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Race Cars Crash at Daytona Speedway; Media Link Pope Resignation to Sex, Money, Scandal; Gun Sales Among Females On The Rise

Aired February 23, 2013 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon. Thank you so much for joining us.

As we go on the air tonight, breaking news. It's from the sports world. It happened just moments ago. It was a fiery crash that marked the end of today's NASCAR race in Daytona. Take a look now at these incredible images that are coming in. There is the video of that crash. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: And a terrible crash coming to the finish.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: This is a big, big wreck.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Kyle Larson's car with the front end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Again, images of that crash, you can see it now in slow motion, sent that car hurdling toward the grandstand. Engine parts flying right into the crowd. It happened on the final lap of NASCAR's nationwide race.

Our Joe Carter is there. Also a CNN employee, John Newsome, who was there too, just trying to enjoy the race. They both join us now by phone.

Joe, I'm going to start with you. What did you see? What is going on here?

JOE CARTER, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Don, our location where we've been working from is basically called Victory Lane. It's in the infield of this track. So we weren't able to see very well the crash itself. We could hear the crash. So I was watching on the television like a lot of folks at home, and saw Tyler Larson's car get airborne and absolutely get shredded across that catch fence.

Now, keep in mind, on the other side of that catch fence is where fans sit to enjoy the race. Now, this is a nationwide race. So it's a second-tier race. Of course, tomorrow is the cup series race. You're going to have a much larger crowd. I'd say the crowd is probably about 80 percent full. So not completely sold out. But there were a lot of people. We saw several pieces of Kyle Larson's car go through that fence, including a burning engine that went into the open area.

It appeared that most of that car went through and over the fence. We've heard that there are some injuries, not able to confirm how many people or what's happened to those people. Not sure about the drivers just yet. NASCAR is still working on getting a statement out from the President Mike Helton. But at this point, obviously, a horrific end to what was a -- going to be a fantastic finish in the nationwide race.

The car just absolutely shredded into several pieces. Kyle Larson, the one involved, several other drivers, and just to watch that car go into a million pieces, completely shredded across that fence, it was a sad sight to see. And obviously the catch fence did its job from the most part because it prevented the engine from going further into the grandstand and a lot of pieces like tires, parts of the car going into the grandstand -- Don.

LEMON: And Joe, listen, these cars are going hundreds of miles an hour, and then, of course, the engine sent hurdling, going even faster in front of the car and also the other general parts. Ten cars, at least, Joe, that were involved in this. And you said the driver was Kyle Larson? How is he? Do we know?

CARTER: No, not at this point. We're waiting to hear back from NASCAR to determine whether or not which drivers had to be taken to the hospital. We don't know their condition at this time. We know there was a wreck earlier in the race, just you know, probably ten laps before. The drivers did have to be taken to the hospital. So we're going to work on trying to get something from NASCAR and get it back to you.

But at this point when you watch that video, you think how could somebody just walk away from something like that. You know, pieces of his car flying through that fence. His car, when it actually -- it's being shredded through the air, when it was finished rolling off the track and ended up in the grass, it was pretty much half gone. I mean, there was no engine. There was no some part to the car.

LEMON: Yes.

CARTER: And so we're hoping that obviously every driver involved was able to at least have no injuries or be taken to the hospital. But we're going to get back to you as far as investigation goes. I'm going to head over to the media center and try and find out more information.

LEMON: All right. Joe Carter, thank you very much. Joe, get back to us. So, stand by. And we're going to bring in Mr. Newsome, who was there. John Newsome, who is a CNN employee.

Before we get to John, let's roll that video and let you watch it happen. And then we'll get to John. Play the video.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Contact! Smith turned around. Tony Stewart is going to win this race. And a terrible crash coming to the finish.

ANNOUNCER: This is a big, big wreck.

ANNOUNCER: Kyle Larson's car, with the front end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Again, that was Kyle Larson's car. Our Joe carter is checking on to see how he is doing. And this happened again just moments ago, ten cars involved. This video is courtesy of ESPN, and we thank them for it. Our employee, John Newsome joins us now. He was there. He's a CNN producer. He was in the stands when the accident happened. John, what did you see?

JOHN NEWSOME, CNN PRODUCER: Well, it was the last lap of the race. Obviously, a lot of people -- they're trying to make it to the finish line first. And it was right around turn four, right as they were crossing, right before they crossed the finish line. And a couple cars spun out of control. Obviously, it happened very fast, so it's hard to tell who actually started it. I'll bet Joe can probably attest to that better than I can.

