Motor Sports: A ray of light

A noticeable somewhat dark, somber cloud has hung over NASCAR since the tragic accident took the life of one of its best drivers in February this year.

The cloud has followed the series from state to state and track to track. As the investigation continues, and speculation still abounds, as to how Dale Earnhardt lost his life, fans everywhere continue to mourn. Every track visited has in someway paid homage to the fallen driver, from floral displays outlining the #3 to the missing man formation in the traditional fly-over. FOX dedicated the third lap of every race they carried as a silent tribute; NBC has announced they will fittingly carry on the tradition. Television specials about his illustrious career have been made and shown. Special songs have been written and commemorative magazine issues have been made and sold. Everyone involved with racing has somehow been moved and has done their part to help in the healing.

Saturday July 7th brought the Winston Cup series back to Daytona for the annual running under the lights of the Pepsi 400. A race formerly dominated by the man known as "The Intimidator." The first time a race at Daytona International Speedway would be run without its best known driver. The NBC pre-race show highlighted many of Dale Earnhardt's accomplishments, including his memorable win of the illusive Daytona 500 in February of 1998. The pre-race show also included interviews with some of the drivers telling stories about life on and off the track with "the man in black."

A prayer, the national anthem and the command to start engines got the emotional race started. Sterling Marlin, who was blamed by many for the accident that took Dale's life, sat on the pole for the start of the race. Ward Burton, outside pole sitter jumped out to lead a few laps early on, eventually settling into the top five for the remainder of the race. Several lead changes kept the crowd on their feet watching and waiting for what has become known as "the big one," a wreck in which a number of cars are collected. The crowd roared above the sounds of the engines on lap 27 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. flew out of turn four and took the lead.

Remaining fairly uneventful for the next 115 laps, the crowd kept its eyes on the red and white baseball themed #8 car carrying the son of the late Dale Earnhardt. As usual, with about 20 laps or so to go, the announcers started talking about the end of the race and what a fitting tribute for Dale Earnhardt Jr. (a.k.a. Little E) to win this race. Just then "the big one" happened and collected no less than a dozen cars.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and after a brief yellow flag period, the race resumed with 11 laps to go. Gordon who had been involved in the earlier crash had an oil line break that brought out the caution flag with only 10 laps to go. A single file restart with six laps to go found Little E. in the 7th position after his pit stop during the earlier yellow flag period. Driving much like you would have seen his father drive, Little E used only two laps to regain the lead and hold out for the emotional victory.

White knuckled, crying, laughing, cheering fans everywhere, watched jubilantly as Dale Earnhardt Jr. took his car around the track for a cool down lap and eventually to the infield to tear up the grass in the same spot and same style as his dad did triumphantly in '98. Climbing out the window and to the top of the car, Jr. waved to the crowd acknowledging them. Michael Waltrip, Little E's teammate and winner of the Daytona 500, brought his car to the grass to celebrate with Little E.

"He was with me tonight." Dale Jr. said in a post race interview speaking of his father. "This one is for him."

Little E glows like a ray of sunlight through the dark clouds, bringing a feeling of peace and providing the ability for fans to move on and again enjoy the sport, which over the years, has brought so much enjoyment and excitement. Not the end of the story, just the end of one chapter, with many more to come.