I just heard about this on my way home over thr radio about 2 hours ago.
I'm not a big Nascar fan in general (NHRA is more my style

), but if there was one guy in particular I associated with the sport (auto racing in general too I mean, not just NASCAR). It was Dale Earnhardt.
It hit me sooooo hard. I had to pull over when I heard it, and I was less then a block from home.
He always seemed to be a genuinely nice guy, and the fact that his kid was in the race with him (I think he finished 2nd?) made it even more sad.
What a shame. I thought he'd stick around, and be the old man of the sport like Richard Petty did.
It's time to make the sport a little more safe. Petty's grandson, along w/ Kenny Irwin died right here in New England (New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon N.H.) within a two month period.
There's just been too many deaths lately IMO. Too bad it's gonna take the death of one of their big time drivers to make it happen.
R.I.P. Dale. You'll be in our prayers.
