February 23, 2001
"The Greatest"
Some would say so even over "The King" Richard Petty because Dale Earnhardt's career spanned an era of competativeness of the fiercist level during the 80's and on into the 21st century. I don't know how to fathom comparing two equally great race car drivers right now. I only know that Mr. Earnhardt was and always will be one of the greatest father's and husband a family could ever desire. Boy oh boy, this is a very tragic loss to the Earnhardt family and the racing world today. For me his passing is one of great sorrow and bewilderment that still defies explaination. I will attempt to express some of my thoughts objectively.
I am having a difficult time letting this loss sink in right now because to me the accident didn't look all that bad and I can't believe he's gone! They keep saying he hit the wall at 180 mph. Well im not naive enough to think that Dale's sudden impact was even near that speed in the "lateral direction" as it was an angled glancing blow that looked to be maybe 50 mph. Sure, his forward motion in the corner was 180, but the speed of impact was much more reduced. Just look at his horrific crash in 1998 at Talledega on the front stretch. We knew he was dead after that one. I don't want to exhaust my emotional perspective here only to say there seems to be other factors involved here. Personally I believe Dale's neck surgery he underwent late in 1999 may have had some effect. There have been rumors that he may have passed out again as he swerved up the track ie: passing out at Darlington last year with no explaination. Who knows. I just know there needs to be more safety measures taken and fast!
"Now it makes Sense" 23 Feb,2001
1) Institute a "Gear Ratio Rule" that limits top speed at a given track, or go to shorter tracks.
2) Take away those restrictor plates that limit horsepower, giving the drivers their full power back so they can pull away from dangerous situations.
3) Make the HANS & HUTCHINS devices mandentory once they are fully developed and comfortable for the drivers.
Im so proud of Dale Junior and his calm determination to continue racing this weekend at Rockingham. His dad wouldn't want it any other way. Im sure father and son have had some of those intimate conversations about the danger and possible loss of life in their trade and from the way Dale Junior is carrying himself this week he's fully aware what his teacher has passed on. This young man is gonna be a great one, a cut above the rest of the field besides already being a great son and person as he already is. This is what has attracted me to Stock Car Racing all these years. It's about family and giving it your best all the time. These folks just happen to do it on a racetrack and they are the best in the world.
Lest I forget I am so happy for Michael Waltrip winning his first Winston Cup race after so many years of trying and putting his life on the line weekend and weekout. "Congratulations Mikey". Plus his brother Darrell was in the announcers booth cheering him onto victory yelling and screaming like a little boy, it was just breathtaking to witness the shear joy and relief after some 15 years dreaming of this great day and especially being the greatest race of the season, The Daytona 500. What a milestone in racing history. But, I have a real problem with some of the media's people trying to justify the "Dale would want to die doing what he loved" syndrome! This is absolute bull*%?x to me! There is no way in God's green earth that Dale intended to die on the racetrack. In fact I'd go as far to say he never even thought about dying doing what he loved so much, ever. You know how I know this fact? Witness his tremendous effort in getting his most precious children involved in the sport, and helping others in the garage with supplying good equipment and funds necessary for them to continue being competative ie: Dave Marcus, Darrell Waltrip, Steve Park, Mike Skinner, Michael Waltrip and his sons Dale Junior and Kerry. No, this was a man that planned on living a ripe old age sitting on the porch racing his buddies Cale, Richard and Darrell. I even heard one famous personality, a former fellow racer state that "God took him this day for a reason we don't know". Oh my heart is bleeding over that totally rediculous and unthoughtfull statement I want to scream! When will people finally realize, God doesn't take anybody away from their loved ones, He only allows it to happen due to life's circumstances, and that it's up to us with our freedom of thought and choice that He gave us to take responsibility for our decisions and actions in life. Enough preaching, but do you see my point? I think Dale would be the first to say " Hey wait a minute, Im gonna race because I love it and Im gonna win". And did he win!
Sometimes we all have those moments of reflection about our lives, our accomplishments and dreams that one day we hope to realize. And during those moments, we can reflect deeply into our soul to the point we narrow down whats most important in our life. Well a few weeks ago I had one of those moments of deep reflection after landing a new job. I explained to my wife Kelly, "If I were to suddenly become ill and was on my deathbed, there were one of two people in the whole world I would want to meet before I went home. The first was Dale Earnhardt and the second was Richard Petty. She promised me she would give it her best try at making sure this one wish would happen. I guess half the work is done already. What can I say. Besides God and family, I chose a race car driver to see me off to heaven.
Thats about all I can muster for now everybody. I hope this wasn't a burden for you to read as I wanted to share a few thoughts this week on this terrible tragedy, but also his wonderful life and celebration of it. On behalf of all his fans, God-Speed........."3"
Dale, you were our favorite racing hero and we are gonna miss you a whole lot on raceday!
"Thanks For The Memories"
Proverbs 18:10, Dale's last scripture taped on his dashboard February 18, 2001
This webpage designed and maintained by Eric Johnson (c) Copyright 2001. All Rights Reserved
