Thoughts about DALE
Thousands of words litter the Internet with media members’ impressions after watching DALE, the new documentary about Dale Earnhardt.

The first time I heard about the project was about a year ago at our Motorsports Images and Archives vault area. One of the producers spent time there scouring hours of videotape, many pieces of which became what I saw last night. He told me about the concept, and I told him that if they released it during Speedweeks at Daytona in 2007, he better hire extra security to handle overflow crowds. If the eight packed theaters for Chevrolet’s “Sneak Peek” is any indication, theaters better be ordering more concession supplies right now. It’s entertaining and (thankfully) never reached my expectation of being a smarmy sales piece for General Motors.

When the lights went down, conversations continued throughout the theater (a pet peeve of mine that puts me closer to Florida’s Death Row every time I endure it), however, when Dale Earnhardt appeared and began to speak, that stopped — immediately.

Anyone with a yearning for drama and great theatrical performances will be disappointed, although Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives us an amusing look why he chose driving race cars rather than being a TV reporter covering it.

My most striking memories of the film swirl around Dale Jr. The images of him as a child almost reach the level of being sad. You can see that he’s tentative and a little withdrawn around his father. For anyone who has talked to Dale Jr. about his father, it explains a lot. The portion of the documentary in which Dale Jr. and his sister Kelley appear made me feel almost uncomfortable. Dale looked like he’d rather be undergoing a root canal.

The part of the film that really makes me appreciate the relationship with my father, who I lost in 1998, is an interview from Victory Lane. Dale Jr. was 12 or 13 (I’m guessing), and he’s sitting on the edge of his father’s car during the post-race photo shoot. He talks about hoping to spend enough time around the team that it will translate into time with his father.

The astonishing part about it? Dale Jr. sat less than five feet from his dad, but he might as well have been on another continent. Junior later talks about a letter he wrote his to dad and the feelings that poured from both afterward. It is my sincere hope that Junior’s sense of comfort about that is genuine.

I left the theater thinking about another person, though. I can’t help thinking that Richard Childress lost the most on February 18, 2001. It’s clear to me that he relishes a bond with Dale Earnhardt that remains unmatched. Dale actually talks about his bond with his wife, Teresa, and I don’t doubt for a second that he still cherishes her and the four children.

However, anyone who has talked to Dale Earnhardt knows one thing: Some of the strongest words he ever communicated never left his lips.

That’s what defined him later in life as a father, as a friend, and as the best race car driver the world may ever know.
Posted: 2/1/2007 10:44:00 AM
Comments:
My name is Kevin and I'm such an avid Dale Earnhardt SR. fan,as well as the junebug , but most of all its Sr. that will forever be in my heart!
I've bought a house and remodeled the basement with Dale's honor &legacy.
It really is unreal if you think about it ,when ever theres a document. on tv or I watch an old race I can't help but shed a tear.  "THE MAN IN BLACK " will forever be in my heart as well as in my head.

Well anyway My comment is this , I live in western NY,and as far as I know the movie Dale will not be headin this way , at least thats what I was told. Is there or could there be any chance of me getting the movie or even renting it? might there be a near by theater in and around ny where it will be playing?
I would give anything to see that awesome movie!!

PLEASE if any one reads this could you kind of fill me in on where and when its comming around? I'm a new member,but I belong to a few clubs & I just can't seem to find answers to my questions about the movie.
             "ITS NOT FAIR"  Kevin from Blasdell NY
Posted On: 2/1/2007 10:44:00 AM
Fear not Kevin, all you need to do is wait and take a short drive north.  DALE is heading to Buffalo and will show July 31 through August 2, then from August 7 through August 9.

My advice to you is to make friends with a local Chevrolet dealership.  If you're planning on buying a car, make sure they know you want tickets.

Enjoy the film -- it is very well done.
Posted On: 2/1/2007 10:44:00 AM

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