rpm.espn.com: Daytona karma, or was the fix on?

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Sunday, July 8
Daytona karma, or was the fix on?
ESPN.com

Many users thought a higher power was at work in Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Pepsi 400 win at Daytona on Saturday. But some believe that the higher power wasn't exactly a divine one. Read on ...

Saturday night gave me nothing but tears of joy. That young man drove with all heart. My heart pounded every lap. I couldn't will him around the track any harder. It was awesome. I prayed for a safe race and for the most part it was. I know this win won't change the sad reality but it has given so many a new found joy for the sport we love. Congratulations Jr.! May God and your dad always ride with you.

Maryanne Aarazin
Tampa, Fla.

I think another Earnhardt chapter closed at Daytona. Good job, Dale Jr. Life does go on ...

Brian K. Jolly
Potosi, Mo.

Cal Ripken hitting a home run on the night he broke Lou Gehrig's record and Magic winning the MVP of the All Star game after he had retired seem to be the only things that come close to being such a fitting ending.

A true tear jerker. If you didn't have to fight back the tears then you aren't a NASCAR fan and if you didn't get the chills then you probably aren't human.

Ben Palsen
Seal Harbor, Maine

Now that NASCAR has successfully covered up the cause of death of Dale Earnhardt. It now has created a spectacle of what was once motor racing. I have yet to hear a driver say anything good about restrictor plate racing. NASCAR pretends it is about safety, but all it cares about is the show. Penalizing Stewart was a good move as Joe Gibbs team was the only ones out there looking to win it. Everyone else was blocking for Jr. What a farce. Hang your head, NASCAR.

Lorens Kulla
Lakeville, MA

As the crowd roared at the finish of the Pepsi 400 I felt like I was really there with everybody else. Since the death of our fallen here Dale Earnhardt Sr. there has been an emptiness in my heart and every week watching the races. But this Saturday was different, I felt like he was there and I saw it in every move Jr. made. This kid is growing up, he is going to be a champion, and he is holding a legacy of the past in his heart and driving forward to carry on a tradition that will forever bring racing fans to the tracks around the US. This kid is Dale Earnhardt and he has shown it all to us by his wonderful performance last night in the Pepsi 400.

Michael Kinard
Prosperity, S.C.

When is NASCAR going to do something about Tony Stewart? This guy seems to think he can play by his own rules. I really don't think that dropping him to the last car on the lead lap, or even a fine is going to do the trick. I think a one- or two-race suspension may wake this brat up to the fact that NASCAR is in charge, not Tony Stewart!

Tony Bailey
Lincoln Park, N.J.

I cried all over again! This time tears of joy! I think it was what most race fans wanted to see. I have been to the Super Bowl this year along with two other NASCAR races, but I would take all that back if I could have been at this race. Congrats, Dale Jr.! I hope this helps the healing process -- I know it has for me. Thanks.

Keith Burwell
Yuba City, Calif.

I've never cried so much after a race in my life, at least, in joy. I was shaking, screaming, crying with 5 to go, praying that my boy Jr. could do it and shove it in the face of adversity. When he got to the outside of Benson (as much as I want that guy to win a race), I was screaming so loud I'm sure the neighbors heard. I don't think I will ever be able to watch a race the same after his father died, but now, I'll be able to watch it at least a little easier.

Jon Eaton
Kansas City, Mo.

I've never watched a NASCAR race before this evening's Pepsi 400 at Daytona in prime time. What I saw with Jr. tonight had me shedding tears of joy, pumping fists and hootin' and hollerin'. Absolutely magnificent and outstanding. I'm now a fan for life.

Brad A. Banning
Corvallis, Ore.

Are Mike Helton, Vince McMahon and Don King hanging out together?? The ending to that race was one of the biggest fixes I have ever seen in pro sports! Nothing against Dale Jr., but if NASCAR needs to fix races like that to boost ratings then they are one step below boxing and one step above the WWF -- barely!

Ron Pichey
Lockport, N.Y.

Great Race. A great win for Jr. Although not the only story would be nice to see something about NASCAR's very poor decision to black flag Tony Stewart at the end of that race.They need to make the correct call and place Tony in the order he finished. In no way should he have been given the black flag when Benson ran him down below the line.

Scott Himes
Midland, N.C.

Indeed, it was a storybook ending. While watching part of the race from my deck outside, Bruce Hornsby's "The Show Goes On" came on while Jr. went into the lead.

"What's the long face, what's all the crying for? Didn't you expect it when you opened your door? To the man with the long coat, and the long list of of victims, Everyone watching knows he's the one keeping score. From where she sits, everyone stands in judgement. People watching as the curtain falls down, See the lights do a long slow fade...

The show goes on, and the sad eyed sisters go walking on, Everyone watching all along The show goes on, as autumn's coming and the summer's all gone. Still without you, the show goes on..."

Harvey Cline
Morganton, N.C.

IT WAS FIXED!!!!

I can't believe that NASCAR is arrogant enough to think that the American public is so stupid and gullible.

What a disgrace to real racing.

Gordon Cox
Indianapolis

My congratulations go to Dale, the Earnhardt family, DEI, and all his fans. It was truly inspiring to see his charge through the field to capture the flag, very reminiscent of his father driving. It was great for closure, for Dale's family, friends, DEI, NASCAR, and the fans.

On a side note, while not a Tony Stewart fan - I wholly disagree with NASCAR's decision regarding his left tires going below the yellow line. I understood the rule was in place to not allow drivers to gain an advantage. But from watching the race live and then watching the tape after the race was over, it is absurd to say he did it intentionally. He was forced below by Benson. All this talk of safety doesn't amount to much when a driver makes an evasive maneuver to avoid an accident and he is penalized, I guess NASCAR would have rather had another accident to prove their point.

Rob Rasp
Brownsburg, Ind.

Storybook ending is all I can say. Its just a shame that NBC's Coverage was sooooo bad and as for Bill Weber's conduct in victory lane ... well he should never be allowed to hold a microphone again.

Tim Butts
Bowling Green, Ky.

I thought NASCAR did another outstanding job choreographing the race. Just another NASCAR fantasy finish. Gets more like the WWF all the time. Bill France said it right,they are an entertainment company First.

William E. Christian
Speedway, Ind.

Dale Junior had an unfair advantage in this race, he had his father pushing him around the track. Way to go Junior.

Chris Munson
Manchester, N.H.

Justice.

Patrick Raymer
Olathe, KS

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	Dale Jr. wins for dad at Daytona Stewart penalized for ignoring black flag