But I mean, I can tell you from where I was, and I was sitting in the Sprint Tower, which to give you some perspective, it's right across in the finish line. I was a little to the left. So it happened, I mean, right in front of me. We were in the second level, where actually from the debris managed to fall flat to the second level, despite the fence right there. But I was able to hop down a couple flights of stairs and get some of the pictures that hopefully you guys are seeing now. But obviously there were some pieces of engine that actually were able to fly out as the cars crashed. And they came through the fence. I mean, there was a picture of an engine as well as the tire.

LEMON: Let's get John's pictures up. John, we're going to get your pictures up as you're talking now.

NEWSOME: Sure.

LEMON: Do we have them? So you, some of the parts did go over the fence. We're looking at your photo now. There appears to be an emergency vehicle in the background and the fence -- I mean, it's just -- it's crushed. Yes.

NEWSOME: And the extent to which the -- some of the -- I guess pieces of the car went over that fence. Means that there was an engine as well as a tire that went right over the fence, right where you would say the first row was sitting. And at that point they immediately had fire crews come over and sort of extinguish them. Because obviously, they were very hot and obviously there was a little bit of fire as they walk through the crash.

So they extinguished that very quickly. But even debris managed to make it to the second level where me as well as my family were sitting. And obviously in my family is fine. But there were other people that were still hit by debris on the second level. And I reached out to some of the medical crew and none would give me an answer with any certitude as to what the extent of the injuries were.

LEMON: John, listen, I've worked with you. I know you're very reliable. So you did see people get injured by some of this flying debris.

NEWSOME: Yes. And one of the photos, there was a line of ambulances here on the main stretch sort of near where the front gates are. There were probably at least ten ambulances which I think is probably fairly high. I mean, I've been doing a number of these NASCAR events and they always sort of have ambulances here as a precaution. But it was sort of a higher number than I had ever seen. And they definitely had stretchers out there and medical crew tended to some of the people, particularly near the front of the fence where most of the injuries came from.

LEMON: John, did you see -- did anyone have to be taken away from a stretcher? I know you're not an emergency worker. But did anyone appear to be hurt badly?

NEWSOME: I did not see anybody taken away on the stretcher, although they did bring them there at that point as they were bringing in the stretcher. The emergency crews, police officers, were pushing everybody out. And trying to make sure that they had some sort of privacy for some of the people that were still going through some of the medical care. And as you can hear right now some of the sirens are still going off. A couple ambulances still driving by right now if you can hear it on my phone. So, obviously, I mean, definitely I can confirm that there were some injuries. But the extent to which these injuries were is still unclear at this time.

LEMON: As we're looking at some of the pictures of the stills, John, you can see, I mean -- there are people sitting in the stands right behind this car as this car is hurdling by. And obviously that fence doesn't hold, you know, every single piece of the car, every single piece of the debris. So it would -- you know, I'm not surprised that people were hit and hit by probably smaller pieces of the car. As it went through that protected fence. How far away were you from this again?

NEWSOME: I was in the sprint tower, which is the main tower right on the front straightaway. Sort of near sort of the left side of it. Sort of coming off a turn for approaching the finish line, which is actually right where this crash happened. And obviously everybody was standing up. It was a high-energy moment. And I think everybody was sort of already -- it was so loud at that point and the crowd was cheering. And as this wreck happened, you could still hear sort of a collective gasp among the crowd.

Because there's sort of, I mean, obviously, people to go nationwide -- the Daytona 500, you could consider them avid race fans. This is a sort of this Super Bowl of racing, at least for the NASCAR series. And it was sort of surprising. The NASCAR has done a lot of work in the past couple years to sort of make racing safer, not just for the drivers but also for the patrons, it's for the spectators. I mean, those fences are very, very strong. I mean, they're all reinforced with steel rods and everything. But obviously when you have cars going this fast, in the magnitude --

LEMON: John, let's listen. Let's watch this video. I want our viewers to listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Smith turned around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: So anyway. That's -- those are the pictures. And you see that car right there. Hit the wall, and then it explodes into flames, bursts into flames. And what I want to see later in the video, I don't know if this is the driver, Kyle Larson, who is standing up, but you see a driver walking away from one of the cars. And I'm just wondering if that is -- that appears to be his car. He's number 32, correct, John?

