Dale's "Dues"
Updated 3-19-01
Most every driver pays their "dues" in racing. "Dues" are those extreme moments of misfortune that cost you your car, your health, potential victories and sometimes your life. Dale Earnhardt was a hard driver. He went where others wouldn't dare. Being a hard driver AND a great driver, too was a combination that provided plenty of "dues" throughout his career. Most of all though, the best example ever set by the Man, was his Daytona wreck that while sitting in the ambulance he studied his car (is that a one track mind?! 
) only to discover it had all four wheels and basic sheet metal where it belonged and asked that the car be cranked up. Upon discovering it would still run, he left the ambulance and took that car to the finish! Where others would give up, Dale didn't. Where others simply accept the loss, Dale wouldn't. Where many would not persist in a wrecked car, Dale did. Believing the impossible was possible was what set the Man apart from everyone else in history!
This page is dedicated to his "dues", the innumerable wrecks he experienced and usually came back from. Everyone can focus on victory lane, and the championships but I've always thought remembering how he got there was more important than his being there, because it was his character and persistence that made him the Champion he was and always will be!
Before and After at Daytona, but no DNF!
(BTW, I know they aren't the same car, but the point is the same.)
Dale and Talladega are synonomous with victory, as Dale is the winningest driver ever there, but Talladega has also been most destructive to Dale over the years! Fall '96 was his worst accident and still the following week with a broken sternum and collarbone, he took the pole at Watkins Glen and folks saw tears on the Man's face from the pain. Determination, never say die, never give up.
'98 Talladega, pack racing, Ward tipped Dale, and the "big one" occurred. Ward Burton was a true gentleman and admitted the error and apologized.
Narrowly missing one, only to lose in the finale.
Daytona, February 18, 2001, lap 199 turn 4, holding back the "thunderstorm" behind Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip.
God bless and God speed, Dale, you'll live forever in the hearts of millions!
"We knew we were doing this for the fans, to try to put a better race on. I'm sure they saw one whale of an exciting race, but is this the type they want? I don't know. I'm going to let NASCAR make that decision." Rusty Wallace on the rules.
Mark Martin commented to the effect of: Nascar needs to test the rules for two years before they keep changing us from week to week. I know they want to give the fans the most for their money, well, now they got death, too.
This grieving fan couldn't agree more.
Many of the pictures found here and throughout my site are from the RASN gallery of racing pictures, a superb collection!
