Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the 3rd-generation driver who was born in a family connected to stock-car racing. Even though each family member has Earnhardt DNA, they have unique driving styles. Dale Earnhardt Jr., for example, has charisma and flair that propelled him to become one of the most famous people in the industry. He has become NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver 15 consecutive times. He is also among America’s Top 10 Favorite Athletes, frequenting the list with Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the only 3rd-generation NASCAR champion. He follows his father Dale Earnhardt Sr., a winner of 76 races. He is also a posthumous inductee in the inaugural 2010 class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Both his grandfather and father were selected among NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. The 3 Earnhardts combine for 10 NASCAR championships. Here are 15 things we just learned about the Earnhardts.
15 Dale Earnhardt Dropped Out Of School
Dale Earnhardt was a school drop-out. According to Bill Hewitt, he once said "I tried the ninth grade twice and quit. I worked odd jobs, argued with my father, who wanted me to complete high school, and drove on dirt tracks." He also said that his earliest memory is watching his father race.
14 2017 Was The Last Season Of NASCAR Competition For Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced that this would be his final full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition. In 2018, he started working with NBC Sports Group. He got a place that offered many opportunities in movies, podcasts and television. 2015 was the last year when he qualified for the NASCAR playoffs.
13 Long Racing Traditions
Ralph Earnhardt, who was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s grandfather, dropped out of school in the 6th grade and went to work in his garage. In 1956, he won the NASCAR Sportsman Championship and earned a place in the list of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers. His other grandfather, Robert Gee, was a race car constructor.
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Won The Xfinity And Cup Series 39 Times In 9 Years
Until 2008, Earnhardt Jr.’s career was within the confines of the family business. From 1998 to 2007 he could win the Xfinity and Cup Series 39 times. The 2008 season brought big changes, as Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. decided to sign with NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick.
11 Dale Earnhardt Sr. Loved His Pink Ford Sedan
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was known for driving the black car emblazoned with the number 3. However, his first race car was the pink 1956 Ford Sedan. He admitted that he got it from neighbors, David and Ray Oliver. They wanted to paint the car green, but a paint mishap resulted in hot pink.
10 Dale Earnhardt Sr. Married Young
Dale Earnhardt Sr. got married at 17 and then had a son, Kerry. He divorced his wife 2 years later and married again. The 2nd marriage would last 5 years before he divorced. Dale Earnhardt had 2 children with his second wife. They would follow him into racing. When he was 22, his father died.
9 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Owns JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. owns an American stock car racing team JR Motorsports that competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is based in North Carolina, co-owned by Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Rick Hendrick, the owner of his former Cup Series team. As of 2020, there are 6 full-time drivers, including Daniel Hemric.
8 1978 Was The Important Year For Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Dale Earnhardt Sr's big break into racing came in 1978, when he replaced another driver for the World 600 Cup. He could finish 7th in the Firecracker 400 and caught the eye of a Winston Cup car's owner, Rod Osterlund. He hired Earnhardt because he had no fear of other drivers.
7 Dale Earnhardt Sr. Won 6 Races In 2 Years
In 1984, Dale Earnhardt Sr. teamed up with Richard Childress Racing and earned sponsors from Wrangler. Between 1984 and 1985, he could win 6 races. He finished both years in 4th and 8th place. In 1986, he won his 2nd Winston Cup Championship. He did it one more time in 1987.
6 Dale Earnhardt Sr. Was The Richest NASCAR Guy
Dale Earnhardt Sr. became the richest NASCAR driver, and one of the most famous drivers in the sport. In 2000, 25% of NASCAR merchandising sales went to Earnhardt-related items. His business had 200 employees and 3 cars on the NASCAR circuit. At some point, the company even had a 76-foot yacht.
5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has Appeared On Many TV Shows
In 2008, Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared at the 43rd annual Country Music Awards. The live telecast was watched by 36 million people. It was his first appearance at a huge award show. He has been a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Good Morning America and many other shows.
4 The 2001 Daytona 500 Changes
Before the 2001 Daytona 500 race, "NASCAR officials instituted some changes in the cars in order to make the races more exciting for viewers. Earnhardt was not in favor of these measures, saying that people who were afraid of cars going too fast should stay home. He refused to wear a new support system."
3 The Fatal Crash
During the 2001 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Sr. battled for the 3rd place. On the final turn, his car collided with another car. Earnhardt smashed the wall and bounced back into the path of another car. The crash was undramatic. However, when crew members called him, there was no answer. Earnhardt was dead.
2 Kelley Earnhardt Miller Is The Co-Owner Of JR Motorsports
Kelley Earnhardt Miller is Dale Earnhardt Jr’s sister, she is 2 years older than him. She raced for many years and then decided to focus on the business aspect. As of 2020, she is the co-owner of JR Motorsports. Other siblings, Kerry and Taylor Nicole, prefer to stay in the shadows.
1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Is More Than A Driver
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a great business sense. In 2006, he started Hammerhead Entertainment, a company that produces TV shows. In 2008, he opened an uptown bar. In 2013, Earnhardt Jr. launched a podcast network, Dirty Mo Radio. In 2015, he opened a bar at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.