NEWSOME: I'm not sure off the top of my head. I mean, that would probably be a better question for Joe. And that he could probably attest to the -- I guess how well the drivers are doing at this point. Because at least from where I was, I was sort of concerned that at least the people that were in my section, because the debris had managed to come up there -- which I mean, obviously, there were a couple big wrecks today. This was the last of them, obviously. It was the first time in a number of years, I mean, I've been going to these for a while. The debris, sort of this magnitude has come into the stands.

LEMON: Yes. If you look at the video, as I'm looking now, I'm seeing it just as our viewers are seeing it, it's number 32. There it is. You see that? Thirty two is the car that goes flying into that fence. And then burst -- there you go. Thirty two right there. And you see the driver standing next to it. One would hope that he is OK and he appears to be OK, because he's standing there. But we don't know the extent of his injuries, if any at all.

And we don't know if any of the people were hurt in the stand, at least hurt enough to be sent to the hospital. John Newsome is there. Thank you very much, John. We'll get back to you and also Joe Carter from CNN Sports. But, again, John is saying he did see people being treated, some of the debris did go through that fence. You could see the engine part of the engine and part of the tire hurdling into that fence and some of the parts going over into the stands. So we're going to have more on our breaking news story coming up from NASCAR's premier event, the Daytona 500. We will be back in just a moment here on CNN with our breaking news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Breaking news coming out of Daytona. There has been a crash today involving ten cars at the nationwide race at Daytona. And I misspoke a little bit earlier. It's not the 500. The 500 is tomorrow. But anyway, there is that crash. The images are incredible. We are being told that some people have been injured. We don't have confirmation on their injuries, if they're life threatening or not at this point. The driver, Kyle Larson of this car, number 32, appears from the video to have walked away, and I'm also being told that ESPN has an interview with him after the race, and he appears to be OK.

Again, that is not confirmation. CNN has not confirmed that. There is a news conference for NASCAR at any minute that we are waiting on. We are awaiting a news conference to give us an update on exactly what happened. The president of NASCAR is supposed to give that press conference here, and we're going to carry it for you on CNN. We have two people, at least, from our staff who are attending this event, who are attending Daytona, and, of course, the 500 tomorrow. And this nationwide race that was happening today.

Look at those pictures. Unbelievable. Can you imagine? Sitting in the stands. Let alone the drivers. Let's go to as a spectator. Sitting in the stands in this car, is coming towards you, not only this car, a number of cars involved in this accident. And then this one all of a sudden hurdling through the air, with its parts, including the engine and the tire barreling right towards you. And then also being down -- the drivers prepare for this.

Hoping that it will not happen. Look at the tire. You see the tire at the right bottom of your screen there, how it smashed through that fence? And the car still smoldering there in that video that was on just before. Here's the crash. Right now. Yes. Look at that. So one car hits another. Causes somewhat of a domino effect. And then sends one car into the fence, and then it bursts into flames.

And then just moments from now, look at that. Unbelievable. That is believed to be Kyle Larson, the driver of that car, number 32. Standing outside of the car. But imagine that he was taken at least, if not to a hospital, somewhere in the facility to be checked out. I am being told that there was an interview by Kyle Larson on ESPN, which we have been partnering with lately.

CNN's Joe Carter on the phone. Joe, give me an update. What can you tell me?

CARTER: Yes, Don, how are you doing? Yes. We are in the infield area of the track. It's, you know, probably about a quarter of a mile away from where the action had happened, which is around the finish line. There is an infield hospital that's available to the drivers. All ten of the drivers that were involved in the crash went to the infield hospital. They were all checked out and they were all released. We saw Brad Kozlowski walk away on his own power.

Brad Kozlowski, the reigning cup series champ, he was the one who bumped into Kyle Larson as they were heading toward the finish line. Caused the crash. You saw Kyle Larson's car go up this morning, shred across that grandstand fence. Kyle Larson we saw walking away on his own two feet. At this point, we do know that the ten cars, the one involved, the ten drivers involved, did go to the infield hospital that NASCAR provides for its drivers. They were checked out and they were released.

This is what we don't know, what's going on exactly with the spectators that were being treated in the grandstands. We have heard there were few people that were taken away on a stretcher, but we cannot confirm that. We know that pieces of debris went up as high as the second row in the grandstands. Again, where we're located is the victory lane, which is basically the center of this track. So we're a great distance away from where the wreck happened.

But at this point, Don, looks like all the drivers involved are going to be OK. Obviously, a lot of these guys are going to have to race tomorrow. So they'll need to probably go and sit down and relax a little while and shake this one off.

