Imagine a world where the roar of engines is replaced by the smooth crooning of Elvis Presley, where checkered flags give way to blue suede shoes. Sounds like a fever dream? Not for Dale Earnhardt Jr. For years, fans have known him as a NASCAR icon, the son of “The Intimidator,” tearing up the racetrack with a passion that could melt asphalt. But behind the helmet, Dale Jr. is on a different kind of mission, a mission to ensure that future generations know the King.

We’re not talking about Richard Petty here. It’s a journey filled with vinyl records, themed rooms, and the undying spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. But how does a racing legend who has spent his life in the fast lane find time to slow down and share his love for classic tunes with his kids? And what happens when the rebel yell of NASCAR meets the hip-shaking swagger of Elvis? Hold on to your hats, folks, because this is one tribute that’s about to take off like a rocket, or maybe a souped-up Cadillac!

Dale Jr.’s world might seem like it revolves around horsepower, but it turns out there’s another engine revving in his life: music. This isn’t just a casual hobby; it’s a full-blown, pedal-to-the-metal obsession, fueled by memories of his Elvis-loving grandmother. And now he’s passing that torch to his daughters. 

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on a mission from the King Elvis, that is. He’s determined to make sure his kids, Isla and Nicole, grow up with a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll. “I’m trying to get Isla to like perk up and be like Fleetwood Mac; that’s good, you know what I mean? Because I want them to,” Dale Jr. confessed on Bless Your Hardt. It’s like he’s prepping them for a musical trivia night but with way cooler prizes. He knows that a set of parents constantly playing their vinyl collection sets a tone in that kid’s mind and their ear. They have an appreciation for that music that they heard when they grew up, “the same reason I’m an Elvis fan, right? I grew up and my grandmother loved Elvis. I would have probably not cared one bit about Elvis well.”

He believes that exposing kids to classic tunes early on can shape their musical tastes and appreciation for good music. Like he said, “Ever met people that you’re like man, you turned out great, you know, you’re thinking that in your mind you’re like your parents did a good job raising you and they’ll be like and they’ll be one of those people that’ll be like yeah Mom and Dad, they played all the oldies all day music in my house all the time and you’re like man, you know you got a real great appreciation for music from your parents.” It’s like he’s engineering the perfect soundtrack for their childhoods, one vinyl record at a time.

Now, you might be thinking, Okay, that’s sweet, but does it really matter? Well, consider this: music is a powerful time machine. It can transport you back to a specific moment, a feeling, or a memory. And for Dale Jr., those memories are wrapped up in the sounds of Elvis, thanks to his grandmother.

But wait, there’s more to this story than just a love for oldies. Dale Jr. is a man of tradition, and he knows that passing down these musical obsessions is a way of keeping those traditions alive. It’s not just about playing Elvis in the background; it’s about creating a lifestyle that celebrates the King. Take, for example, the Elvis-themed guest room in his house. Yes, you read that right. Dale Jr. has an entire room dedicated to the King, complete with memorabilia and, at one point, speakers that blasted Elvis tunes when you flipped on the lights. Talk about commitment!

Well, talk about a crossover between music and racing, Dale Jr. was able to fulfil his NASCAR dream thanks to a link-up with 10-time Grammy Award winner Chris Stapleton. JRM finally made their Cup Series debut at the Daytona 500 with the backing of Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey. The No. JRM Chevy was piloted by Justin Allgaier who managed a solid top 10 finish at the end of the race.

Hopefully, fans can witness unique partnerships that put NASCAR back into pop culture reference. And it won’t be a surprise if Dale Jr. and JRM are the ones to lead the charge after their success at the Daytona 500.