The label of a legend usually veils a life of harsh struggle. We all know Dale Earnhardt Sr. as The Intimidator who moved mountains in NASCAR during the 20th century’s latter quarter. His 80 Cup Series wins, 7 championships, and a plethora of thrilling racetrack stories paint him as a racing god. However, this legendary driver’s personal life did not lack a fair share of troubles that set in at an early age.

Although his racing ambition was crystal clear, Dale Sr.’s relationships were fuzzy. He was married to his first wife, Latane, when the couple were merely 18 years old. What followed was a series of bad decisions – that Dale Sr. learned from and taught his son, Kerry Earnhardt, accordingly.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s lesson about retaining family

For a man who knew racing would be his lifelong passion, familial ties are bound to be strained. Raised by Ralph Earnhardt, a stock car racer in the American Southeast, Dale Earnhardt Sr. knew where his priorities lay. He dropped out of high school in 1967 at 16 years old, investing all his time in racing. So when he married Latane at 18, Dale Sr. could not handle the demanding responsibilities of a parent. They divorced not long after – when their son, Kerry Earnhardt was just a year old. Yet when the latter proceeded to make the same mistake at Dale Sr.’s age, his old man taught him otherwise.

The former NASCAR driver recently appeared on his stepbrother, Dale Jr.’s show, The Dale Jr. Download. Kerry Earnhardt confessed about his own teen marriage problems that he could not cope with. “I ended up getting married at 18. Had a kid – Bobby. Then two years later at 19, had another kid – Jeffrey… But then I separated from my wife, left her after Jeffrey was born… we were too young, we just didn’t gel after a few years. Things weren’t right for us, it wasn’t a good household. I chose to end our marriage and give our boys the best life we could give. ‘Cause together it wasn’t good – arguing, fighting, and bickering all the time. Things she had going on in her life that didn’t fit family life.”

But then Dale Earnhardt Sr. stepped in. He talked to the young couple and coaxed them into reconsidering their harsh decision. Kerry continued narrating the story: “We did that, and then dad talked…to us together about us moving in together. At this point, I was 21. We talked about it and he had a… double wide across the road from the race shop…on Highway 3. And we moved into there… getting to hang out. We had that little consul TV with the antennas… So we had a good time… Of course, living together, you’re always fighting or arguing over anything or food… The mess we lived in.”

Due to Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s guidance, Kerry did not let go of his Earnhardt side. But in this process, things took a bitter turn later.

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Fighting to retain his birthright

Well, technically, Kerry sported a different title after Dale Earnhardt Sr. left. His mother Latane married Jack Key, who brought up Kerry as his own. However, Kerry’s reconnection with Dale Sr. at 16 was life-changing. He pursued his own motorsports career, scoring two top fives and eight top 10s in 11 races and becoming Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series. After his father passed away, Kerry strove to promote his family name. He and his wife Rene launched the “Earnhardt Collection” of homes built by Schumacher Homes. However, his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, placed thorns in his enterprise.

Being the sole proprietor of Dale Earnhardt Inc., she filed an appeal in a federal court, challenging Kerry’s use of the Earnhardt name in 2016. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruling denied Teresa’s challenge. After winning the case, Kerry Earnhardt explained how much effort was put into his business venture. “Rene and I have worked extremely hard to develop the Earnhardt Collection brand and make it uniquely ours. I chose to leave a successful career in racing and could not be happier with what we’ve been able to achieve in the five years we’ve been building our home lifestyle brand inspired by our love of the outdoors.”

He added, “Just me and my wife trying to build a brand for our family and everything, and then for her to come and oppose it — I don’t think if you had a relationship that any family member would do that.” Teresa Earnhardt does not have the best reputation amongst NASCAR circles. She was criticized heavily for not allowing Dale Jr. to use his #8 car with Hendrick Motorsports after joining them from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 2007, as she owned the rights to it. It was only this year when the trademark expired that Dale Jr. took it up to renew it and brandished his iconic Budweiser #8 livery at the Florence Motor Speedway.

Evidently, Kerry Earnhardt cherishes his time with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and a ton of honor to be a part of the Earnhardt family. His dad is already etched in racing legacy, and these little stories make him evergreen.