Dear Dale,

Dear Dale,

Well Happy Birthday my old friend. You old bastard you would have been 57 today. I was just thinking about the first time you came away a Winston Cup Champion. Do you remember them making a big deal out of you winning it after winning the Rookie of the Year in '79? I told you it was, no one has done it yet. I guess it was a blessing that Rod Osterlund sold his team. Gave you and Richard a taste of what was to come. Yeah I know, you were winless but who cares. It gave you a "test drive" with a car owner that used to drive. After fuckin around in Bud Moore's Ford, you came to your senses and went back to Richard. Come on now, you know he was the only one who was as driven to win as you were. Best move you ever made. Old Junior (Johnson) sure was a help back then. Look what he helped you and Richard build. You finally got your second Championship in '86. Hey old man, remember North Wilksboro? That is all we can do now, NASCAR has decided to close the little tracks in favor for bigger tracks that hold more people. By the way let Neil know we still miss him too. It seems as though a lot has sure changed since your passing. One thing that hasn't changed is your fans. They still love you as much now as they did then. Hell I even got a portrait of you tattooed on my back. I for one still look for that black Goodwrench Chevy to come out of nowhere and come from 2 laps back to win......again. Thirteen years is a long time to see those colors, and now gone. Did you ever think you would become a legend?

I always seem to get a little teary eyed when I see Junebug. I remember losing my Dad and I know the emptiness Lil E feels. I can only imagine the loss he feels everytime he enters a race, especially Daytona. A constant reminder of what was taken from him that day. July of 2001 your boy had you in the front seat with him. You must have been proud, I know all of us were. He still is a lttle rough around the edges but all in all he is a good kid. All though it wasn't "shit" he won a fifth time at Tally, because "Daddy did it ten times". Just like ya old man, tells it likes it is. Yep the kid is doing better. He and Tony Jr. finally have grown up and have appeared to quit butting heads. Things are working well for them at HMS. We all know how difficult changes can turn out. I think pretty soon there will be another Earnhardt name engraved on a Nextel/Sprint ( yeah, can you believe they changed the name too?) Championship trophy.

I bet you would never believe the impact in racing and in life you had. Man you had a tough as nails attitude and balls to the walls mentality on the track. Off the track you were very different than people could imagine. I remember the first time I got to meet you. It was Feb. in 1993 you were doing a promo for a Tampa Fla. Cheverolet dealer a couple of weeks before the Dale and Dale show. You took the time to make sure you actually listened to what I had to say. You impressed upon me you were as a "common" of a man as you could get. Business wise you were a smart mother fu....., a very wise man. Marketing your own signature, brilliant just brilliant. Safety wise NASCAR has come a long way. I think you would approve of it. As far as how the series is run, that is a different story. The Chase was an all right move, but closing of historical tracks and the loss of old school tradition sucks. It isn't about chasing the rag and bragging rights anymore, it is ONLY about money. Can't help but think of what changes would have been made if you were still an influence. As with anything the only thing that stays the same IS change. I could go on my friend, but I won't. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my hero and let you know you are missed and you are not forgotten. For as long as I have my memories of you and your life, you will ALWAYS be alive in my heart. Happy Birthday old friend.
Dawg