Dateline: 06/06/01

In an article published June 6, 2001, Chicago Sun-Times writer Herb Gould quotes Richard Petty as saying, "The press is keeping something alive that we just need to go ahead and bury. I hate to say it in a hard-hearted way, but the sun keeps coming up and the sun keeps going down. Out of respect for yourself and fellow men, you're going to think about it and mourn a little bit. But you've got to leave it alone and go on." He continued saying that Earnhardt "was an exciting driver to watch, but he really didn't win that many races."

Is King Richard correct? Is it time for NASCAR and the fans to let Dale Earnhardt's memory fade away, much like an old soldier in General McArthur's oft quoted phrase? I for one do not think so. What King Richard forgets is that there are fans at tracks all over the country who want to pay their last respects when the Winston Cup teams arrive in their area. These fans should not be denied that opportunity.

That fact, combined with NASCAR's upcoming report on their investigation into the fatal accident at Daytona and the continued legal battles that the Earnhardt family faces with some media organizations, makes it essential that the press cover the story, if they are to do their jobs. Petty said, "NASCAR needs to get on with life after Dale Earnhardt, but the media won't let the story go." He's right, and the reason for that is simple. It's news, current news. The story itself stays in the headlines, not because of the fans, but because the current events surrounding it. And a newsman must cover news.

Petty is correct in his statements about Earnhardt's statistics as a driver. He only won 76 races, compared with Petty's 200, and he is not in the top 5 statistically in the NASCAR record books. But Dale Earnhardt didn't race in a record book. He raced on asphalt and concrete at tracks around the country, and the record book is but a dim reflection of his career. Millions of fans saw him on those tracks, and either loved him or hated him. There were few who remained neutral when it came to Dale Earnhardt. Fans were as passionate about Dale Earnhardt as he was about racing, and those emotions must be dealt with on an individual basis. As I watch each race, I see those emotions pour out from the fans, and only when all who had the opportunity to watch The Intimidator in action have their moment, will the time come to let his memory fade.