“They’ve really been hitting her”: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed wife Amy’s reaction to his career tribute videos

Former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from racing after the end of the 2017 Cup Series season. Throughout the season, Dale Jr. was presented with gifts and tributes in appreciation of his presence on the track throughout his career. During one interview, Earnhardt Jr. recalled his wife feeling the emotions that transpired from such tributes.

Following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Jr. made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series (now Xfinity) in 1996. He quickly rose to prominence, securing back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999. Over his career, he amassed 50 race wins across NASCAR's top two divisions. However, unlike his father (who earned seven), he could not capture a Cup Series championship.

Dale Jr.'s full-time career in the Cup Series ended after the 2017 Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami, where he placed 25th. Despite not making it to the playoffs that season, Dale Jr. and his wife Amy Earnhardt's emotions ran high after watching a tribute video made by Budweiser, his primary sponsor.

Shortly after watching the highs and the lows of his celebrated career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his emotions about leaving the Cup Series full-time.

“You just don’t expect stuff like that. You don’t ever assume,” he said. “They were all very emotional. [Wife] Amy is the one that’s obviously the most emotional, with being pregnant and everything, so they’ve really been hitting her. The Budweiser one was great. I mean there are so many fond memories of those years and they did such a great job of shaping that. It’s been really neat.” Dale Jr. said (via The Florida Times-Union).

Furthermore, he outlined how it was "great timing" for him to be leaving his professional career in NASCAR, and how in his heart, his career had "ran its course."

“This is great timing for me. It’s time for somebody else to get in that car and get out of it what they can. And with Alex [Bowman] coming in behind, it’s just a great opportunity for him."

"It’s his time. It’s now his moment going into next season to take his career wherever he can go. And mine, in my heart, has ran its course.” he added

Now the owner of JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues his legacy in NASCAR. Two of four JR Motorsports drivers are in contention for the Xfinity title, with Justin Allgaier leading the driver standings.

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NASCAR playfully teases Dale Earnhardt Jr. with '50 beer' challenge on his special day

Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrated his 50th birthday on Thursday, October 10. As the birthday wishes came soaring in for the celebrated driver, one peculiar wish on NASCAR's official social media joked that he drink as many beers as his age.

A recent post on NASCAR's X (formerly Twitter) was captioned:

"50th birthday means 50 beers, right @DaleJr ? 😅 "

Earnhardt Jr. took a break from his regular life for a few days, deciding to spend his birthday with his wife Amy, and his two children, Isla and Nicole.