My Tribute to Dale Earnhardt

Cold Day in Daytona

Music and Lyrics by Michael Tracey White

There was a boy in Carolina, who knew he'd ride someday

The roaring of the engines, like blood pumped through his veins.

Before long he was racing, before long he found fame

They called him The Intimidator, and the whole world knew his name.

And it's a cold day in Daytona, though the sun is shining bright

The Intimidator' left us

But he ran with all his might, it was his destiny

To run fast and wild and free

You are not forgotten number3

When you fire up that ignition, it's like-a-rollin' of the dice

Some see the winner's circle, while others pay the price

Dale never looked behind him, in that black and shiny car

He was a gentleman and a champion a bright and shining star

And it's a cold day in Daytona, though the sun is shining bright

The Intimidator' left us

But he ran with all his might, it was his destiny

To run fast and wild and free

You are not forgotten number3

So gentlemen, start your engines, old habits, they die hard

You might just check your mirror, looking for Dale's car

The legacy of Earnhardt, will never go away

The way he lived was the way he died

Full throttle, all the way

And it's a cold day in Daytona, though the sun is shining bright

The Intimidator' left us

But he ran with all his might, it was his destiny

To run fast and wild and free

You are not forgotten number3

The Final Lap

A thrill was in the air that day

As the number three flashed past

Shouts and cheers rose on the wind

As his car sped by so fast

The race had been so thrilling

The finish line just ahead

The thought did not occur to us

We'd see tragedy instead

The final lap came all to soon

For a hero we held dear

Little did we know that day

That the end for him was near

Our hearts are filled with sadness

Our hero had to leave

To race across the Heavens now

While we are left to grieve

The gates of Heaven opened

His final trophy gleaming bright

He slowly gunned his engine

As he drove into the light

Dale Earnhardt

April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001

Raceday In Heaven

by Barb Kerr

Dale went up to Heaven, looking for a race to win

Pulled up next to Neil, and gave him that sly dwag grin

"How Ya Doin' buddy? I knew I'd see ya here"

Neil sat there grinnin, then let out a holler

"Been waiting for ya pal, but I'd just as soon ou'd foller"

He reved up his engine, and started after Dale

Wasn't very long, afore they were runnin nose to tail

Up ahead was 25, Dale saw that it was Tim

Waved as he passed him, and said "how the heck you been?"

"Great to see ya Dale, I've missed racing you!"

"Say hi to Kenny, he's there in 42"

Dale kept on movin, saying hi to everyone

He couldn't remember when, racings been such fun

Up ahead he saw someone, he could hardly wait

Dove down low, gave him a rub, saying hi to 28

"Been a while, since we raced" Davy said with a smily

"Wanna see if we can trade some paint? I'll race ya to the next mile"

They hit the line together, with grins a mile wide

Friends doing what they love, racing side by side

The next car had a rookie stripe, the driver seemed to shine

Dale knew in an instant it was Adam that he's find

"Kid, I'm really proud of you!" and then gave him a big high five

"It's cool to know your dad and you both race the 45"

Next to come was Alan, so Dale gave him a tap

"When we're done let's show them, your Polish Victory Lap"

Driving on for miles, with a smile upon his face

What a day it's been, for his first Heavenly race

They all pull into Victory Lane, let the celebration start

He's presented his trophy, by no other than Ralph Earnhardt

"Man, this is the best race, I have ever won"

"Now I know how Junior felt, but this time I'm the son".

A fine Daytona afternoon, the season just begun

My boys were running one and two, and I was having fun

I probably could have won the thing, but something held me back

I was busy watching Dale and Mike, and holding off the pack

I was looking toward the front and not really to the rear

Something tapped me on my bumper, but still I had no fear

I thought it might be Sterling, I knew he was nearby

When Sterling smells the checkered flag, I'll tell you, he ain't shy

I slipped a bit, I turned the wheel

I sensed something very odd

It wasn't Sterling's tap I'd felt

It was the tap of God, "Not now, "I said "I'm racing hard

There's work still here to do"

Your time is up, "He whispered low, "So say a quick adieu"

I wasn't really ready, but I didn't have a choice

He'd tapped me on the bumper and I'd heard his hallowed voice

So I did as he instructed, I just packed it in and left

I guess it can't be helped that I left some of you bereft

Did you see those birds upon the wall as they scattered in the breeze?

Will it make it easier to know that they were me?

There was also Davey, Dad and Neil and some other guys I've known

they all came to Daytona just to escort me home.

Hey - Congratulations, Mikey! You made a worthy run

I wish you many, many more, yours wins have just begun

All that fun you had in Victory Lane, I was proud as proud can be

Did you see the seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey that was me

So friends and fans and family, don't mourn me for to long

Get on with life - take care of things - be brave and proud and strong

I'll surely miss you every one, about that I will not lie

But as long as you remember me - I didn't really die.

Writer Unknown