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Silent Laps 9-11
It was a tradition that began in 2001 after the death of Dale Earnhardt. It was during that season that NASCAR remembered the life of the legend that they lost by having a silent lap on lap No. 3 to honor him and the car number that he drove.
That tradition carried over after the events of 9/11.
After 9/11 NASCAR began paying tribute to those lost and those who survived by having laps 9 through 11 of the race silent. NASCAR encouraged all fans, drivers and TV broadcasters to partake in being silent during this three-lap stretch.
Some will see it as people just being quiet and that’s okay. However, some will also see it for what it’s meant to be; respectful, impactful and touching.