LEMON: Yes. Absolutely. And again, this happened just before we came on the air here. Didn't have much information. And Joe, as you are there watching, what is it like? What's the mood there? This happened at the end of the race, apparently successful day of racing. And then all of a sudden it's marred by this at the end.

CARTER: Yes, I mean, exactly. It's a subdued mood. I mean, it's Tony Stewart won the race, but he won it off, you know, a ten-car crash. And obviously potentially fans being hurt from that. And a lot of cars being wrecked. This is -- it's a -- again, a subdued mood around here. People obviously wondering what happened to the folks in the stands. Making sure that everybody is OK.

Drivers are checking in with their families, with their friends, with their crew chief, with their teams. Just to let everybody know they're OK. And, you know, it's not a way you want to see a race end like this. And I've seen the NASCAR president saying this is something that we have never seen before. They have wrecks in most races but you don't see debris like this going up into the stands and shredding through the fence -- Don.

LEMON: All right. CNN's Joe Carter is going to stay there and check up on this breaking news for us. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Ten drivers involved. We're told all ten drivers are OK. Walked away from the car. They were checked out on the infield Medical Center there, everybody is fine at this point. But they are checking on the spectators in the stands to see if they're OK. That fence usually blocks everything.

One of the tires that we're told bounced over that fence and went into the stands. The other one, the fence did hold it. And other parts, smaller parts, smaller debris, was able to get in through that fence. We'll check on it, keep you updated on the breaking news coming out of Daytona.

In the meantime, there's another developing story to tell you about, a sex scandal, money scandal and a cover-up scandals and the names named go to the top of the Catholic Church. Here's what got the Vatican in rumor control mode this weekend. Some media outlets in Italy say they have uncovered the real reason Pope Benedict is stepping down. The real reason he's stepping down.

And church officials are doing something they almost never do. They're going public saying it's not true. And CNN's Ben Wedeman has the very latest for us -- Ben. BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: On February 11th, Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world, announcing he was stepping down at the end of the month. Too old and too tired to conduct his official duties.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

But the reports broke in two leading Italian publications La Republica and Panorama suggest his reason for resigning was far more explosive. Shock at the discovery of a network of gay priests at the Vatican, blackmailed by a network of male prostitutes.

According to the reports, the results of an investigation by three cardinals assigned to look into wrongdoing at the Vatican were submitted to Pope Benedict on December 17th last year.

The reports say that dossier also suggests serious financial improprieties within the Vatican, amounting to violations of the sixth and seventh commandments, thou shall not steal and thou shall not commit adultery. Benedict was so shocked by the investigations findings, the publications alleged, he decided to resign. The Vatican has responded with uncharacteristically strong language, saying these, quote, "unverified, unverifiable or completely false news stories cause serious damage to persons and institutions." And are an attempt to use public opinion to influence the cardinals' free will in the election of a new pope.

Cardinal Velasio de Paolis will take part in that election, the conclave, and urges caution before credulity.

(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

We cannot say that things that are only guesswork or imagination are true, he told me. There are no proofs and these allegations only serve to create a climate of division that helps no one. But CNN Vatican analyst John Allen sniffs some truth in the allegations.

JOHN ALLEN, CNN SENIOR VATICAN ANALYST: To date, none of us have actually seen this secret report delivered by the three cardinals to Benedict XVI, so it's impossible to say precisely what it contains. On the other hand, the core claim of this story that the cardinals looked into the possibility that there might be a network of gay clergy inside the Vatican who were vulnerable to pressure, to me that passes the smell test.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WEDEMAN: There may indeed be something rotten in the state of the Vatican. Ben Wedeman, CNN, Rome.

LEMON: All right, Ben. I'm going to talk to a theology professor in a couple of minutes about the scandal, the curious timing of it and how it might impact the selection of the next pope. But I want to get to Miguel Marquez right now.

Miguel, I just said the word "Timing" about the timing and all this, because it's just a few days, it's just a few days, Pope Benedict will step down as we have been reporting, and an American cardinal in Los Angeles will help elect his replacement. Cardinal Roger Mahoney answering questions about another church scandal today. Tell us about that, Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, he's been deposed today. And that deposition, we understand, has just concluded. It sounds like he was talked to for -- or questioned by lawyers who are representing victims -- one victim. But there are 26 alleged victims of a priest who has since fled to Mexico. His name, Nicolas Aguilar Rivera. And Roger Mahoney's role in covering up those allegations for that priest back in the 1980s.

