Bi_x2nMdMy (Ray) first encounter with auto racing was with nascar back in 1979 in martinsville, va. a friend of mine from high school had landed a job as a sports writer so with his press pass we were able to park right up at the track. no long walks like we have to do so much nowadays. one of the guys with us said to watch this new guy in the wrangler car so thats who i started watching the most although i still paid attention to the greats like petty and the allisons and yarbough. but this new guy had a style unlike any of the other drivers on this short half mile track. he would lay his head on the door actually looking down the side of the car for the entire race. i always though that was a wild way the drive a race car. he didn't win the race that day but he took rookie of the year in '79 and the very next year won his first of 7 winton cup championships. Dale, Sr. was and still is my hero.