“When racing is everything, you will sacrifice anything.” This line, emblazoned on promotional materials for the Earnhardt series on Amazon Prime, sets the tone for a documentary that peels back the layers of a racing dynasty and the human costs behind legendary triumphs. The four-part series, which premiered its first two episodes on May 22, 2025, and concluded with two final episodes on May 29, 2025, delves deep into Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s career and the intricate web of relationships surrounding him. At its core, “Earnhardt” places family dynamics front and center, weaving archival race footage with candid reflections from his children and those closest to him.
Before Dale Sr. wed Teresa Houston in 1982, a marriage that lasted until his death in February 2001, he had navigated two earlier unions. First with Latane Brown (1968–1970) and then Brenda Gee (married 1971; divorced shortly after Dale Jr.’s birth in April 1974). These relationships, and the decisions made within them, ripple through the narrative. As viewers are drawn into the Earnhardt saga, they learn that Dale Jr.’s rapport with his stepmother Teresa was fraught long before cameras captured it, but in the aftermath of Dale Sr.’s passing, those tensions surfaced publicly, accelerating debates about legacy, control, and memory. With this backdrop, the series promises more than racing lore; and it also brought Teresa’s personality to light, which hasn’t been appreciated by the fans.
Dale Jr. didn’t want to sour his relationship with Teresa further with the Earnhardt documentary
After Dale Sr.’s death in February 2001, his will awarded full ownership of Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) to Teresa, a decision that placed Dale Jr. in a difficult position from the outset. In an interview with Varsity, Dale Jr. reflects on why he measures every word. “I can control that I can say about anybody, right? And I can control. I have that ability while doing an interview with them.” He isn’t merely worried about tone. He’s aware that any misstep could deepen rifts over DEI’s fate or personal grievances. The fact that Teresa assumed total control of DEI underscores why he treads carefully: what he says can shape stakeholder perceptions and influence whether bridges to family ties remain intact.
The tensions weren’t limited to boardrooms. In the years following Dale Sr.’s death, Teresa’s control extended to family matters, reportedly barring Dale Jr. and his sister Kelley from visiting their father’s gravesite, which sits on private property beside Highway 3 in Mooresville, North Carolina, protected by a fence and cameras. Dale Jr.’s caution in public comments reflects an understanding that airing every hurt could further harden stances. He acknowledges, “I’m really not sure I see anything beneficial by diving into all of that. It doesn’t serve me any good. It really, I don’t want to make the relationship with them worse.” Jr. tried to carry on his father’s racing legacy, only to be thwarted by Teresa.
After quarrels over salary and contract negotiation, Dale Jr decided to leave DEI. While the situation that erupted behind the scenes could’ve been settled, Teresa’s comment, “If Dale Jr. doesn’t want to stick around here, we’ll make another Dale Jr.”, backfired big time. And this is when fans who saw Jr. as the heir apparent for Earnhardt’s legacy labeled Teresa as ‘Wicked witch of the South.’ And by 2006, the cracks were too big to hide from the fans as Kelley stepped in to help his brother out with the situation and decided to leave for Hendrick Motorsports. Although since then, Jr. has reclaimed the ownership of the #8 number, perhaps suggesting that he is repairing his broken bond with Teresa. But for Kelley, she didn’t flinch in sharing his honest take about her on the Prime Video docuseries.
Still, his sister Kelley represents the opposite impulse. Dale Jr. notes on Apple Podcast, The Varsity, that Kelley “She’s sort of independent, and her fine moving on and distancing herself and things that aren’t helping her or benefitting her in that moment. You can see that in the documentary as well. I love it, because when I read the comments, there’s celebration of Kelley. She’s just not got the chance to tell her side.”
Kelley didn’t sugarcoat how she felt at the time when Dale Earnhardt and he had a tough time. They didn’t see eye to eye on a range of issues, and that relationship never really turned a corner for good. The DEI empire crumbled as they lost their leader in 2001, and Kelley came to his brother’s aid. While Jr. is still optimistic about mending ties with Teresa, the same cannot be said for her sister.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. as crew chief at Pocono: A new chapter
In another demonstration of his multifaceted role in NASCAR, Dale Jr. will serve as crew chief for Connor Zilisch’s JR Motorsports entry in the Xfinity race at Pocono Raceway on June 21, 2025. As JR Motorsports tweeted on 18 June “This weekend, @DaleJr will be filling in for Mardy Lindley as crew chief of the No. 88 as Lindley serves his one-race suspension for loose lug nuts following the NXS race in Nashville two weeks ago.” Crew chief Mardy Lindley will serve a one-race suspension this week because the team had two lug nuts not safe and secure after the Nashville race earlier this month.
The penalty was deferred, allowing Lindley to be with the team last weekend in Mexico. With Lindley serving the penalty, Dale Jr. stepping into the pit box for the first time in a national series event underscores how he channels racing insights beyond the driver’s seat. With two Cup wins and a strong record of top-10 finishes at Pocono, his strategic input aims to sharpen the team’s approach on the demanding triangular oval.
The veteran driver is not just calling the shots on top of the #88 pit box; he has also undertaken the role of tire sequencing crew member. He is going to be the extra man who will catch the rolling tire pulled out by the pit crew and then also deliver the fresh rubber for his team. Jr. has got a lot on his hands this weekend at Pocono, but he seems to be excited about this new challenge.
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