This is the first time Roger Mahoney has been deposed since there were some 12,000 pages of documents released by the diocese here under court order back in January. He was also stripped of public duties, except for his cardinalship. He does say he tweeted yesterday, his spokesperson continues to say that he will go to Rome, that he will vote in that conclave, that he will take part in the conclave and vote for the pope. It says it's his duty, although some are beginning to wonder whether or not he will be invited into that conclave when he gets to Rome.

He may leave as soon as this afternoon or this evening. Depending upon what his lawyers say. But a lot of high drama here. We're at St. Charles Borromeo, the home parish where he now lives. We expect he may be coming back here soon. But in about -- about an hour now, representatives from the survivors' network of abused priests and Catholics United are going to gather here. They're going to present some 8,000 petitions with some 8,000 signatures on them to Roger Mahoney, they hope, asking him not to go to Rome -- Don.

Can we talk a little bit more here about credibility? I mean, how will these legal issues impact his role as someone who will elect the next pope, Miguel?

MARQUEZ: It is -- it's hard to fathom. You know, the bishop -- the Cardinal Mahoney has apologized over and over again. He's met with victims of sexual abuse. He says that, you know, it was a different time in the way they dealt with it then. But when you read through just -- and I haven't been able to get through all 12,000 documents but the ones that I have been able to get through, when you read through them, you realize how clearly he understood what these priests were doing, and how clearly he was simply protecting himself and the church, and really didn't care about victims. It's right, and it's wrong and he came down on the wrong side.

And it's very difficult for victims to get over that. And they want to see a greater level of justice. He's never been tried in criminal court. He's been deposed many times. There has been some discussion and attempts to find criminal behavior on his part. That has not happened yet. But, you know, victims are very, very upset. They think that he is the wrong person. Even some very powerful, very conservative members of the Catholic league, for instance, are saying stay in Los Angeles, don't go to Rome -- Don.

LEMON: Miguel Marquez, thank you very much.

Coming up -- the latest on the NASCAR accident.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: The Obama administration has committed to introduce more thorough background checks for gun purchases, and tougher rules on what guns and magazines can be bought and sold. Gun sales have risen sharply in recent years, and the number of women going to shooting ranges has gone up too.

CNN's Ed Lavandera met some Texas women who have found firearms to be both empowering and fashionable.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RENEE BLAINE, AUSTIN HOT SHOTS: When I get my gun out of my holster, it's right there. Hoop.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On this Texas gun range --

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Like Nicole.

LAVANDERA: Prada and Bling meet bullets and pistol grips.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Shoot! (GUNFIRE)

LAVANDERA: It's time for the good 'ole boys to move over and make room for the newest sharp-shooters in town, like Renee Blaine.

BLAINE: And when I tell people I'm a firearms instructor, they're like -- don't let the hair and nails fool you, man. We're going to break down drawing from the holster.

LAVANDERA: Blaine specializes in training women how to handle and shoot firearms. She runs a school called "Austin Hot Shots."

BLAINE: It is huge. It is huge. The movement towards women and guns is something unlike I've ever seen before. Shoot! (GUNFIRE)

LAVANDERA: Surveys suggest the number of female gun owners was stable in the 20 years leading up to 2010, but in the last few years, gun retailers report a surge in female customers.

BLAINE: Get as high up as you can on the gun.

LAVANDERA: Cindy Greenwood is a new shooter. She won this handgun in a charity raffle.

CINDY GREENWOOD, NEW GUN OWNER: It's exhilarating, it's empowering, I think for a woman. I like it. Makes you feel good.

BLAINE: I'm going to be aggressive, reach out and shoot that thing.

Shoot! LAVANDERA: Learning gun safety and technique can be daunting, but these women say learning alongside other women offers a sense of comfort.

You've been in classes where it's just full of men. How is this different?

BLAINE: You know, women have a little different learning ability, let's just say. I don't really know how else to say it. Women listen.

NIKI JONES, FOUNDER, AUSTIN SURE SHOTS: It's like a book club with ammunition.

LAVANDERA: Niki Jones started the Austin Sure Shots club because she couldn't find any girlfriends at the shooting range. Less than three years later, the club has more than 300 members, all women.

JONES: More women are getting involved in firearms because there's kind of a societal shift. There's not a stigma attached to owning a gun, and I think women who decide they want to own a gun want training, they want to be safe, they want to train safely. And that's what we are all about. So they come here and they have the support of other women.

LAVANDERA: The gun industry is developing an arsenal of weapons and merchandise targeting women. There are guns and rifles with bright colors, animal print patterns, even holsters that can make a man blush.

