Twas the night before Talladega, and all around the track, Parties were running wide open, from the front to the back.
The Cup cars were all quiet, sitting inside Big Bill’s with care
with hopes that a Dega win would soon be there.
The drivers were nestled in the coach lot, snug in their beds
while visions of getting in the big one ran through their heads.
And Russell with his visor, and Grant with his big brim cap,
were still in their offices, wishing for a pre race nap.
When outside the media center, there arose a loud clatter,
they sprang from their desk chairs to see what was the matter.
Towards the garage area, they flew over in a hurry
then tore down the garage gate, trying not to worry.
The moon on the breast, peeking over thel towers top row
gave very bright luster to the new garage experience below.
When, what to their wondering eyes should soon see
was a ghost of the past, that Black number 3.
With Ol RC helping unload, and getting his helmet off the nail
One more time, Sunday he was gonna pay tribute to Dale.
More rapid than the fans, the drivers and crews they came,
RC whistled and shouted, and called them by their name.
Now Jimmie! Now Clint!
Now Aric and Brad!
Cmon Alex, Cmon Daniel!
Cmon Denny, Cmon Chad!
To the yellow line in turn 2!
To the apex of the tri-oval wall!
Come one, come many!
Come on over yall!
As the flags outside turn 4 stand out in the wind and fly
people seeing that black 3, were trying not to cry.
To the front of the grid, all the cameras and people flew,
to see RC strap in, with ol Johnny Morris too.
And then in a twinkling, he sat up on the driver door,
anxious as heck, to lay the throttle on the floor.
As all turned their head, with joy and emotion abound
every person awaited to hear the 800 horses sound.
He was dressed in a jacket, with his classic black boots,
with the open faced helmet, ready to fly down the backchute.
The NBC cameras, standing at the car’s back
were exciting the fans, to see the car hit the track.
Everyones eyes, how they twinkled, with smiles a’merry..
were ready to see it roll, with no one wary.
The colors of the past, that sat beyond the front row
awaited with patience, ready to start the show.
The pre race prayer started, with all heads a’bow
thinking of lap 1, wondering who would scream wow.
Now came the anthem, with hands over hearts
100,000 people were anxious to see this start.
RC was laughing and cutting up, being his jolly self
while strapping into the 3, needing no help.
With a wink of his eye, and a turn of his head
He let Johnny Morris know he had nothing to dread.
They spoke not a word, waiting for the command
gazing up at all of the loyal fans,sitting in the stands
And laying his finger on the switch, ready to give a flip
the officials gave a nod, ready to see the 3 rip.
He sprang into first gear, the fans gave a whistle
they were about to take one last ride in that ol black missile.
Then Grant loudly said, before the start of the 188 lap fight.
“This is Talladega, man, what a sight!”