One Of NASCAR’s Best
Dale Earnhardt Jr remains one of NASCAR’s most popular and recognizable figures after retiring from full-time racing in 2017. His family background, accomplishments on the track, and strong commitment to his fans make him a NASCAR fan favorite. We look back at Earnhardt Jr’s biggest moments on and off the track.
A Racing Family Like No Other
Dale Earnhardt Jr was born in 1974 in Kannapolis, North Carolina to future NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt and Brenda Jackson. His grandfather on his dad’s side was the longtime NASCAR driver Ralph Earnhardt; his grandfather on his mom’s side was the great engineer and car designer Robert Gee.
Mike R. Smith, Wikimedia Commons
Witness To History
Earnhardt Jr grew up around NASCAR racetracks as his dad competed; in the process, he was a witness to several of the greatest events and moments in the sport’s history. One that stood out was the 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona on July 4, 1984. Then-President Reagan was in attendance and joined the drivers and their families for lunch after the event, which was the final win in the career of Richard Petty. It was a larger-than-life moment for the young Earnhardt Jr.
Andrea Ross, Wikimedia Commons
First Races
Earnhardt Jr didn't get into racing until he was 17, a little later than most other drivers. Following a training stint at Andy Hillenburg’s racing school, he joined the Street Stock circuit at Motorsport Park in Concord, North Carolina, driving a car he co-owned with his older half-brother Kerry. It was a great start to a promising career.
Late Models
After a couple of years racing in the Street Stock series, Earnhardt Jr moved up to the Late Model division. Racing regionally, he became a regular at Myrtle Beach Speedway. He also took the pole in the 1994 Greenville Merchants 300 at East Carolina Motor Speedway at Robersonville, North Carolina. The driver was developing his skills off the track as well.
Myrtle Beach TheDigitel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Hands-On Guy
Earnhardt Jr had learned a great deal about how to build and set up cars for races. He earned an associate degree in automotive technology while working as a mechanic at his dad’s car dealership.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1998: Busch Series Champ
In 1998, Earnhardt Jr began driving full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (at that time called the Busch Series) for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) after running in a few races the year before. It was an eventful year, including a crash at Daytona on the same weekend that Dale Earnhardt Sr won his first and only Daytona 500. But Earnhardt Jr showed a steady hand for the rest of the year, enough to take the Busch Series Championship. He was gaining notice from fellow drivers.
1998: A Rivalry And A Friendship Begins
A hard-fought race at Pikes Peak International Raceway led to Tony Stewart bumping Earnhardt Jr off the track. After warnings were issued by NASCAR, the always competitive Stewart reconciled with Earnhardt, knowing that they would be competitors for a long time to come. The two maintained a fierce but respectful rivalry, and have been friends off the track ever since.
Freewheeling Daredevil, Flickr
1999: Second Straight Busch Series Victory
As if the previous year’s success wasn’t enough, Earnhardt Jr followed that effort with an exceptional year of six wins and 11 other top-five finishes. One of these included a runner-up to Jeff Gordon at the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix on November 6. The year’s performance was enough to beat out Jeff Green and Matt Kenseth for his second straight Busch Series championship.
D Ramey Logan, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999: First Winston Cup Races
Earnhardt Jr drove in five races for DEI in 1999 at the wheel of the number 8 Chevrolet sporting the Budweiser sponsorship. The highlights included an eight-place start at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, and a 10th-place finish at the Richmond fall race. Earnhardt Jr was ready to join the Winston Cup Series full time.
Mike Fonseca, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2000: First Winston Cup Year
Earnhardt Jr’s first full year on the circuit gave him everything he could handle, and he came through with flying colors. Earnhardt battled all that year for Rookie of the Year honors with Kenseth in a season that saw several great moments.
Freewheeling Daredevil, Flickr
2000: First Win, First Record
In the seventh race of the season and only the 12th of his career, Earnhardt Jr led the final 53 laps to take the 2000 DirecTV 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. It broke his dad’s modern-era (post-1971) NASCAR record for fewest races needed for a first win, with just 12. There were more great moments to come that year.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2000: Winston Winner
The 2000 Winston was one of the most memorable of the Annual All-Star race’s history. It ended with Earnhardt Jr overtaking Dale Jarrett for the win, with Earnhardt Sr in hot pursuit. The win marked the first time a rookie had ever taken the prestigious event, and even better for Earnhardt Jr, netted him a prize of $500,000.
