“Definitely instilled by our dad”: Kelley Earnhardt credits values from Dale Earnhardt Sr. as to not ‘half do anything’ in career

Kelley Earnhardt, daughter of the seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Sr., recently spoke about how her father's influence helped shape her successful career. During an interview with former NASCAR Cup Series driver Mike Skinner's wife, Angie, on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90), she opened up about her upbringing under her father's guidance.

Angie Skinner recalled her first meeting with Kelley and expressed her admiration for how organized and professional she was. Skinner added that despite being NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr's sister, Kelley opted to work and demonstrated a strong commitment towards it, not relying on her family's name for success.

Kelley Earnhardt replied and reflected on her upbringing by her father. She mentioned that her father taught them the value of hard work and personal responsibility. Additionally, Kelley and Dale Jr. were not allowed to use their family name and connections to take shortcuts; instead, they had to prove themselves.

"I mean, that was definitely instilled by our dad. We didn't really get the opportunity to half do anything, you know, or rest on our laurels or our name or anything else. So, you know, right away we went to work, and I think really working under other people, and not in our family business, even though, you know, they were entities owned by my dad," stated Kelley Earnhardt.

"But we didn't get away with anything. We had to get through on climate show from time to do our work and do all this things, so it was just brought up that way," she added. [00:20]

Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s daughter once reflected on his unexpected morning routine, leaving her in disbelief.

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“I can't even picture it”: Kelley Earnhardt on her father's unexpected morning routine

Last year, Kelley Earnhardt featured on her brother Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s podcast series "The Dale Jr. Download." She recalled a lighthearted moment, pointing out their father's unusual morning routine after Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s Bristol win, leaving the brother-sister duo in disbelief.

Despite being known for his intimidating personality on the racetrack, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. often engaged in routines that many would find surprising. These habits were part of his life off-track and gave insights into a different side of the champion.

After Dale Sr. recorded a win at Bristol Motor Speedway, he was exceptional the next morning. Kelley Earnhardt mentioned that her father started his two-mile run, then took a bike for the next mile, followed by an hour of practice of his serve on a tennis court. The first two things didn't catch Kelley's attention, but the tennis court activity made her laugh.

“Tennis court? Where'd he go for that one at? A tennis court practicing his serve. I never knew that,” stated Kelley Earnhardt.

“I gotta recover. Tennis court. I never knew. I can't even picture it. Are we in jorts in the tennis court? Like, where are we?” Kelley said in disbelief," she added.

This moment led to Dale Jr. and his sister bursting into laughter as they reminisced about their father and his unexpected morning routines.