husband's autopsy photos.

The Orlando Sentinel has launched an effort to gain access to Earnhardt's autopsy photos which, Teresa Earnhardt said, has caused her and her family increased anguish.

"I am here to tell you that the trauma we have suffered has only grown since that tragic day two weeks ago," she said, reading from a prepared statement prior to the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "In fact, I have not even had time to caringly unpack Dale's suitcases from Daytona, let alone have time to grieve for him.

"The main reason is because we have been caught up in an unexpected whirlwind as a result of efforts to gain access to the autopsy photographs of Dale."

Earnhardt is seeking a court order to keep the photographs in the Volusia County (Fla.) medical examiner's confidential records so that "the media or others cannot violate Dale's dignity and our family's privacy and make the healing process possibly less painful."

"Even people in the public eye have a right to privacy," Earnhardt said. "This right is more important than the desire to exploit a tragic situation -- especially when no public good is being served. "There is nothing to be gained by the release of these images from Dale's autopsy."

In a statement released shortly after Earnhardt's press conference -- at which she declined to take questions from the media -- the Sentinel insisted it was not seeking to copy or publish the autopsy photos.

"We want to have a national expert review these photographs to determine whether the physical evidence is consistent with NASCAR's explanation of Dale Earnhardt's death," the Sentinel said in the statement.

The Sentinel said that it was willing to have representatives from both the Earnhardt estate and the court accompany the Sentinel's medical expert when he reviews the autopsy photos "to ensure that no copy could ever be made."

Earnhardt, who also expressed her gratitude for "everyone who has shown us their support during this especially difficult and emotional time," urged fans to contact the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and the President of the Florida Senate to prevent the publication of autopsy photos.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat next to his stepmother as she read from her statement and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. drivers Michael Waltrip and Steve Park also attended the press conference. Earnhardt Jr. did not speak at the gathering.

Beamer is a good friend of Las Vegas Motor Speedway director of public relations Jeff Motley. Motley made the trip to New Orleans for the Hokies' national championship showdown with Florida State in the 2000 Sugar Bowl.

"It all starts with Jeff but I am a NASCAR fan," Beamer said. "Back in Virginia we have Martinsville and Richmond. I enjoy the sport. I really admire these drivers and what they do and how they do it."

Beamer hadn't spent more than a couple of minutes in the media workroom when he got hit with the No. 1 question surrounding Virginia Tech football these days ... who will replace probable No. 1 NFL draft pick Michael Vick at quarterback?

"Yeah, we've been working on that," Beamer said with a smile. "We've got two (quarterbacks) in the program and we recruited three pretty good ones. I think the good thing is that there is a pretty good team coming back to surround whoever it is."

Beamer watched the race from Las Vegas Speedway owner Bruton Smith's luxury suite.

The late Lee Petty is seventh with 55 career victories.

Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Sterling Marlin, Johnny Benson and Todd Bodine -- the top five finishers Sunday -- are eligible for the $1 million bonus in the next "No Bull 5" race, the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C., in May.

Powell estimated Sunday's attendance at 125,000 -- including patrons in the infield motorhomes and guests in the luxury suites.

Last year's crowd of 130,000 was not matched because LVMS did not erect the temporary grandstands outside Turn 3 as it did for the 2000 race.

Craig Dollansky was second, followed by Andy Hillenburg, Joey Saldana and Mark Kinser.