A strong case could be made for The Earnhardts being the Royal family of NASCAR, perhaps even of American motorsports history. There was Ralph Earnhardt who laid the seeds for success, then came Dale Earnhardt who became the defining anti-hero persona of the word successful, and then came Dale Earnhardt Jr, the man who redefined the word success.
Having said that, despite it being nonsensical to a point, what if one was made to choose between the two Dales? Of course, not everyone can be liked, and not every question has to have a singular objective answer.
https://t.co/li31qz00LB pic.twitter.com/Fk4g8LJGZw
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 29, 2022
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But still, who would be the better Dale between the father, who won seven Cup titles rolling straight into the Hall of Fame’s first class, and the son, who won the Most Popular Driver award 15 times, but never a Cup title, and still ended up in the Hall of Fame?
Well, NASCAR fans reached a rather interesting conclusion when confronted with a choice between the two.
NASCAR fans agree Dale Jr. and Dale Sr. are incomparable or else, equals
Reacting to a tweet posted by Racin RoundTable, a majority of NASCAR fans agreed that both Dale Jr. and Dale Sr. are “two different generations“, two very different personalities with two very different, but crucial legacies in the sport.
There were some who were able to pick one over the other, but for most, this battle was either a tie or a demand for a refund.
two different generations. One of the reasons why dale sr is so popular is because of his death. Dale Junior, even though he’s no longer racing. He is very much in the sport so my honest opinion it really depends on what generation you’re talking to mine dale jr
— Zachary_clark (@Zachary_N_Clark) December 29, 2022
Sr was hated before death, Jr was always popular
— Brett (@22fan4ever) December 29, 2022
Senior was hated by a ton of fans until he died. I’m pretty sure junior is more universally loved.
— Colin With Cars 🇺🇦 (@colin_with_cars) December 29, 2022
At this day in age…I’d say it’s almost right down the middle!
— Mason Cochran (@MasonCochran444) December 29, 2022
Both are to me
— 🍑sassypeach08🍑 (@sassypeach08) December 29, 2022
Both
— Kimberly Winegardner (@KimmieSue24) December 29, 2022
Sr has one Most Poplar Driver award, but if it wasn't for Sr we would never know Jr.
Jr has 15 Most Poplar Driver award— Lion Queen 2U 🦁 🇺🇸 💟 (@Queen2Lion) December 29, 2022
Watch This Story: Perennial Fan-Favorites Dale Earnhardt Jr and Chase Elliott Have This NASCAR Legend to Thank for Their Superstardom
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals the “breakthrough” conversation he had with his dad
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In an episode of his podcast, the Hall of Fame inductee spoke about an incident from the early days of his racing career in the Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) team.
This one time, an upset Dale Jr. faced the wrath of his father because he wasn’t in the garage fixing the car with the mechanics. Instead, he was sitting inside a room, sulking, having vodka and cigarettes.
After the senior Earnhardt tried talking some sense into his son in his usual way, unusually, the son talked back to his father. And instead of the Intimidator shutting him down; he replied to his frustrated son with humility.
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“It was the greatest conversation we ever had,” Dale Jr recalled. “It was the first conversation, first real talk we had. And he went from, ‘You’re f*****g up…you gotta get you a** in gear,’ to, like, explaining to me.”
“It was the first time he really let me understand like, ‘This is for you, man,’” Earnhardt Jr continued.
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This, for Junior, was “a breakthrough”, post which their relationship got better, for the better until what happened, happened.