Blaise Alexander
Encyclopedia
Blaise Alexander was a stock car racer from Montoursville, Pennsylvania
. He began racing at the age of 12 in go-karts, winning the coveted World Karting Association East Regional championship in 1992. In 1995, he moved south to Mooresville, North Carolina
and was named Rookie of the Year in the ARCA series the following year. Over his ARCA career, he won three times. In 1997, he began running NASCAR
in the Busch Series
and the Craftsman Truck Series
. He only tasted modest success but was signed on to run for Team SABCO in the Busch Series in 2000, posting two top-ten finishes and finishing 25th in points. After that year, he decided to return to the ARCA series for more experience.
On October 4, 2001, during the EasyCare 100 at Lowe's Motor Speedway
, Alexander was battling Kerry Earnhardt for the lead when their cars touched, sending Earnhardt flipping upside-down through the infield while Alexander crashed into the outside retaining wall nearly head-on. Earnhardt made it out unscathed, but Alexander was taken to the hospital unconscious and showing no pulse
. Within 25 minutes, he was pronounced dead. His death, the sixth stock car racing fatality in two years, convinced NASCAR to mandate the HANS device
for all drivers.
Upon arriving in North Carolina, Alexander also enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Busch rookie driver and eventual NASCAR superstar, Jimmie Johnson
, as they competed against each other on the track, while supporting each other off it.
Alexander's memory has been honored by Johnson in several public and private ways. Johnson dedicated his first Cup win to Alexander during a nationally viewed Victory Lane interview and also recognized the Alexander family several years later, also in a Victory Lane interview, following a Cup race that took place just days after the passing of Blaise's mother. As Johnson's busy schedule permits, he continues to support various charity causes and events that Alexander initiated in his hometown area of Central Pennsylvania.
. He began his stock car career at age 12 in the World Karting Association
and was the champion of the East series in 1992. From that point, Alexander moved onto the Micro-Sprint racing series at tracks in different states including Pennsylvania
, Ohio
, and New York
, posting a total of 48 wins in the series. In 1995, Alexander moved from Montoursville to Mooresville, North Carolina
to pursue a racing career. During this time, Alexander's career began to flourish. In 1997, he competed in fifteen ARCA Re-Max Series and then expanded his racing career into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he was in two races, the Watkins Glen road course and Bristol
oval. Alexander entered the Busch Series in the same year, posting a top-10 finish at North Carolina Speedway
in only his second start in the series. His best career finish, however, did not come until 2000's Atlanta Motor Speedway
race, racing for Team SABCO.
and two second-place finishes in 1997. Alexander won his first ARCA race in 1998 at Toledo Speedway
and won a second race the same year at Pocono Raceway
. He led in 18 ARCA races for a grand total of 490 laps led. Alexander's final win came in July 2001 at Michigan International Speedway
. Alexander earned a total of four career pole awards at Michigan, Watkins Glen, Toledo and Winchester.
. He had been fighting for the lead position with Kerry Earnhardt for most of the race. At Lap 63 of 67, Earnhardt had to dodge a lap car by hitting his brakes, which caused Alexander's #75 to catch up to Earnhardt's #2. Alexander began to inch into the lead when Earnhardt's car broke traction at the rear and made contact with Alexander's, sending Alexander's car head-on into the wall and back into Earnhardt's car causing Earnhardt to flip over onto his roof and slide into the grass. After the wreck, Earnhardt got away unharmed, while Alexander was knocked unconscious. The ARCA race officials quickly threw out the red flag to send rescue workers onto the track to check on Alexander. Earnhardt had already gotten out of his car and wanted to go check on Alexander, a good friend of his. Officials would not allow Earnhardt to see him and was taken to the infield care center. As soon as he left, he went for Blaise's car, but by the time he got there, the ambulance was already leaving. Alexander was pronounced dead at the infield care center at 10:20 PM, at age 25. Alexander was interred at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, his hometown.
sustained in the impact, was the sixth in two years. Other high-profile drivers killed in this period included Adam Petty
, Kenny Irwin, Jr.
and Tony Roper
as well as Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and finally motivated NASCAR to require the use of head and neck restraint devices
to keep drivers safe from these types of injuries, caused by rapid deceleration in wrecks. The use of such devices had been optional up until Alexander's death.
In response to these deaths, NASCAR also stepped up testing of soft wall technology, eventually leading to the installation of the SAFER barrier
on all NASCAR oval tracks.
Montoursville, Pennsylvania
Montoursville is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 4,777. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named for Madame Montour, a Native American leader and skilled interpreter...
. He began racing at the age of 12 in go-karts, winning the coveted World Karting Association East Regional championship in 1992. In 1995, he moved south to Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville is a large suburban town in southern Iredell County, North Carolina, USA. It is in the Metrolina metro area. The population was 32,133 at the 2010 United States Census...
and was named Rookie of the Year in the ARCA series the following year. Over his ARCA career, he won three times. In 1997, he began running NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
in the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
and the Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
. He only tasted modest success but was signed on to run for Team SABCO in the Busch Series in 2000, posting two top-ten finishes and finishing 25th in points. After that year, he decided to return to the ARCA series for more experience.
On October 4, 2001, during the EasyCare 100 at Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
, Alexander was battling Kerry Earnhardt for the lead when their cars touched, sending Earnhardt flipping upside-down through the infield while Alexander crashed into the outside retaining wall nearly head-on. Earnhardt made it out unscathed, but Alexander was taken to the hospital unconscious and showing no pulse
Pulse
In medicine, one's pulse represents the tactile arterial palpation of the heartbeat by trained fingertips. The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed against a bone, such as at the neck , at the wrist , behind the knee , on the inside of the elbow , and near the...