2000: A Great Family Moment
NASCAR involves fathers and sons like no other sport, and there was no better instance of this than at the 2000 Pepsi 400 at Michigan International Speedway, when Earnhardt Jr raced against his dad and his half-brother Kerry. It was the first time three family members had run in the same race since the Pettys, Lee and his sons Richard and Maurice, had done it back in the early 60s.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, Flickr
2001: Tragedy
Earnhardt Jr was having a fantastic Daytona 500, trailing only teammate Michael Waltrip as they rounded the final turn before the finish. It was there that the third-place Earnhardt Sr made contact and slammed into the wall in the crash that claimed the driving legend’s life. The NASCAR world was shocked; but to Earnhardt Jr, the devastating loss was far more personal.
JazzyJoeyD, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2001: He Did What Was Right
It was driver Sterling Marlin who had made contact with Earnhardt Sr’s car just before the fatal impact, and in the week following the terrible event, Marlin received countless threats of bodily harm from distraught fans. Earnhardt Jr recognized that it had been a tragic accident; he and Michael Waltrip publicly urged fans not to point the finger of blame at anyone for what happened.
The U.S. Army, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2001: Return To Daytona And An Incredible Victory
Earnhardt Jr was determined to continue racing even in the darkest circumstances imaginable. He managed a victory on his return to Daytona at the Pepsi 400 on July 7, going from sixth to first over the final two laps. He beat out teammate Michael Waltrip by a nose for possibly the greatest win of his career.
2001: An Emotional Win At Dover
The 2001 MBNA Cal Ripken Jr 400 at Dover was the first NASCAR race held after the September 11 Attacks. Earnhardt Jr triumphed over Jerry Nadeau and Ricky Rudd, finishing off the day with the famous Polish victory lap and the Stars and Stripes flying out his window. Earnhardt also pledged $75,000 of his prize money to 9/11 relief efforts. It was a selfless move that helped heal a grieving nation.
2002: Another Tough Season
Earnhardt Jr sustained a concussion at the April race at the California Speedway when his car went into the wall. It was a very different era, and like so many other drivers before him, Earnhardt Jr didn’t report the full extent of the injury to NASCAR until that September. It was soon after this incident that NASCAR brought in much stricter concussion protocols.
Gateman1997, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
2002: Talladega Sweep
Earnhardt claimed both Cup races at Talladega that season, taking the Aaron’s 499 on April 21, followed by a victory in the EA Sports 500 on October 6. The second of these marked his third straight Talladega victory; Buddy Baker was the only other driver to accomplish the mark.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2003: Breaking A Talladega Record
Earnhardt Jr continued his Talladega exploits into 2003 with another win at the Aaron’s 499. Though he went below the yellow line to pass in the late stages, race officials ruled that he was forced down by Matt Kenseth, and the win stood. Earnhardt Jr remains the only driver to win four straight races at Talladega.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, Flickr
2003: Most Popular Driver
The end of the 2003 NASCAR season saw fans vote on the most popular driver, with Earnhardt Jr coming out on top for the first time in his career. It was the beginning of one of the greatest streaks in NASCAR history, marking Earnhardt's special connection with NASCAR fans.
National Guards, Wikimedia Commons
2004: Daytona 500 Win
Earnhardt Jr held off a strong charge by Tony Stewart to take his first Daytona 500. It was the sixth anniversary of his dad’s first and only victory at the hallowed race, and the third win for DEI racing in four years, including Michael Waltrip’s wins in 2001 and 2003.
Grindstone Media Group. Shutterstock
2004: Crash At Sonoma
Earnhardt had a serious crash on July 18 while practicing for the American Le Mans Series race at Sonoma Raceway in California. The car caught on fire after crashing into a concrete barrier and breaking a fuel line. Earnhardt Jr sustained second- and third-degree burns to his neck, chest, and legs. He would continue racing in Winston Cup action, but several races that season saw him being relieved by other drivers.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, Flickr
2004: Weekend Sweep At Bristol
Earnhardt Jr became the first driver to sweep the Busch series and Nextel Cup races at Bristol on the same weekend. The Nextel Cup win in the Sharpie 500 came exactly five years after Earnhardt Sr’s last victory at the same track.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, Flickr
2004: Phoenix Win Caps Great Year
Earnhardt’s victory at the Checker Auto Parts 400 marked his sixth win of the year, a career best. Despite the crash at Sonoma, and finishing off the pace in the season’s final two events, it was an outstanding year for the driver.
