Another Viewpoint
Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com
Truly Black Sunday
A Tribute to Dale Earnhardt
A Special Editorial Sorrow
Dale Earnhardt
April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001
Truly Black Sunday
A Tribute to Dale Earnhardt
A Special Editorial Sorrow
Dale Earnhardt
April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001
On February 15, 1998 at the Daytona International Speedway, race fans celebrated what was to be headlined "Black Sunday" when Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500 after twenty years of attempts. A more glorious celebration will never be forgotten. On February 18, 2001 in Daytona, FL all of Nascar grieved a truly black Sunday after a horrific last lap accident claimed the life of Seven Time Nascar Champion, Dale Earnhardt. At the same moment Michael Waltrip, Earnhardts dear friend and new driver for DEI was crossing the finish line for his first win in 463 races and 15 years, Dale Earnhardt died in his car. There are not enough words or tears to express the shock, disbelief and grief that shook the world in that single moment.
Pack racing for multiple lead changes at high speeds created by the NASCAR rules changes for "parity" among all the drivers set the stage for this disaster. A 19 car wreck, always termed "the big one" had already occurred earlier when Tony Stewart was suddenly turned around and airborne resulting in mass carnage of metal. Watching that accident brought the fear of death into many hearts. Watching Dale's accident makes everyone ask why because, "it didn't look that bad." But watching Darrell Waltrips face as he looked on from his announcers booth perch and seeing Kenny Schraders face when interviewed told us it was the worst. Multiple cars spread the impact energy around, while a couple of cars and a wall send all that impact energy into the bodies. Dale Earnhardt seemed to be larger than life and invincible against all the odds until that moment.
However, as has been repeatedly commented, Dale Earnhardt was doing what he did best: outrunning, blocking and outdriving a field of cars behind his third place position to protect the positions of his son and his friend. That's drafting. That's superspeedway restrictor plate racing. That's the skills and knowledge only Dale Earnhardt seemed to possess and that was LOVE. Dale could have joined up with anyone, Rusty was behind him like an everpresent partner and Dale could have overrun his own team for the lead and probably won a second 500. But Dale chose otherwise. He had learned from "mistakes" in the Twin 125 how much space was needed to be overrun by Sterling Marlin and how close to stay to keep those runs back. Dale provided the kind of race finish drivers deserve for Dale Jr and Michael Waltrip. Instead of enduring the drafting chess game Nascar subjects everyone to with their rules, Dale made his car irritatingly wide. And shockingly, it cost him his life.
Who'd have thought the Intimidator would have thought of anyone else during a race? Who'd have thought the Man in Black with that grinning mustache would have CHOSEN to give up a win in the Daytona 500 to prove his point that his friend, Michael Waltrip was truly a winner and able to get the job done? Who'd have thought Dale's game plan in the end would be to challenge everyone behind him to get around him somehow? Who'd have thought Dale would sacrifice himself to make a point NASCAR may still not see? Dale endured much rubbing and bumping and was probably having the time of his life in a restrictor plate race, until one bump declared the end. And much as no one wants to hear it, that's racin' and that was Dale's favorite explanation. That's racin' and he's a racer. Dale never made any bones about his feelings for restrictor plate racing and he lived his words out fearlessly. Dale Earnhardt left this life in the same unassuming humble way he lived it, not in a spectacular crash but a simple, body absorbing brutal wall shot that was instantly fatal.
The world is reeling with disbelief. His competitors, the media and Nascar personnel can't believe Lady Luck failed the Man. A man who so defied the odds to overcome horrendous wrecks and injuries and was often considered invincible. Death rides shotgun with every racer on every track everywhere. Dale always crawled out of the wreckage and stood to wave to the fans, except on this truly Black Sunday. Larry McReynolds was first to vocalize the concern but DW's face was saying what no one wanted to think while he congratulated his baby brother. DW's words will always echo in my ears as he looked over at the wreck and his unmoving friend and whimpered with obvious fear, "I sure hope Dale's ok...". Darrell knew he wasn't and he knew this was going to hurt real bad. Veterans of racing knew the worst possible outcome suddenly loomed over the speedway at that moment.
In an uncanny scene pre-race, Dale hugged Kyle Petty, who was piloting Adam's ride this year for the season. Cameras caught Dale in openly affectionate moments with his son, Dale Jr, and his wife, Teresa. These are moments I am sure they are eternally grateful for now! All of speedweeks, Dale was relaxed and happy, something many felt would be the result of his success for the weeks and the beginning of a stellar season. Dale Earnhardt had never been to Daytona and not won at least one race during the weeks preceding the 500 but a victory had eluded him thus far. Dale was poised to make 2001 an unprecedented 8th Championship. Every driver out there knew they'd be battling him for it. His fans had the faith and kept it alive year after year knowing if any driver could surpass the records, Dale Earnhardt could... and would. The excitement and anticipation of the new season all ended Sunday night with the untimely death of Seven Time Champion Dale Earnhardt. A legend in his own time, he will be remembered as the greatest driver in NASCAR, but most of all he will be remembered for being a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, a savvy businessman, a wonderful humanitarian and a great friend to all who had the good fortune to encounter him. Dale Earnhardt is a hero for our times and will live forever in the memories, the stories and the love of his fans and NASCAR's rich history. He was my hero. For everyone who loved the Man, family, friends and fans, our hearts will ache forever over this truly black sunday.
God bless and Godspeed Dale!
Special Note: This has been the most difficult Viewpoint I've ever written. As a long-time Earnhardt fan, my heart is broken and raw. Words eluded me as tears overcame me. My many thanks to those who have comforted me throughout this nightmare. I never realized how much I wore my love for Dale Earnhardt until everyone reached out to help me through this. My website is solace and comfort and will stay alive for his memory and the future of Nascar in his son and the DEI teams. I've heard many say they won't watch racing anymore. I will watch. There's still an Earnhardt on the track and he'll need the support and love of Dale's fans more than ever now. NASCAR will survive this as they always do when tragedy strikes. I just hope they see what Dale did, what Dale wanted them to learn, and get the rules back to racing and not their marketing control.
Mini-editorial: Perspectives I've also heard about "perspectives". How does it figure that Dale Earnhardt is a "hero" deserving of all this coverage when real heroes in the service (like the guys in the 'copter crashes) die and no one can tell you their names? A friend of mine said, only presidents and princesses get national coverage on their funerals and they didn't get to keep the rights! My answer: popularity and example.
However, here's another perspective:
The Challenger crew died together but who's remembered most? McCauliffe, not the real space personnel who'd spent their lives training for that mission, NOT taking anything away from her either here.
The Columbine tragedy happened and who's remembered most? Carrie and Rachel because they said yes and their families made sure the world knew them. Not the other dozen or so kids involved AND the several other church/school murders that occured during that time.
My advice to the folks on "perspectives": Don't. To do that is to trivialize everyone involved in all the deaths being discussed and no one's death is trivial. SO, don't trivialize Dale Earnhardt. He's done more than anyone will every know for more folks than anyone will ever know about and he's done it without glory or fame or pictures to record his acts. He was a good man, with a great spirit and a great example for our youth, and even when he was "bad", he accepted the consequences... something much of the military, politics and everyone else who are supposed to be heroes have forgotten how be lately!
Dale's not in any competition any more. Let him rest in peace, please, and let his fans grieve accordingly.
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