Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s larger-than-life presence continues to cast a shadow in the heart of die-hard NASCAR fans. His 1998 Daytona 500 win, when he was greeted with every pit crew’s salute, shows his legacy is woven into the fabric of NASCAR. Twenty-five years have passed since The Intimidator left an irreparable void in NASCAR and the hearts of millions.
His untimely death in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked the racing world, yet his legacy as a seven-time champion lives on. Today, in 2025, his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has invested his life in making a new four-part documentary series, Earnhardt. This isn’t another retelling of a racing legend’s life—this is a deeply personal search to tell the next generations why Dale Sr. was, and still is, the heartbeat of NASCAR.
Dale Jr. wants new fans to know about the real Intimidator
The Prime Video series peels back Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s life, from his gritty beginnings in Kannapolis, North Carolina, right on through his reign as one of NASCAR’s all-time greatest drivers. It’s a raw, visceral experience that doesn’t shy away from the highs or the lows—his on-track victories, his bitter rivalries, and the heartbreaking loss that still lingers. He was a legend, mentor, and father to fans who still wear his mythical number 3 on tees and hats today.
The motivation behind this project comes from Junior’s desire to bridge the gap between the fans who watched his father race and the newer ones who only know him as a legend. Earnhardt draws from a wealth of perspectives to bring Dale Sr.’s story to life. The series uses never-before-seen footage, including moments from Earnhardt’s 1998 Daytona 500 victory, to paint a complete picture of a career-defining win after years of near misses. The family’s hands-on role with Dale Jr. and Kelley ensured every detail honored their father’s legacy.
“Well, I know a lot of people that are fans of the sport today may have never seen him race,” Dale Jr. shared in a TODAY interview, “And I see that sometimes in conversation or in social media and so forth. New fans will come in and say, ‘I hear all about this person. Why was he so special? Why do so many fans in this sport continue to celebrate him?’ And so I just think it’s a great opportunity. There’s been some really good documentaries done in the past, but it’s been a while since we’ve had something this deep and thorough. The Imagine group did an amazing job, and it was fun. It was tough, emotional, but it was a lot of fun. I think it’s something we all be proud of.”
Dale Earnhardt Sr, Kelly Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt led more than 25,000 laps in 406 races. His seven NASCAR championships, 76 wins, 26 poles, and the domination he maintained, including 70 second-place finishes, 281 top-five finishes, and 428 top-ten finishes in 676 career starts, isn’t an easy task to be portrayed on the silver screen. His daughter, Kelley Earnhardt, who was heavily invested in the project, felt the burden of her father‘s persistent presence. “My kids didn’t really understand the relationship I had with my dad,” she said. “You can talk about people all day long and share stories, but when I see my dad’s mannerisms, and when I see my dad speak, so much more comes back to me.” She shared with the Charlotte Observer, “People have always said: ‘You guys are just like normal folks.’ And we are normal folks, and this documentary just showcases that.”
Producing Earnhardt was no cakewalk. Dale Jr. spoke candidly about the emotional burden of going back into his father‘s life and death. The project was a labor of love, with the family collaborating closely with Imagine Documentaries to make it real. The result is a series that‘s like sitting with the Earnhardt family—warm, honest, and up close and personal. It conveys Dale Sr.’s unyielding passion, such as the time he moved from 17th to first in a matter of laps at Talladega, and his more subdued times, such as driving home fishing lessons with his children.
To Dale Jr. and Kelley, this is not just a tribute—it‘s keeping their dad’s spirit alive. New fans who experience Dale Sr. through Earnhardt will see why his name still rings out in the stands. His legacy isn‘t in the trophies or the record books; it‘s in the love he engendered, the lives he impacted, and the family that bears his name with pride.
NASCAR’s exciting leap to streaming sits well with Dale Jr
Amazon’s Prime Video is stepping into the NASCAR world, snagging a deal to stream five Cup Series races starting in 2025. This is huge—a $130 billion powerhouse teaming up with our favorite sport! Earnhardt Jr., a legend we all adore, shared his excitement on his podcast, Dale Jr. Download. “I’m thrilled about Amazon coming into the sport,” he said.
“It’s an NBC deal, but Amazon runs the show off-camera. They have their own graphics, their own innovations, but the production is handled by NBC,” Earnhardt Jr. revealed. He believes the shift to streaming will be smooth, saying, “The transition to streaming is going to be seamless.” That’s the kind of confidence that gets fans fired up! The deal, confirmed by NASCAR, means Prime Video will broadcast five races, kicking off with the Coca-Cola 600.
They’re not stopping there—practice and qualifying sessions for all NASCAR series will also stream on Prime Video. Earnhardt Jr. loves this move, noting, “Streaming opens up so many possibilities. Fans can watch anywhere, anytime.” This feels like a new chapter for NASCAR, blending the roar of the track with the ease of clicking “play.” As Earnhardt Jr. put it, “It’s about reaching more people and keeping the sport growing.”
With Amazon’s muscle behind it, the NASCAR community’s ready to cheer louder than ever. So, grab your snacks, cozy up, and let’s get ready to stream the races we love. NASCAR’s future is looking brighter than a victory lane spotlight!
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