The death of the seven-time champion cast a pall on the sport. NASCAR's safety practices underwent more outside scrutiny and questioning than ever. Every racetrack held some kind of tribute to racing's Intimidator.

"I'm glad that year's over with," Doug Davenport said as he worked Thursday afternoon at NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway at the Mall of Georgia in Buford.

Davenport, 34, along with many other fans who congregated at the speedway to watch the Twin 125 Daytona qualifying races, said he wants to look forward, not back.

Davenport, who lives in Lawrenceville, called himself a contradictory NASCAR fan. He likes Fords. And this is a sport where loyalty to sponsors and car manufacturers is about as strong as loyalty to drivers. Nevertheless, Davenport's favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., drives a Chevrolet.

After all, Davenport said, "Little E's" sponsor is Budweiser, Davenport's favorite beer.

Many fans of the late Earnhardt turned to his son. Others, including Dan Hobbs, 36, transferred their loyalty to last year's Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick, who stepped into Earnhardt's ride for Richard Childress Racing.

Hobbs sported a GM Goodwrench Dale Earnhardt cap to the speedway. He also likes Earnhardt Jr. He said it took him a while to get back into racing after Earnhardt's death.

"I got bummed with racing when it first happened," Hobbs recalled. "I was not going to go to another race."

But an offer last year of free tickets changed his mind. So he showed up Thursday to prepare for Daytona by sitting in the racing simulators. He said driving them makes fans appreciate what their heroes go through on race day.

Jim Ouellette agreed.

"I know anybody who drives these (simulators) here has a better respect for the drivers themselves," Ouellette said. "It's exciting, scary and intense."

The spins, bumps and wrecks also made him more attuned to the sport's dangers that claimed Earnhardt.

"It devastated millions of people in NASCAR," Ouellette said. "I like Earnhardt. And he was definitely the inventor of what I call 'the little jack move.' "

Earnhardt was notorious for sticking tight on somebody's rear bumper, taking the air off the competitor's spoiler. The move loosened the other driver's car and Earnhardt would sweep past.

On occasion, "The Intimidator" got too close. He often called it "rattling the cage" or a "love tap." His victims offered less generous words.

To many fans, it was just "one of them racing deals." Which is what they're looking forward to on Sunday, Davenport said.

Though his post at the silicon speedway is perfect for a NASCAR fan, Davenport will be elsewhere, in front of a television. He expects Earnhardt Jr. and another favorite, Dawsonville native Bill Elliott, to do well.

Davenport met Elliott and shook his hand about a month ago at the mall.

"This year, I wouldn't be surprised to see him win a couple of races," Davenport said.

###