Georgia Peanut Commission, Flickr
2006: Richmond Win
Earnhardt claimed the victory at the 10th race of the 2006 season, the Crown Royal 400, beating out Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick. The win would turn out to be his last with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2007: Move To Hendrick Motorsports
Realizing that his best chance at a Nextel Cup win was by joining Hendrick, Earnhardt made the switch from DEI at the end of 2007. There was also a strong family connection as Earnhardt Jr’s grandfather, Robert Gee, was a longtime friend and partner of Rick Hendrick. He signed with the powerhouse racing organization for a five-year deal, replacing former Hendrick ace Kyle Busch.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2008-2012: The Hendrick Years
Earnhardt Jr drove for Hendrick in their number 88 Chevrolet as a nod to his grandfather Ralph, who drove with that number back in the 50s and 60s. But wins were tough to come by in these years as established drivers such as himself, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon were challenged by outstanding newcomers like Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, and others. Earnhardt Jr took only two wins in the four-year span despite showing stretches of his usual outstanding driving.
Marco Becerra, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2012: Injury And The End Of A Streak
Hendrick sidelined Earnhardt Jr for two weeks in October after he suffered concussions during races two different times in a six-week span. It was the end of a streak of 461 consecutive Cup races for Earnhardt Jr dating back to 1999. Earnhardt would return and drive in the season finale at Homestead, finishing 10th.
Darron Salzer, Wikimedia Commons
2014: Second Daytona 500 Win
It was a crash-filled Daytona 500 in 2014, with numerous lead changes until a restart with two laps remaining, as Earnhardt Jr got the jump and held off Denny Hamlin for the victory. Coming after three second-place finishes in the previous four years at Daytona, it was one of the biggest victories of his career.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2014: Pocono Sweep
Earnhardt Jr became the first driver in eight years to take both Cup races at Pocono. The second win at the notoriously tricky racetrack was a particular nailbiter and came after a caution with four laps to go. The wins gave Earnhardt his first multi-win season since 2004.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2014: First Martinsville Win
Earnhardt Jr gained his elusive first victory at one of NASCAR’s greatest short tracks in the 2014 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. Taking the lead from Tony Stewart and holding off the always dangerous Jeff Gordon, the Martinsville win was a special one for Earnhardt after all of his super-speedway success in years past.
Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2015: Sixth Talladega Victory
The 2015 Geico 500 saw Earnhardt Jr take the lead with 27 laps remaining. From then on, he never looked back, taking his sixth career victory at Talladega, tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins by an active driver.
Morrison_2001, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2015: Another Daytona Moment
Earnhardt Jr led the field for 97 laps , finally collecting his second win of 2015 at Daytona’s Coke Zero 400. He held off strong bids from Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin for yet another sparkling Daytona memory.
Nascarking, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2015: Final Victory At Phoenix
The final win of Earnhardt’s career was perhaps the most unusual, with the 2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 called early after rain extended a caution period and a red flag on lap 220. Earnhardt Jr credited his entire team and their great qualifying run the day before for putting him in a position to win.
Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2017: A Difficult Decision
After a season-ending concussion in 2016 followed by a rough start to the 2017 season, Earnhardt Jr announced that 2017 would be his last on the NASCAR Cup circuit. The tough decision did nothing to diminish his appeal with NASCAR fans, who voted Earnhardt Jr Most Popular Driver for the 15th straight year, one short of a record streak set by the great Bill Elliott in the 90s.
GalaxyTrooper, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
2021: Hall Of Fame Honors
In honor of his 26 career wins, 260 top 10s, and two Daytona 500 victories, Dale Earnhardt Jr was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2021. With the honor, he joined his father Dale Earnhardt Sr, who had been inducted in the Hall’s inaugural class of 2010.
Jayme Pastoric, Wikimedia Commons
A Respected Voice
Since leaving the Cup series, Earnhardt Jr has continued racing part-time in the Xfinity series with Junior Motorsports, a Hendrick affiliate of which he is a part owner. He continues to be highly visible as a commentator on NASCAR with different television and streaming venues, most recently with Amazon Prime and TNT.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Enduring Legacy
Dale Earnhardt Jr had one of the greatest careers in NASCAR. Following in the tracks of his legendary father, Earnhardt experienced some of the greatest triumphs and worst tragedies ever seen in the sport. He has emerged through it all to become one of the most popular and respected figures in NASCAR history.
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