I wanted to voice my opinion on a few issues involving Dale's death and some things that have come up since, so here are a few of my thoughts. If you agree with me, "I'm glad". If you disagree or think I'm wrong, "Oh well".
The Loss of Dale
Let me start by saying that I am Dale Earnhardt's biggest fan; then, now, and forever. I never knew how much a person that I didn't personally know could mean so much to me and have such an effect on my life. I think of him everyday. I still use and wear my Earnhardt caps, shirts, jackets, and whatever else I can find with the #3 on it. I have some type of tribute to him on me everyday, whether it be a cap, a shirt, or my chair with #3 decals. I'm not a very emotional person, but cried several times when and after he died. It still hurts and always will. He is gone in the flesh, but will always be in my heart. I think what bothers me the most is that I know how much it hurts me that he's gone and I'm just a fan. His family has the true loss. A son, a husband, a father, a brother; he was all these things to somebody. I'm not downplaying the millions of fans's feelings but those are the people affected most, the family.
Autopsy Photos
This issue makes me sick. The newspapers and people wanting these photos only want recognition and profit from them. They don't care about the safety of other drivers as they claim. The family knows this and that is why they want them sealed. If the family knew they'd help make racing safer and not be distributed like stamps, they would be all for releasing them for the other driver's sake. The family has been through enough, leave the photos alone. If it was graphic photos of your spouse, parent, sibling, or child, what would you say? How would feel then?
Various Lawsuits & Making Money From The Tragedy
All the lawsuits the Earnhardt family have to deal with is a joke. They've suffered more than enough. Leave it alone people. Let the family have their piece and let them remember and commemorate Dale how they see fit. Quit trying to get rich because Dale died and the newest diecast is supposed to have your hot dog stand's logo on it. Get a life!
Black Market & Counterfeit Collectibles/Souvenirs
Kinda goes back to the last issue. Do these people making these black market and counterfeit items have no morals? Invent or make something of your own. Leave the #3 off your crappy products. Get a job or something. You can make that crap but I'll be damned if any true fans or myself will give you a dime for it.
Retire #3
I truly believe the #3 should be retired. That is Dale's number. No one can ever live up to the expectations that will come with it. It should be a permanent memorial and tribute to Dale's legacy. But it's not my decision. I don't think it should be NASCAR's decision either. I think it should be left up to Dale's family. Let them be the judge of what happens to the beloved #3. I think that maybe I would be OK to the next Earnhardt generation using it, kinda like Dale Jr running the #8 now.
International Motorsports Hall of Fame
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame has a 5 year waiting period after a career ends for someone to be inducted. Dale will undoubtedly get in on the first ballot, but I think the waiting period should be waived in Dale's case and he should be inducted immediately. I can understand why the board of the directors doesn't want to make special accommodations. They don't want to degrade or downplay the accomplishments of other drivers that had to wait or are waiting now. But this is Dale Earnhardt, the greatest of all-time. Dale accomplished more and brought more to the sport of auto-racing than any other driver ever thought about. Waive the waiting period, Dale deserves it. Induct him now, it's overdue. I don't think any other driver would feel shorted, they are used to following Dale.
Accident Investigation
I applaud NASCAR on investigating the accident. Maybe the findings will help prevent future tragedies such as Dale's. The sad thing is, why wasn't this done sooner? Maybe Dale could have been saved, maybe not, we'll never know. But why does it take Dale's death to prompt it. Why does it take Superman Christopher Reeve's paralysis to jump start spinal cord research. Think about it, actions are seldom taken until something happens that affect millions.
Sterling Marlin
Sterling Marlin is in no way, shape, or form responsible for Dale's unfortunate death. The #3 car and #40 cars did touch on the final lap, as did all 43 cars in the field for 200 laps that day. As a matter of fact, Dale probably rubbed more fenders than anybody all day long. Everything happened in such a manner that it was just Dale's time to go. If any one of many things such as where the #36 made contact or the angle of impact with the wall had been only slightly different, Dale might have walked away. Sterling felt the loss of Dale just like everybody else did. All the losers that blamed and threatened Sterling are just that, losers.
Bill Simpson
Bill Simpson is not at fault either. Yes, the seatbelt did break, but you show me a product that has never had a problem or a malfunction and I'll eat it. Simpson made racing safer than any one person out there.
Richard Petty's Comments on Dale
Some time after Dale's death, Richard Petty made some what I think were uncalled for comments. First he said that the media needed to let the tragedy fade away. Now I agree that the media causes alot of unecessary trouble and should have toned it down a bit but someone with Dale's stature and fan base, it'll never fade away. Petty also stated that Dale Earnhardt was an exciting driver to watch but he really didn't win that many races. Fair enough, Petty 200 wins, Earnhardt 76 wins. But 70% of Petty's wins came before the modern era in NASCAR when the schedule regularly consisted of 40, 50, even 60 races a season. Petty was winless the last 8 seasons of his career. Dale never ran more than 34 races in a single season. Dale was competing for wins until the end. More races equals more chances to win. Now when Petty was winning most of his races, he had the biggest sponsor giving the most money. His equipment was by far superior to the majority of his competitors. Only a few teams were able to be competitive every week. When Dale was winning, everyone was alot more equal. Nearly every car had the equipment to win. Petty also stated that Dale wasn't that dominant of a driver. It depends on what is considered dominant. Four championships in five years and six in nine years sounds like a pretty dominant Dale to me. Petty stated that Dale was not a standout. If Dale wasn't a standout, then why did the so-called King feel it necessary to make comments such as these. I think his comments are, well, "petty". The real King is Dale as far as I can see.
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