because I read them all and participate in two, and because the
tragedy at Daytona has affected us all. If you have a problem with
that, you can get stuffed.
Anyhow, I just got done watching the replay of the race (because i'm
Australian, it was shown live at 5am - I ain't getting up that early
to watch a race when the replay is on at 8pm - but the rain delay
meant I saw everything after the big wreck that took saw Tony Stewart
go flying). I really don't know why I watched the replay, given what
happened. I found myself *** back tears every time DE was
mentioned - and I was never even a fan. I don't know what i'm writing
or even thinking here, because it's a stream of consciousness sort of
thing, you know? I just don't lnow what there is to say. How did Tony
survive, yet Dale was killed? (not that I wanted Tony to die, far from
it... but his wreck was so much worse....)
It was a great race. What I always thought Daytona should be - close,
hard fought and no one giving an inch. 43 cars started, I honestly
think that at most points of the race there were 30 potential winners.
Maybe not, but thats how close it seemed.
Then the big wreck. It had to happen, in a race like that.
Miraculously no one was seriously hurt. And after the green flag came
down again, I knew there would be a great race to the checkered flag.
Seeing Michael Waltrip finally break his duck - and at Daytona, with
his brother in the commentary booth - that was magical. Thos last 5
laps I had a lump in my throat because of how emotional Darrell was -
and what a great performance the DEI team had put in. It was great.
Michael won, and I was happy.
Only there was a wreck out of turn 4. Nothing too unusual in that
really - except once the dust settled, Dale Earnhardt was still in his
car. "Oh Shit" I thought. I may be relatively new to racing compared
to alot of you people, but I know that if, after a wreck, the driver
isn't straight out of the car that something is very wrong. Darrell
Waltrip had tears in his eyes because his baby brother had just won
Daytona and said "I just hope Dale's Ok... I guess he's OK...." but by
then, I think we all knew, or at least suspected, the worst.
I feel so bad. Bad for the Earnhardts. Bad for the Waltrips. Bad for
NASCAR and everyone involved in racing. I just dunno what emotion is
in my mind. And with Kyle Petty driving Adam's car....
Usually I come home from work and, after a little rest, do some
sim-racing. I just couldn't tonight. Not GPL, not GP3 - most certainly
not N3.
I'm sorry I made so little sense here. Believe me, i'm perfectly sober
- I just have this numbness in my brain so that I can't express what
i'm feeling.
I'm only a casual NASCAR fan, but love it when the racing is close and
hard, and have always had alot of respect for Dale Earnhardt (although
I prefer his son... maybe because he is closer to my age). But this...
it is just unbelievable. I imagine this is how I'd have felt when
Senna died had I been old enough, and deep enough into racing, to
appreciate it.
That's it. A bunch of drivel I typed as it came into my head. Many
more will die driving race cars in my life time, and many already
have. And we will keep watching, many of us will keep racing. I'm sure
Jr will carry on his Father's legacy - but NASCAR, indeed motor racing
as a whole, will be poorer without the intimidator.
Thanks for listening,
DG