Earnhardt knew about racing risks, pursued passion

The sport of NASCAR has taken another life. Critics of the sport who dismiss NASCAR as too dangerous, or not even a sport at all, will be quick to capitalize on Dale Earnhardt's death as another reason to ban auto racing. Sometime this week, when a television special comes on about Dale's crash, someone will probably say, "I bet Earnhardt really regrets driving his car in circles for a living now," and millions more will be thinking it. \nBut whether you consider NASCAR a true sport is irrelevant. The one thing to remember during the weeks that follow #3's passing is that Earnhardt lived his life to the fullest. The real tragedy of Earnhardt's death is that too many of us, critics and fans alike, will be preoccupied with how he died, rather than the amazing life he lived for 48 years.\nHow many of us have listened to the critics? How many of our dreams have ever been compromised by hearing the advice of others that says "it's not worth the risk?"\nAt an early point in his life, Earnhardt decided he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a race car driver. He knew the risks, and they were great. But Earnhardt's passion to be a successful driver outweighed the thoughts of death, and Earnhardt started to compete.\nEarnhardt made 648 consecutive starts. He won 76 times and won the Winston Cup seven times. Earnhardt was a living legend on the NASCAR circuit long before his death last week. He is considered to be the greatest driver of his generation, alongside Richard Petty.\nWhen the time comes for every one of us, will we be able to look back on our lives and know that we were not timid souls who knew neither victory or defeat? \nWhile we will all miss Earnhardt, it is hard not to look back at his numerous accomplishments and smile, knowing that Earnhardt lived his NASCAR dream to the limit. So try and be like Earnhardt. Whether your dream is driving a stock car, opening your own business or trying to break into the movies, just remember that the only thing that really matters in life is what you think is best for you. Don't let the critics tell you that your goals are frivolous. NASCAR might seem pointless to many Americans, but for Earnhardt, it was his world, and that's all that should matter to Earnhardt or to us. What means the world to you?