Father's Day

Lacy Keyser, with her father and sister.

June 15, 2008: For everyone it is being with dad and having a great time with dad. June 15th is Father’s Day. I used to love Father’s Day, but that Sunday would mark the second Father’s Day without my dad. My dad died in January 2007, and I wasn’t 100% over that fact. I was 15 years old and my daddy wouldn’t be there for Father’s Day. I was so mad, I kept seeing all these commercials about dads and shirts that said “World’s Greatest Dad”! I didn’t even want to get up; I stayed in bed, I didn’t want to go anywhere. I just kept thinking about how much I hated today.

After a while I turned the TV on and then I noticed the race was on. I had totally forgotten that the race was on today. I laid there watching the race - this race was so intense. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had led a lot of laps and Kasey Kahne was right behind him. I then see Junior pass the pace car with like 3 or 4 laps to go - I am in shock. I even stood up; by this point my eyes are glued to the TV. I am thinking, "Come on, Junior, win this for me and yourself." My only worry was that Junior was low on fuel and I didn’t know if he could win it, but I was praying in my head that he would.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins at Michigan in June 2008.
Credit: Courtesy of MIS

We were down to 2 laps left when all of a sudden a caution came out, and Dale Junior had won the race. I couldn’t believe it! I was so happy that I started to cry. Here I was hating Father’s Day, but seeing my favorite driver win his first race with Hendrick, ending his 76-race winless streak! I was crying so hard because deep down I knew that my daddy was happy that I was happy and I also knew that Dale Sr. was happy as well.

Looking back at that day, I realize that Father’s Day must be a hard day for Junior as well, so I thought him winning that race must have felt great!

That was the second Father’s Day since my dad died. The first one was the worst - I didn’t leave my room the whole day! But the second one, I left my room all smiles and I made the most of that day. I didn’t once have sad or mad thoughts, just happy thoughts for I felt as if my dad was happy and that was all that mattered.

Now, in ways I am not looking forward to, but also in ways I am looking forward to Father’s Day. I can’t wait to see if Junior will make me smile because it seems that ever since I found NASCAR and Junior, my life isn't sad anymore.

Now I am looking forward to that Father’s Day race; I hope it is a good one.

I love you, Daddy, and know I hope you have a great Father’s Day, wherever you are.