KRISTAL REDEL, PISTOL CLUB MEMBER: The one I have right here is actually meant to put into your bra.

LAVANDERA: This one goes on your bra?

REDEL: This goes into your bra. So, it actually clips underneath and hides right into your cup.

LAVANDERA: They are actually called flash bang holsters.

(LAUGHTER)

REDEL: That is the flash bang.

LAVANDERA: Oh, really? Someone's coming after you, you distract them.

REDEL: Exactly.

LAVANDERA: Gimmicks aside, recent gun tragedies have, if anything, spurred more women to buy and learn to use firearms. Krystal Redel started shooting guns just six months ago. She now owns four handguns and two rifles. For these ladies, diamonds aren't always a girl's best friend.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Williamson County, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: I want to bring in psychologist Wendy Walsh. She's the author of "The 30 Day Love Detox." That's the name of her book.

Wendy, there's this trend we have been -- that has been, you know, concerning career choices force women, for example, Danica Patrick outrunning the guys at Daytona. Then this shooting range story. Women are taking on interests some would consider sort of, well, maybe more masculine. I was going to say male, but more masculine. What's going on here?

WENDY WALSH, PSYCHOLOGIST: Don, I've got to check a calendar. Are we having this conversation in 2013?

LEMON: Exactly - as the words were coming out of my mouth, I was thinking that.

(LAUGHTER)

WALSH: No, the truth is, we're all becoming more human. And within the range of both genders, there are a whole bunch of different gender identies and gender roles. And certain activities that you might consider or some people might consider to be traditional to one particular gender can now be had by all.

LEMON: Right, right. And so I was saying, I grew up here in the South. Women were, you know -- go to the shooting range and shoot guns all of the time, driving fast cars, trucks. My own mom loves driving trucks more than she likes driving cars. She always wanted a pickup truck because she could see better in the darn thing.

So it's just -- what do you think is bringing about this trend to the rest, you know -- to more people in the country? Or in the world, as a matter of fact?

WALSH: Well, we should also add, there are highly feminine women like me that prefer to bake bread every day, Don. But having said that, I will say you have a choice now, and it's happening because women are finally having some economic independence. I mean, real independence. More than half our workforce are now female. For every two men that graduate college ,there are three women. Women make up three-fifths of graduate schools. In the age 22 to 30 demographic in most urban centers, women make more than their male peers.

Now, that's partly because the guys are having a failure to launch and they're having a hard time getting jobs. But it's giving women this economic independence.

LEMON: Yes. Very interesting that you said that. Listen, part of this challenge for women is how history has cast them. In your own book you write this. You said, "While most of the gathering of wild fruits, vegetables, nuts and insects was done by women, most gals also hunted and any hunter who would have walked past a ripe patch of berries because he thought it was women's work could become an empty- handed provider at day's end." So Wendy, you're saying we have a skewed view of what women really did in the past. WALSH: Absolutely. We have this Hanna Barbara version that a guy clubbed a woman, dragged her by the hair into a cave. Nothing could be more inaccurate. And my book, "The 30 Day Love Detox," looks at our mating strategies from an evolutionary perspective. Where in fact there were tons of successful women, they all hunted. Think of Katniss from "The Hunger Games," right? and in the current hunter- gather societies that still exist on the planet, when men and women work together, their success rate in hunting is better that ever for either of them.

LEMON: Did we get "The 30 Day Love Detox" in there enough, do you think?

WALSH: I think we did. "The 30 Day Love Detox," it's available online everywhere for pre-order now.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: Good stuff, Wendy. Thank you. Appreciate it.

WALSH: Thanks. Take care, Don.

LEMON: We'll have the latest on that NASCAR wreck that you saw here moments ago on CNN as breaking news. We're hearing that a number of people were hurt. And you're seeing evidence of one hurt there. A number of spectators. We're going to get the very latest. A press conference with the president of NASCAR will have that information for you, as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Vatican officials are doing something unusual today. They're publicly denying some printed rumors about the senior church leadership, and why the pope decided to resign. The allegations involve sex, money, gay priests and cover-up at the highest level. A Vatican spokesman says the rumors are gossip, designed to influence a vote for the next pope.

The Vatican is firing back at Italian media reports on why Pope Benedict has decided to resign. They're reporting his resignation happened the very same day the pope received a bombshell. An explosive 300-page Vatican report about gay sex scandals and financial corruption.

Want to bring in professor Brent Strawn from the Candler School of Theology at the University -- Emory University. The Vatican says it's just gossip designed to influence the pope. But when you heard this, what was your reaction?

