Remembering Dale Earnhardt

Ten years ago today the sporting world lost a great man. Dale Earnhardt, Sr. lost his life in the last lap at the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. It was a brutal crash and this year, Speed TV put out a great story on Dale that includes clips from the race and footage I've never seen from after the race. The movie was so tastefully made and tells the story through the eyes of those that were there that day.

Dale Earnhardt was one of those men who was so good at what he did you either loved him or hated him. But through it all you had to respect him for his accomplishments. His nickname was "The Intimidator" and he drove the black number 3 car. Many who have raced since his passing have tried to emulate him but none will ever replace him. He was a special person and only wanted to do one thing in life -- race. He could care less if you liked him or what you thought of him but you'd better get out of his way.

These two quotes are my favorite ones of his:

“Put a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won’t climb up there and eat that candy ass.”

“God created bumpers for a reason."

I wasn't a fan of NASCAR in 2001. I didn't actually start watching it until around 2005. I had been a fan of Indy Car racing when I was a kid then after Danny Sullivan left I quit watching. My dad has always been a huge fan of racing so I started watching the NASCAR races with him as a way to spend some time with him. I'm so glad I did.

When I visited Charlotte last May, I had a chance to visit the Dale Earnhardt Inc. Museum and it was magnificent. Pictures, trophies and everything you'd ever want to see about Dale Earnhardt. I'm hoping to take my father and the kids there this year.

I know had I been watching NASCAR back then I would have loved Dale Sr. As it is, his death has impacted me so much all these years later and he simply won't be forgotten. Rest in peace Dale.

Here is a great story NBC did on Dale.

Dale Jr. k'nex

My nephew Caleb knows how much I love Dale Earnhardt Jr. so when he saw this k'nex set while he was out school shopping he bought it for me. With. His. Own. Money!!

How sweet is that! He wanted to put it together right away and didn't like it too much when I wanted to help. I think he may have really wanted it for himself.

Dale had a visor that could go up or down and a baseball cap.


....and the finished product.


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NASCAR in Charlotte

We had the opportunity to put our nonprofit name and logo on a NASCAR for the Nationwide race in Charlotte in May and since I set it up, I was able to go to the race to represent the organization and record it.  This was quite an experience.  I've been to races before and even in the pits but never in the garage area and not sitting on a frickin pit box for the race!  It was a once in a lifetime experience and one I cherish. 

The week started with my going to the Hendrick tweet-up.  I didn't even realize how serious everyone took Speed Weeks leading up to the Charlotte race and was pleasantly surprised by all the activities taking place in the area. 

On Thursday I went to watch them practice and was able to take lots of pictures in the garage area.  I saw so many drivers and tried to get as many of their pictures as possible.  Of course, the one person I wanted to take a picture of, Dale Jr., was the only driver whose picture turned out blurry.

Friday I was able to drive to Mooresville and go to Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s shop as well as Jr.'s and Kasey Kahne's shops.  The small town of Mooresville was so darn cute!

Saturday was the race and we got to stand on pit row and stand with Kenny Wallace and his family for the singing of the national anthem.  That was surreal -- you see it on tv all the time but I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever be able to stand there and act like I was part of the team. 

We then went to the pit area and got to sit on the pit box with his wife Kim and listen in on the radio.  SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

Sunday I didn't go to the race because I just could not handle the crowd -- and my boss/friend bailed on me so I also didn't want to go alone.  But, I was able to go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was absolutely thrilled with everything they had there.  I can't wait to take my dad and the kids to see it next year.  Amazing.

All in all it was a great trip.

Tx Motor Speedway

I had to go to the Texas Motor Speedway to tape a PSA with a driver for my work. We got to watch them tape Speed TV's NASCAR Race Day and I always get a kick out of stuff like that.

The weather was bad so the race was cancelled but we got our taping in so everything worked out. We ended up driving home because the weather was so bad. And I don't do well flying in bad weather.



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New York in December (2008)

It's no secret that I am a big NASCAR fan - I happened to be in NYC in December '08 when I noticed a race car on a side street in NY. I did some research and found that it was NASCAR Week. WooHoo. I stood outside Cipriani while the top 12 drivers had lunch. Saw so many NASCAR related folks. Met some great folks while waiting in line. One of those gals, Terrie, emailed me to let me know I had made it on to a NASCAR blog (see photo below).

I am a huge Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan and when I found out that you could meet him by purchasing some of his new glassware at Macy's I jumped on it. I was sure my family wouldn't mind getting Dale Jr. beer mugs for Christmas. It was a mob scene there but by golly I did it. Met him and he was very nice.

I also got lucky that the Rockefeller tree was being lit while I was there! Bonus! I headed out there and it was FREEZING!!! I couldn't hang. I ended up leaving shortly before it was to be on TV so I could catch it at the hotel. I have never been so cold in my life. I think I still have a chill from it -- come to think of it I was awfully sick last Dec/Jan and missed so much work.....connection?

I also went to a show of the Radio City Rockette's. It was quite a show. I am so glad I was able to share the show with Sydni in Austin on New Year's Eve.

I also went on a little tour of NYC so I could see all the holiday lights. NYC is beautiful at Christmas!!

You can see all my Christmas in NY photos here. And all my Nascar week photos here.

nascar again....

I went with Dad and Caleb to see the NASCAR races in Fort Worth at the Texas Motor Speedway. The weather was frightful on the way up but it cleared up by Sunday. There was a cold front that came through on Saturday so it was freezing and we didn't stay the entire race. Sunday's race weather was nice and warm. Jack Ingram was the entertainment but we were stuck in traffic so long that we weren't able to hear him sing.

I bought our seats from a friend and they were on the 60th row (yes 60th) -- and it was a hard climb up. The race was really good. Dale Jr. had a great race and led for quite a while. Everyone in the stands was going crazy (over 70% of merchandise sold there is all for Dale Jr.) -- and then Tony Stewart wrecked and caused one of the Bush boys into him. He tried to keep going but his car finally gave out. He is such a good loser that he even rode Kyle Bush's car the last 11 laps even though he was the reason Dale Jr. was out. We'll be going again in November and sitting in the 20th row.