"Meeting Dale, Again"
submitted by "Helen"

Hi Race Views fans! Helen here.

Well, we thought Dale Earnhardt was a friendly pup last year. This year, Dale was so down to earth and relaxed, the crowd was waiting for an invitation to a North Carolina barbeque.

Could it be the great season he is having? Not to mention that his two sons that are living up big time to the Earnhardt name.

We had our usual three hour wait. But we are getting better prepared. Had chairs to sit on, a cooler stocked (of course, with Coca Cola, ixnay on Pepsi for a Dale E. gang), and a pocket full of Race Views "periwinkles"(schedule cards) to hand out.

A ton of folks in line, same as last year. All polite, jolly, wearing their black and white intimidator garb.

I always chuckle when I see what folks bring to have autographed (one per person). One woman had the largest box of corn flakes I'd ever seen. Dale's picture on the front. Young fellow in back of me had his Dale Earnhardt jacket, and a wee Little "E" top belonging to his less than one year old. He was going to frame them, and hang them side by side. Cute idea. Lots of cars, posters, pictures, hats, etc. One young boy said he wanted Dale to autograph his balloon. Mom convinced him to use her Dale E. Collector Plate, instead.

Of course, Lolita had to bring,,,, well that's another story. We would expect nothing less from Lolita.

At some point, the announcer said there had been a mistake in the signs, and we were all actually in the Jeff Gordon line. Even the youngest kids uttered words I'd not heard before.

At four o'clock Dale was still in the showroom autographing a Monte Carlo. Can't imagine the price tag on that little goody. Slowly we threaded our way into the building.

This year Dale was not seated, but standing. He was laughing and joking with everyone. This time there was no one next to him handing over the items to be autographed. We handed them to Dale, and he signed each one. Smiling and chatting the whole time.

I snapped a whole roll of film. Perhaps Uncle Mike will put a couple on the Race Views page.

The woman ahead of me gave Dale a bracelet with lucky charms on it. "For your 8th championship, Dale", she said. He graciously accepted it, and put it on the table with other small items well wishing fans brought for him.

This year no one was hurried out. We were allowed to linger, chat, and take as many photos as we pleased. Again, I was astonished at how young and good looking Dale is in person. Is this the same aggressive Dale that bumps, rubs, and drives his competitors into a frenzy. Or do they have a mild mannered clone step up and meet the public. Hummmmmmm, I wonder.

Anyway, there is a Dale Earnhardt signed, Race Views tee-shirt on it's way to Uncle Mike. I'm sure he'll find a nifty way for one of you to win it. BUT, I'm not giving MINE up, thank you very much. Hey! Will someone in the crowd volunteer to send their autographed tee-shirt to Uncle Mike? He'd like to give to some deserving Race Views fan. Uhhhhhhh ohhhhhh! Hey, can't anyone hear me??? I SAID---------------

Have comments or questions? E-mail: M.L. Morgan

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