dale jr yacht

Go Inside Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s Stunning $4 Million Former Yacht, “Sunday Money”

Now this is a yacht fit for a legend.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.   very tragically passed away right before the completion of his massive yacht he named “Sunday Money,” which is a 2001 model, 100-ft. Hatteras with five staterooms and a Detroit Diesel engine.

It was formerly located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was named for the song country duo Brooks & Dunn actually wrote with Dale Sr. , and was later recorded for the album  The Dale Earnhardt Winston Cup Collection .

That specific record was done in conjunction with his 1993 NASCAR Cup Series Championship (his sixth title out of seven overall) and played at the awards banquet to honor him that year.

Anywho, according the Charlotte Observer , the yacht was built to replace a 1989 Hatteras 74 CPMY that Sr. used for deep-sea fishing, and it is such a shame he never got to take it out into the open waters, as he sadly passed away on February 18th, 2001 during a final-lap collision in the Daytona 500.

Hatteras Yachts Customer Service Manager Baird Paschal told the outlet that back in the day, it was a massive deal when Dale Earnhardt paid a visit to their shop on the coast in New Bern, North Carolina:

“NASCAR in those days was a big deal here, and it didn’t make a difference if you were a man or a woman.

Miss America came one time and didn’t get nearly the attention Dale Earnhardt did.”

Ya gotta love it…

And though “Sunday Money” was top-of-the-line with all the premium features and bells and whistles when it was completed in 2001, it has since been updated with all new electronics, new bottom paint and prop speed, in addition to the interior has also been remodeled.

Denison Yachting listed the vessel for 4.2 million in 2018, and the incredible ship also features a full-service custom “sunken” bar, alfresco dining & a lounge area.

They shared a very high-quality walkthrough video of the entire yacht at the time, and it’s downright gorgeous.

I know Dale Sr. would’ve absolutely lived his best life taking fishing adventures on “Sunday Money,” and it’s sweet to see they kept that “3” flag flying at the front to honor his memory.

You can watch the whole video here:

The song “Sunday Money” is nearly impossible to find anywhere in its entirety these days unfortunately, but is a whole song about the life of Dale Sr. and what a badass driver he was.

Check it out:

Dale Sr. also starred in the music video for Brooks & Dunn’s “Honky Tonk Truth”:

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Dale Earnhardt’s $4 Million Yacht Called "Sunday Money" Has All the Bells and Whistles

Several months before the 2001 Daytona 500, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. had commissioned an 100-foot Hatteras Yacht to replace his 1989 Hatteras 74 CPMY. The Intimidator was very much involved with the entire design process, selecting the interior, the layout, and a host of other features. As he sat behind the wheel of the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion's massive yacht was only about a few more weeks away from completion. Unfortunately, he would never get to set sail in the sea cruiser, as we all know what happened that tragic day on February 18, 2001.

Now, more than 15 years after the yacht's commissioning, it is available for purchase for a cool $4.2 million. Named the Sunday Money — taking its name from a song that Earnhardt wrote along with country music duo Brooks and Dunn — the Detroit Diesel model is currently housed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has been on the market for more than a year.

With five bedrooms, a refitted interior and engine room, an updated paint job, top-of-the-line electronics, and even a full-service custom "sunken" bar, the Sunday Money is luxury at its finest. Just check out some of the specs on this beauty.

• Cruising Speed: 18 kn
• Beam: 22?5"
• Hull Material: Composite
• Max Draft: 6?1"
• Fuel Tank: 1 x 5025|gallon
• Fresh Water: 1 x 840|gallon
• Holding: 1 x 370|gallon
• Max Passengers: 8
• Single Berths: 2
• Double Berths: 4

"I'm privileged to present to you Sunday Money. She is arguably the most famous 100' Hatteras Motor Yacht to date. With her timeless lines, recent refit and unprecedented seaworthiness she has to be on the top of every yacht buyers list," yacht broker Denison Yachting says in the official listing for the yacht.

While Earnhardt had two yachts to his name — a sport-fishing yacht called "Intimidator," now owned by his widow, Teresa Earnhardt, and the 1989 Hatteras 74 CPMY that's currently on the market for $390,000 — it's a shame he never got to enjoy what probably would have been his dream boat.

RELATED: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Went From Being a Mechanic at His Dad's Dealership to NASCAR's Richest Driver

Here's hoping that whoever owns Dale Earnhardt's yacht next gets some quality use out of it.

Products featured on FanBuzz are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

This was originally published on January 30, 2019.

