18 Feb, 2011
"3"
Ten years after Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash at the Daytona 500 the shadow of the "The Intimidator" continues toloom large at NASCAR
Beloved by most, reviled by others, NASCAR sorely misses the seven-time series champion whose aggressive style of racing captivated legions of stock car fans.
Earnhardtcrashed on the last lap of the circuit's biggest race, careening into the wall in a wreck so mild by NASCAR standards few realized it would result in a fatal injury.
"He was an icon," Richard Childress, owner of Earnhardt's black number three Chevrolet, told Reuters.
"He helped build the sport and carried to the level it was. The biggest thing, if you loved him or hated him, you always watched him to see what he was doing on the race track."
When Earnhardt died in 2001 at the age of 49 NASCAR lost its bridge between the old-style, Southern fan base and the nation's more affluent race-watcher.
Childress, however, said Earnhardt "still has that following."
"He was an everyday man," he said. "He could relate. The truck drivers, the mill worker, or the CEO of major corporation knew Dale and what he meant to the sport."
His popularity lives on today through his son Dale Earnhardt Jr., who remains NASCAR's most popular driver despite not visiting Victory Lane since 2008.
On the day Earnhardt died, Michael Waltrip won the Daytona 500 and was followed by his team mate, Earnhardt Jr., who ultimately won the prestigious race in 2004.
Earnhardt's passing, the fourth NASCAR driver to die within a one-year period, was a catalyst for safety measures such as a new chassis, driver's head and neck restraints, and energy-absorbing walls.
In 2002 the track erected a nine-foot, 1,200-pound statute of Earnhardt with left fist pumping in the air and the trophy he won from his 1998 Daytona 500 triumph on his right arm.
Many tributes to the late driver are planned for Sunday's Great American Race, including the painting of number threeon the Daytona International Speedway infield.
Childress will not dwell on the tragic event of 10 years ago, preferring to celebrate the memory of the Kannapolis, North Carolina, native.
"It's a celebration of his life," he said, his voice quivering. "It's been 10 years. It doesn't seem like it's been 10 years.
"There isn't a day hardly passes that you don't think about him, but, we're here to talk about the good things."
Story and image courtesy of reuters.com.
Image courtesy of images.google.com.
Hebrews 11:1-7 (ESV)
By Faith
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Read the rest of Hebrews 11 at Biblegateway.com.
What does God's Story teach us about how we should be remembered?
Dale Earnhardt will forever be remembered by the number 3. I don't know if NASCAR is popular where you live, but around my part of the country, you don't have to look very far to see a 3 sticker on the back of a car or truck to memorialize Earnhardt. He is remembered by his number and his sport.
In today's God's Story scripture we read about men and women who were remembered for their faith. In fact, Hebrews 11 is often called the Faith Hall of Fame. They set a great example of what it meant to live by faith. Today, we are challenged to let our faith be our legacy as well.
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
- How have you seen faith at work in you own life? Grab a pen and paper and write your own "By faith" statement about your journey so far.
- Thank God for His presence in your life and for the story He is writing for you - the story of how you will be remembered.
- Ask God to direct your steps toward the purpose He has for you in this life.
How can I connect Today's Story, My Story, and God's Story to Others?
- As you hear stories of Dale Earnhardt throughout the weekend, take some time to talk with your friends about how they want to be remembered.
- Take some time to talk with a friend about today's God's Story scripture. Talk about the men and women from Hebrews 11 and ask your friend where they are on their faith journey.
- Be sensitive as you listen to your friend's repsonse and ask them if you can pray for them they as consider what God might have in store for them.
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