byJohn Matthews
Every part of Speedweeks had been so great up until
that point. I met so many people from so many states
at Volusia, Easy Bay, and New Smyrna. They all go to
racing because it's fun. East Bay Raceway announcer
Jack Miller says you have to enjoy what you are doing.
It has to be fun.

And it was fun. Up until that point.

I've never considered myself a Dale Earnhardt fan. I
can't begin to count the number of times he wiped out
the driver I cheered. Whether it was Bill Elliot,
Rusty Wallace, or Terry Labonte, it seemed Number 3
was there to take them down.

He was the driver I loved to hate. Many others hated
him too. Despite the arrival of Jeff Gordon, the
Intimidator still got the biggest rise out of the
crowd, for or against. He wasn't always the fan
favorite, but he was always the show.

Now, I sit here in a quandary. In the corporate
driven NASCAR world, the show will go on. But it
won't be the same. It won't be a Winston Cup race
without Dale. He won all those races and
championships. He carried NASCAR on his back for
fifteen years. Now, he is gone.

The next time a crusty maverick with a bristling
moustache comes along, I hope I appreciate him more.

May you rest in peace Dale.



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