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I wrote an article last October from an interview I had with Dale Earnhardt just before he won his last race at Talladega...It's called "Earnhardt Still Misses Bonnett."..To Read The Article

The following column originally was published Oct. 18, 2000.

I know a man whose hands are so callused that gloves aren't necessary. Once, while cutting down a tree, he cut the back of his hand to the bone with a chainsaw. He didn't even stop to look until the job was done.

I've seen him get thrown from a tractor. The tractor, as large as a small home, was flipped by the trunk of a stubborn oak tree. His first thought was not fear, but how quickly he could get the tractor back on its tracks to complete the task. He has suffered broken bones and never had one complaint. Not to anyone, not even to himself.

This man could lead the world's finest army. He has wisdom that knows no bounds. No fire could burn his character, no stone could break it. He maintains a private existence. One that shelters his most coveted thoughts from the world.

His upbringing was no controlled creation. His hard-working family was like many from that era. He gained his knowledge in hard dirt and second-hand tools, from his toys as a child to the trucks he drove in his 20s. From that natural upbringing, he has an incredible sense of good and bad. He sees it before it sees him, in people, in anything imaginable. Where did he learn this? How does he know so many things?

I've seen this man create many things. With no blueprints, he has carved and produced wonders upon wonders. His resume shows he has created major companies. He has hammered out deal upon deal -- always being as fair as God would have it. He has taken land with thick shrub and deep valleys and molded them into a frontier fit for heaven. He has built homes that kings couldn't fathom.

Solving problems is as easy as breathing for him. They are thrown his way like the morning paper. People surround him daily, wanting solutions. He hands them out with pride and passion. Each solution is a battle won. He calculates his every action, demanding the same from everyone else. He is honest in letting you know your end of the bargain.

His friendship is the greatest gift you could ever obtain. Out of all his attributes, it is the most impressive. He trusts only a few with this gift. If you ever break that trust - it is over. He accepts few apologies. Many have crossed him and they leave with only regret for their actions. In every result, he stands as an example of what hard work and dedication will achieve. Even his enemies know this.

I have had the pleasure of joining him on the battlefield. I have experienced his intimidating wrath. That may sound strong, but I know what I am talking about. He roams like a lion, king of his jungle. His jungle is his and his alone. Every step he takes has purpose. Every walk has reason.

He praises God, loves his family, enjoys his friends.

I wonder what his future holds. He has so much to be proud of. To this point, he's only barely satisfied. His eyes see much more than my imagination could produce.

He is Dale Earnhardt. Dad, the world's finest army awaits.

And now a word from Dale

• I have had hard times in my life. The good times outweigh the bad, by far.
• I have had a wife that was my partner, and most of all, my friend.
• I have seen my children grow, to be kind and fair adults and even better competitors.
• I have walked among winners, stood with champions, and yes, even sat on a throne beside a king.
• Now I stand beside God, and as we walk through the gates, who else do I see, but my old buddy Neil.
• Standing beside the shiniest, black number 3 Goodwrench Chevy, I've ever seen.
• Behind it, a whole row of cars to match it's shine.
• Alan was there, so was Lee. Tiny, Davey and more.
• Even young Adam was giving me that big 'ol Petty grin.
• Then I heard my Daddy say "it's good to see you, son. Climb on in."
• Like I said, don't weep for me, cause I'm making laps with Jesus, right beside my Daddy.
• Remember me now, remember me later, but always remember they called him 'The Intimidator'.

• Rick Chitwood..Atlanta Ga. As seen on A&J NASCAR Racing

The Heaven 500, was just getting started,
An All-Star race, for the racing departed.
Heroes of the track, with nerves like steel,
And sitting on the pole, was a cat named Neil.

Adam Petty was there, with his beautiful smile,
Kenny Irwin determined, to finish in style.
Lee Petty was glowing, with that Grandfather pride,
With Bobby & Clifford, both in a new ride.

Fireball Roberts, floated in on a cloud,
While Tony Roper waved, to the Heavenly crowd.
Morrosso & Nemecheck, then Tim Richmond appeared,
Kulwicki strapped in, while the racing fans cheered.

The honorary starter, for this Heavenly race,
Ralph Earnhardt was chosen, a tear on his face.
But the red flag flew, just before it had begun,
and every eye, was open wide, and looking to the SON.

A last minute entry, was the cause of delay,
While the fans were instructed, to kneel and to pray.
The Heavens turned black, and the clouds turned dark,
The lightning was brilliant, the thunder did bark.

Then out of the rumble, for all there to see,
The clouds formed a number, a black number three.
The Heavenly fans, then erupted with pride,
And welcomed this star, who had recently died.

With a bolt of lightning, Dale Earnhardt arrived,
As he stood before Jesus, his spirit revived.
Jesus hugged his precious child, then revealed his perfect plan,
"I brought you home, to let you know, that I'm your biggest fan!"

"The Intimidator was needed, for this Heavenly race,
Leaving all of your earthly fans, with honor & with grace."
Ralph Earnhardt then stepped forward, embracing his son,
Then whispered in the ear of Dale, "Let's go and have some fun!"

As Ralph stood proud, the green flag flew,
The crowd went wild and the tension grew.
And just like Salvation, the admission was free,
As every eye focused, on the black number three.

When the checkered flag dropped, no dry eyes remained,
It was a photo finish, as Jesus explained.
He said, "There are no losers, on this Heavenly track,
This was a welcome home party, for The Man In Black!"

Written for Teresa, Dale Jr, Kerry, Kelley King,
Taylor Nicole and the millions of dedicated Dale Earnhardt fans.

