Racer remembered as true champion
by Daryl Pollak, reporter

    The world of NASCAR suffered a tragic blow Sunday, Feb. 18, at Daytona International Speedway with the death of Dale Earnhardt.

    The seven-time Winston Cup champion was killed on impact from massive head trauma in his devastating crash on the last lap. He is remembered by many as the best race car driver ever in NASCAR.

    Earnhardt, who was a hero to many, was known as The Intimidator. He earned that name through his aggressive driving style.

    But Earnhardt knew what he was doing every time he slid into his 700 horsepower rocket.

    In an ironic interview before his final race, he said, “Yeah, these cars are safer, but, guys, it’s racing.”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr., who placed second and drove much of the race next to his father, rushed to his father’s side. The day before the 500, the two exchanged fun competitive words during a television interview.

    Earnhardt Jr. remembers his father as a great, tough guy who loved to race and would want everybody to keep going as usual. In fact, Earnhardt never attended a funeral for any of his race car friends.

    “The one thing that is different about racing funerals is we live so close to death that when you have to recognize it and you have to look at it, it’s like a cold reality. Everybody realizes, ‘Hey, this could happen to me,’ “ H.A. Wheeler, president of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, said in a Star-Telegram interview following the death.

    Michael Waltrip, who won the race and drives a car owned by Earnhardt Inc., misses Earnhardt as a true friend not just a boss. Even though Waltrip should be celebrating his first Winston Cup victory, it comes as a tragic event. Many said that Earnhardt could have won that race, but he hung back and protected both of his cars from his third-place position.

    Earnhardt knew how hard it was to win the Daytona. After 20 years of trying, he won in 1998.

    The “Super Speedways,” such as Daytona, were Earnhardt’s racetracks, according to many fans. It came as a shock when it took him that long to win the 500.

    NASCAR is considering retiring the #3 and the silver and black color scheme from Earnhardt’s Goodwrench Monte Carlo.

    This tribute will come as a relief to many fans who are coping with this loss and are worried about Earnhardt’s being replaced.

    But many fans are now turning to Earnhardt Jr. to follow in his father’s footsteps and perhaps carry on the intimidator legacy that will never be forgotten.