Dale Earnhardt, by Dale Earnhardt Jr

[Goodwrench3]

As promised on another thread last week, here is the short story written by Dale Jr in 2000 about his father, who of course was killed in Feb 2001.
It was on numorous websites at that time, but it was printed in a NASCAR book called 'The Heart or Racing' published in 2000. I bought it in America in 2001.

"I Know a Man"

I know a man whose hands are so callused that gloves aren't necessary. Once, while cutting down a tree, he cut the back of his hand to the bone with a chainsaw. He didn't even stop to look until the job was done.
I've seen him get thrown from a tractor. The tractor, as large as a small home, was flipped by the trunk of a stubborn oak tree. His first thought was not fear, but how quickly he could get the tractor back on it's tracks to complete the task. He has suffered broken bones and never had one complaint. Not to anyone, not even to himself.
This man could lead the worlds finest army. He has wisdom that knows no bounds. No fire could burn his character, no stone could break it. He maintains a private existance, one that shelters his most coveted thoughts from the world.
His upbringing was no controlled creation. His hard-working family was like many from that era. He gained his knowledge in hard dirt and second-hand tools, from his toys as a child to the trucks he drove in his 20's. From that natural upbringing, he has an incredible sense of good and bad. He sees it before it sees him, in people, in anything imaginable. Where did he learn this? How does he know so many things?
I've seen this man create many things. With no blueprints, he has carved and produced wonders upon wonders. His resume shows he has created major companies. He has hammered out deal upon deal - always being as fair as God would have it. He has taken land with thick shrubs and deep valleys and molded them into a frontier fit for heaven.He has built homes that Kings couldn't fathom.
Solving problems is as easy as breathing for him. They are thrown his way like the morning paper. People surround him daily, wanting solutions. He hands them out with pride and passion. Each solution is a battle won. He calculates his every action, demanding the same from everyone else. He is honest in letting you know your end of the bargain.
His friendship is the greatest gift you could ever obtain. Out of all his attributes, it is the most impressive. He trusts only a few with this gift. If you ever break that trust - it is over. He accepts few apologies. Many have crossed him and they leave with only regret for their actions. In every result, he stands as an example of what hard work and dedication will achieve. Even his enemies know this.
I have had the pleasure of joining him on the battlefield. I have experienced his intimidating wrath. That may sound strong, but I know what I am talking about. He roams like a lion, king of his jungle. His jungle is his and his alone. Every step he takes has purpose. Every walk has reason.
He praises God, loves his family and enjoys his friends.
I wonder what his future holds. He has so much to be proud of. To this point, he's only barely satisfied. His eyes see much more than my imagination could produce.
He is Dale Earnhardt. Dad, the worlds finest army awaits.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr

[Road Runner 72]

WOW, very strong words for a very strong man, I think Jr will be/is just like his dad.

Thanks for the read Goodwrench3.

Cheers

Mike

[wayno]

Thanks for putting that on Goodwrench3, the man is sorely missed but his offspring is well on the way to filling the void.

[Earnhardt-3]

Cheers...

[Elvis]

Yeah thanks Goodwrench #3,Ill miss that gloss black chev filling up everyones rear view mirrors,as the white flag comes out.

98 Daytona 500,woo hoo!!

[Jack71]

Brilliant stuff. I've read quite a bit about Dale Jnr and he seems to be a very intelligent young man.

His old man was really the last of the old breed wasn't he. He is sorely missed..............

[Tumbo]

Anyone c how lucky Jnr was the other week- not good, hit the wall and passed out

[Jack71]

Yeah, that was a bit of a worry there for a little while. It didn't look that bad but as we've learned the hard way in the last three and a half years, you just never know till they jump out or put it in first gear and take off.
Earnhardt territory this weekend at Talledega - I'd love to see Junior do it again and make it 15 there (unbelievable!) for the Dale Earnhardts.

[Jack71]

How many of you NASCAR boys caught Charlotte last week? And in particular the Earnhardt/Black 3 tribute? It was fantastic, and a great way to pay homage. And a great thing for Richard Childress.
When Jeff Gordon broke away from the starting line up to drive along side the 3 there were more than a few tears in our lounge room.

[Goodwrench3]

It was a fantastic tribute and I have no problem admitting I shed a tear upon seeing the Black #3 pacing the field. Emotions must have been running high in some cockpits at that point.
But it does make me yearn for a return for the #3 on some level. How exactly I'm not sure but I've always felt, having read quite extensively about Earnhardt, that he would not have wanted the number retired. Time will tell I guess.

