NASCAR Writer David Poole Dies

I received the news that Charlotte Observer NASCAR writer David Poole had passed away of a heart attack Tuesday while I was on-hold waiting for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to call into a teleconference.

It didn't seem possible. I had just sat with David, 50, in the press box in Talladega, Ala. two days ago. I'd shared press boxes and media centers with him since he joined the NASCAR beat in 1997.

With all due respect to Earnhardt as the interview went on, all the talk of drafting, restrictor plates and metal fencing became not nearly as important as the day before, the hour before.

The reality really set in when "David-Poole-Charlotte-Observer" -- as he identified himself in rapid Southern cadence -- wasn't called on to ask a question of Earnhardt. David was always part of this weekly forum, usually first in line.

He was THE beat writer. The drivers and race teams live in or near Charlotte and his race recounts and opinion pieces were what they had delivered to their doorsteps on Monday mornings.

And David was always up to it. He wasn't afraid to ask the tough question. He wasn't afraid to question the tough.

I can't remember the last time Tony Stewart held a news conference without some reference to "Poole." And David had no trouble trading all-in-fun barbs with the sharp-tongued Stewart, who clearly enjoyed the sparring match.

Those that have worked with David will remember him for many reasons. He was our voice when it came to getting the speakers louder, the replays re-played. ... or the press rooms quiet on deadline. Television cameramen and still photographers didn't dare box him out of an interview.

FanHouse blogger Geoffrey Miller said today he considered Poole one of his greatest influences, something which David would undoubtedly try to make light of, even as he so graciously appreciated the praise.

One of the last memories I have of David is of the joy he was getting watching the fans from our press box perch Sunday afternoon. On each of Earnhardt's pit stops, one middle-aged man - an Earnhardt fan - was directing Earnhardt as if he were part of the crew.

He'd motion the car to move forward then stick his palm up to signal for Earnhardt to stop. He never sat down and raised his fist in encouragement every time Earnhardt's No. 88 drove by - even though he would have been nothing more than a red blur to his favorite driver.

David got such a kick out of it. He laughed all afternoon. Until the last lap.

As we heard the impact just below us and watched Carl Edwards' car fly into the air and into the fence, we gasped, and immediately went into hard-news mode. We needed medical details, crash details and David was already holding officials accountable.

He cared deeply for the people he covered and the fans who watched and that always came through in in his writing.

David Poole cared. And the sport and those that knew him are better off because he did.

It's a fine legacy for the family he was so proud of - the one thing in life he cared for most.