Godspeed, Dale Earnhardt

This is my tribute to Dale Earnhardt, a great racer, a legend, and above all a wonderful human being. Since his death in February I have read so many stories and tributes, it is quite obvious that Dale Earnhardt loved racing, loved his family, friends and fans. He was the epitomy of a racer... what all racers want to be.

I'm the first to admit that I was not among the legion of die hard Earnhardt fans, but I am a fan of NASCAR, and I miss Dale Earnhardt very much. The races are not the same. They've lost their edge... the anticipation of what the 3 car would do next. I really miss that.

This poem was given to me by a friend. I don't know who wrote it, but if you recognize it and know who the author is, please tell me and I will give proper credit.

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 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 any easier to know that one of them was me? There was Davey, Dad, and Neil and some other guys I've known.
And they all came to Daytona just to escort me on home.
Hey - congratulations Mikey!! You made a worthy run.
I wish you many, many more. Your wins have just begun.
All that fun you had in Victory Lane, I was proud as proud can be.
Did you see a seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey, that was me.
So, friends and fans and family, don't mourn me for too 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.

~Author unknown

After Dale Earnhardt's death, the people who handle his souvenir sales at the track, started letting fans express their sympathy by writing farewell messages on the trailers. I was lucky enough to be able to sign the trailer myself at the July Loudon race. This is a picture of the rear door of the rig.

3 Rig

Page created on 8/14/01