Motor Sports: Dale Earnhardt -- Gone, but not forgotten

By John Fleck Sports Central Columnist

As I prepared to sit down in front of the television on Sunday to watch the Daytona 500, it was with mixed emotions, as I can imagine it was for many NASCAR fans.

The 2002 Daytona 500 will mark the one-year anniversary of the untimely death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

It seems like only yesterday that I sat in my living room and was numbed by the news that he was gone. I cannot remember a time that I wasn't a fan of the man, nor can I remember the same for any member of my family.

My family. "It seems like I lost a member of my own family" are the words that I heard echo through many people that day, and even though I never had the privilege of meeting him, I concur with that feeling.

I believe that people were fans of Dale the man as much as Dale the driver.

So many stories of the unselfish things that he did for his friends and his family made me envy those who shared in his life.

Over the last year, NASCAR has made every effort to make the cars safer for the drivers in the light of the tragedy. It is unfortunate, though, that they had to lose a legend for them to make these changes.

But maybe that's how Dale would want it. He always was looking out for his guys. That is the way that he lived and, sadly, the way that he died in making sure that Michael Waltrip got his first-ever NASCAR win.

Dale's legend will live on through NASCAR and all of NASCAR's fans forever. I half expect to see him climb into his No. 3 car on Sunday and be The Intimidator just one more time. But he will be watching, making sure that his passing was not in vain and that his guys are safe doing what they love to do.

I am writing this story with a sense of grief and a sense of honor. I know that it will be the last time that I can write about him, as I will let him rest now. As for honor, I was asked to do this piece and I hope that I don't do Dale any injustice.

I just want to remember him however I can, and have you remember him with me.

Goodbye, Dale.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.