Men in Black...

The Nextel Cup series travels to Talla-dangerous this weekend and along with it will come The Intimidator's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

To honor the event, all of the DEI cars will feature a special paint scheme that replicates the late Big E's black #3 Chevy.

(daleearnhardtinc.com)

I have slightly mixed feelings about all of the cars bearing the same black paint scheme that Dale used to drive with. I certainly don't think it's a 'bad' thing in any way, and for the most part, I think it's a very cool way to remember Earnhardt, but there is a part of me that also thinks it's a little odd to have five cars all using the same paint scheme as the old #3.

I can definitely see doing it for Jr.'s car, that makes sense, but all 5 DEI cars? I don't know. There's a little part of me that finds that a little weird. I don't really know how to express this feeling properly in words. It strikes me as somewhat macabre.

Then again, it is Dale's company and all of the cars are 'his', so in that vein, it does make sense for all of his cars to bear his former paint scheme as a tribute to him.

I can imagine it will be very, very special to be driving one of those tribute cars this Sunday.

It also makes me laugh a little to think of five cars that all look like Dale's old car terrorizing the other drivers on the track. When Dale was alive, during most races, one black 'Intimidator' car was more than enough for the rest of the field to have to deal with.

When I imagine what's going to be going through the other competitor's heads, especially the older guys who raced with Dale for many years, when they see five black Chevys on the track, it puts a smile on my face. I can also imagine a few of them will be wondering if they are seeing a ghost when that familiar black car fills up their rear-view mirror once again.

(daleearnhardtinc.com)

I still remember well that race at Talladega when Earnhardt drove from 17th to 1st place in about 5 laps to win the race. Hopefully Little E can get that #8 car into Victory Lane this weekend. To me, that would be the best way to honor Dale Earnhardt's memory.