Funny how that happens. What hypocrites we are. I try not to be. I hated Ernie when he drove the 4. And was NOT happy he replaced Davey. But that hatred waned as he won. He just seemed to be a different guy in the 28. Same aggression but mature. My hate for Ernie before was the dumbassness on the track.
So I include myself in that hypocrite group.
Ernie in the #28 was definitely more mature than he was in #4.
I think most everyone that followed racing during those years has to wonder just how many championships Davey could have won. I think the question is applicable for Ernie as well, I believe it would have happened for both if they would have had full careers in the 28 car.
There is just no way to do it justice when speaking about the tragedies and losses. Bobby deserved so much better than losing his two sons nothing could be worse.
It had to be almost almost impossibile as well for anyone to overcome the losses that Robert Yates experienced as well. It amazing that he still won it all later on with Dale Jarrett, but I still believe they were never faster or better than they were with Davey and Ernie.