Dale Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt was a second-generation NASCAR driver, who is tied for the most number of championship victories in their career. He lost his life in an unfortunate racing accident at the 2001 Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt is a part of the original list of 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR. He was inducted into several Hall of Fames including the NASCAR Hall of Fame (posthumously).

He is known as the “Intimidator”. “Man in Black” and “Ironhead” to the fans.

He is also famous for his famous maneuver,”Pass in the Grass”, at the 1987 Winston All Star Race.

Dale Earnhardt Personal Information:

Dale Earnhardt Early Life

Dale Earnhardt spent his life growing up in the suburbs of Kannapolis, North Carolina. He was 12 years old when he reportedly snuck out his father’s car for a race. Earnhardt went on to compete in his father’s car at the Metrolina Speedway with cars from semi mod and sports divisions. He made his entry in NASCAR Cup Series in 1975 at the World 600 race (later known as the Coca-Cola 600).

Dale Earnhardt Family Background

Dale Earnhardt was born to Ralph Lee Earnhardt and Martha Coleman. He had four siblings, two sisters, Cathay and Kaye, and two brothers, Randy and Danny. Earnhardt’s mother, Martha Coleman lived from 1930 to 2021.

Dale Earnhardt’s father, Ralph Lee Earnhardt was the one who established the foundation of their family’s racing heritage. Ralph Earnhardt was added to the list of 75 Greatest NASCAR Drivers in 2023 due to his legendary status in the sport.

Ralph Earnahrdt has claimed 350 cumulative victories in NASCAR. He lost his life to a heart attack in 1973.

Dale Earnhardt Wife & Former Partners

Dale Earnhardt was married thrice throughout his life. He was married to Teresa Diane Houston at the time of his passing away in 2001. Earnhardt was previously married to Brenda Lorraine Gee from 1972 to 1979 and to Latane Brown from 1968 to 1970.

Teresa Houston was no stranger to NASCAR, as her uncle was Tommy Houston, a famous personality in the Busch Series. She graduated from Bunker Hill High School in Claremont, North Carolina and received a degree in interior design and commercial arts. Dale Earnhardt and Teresa had one child together, Taylor Nicole Earnhardt.

Dale Earnhardt Kids

Dale Earnhardt has four children from his three marriages. He had his first child, Kerry Earnhardt with Latane Brown. He was later married to Brenda Gee and had two sons with her - Kelley King Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He had his last child with his third wife, Teresa Houston - Taylor Nicole Earnhardt.

Kerry Earnhardt was employed in Dale Earnhardt Inc. as a consultant for their driver development program until 2011. Kelley Earnhardt is the co-owner and CEO of JR Motorsports. She used to race at the Hickory Motor Speedway and the Myrtle Beach Speedway. She left racing in 1996 as it conflicted with her full-time job.

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most famous children in the NASCAR community. Eanhardt Jr. owns a race team and operates multiple businesses. Taylor Nicole Earnhardt is rodeo competitor and a cattle rancher, as per her Instagram page.

Dale Earnhardt Net Worth

Dale Earnhardt’s calculated net worth at the time of his death was $70 million according to reports from Celebrity Net Worth. Britannica mentions in a report that he earned more than $30 million in career earnings, owing to his multiple championship titles and Cup Series victories. Earnhardt also earned through sponsorships and endorsement deals throughout his career.

Dale Earnhardt Brand Ambassador

Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 car was primarily sponsored by GM Goodwrench. He was known for his iconic Black and White livery with the sponsor. Coca-Cola, Burger King, ACDelco and Snap-on Tools are some of his famous sponsors.

Dale Earnhardt Investments

Dale Earnhardt’s only known investment is Dale Earnhardt Inc, a racing team founded by him and his third wife, Teresa.

Dale Earnhardt Career Stats

Dale Earnhardt has arguably one of the best career stats in the history of NASCAR. He drove in 676 races over 27 years. Earnahrdt has claimed seven championship titles in the Cup Series, tying with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson. He was a dominant force in the series, winning races across four consecutive decades. He has a cumulative tally of 100 race victories (both points paying and non-paying victories).

Dale Earnhardt NASCAR Records

He is the only driver to secure a victory in four consecutive decades in NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt is only fourth driver to achieve 100 victories in the Cup Series. He is tied for the record of most championship titles in the Cup Series, as of June 2024.

Dale Earnhardt Race Wins/ Podium Finishes

Dale Earnhardt registered 76 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series throughout his career. He also has 428 Top-10s and 22 pole positions to his name in the Cup Series. Earnhardt is among the only drivers to have won the Crown Jewel races in both of their iterations. He is the winner of the 1998 Daytona 500 and the 1995 Brickyard 500.

He has also achieved three victories each in the Southern 500, the Coca-Cola 600 and four wins at the Winston 500. Earnhardt achieved his first victory in the Cup Series in 1979 Southeastern 500 race while driving for Osterlund Racing.

He won his last race at the Talladega Superspeedway in 2000 with the Winston 500. Additionally, Earnhardt has 21 victories in the Busch racing for various teams throughout his career.

Dale Earnhardt Contract

Dale Earnhardt raced with Osterlund Racing during his early years in the sport and won his first title with them back in 1980. Earnhardt joined Richard Childress Racing in 1984, with whom he won multiple races and championships, staying in the Top-10 Driver Standings consistently each year. He was the runner-up in the 2000 championship before his death.

Dale Earnhardt Awards

He was awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina governor Jim Hunt in 1994. Earnhardt was posthumously awarded the Most Popular Driver Award in 2001. He has been inducted into multiple Hall of Fames, including but not limited to the Motorsports Hall of Fame (2002 inductee), the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2010 inductee), International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2006 inductee). He was also named among the 50 Greatest Drivers of NASCAR in 1998 and among the 75 Greatest Drivers later on in 2023.