Saying goodbye to a legend
Justin Williams
freshman
The e-mail from my cousin read, "Dale Earnhardt dies today as a result of injuries sustained in a crash head on into a wall at Daytona. Oh my God!" I read the words on the screen and my head began to spin. I thought to myself, Dale Earnhardt dead? I couldn't believe it. It just didn't seem possible. I immediately looked up the ESPN Web site and the main headline glared out at me, "Earnhardt killed at Daytona," and a wave of grief hit me. This man, "The Man in Black" and "The Intimidator" as fans knew him, was a childhood hero of mine. I can remember several Sundays, sitting around with my father watching Earnhardt's black No. 3 Goodwrench Chevy on television.
I can remember watching the Daytona 500 in 1998 as he won for the first time. After 19 years of disappointment after disappointment the Man in Black had finally won NASCAR's greatest race. On that day, Earnhardt's drive toward Victory Lane was slowed considerably when crewmen from virtually every team poured out onto the pit road to congratulate him with high fives and cheers. Everyone knew he deserved it, everyone knew that the day was something special.
Dale Earnhardt was the active wins leader in the circuit and at Daytona. The Intimidator's seven NASCAR Winston Cup Championship crowns offer all the proof needed to those who question his place in history. Earnhardt was the first driver in the history of the sport to win the rookie of the year award and the series title in back-to-back years. He was the first three-time winner of the Winston Select, and he won three IROC championships. His racing style helped define a generation of drivers — those who run hard Sunday, then shake hands and exchange congratulations when all is said and done. Dale Earnhardt is truly a legend in the sport of racing, and Sunday at Daytona NASCAR and its fans lost one of our greatest friends and sportsmen.
Goodbye, Earnhardt — you will be missed.
Justin Williams
freshman
Carroll Hall
February 18, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, February 20, 2001
