IN MEMORY OF DALE EARNHARDT SR., THOUGH NOT A DEDICATED #3 FAN HE MADE EVERY RACE THRILLING TO WATCH!

It is amazing how rivals become rivals in Nascar. If you like the #3 most likely you don't like the #24 and vise versa. Today NASCAR, its drivers, fans and family were dealt a shocking blow in learning that Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in the final lap of the Daytona 500.

I have been a dedicated Jeff Gordon Fan for quite some time and never was thrilled with Dale Earnhardt. It seemed to be the trend as I stated above and on race day at times we would gather with our friends and raz each other about our drivers of choice. Never was it meant to be vindictive or mean, it was being a fan and one of the tightest groups of fans around are NASCAR fans. Never did I think I would see the day something like this would happen.

Something I have stated to people is that NASCAR is one of the few sports left that do not have crime associated with it. These guys have the respect of each other, their family and fans and rightly so. No drug arrests, no DWI's, these are great role models for kids no matter what number is on the car they are driving and I am proud to say I don't hesitate to have my son follow a driver because in my eyes they are all worthy of being the idols they truly try to be.

When Adam Petty died I cried as I thought he was just a great kid. So young and with such promise, nobody could predict such a tragedy to such a rising star. Then, 2 months later Kenny Irwin dies and again Nascar is filled with grief.

Today words were long to come for me and gone is the "pee on 3 sticker" that was on my van, it was removed within an hour of learning the tragic news today. Yes, it was there to raz his fans but out of respect for one of the most successful and loved drivers I no longer felt right having it on there. The same holds true for my Jeff Gordon website, no longer will I ever post such things of any driver because you never know when something this bad may happen. I think it would be a great thing for all fans to do to their websites out of respect for the sport, the drivers and your fellow fans.

Jeff Gordon idolized Dale Earnhardt and I know if it wasn't for his friendship Jeff would most likely not be as successful as he is and has been.

So, to all of you Dale Earnhardt fans, family, rivals and to Nascar, I send my most sincere condolences on the loss of one of the best drivers there ever was. That big track on the sky will be forever changed with Dale racing there with some of our other lost drivers including Alan, Davey and the young guns Adam and Kenny. Keep em' straight and teach them well Dale, they now can learn from the best.