At Daytona, Ernie Irvan made a hard choice to not finish the race himself because he is not completely physically up to it yet after being in the "big one" at Talledega! Now, Ernie doesn't have a father in racing, but he is a father to a beautiful little girl, whom he held in his arms as he calmly explained on national TV, that he wants to be around for her, to watch her grow up. Taking chances with himself or others was just not the right choice to make now. Ernie's been there and done that after surviving Michigan three years ago. Family is obviously very important to Ernie.
Looking at Dale Earnhardt, a good run at Talledega til he was collected in "the big one" too and instead of giving up or chalking up the day, he still gave his competition a run for their money. Dale did the same thing at Daytona a year ago in the 500 when he crashed putting the car on its roof, got back in the car because the wheels were still on it!! Again, at Daytona in the Pepsi 400, he came out strong and qualified extremely well, only to be ruined by a rogue tire from Bobby Labonte's pitstop. Innumerable incidences and setbacks have plagued Dale this year costing him the competitive edge he enjoys so much, yet he persists. If the car rolls on its wheels, he races!! He never gives up, no matter how much the odds are stacked against him. And the unveiling of Dale Jrs sponsorship, and the Coca Cola cars for Japan it was clear just how proud he is to share the limelight with his son. This is what a legacy is made of.
Another great racing family is the Jarretts, three generations have graced nascar in one way or another on the track and off. Ned announces now after a great racing career of his own, while Dale competes nose to nose with the best ( recently a no bull millionaire!) and still, Dale's son, Jason races the BGN with another famous son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. All the while, Dale's brother, Glenn does trackside announcing. From racing to announcing, there's a Jarrett somewhere in Nascar. And the family values show in the gentlemanly manner they conduct themselves.
A few weeks ago, we heard the tragic news about Adam Petty's pit accident that cost him his crew chiefs life. A couple of weeks later, Adam is celebrating in victory lane with his father, Kyle and his grandfather, Richard in a memorable scene of three generations of racers together! Just the presence of his grandfather and father show how important it is to them to be there for each other! Like the three generations of racers before him, Adam exhibits the family, values, spirit, courage and fortitude to continue despite setbacks. Seeing the King with his son and grandson is one of the best pictures of racing. It's a reminder of what's truly important in life: it's not just winning!
And values and great qualities don't just stop with racing fathers and sons, there's alot of brothers on the track exhibiting the same determination and respect that helps keep the sport competitive!! In Nascar, the likes of Terry and Bobby Labonte, Rusty and Kenny Wallace, Darrell and Michael Waltrip, Jeff and Ward Burton, and the Bodines, Geoff, Brett, and Todd, help make racing a family affair. Each brother has their own particular personality and style, but all respect each other, race each other hard and persevere!
Nascar has something most other auto sports don't enjoy and thats the families. You won't find as many fathers and sons and brothers in Cart/IRL, Formula One/SCCA, WO/sprints racing. The Unsers and Kinsers are the exceptions in those ranks. And, in a world where "family" is so easily dismissed in one way or another, its nice to see it still means alot in the great sport of Nascar!!
