Charlotte Observer NASCAR Writer David Poole Passes Away At 50

Poole Dies After Suffering Heart Attack At Age 50

Charlotte Observer NASCAR reporter DAVID POOLE passed away yesterday at the age of 50 after suffering a heart attack, and driver DALE EARNHARDT JR. said Poole was "as much a fixture in this sport as the actual cars themselves," according to Jim Morrill of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Poole became the Observer's NASCAR writer in '97 and "built a national following through ThatsRacin.com and a daily program he hosted on Sirius NASCAR Radio." The National Motorsports Press Association "four times named him its writer of the year," as he wrote about the sport with the "enthusiasm of a fan and the critical eye of a journalist." Richard Childress Racing Owner RICHARD CHILDRESS: "He could be controversial from time to time, but he always wrote and spoke what he believed." SMI Chair & CEO BRUTON SMITH: "Whether you agreed with him or not, he made us all think, and that's what the best writers do." Charlotte Observer Editor RICK THAMES said Poole was the "fans' reporter, always covering NASCAR with their sensibilities in mind." Sirius "plans to broadcast a tribute this morning" in honor of Poole, and NASCAR "plans a moment of silence" ahead of Saturday's Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond Int'l Raceway (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/29). NASCAR Chair & CEO BRIAN FRANCE said in a statement, "David was as passionate about NASCAR as anyone and had very definitive opinions about the sport. ... He will be missed" (NASCAR). Hendrick Motorsports Owner RICK HENDRICK said in a statement, "His voice was unique, his opinions were his own, and his abilities as a writer and journalist were unsurpassed" (Hendrick).

VOICE OF THE SPORT: In Charlotte, Tom Sorensen writes Poole was "loud, opinionated, hilarious, gutsy, and smarter than you are, and I don't care who you are." Sorensen: "For some fans, the checkered flag did not signify the end of the race. David's interpretation did. Only then was it official" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/29). ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinkas, who worked alongside Poole at the Charlotte Observer, wrote Poole had an “uncommon passion for NASCAR,” and his “excellent writing was a must read” (ESPN.com, 4/28). SI.com's Lars Anderson wrote Poole was "to NASCAR what PETER KING and CHRIS MORTENSEN are to the NFL." Poole was the "most authoritative voice in the sport." Driver JIMMIE JOHNSON: "David was the one writer who I felt I had to actually win the respect of. And man, he didn't give it to me. I had to earn it. And it was very, very hard. All the drivers read him" (SI.com, 4/28). ESPN’s Mike Massaro said Poole “was a man who left an impression on every driver he interacted with, and you can say the same thing about journalists.” Massaro: “There was no journalist covering NASCAR who was more respected than David Poole” (“NASCAR Now,” ESPN2, 4/28). ESPN.com's Terry Blount wrote Poole's passing leaves a "giant void among those of us who cover the sport." Blount: "People respected him because whatever stance he took, his objective was to make the sport better" (ESPN.com, 4/28).

OUTSPOKEN STYLE: YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote Poole was "one of the most outspoken voices in NASCAR media ... and he'll be deeply missed" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/28).  ESPN.com’s David Newton: “He was so passionate … and he didn’t mind voicing that opinion, whether NASCAR got ticked off about it or anybody got ticked off about it.” NASCAR driver Jeff Burton: “David always wanted the whole story. He wanted both sides of the story. He wasn’t afraid to ask a hard question, he wasn’t afraid to write a hard article, and he didn’t want to write the same article that all his colleagues were writing. He wanted to write something different.” NASCAR VP/Communications Jim Hunter: “He did ask the hard questions, but David was fair” (“NASCAR Now,” ESPN2, 4/28). NASCAR SCENE's Steve Waid writes Poole was "firm in his opinions, which were often critical, yet he was always able to back them up with facts" (SCENEDAILY.com, 4/29). ESPN.com’s Ed Hinton wrote Poole was “one of the greats in American auto racing journalism, not just of his time but ever” (ESPN.com, 4/28).