The Intimidator A long shadow is cast down on Victory Lane, In the dark form of the THE MAN IN BLACK. He died doin' what he loved, ...racin', Doin' it the way he loved doin' it, ...bumpin' and rubbin'. The race is over now for THE INTIMIDATOR. As the last chance crew Performed the last pit stop, The sun went down in the Sunshine state. Behind the wall Dale Earnhardt. We will miss you. Deanna L Truax

A fine Daytona afternoon, the season just begun
My boys were running one and two, and I was having fun
I probably could have won the thing, but something held me back
I was busy watching Dale and Mike -- and holding off the pack

I was looking toward the front and not really to the rear
Something tapped me on my bumper, but still I had no fear
I thought it might be Sterling - I knew he was nearby
When Sterling smells the checkered flag, I'll tell you, he ain't shy

I slipped a bit. I turned the wheel. I sensed something very odd
It wasn't Sterling's tap I'd felt. It was the tap of God
"Not now," I said. "I'm racing hard. There's work still here to do"
"You're time is up," He whispered low, "So say a quick adieu"

I wasn't really ready, but I didn't have a choice
He'd tapped me on the bumper and I'd heard His hallowed voice
So I did as He instructed. I just packed it in and left
I guess it can't be helped that I left some of you bereft

Did you see those birds upon the wall as they scattered in the breeze?
Will it make it any easier to know that one of them was me?
There was also Davey, Dad and Neil and some other guys I've known
And they all came to Daytona just to escort me on home

Hey - congratulations, Mikey! You made a worthy run
I wish you many, many more. You're wins have just begun
All that fun you had in Victory Lane, I was proud as proud can be
Did you see a seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey, that was me

So, friends and fans and family, don't mourn me for too long
Get on with life - take care of things - be brave and proud and strong
I'll surely miss you every one. About that I will not lie
But as long as you remember me - I didn't really die
(Author Unknown)

By Dave Wyatt
3/23/01

It was the start of the racin'season
The Super Bowl of our sport
His car was runnin on a rail
But His time was runnin short

But there He was, just as fast as ever
He was ridin' on their tails
His car was floatin'like a feather
you knew that it was Dale

But as He set up for turn three
He heard his Father say
Turn four will be your last my son
your legacy begins today

You leave this sport on the top
having never really failed
This is how God had it planned
and his plans must prevail

Go on through turn four now
and close your eyes real tight
And when it's time to see again
I'll be there in the light

I grew up watching the 3
Now nothing moves, there's just a strange breeze,
And decades full of worthless memories,
There's this shadow across my heart,
I've got shelves full of souvenirs I can't touch,
Well all those things they won't do him much good now,
He was the Intimidator, I guess Dale did his job,
Mister, I feel cheated, I feel like I've been robbed,
It seems he was expendable, his life is just cancelled, null and void,
So what you going to do about your new boy, now?

• Bruce Springsteen...
  As Seen On Speed FX

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  ONE QUARTER MILE FROM HEAVEN
  

Like a guardian angel from four cars back,
Watching Michael & Dale Jr. as they circled the track.
No intention of winning, just holding his place,
So proud of his "boys" now winning the race.

We though it was over, the end was so near.
No time for pain; no time for fear.
We did not know, as there was no sign,
Dale was only one-quarter mile from his final finish line.

Within an instant, NASCAR fans would be facing,
An eternal change in their world of racing.
He was - one of the greatest; beloved in his sport,
With a grand career now sadly cut short.

All the crowd noticed was excitement and debris,
But a miracle was happening we could not see.
Dale said goodbye through shining metal and chrome,
As God gave "NUMBER 3" the checkered flag "home".

But forever in our hearts, and in the scheme of things,
We'll picture him circling heaven with black and red wings.
Grinning; telling angels..and even the Creator,
"Look out over there...here comes the "INTIMIDATOR".
(Author Unknown)

The following two items were seen on Racin' Links

Championship No. 8

By Jan "The Kid"

They assembled early at the gate
Today would be a special date
It would be the race of the year
February 18, 2001 was finally here

Ralph could be seen with Neil by his side
Lee, Adam and Kenny were just passing the time
The engines were quiet of Fireball and Joe
As the anticipation began to grow

Davey and Alan discussed what to do
Now that the race would include you
The big one came around lap 175
But everyone came out of it just fine

One lap to go the white flag flew
Dale Earnhardt Inc. were running 1 & 2
Right behind them was the familiar number 3
Putting his son and friend where he wanted them to be

Then on turn 4 your car suddenly turned right
Come on Dale climb out it will be all right
But then in the replay from the sky
The hood of your car seemed to wave Goodbye

At that moment as our hearts hurt so badly
You were being welcomed into Heaven gladly
Ralph was there to guide your way
For this was a highly awaited day

Your Eighth Championship was now all yours
And this was the one that counted for sure
For you my friend won Championship No. 8
The moment you walked through Heaven's Gates

Hi, My name is Kim, I'm 17, from Massachusetts. I have a poem I wrote, for my little brother, who was a big Dale Earnhardt fan. It hurt so much to see his hero go, and to see him now is sooo heartbreaking. He often sits with some sort of Dale thing of his...be it a picture, or a die-cast....and he'll just hold it, and stare at it and you can tell he is remembering Dale...thinking of him, missing him. Well, this is a poem I wrote for my little brother, it's called Hero.

Hero

Sorrow, so suddenly real.
Dreams turned to memories,
So empty you feel.
The day a hero died
And why you never cried,
Will always be a mystery,
Always get the best of me.
Expressions of numbness
Show upon your face.
In my head the memories
Of a hero's final race.
Too real to be a nightmare,
The reality is so unfair.
The reason still unexplained,
As I search for answers,
All in vain.
You thought he'd never let you down,
I know that seems untrue.
Someday I hope you'll realize
That the hero is in you.

~Kim from Massachusetts

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