I happened to be watching when Sr. was killed. I have no idea why as I almost never watch NASCAR.
When I saw the crash it did not seem very bad but the color announcer who was a former driver, immediately said that it was serious.
I had exactly the same reaction when watching it live. And I also remember the color commentator.....Darrell Waltrip, I think......being very somber right from the first picture.
Yes, it was Waltrip. He was torn up because his brother won the race but he was still fearful for Earnhardt.
The NASCAR experts can correct me, as that’s all from memory.
I was watching the race when Sr was killed and I knew it was not good when Kenny Schrader got out of his car and walked over, looked in the car, turned around and walked back to his car and got back in and buckled up ...