And the Day that Changed Everything, Daytona, Dale

Loved, Loved, Loved this book. I am a big Michael Waltrip fan and really enjoyed finding out more about him and his career. I would recommend this book to anyone that wan't to get a deeper look into his life, family and career.

Awesome read for anyone who loves Nascar now and/or grew up around car-racing like I did...even if you're not a Waltrip fan the story is great...would recommend it to anyone whos interested in the sport. I have 3 friends that wanna borrow it next!

Michael writes his story his way. The life of one of the greatest people to ever race chronicled through that fateful Sinday. His perspective jerks the heart strings and somehow also promotes healing. This is a great read from a great person!

Very good book. well written. Takes the reader back to some of the good ole day's of NASCAR, and show's a side of Dale, that I did know, but not alot of people knew about. The book is sometimes funny, sad, and joyous. Great read!!!!!!

Enjoyed the read! Michael spins a tale as only he can. Great insight to a career that spans over four decades of NASCAR history. If you are a MW, DE, or a NASCAR fan this is a must for your collection.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written. At least half of the book is about Waltrip and his foray into racing. If you are looking for a tell all about #3 this isn't the book. I am glad Waltrip wrote this book to help him work through some of his issues with the death of Dale. May they all find peace.

I purchased this book through the store...MUCH better price then bookstores! I will admit I was skeptical..given the goofiness Mr. Waltrip displays onscreen...but the book was actually enjoyable..as much as one can enjoy a book based on a death. Mr. Waltrip answered a lot of questions..although I found he skirted around a lot of issues..barely touching his divorce, the jet fuel episode, his relationships with other drivers, his car accident(s), and other issues...but I also understand some of these issues are no one's business but his own...so I will (as he did) gloss over those subjects. The one thing that did stand out is Mr. Waltrip seems to have "attached himself" to Dale..and even after Dale's death has continued to "live in the shadow" of Big E. I'm not a shrink..but this doesn't seem healthy, and may account for some of his self-depricating humor. All in all I found the book very easy to read, it is written so almost anyone over the age of 10 could understand, and I would recommend it for fans and non fans alike.

Don't waste your time. I have no complaints about the seller. The book arrived very quickly. The book is just stupid. The author is a self serving idiot. Nothing new or interesting here. I think I paid $.01 for it and it was too much. I had to give it one star just to complete the process. This deserves negative stars.

I purchased this book through the store...MUCH better price then bookstores! I will admit I was skeptical..given the goofiness Mr. Waltrip displays onscreen...but the book was actually enjoyable..as much as one can enjoy a book based on a death. Mr. Waltrip answered a lot of questions..although I found he skirted around a lot of issues..barely touching his divorce, the jet fuel episode, his relationships with other drivers, his car accident(s), and other issues...but I also understand some of these issues are no one's business but his own...so I will (as he did) gloss over those subjects. The one thing that did stand out is Mr. Waltrip seems to have "attached himself" to Dale..and even after Dale's death has continued to "live in the shadow" of Big E. I'm not a shrink..but this doesn't seem healthy, and may account for some of his self-depricating humor. All in all I found the book very easy to read, it is written so almost anyone over the age of 10 could understand, and I would recommend it for fans and non fans alike.

Don't waste your time. I have no complaints about the seller. The book arrived very quickly. The book is just stupid. The author is a self serving idiot. Nothing new or interesting here. I think I paid $.01 for it and it was too much. I had to give it one star just to complete the process. This deserves negative stars.

As NASCAR drivers go, Michael Waltrip may not be the most loved or most calm tempered, but he certainly isn't the least well known or one with nothing to say, and his new book, just out this month, is just as outspoken and full of surprises as the boy from Owensboro, Kentucky himself.

The book goes into some detail about the history of "the younger brother of Darrell" and his beginnings in the sport, way back in 1981 that led to an illustrious driving career that has included being one of only eight drivers to have won the revered Daytona 500 more than once, and one of only three drivers in NASCAR history to make more than one thousand starts. In this piece of well written NASCAR literature, Waltrip and co-author, Ellis Henican go on to tell about some of the negative circumstances and situations the racer, turned team owner, turned television personality, has been involved in, and his perils on and off the track. From literally hitting people (Dave Marcis, Lake Speed) to deliberately hitting cars (Jeff Green, Robby Gordon, Casey Mears, and Clint Bowyer) to having his team accused of using illegal engine additives that led to steep fines and the disqualifications of his crew chief and Director of Competition, as well as a 100 point dock in driver points, that led to Waltrip being the first driver in the sport's history to enter a second race of a season with negative points, Michael Waltrip tells it like it was and is with not much to hide for fans and readers.

As can be imagined though, the primary story in In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything is just what the title suggests. Waltrip tells the entire story of that eventful and horrific day in NASCAR history. From being hired by his close friend and mentor, the Intimidator, owner of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to drive their, then, new #15 NAPA Chevy, to how he felt, and continues to feel about Earnhardt, Sr. as a man and a racer, to the 2001 Daytona 500 victory that left his boss- one of stock car's largest legends- fatally crashed on the final lap.
Michael Waltrip comes across in this book as being not so much a racer, but moreover a person. A man who experienced what should have been his most alluring victory but instead was one of the worst days of his life. Waltrip goes on to tell how that one dark lap brought on years of guilt, discouragement, grief, agony, and despair.

This story of the events leading up to, surrounding, and after that fateful race in 2001 become a story of self-discovery, inspiration, redemption, and the power of family, the love of the sport he has lived, and the thrill of the comeback, because, in the end, just like the checkered flag, or the roaring engines, or the thrill of the win...this too is racing!

