Don’t forget to celebrate...

[LorenzoBandini]

Don’t forget to celebrate...

At some point soon, I suggest you take some time away from mourning Paul Dana’s death to celebrate what Paul Dana has accomplished. He was living a dream I would guess most TFers have had themselves... to be an IndyCar driver. He put it all on the line to chase his dream, something most of us can’t or won’t do.

While none of us would suggest he was the next Sam Hornish, he was a race winning driver who, from all accounts, was great to be around. He had skills on the track to be there, and off the track to get there. He was an asset to the Indy Racing League who will be missed with a frown, but remembered with a smile.

[LorenzoBandini]

One other thing....

"But one of the thing that this really teaches you the most about is how selfish you are about things like this. I mean, I miss my father, and I've cried for him, but out of my own selfish pity, is the reason for those emotions. And I just try to maintain a good focus for the future and just remember that he's in a better place, a place that we all want to be.

And that's really all I have to say."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., February 23, 2001

[al1234]

Thanks for the post and I really do mean that.

But I can't quite make myself agree with the sentiments. There are many ways that a person can die and I just don't rank driving a race car as being among the more meaningful ones.

I'll certainly understand if there are many posters who disagree with me.

It may be an overly simple truism but, as the comment from Dale Jr. suggests, death is always harder on the people who are left behind. And circumstances change perspective...that's true, too. Paul Dana may have known and accepted the risks he took, and Dale Jr. was gracious enough to publicly share his thoughts on being a survivor and moving on. But the cirumstances he faced in moving forward after the tragedy are different than those that Tonya Dana and her family will face.

Somehow if Ms. Dana chooses to look at matters differently than Dale Jr I won't be criticizing her outlook as selfish.

This is a terrible, terrible day. Some people will take solace in your words and will be able to watch today's race. Not me - I'm going to need some time.

[JimmyK]

Saw Paul in Mlwaukee win that race. Congratulated him later in Michigan. He was still smiling ear to ear.

[sf-indy-fan]

There are many ways that a person can die and I just don't rank driving a race car as being among the more meaningful ones.

Others say that there can be no more meaningful way to die than while doing what you love more than anything else in the world.

[skypigeon]

Others say that there can be no more meaningful way to die than while doing what you love more than anything else in the world.

*** WARNING *** WEIRD POST SOME MIGHT FIND INAPPROPRIATE AHEAD...

You're reminding me of an episode of (I think) The Outer Limits back in the 90's, with Abe Vigoda as a mobster with terminal cancer.

There's a scene where he calls his closest aide and best friend into his office and writes him a check for a million dollars.

His friend is estatic.

"Does that make you happy, Paulie?" Vigoda's character asks him, slapping him on the back.

"Yes," he says, "yes it does!"

"Are you the happiest you've ever been?"

"Yeah, boss! I've never been happier in my life!"

"Good," Vigoda's character says as he guns him down on the spot. "I always wanted you to die happy."

Don't know why your post made me think of that...