Bobby, that is really a wonderful post. I had often thought of the deaths of the past and how different those were that Dale. Never quite understood that although I recognize the significance of what Dale did. Like you, I also recognize the significance of Fireball, Lil Joe, and others. I love the way you stated the truth.
Tim
Exactly. It was a Wood Brothers car in Victory Lane. My point is that I have matured enough to respect achievement and stellar accomplishment by more than just Petty Enterprises. Without realizing it, The Wood Brothers operation was as big a part of my life back then as Petty Enterprises. Going further, so was the Ned Jarrett, Bobby Allison, Rex White, Fireball Roberts and so many others I watched race throughout those years. If I could go back, I wouldn't want to change my unquestioned loyalty to Richard Petty, but I would should love to be able to embrace all the wonderful teams that made up the sport back in the day.
Tim
Being the quinessential Petty fan all my life, I can't remember ever cheering for a good finish for the Wood Brothers number 21. Yesterday was different. I was on the edge of my chair that last lap yelling for that kid to protect the bottom and go! Did he ever!!! Watched every second of the Victory ceremony. What a breath of fresh air, what a great climax to a much better than average Daytona 500. Granted there have been on race wonders, Daytona 500 winners who didn't go much farther in their racing efforts, but when you have a kid who answers his radio instructions "yes sir", then you have to believe the best is yet to come. He said a prayer during the parada laps, he said in Victory Lane, so now it's time for all of us to say one for him. Be sure to mention, in that prayer, "do not let the money monsters and mega monsters enter your life Trevor". Man, it felt good yesterday.
Tim
Patty, it appears we read the same report. I'm totally in agreement with that you state. I'm not criticizing Dale. But, one point further; Dale was the only driver not using the full face helmet. My understanding is, from a very reliable source back in those days, that NASCAR wanted to mandate the full face but Dale objected so NASCAR waited until after he was killed to do so. As to the soft walls, I've read all those reports and know that NASCAR didn't give a tinkers Damn when it was Tony Roper, Blaze Alexander, Adam Petty or Kenny Irwin. That should tell you something very poignant right there.
Tim
I have to get this out of my system this morning. For those of you who like it, good, for those who don't, that's also good because it shows us the diversity from which this site is made.
I was disgusted weeks ago to see how NASCAR and other entitities were geared to capitlize on the 10th anniversary of the death of Dale Earnhardt. I have not watched the special, nor will I. There is NOTHING anyone can add to make Dale more in death than he was in life. He was the Intimidator. He was more than a fair race driver. He was a personality that provided a great deal of exposure to NASCAR wherever he went. He was a common man who achieved greatness beyond the hope of even himself I believe. I was never a Dale Earnhardt fan, as I've said here many times, but neither was I a Dale Earnhardt hater.
Please allow me this: Dale Earnhardt was NASCAR's franchise driver. He was argueably the most iconic figure NASCAR produced at a time when NASCAR was going global and needed such a figure. The number "3", which has conveniently disappeared from Cup racing although NASCAR has had a long standing rule that says if you don't use it, you lose it. Ask Richard Petty. NASCAR told him after the one year (1993) where Petty Enterprises used 44 on Rick Wilson's car, that if you don't take 43 back in 1994, we'll reassign it. Another NASCAR rule of convenience and dollars.
Another thought: From all the reports I've read, Dale's crash killed him because of the improper installation of this seatbelt which was installed as he demanded because of the way he chose to sit in the car. The blame on the seat belt did unmendable damage to Simpson Safety Equipment. Was that fair?
Now this is sure to bring hateful language directed my way but it is something I've felt since the description of the last lap as it happened at Daytona. One of the announcers, and I don't remember which one, said, as the cars went down the"Super straight" that Dale, in third at the time, was blocking for Mikey and Junior. I remember saying to Ann at the time "that is not the Dale I know, and if he is actually blocking for those two cars, he needs to hang up his helment and be a team owner". Legally speaking, to be driving for Childress and blocking for the DEI team to win is a conflict of interest.
During the truck race last night with D.W. talked about Austin Dillon running third in the number "3" how appropriate that was on this "special date" and how awesome it would be if he won, I knew we were in for not only more of the D.W. trash I can't stand but also more and more capitilazation on Dale's death. When the checkers fell and that irritated, pig squealing voice kept bleeting "Mikey did it, Mikey did it" and then discovered that the fantastic Mikey did it with half his spoiler missing. I immediately turned off the tv because I knew what was coming in Victory Lane. Apparently, from the description of the Victory Lane celebration in The State Newspaper this morning, I was not wrong. Had I watched, I would be too sick to attend my grandson's soccer games today. That would never do.
So, Dale Earnhardt was a great individual who deserves to be remembered as such. His yatch was named "Sunday Money". Now it seems NASCAR wants seven day a week money from him.
To all the Earnhardt fans, this is NOT a desecration of Dale's memory, only an effort to point out how profitable it is for NASCAR that Dale's death came in the Daytona 500. If he had been killed in a hunting accident, the opportunity for such big bucks wouldn't exist.
Bless your memory Dale. Even in death you continue to expand the coffers of the folks in Daytona. Rest in Peace my friend.
Tim
Question: If, as the rules state, the winner of the first Twin 150 starts inside second row, and, if Jr. wins the first Twin 150 in his backup car, would that not be the car he would race Sunday, thus no longer a "backup car". Would such a ruling also not help NASCAR's continuing quest to cash in on the Dale, Sr. tragedy of 10 years ago with the "fairytale finish" it so desires on Sunday? It's easy to manipulate that without arousing suspicion although I have heard that one of the ESPN folks has incurred the wrath of Dale Jarrett by suggesting that NASCAR has a vested interest in Dale, Jr. winning that race Sunday and probably with Mikey finishing second. No, I'm not setting out a conspiracy here, only stating that with the proper "interpretation" of the rule book so eloquenty described by Mr. Mallonee, anything is possible in the Daytona sunshine.
God bless America and the number 88.
Tim
Doesn't matter where you start, only where you finish!!! How is that for a profound statement? Yea, I know, I know. I'm not nearly as intelligent as the boys in command at Daytona. So, shoot me. I'm overheating anyway.
Tim
