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Earnhardt dies following Daytona 500 mishapDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, 49, was fatally injured Sunday in a multi- political machine accident on the final lap of the 43rd Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. "NASCAR has lost its greatest driver," said NASCAR Chairman of the Board Bill France, who himself is recovering from purport 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 won the 1998 Daytona 500, was unconscious when he was cut from his no 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet after the accident between Turns 3 and 4 of the 2.5-mile speedway as a tangled pack of cars raced to the checkered flag. He was immediately transported to H alifax, less than one-mile from the speedway. "I dont know what to say. This is incredible, just incredible. I think everybody is just in shock right now. "I didnt see much of what happened up there (in the 4th 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 beat us all. "My heart goes out to Theresa and Dale, Jr., Kerry and Kelly, and to Taylor Nicole." Earnhardt was pronounce dead while his driver, Michael Waltrip, was being interviewed in the Daytona press box after his first career victory in 463 starts. In the accident, Ken Schraders No. 36 Pontiac was pinned against the outside wall by Earnhardts out-of-control No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, which came from a lower lane on the 31-degree banked turn. "I dont know what happened -- al l of a jerky we were all crashing," said Schrader, who was unhurt in the accident. "I guess someone got into Dale because Dale got into me and then 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 existent quick, so I got the hell out of the way.