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A trip down memory lane with the BIG E.......

DP: The previous Daytona, weren't you in an accident and you said in the ambulance, "But there are still fenders on the car"?
DE: Tires. "There are still tires on the car." I was getting in the ambulance and I looked back and I saw there were still front tires on this thing. So I jumped back out, went around and saw that all the tires were on it. I asked the guy in the car to see if it'll crank and he fired it off. So I told him ,"Get out of the car! Get out of the car!" And I jumped in and drove off.

DP: Do people underestimate your determination, your drive to win?
DE: Maybe more in the last year of my career. People think, "Well, he's won seven championships. He's 47 years old. Maybe he's going to start to slow down." I think they are underestimating me when they do that. I'm still as determined, as aggressive and as positive as I can remember being. Just don't get up against me when it's the wrong time because I'll put you where I want you.

DP: Why don't NASCAR drivers get tickets?
DE: Tickets?
DP: Speeding tickets.
DE: Oh, I thought you meant to the Bulls or something. I don't get any of those either.
DP: Michael just sends them to Jeff Gordon, he doesn't send them to you.
DE: I reckon. I just renewed my license back in April, and in North Carolina if you don't have any tickets, you just get your picture made and take the eye test. That's all you have to do, and I've done that for the last 15 years or so. I've not had a ticket.

DP: Free association. The color black.
DE: My black boots.
DP: Johnny Cash.
DE: I like.
DP: Richard Petty.
DE: The king.
DP: Fear.
DE: Budweiser.
DP: Fear, not beer!
DE: Budweiser.
DP: No, fear, f-e-a-r...
DE: Budweiser! No, I'll give you one for fear (pause) ... I don't have any.
DP: Dick Trickle.
DE: A great racer.
DP: Talladega.
DE: A great racetrack that needs to be raced on instead of restricted.

DP: Are you more nervous racing or watching your son race?
DE: I'm more nervous qualifying than either of those. But I'm probably more nervous watching him because of the confidence level. If I knew he was as confident as I am capable, then I probably wouldn't be as nervous. And it's not fear of him getting hurt but fear of him failing -- not being able to accomplish something going up against the competition.

Lot's more at the link......

http://espn.go.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2001/0219/1095124.html

Back to the banquet...........

Shame on you NASCAR for once again creating a controversy over something this ludicrous. Spokesman Jim Hunter was quoted as saying “Dale Earnhardt went to New York every year whether he won the championship or not. It meant a lot to him to represent the sport and we expect that from all our competitors.” Well, I have a news blast for you, Mr. Hunter. Listen up, and listen well. Dale Earnhardt was only out of the top ten twice in all his years of racing. He finished 12th in 1982 and 1992. His attendance was a given under the criteria of invitations. The era that featured an outspoken driver; one that the France family and NASCAR dared not toy with is long gone. This is why so many long time fans of this sport are dissatisfied, fed up, and considering abandoning continued viewer ship. How dare you cast Dale Earnhardt’s memory in our faces, and in your agenda to apply pressure to current drivers in the sport? I am far from appreciative of this calculated move to garner more press for your award show that was lacking in direction from the start. At the end of the day, all 10 Chase contenders were present. What do you really have to complain about? Get over it.

http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/05/120805Poe.asp