Why someone they knew and loved through television would not be back next week. First it was Adam Petty, Kyle's son, now it was Dale Earnhardt. We were happy Sunday to see Kyle behind the wheel of his late son's No. 45, but as parents we could only guess what he was feeling after losing Adam to an accident at New Hampshire last season. While I was trying to explain how these things happen, memories of where my life intersected with Earnhardt's came rushing forth. The emotions went from shock to sadness and then to anger.
Accidents can happen, that is for sure, but they are happening far too frequently.
This might be the first positive argument for video games. Neil Bonnett, Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Earnhardt, arguably the most popular driver in Winston Cup history. The pain is different. It is not supposed to happen on the track. It is not supposed to happen in front of me and it definitely should not happen in front of my children.