. Within 25 minutes, he was pronounced dead. His death, the sixth stock car racing fatality in two years, convinced NASCAR to mandate the HANS device
HANS device
The HANS device is a safety item compulsory in many car racing sports...
for all drivers.
Upon arriving in North Carolina, Alexander also enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Busch rookie driver and eventual NASCAR superstar, Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
, as they competed against each other on the track, while supporting each other off it.
Alexander's memory has been honored by Johnson in several public and private ways. Johnson dedicated his first Cup win to Alexander during a nationally viewed Victory Lane interview and also recognized the Alexander family several years later, also in a Victory Lane interview, following a Cup race that took place just days after the passing of Blaise's mother. As Johnson's busy schedule permits, he continues to support various charity causes and events that Alexander initiated in his hometown area of Central Pennsylvania.
Early life
Alexander was born on March 26, 1976 in Montoursville, PennsylvaniaMontoursville, Pennsylvania
Montoursville is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 4,777. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named for Madame Montour, a Native American leader and skilled interpreter...
. He began his stock car career at age 12 in the World Karting Association
World Karting Association
The World Karting Association, or WKA, is the largest sanctioning body for kart racing racing in North America. The WKA was founded in 1971 and is located directly behind Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The WKA is believed to currently have approximately 5,000 members...
and was the champion of the East series in 1992. From that point, Alexander moved onto the Micro-Sprint racing series at tracks in different states including Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, posting a total of 48 wins in the series. In 1995, Alexander moved from Montoursville to Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville is a large suburban town in southern Iredell County, North Carolina, USA. It is in the Metrolina metro area. The population was 32,133 at the 2010 United States Census...
to pursue a racing career. During this time, Alexander's career began to flourish. In 1997, he competed in fifteen ARCA Re-Max Series and then expanded his racing career into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he was in two races, the Watkins Glen road course and Bristol
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
oval. Alexander entered the Busch Series in the same year, posting a top-10 finish at North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
in only his second start in the series. His best career finish, however, did not come until 2000's Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
race, racing for Team SABCO.
ARCA racing career
Alexander began driving in the ARCA Re-Max Series in 1995 and won Rookie of the Year honors the year after. During his rookie season, Alexander pulled off a second-place finish at Lowe's Motor SpeedwayLowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
and two second-place finishes in 1997. Alexander won his first ARCA race in 1998 at Toledo Speedway
Toledo Speedway
Toledo Speedway is a racetrack located in Toledo, Ohio. It is owned jointly by Roy Mott and ARCA President Ron Drager. It is operated by ARCA and run as the sister track to Flat Rock Speedway in Flat Rock, Michigan.-Weekly program:...
and won a second race the same year at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
. He led in 18 ARCA races for a grand total of 490 laps led. Alexander's final win came in July 2001 at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
. Alexander earned a total of four career pole awards at Michigan, Watkins Glen, Toledo and Winchester.
Death
On October 4, 2001, Alexander participated in the EasyCare 100 at Lowe's Motor SpeedwayLowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
. He had been fighting for the lead position with Kerry Earnhardt for most of the race. At Lap 63 of 67, Earnhardt had to dodge a lap car by hitting his brakes, which caused Alexander's #75 to catch up to Earnhardt's #2. Alexander began to inch into the lead when Earnhardt's car broke traction at the rear and made contact with Alexander's, sending Alexander's car head-on into the wall and back into Earnhardt's car causing Earnhardt to flip over onto his roof and slide into the grass. After the wreck, Earnhardt got away unharmed, while Alexander was knocked unconscious. The ARCA race officials quickly threw out the red flag to send rescue workers onto the track to check on Alexander. Earnhardt had already gotten out of his car and wanted to go check on Alexander, a good friend of his. Officials would not allow Earnhardt to see him and was taken to the infield care center. As soon as he left, he went for Blaise's car, but by the time he got there, the ambulance was already leaving. Alexander was pronounced dead at the infield care center at 10:20 PM, at age 25. Alexander was interred at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, his hometown.
Aftermath
Alexander's death, caused by a basilar skull fractureBasilar skull fracture
A basilar skull fracture is a fracture of the base of the skull, typically involving the temporal bone, occipital bone, sphenoid bone, and/or ethmoid bone....
sustained in the impact, was the sixth in two years. Other high-profile drivers killed in this period included Adam Petty
Adam Petty
Adam Kyler Petty was a professional racing driver. He was the first fourth-generation driver in NASCAR history.-Early life:...
, Kenny Irwin, Jr.
Kenny Irwin, Jr.
Kenneth Dale Irwin, Jr. was a NASCAR stock car driver. He had driven in all three major of forms of NASCAR and had two total victories. Before that, he raced in the United States Auto Club against Tony Stewart, who was one of his fiercest rivals...
and Tony Roper
Tony Roper
Anthony Dean "Tony" Roper was a NASCAR driver. He was born in Springfield, Missouri, to Dean Roper and Shirley Medley. Growing up his family was heavily involved in auto racing. Roper started racing in 1986. For the next six years Tony raced in IMCA Modifieds and late models on Midwest dirt and...
as well as Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and finally motivated NASCAR to require the use of head and neck restraint devices
HANS device
The HANS device is a safety item compulsory in many car racing sports...
to keep drivers safe from these types of injuries, caused by rapid deceleration in wrecks. The use of such devices had been optional up until Alexander's death.
In response to these deaths, NASCAR also stepped up testing of soft wall technology, eventually leading to the installation of the SAFER barrier
SAFER barrier
The Steel and Foam Energy Reduction barrier, sometimes called a soft wall, is a technology found primarily on oval automobile race tracks and intended to make racing accidents safer...
on all NASCAR oval tracks.