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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 19, 2001
A candlelight vigil for Dale Earnhardt will be held tonight at the boat ramp on the St. Petersburg side of Gandy Bridge, WTVT-Ch. 13 reported Sunday night. An informal group of Earnhardt's fans will gather beginning at 6.
WACO, Texas -- President Bush called the widow of Dale Earnhardt to express his condolences.
Bush spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president's "prayers are with the Earnhardt family and the NASCAR community."
Bush has attended NASCAR events and considered Earnhardt and his wife, Teresa, to be friends.
In July, Bush visited Daytona Beach to serve as grand marshal of the Pepsi 400 and shook hands with NASCAR fans, racing crews and drivers.
After greeting fans during the July visit, Bush sat in on the pre-race driver's meeting, taking a seat in the front row next to Earnhardt.