"Meeting Dale Earnhardt"
submitted by "Polly"
M.L. Morgan (referee)
Well, race fans, we have decided to turn our Sound Off!
page over to you.
This will be your forum and we encourage you to submit your opinions to us.
Don't be bashful.
This note was sent to us by a true race fan. She shares with us one of the many great parts of being a race fan.
"Polly"
Have comments or questions? E-mail:
M.L. Morgan Back
to "Race Views" Front Page
I was introduced to Winston Cup Racing in 1992 by co-workers Yogi and
Rose. Yogi's driver was Bill Elliott and Rose's was Dale Earnhardt.
Best finish by your driver on Sunday won a dollar from the other on
Monday. I joined in the pool and was advised to take Davey Allison. I
did not fall in love with Cup racing after that first race. I said what
everyone says, "all they do is go around and around in a circle". But
after two or three more races, I was hooked. Monday mornings would
bring a ton of good natured bantering. "Hey Rose, I saw Dale doing his
usual bump and run routine." Her reply was always the same. "When they
see him coming, they should just get out of his way." Yeah, I was never
a Dale Earnhardt fan. Last week I heard that Dale would be signing
autographs for two hours at a new Chevrolet dealership. What started
out as "I guess I'll go", turned into a special experience. If you
ever have to wait in a line for three hours, make sure you have 5000
Nascar fans with you. They are the best natured, fun loving, and polite
people in the world. I have been to six races in different parts of the
country, and have never met one fan that would change that opinion. The
hours flew by. Finally we were in the building. Dale was seated at a
table. He is younger and more handsome in person. He was quick to chat
with the youngsters, and they were beaming ear to ear. What surprised
me was my reaction. Dale was relaxed, no uniform, no black car. He was
a vulnerable human being, much like the rest of us. I realized how hard
he has worked for his present status. I began to appreciate what he has
accomplished for himself, Nascar, and the sport I love. I'll not say I
walked away the world's biggest Dale Earnhardt fan, but I gained a new
respect for him. And my "special" signed tee-shirt is hanging in my
race room, right next to Davey's.