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“Holy Smokes!”-$300 Million Worth Dale Earnhardt Jr in Shambles After Investigating a New Investment Opportunity

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, looks on in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

For the ‘Pied Piper of Daytona’, expensive indulgences aren’t something new. For starters, he’d built an expansive 300-acre Old Western town near a place where he used to live as a bachelor. With its own saloon that had a functioning bar, a tavern that he’d named ‘Whiskey River’, a chapel and a jail (For whatever reason), it was quite the sumptuous affair. Quoting the town’s purpose, he had said, “I wanted a place for me and my friends to hang out and I didn’t want to destroy my house. We would drink a lot of beer and hang out and have fun and stay up all night.”

Again, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. bought a 3300 sq-ft house back in 2009, it did not seem extraordinary. However, upon closer inspection, one would get baffled by the theme that the house was designed with. The house looked similar to a pirate ship containing the iconic skull-crossbones emblem. Earnhardt Jr. also took the decor to the next level by incorporating the wheel of a pirate ship and fishnets hanging from ropes. Such an extravagant purchase cost him a staggering $2.4 million.

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While he did sell off the property in 2020, his latest disclosure shows that he is not yet done trying his hand in luxuries outside of the track.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. is left in shock after considering a luxurious purchase

Years have passed since then and as Dale Jr. looked ready for round two, it appears a slight snag has hit him. Discussing the consideration of purchasing a yacht, he expressed the cruel awakening that he faced to his associate Mike Davis on their podcast, ‘Dale Jr. Download’. Revealing how he’d found out about the expenses of maintaining them, he said, “ You can buy a restored boat, an old yacht, for very cheap. But it is gonna cost you a shit ton of money when something breaks. (…) But even a newer model… even a used newer model, just the expense! I was like ‘Okay, you buy it then what? So I did a little digging. Asked some questions of some people and I was like ‘Holy smokes!”

Dale's broken nose

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In 2001, NASCAR lost one of its greatest drivers when Dale Earnhardt Sr. hit the wall at the Daytona International Speedway. Months before the devastating accident that cost him his life, Senior had ordered a luxurious yacht for which he’d himself selected the layout, interior design and other features. Named “Sunday Money,” the 100-foot yacht was nothing short of a sea mansion in its plans. But before the man could get a chance to take a ride on what he had created with such care and planning, his time had to end.

PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

With Dale Sr.’s wife eventually selling Sunday Money, his son wanting to purchase a yacht and live the life that his father had envisioned makes all the more sense.

“I Don’t Know”: Dale Earnhardt Jr Shrouded in Anxiety as Yearly Traditions Inch Closer

However, Dale Jr. put the blame on YouTube for his interest in yachts, saying, “I somehow got myself on this algorithm where my YouTube is sending me boat videos. Like, ‘Hey! This boat is for sale. Look at this boat. In this boat…’ You know what I’m saying?” The fact that his father never got aboard the ,”Sunday Money” could be pulling a few strings in his heart.

Regardless of the cause, should Junior end up making the purchase, his old man would surely be looking down, smiling at him. What are your views on the story? Do share with us below.

Watch This Story: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Dilemma – Losing a Prized Pupil to Spire Motorsports

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Do It for Dale and Buy Earnhardt Sr.’s ‘Sunday Money’ Yacht for $4.2 Million

The seven-time NASCAR champ ordered the luxo-barge just before his death at the 2001 Daytona 500

Dale Earnhardt Sr. fans with a lot of money to spend have an opportunity to own a piece of Intimidator history by buying his yacht called Sunday Money. The boat Earnhardt ordered before his death in the 2001 Daytona 500 is now on the market for $4.2 million .

Sunday Money

The yacht is a 2001 model, 100-ft. Hatteras with five staterooms and a Detroit Diesel engine. It's located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and takes its name from a song Earnhardt co-wrote, also called   Sunday Money , with country-music duo Brooks and Dunn. A video set to the song was played in Earnhardt ’s honor at the 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series awards banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York to commemorate Earnhardt’s sixth of his seven Cup Series titles. 

Earnhardt also appeared in the music video for the Brooks and Dunn song, Honkey Tonk Truth.

Earnhardt never sailed the boat as it wasn’t completed until after his death, but through two additional owners, the yacht retains several Earnhardt-esque touches. They include the compass rose design, which was a part of the Dale Earnhardt Inc. logo, in flooring and window etchings of the boat; silver plates with a cursive “D;” and a Snap-On toolbox in the engine room. Updates have been made, though, including electronics and new bottom paint and prop speed. The interior has also been remodeled.

Inside Sunday Money

Sunday Money has been on the market for more than 400 days.