BRENT STRAWN, PROFESSOR, EMORY UNIVERSITY: Yes, it's really hard to say, right, without confirmation of these allegations. It's difficult to know. But, you know, the confluence of the resignation with these accusations of course is going to raise a lot of eyebrows.

LEMON: Why would the Vatican come out and respond to something that they are -- you know, is just rumors? This is by, what - I think it was "La Republica"? An extensive report in that paper. Why would they respond to something they think are just rumors? Why not just ignore it. It appears they're giving credence to it if you respond.

STRAWN: It's hard to say, right? The good press/bad press. Bad press can be truly bad press. But without confirmation, we really have to stick what the pope himself said,that he's resigning because he's elderly and feels he cannot fulfill the office anymore.

LEMON: Moving on, what will the conclave now look for in the next pope? Maybe someone who does not have scandals -- sex scandals in his background?

STRAWN: Yes, it will be fascinating to see who is picked. Will it be a younger pope, will it be a pope outside of Europe? There hasn't been an Italian pope since before John Paul II, who is Polish and then we had our German pope with Pope Benedict. Could it be an African pope, could it be a Latin American pope, a younger pope, perhaps, and also a pope that could lead the church out of these sex abuse scandals.

LEMON: So, what's the possibility of it being a pope that has a bit more diversity than the last popes that we've seen?

STRAWN: Well, it's quite likely. It could happen. But it's always been difficult to predict who the next pope will be. And often times the predictions run afoul. They turn out not to be correct.

LEMON: OK. So how does the Catholic Church -- how does the Vatican then shake this bad press? And to move forward, to look for the next pope?

STRAWN: Well, I think that the cardinals who are tasked with the selection of the next pope have a big task. And they will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel and they will, according to the rules, pray and try to select the next pope through prayer; politicking is looked down upon.

But before they go into the chapel, they hear two sermons about the future of the church and what the next pope should be attending to. So I'm sure these things will be foremost in their minds.

LEMON: The pope - despite the Twitter account, he was from, you know -- he was old-school. And in many traditional ways. How, then, do they appeal to a younger generation here?

STRAWN: Well, if they get a younger pope, right, that would be a huge thing.

LEMON: Not going to get a pope in the 20s or 30s.

STRAWN: No, no, definitely not. No. But -

(CROSSTALK)

LEMON: -- someone that young. STRAWN: But someone who is not in their late 70s. That sort of thing will help. The curious question would be that I'm wondering about is what the pope's role will be once he resigns. He'll be in a monastery in the Vatican. But will he serve in some sort of informal or even formal advisory capacity to the new pope? That will be a fascinating thing to think about.

LEMON: Let's talk about legacy here. In the wake of the scandal, is this going to be part of his legacy, do you believe?

STRAWN: I think it will be. I mean, the whole child sex abuse scandal period will be a part of his legacy and how he responded to it, or in some ways failed to respond to it. He seems to not have had the same sort of flair as John Pope - John Paul II. And so, you know, he'll be known for his academic work. He was a well-respected theologian prior to his election to the papacy, and he wrote three books while he was in office. So I think he'll be known for that.

And he'll also be known for this resignation, which is in some sense a real modernization of the papacy. I mean, from here forward, this could be a precedent that the popes do step down before they get too old and if you will, irrelevant.

LEMON: We'll see. Brent Strawn, thank you. We appreciate you coming in.

We're following some breaking news, some developing news coming out of Daytona NASCAR. There has been really a nasty accident involving at least ten drivers and a number of people in the stands who are hurt. The drivers are okay. The president of NASCAR holding a press conference. We'll get that information to you and also update you on the number of injuries and how they're doing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Welcome back, everyone. We're going to have the very latest on that horrific crash and the final lap of a NASCAR race in Daytona today.

First some other stories that we're working on. The East is about to get blasted by the same winter storm that battered the Midwest. And you can see the storm's power as it hammers some 20 states already. But the storm, well, it's losing intensity. Karen Maginnis will be along in just a few minutes to let you know, to let us all know what residents in the Northeast can expect.

Taking to the streets in Spain. Tens of thousands of protesters are angry over cuts in education, health and social programs in the wake of the country's financial crisis. The unemployment rate is at 26 percent. Protesters say the government does not listen to their calls for help.

The Blade Runner is now banned from his own home, so accused murderer Oscar Pistorius is staying with his uncle as he fights charges that he murdered his girlfriend. His uncle says the former Olympian knows he faces a long road ahead -- not just in the courts, but in the streets. Pistorius is now a hunted man by the paparazzi; after posting bond yesterday, photographers chased his car. His next court date is June 4th.

