I have been wondering about this. They are finding all the new info with concussions and contact sports, and let's face it, back in the day these guys hit the wall like men. I wouldn't have been surprised if under different circumstances if they did a brain study, that they would have found the same type of dark brain matter. I feel for Mr. Trickle.
On another note, any of you older NASCAR fans, do you remember back in the day, when he was racing, that when Earnhart Sr. was about to down a lap, good ol' Dick would all of a sudden be crashing into turn 2?! Loved that!