Death of ‘Intimidator’ shocks racing world
Earnhardt leaves NASCAR in better place

Racing has been in my family’s blood for as long as I can remember. From the dirt tracks of the Midwest to NASCAR races at Phoenix International Raceway, I’ve seen more checkered flags fall than footballs tossed and baskets scored.

But I didn’t watch the Daytona 500 Sunday. I didn’t have time.

Upon hearing of the death of seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, I couldn’t believe it.
I wished I’d seen his last race.

I never cheered for Earnhardt though ... I couldn’t.

My brother was the Earnhardt fan, so naturally, as a child, I constantly cheered against him. He drove a Chevy. My guy drove a Pontiac.

I didn’t care who it was, but I wanted Earnhardt to lose. But time and time again, it was “The Intimidator” in the victory circle with his black and white, B.F. Goodwrench No. 3 with that Chevy bow tie on the hood.

As much as I hated to watch him beat my driver, I couldn’t help but feel proud every time he won.

I couldn’t hate him. Watching him race was like watching Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel. It was mesmerizing.

But I never backed down in front of my brother though, “It was a good car,” I said. “It had nothing to do with the driver. He cheated. Earnhardt’s got a lot of money, he should be winning.”

But time and time again I was wrong, he simply was the best. As he maneuvered through the ranks to pull into the lead, I couldn’t help but be in awe.

Chills went down my spine Monday as I read the headline: “Racing’s Earnhardt dies in Daytona Crash.”

Somehow, I thought that when I woke up this morning it wouldn’t have happened.

But it did happen. He died at 49.

NASCAR, more so than possibly any other sport is about family.

Everyone involved in the sport that Earnhardt helped make feel the effects of his death.

Perhaps that is why it is just so hard to comprehend.

Earnhardt was the Michael Jordan of auto racing — and no, that’s not a stretch.

Through the years, Earnhardt made many memories for his fans and foes alike at the Daytona International Speedway.

There were amazing come-from-behind victories, spectacular crashes, moments of defeat, and perhaps most importantly, the amazing moment when he won the Daytona 500 in 1998, 20 years after his first attempt.

So, is it ironic that it was the one track that gave Earnhardt the most memories that took his life? Certainly.

Is it sad that this legend was taken so early from us? Most definitely.

Is NASCAR a better place because of Earnhardt? Absolutely.

The sport will move on and new drivers will excel, perhaps the legend’s own son, now a driver himself. The races will continue and the bleachers will be filled.

Still, Earnhardt will never be forgotten.

Good-bye, No. 3, and thanks for one hell of a ride.

Opinion Editor James Zwilling is a sophomore news-editorial journalism major from Phoenix.
He can be reached at (j.g.zwilling@student.tcu.edu).