According to a Charlotte Observer article , the sea vessel was built to replace a 1989 Hatteras 74 CPMY that also is on the market for $390,000 . The late NASCAR legend used that yacht for deep-sea fishing.

“NASCAR in those days was a big deal here, and it didn’t make a difference if you were a man or a woman. Miss America came one time and didn’t get nearly the attention Dale Earnhardt did,” Hatteras Yachts Customer Service Manager Baird Paschal told the Charlotte Observer , recalling Earnhardt’s visits.

Another sport-fishing yacht, called “Intimidator,” is still owned by Earnhardt's widow, Teresa Earnhardt.

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Dale Earnhardt Sr. Hatteras Yacht For Sale With Denison

January 25, 2019 2:17 pm

Nascar legend’s former 100′ motoryacht could be yours.

SUNDAY MONEY , the 100-foot Hatteras yacht that NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. had custom-built but never got to enjoy, can be yours for $4.2 million.

That’s what Earnhardt’s dream boat lists for on national yacht broker sites.

Earnhardt selected the layout, interior and other features for the yacht, which took more than a year to build, Avery Brooks, associate brand manager for Hatteras Yachts of New Bern, told The Charlotte Observer in a phone interview Wednesday.

Earnhardt died in a last-lap crash at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18, 2001.

The yacht “was close to completion” when Earnhardt died, former Hatteras Yachts Captain Gary McKeel told the Observer in a phone interview Thursday.

About a month after the Daytona 500, McKeel said, he joined Earnhardt’s boat captain, Terry Jones, in piloting the yacht from New Bern to Dale and Teresa Earnhardt’s marina slip in Palm Beach, Fla. “Two or three guys from the (Hatteras Yachts) factory” were also aboard, according to McKeel.

McKeel said he and the other Hatteras Yachts employees were then flown back to North Carolina on Dale Earnhardt’s private jet.

The yacht was hand-built to replace an older, 70-foot Hatteras motor yacht that Dale Earnhardt bought used and had refitted, according to Brooks. That yacht also was named SUNDAY MONEY, she said.

Earnhardt also had a 50-foot sport fishing yacht named The Intimidator, Brooks said. That was Earnhardt’s most famous racing nickname. Teresa Earnhardt still owns the sport fishing yacht, berthed at Cable Marine in Fort Lauderdale, Brooks said.

‘Down-To-Earth’ Despite Star Status Baird Paschal, Hatteras Yachts customer service manager, recalled in an interview Thursday how Earnhardt was such a “down-to-earth person” despite his celebrity status.

“NASCAR in those days was a big deal here, and it didn’t make a difference if you were a man or a woman,” Paschal said. “Miss America came one time and didn’t get nearly the attention Dale Earnhardt did” from the Hatteras Yachts workforce, which then numbered 700 to a thousand, he said.

On one of his visits to Hatteras Yachts, Paschal recalled, the seven-time Cup champion gave a Dale Earnhardt racing T-shirt to every worker. He then took the time to sign each shirt when the workers lined up for his autograph, Paschal said.

Earnhardt ‘Touches’ Remain Many of the custom features Dale and Teresa Earnhardt incorporated into the yacht remain, despite two subsequent owners, Mike Fine of Denison Yachting , a longtime yacht broker founded in Florida, told the Observer on Thursday.

Fine is the broker for the third and latest owner of the yacht, who he said wishes to remain anonymous. Fine is based in Montauk, Long Island, N.Y. , where he said the owner lives. Sunday Money summers there and winters in Fort Lauderdale, Fine said.

SUNDAY MONEY is among only three such 100-foot Hatteras yachts for sale on the U.S. market, according to Denison Yachting and other longtime U.S. yacht brokers, such as Galati Yacht Sales and Atlantic Yacht & Ship Inc.

The other two yachts are Vesper of Hillsboro Beach, Fla., which is a 2002 version selling for $3 million, and Supernova of Fort Lauderdale, built in 2003 on the market for $3.4 million, according to their listings on those and other yacht broker sites.

Teresa Earnhardt eventually sold SUNDAY MONEY, according to a 2015 article in The Trident, a nautical news publication.

A subsequent owner, whom The Trident did not name, kept features specifically to recognize Earnhardt’s role in the history of the yacht. Those include its original Makore fiddleback woodwork “and Earnhardt’s custom compass rose design found in the flooring and several window etches,” according to the publication.

Fine said all of the Earnhardts’ “subtle nuances on the boat have not been touched,” from the peninsula shape of the galley to the interior African walnut and marble countertops.

The original silver remains, including plates with a cursive “D” for Earnhardt’s first name, Fine said, and a custom Snap-on tool box in the engine room.

