Back
FEBRUARY 19, 22:35 EST
Earnhardt Funeral Plans Pending
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Funeral arrangements for Dale Earnhardt were pending late Monday night.
The Earnhardt family spent Monday discussing funeral details but didn't finalize anything, said Humpy Wheeler, president of Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Earnhardt, the seven-time Winston Cup champion, was killed Sunday in an accident on the last lap of the Daytona 500.
Wheeler spent time with the family Monday and spoke to Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, by
telephone while she was still in Daytona Beach, Fla.
``She has a tremendous spirit and character and she's digging deep to hold everyone together,'' Wheeler said.
Track spokesman Jerry Gappens said the speedway had offered the Earnhardt's its facilities and any help the staff could provide.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Earnhardt's body was flown back to North Carolina on Monday night and taken to Ramer Funeral Home in Huntersville. A man answering the phone at the funeral home refused to comment.
Winston Cup teams return to action Saturday with qualifying for Sunday's Dura-Lube 400
at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham.
Meanwhile, in Earnhardt's birthplace of Kannapolis, the city is planning a memorial service on Sunday at A.L. Brown High School.
``With this service, we hope to celebrate and remember the life of our native son,'' Mayor Ray Moss told the Charlotte Observer.
And Lowe's Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway said they would donate all proceeds from the sale of Earnhardt merchandise to Speedway Children's Charities, which distributes money to about 40 local groups.