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"A NASCAR Fan's Reflections on 2001"

By Jeff Shockley, guest contributor

I want to wish everyone a HAPPY 2002.

Now that 2001 is behind us, we look forward to the new year. But it is this time of year where we look back over the previous year and reflect. 2001 was a year that will be remembered for years to come.

It started with the loss of a man, that I never got a chance to really know. I'm sure if I had gotten to know him, we could have been pretty good friends. But as everyone seems to do, I thought there would be time to put our differences aside. I just want to say to John that I'm sorry for all the time I wasted and that my greatest regret is knowing that I missed out on the chance to have him as a friend.

Then February came around, and just as I was getting over the shock of John's death, (and watching Michael Waltrip win his first race) we watched as Dale Earnhardt was taken from us. It hit me hard as another man I had never met, but respected, was gone.

Just when I thought nothing good would come of 2001, I watched as Kevin Harvick pulled out a photo-finish over Jeff Gordon. I was even crying along with Chocolate Meyers as the TV camera followed the team to Victory Lane.

The year continued to move along and each week we remembered Dale with the silent 3rd lap on the track, and the healing process continued slowly. Then came what many thought was closure as we watched as Dale Jr took the checkered flag at Daytona in July. We all wept again as he and Mikey celebrated on the infield grass.

Everything was moving along smoothly, until September 11th. Again, we were thrust into deep sorrow as the events unfolded and we watched in disbelieving horror. We debated NASCAR's decision to cancel that weekend's race schedule, but it was the right choice. Again, it was Dale Jr restoring our pride as he won the following weekend in Dover as he took a "Polish Victory Lap" with that HUGE American flag sticking out of the driver's window.

After the season was over, we watched the NASCAR banquet, and heard each of the top 10 drivers give their personal rememberences of Dale. We cried along with Mikey as Garth Brooks sang "The Dance" and Theresa Earnhardt accepted the Most Popular Driver award in honor of Dale.

We laughed at Tony Stewart and his Hutchins Device. We felt pride as Jeff Gordon accepted his 4th championship. We mourned the loss of Dale, Dean Roper, and Blaise Alexander.

We've accepted the fact that we have to move on with our lives, but we will always remember 2001, whether for the good times or bad. It will be a year that will not soon be forgotten.

May there never be another year like it.

email Jeff Shockley

2002 Car Guy of Benchfield

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	The Car Guy of Benchfield Home + TCGOB NASCAR! + Photo Garage + Links + Mad Mad Automotive World + Driving Songs + Humor Pages + Reader's Rides+ All About TCGOB + Contact Us "A NASCAR Fan's Reflections on 2001" By Jeff Shockley, guest contributor I want to wish everyone a HAPPY 2002. Now that 2001 is behind us, we look forward to the new year. But it is this time of year where we look back over the previous year and reflect. 2001 was a year that will be remembered for years to come. It started with the loss of a man, that I never got a chance to really know. I'm sure if I had gotten to know him, we could have been pretty good friends. But as everyone seems to do, I thought there would be time to put our differences aside. I just want to say to John that I'm sorry for all the time I wasted and that my greatest regret is knowing that I missed out on the chance to have him as a friend. Then February came around, and just as I was getting over the shock of John's death, (and watching Michael Waltrip win his first race) we watched as Dale Earnhardt was taken from us. It hit me hard as another man I had never met, but respected, was gone. Just when I thought nothing good would come of 2001, I watched as Kevin Harvick pulled out a photo-finish over Jeff Gordon. I was even crying along with Chocolate Meyers as the TV camera followed the team to Victory Lane. The year continued to move along and each week we remembered Dale with the silent 3rd lap on the track, and the healing process continued slowly. Then came what many thought was closure as we watched as Dale Jr took the checkered flag at Daytona in July. We all wept again as he and Mikey celebrated on the infield grass. Everything was moving along smoothly, until September 11th. Again, we were thrust into deep sorrow as the events unfolded and we watched in disbelieving horror. We debated NASCAR's decision to cancel that weekend's race schedule, but it was the right choice. Again, it was Dale Jr restoring our pride as he won the following weekend in Dover as he took a "Polish Victory Lap" with that HUGE American flag sticking out of the driver's window. After the season was over, we watched the NASCAR banquet, and heard each of the top 10 drivers give their personal rememberences of Dale. We cried along with Mikey as Garth Brooks sang "The Dance" and Theresa Earnhardt accepted the Most Popular Driver award in honor of Dale. We laughed at Tony Stewart and his Hutchins Device. We felt pride as Jeff Gordon accepted his 4th championship. We mourned the loss of Dale, Dean Roper, and Blaise Alexander. We've accepted the fact that we have to move on with our lives, but we will always remember 2001, whether for the good times or bad. It will be a year that will not soon be forgotten. May there never be another year like it. email Jeff Shockley 2002 Car Guy of Benchfield Home + TCGOB NASCAR! + Photo Garage + Links + Mad Mad Automotive World + Driving Songs + Humor Pages + Reader's Rides+ All About TCGOB + Contact Us