#AtoZChallenge Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt

(Not a great job zooming in, but it's real.)

NASCAR driver. Some members of my family cared, DEEPLY, about his success. Several members of my family worked for GM Chevrolet dealerships and garages. "Mr. Goodwrench" brand. And that's who Dale most famously raced for. 

I was told to like him, to root for him, to be his fan. He was the good guy. Rusty Wallace, who drove for Ford, was the bad guy. 

You realize that these are just professional drivers who were paid to race around tracks, right? 

Neither good nor bad. 

Just people doing their jobs. 

My indifference is a disappointment. But, after he died, I no longer participated in any NASCAR stuff. 

Anyway 

So, back when I was probably about 10 years old, my Aunt took me to a car dealership. We left around 3am or something. Drove for hours to get there. Stood in an incredibly long line. I had no idea what we were doing or why we were there. I remember I had to pee, but wasn't allowed. Stand still, be quiet, don't pee, don't ask questions, smile. 

After a few hours, the line finally starts moving. Don't fidget. Oh man... I had to pee. 

Finally, we get in the building. If you've ever had to pee and been out in the cold, and then came inside to a warm building...

"Be good! You'll see soon." 

I couldn't imagine what could be better than a toilet. 🚽 

A guy was sitting at a table, signing pictures. My Aunt got one, I got one, and we got one without an autograph for my brother. (He was only signing for people who were there.) 

I was polite. I said "hi" and "thank you." My Aunt was talking for a few minutes. The incredibly long line behind was less than pleased by that. She didn't notice or care. 

"Anything you want to say?" 

Like a damn fool, "May I please use the lavatory?" 

He didn't know, just smiled and moved on to the next person. 

"I can't believe you met Dale Earnhardt and all you said was to ask about the bathroom!" 

🤨 "That's who that was?" 

"Why did you think we were here?"

Super disappointing failure. Let the family down. Unworthy of being brought. 

Oh, and I still had to pee. 

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