[Goodwrench3]

What a great win by Junior at Phoenix last Sunday.
It was good to see him get the downforce track monkey off his back. Guys like Newman, Johnson and Busch have been steadily picking up the wins on those tracks so as an Earnhardt fan I was elated with the result.
It was a good race too, plenty of side by side racing etc. Not a good day for Harvick again though. Second weekend in a row the Goodwrench car has been involved in somebody elses accident.
Kenseth is all but Champion now but I'm hoping Junior can hold down second. Should be a good year next year.

[Earnhardt-3]

What a great race... and man, were those Bud guys pumped in victory lane! Buds being sprayed everywhere! You could tell by how emotional Jr was (he doesn't usually come across like that) that just how ecstatic they were with the win. Good on them.....

...and elevated to 2nd in points is an added bonus.

Harvick sure did take a points dive though - down 3 spots to (I think) 6th?... What a rotten couple of weeks.

From 2nd down to about 8th is real tight in points, and is going to be an interesting contest over the last three races.... But as you say, I think it's in the bag for #17...

Brad.

PS - How hard was that crash of Jimmy Spencer's? Ouch!

[Road Runner 72]

Well I just got satellite for my mum "Yes, me as well", and seen Nascar "Phoenix race" for the first time in a long while.

Its great to see all the old drivers still mixing it up with the newer breed, like Mark Martin, Bill elliot, John Andretti, Rusty Wallace ect.

I have alot to catch up on, & there is only 3 races left " thanks for that Brad" for the season.

Yes it was a great win by Ernhardt Jr, but who drives the number 12 car? seems he was driving a little bit more aggressive than the other drivers? there was talk about payback from an incident from the last race, is that why? or its his style of driving?

Man I love watching the pit stops, so close.

Will enjoy the last 3 races no doubt.

Cheers

Mike

[Elvis]

Yep,from what ive read it sounded like great race!!!(Well its Nascar,its always great)=If Kenseth does take the title at least I can say hes deserved it,he always seems to get out of trouble,he hasnt won the most races,but hes been way more consistent.Its also good for Ford.
Im still in shock over Pontiac,cant believe it...........as long as Tide and Kodak go to Chev,thats good for me...........I think Tide and Kodak really suite the Chevs.
Its good that Craven got a win for Pontiac in there last ever season,and what a way to win the last one for Pontiac(If it turns out to be the last win,which i think it will)

Michael Waltrip 2004 champ:cool:

PS=Anyone heard where Tide and Kodak teams are going????

[berkut76]

Originally posted by Road Runner 72
...but who drives the number 12 car? seems he was driving a little bit more aggressive than the other drivers? there was talk about payback from an incident from the last race, is that why? or its his style of driving?


Mike,
I think that there are only two races left: Rockingham and Homestead Miami.

As for #12 car, it is driven by Ryan Newman, who is currently my favorite driver. He drives a Dodge for Pensle racing and is pretty much the only Dodge driver who has been able to show his mettle this year.

I like Newman precisely for reasons a lot of people dislike him. For starters, he is not a part of "redneck" Southern mafia. He is well educated, with an engineering degree from one of the best US colleges: MIT. Also, he drives hard every race and is smart about it. Quite a few of his wins this season came from flawless pit/fuel strategy.

Regards,

Sergey

[Earnhardt-3]

Originally posted by Road Runner 72
who drives the number 12 car?.. there was talk about payback from an incident from the last race, is that why?

Hey Mike,

Earnhardt Jr apparently/alledgedly/looked like/he might have turned around Newman (#12) in the last race and wrecked him... That's what the payback talk was probably about.

However, Newman is quite a hard charger most of the time.

And by the way, Sergey's right... only Rockingham & Homestead left :( Homestead will be interesting with the rebuilt track and additional banking....

Brad.

[Road Runner 72]

Sergey & Brad, thanks for the info, helps understand the resons to his driving style for that race, like you said sergey, some people might not l like him due to his differnt background, I find that sort of thing wrong.
Like I said im just getting back into nascar, totally love the racing, & i dont want to get wrong ideas about the drivers.

Earnhardt Jr apparently/alledgedly/looked like/he might have turned around Newman. ;) brad i must say you did type that with style.

Oh 2 races left, thats better than none, at least I can get a good idea before next year, also toyota is joining nascar next season they also said on the tellycast, OH WHAT A FEELING that will be.

Once again thanks for the info, I have alot to learn/catch up on.

