The greatest man I never met, has run his final race
The pain I feel is showing, in the tears upon my face
With the love of a father, and that of a friend
He protected Mike and Junior, right to the end
In that special, unselfish move, for all the world to see
He showed why we love that BLACK #3
We have lost the heart of racing, it will never be the same
But he was far more than just a racing name
His skill in driving was beyond compare
But it was the man himself that made me care
Those steel blue eyes, that sly dawg grin
They way he cared , all part of him
The loving husband, the faithful friend
The proud father, memories that will never end
He lived for Sundays,the race to win
To beat the odds, was life to him
To hear those engines roar to life
Was second only to God and his wife
Strapped into the number 3, after Teresa's kiss
Calm, relaxed, ready to race. Nothing was amiss
As he made that final turn, in the number 3
I wonder if it was more than air, the MAN IN BLACK could see
Did he see his daddy, and Neil Bonnet standing there
And all of heaven angels, when all we saw was air
I think that God was standing there to meet the elder E
The one that he's been waiting for to drive Heaven's #3
I do not know how long this ache, will tear apart my heart
It may never happen, it may never start
No one can replace him, in our hearts or on the track
Rest in peace my hero, I'll always love the Man in Black.
Barb Kerr
02/19/01
Like a guardian angel from four cars back,
watching Mike & Dale Jr as they circled the track.
No intention of winning just holding his place,
so proud of his "boys" now winning the race.
We thought it was over, the end was near.
No time for pain no time for fear.
We did not know as there were no sign,
Dale was only one-quarter mile from his final finish line.
Within an instant NASCAR fans would be facing,
an eternal change in their world of racing.
He was one of the greatest beloved in his sport,
with a grand career now sadly cut short.
All the crowd noticed was excitement and debris,
but a miracle was happening we could not see.
Dale said goodbye through shining metal & chrome,
as God gave "Number 3" the checkered flag home.
But forever in our hearts and in the scheme of things,
we'll picture him circling heaven with black & red wings;
grinning and telling angels...and even the creator,
Look out over there.......here comes the "Intimidator."
Unknown Author
February 2001
A fine Daytona afternoon, the season just begun.
My boys were running one and two, and I was having fun.
I probably could have won the thing, but something held me back.
I was busy watching Jr. and Mike -- and holding off the pack.
I was looking toward the front and not really to the rear.
Something tapped me on my bumper, but still I had no fear.
I thought it might be Sterlin - I knew he was nearby.
When Sterlin smells the checkered flag, I'll tell you, he ain't shy.
I slipped a bit and turned the wheel, but I sensed something very odd.
It wasn't Sterlin's tap I'd felt. It was the tap of God.
"Not now," I said. "I'm racing hard. There's work still here to do."
"You're time is up," He whispered low, "So say a quick adieu."
I wasn't really ready, but I didn't have a choice.
He'd tapped me on the bumper and I'd heard His hallowed voice.
So I did as He instructed. I just packed it in and left.
I guess it can't be helped that I left some of you bereft.
Did you see those birds upon the wall as they scattered in the breeze?
Will it make it any easier to know that one of them was me?
There was also Davey, Dad and Neil and some other guys I've known.
And they all came to Daytona just to escort me on home.
Hey - congratulations, Mikey! You made a worthy run.
I wish you many, many more. You're wins have just begun.
All that fun you had in Victory Lane, I was proud as proud can be.
Did you see a seagull flying low? Yeah, Mikey, that was me.
So, friends and fans and family, get on with life and don't mourn me for too long.
I'll surely miss you every one, but be brave and proud and strong.
Remember me, and have your final cry,
You'll see my again in Heaven, because I didn't really die.
Big "E"
3/03/01
