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Perhaps it's something that I've come to terms with as I've grown older and reflected with some of my favorite racing memories in the 18 years I've watched NASCAR.
Most of those moments are on what were, in my eyes, the "good ol' days," particularly from 1991-'99, around the time when two drivers dominated the decade that defined NASCAR.
While Jeff Gordon certainly created the brand and image of NASCAR today, bringing in an influx of young talents from all walks of racing, the driver who defined the toughness and wits of a racer who won (and won a lot) races and championships was the late Ralph "Dale" Earnhardt.
I was fortunate to catch Gordon's initiation into the sport, watching the former USAC champion transition from the typical hot shot rookie to an extraordinary record breaking racer who continues to be a factor in his "older" age of 38.
However, I think it's safe to say that I was unaware and not appreciative of the remarkable accomplishments of Earnhardt. After all, he was in his 40s by the time I started watching NASCAR, about the time when a racer was either at his peak or decline.
Naturally, as a child, I decided to root on a younger racer who could stand up to the old guard. Gordon entered the sport as a full-time competitor in 1993 and displayed some promise against the most dominant driver of stock car racing since 1986.
Now at age 24, despite Gordon still possessing his racing prowess, I think it's safe to say, like most race fans, we miss seeing that No. 3 Chevrolet on the track, myself included.
How many racers in today's NASCAR trade paint, mash in their fenders, and use up all their equipment, often ending up in Victory Lane?
Sure, we have Tony Stewart, who's naturally aggressive and cunning, not afraid to go door-to-door to reach the lead pack. He's about the most versatile driver of our generation, able to compete at a winning level in almost any vehicle out there.
Kurt and Kyle Busch are certainly talented and courageous drivers who are fearless and brash, but they are hardly the apple of any fans' eyes in the grandstands.
Earnhardt was just a unique racer whose mount would look like an absolute mess at the conclusion of almost any event.
Whether it was his blue-and-yellow Wrangler Jeans machine or the Darth Vader-like black Goodwrench machine, the man that many dubbed as "The Intimidator" was no slouch behind the wheel of his Richard Childress Racing car.
Some of my favorite memories of "The Man In Black" include moments from his last years of racing, particularly his sentimental and popular Daytona 500 victory in 1998 and of course, the August Bristol night races that nearly every stock car enthusiast still talks about to this day.
Although he was essentially an aggressive and edgy driver for virtually his entire career, fans witnessed his "Tough Customer" persona at the 500-lap August night races at the Bristol Motor Speedway in 1995 and '99. Both times, his main nemesis (or victim, depending on your stance) was "Texas" Terry Labonte.
In 1995, Earnhardt experienced something of a summer slump that saw him lose the points lead and drop to fourth in the standings, trailing points leader Gordon by 314 markers heading into the Goody's 500 at Thunder Valley.
Knowing there was not a whole lot of time to cut into his tremendous deficit with 10 races remaining, Earnhardt and the No. 3 team had to pull out all the stops in order to even have a chance at the 44-year-old's eighth driver's championship and his third consecutive title.
Qualifying seventh for the traditionally sold-out race, there was just a distinct feeling on that Aug. 26 night. For starters, the event started late due to some rain that left the track workers very little time to dry up the moist concrete and asphalt surface.
Also, night races at Bristol tend to have a mysterious, exciting aura that almost leaves drivers and fans in wonder about what kind of race that will unfold after three hours of nerve-wracking action.
Immediately, Earnhardt left his mark on his peers, initially with long-time friend (and foe) Rusty Wallace in the very early stages of the 500-lapper. Wallace's No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford was hit by "The Initmidator" off corner number four, sending the '89 Cup titlist into a spin along the frontstretch.
Although his Thunderbird made relatively light contact with the wall, Wallace's shot at victory was essentially over. Anger and a damaged machine translated into an unforgettable night that involved Earnhardt and a water bottle by race's end. But that part is for later.
Even likable veteran Lake Speed was a victim of Earnhardt's wrath (or path) of destruction, with his No. 9 Spam Ford tangling with that distinct Chevrolet off turn three on lap 390.
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