PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
Without a doubt, Dale Earnhardt is one of the most iconic figures in the NASCAR arena. However, licensed merchandise of The Intimidator has been jealously guarded. Fortunately, there is some delight for the fans as NASCAR used the whole of last year to negotiate with Dale Sr’s estate. Eventually, the sport has finally got a chance to market official Dale Sr merchandise and people couldn’t be any happier. Among the people celebrating were Dale Earnhardt Jr. and several other fans.
.@NASCAR has been working with the estate of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. over the last year to put out a bunch of new licensed merchandise around The Intimidator, whose brand remains fashionable two decades after his passing.
🔗: https://t.co/6Sa77gHVMU pic.twitter.com/epQ7dpZjBf
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 29, 2022
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The merchandise includes T-shirts, suits, caps, backpacks, shorts, sunglasses and even a Funko Pop of Dale Earnhardt himself. Apparently, the cap was a pretty popular accessory, with Dale Jr even wanting one for himself. However, even the Funko Pop of The Intimidator received a bit of love and attention on social media.
That hat is 🔥
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 29, 2022
Yeah going to need one of those hats for sure.
— Stephen Young (@stevietpfl) June 29, 2022
Got it for my dad for Father's day.
— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) June 29, 2022
I need that Funko Pop right now https://t.co/O602U4KPaV
— Dillon Gaudet (@GaudetWeather) June 29, 2022
Any die-hard fan would probably give anything to get their hands on any of the Intimidator’s merchandise.
READ MORE: Dale Earnhardt’s Revenge Against Kurt Busch for Spinning Out His Son Dale Jr During a NASCAR Race
The late 7-time Cup Series champion is greatly beloved and sorely missed after his fatal accident.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was not the only one to react to the news
There were several other fans who were thrilled at the news. However, a fair number of fans were apprehensive about this, especially because of Dale Sr’s widow, Teresa Earnhardt. The matriarch has been fiercely protective of the Earnhardt name and some fans wondered if they needed to be worried about her.
Teresa be like pic.twitter.com/iFyxjVo56S
— sportsguy070 (@CjNascar6767) June 29, 2022
What do you mean
This was literally negotiated with his estate
Teresa was the one who signed off on this
— 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Adria Fitzy🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@hwf0712) June 29, 2022
What’s going on with those Adidas kicks? I need a pair.
— Rob Kenagy (@RobKenagy) June 29, 2022
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I want that hat!!!!
— james prazuch (@prazuch_james) June 29, 2022
The good news is that it seems that NASCAR has taken all the right steps to commercialize Dale Sr’s merchandise. The organization has gone through the right channels and has worked very hard for this.
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So it is gratifying to see all of their efforts pay off handsomely. In all honesty, Dale Sr is the perfect candidate for this because his brand image is still fashionable, even after all these years.
