An amazing race.

What a day at Daytona. Ten years to the day that we lost a great, and the Truck series gives us a gem of a story. Let me preface the remainder of this by saying that I am, not was, a Davey Allison fan. So I have some familiarity with Earnhardt's supporters in that regard. I feel like there could not be a more healing result than what happened tonight. Ten years ago today, a newly rejuvenated Michael Waltrip started his first race for a fairly young race team and brand new third car owned by Dale Earnhardt. He proceeded to win his first race in four hundred plus starts. It should have been the happiest day of his life. Until he discovered the end result of the day. Today gives Michael a bit of closure. No one deserves to race 460+ races without a win. I am a Rick Mast fan, and wouldn't wish that on any driver. What tonight did was allow Mike Waltrip to finally celebrate his win at Daytona on February 18th, and not have to mourn. He can share this evening with his daughters, and reflect on his relationship with them that will hopefully last years longer than the time that Dale had with his children. Michael had the best worst gift in racing in 2001. Anyone achieving their first win in the Daytona 500 deserves the week off the following week, if only due to the party that should commence. Today he can finally enjoy Daytona in all its prestige and legend, with a love for the legend that gave him the confidence he needed to win in the first place, and also a platform for he and his family as well. The latter is what every Daytona 500 winner deserves in the first place.

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Permalink Reply by Matty A. Teasley on February 18, 2011 at 11:48pm

I know this has little, if not nothing to do with Robby, but Robby helped me deal with the loss of Davey. That, ultimately, is why I am a Robby Gordon fan. So thank anyone for reading.

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Permalink Reply by Go18&7 on February 19, 2011 at 12:01am

I was a Davey fan big time, I remember being at Ontario in 1980 for some support race and Davey raced in it. A total Bizarre occurance we both suffered a serious head injury on the same exact day. Sometimes I just wonder why God chose to take him instead of me, head injuries are a B*****, Today I have to take medication twice a day or else I would have migraines 24/7.

Robby taking Davey's place for one race got me to be a RG Fan also.

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Permalink Reply by Sherri Fryer on February 19, 2011 at 12:01am

Well put Matty . Thanks for sharing your thoughts .

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Permalink Reply by Keith Stone on February 19, 2011 at 1:29am

Missed the Truck race.. did Danica Win??

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Permalink Reply by Go18&7 on February 19, 2011 at 1:44am

Michael Waltrip won it. On the last lap, MW was running 2nd to E. Sadler and mysteriously MW's right half of the rear spoiler collapsed and was layed down flat in turn 3 as I saw on replays and he was able to blow by Salder on the straight after exiting turn 4 for the win easily with the less drag. NASCAR allowed the win and I have not heard a word about car being illegal with half a rear spoiler in the air and half of it laid down at flat zero degrees angle

RG has already commented about it on twitter...

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Permalink Reply by ShaneH on February 19, 2011 at 8:52am

I thought it was a great race. Nascar has said the spoiler was the result of a failed part but that they are taking it to the R&D center. I have actually changed my stance on POS lately. I really enjoyed his book. I gotta hand it to him........he called it in that in-car interview exactly like it played out coming off of turn 4.