'Earnhardt': Dale Jr. recounts valuable lesson from his father
Dale Jr. relives the lesson his dad taught him to start taking racing more seriously after his debut wreck in what was known as the Busch Grand National Series.
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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
'Earnhardt': Dale Jr. recounts valuable lesson from his father
Dale Jr. relives the lesson his dad taught him to start taking racing more seriously after his debut wreck in what was known as the Busch Grand National Series.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
'Earnhardt': Dale Jr.'s drive to race, receiving tough love from father early in career
'I wanted to race cars badly. Just as badly, I think, as my dad.' Episode 3 of the four-part 'Earnhardt' docuseries on Prime Video explores Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s start in racing and the challenges of earning his father's attention in the early portion of his career. Advertisement With racing constantly on his mind growing up, Earnhardt Jr. said he drew race cars often in school. However, his father and stepmother Teresa interpreted it as a different passion for Dale Jr. 'Dad and Teresa came home one day with a giant box of all these supplies, and they said, 'We thought maybe you'd want to go to art school. We were looking at this college down the road,' Earnhardt Jr. said. 'I was like, 'are you freaking out of your mind? I'm not going to art school.' What? Like, I'm not an art student. I'm not into art. I was so spun out. And I was like, 'damn it, you're Dale Earnhardt, and I want to race.' Help me race. What should I do in this moment to be getting closer to racing? Take all this art [expletive] out of here.' RELATED: Watch all four episodes of 'Earnhardt' on Prime Video As Earnhardt Jr. began racing late models locally, his father remained absent from the track with his son. Advertisement Dale Sr.'s friend, Hank Parker, revealed that Earnhardt said he didn't believe his son was cut out for racing. 'I was worried about Dale Jr. and he was green as grass,' Parker said. 'Didn't know a whole lot about racing. Dale Sr. told me one time. He said, 'I don't think that boy will ever be a race driver. He just ain't got it.\"' Earnhardt Jr.: 'If dad was sitting right here, one thing I'd want to ask him, did he ever see me race my late model car? I ran 159 races. I never saw him. He never said, 'Hey, I'm coming to your race this weekend.' He's never around the trailer. Never around the car. I don't know if he saw me.' As Dale Jr. made his way to the Xfinity Series, formerly known as the Busch Grand National Series, he had a rough few outings in his first starts. Advertisement After wrecking out in a race, Dale Jr. recalls an important moment in his relationship with his dad that stuck with him. 'The door flies open on this double-wide trailer I lived in. Boom, boom. I know immediately those are dad's footsteps,' Earnhardt Jr. said. 'He looks over at my buddies that are sitting over there, and he goes, 'get the [expletive] off my property. [They] ran out of the house and jumped in the cars and they drove out the driveway. The shoes are still sitting in the floor. 'He said, 'Come here.' And we walked out. I thought he was gonna whoop my ass. And he goes, 'Man, what are you doing?' I was like, 'I thought my racing career is over.' He's like, 'no, they're gonna fix that car. That's where you should be. You should be wanting to fix your car. Where is that? Where is that inside of you? What's missing in you that you thought to come over here and sit on your ass and feel sorry for yourself?' That was the one father-son talk that we had that sunk in.'
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Newsweek
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Teases Expanded NASCAR Xfinity Series Schedule
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who retired from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2017 season, has revealed what would tempt him to expand his part-time Xfinity Series schedule. The NASCAR Hall of Famer joined the ZMAX CARS Tour broadcast during the qualifying event at North Wilkesboro. During his appearance, he claimed that if NASCAR announces an Xfinity Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, then he would expand his racing schedule. So, @DaleJr says if #NASCAR announces a @NASCAR_Xfinity race at @NWBSpeedway, he's adding it to his schedule. So, when do we see North Wilkesboro added to the Xfinity Series schedule? — Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) May 16, 2025 Earnhardt Jr.'s last Xfinity race was the 2024 Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He commented at the time, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports: "I mean, if I don't ever run again, I'm happy at 50 years old to jump in once and run top 10. NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida."I know there was some guys named (Harry) Gant and (Bobby) Allison that were winning races in their 50s. So I know it's damn doable. It's not anything too crazy. But not doing it every week, man, you certainly come in here feeling like you're handicapped, and you've gotta drink from the fire hose trying to figure out what's going on and getting up to speed. "I loved every lap. It was great. "I mean, I got everything I wanted out of this, and I'll miss it next year. I'm certain I'll probably sign up for somewhere else. Trying not to already start thinking about, where would I run? Where do I want to run? "But I definitely do want to take next year off, focus on my broadcasting and get my boots on and get back to work there, make sure I'm doing a good job for that. That's my priority, that and my family." North Wilkesboro Speedway is hosting the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open and Race this weekend along with the Craftsman Truck Series and Whelan Modified Tour. When are the NASCAR All-Star races at North Wilkesboro Friday, 16 May 4.30 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Pit Road Qualifying Entry/Exit Practice 5 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Practice 6 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Qualifying (All-Star Pit Crew Challenge) Saturday, 17 May 9.55 a.m. ET: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Practice 10.35 a.m. ET: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Qualifying 1.30 p.m. ET: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Window World 250 5.10 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - All-Star Race Heat No. 1 6.15 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - All-Star Race Heat No. 2 Sunday, 18 May 10.15 a.m. ET: NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour - Practice 1 10.55 a.m. ET: NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour - Practice 2 12.45 p.m. ET: NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour - Qualifying 2 p.m. ET: NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour - FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150 5 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - All-Star Open 8 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - All-Star Race