Cheers

mike

[wayno]

Just my opinion as I've watched the Newman incident heaps. I think Dale Jnr took the air off his back wing and got him loose, it was only then that he hit him. Racing incident.

[Goodwrench3]

I agree Wayno. Junior may have taken the air off the 12's rear wing at Atlanta, but he only hit him once Newman had got way loose. If Junior says it wasn't intentional then thats good enough for me.
And yeah Brad, a great celebration by the Bud crew and Jr. Newman is one hell of a driver but he's hardly what you'd call flamboyant out of the car! But he's a Hoosier (my 'home' state when in America) so I'll forgive him that!
Allen Bestwick made a great point about the top 4 finishers and how they will be fighting for wins for many many years to come ie Junior, Johnson, Newman and Busch. Add Kenseth, Harvick, Stewart and a promising 32 year old called Jeff Gordon!!!! There's a lot to look forward to.
Elvis, I heard mentioned (albeit briefly) on the telecast that the Pontiac teams will have Monte Carlo's next year.

[Jack71]

Great win by the Bud team, and to get the unrestricted monkey off their back, so to speak.
As for the Pontiac teams and where to next, I wouldn't have thought that the #32 PPI team would be that happy with GM. They only recently switched over from Ford. And what about the #4 Morgan McClure team? They switched from Chevy's for this year and now they've wasted a year cause they have to go back to them! Mind you, they need all the help they can get by the looks of it.
Yes, the NASCAR driver talent pool looks very good for the future. We've got much to look forward to.

[Goodwrench3]

PPI will have to go with the Chevy as Ford wouldn't want them back!
I think all the Pontiac teams will go to Monte Carlo's - it makes sense. And with the possible exception of MB2 (who I think get their motors from Hendrick), why would Ford or Dodge want any of the Pontiac teams?

[Elvis]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
[B]PPI will have to go with the Chevy as Ford wouldn't want them back!
I think all the Pontiac teams will go to Monte Carlo's - it makes sense. And with the possible exception of MB2 (who I think get their motors from Hendrick), why would Ford or Dodge want any of the Pontiac teams?

Thanks for responses on the Tide-Kodak question everyone.

I dont think Pontiacs the problem......I think the teams are underfunded etc,etc.........Just remember.........
2000=B.Labonte,WC champ.Pontiac
2000=T.Stewart,Most wins in the year.Pontiac.
2002=T.Stewart,WC champ.Pontiac

[Goodwrench3]

No Kodak for DEI Elvis.

Just read on the DEI website that the #1 car will only run a restricted schedule in Nextel Cup next year. That team will actually run Martin Truex Jr in the Busch series full time under the Chance2 banner (#8, co-owned by Dale Jnr), whilst running him in the #1 car for 7 races in order for him to step up to the main game in '05 as a rookie.
John Andretti will drive the #1 in the Daytona 500.
Can't wait for next year!!!

[Jack71]

I too had to go to the DEI site for that info as I didn't see it on NASCAR.com. Strange.
It will be interesting to see how Truex goes. He is highly rated and had something like 5 top 10's with his 8 races for Dale Junior this year.
Interesting moves with Richard Childress Racing too. He's signed Johnny Sauter for the #30 - a bit of a gamble maybe, but it would seem RC likes a challenge with his drivers!!!

[Elvis]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
No Kodak for DEI Elvis.


Yeah,I read that Kodak might be going to a Penske/Jasper Dodges next year,be a side sponsor on Newman and Rustys cars,be a side sponsor on Penskes IRL cars and also be a side sponsor on The #4 Chev which it will pull the plug from being a major sponsor.

[Goodwrench3]

Did you notice too that Rousch still doesn't have a sponsor for Jeff Burton's car and he may only run a restricted program. I couldn't believe that. If they can't get the money for that car then it'll be amazing!

[Elvis]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
Did you notice too that Rousch still doesn't have a sponsor for Jeff Burton's car and he may only run a restricted program. I couldn't believe that. If they can't get the money for that car then it'll be amazing!

Yeah,I was in shock when i read that,the biggest Ford team cant find a sponsor??????Jeff had a shocker of a year but id still like to see that car run next year.

Another Ford topic,I hope Jarrett can bounce back,hes my favourite Ford guy and if he has another season like 2003 he may not be a Yates driver for much longer.

[Goodwrench3]

They are still trying with Jarrett. Just hired Mike Ford away from the #9. but yeah, another year like this and something somewhat more major will happen with the #88.
Interesting to note that Yates and Roush will join their enjine programs for next year. Yates has always had the strongest Ford motors - till this year. So we'll keep an eye on that alliance.