Finally it was here
The big day, the big race
43 drivers and teams
In that special place.
It's been a long winter
Lots of cold and snow
And we were all anxious
To see how it would go.
At first it was fierce
Exciting and fast
Watching cars passing
And others being passed.
For a long time
It went incident free
We knew it would happen
A wreck we could see.
Some tapping and rubbing
All around the track
On each side of the cars
On front and on back.
Before we knew it
It claimed 19 cars
Some not so popular
And some of the stars.
When finally they got back
To the racing at hand
It was passing as expected
The action was grand.
Laps winding down
The end within sight
None of us knowing
The race's final plight.
Mikey out front
And Junior running behind
And back behind them
A whole pack we could find.
More rubbing and banging
And then squealing tires
We thought it was over
We saw no fire.
But down on the grass
Rested the 36 and 3
While Darrell called Mikey home
His voice filled with glee.
God had a plan
But none of us knew
Just what his plan was
That Dale's time was through.
When word hit the air
The tears ran free
For we'll never again
Watch that black #3.
Copyright �2001 Cathie Malick