MOTOR SPORTS: Dale, we will miss you

``NASCAR has lost its greatest driver ever, and I personally have lost a great friend''

NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr's words echo my own personal shock as I am just now hearing of the death of one of the finest men to ever sit behind the wheel, Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Earnhardt died Sunday from injuries sustained in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500.

To be honest, I have never been biggest fan of NASCAR racing; my family's international roots have always drawn me more to the Formula One style. However, through the NASCAR events that I did watch, "The Intimidator", as Earnhardt was known, was one of my favorites.

Always a competitor, and always racing hard every lap, "#3" knew how to race, and that was obvious to me even through my little exposure to him and to the sport.

This tragic and terrible event comes as another blow to a sport, which, as I reported last summer, lost another fantastic driver, Adam Petty, in a race last year.

NASCAR is unique in that its most prestigious event comes first in the year, and although I am not a NASCAR aficionado, I would usually take time out to watch it each year.

However, I was neglected to do so this year, instead, I went with my Father to our favorite restaurant as we have done so many times before. A tragedy of this magnitude can really put things into perspective. The frailty of human life is all too apparent.

What Earnhardt Sr. brought to the sport will be sorely missed, and it is during an occasion like this that I wish I had taken a chance to get to know Earnhardt better as an athlete and as a man.

Dale, we will miss you.

As our nation remembers its great leaders during the President's Day holiday, I would ask that you take a moment and remember the things in life which are truly important.

Events like this are quite somber, but they put things into perspective, Pete's Perspective.