Well, I have unintentionally published an article on another site
called Bump-drafts.com. Jim McCoy runs this site out of a little
town in Oregon, but it is hitting both coasts. He is a sportscaster
at a Christian radio station. This was actually a reply to another
article posted on his site, and he decided to use it in his
newsletter.

Remembering Dale- A Post Script: "The Day Racing Died" by Jeremy
Sellers

Posted: 24 Jan 2009 08:02 PM CST

Nearly eight years later, you can still feel the sense of raw
emotion NASCAR fans have concerning the loss of he beloved Dale
Earnhardt. Right after I has finished my series Remembering Dale, I
received this story from Jeremy Sellers, who does a fair amount of
writing of his own for his own site- Jermfs Joint and Racing Pub, and
Cars and Racing Stuff.com.

Todayfs guest provides a first-hand account as one present at Daytona
International Speedway that fateful day- February 18, 2001. It might
be easy to dismiss as macabre, Jeremyfs refusal to leave the scene-
yet as a rescue professional he had the ability to read what was
happening.

More than that, it was more like a son, brother, or best bud who
could not bear to leave a fallen loved one. The scenes that followed
that Jeremy describes remind us that the passing of Dale Earnhardt
was like that of other iconic figures such as JFK, Elvis and John
Lennon.

Herefs Jeremyfs story, told in his own words:

gYes, indeed, the day racing died. I was sitting outside of turn
four that day. I had met up with my fire chief down in Daytona and
he swore he had better seats than my original on the Super Stretch.
Not only did I not like my new-found seating arrangement, it put me
in birdfs eye view of my favorite driverfs last lap crash.

gIt was befuddling to me how everyone cleared out of the stands so
fast. Me? I stayed to watch the extrication, though they stealthly
removed Dale from the track without anyone knowing. However, it was
when they covered the car with the blue tarp, I knew the outcome
wasnft going to be favorable. Many are unaware, but NASCAR only does
that in the most severe of crashes for investigational purposes. h

gNearly three hours had passed before the official announcement was
made. Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR wanted to assure
everyone was away from the track before passing the news. I was
beach side by the time the word was brought to us, just a few steps
away from gDaytona 2000, the cityfs most famous NASCAR souvenier
shop. It was at that store, I had my first experience with looters.
Dale Earnhardt memorabilia flew off the shelves and out the door
faster than anything Ifd seen in retail sales. Two Daytona Beach
Police Officers were working the front and back doors, but they
couldnft keep up with the thieves. It was chaotic. I stood in line
for 45 minutes just to pay for a Dale Earnhardt Flag that had been
used as a table display dressing, and some other items, crying like a
baby the entire time.h

gIt was surreal to be in the city that night. Ending up at the
Lighthouse Restaurant in Ponce Inlet, the place was nearly empty.
(Very odd for post race) The cook stated he had heard it was like
that throughout the region, you could get a seat anywhere, just walk
in. Realizing by my attire, and welted eyes that I was a Dale Sr.
fan, the cook went to his car, and came back in with a Dale Sr.
computer mouse pad, and a mouse in the form of his #3 car, gave them
to me and said, gI was going to sell these, Ifm not a big NASCAR fan,
but I think youfll get better use out of them than any amount of
money Ifd get.h I still have them to this day.h

gMy birthday is February 15th, and the last two times the 500 has
been run on that day, an Earnhardt has won. 1998 with Sr. followed
by his son in 2004. I guess this is my hope for this year that Dale
Jr. will pull it off once more. Though I have made the trip to
Daytona every year since Dale Earnhardtfs passing, and will again
next month, I still find myself not only looking for that #3, but
wishing for racingfs return of true grit and passion.h

This is the first time Sellers has shared his own experience from
that day. He tells me hefll never give up those gSuper Stretchh again.

As one who was not as close to the sport then as I am now, I
appreciate hearing these stories that provide valuable perspective.
They are a part of NASCARfs rich history.

PHOTO CREDITS: Daytonsa at night by johnmiller613 and Dale Earnhardt
statue photo by c.marsh. More of their photography may be found at
flickr.com).