Nobody likes to have facts manipulated, and not especially if it is about a legend that you admire a lot.
And arguably the best driver in NASCAR history, Dale Earnhardt Sr. certainly has a huge number of followings and respect. And while as a fan you are allowed to make mistakes or not remember fans, but if you are running a successful TV show, it is necessary that you do your work to get all the facts right.
However, the reality TV show Pawn Stars got this horribly wrong. In an episode where one of Dale’s racing suits was up for sale, they ended up putting the wrong information. In their fact box, it read:
“Born in 1951, Earnhardt was killed instantly in a collision during the final lap of the 2001 Indy 500”.
Pawn Stars ESPN
🤝
Screwing up NASCAR facts pic.twitter.com/E7SxEjFhSw— Chase Holden (@GarageGuyChase) January 8, 2022
Attributing a racing discipline far different from what the seven-time NASCAR champion practiced, especially in the time of his death, irked a lot of NASCAR fans and they were very vocal in their criticism about the TV show.
Now that is pretty obvious to any fans of Indy car or NASCAR. Someone involved here is NOT a fan of either. https://t.co/MEpfe2qnpR
— devin nunes missing conscience (@DevinMissing) January 9, 2022
what a disgrace #nascar #indycar https://t.co/TOJzMtnkXC
— Anthony Kernich (@AntJKernich) January 9, 2022
God this hurts my soul https://t.co/3RwHEFMnTB
— Josh (@901Joshyy) January 9, 2022
Indy car legend! https://t.co/tVIl4Tlc1j
— Joey Slogano (@joeysl0gan0) January 9, 2022
Mfw they didn't do a Google search https://t.co/lyyP6mzU7O pic.twitter.com/OTic4XDkZO
— Hyoukxtsu (@Hyoukxtsu) January 9, 2022
Hey @HISTORY @pawnstars y’all need to learn your damn history! Whoever wrote this “fact” apparently is an idiot. The Indy 500 is for @IndyCar and the Dayton 500 is for NASCAR. Get your shit straight or don’t call yourself the History channel https://t.co/cg91B0FzjA
— Austin Osbun (@Oz_thewizard_33) January 9, 2022
OMG that's a freaking travesty. 😡🤬 https://t.co/wljNB6Qv4Y
— Sean Sedor (@SASedor2994) January 9, 2022
@pawnstars seriously? My friends who don't even know what NASCAR is know he died during the Daytona 500 not the Indy 500. Lol. Please fix, thank you. https://t.co/jZEYRk4idl
— Nathaniel Ostrowski (@NathanielOstrow) January 9, 2022
Disrespectful on so many levels https://t.co/kcuXiJxJSk
— Ryæn (@Ryan2k18) January 9, 2022
This is pathetic @pawnstars https://t.co/3NYb3Ztp6J
— Dillon (@Dillon_W21) January 9, 2022
What in the chicken fried fuck? @HISTORY
Fire your editors and producers on Pawn Stars. That’s an unforgivable fact fuck up. https://t.co/MImJ8Lg6IN
— Ruddkip (@TRuddkip) January 9, 2022
The criticism of the fans is rightfully justified. Earnhardt Sr. is not just some driver but the best in NASCAR history. And even if it is about the lesser-known driver, it is the duty of the media to give the right information and get their facts checked.