MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- 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 Earnhardts
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.
AP NEWS
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