The very latest on that crash in Daytona today, a horrific crash where all the drivers walked away. No one was hurt. But there were people in the stands who were. An update on them right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: We want to update our breaking news now. A fiery crash sent debris flying into the stands at Daytona International Speedway today, injuring some of the spectators. The car you're seeing now, hurdling into the fence, is rookie Kyle Larson's. The car broke into pieces and tires and a fiery engine flew into the crowd. The injured were taken to a hospital in Daytona. No word yet on how many or how seriously they are all hurt. We're checking on that for you.

Larson was able to walk away from that crash and apparently none of the other drivers involved was injured. Not one. There is Kyle Larson right there standing next to his car. The crash happened seconds before the end of the nationwide series race, a preliminary event to tomorrow's big Daytona 500. Make sure you stay with CNN for the latest on this crash in Daytona. Don't know exactly what happened, what caused it, what have you.

But joining me now is Brad Keselowski, he is the reigning Sprint Cup champion. You were there. What happened?

BRAD KESELOWSKI, REIGNING SPRINT CUP CHAMPION (on the phone): Well, you know, you look at the wreck, obviously there was a battle for the lead. I was driving the second car, the 22 car, and there was contact between me and the second car, we were going for the win. And just one of those unfortunate accidents. And I think the most unfortunate part is not the accident itself, but that there were some injuries in the stands. And we hope and all pray that everybody is okay. It is still too early to tell exactly what the situation is there. But a lot of thoughts going out to them. I think that is probably the most important thing.

LEMON: You're absolutely right, thank you for saying that.

Usually these fences hold. But I do see if you look at the video closely, looks like one of the tires did manage to bounce over the wall and go into the stands. And again, you're right, for the stands, people injured -- you guys walked away. You have no injuries, right?

KESELOWSKI: Yes, I think I'm fine. I think -- I came out (INAUDIBLE) okay with all the other drivers, all the other drivers involved in the wreck appear to be okay to me. And -- at least from what I could tell. So treated and released.

But still too early to tell from the fan perspective -- I know from a driver perspective that everybody is okay. And it is just an unfortunate accident. And these things happen where it is important for us that drivers we assume the risk and fans do not. So, you know, for the most part, you know, the catch fence did stop some of the cars, obviously not all of them. But it could have been a lot worse, for sure.

LEMON: Brad, stand by, I want the viewers to look. We have new video from the stands, let's take a look.

(VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: So this video, people in the stands, this is the view. As that comes hurdling, I don't know if you're in a position to see this. But you can see where some people were -- got debris thrown on them. People are asking each other -- if they're okay. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh -- where is --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you all right?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right, that is video from YouTube, that inside the stands. If you can rerack that, we didn't have audio on the beginning of that and see if there is audio in the beginning, because it popped in right towards the end. I would like to hear - yes, I'd like to hear that.

Brad Keselowski, thank you so much. I appreciate you joining us, okay?

KESELOWSKI: Yes, my pleasure, and like I said, I'm just hoping everyone is okay. And I think that's where -- for everyone here in the NASCAR community, that is where our thoughts and prayers are at. And as far as the race, it was really unfortunate from a finishing position (ph), but that doesn't mean anything to me right now. Just hoping that everyone is okay. And we rely on our fans, and we'll get it right.

LEMON: All right. Brad, thank you very much. New video of the crash coming up right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, this video just in to CNN after the horrible NASCAR crash, just over an hour ago. You can see it and you can hear it, the car as it comes hurtling toward the spectators in the stand. Take a look and listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you all right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God!

(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: There is a tire -- you see the car tire? It is right there in the stands; listen more. They're calling -- for help in the stands, pointing to the tire that bounced over that fence. More on this breaking news right after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: A fiery crash at NASCAR, Daytona today sent really -- cars and debris, well, the debris from the car, hurdling into the stands. The drivers all walked away, they're okay, but some of the folks in the stand, some of the spectators were injured. They were hurt and they have been taken to the hospital. We're waiting for an update from the head of NASCAR and also information from the hospital to see exactly the extent of those injuries.

But look at that crash, one of the cars bursting into flames. And then there is the driver right walking away from the crash. Again, he is okay.

We'll have all of it for you, the very latest on this in one hour from now on CNN. I'm Don Lemon at CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. THE SITUATION ROOM with Wolf Blitzer begins right now. I'll see you in one hour.