David talks during a news conference where he helped create awareness for Pennies for Wessa as Wessa Miller and her father, Booker, look on. (NASCAR Public Relations)
Charlotte Observer NASCAR reporter David Poole died of a heart attack in his North Carolina home Tuesday. He was 50.
Poole’s loss will leave a huge void in the NASCAR community, as his voice was one of the most distinctive and passionate in the sport. Following are recollections from the NASCAR community.
“This is a sad day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David’s family. We lost a colleague, a friend, someone whose opinions would often challenge our own, and I mean that in a good way. He was so into this sport and so knowledgeable. And people paid attention to what he wrote. He will be missed.” — Hunter Nickell, President, SPEED
“The NASCAR community is stunned and saddened by the loss of David Poole. David was as passionate about NASCAR as anyone and had very definitive opinions about the sport. He served the industry, and most importantly the fans, through his reporting and commentary in the Charlotte Observer and Sirius Satellite Radio. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David’s family and friends. He will be missed.” — NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France
“David was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he was exceptionally passionate about this sport that we all care so deeply for. His voice was unique, his opinions were his own, and his abilities as a writer and journalist were unsurpassed. He had the courage to say what others would not, and he was deeply respected for it. Without driving a car or turning a wrench, David Poole was a racer, and he will be sincerely missed.” — Rick Hendrick, owner, Hendrick Motorsports
“David Poole was a special person and a friend and I miss him already. This is a big loss for the coverage of motorsports. He was truly one of the nation's best and he always wrote what he believed. Whether you agreed with him or not, he made us all think and that's what the best writers do. He cared about what he did and had a passion for his work. It came through in what he wrote every day. David didn't always write what was the popular opinion and I have a lot of respect for that. To equal what he did, the Charlotte Observer will probably have to hire three people. The world of racing is going to miss him for a long, long time.” — O. Bruton Smith, Chairman and CEO, Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
“David Poole was as much a fixture in this sport as the actual cars themselves. As someone fortunate enough to make a living doing what I love, I am indebted to David for the exposure he generated for our sport for 13 years, and the direct connection he had with the NASCAR fan base. He was a one-of-a-kind individual and an extremely talented writer. Our condolences go out to David’s family and friends. He will be missed.” — Dale Earnhardt Jr., team owner of JR Motorsports and driver of the No. 88 Chevrolets at Hendrick Motorsports
“This is an extremely sad loss. David Poole was a dear friend, not only to his colleagues in the media but to myself personally and the entire Earnhardt family. We could count on David for so many things, whether it be his coverage of our teams and business endeavors, or simply his unique ability to offer encouragement and support when it was needed most. My heart and prayers go out to David’s family, especially to the joy of his life – his grandson Eli.” — Kelley Earnhardt, vice president and general manager, JR Motorsports
“Certainly David’s passion for racing and his ability to cover this sport with words and perspective will forever be his legacy, but my fondest memories of David will always be his unconditional desire to help those in need. Nobody had a bigger heart. He used his platform as a tool to positively influence those less fortunate, and that is the David Poole I will always remember. In the most sincere way, it was a pleasure to call David a friend.” — Mike Davis, director of communications, JR Motorsports
