Waltrip's big victory lost in tragedy
By DICK BRINSTER
AP Sports Writer
February 19, 2001
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The man Michael Waltrip wanted to please most, the great Dale Earnhardt, wasn't around to help him celebrate the biggest moment of his career.
``This would all be a dream if it weren't for Dale Earnhardt,'' Waltrip said.
He won the Daytona 500 on Sunday, but quickly became the forgotten man. His boss, Earnhardt, was killed just seconds before his first victory in 463 career starts.
Although he was aware of Earnhardt's last-lap accident on the final turn, Waltrip didn't know the severity of his injuries. Still, he ended his postrace interview early.
It took the 37-year-old Waltrip 17 years to win a race. Now, his victory in the biggest of them all will be little more than a footnote to the death of the best stock car driver to turn a wheel.
Waltrip is used to being obscured by those close to him. The only man in the modern era of NASCAR to win more races than Earnhardt was Waltrip's just-retired brother, Darrell.
``What people wrote or what people that didn't know me thought or said, honestly did not matter,'' Waltrip said. ``The only thing I thought about with my career is that I wish I would have been good enough along the way to have made a difference somewhere.''
Maybe he didn't have a chance. Until he was hired this season to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Waltrip never worked for a strong team.
After he found one, he would be overshadowed by his owner. Even Earnhardt's son and namesake had become a star in one season.
On this day, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would lose a father and a race to an unheralded teammate. Few will remember their 1-2 finish, and the death of the boss denied Waltrip his moment of glory.
The chants of ``DEI, DEI'' didn't last long in the winner's circle, the traditional induction of the car into Daytona USA won't happen Monday and Waltrip won't get to tell Earnhardt thanks one more time.
``My heart is hurting right now,'' Waltrip said. ``I would rather be any place right this moment than here. It's so painful.''
Perhaps a few more victories will help ease the pain. With his new team, there probably will be more winning.
But Waltrip was never discouraged by defeat.
``I always showed up and did my job,'' he said. ``I know I can perform.''
Now, perhaps a lot of people who discounted him will realize that, too.
