More of this Feature • Part 2: Racing Legacy • Part 3: Future Of NASCAR

Join the Discussion "My little 5 year old made me feel better by saying 'Now Dale can race everyday up in heaven'" DIANE804

Related Resources • Dale Earnhardt • Focus On Safety

The 2001 Daytona 500 will forever be remembered as the race that left an infinite hole in NASCAR and its fans. That was the day that Dale Earnhardt left us.

Although no one can ever replace him on the track, with his family, or with his fans, NASCAR needs to go forward from here. How do we properly honor the man? What will become of his racing legacy? How does this tragic event affect the sport?

Paying Proper Respect

NASCAR has stated in the past that they will not retire any car numbers. I believe that this is a perfect exception for that rule. No one will ever be able to properly represent "The Intimidator" on the track. Car number three will forever belong to Dale Earnhardt. I believe that NASCAR should do the right thing and officially retire the #3 from Winston Cup competition forever.

Also, while I believe that the media has essentially done an excellent job in accurately portraying what happened and how much Dale meant to all of us please stop showing the incident on television! It is simply ghoulish curiosity that makes anyone want to see that horrible incident over and over. NASCAR broadcasters always had a standard rule that they would never replay any fatal incident, why doesn't the rest of the industry follow their respectful lead? It is not productive and only serves to sensationalize the event.

And finally, for the distraught and angry NASCAR fans who have threatened Sterling Marlin and his team with physical harm, stop it. I can certainly understand the need to find a reason for this terrible event and to seek out blame but this is not Sterling's fault.

Nobody understands the dangers of racing better than the drivers. They live with the possibility that something can bad happen at any time. No one can honestly believe that Sterling Marlin or anyone else would intentionally cause an incident at Daytona. These threats dishonor Dale's memory.

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