Flag On The Bow Honors Earnhardt’s Role According to its listing and a Denison Yachting video of Sunday Money, the yacht also features:

▪ Two 1,850-horsepower Detroit Diesel Corp. engines.

▪ The galley’s crystal and china displays, two Sub­-Zero refrigerators-freezers and other amenities.

▪ A “wide-open” aft deck on the bridge that is “built for lounging,” according to Denison Yachting’s video.

▪ Five state rooms.

▪ Formal dining area with burl wood table that seats eight.

▪ Step-down, full-service bar in the salon.

The yacht underwent a 2012 refit with everything from a new transom and digital stabilizer to new wireless networking and carpets, according to the yacht’s listing.

Denison Yachting’s SUNDAY MONEY YouTube video makes no mention of Earnhardt’s past ownership. Yet a No. 3 Dale Earnhardt flag flaps in the breeze on the bow of the yacht at the end of the 9-minute, 31-second video.

[Article By  Joe Marusak of the Charlotte Observer ]

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Dale Earnhardt's Yacht is For Sale and it Has an Incredible Country Music Connection

Over 18 years ago, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt  commissioned a 100-foot yacht.  Earnhardt personally designed the luxury watercraft, deemed Sunday Money, but sadly never got to enjoy it. The racing icon died on February 18, 2001 in a final-lap collision in the Daytona 500.

Today the yacht is up for sale for $4.2 million and features five bedrooms , a full-service bar and more.

Watch the video below for an inside look at the yacht.

Read More:  5 Best Country Songs About NASCAR

As if the yacht wasn't already impressive enough, the watercraft was actually named for a song Earnhardt penned with country duo  Brooks and Dunn.   "Sunday Money" was originally recorded for the Dale Earnhardt Winston Cup Collection , a 1995 compilation album that also included Alan Jackson , Diamond Rio , Radney Roster and more.

A rare version of the song includes an extra verse that gives an inside look at Earnhardt's life off the race track.

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Dale Earnhardt: Tour the Late NASCAR Legend’s Amazing Custom Yacht He Never Got to Sail

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Well, more like Budweiser drinking and bacon and hamburger pizza delights for the late, great NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt .

The 20th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s death was last month. On Feb. 18, 2001, the most well-known and successful driver in NASCAR history was killed on impact after crashing into a retaining wall while on his final lap of the Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt’s Success Leads to Creating His Dreamboat

At the time of his death, Earnhardt’s net worth is estimated to be around $70 million . The race car driver’s successful career includes winning 76 Winston Cup races, seven NASCAR Winston championships, receiving countless awards, and becoming a celebrity in his own right.

He started up his own business named Dale Earnhardt, Inc. The auto-racing company excelled with the business eventually growing to 200 employees and including three cars in the NASCAR circuit. Profits reached approximately $41.6 million. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. eventually owned a helicopter, a private corporate jet, and a massive 76-foot fishing yacht named the “Intimidator.” However, a brand new yacht was in the works that would be used solely for Earnhardt and his family and friends.

With his massive amount of earnings, Earnhardt completely reconstructed a custom 100-foot Hatteras Yacht. He passionately put in the time and effort to help design the entire layout with all of the other bells and whistles that the impressive yacht includes. Only a few weeks from its big reveal, the highest-paid race car driver in NASCAR passed away.

‘Sunday Monday’

The name of the yacht is “Sunday Monday.” The loving title comes from a song that Earnhardt was a co-writer on with country music artists Brooks and Dunn.

The grandeur of the yacht is undeniable. Up to eight guests can travel on the water in the lap of luxury. The “Sunday Monday” also includes five bedrooms, a refitted interior, a custom full-service “sunken” bar, the most up-to-date and high-quality electronics, an updated engine room, a sleek, brand new paint job, and other amazing amenities and detailed work.

Earnhardt Was Never Able to Sail His Custom Yacht

Sadly, Dale Earnhardt was never able to captain the beautiful vessel. The “Sunday Monday” was Earnhardt’s dreamboat. He spent much time investing in the designs and unique features of the yacht. However, his anticipation of its arrival is never to reach fulfillment. But, his family celebrated his life while on the yacht that the husband and father put much of himself into.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s “Sunday Monday” is currently located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It’s available to purchase for only $4.2 million.

“I’m privileged to present to you Sunday Money. She is arguably the most famous 100′ Hatteras Motor Yacht to date. With her timeless lines, recent refit, and unprecedented seaworthiness she has to be on the top of every yacht buyer’s list,” reads the official listing for the yacht by broker Denison Yachting.

May Dale Earnhardt’s legacy live on while racing through the waters in the luxurious and legendary “Sunday Monday.”

