Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always been open about his bond with his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Their relationship, marked by love and mentorship, blossomed further as they worked side by side in the NASCAR world. But a recent conversation on Dale Jr.’s podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, brought to light a stark contrast in how his half-brother, Kerry Earnhardt, experienced their father.

While Dale Jr. grew up with his father guiding him both personally and professionally, Kerry’s journey to connect with Dale Sr. was riddled with hurdles. On the podcast, Kerry opened up about his childhood, recounting a deeply personal story that shocked Dale Jr. into a rare moment of exasperation.

Three years of waiting: Kerry’s long path to meet Dale Sr.

Kerry Earnhardt, the eldest son of Dale Earnhardt Sr., was born in 1969 when Dale Sr. was just 18 years old. His parents, Dale Sr. and Latane Brown divorced when Kerry was just one. Raised by his mother and stepfather Jack Key, Kerry had little contact with his biological father growing up. By the time Kerry was a teenager, Earnhardt Sr. had already begun chasing his NASCAR dreams, often at the expense of family time.

On the podcast, Kerry described the bittersweet moment he first spoke with his father over the phone. “After that phone call, I was relieved. I got to talk to my dad, knew who he was now,” Kerry said. Dale Earnhardt Jr., trying to grasp the emotion of that moment, asked, “Did he seem sincere?” Kerry assured him that he did.

However, that phone call did not immediately translate into a face-to-face meeting. Kerry explained that he had to navigate the emotional and logistical obstacles posed by his family situation. His stepfather, Jack Key, was less than enthusiastic about Kerry meeting Dale Sr., fearing it might lead to emotional hurt. “Jack wasn’t for me visiting with him or being in his life, and that’s why I was out of it,” Kerry recalled.

Dale Jr., curious about Jack’s perspective, probed further: “Was he upset with Dad because…?” Kerry speculated that it was more about concern than resentment. “I think he was more worried about me getting hurt,” Kerry admitted.

This dynamic led to a three years-long delay in Kerry meeting his father in person. He recalled receiving Christmas gifts from Dale Sr., but no visits were arranged.

When Dale Jr. realized the length of this delay—three years after the initial phone call—he couldn’t hide his frustration: “Wait a minute, three years? The first time you talked to him and you still didn’t see him for three years?” His disbelief boiled over as he exclaimed, “Weren’t you like ‘what the fu-k’?”

Kerry, however, took a more measured approach at the time. “I didn’t want to stir things up where it could never happen,” explaining his cautious optimism and desire not to push too hard to force a relationship with the big man. It wasn’t until Kerry obtained his driver’s license that he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Kerry Earnhardt recalls his first encounter with Dale Earnhardt

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Kerry Earnhardt didn’t even know who his biological father was until he was in ninth grade. He had no clue that NASCAR’s “Intimidator” was his dad. Imagine discovering that the man idolized by millions is your father—talk about overwhelming.

However, everything changed when Kerry turned 16 and got his driver’s license. Armed with a newfound sense of freedom—and a 1972 Chevelle—Kerry made his move. “I told Mom I was going to just cruise around,” he recounted. Instead, he drove straight to his grandmother’s house, knowing his dad might be nearby.

But even then, it wasn’t easy. Kerry spent two hours building up the courage to approach Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was working in the garage. Finally, he walked in, and the first words he heard were simple but unforgettable: “Hey, son.”

That meeting wasn’t just a father-son reunion—it was Kerry’s ticket into a family he’d only known from afar. Over time, he began bonding with his father and siblings, particularly his step-sister Kelley Earnhardt. While the family dynamics weren’t always smooth, Kerry’s connection with Dale Sr. began to take shape, filling a void that had been present for much of his life.