TALLADEGA FANS--- WHAT WERE YOUR THINKING?

May 2, Chico, CA--- Some of the worst of the Earnhardt Nation spoke this pasted Sunday--- and what they had to say was some of the most disrespectful things that could have ever been spoken. 

On Sunday, Jeff Gordon did what many knew he would do and what others never hoped to see him do; he passed Dale Earnhardt Sr. for most wins in NASCAR. What's more, he did it on a sacred day, Dale Sr.’s birthday. It was a dark day for the Earnhardt Nation, but it didn’t need to be. 

What made it so dark was the inexcusable actions of some, but not all, of the fans. That was to throw beer cans and debris at the driver that made history today.

Now as a columnist I shouldn’t like one driver more then another. But I never was  really a big fan of Jeff Gordon's. I said "WAS", because I have learned to respect him more and more. I truly think that Gordon knows what he did today, and that was to beat the best. We all knew that when he started in this sport that he would most likely break lots of records. Today was proof of that, and there will be more to come. 

Now for the fans, what you did was a slap in the face to all TRUE Earnhardt fans today. It was a slap in the face of Dale Earnhardt Sr. If big “E” was here today, and Jeff Gordon beat his wins, I think that he would have been one of the first to go to victory lane and congratulate him. It would have been that vice like grip around his neck and telling him, “BOY YOU DID IT!”

Earnhardt Nation, take this time to show what you are, and that is the backbone of a racing dynasty, the heart that beats in it, and the air that it breathes.  Show NASCAR that you are the class act of racing, and keep the memory and the future of Earnhardt Nation alive and well--- with respect!  

Let me be one of the people to say "WAY TO GO JEFF"! You beat the man, and you did it with class and style.

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Runkle has worked for Causey Motorsports in Hampton, Va. for 4 years, was a part-time Crew Chief for Rette Causey,  driver of #33 INEX/Legends car in 2005 at Langley Speedway in Virginia, as well as being a crew member for Brad Causey in Grand Stock division at Langley Speedway.  He's currently the webmaster of CauseyRacing.com.

Runkle has been racing "online" for about 5 years, served in the US Navy as a Gunners Mate in the Navy Seabees and is currently living in Chico, Ca. in the beautiful North Valley of California, with his wife Kristina. God Bless all of the troops serving around the world!

For any question, comments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” please feel free to email him at Runksix3@gmail.com. Don welcomes anything you have to say and he will get back to you. If you have something you would like for Don to cover, let him know.  And as always, thanks for reading his column.