-Will Estell -Author: Wisdom & Wisecracks for the Aspiring Business Owner, Wisdom & Wisecracks for Entrepreneurs, As Seen On Facebook.
Oxford, Alabama

Despite the title, this book is more of an autobiography of Michael Waltrip. Dale Earnhardt's death is only covered in a few chapters toward the back of the book, and even then the focus was on how Michael was affected by Dale's death. So, if you are looking for a book that will discuss the hows and whys of Earnhardt's death, this isn't it.
I was glad I got this ebook from the library, because I woulnd't want to have paid for it. Waltrip said the same thing over and over and over. I don't like to skim books, but in this case I had to.
I found myself liking Waltrip less after I read the book, than before. There were a lot of passive aggressive comments about his brother Darrell, and even his parents. Some reviewers have commented that he didn't explain about who was the mother of his daughter Caitlin. I wasn't concerned about that, but I felt bad for her. He'd go on and on about how cute and wonderful Macy in victory circle or in the motor home, and then he'd say, "Caitlin was there too." That's it. Poor Caitlin.
I was really into NASCAR throughout much of Waltrip's career. I was hoping for funny stories, insights into other drivers, or some talk about events that happened during those years. Nope. This book was all about Waltrip.

First of all - I laughed (alot) and cried (alot).
I just read "In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything". Unbelievably great! Being one half of the brothers Waltrip and being able to tell all the great stories involving all the NASCAR drivers past and present would be enough - but this book tells the story of being there the day Dale Earnhardt died like no other person on earth can.
I didn't know this, but, in 462 starts Waltrip had never won a race. Then, at the 2001 Daytona, he found himself in a car racing-for the first time-for his really good friend Dale Earnhardt. With 17 laps remaining, Waltrip had the lead and directly behind him were Dale and Junior - father and son. Anyone wanting to get at Waltrip's lead would have to get past these two. It's like a movie, just as exciting and just as unreal, but this really happened.
We all know (even non-NASCAR fans) what happened that day in the final laps. No one can ever forget the day that Dale died but reading the story through the eyes of the man who won that race only to find out in Victory Lane about the death of his long time friend is heartbreaking, gut wrenching and the best story I've ever read of friendship, triumph and tragedy.
I'll read this book again because the story is as compelling and more chock full of great NASCAR insider stuff than anything I've ever read. I loved the way it was written--Ellis Henican (he also wrote Home Team: Coaching the Saints and New Orleans Back to Life about Sean Payton and how he lead his team to victory after Katrina) really captures the great humor and style that Waltrip displays when he's on TV. You don't have to be a Michael Waltrip fan to love this story, but if you are, you are going to want to race out and get this before this year's Daytona.

If you actively dislike Michael, there's no point in reading this, because his account of his own life obviously will displease you, since it's his life and him telling it. If you want one of the great autobiographies of all time, you might want to go with, oh, maybe St. Augustine or Ben Franklin or Lawrence of Arabia. But if you want to know what Mikey has to say about himself, in a relatively uncomplicated book, you probably will enjoy this. It's often funny, but also deals with tragedies and frustrations. One of the world's classics? No. A bit of insight into the life of an amusing but sometimes unhappy (as are we all) sports figure? Yes.

I was disappointed after I finished this book. I am a novice NASCAR fan and enjoyed the part about his early life and his interactions with Dale Earnhardt but that was about it. I think that this book was written either too early or too late. If it had ended after he helped Junior win the race or if it showed him learning from his mistakes as a father and husband while being a team owner then this would have been a better experience but it ended with him letting everything fall apart and then getting bailed out financially. He repeats himself a lot and I found myself skimming over parts. Not a good story. Bummer.

Mikey is loved because he always speaks from the heart, even though the link between the heart, brain, and mouth is sometimes linked by unshielded cable. He can get off topic faster than Kurt Bush can irritate the masses. But that is why we love him, and the book is somehow written in Mikey Latin. When you are reading it, it's almost like you are out on a lake fishing with Mikey and he is telling you stories. He wrote this book with so much candor and openness, it is obvious he wrote this book to help heal his own heart. He is a true class act.

Bravo Mikey, Bravo.

I have not ever been interested in NASCAR. However, I am on a binge of biography reading. This was a very interesting insight to the world of NASCAR and the workings of sponsors, how Michael became a driver and his friendship with Dale Ernhart. Great read that would be really good for someone who knows NASCAR.

I just got done reading this wonderful book. I feel bad for those who may miss out because they are not NASCAR fans. Many can learn about not giving up no matter how hard things may seem. Michael Waltrip may have been inspired by Dale Earnhardt but I hope he realizes what an inspiration he is. True strength and courage come when adversity and disappointment make you not give up. I cried when I read about MIchael and his father. I believe from experience that his dad kept doing the things together they loved more for Michaels sake than his own. His Dad just got to the point where he was ready to go. After reading this book I aqm certan I picked not only the right driver but also the right man to root for.

Carole Morgantown WV

I enjoyed everything about this book. I laughed and I cried. It is told in a way that you can understand behind the scenes and Michael's true feelings. The only thing he left out was what happened to cause his divorce. But that was probably too personal. it left people wandering and using their on assumptions

This book is great Michael tells about his early days of raceing and his childhood in Ownesbro Kentucky(also where my parents where born and raised) and it from his point of view of the 01’ Daytona 500