Perspective

Those that know me, know that I am a NASCAR fan. The first race I watched was the very race that one of the sport's icons, Dale Earnhardt, died as a result of a last lap crash in the series opener Daytona 500, Feb 18, 2001.

At this point in the year the series is right in the middle it version of the playoffs for the championship called, The Chase for the Championship.  Last night the cars were at Charlotte, NC. for a rare night race, the only one of The Chase.  I watched the first part of the race, and was going back and forth watching points at the end of the race as hubby called me back to watch key cautions and lead changes.   The only wreck of the night was win 5 -time series champion Jimmie Johnson,  got loose and hit the wall.  I remarked as we watched replays of the wreck and listened to the commentary, that this wreck was eerily similar to that of Dale's.  The biggest difference was that Jimmie, though visibly shaken, walked away and Dale did not.  The world of NASCAR was rejoicing in the safety innovations implemented, among them SAFER barriers, HANS devices, and crumple zones built into the Car of Tomorrow,  since Dale's death saved Jimmie's life last night.

However, today IndyCar racing league and the racing world in general, is mourning the loss of one of their own, Dan Wheldon, after a horrific crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  It kind of  puts it all in perspective.....

After learning of Dan's passing, the rest of the racers left at the track,  three others were taken to the hospital,  decided to honor him with a five lap tribute, which they drove in silence with 100's of fans as crew members and family members stood in tribute to a great man.

My prayers are with Dan's wife and two young sons, and the rest of his family, as well as the rest of the Indy Car family.  As we saw with Dale's death, the racing world really is one big family.