Checkered Flag (17 page)

You now know one slice of the history of that year, finishing as one of the most exciting in the Chase and one of the most controversial. After Dale’s championship was taken away—something that caused an uproar inside and outside the world of NASCAR—the rules committee changed the way they dealt with accidental infractions. Fans applauded the change, but it wasn’t until years later that Dale was given a special award by NASCAR for that year.

That was also the year Jamie took a huge step toward her own racing career. I won’t spoil the rest of her story, but suffice it to say that she made a huge impact on the sport.

Perhaps even more interesting is the series of twists and turns, highs and lows, victories and tragedies of Tim Carhardt. I’m proud to say that I met
both Tim and Jamie when they were young, when few people knew their names.

Of course, all of racing had to deal with the Devalon dynasty, but Dale Maxwell took advantage of the controversy by publishing a book about the season, his life, and his faith. Some said he got more publicity for having the championship taken away, and therefore he reached more people with his message. (That
was
a book I was privileged to help Dale write.)

Many will wonder what happened to Kellen in the years following and if Cassie Strower ever got to realize her dream of serving in overseas missions. Jenna, the young girl Jamie met at Camp Left Turn, became a good friend of the Maxwell family, along with many of the kids at the camp who became avid fans of Dale and Jamie.

I’ve learned a lot from the Maxwells. I’ve learned God can do much through people who let him work through them. And that winning isn’t always the most important thing in racing or in life.

It’s a good lesson for all of us.

Calvin Shoverton,

Motorsports Senior Reporter,
Charlotte Times

Brian and Jan, thanks for your enthusiasm about this series. Special thanks to David Alford of Turtle Wax and the Paul Menard team—you answered all my questions and then some. Ron Dabisch of the Richard Petty Driving Experience—thanks for letting me go 134.29 and not get a ticket. Also thanks to Gina Mooi and Coleman Pressley, two up-and-coming drivers. I hope to see you both racing for the cup one day on the same track. Also, Doug Hastings of Moody Broadcasting and Brookside Motorsports for sending updates and providing ideas, though you didn’t always know it. Thanks to Shawn and Sean Matthuis of Brookside Motorsports, the father and son team on the #0 Kids Corner car. And to Roger Basick of WMBI, Chicago.

CHRIS FABRY
is a writer, broadcaster, and graduate of Richard Petty Driving Experience (top speed: 134.29 mph). He has written more than 50 books, including collaboration on the Left Behind: The Kids, Red Rock Mysteries, and The Wormling series.

You may have heard his voice on Focus on the Family, Moody Broadcasting, or Love Worth Finding. He has also written for
Adventures in Odyssey
,
Radio Theatre
, and
Kids Corner
.

Chris is a graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He and his wife, Andrea, have nine children and live in Colorado.

If you’d like to get in touch with the author, you can reach him at
[email protected]
.