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Dale Earnhardt memorial transcript

The South mourns a fallen son

What others are saying about Earnhardt's death

Friday, February 23, 2001
Above titles, Earnhardt won respect
ESPN.com

The 1998 Daytona win. The Bristol Bump of Terry Labonte. The Pass on the Grass.

We received thousands of e-mails from users sharing their memories of Dale Earnhardt with us, including many mentions of those moments listed above.

Here are just a few of those thoughts:

As shown in his final moments on Earth, Dale Earnhardt was a class act. He unselfishly let his son and his teammate duel it out for the greatest title in racing. Unfortunately for fans across the world, he died doing it. The Intimidator was the best racer in the history of NASCAR, if not in all of auto racing. He will surely be missed, as he already is. My prayers go out to his immediate family, and his family in NASCAR.

Todd Pappasergi
Charleroi, Pa.

All that I can think of is that I hope and pray for Dale Jr. and the rest of the family, and wish that GM Goodwrench offers the No. 3 to Dale Jr. There is nothing more fitting, and there is no name other than Earnhardt that deserves the black No. 3.

Ken Perkins
Seattle, Wash.

Dale,

In February of 1990, my five-week-old son was seriously ill. For several days we did not know if he would live. I had two goals -- one was for my son to live. The second was for a son and father to watch a race together. I was able to hold my son for the first time in over a week on the day of the Daytona 500. It took several nurse to arrange all of the tubes and equipment around me so that I could hold my son and watch the race. My son lived. And even though he is severely handicapped, one of the many things we enjoy is sitting together and watching NASCAR. We will miss you more than words can ever explain.

Gary Nickerson
Olathe, Kan.

What can you say at a time like this other than, "today one more very bright light went out in the world of racing."

My heart goes out to his family.

Frank Renner
Santa Paula, Calif.

I've often heard the comment, "you either love Dale Earnhardt, or you hate him..." While racing was going on, I was one of those numerous people rooting against him, and I admit to cheering when he was knocked out of a race, including the 2001 Daytona 500. No longer will I ever applaud the unfortunate situations that human beings encounter.

Dale, I want to thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson about human life, and in your memory, I want you to know that one of the biggest anti-Earnhardt fans is thinking about the great legacy that you left with modern motor sports. Peace to you and your family.

Craig Norkus
Rochester, N.Y.

I was at the Atlanta Motor Speedway when I was 14. Earnhardt was going to be signing autographs, so I tried to get there early. When I got there, he had just finished. I ran over to his table but security said I was too late. Earnhardt saw this, and signed my hat. He asked me, "Who is your favorite driver?" I said, "You, of course." Then he asked, "Well, who is your least favorite?" I responded, "Anyone trying to pass you!" He gave a big belly laugh, and said, "Thanks bud." I will never forget that day. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

David Watts
Lexington, Ky.

Truly a tragic loss for NASCAR. I am not a NASCAR fan but I appreciate the magnitude of his death and his contributions to the sport. I had the same sinking feeling in my gut as when I logged on to ESPN.com and learned Payne Stewart had died. A total saddening shock.

Kenneth Sandoval
Galveston, Texas

I can remember since I was a little kid knowing who Dale Earnhardt was. He was the main reason I watched the sport. With that wreck Sunday, not only Dale Earnhardt but also a large piece of NASCAR died in that car in Turn 4. Turn 4 will ever be remembered as the turn that killed NASCAR.

Chris Evans
West Virginia

On May 1, 1994, the racing world watched in horror as Ayrton Senna was killed at Imola. That afternoon, Dale Earnhardt won at Talladega. His first words in victory lane were, "I just want to say it's a shame what happened to Ayrton Senna today. He was a great driver and a great champion."

How were we to know Earnhardt was pronouncing his own epitaph?

Chris Romano
N. Weymouth, Mass.

My greatest memory of Dale Earnhardt is of him winning the 1998 Daytona 500. Seeing how every team lined up in pit row to salute/wave to Dale inspired me to become the huge NASCAR racing fan that I am today! It truly showed me what a team and family sport this is!

Also, my second favorite memory is seeing him bursting with pride over Dale Jr.'s first Winston Cup race win, in the winner's circle -- seeing how proud he was of his son.

Pamela Gaulke
Ankeny, Iowa

I'm not a NASCAR fan but I was deeply saddened by the news of the loss of Dale Earnhardt. There are very few people in sports today that are worth watching. Dale Earnhardt was one of them.

Greg Roof
Salem, Ohio

I was at the race on this day. I took a picture with his famous No. 3 car. I rooted for him and his family to win.

I watched the greatest NASCAR driver of all time lose his life to make sure his son and great friend finished on top. I had the greatest and worst day of my life. I can't help but feel the pain that Dale's family is going through.

James W. Black
Oviedo, Fla.

I was truly amazed by the way that Earnhardt had held off the field so that both his son Dale Jr. and partner Michael Waltrip could battle it out for the win. It was one of the greatest races I have ever watched, with the constant lead changes, Darrell Waltrip's emotional commentary of his brother's victory and a fantastic 18-car pile up that left no one seriously injured.

Bu, when the news broke that Earnhardt Sr. had died, it made what was a great day of racing into an utter tragedy in the sports world. All too often we don't appreciate what we have until it is gone. R.I.P. No. 3.

Dennis Lavallee
North Providence, R.I.

I had always thought Sr. to be a bully but during the final laps today I saw a man giving a friend and his own son a chance to win. I had really never been a fan of his, but in his last moments he showed us all what a great man and true sportsman he truly was.

Bruce Simmons
Sigourney, Iowa

I think the racing world and its fans lost one of the most incredible drivers we have ever seen. My heart and prayers goes out to his family and friends. May God be with them and his many, many fans as we mourn a great person.

Sherri Abel
Phillipsburg, N.J.

I may have always cheered against Dale but I never in my wildest dreams would have requested this for any driver. I would have liked to have seen him win number eight to match Jr.'s car. Dale, you will be missed by everybody. Lap everybody up in heaven.

Scott Schiel
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I am not even a big racing fan, but news of the death of Dale Earnhardt has saddened me in a way I can't quite comprehend. Maybe it's the fact that whenever I heard of NASCAR, I heard of Dale Earnhardt. To me, the two were synonymous.

Tim Klein
Regina, Saskatchewan

I think it is about time NASCAR took some of the money it is earning and did some more extensive research for the protection of the drivers. Neck braces, if not worn today, should be mandatory. If Dale had been wearing a next brace protecting the back of his skull he probably would have walked away from the crash.

Thomas Riker
Dublin, Calif.

Let's not get caught up in the blame game. Dale Sr. died doing what he loved and in one of his most unselfish displays of teamwork and driving skill. A man who raced in such a way to earn the title "The Intimidator," his death came from the same style of racing he loved so much. The racing world has lost a wonderful competitor and earned an immortal hero.

Tom Crouch
Richmond, Va.

It has been repeated many times in regard to Dale Earnhardt that you either love him or you hate him. I can certainly say that I did not love Dale Earnhardt. On Sundays, if my favorite driver could not win, I rooted for A.B.E. -- Anybody But Earnhardt.

I cried tonight.

Gary Purcella
Albuquerque, N.M.

Dale Earnhardt had what everyone in this world should strive to have: the respect of his peers. He will be greatly missed.

William Timothy Corder
Raleigh, N.C.

Thanks.

Scott Chichester
Vienna, W.V.