Spring is in the air! There are a lot of words that are synonymous with March. Spring, Golf, St. Patrick's Day, March Madness, Baseball Training Camps, and of course NASCAR! This year, however, NASCAR seems to be the subject of much more discussion than usual.
Whether you follow NASCAR or not, it is safe to say that you have heard "whispers from the racetrack" this year. That is because another page has been added to NASCAR history. With the coming of a new season, a much-anticipated season, there was a passing of an old friend…the passing of a legend.
You may have heard of this gentleman, the man in black, the #3 car, the Intimidator. I am of course referring to seven-time Winston Cup champ Dale Earnhardt. Allow me to paint the picture for you. Each year the "World Center of Racing" hosts a two-week festival of speed known simply as Speedweeks. Every February, Speedweeks culminates with one the world's premier sporting events, the Daytona 500, the "crown jewel" of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. This year the race fell on Sunday, February 18, 2001…a date that will not soon be forgotten in the world of NASCAR.
It is said that this year could have been Dale's year! He was said to be a legitimate title contender; that was until the last lap of the first race of the season. The day was not unlike any other day in NASCAR. Some teams doing great, others not so great. Some cars running tight, others need a little adjusting. Tension was heavy, and the stakes were high. This race would set the tone for the entire season.
Earnhardt started his 23rd Daytona 500 from the seventh position and was racing for third when the accident occurred. He was bumped into a spin by Sterling Marlin's closely following No. 40 Dodge between turns 3 and 4 of the 2.5-mile speedway as a tangled pack of cars raced to the checkered flag.
It was said that Dale hit the outside wall of the racetrack doing close to 180 mph. Rescue workers immediately responded and began administering oxygen and CPR to Earnhardt. He was then rushed to Halifax Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:16, the accident having occurred less than thirty minutes earlier. Some doctors say that he was probably killed on impact.
A private burial was scheduled for Wednesday, with a memorial service to be held for friends on Thursday. The talk of that week was the upcoming race in Rockingham, NC. : Would Dale Jr. drive? What would be the reaction of the fans? What would it be like without Dale Sr.? Many people watched the race in anticipation, just to see what it would be like. I was one of those people. I don't usually follow NASCAR, but for some reason I wanted to see this race.
During the race there was time allowed for many of the drivers, announcers, and owners to say some words about the Man in Black. One of the predominant comments was that Dale Earnhardt Sr. did not race that race the way Dale Earnhardt Sr. is known for racing races. At the end of the race, with one lap remaining, Dale decided to help his teammates, instead of trying to win the race himself. That decision cost him his life.
Darrell Waltrip, an announcer for NASCAR races, made a comment that I found very interesting. Not only did he say Dale was not racing the race for himself but went on to add it was obvious that he was doing what he could do to see his teammates make it to victory circle. His view on the accident was that Dale was being a "shepherd". Dale was "shepherding" his teammates on to victory…and it cost him his life. His comments reminded me of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, and how He wanted to see us in victory circle so much…He was willing to lay down His own life. But where Dale's death was an accident, Jesus' death was not. He knew the price He had to pay for us to have a relationship with the Father. The Bible tells us that no man can come to the Father, but through Christ. Jesus knew that the only way for us to be with the Father was to willingly lay down His own life.
How will you get to the Father? Jesus says that He is the ONLY way to the Father. After all, Jesus wanted you in victory circle so much, He willingly laid down His life.
Donavon H. Roberson
Pastor of Youth Ministries
©2001 Bible Center Church
