Teary-Eyed Kelley Earnhardt Confesses Earning Dale Earnhardt’s Approval by Giving Up Her “Tomboy” Dreams

Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a bada** on the track for about 20 years. But his reputation as “The Intimidator” was not only confined to the tracks. His children Dale Earnhardt Jr and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller also had to bear the brunt of that image. At the Dale Jr. Download podcast in 2019, Kelley did not hold back to mentioning how they didn’t have a “family loving situation” and how she often felt “like he (Dale Sr) didn’t like you, [like] he didn’t love you during times when we were in trouble.” Dale Sr.’s strict disciplinarian self almost always took precedence over the fatherly side.

As a daughter, it was not easy for Kelley to impress someone as towering as the 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. So difficult it was that she had to sacrifice the dreams she had as a young girl to earn that note of approval from her father. She recently opened up to Kenny Wallace on The Kenny Wallace Show, revealing how she navigated Dale Sr’s expectations.

Dale Earnhardt’s influence on Kelley: positive or negative?

Kelley, the co-owner and vice president of JR Motorsports, found her love in race cars, hunting, and riding motorcycles in her youth. But that was not how her father wanted her to be. Dale steered her away from these pursuits, believing they were not suitable for girls. Elaborating on how and why Dale Sr denied her the liberties, she further added, “I was a tomboy growing up… I wanted to race cars… And my dad was always like that’s not for girls.” Dale’s traditional views on gender roles forced Kelley to abandon her passion for being a good daughter.

Eventually, Kelley pursued higher education at UNC Wilmington, a decision heavily influenced by Dale Jr’s insistence. Kelley hinted at the hardships she went through at her college, UNC Wilmington. She said, “I’m in Wilmington. I’m at the beach. I got a full-time job at the mall, and you know you work 365 days at the mall…” Even then she did not return home to her dad. But one incident changed it all.

“I got a set of flowers from my dad. And it said, ‘It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I love you so much. I forgot what you look like,'” Kelley reminisced as she turned emotional. This heartfelt gesture prompted Kelley to return home as she realized the value of real things in life. “So, I guess that made me decide to move home, and I moved home, and I finished my college career at UNC, ” Kelley said. As a result, she ended up blending her academic pursuits with her burgeoning career in motorsports.

Kelley shared the clip of The Kenny Wallace Show interview on her X while writing, “He even made me cry…well @Kenny_Wallace, didn’t make me, but the conversation we had did. This conversation was my number 1 fun of any interview.” Interestingly, as she revealed, she had two conditions for his dad to return home.

“Race cars and have my own apartment,” revealed Kelley. That love for racing probably made her succeed in a male-dominated industry rising through the ranks at JR Motorsports. She balanced her studies and a full-time job, ultimately achieving a degree in business administration with a concentration in production and inventory management from UNC Charlotte. Her father’s influence, although challenging at times, instilled in her a strong work ethic and resilience that have become hallmarks of her career. On the other hand, her mother’s influence also could not be denied.

Relationship with Brenda Jackson

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Kelley’s relationship with her mother, Brenda Jackson [Dale Sr’s second wife], added another layer to her story. Brenda, a pivotal figure in JR Motorsports, supported Kelley and her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr, throughout their careers. After divorcing Dale Earnhardt, Brenda faced numerous challenges, including a devastating house fire that led her to transfer custody of her children to Dale.

Despite this, Brenda remained a constant source of support and inspiration for her kids. Kelley shared how her mother’s resilience and humor became integral to the culture at JR Motorsports. Reflecting on her mother’s influence, she stated, “Her sarcastic musings and straightforward approach injected a brand of humor at JR Motorsports.”

Additionally, Brenda Jackson’s support extended beyond professional realms, influencing Kelley’s approach to balancing personal and professional life. She joined JR Motorsports in 2004 and played a significant role in the organization’s success, contributing to its growth into a championship-winning team.

Despite their challenges, Brenda’s involvement ensured that the family legacy continued to thrive, even after her passing in 2019 due to cancer and the mother was proud of how her children were doing.

“I am a very, very lucky woman as I get to interact with my kids almost every day… Kelley’s standards are very high. She conducts herself that way and she expects that of everyone else. Dale Jr. just gets bigger and bigger. I am very proud of his accomplishments, ” Brenda had said in 2018 according to JRM’s official announcement after she passed away.

Dale Earnhardt Sr and Brenda’s legacy lives on through their children and the Dale Jr. Foundation. Kelley’s journey exemplifies her resilience, determination, and ability to navigate complex family dynamics. Despite her father’s traditional views and high expectations, she forged a successful career in a male-dominated industry. Her story is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of family as they ensure the Earnhardt name remains synonymous with excellence in NASCAR.