A fitting tribute

Park's second career NASCAR Winston Cup win came at a perfect time for the team, which needs to emotionally recover from the devastating loss of its team owner. Had he won next week's race at Las Vegas, or had he won at Michigan in June or Indianapolis in August, it wouldn't have been quite the same as winning in the very next race after Earnhardt's death.

"I just think that we put ourselves in position to make storybook endings like this," said Park. "If we didn't come here and test and work hard on giving ourselves a good race car, if we didn't go to Daytona and test and give Dale Earnhardt and Michael Waltrip and myself a good race car, we wouldn't be sitting here talking about fate and the way it is supposed to be. We feel we are supposed to be winning these races and we have an organisation behind us that has given us an opportunity to do that and it all goes back to Dale."

Park scored his first career NASCAR Winston Cup win at Watkins Glen, New York on August 13, 2000. He was able to celebrate that victory with his team owner in Victory Lane. Earnhardt wasn't there to celebrate Park's victory on Monday, but his presence was definitely felt.

"We had the opportunity to celebrate the Watkins Glen victory with Dale, but he was there today," Park said. "We all couldn't see him, but he was there. He couldn't give me a stranglehold around the neck and give me a sore neck for two days, but he was there with us today. He was there with us all weekend and he will be with our whole organisation the rest of our careers. As much as we find it hard to smile and enjoy the victory as it would be if he was here physically, we know spiritually he will be here for a very long time."

Even in death, Earnhardt has left a winning attitude with his race team. All three of his drivers have won races in the past two years and DEI cars are 2-for-2 this season, with Waltrip winning the Daytona 500 and Park winning at Rockingham. Now that Earnhardt is gone, Park feels the necessity to step up his racing ability. After all, Earnhardt wouldn't have accepted anything less...

"When we had the media tour, Dale is the one who stood up there and said the Pennzoil team would continue the success from last year and go on to win more races, Dale Jr. was going to win more races, the only concern he had was with Michael Waltrip and his new team," added Park. "He told Michael he needed to go win and that is where we all stood. When you are associated with Dale Earnhardt, it's not about running second. You don't get a pat on the back for running second. You might get a pat on the back for winning a race. It's just the way he has taught us."

It's amazing what the human spirit can overcome. A week like the last seven days could have taken the spirit and enthusiasm out of the team. But, they were able to endure and were rewarded with an emotional victory to dedicate to their departed friend.

"I'm glad it's over, actually," admitted Park. "It's just been an emotional roller coaster this past week. I just tried to do everything that Dale Earnhardt taught me to do. I didn't want to run out of gas on the last lap. They told me to conserve. I tried to put a block on Bobby Labonte. I was just glad it was him.

"He's won this race just as much as we did. If it wasn't him, we'd probably both have wrecked. He checked up and gave me the opportunity to win. I just want to thank Bobby Labonte. I've got to thank this whole entire team. I know I'm going to forget somebody. This is a dream finish for all of us at Dale Earnhardt Inc.

"It was hard to concentrate. I was emotional. I had tears coming down those last couple of laps. I had to kind of wipe my nose and got back up on the steering wheel, because that's what Dale Earnhardt would want me to do and that's what we did. Again, thanks to Bobby Labonte and his whole gang. I threw a block on him, but I was trying in my heart out to win this race."

When it was over, the two drivers shared a special moment on the backstretch as Labonte pulled his Pontiac alongside Park's Chevrolet to congratulate the winner.

"Race car drivers usually carry hats around their shifters and that's how they're available to us in Victory Lane, " Park said. "We've all been wearing these special Number 3 Dale Earnhardt hats all weekend. I got on to the backstretch after we got the checkered flag and the tears were falling down my face. I could barely see. Bobby Labonte pulled up along side of me and gave me a thumbs-up and pulled his [Dale Earnhardt] hat out and hung it out the window.

"Man, I just busted out in tears. I grabbed my hat. I wanted to do something for the fans. The best thing about the Polish victory lap is that it gets the drivers side over to see the fans. They're all hanging on the fence and they're all waving their Dale Earnhardt hats and shirts - ripping them off their body to wave 'em.

"To be able to salute Dale by getting a win and saluting all the DEI fans by doing a reverse lap and being able to signify the race was in his honor by waving his hat, it was just beyond words. Then I didn't think I was going to get back around - I ran out of gas on the backstretch. The car was sputtering and then I had to get down on the flat and then I almost ran into Michael Waltrip 'cause I couldn't see because of the tears in my eyes. It's a whole team effort. It's not about Steve Park."

Earnhardt is the fallen hero of the sport as it looks for a new hero to take his place. There will never be another Dale Earnhardt, but NASCAR goes on.

"We're going to miss the guy," said Park. "I wish he was here to enjoy these victories with us. Spiritually we know he is and he is proud of us, but it just doesn't compare to that bear hug he would give you and that arm around the neck. He's gone, but he'll never be forgotten. Physically, he won't be there for us, but emotionally and spiritually he will."