Double Grief: Saturday will not only mark the first return to Daytona since Earnhardts death. The race will also mark exactly one year since Kenny Irwin died in a practice crash at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 7th(Gaston Gazette)(7-4-2001) Little E – No Interviews:Dale Earnhardt Jr. has decided not to grant interview requests in the days leading up the seasons second visit to the 2.5-mile track where his father, Dale Earnhardt, was killed on Feb. 18. “This may sound strange or hard to believe, but Im looking forward to racing at Daytona,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Its the greatest track we race at for all of its history and the fact it was really the first superspeedway of its kind. You just know its special every time you get on the track. Restrictor plate racing is my favorite because you are always two- and three-wide, and the driver can really make a difference. As for anything else, I really dont have any comments right now. I dont know how I will feel when I go through that tunnel or how I will feel when I pull onto the track. I will just to wait and see.(Gaston Gazette)(7-4-2001)
