If there’s one star who’s become synonymous with sports in America, it’s Taylor Swift. Since she appeared at the Super Bowl, fans and athletes have taken every chance they get to view the performances of the Eras Tour star. When Dale Earnhardt Jr got the opportunity, however, he simply turned it down. Instead of joining the packed stadium, he headed out into the quiet woods, embracing the peace of a deer stand with just nature around him.

As Amy shared highlights of her Swiftie night, Dale was equally excited to recount his own experiences during his time away. He spoke about the thrill of spotting deer, setting up decoys, and enjoying the serene atmosphere that comes with being alone in the wilderness. For Dale, this hunting trip was more than just a hobby—it was a chance to escape his busy life and connect with memories of his past.

Why is hunting more important to Dale Jr than a Taylor Swift concert

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently opened up about his choice that might surprise fans—opting out of a Taylor Swift concert. While his wife Amy and daughter Isla had a fantastic night at the show, Dale Jr. was off doing something entirely different, and for him, it was a priceless experience. On The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took a nostalgic dive into his love for hunting over picking Taylor Swift. “I went hunting,” explained Dale Jr when he asked about why he missed the Taylor Swift concert. Dale shared how hunting isn’t just about the thrill of the chase or the trophy for him. Instead, it’s the way the time spent hunting reminds him of his father, Dale Sr., and those simpler times when he simply tagged along with his father.

In the lastest episode, “Not trying to get mushy here,” Dale Earnhardt Jr admits, “but I think about my dad a lot, honestly, a lot when I’m deer hunting, because he loved hunting.” Junior remembered being “five or six years old,” lying down on a tiny, uncomfortable “chain-up deer stand,” just because he wanted so badly to be with his dad. “It was miserable,” he confessed. “I hated it, but I wanted so badly to be with him, where he was.” 

And even though it took him years to come around, Dale Jr has finally grown to appreciate it just as much as his dad did. “I don’t care if I get one or not. I really don’t, I mean, I want to,” Dale admits, “but some hunters are, like, really disappointed if it doesn’t work out right.” For him, it’s more about the peace, the time to “sit there, think about life, think about the choices you’ve made.” Dale recounted a moment where he watched “a doe and a squirrel share a waterhole” as if he were a character in a Disney movie. “Yeah, well, you’re basically Snow White,” a co-host joked, as Dale recalled the magic of that little scene—“They’re looking at each other like, ‘How cool is this? If you’re good, I’m good.’”

For Dale, ditching any big, flashy invitation—even one that might include the likes of Taylor Swift—seems like an easy call when it comes to honoring his dad’s favorite pastime. It’s clear that the thrill of hunting and the peace it brings means far more to him than any A-list event could, as it keeps him close to memories of his dad. However, this is not the only story about his dad that Dale Jr shared on the podcast.

Where did Dale Jr get his passion for hunting from

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Dale Earnhardt Sr. truly etched his reputation in NASCAR history. Whether he was tearing up the track at Daytona or making his mark on a small town in North Carolina, Earnhardt’s presence was larger than life. And while many fans remember him as the fearless driver of that intimidating black No.3 Chevrolet, there was another side to Dale—one that loved the outdoors, especially in Texas.

For Dale, Texas wasn’t just another stop on the racing circuit; it was a place where he could unwind and embrace one of his favorite pastimes—hunting. On an episode of the Dale Earnhardt Download podcast, Dale Jr. sat down with Hank Parker, a close friend of Dale Sr. and a renowned fisherman, who shared some unforgettable stories about their hunting trips in Texas. Their favorite spot? Piloncilla Ranch in Cotulla, a beautiful stretch of land near Laredo where they bonded over their love for the hunt and the outdoors. According to Parker, the two had a sort of pact—Piloncilla Ranch would always be their special place.

But Piloncilla wasn’t Dale’s only Texas haunt. There’s also footage of him hunting deer at Timmins Ranch in Hutto, Texas, another favorite spot for the Intimidator. Between the tracks and the ranches, Texas was a second home for Dale, blending his passions for racing and hunting into one place.

Of course, Dale Sr. was no stranger to Texas Motor Speedway either, where he raced from 1997 to 2000. While he never snagged a win at that track, he celebrated a proud moment in 2000 when he watched his son, Dale Jr., cross the finish line to claim his very first NASCAR victory. It was a moment that captured the bond between father and son—a legacy shared between generations and marked in Texas.

Reflecting on Dale’s life, it’s easy to imagine the adventures he might have had if he were still here—more races, more hunts, and maybe even that elusive Texas Motor Speedway win. Though he’s gone, Dale Earnhardt’s memory lives on, not only as a racing legend but as a man who found peace in the Texas wilderness, surrounded by friends, family, and the thrill of the hunt. That said, did you know about the story behind Dale Jr’s passion for hunting?