It’s hard not to smile when you look at Dale and Amy Earnhardt. They’re one of NASCAR’s quintessential power couple: a perfect blend of heritage, heart, and humor. Dale Jr., one of the sport’s most beloved figures, and Amy, with her keen eye for design and grounded grace, have built a family that’s as endearing as it is impressive. Together with their daughters, Isla Rose and Nicole Lorraine, the Earnhardts seem to embody the modern American dream. But as much as they’re icons of a sport rooted in Southern tradition, their love story—as Amy recently revealed—has roots far removed from the Carolinas.

And it all began with a “perfect” proposal in a tiny German village nearly a decade ago.

A love that almost didn’t lead to marriage

Amy and Dale Earnhardt Jr. first crossed paths in 2009 when Amy, an accomplished interior designer, was hired to work on Dale’s home in Kannapolis, North Carolina. At the time, Amy had no idea she was dealing with NASCAR royalty, and their connection was instantaneous. Over the next six years, their relationship blossomed, even as marriage seemed like an unlikely outcome. As Amy later shared in a candid conversation with Kenny Wallace, she had grown to accept that she and Dale might never tie the knot.

“We had so many conversations about not getting married that I never thought it would happen,” Amy admitted. “And I was okay with that.”

But in July 2015, Dale Jr. took her by complete surprise. During a trip to Germany to explore his ancestry, Dale dropped to one knee in an idyllic village church. Amy recalled the moment vividly: “I turn around, kind of close to the altar, and he is on his knees. I literally just look at him, jaw dropped, and said, ‘Are you sure?’”

For someone who had seemingly put the idea of marriage to rest, Amy’s initial reaction was one of pure shock. Dale, ever the romantic, delivered a heartfelt proposal that left his sister Kelley in tears. The setting—a quaint church in the middle of the small German town of Ubstadt-Weiher—only added to the fairytale quality of the moment.

“He really knocked it out of the park,” Amy said. “God, it was like a storybook. It was just perfect.”

German roots and a perfect proposal

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The proposal wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was deeply tied to Dale Jr.’s fascination with his heritage. According to Amy, Dale had been diligently researching his genealogy for years, often spending time on his iPad between races. His quest eventually led him to collaborate with a historian in North Carolina, compiling extensive records about his German lineage.

“Dale had done a lot of work on his genealogy,” Amy explained. “Even when we were at the racetrack, in the bus, he had his iPad. He was doing his ancestry. He worked diligently for a very long time on all the facts.”

The trip to Germany was meticulously planned with the help of Martin Friedrich, a German member of JR Motorsports’ IT team. Martin not only guided the Earnhardts through their ancestral discoveries but also played a pivotal role in setting up the unforgettable visit to Ubstadt-Weiher. The small village, with its charming streets and historic church, was the perfect backdrop for Dale’s big moment.

The night before the proposal, the group enjoyed a hearty dinner at a local pub, complete with German wheat beer. “We had a really good old time,” Amy said, laughing. “We couldn’t speak to one another [with the locals], but we all had a lot of fun together.”

The following morning, slightly hungover but brimming with anticipation, they visited the church. As Amy admired the hand-carved pews and the quiet beauty of the space, Dale made his move. His heartfelt gesture not only won over Amy but also cemented the trip as a defining moment in their relationship.

Amy’s family, like Dale’s, has maintained ties to their German ancestry. “My family is also German, and we keep in touch with our ancestors,” she shared. “There were two brothers—one stayed in Germany, and one went to Texas. My grandparents have kept up with them.”

In fact, some of Amy’s relatives live just 150 kilometers from Ubstadt-Weiher, where Dale proposed. This shared heritage has given the Earnhardts a unique bond, while also a testament to how much thought and effort Dale Jr. put into making the proposal meaningful.

“Now when we did the blood test,” Amy added, “Dale was a little more English than German—like 49-51. But Kelley [his sister] was actually a little more German than he was.”

Dale and Amy married in December 2016 at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina, which Kenny Wallace was regretful about as he couldn’t make it for the celebration.

Since then, the Earnhardt’s have built a beautiful life together, raising Isla and Nicole and navigating the challenges of NASCAR fame with grace and humor. While Dale has eased into retirement, his legacy on and off the track continues to shine, thanks in no small part to the love and support of his “perfect” partner.