Leaving Richmond International Raceway seven years ago, teams were focused on heading to New Hampshire for just another race. With the Chase still a few years away, the excitement and drama built into these two weekends was not there, yet they still added up to the big picture. The entire NASCAR Nation was still reeling from the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr., yet another tragedy was about to hit not only the NASCAR community, but the entire nation.

On Tuesday, September 11, most Americans woke up, went to school or work and simply went about business as usual. Little did any of us know that morning would be unlike any other in American history.

When news first broke of an accident involving a plane hitting the World Trade Center in New York City, many were surprised, but thought little of it. The major networks covered the developing tragedy as Americans watched on. What appeared to be a simply accident suddenly turned into a shocking realization when a second plane came into the live picture and disappeared in a ball of flames in the second tower. This was no accident, something more was going on.

As the day developed, news spread that a third plane had struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The epicenter for our nation's military, this all began to seem unreal. As America - and the world - watched on in horror, both towers came down in a heap of smoke and debris that chocked the entire city of New York and left many throughout the nation in tears.

The news kept getting worse as it was learned a fourth plane had crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Supposedly headed for Washington, D.C., it is thought the passengers aboard the plane bravely fought back against the Al-Qaeda hijackers and brought the plane down before it could do any more damage.

Nothing like this had ever happened on American soil and ever American watching that day knew their lives would never be the same. In all, 2,975 people were killed on that sunny September day, including the 19 hijackers.

Racing became an afterthought to everyone on that fateful day. With so much loss and devastation the thought of holding a sporting event was simply ridiculous. Out of respect for those affected by the tragedy, NASCAR made the decision to postpone the race at New Hampshire until the end of the season.

Two weeks later the series rolled into Dover, Delaware with heavy hearts.  Dover Air Force Base, just a short drive from the race track, was serving as a temporary mortuary for those killed in the attack. Many drivers carried special paint schemes honor the fallen victims and showing off their American pride.

The race went on and on Lap 3, as they had done each race since Daytona, the crowd and the broadcast team took time to honor not only the late Dale Earnhardt, but all of those who lost their lives the week before. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the checkered flag that day, he was given a large American Flag which he proudly drove around the track as fans cheered on.

That fateful day has left its mark not only on this nation's history, but also in the hearts and minds of everyone watching that day. Regardless of your politics or thoughts on the current wars being waged, you can't help but agree the days following those terrible attacks brought America together like nothing had since World War II.

With heavy hearts and worried minds, NASCAR did the right thing by postponing the New Hampshire race that weekend. While the saying is, "The show must go on," that weekend, racing would have meant little to anyone involved.