This is a poem that was sent to me when Elmo Langley and Bill Dollar of the NASCAR Country radio program died. It has been rewritten since Dale Earnhardt passed away this week.

THE HEAVEN 500

They say "The Lord works in mysterious ways" and we must say, we agree. However, we think we have an idea of that the Lord is doing.

You see, He has several racecar drivers: Tim Richmond, Rob Moroso, J D McDuffie, Clifford and Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki, Neil Bonnett, Tony Roper, Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and Dale Earnhardt.

He has a flagman in Harold Kinder and pace car driver in Elmo Langley. Banjo Matthews is there to build the cars. He also has Bill France Sr. to make sure NASCAR is as big a success in Heaven as it is here on Earth. He also has Bill Dollar to take care of the radio for those who can't attend.

What a race it would be...The cars with wings on tracks made from Clouds. As Elmo leads them around to the dropping of the green flag by Harold on The Heaven 500! As our beloved drivers roar off into turn one, we could only hope that the show of men and machines meets with the Lord's approval. And on the final lap as they rumble out of turn four and down to the Checkers... Bill Dollar announces: The race ends in a Photo Finish!

Written by:
Tracie and Randy Pruyne
Nancy Whitworth

[rewritten February 19, 2001]