Yacht owner keeps NASCAR driver’s spirit alive

Typically, when a yacht changes hands, the yacht gets renamed. Not so with M/Y Sunday Money , a custom 2001 100-foot Hatteras on display in the show this week. The current owner kept the name to “maintain the spirit of the yacht,” said Sean Johnston, mate/engineer.

Spirit may be an appropriate word as the yacht was built by Dale Earnhardt, the seasoned NASCAR race car driver who passed away in 2001.

And contrary to local lore, it is not — and never was — owned by his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt’s wife, Teresa Earnhardt, owned it after his death.

With some experience in smaller scale race cars and yachts himself, the current owner approached M/Y Sunday Money as a piece of history and has opted to retain it as best he could. Original Fiddleback Makore woodwork adorns the interior, as does Earnhardt’s custom compass rose design found in the flooring and several window etches.

The feel of the track is even evident with the semi-oval granite dinette, a nod to some of the famous NASCAR short tracks.

Several upgrades were incorporated in 2012 including wing control stations, stabilizers and enclosing the flybridge deck with canvas for all-season cruising.

“It’s an awesome sea boat, like a tank,” Johnston said. M/Y Sunday Money recently cruised throughout the Bahamas all the way to the out islands, as well as through the northeast U.S.

This is not the only yacht owned or once owned by a NASCAR driver or team owner. Driver Jeff Gordon owns the 106-foot Lazzara M/Y 24 Karat ; team owner Rick Hendricks has had several yachts and sportfishers, including the 164-foot Trinity M/Y Wheels ; and Trinity Yachts chairman Felix Sabates also is a NASCAR team owner.

Johnston did add that the owner keeps NASCAR trinkets onboard M/Y Sunday Money as well as a few mats with the famous No. 3 car (Earnhardt’s car) as a token to the history.

Named for the day when NASCAR drivers win their prizes, M/Y Sunday Money is docked this Sunday at the show. Walk by her; you just may feel the spirit.

Tom Serio is a contributor to Triton Today; [email protected] .

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Home of the Week: NASCAR Yacht Club? Inside Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Pirate-Inspired Key West Home

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Avast me hearties, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking to sell his pirate ship-inspired home in the heart of ye olde Key West, Fla. for a big bag of gold doubloons, or $3.7 million in today’s currency.

Built in 1863 during the Civil War era, the two-story house celebrates Key West’s swashbuckling pirate past with a custom kitchen—sorry, galley—designed by Earnhardt Jr. himself, which could have come straight out of Jack Sparrow’s Black Pearl .

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The wood-beamed room comes with piratical features like the menacing skull and crossbones mural, a huge ship’s wheel at the end of the varnished-wood counter, rope-wrapped pillars, sea-chest-like kitchen cabinets and parrots. Lots of parrots.

The staircase leading up to the second floor features nautical hemp-rope netting, more rope-wrapped pillars and a giant mural depicting a Pirates of the Caribbean -style island at sunset with swaying palm trees and towering peaks.

One fascinating, and original, feature of the home is the secret hatch on the second floor, designed to let the owner spy on blackbeards in the parlor below.

The home also has one of the largest and deepest swimming pools in Key West—it’s more than 14 feet deep, roughly two fathoms—and includes a gate on the second-floor wrap-around balcony so guests can be made to walk the plank into the water below.

“This truly is a unique property steeped in rich and mysterious history,” says Bob Cardenas, of Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty who holds this unusual listing.

“It really captures the spirit of Key West and, of course, anyone who dreams of being a modern-day pirate is going to love this place,” he adds.

Cardenas sold the home on Key West’s Eaton Street, a short stroll to the town’s landmark Mallory Square and Sloppy Joe’s bar, to Earnhardt Jr. and his wife Amy back in 2009, for a reported $2.4 million.

The couple proceeded to restore and renovate the historic property, giving it a fun, beachy, nautical vibe.

It likely provided the inspiration for the Earnhardts to take their love of property makeovers to the small screen. In 2018 they starred in a four-part reality TV series for the DIY Network called “Renovation Realities: Dale Jr. & Amy” where they restored another Key West fixer-upper.

When they finished the DIY renovation, they listed the home for $2.6 million and sold it within days.

As for the Eaton Street property, the quirky 3,300-square-foot house comes with five spacious bedrooms, 3.5 baths, nautical-inspired family rooms with a flotilla of wall-mounted model ships and a large, covered deck and gazebo next to the pool.

In the lush, tree-shrouded grounds there’s also a wooden clapboard, one-room guest house. According to Bob Cardenas, the Earnhardts drew up plans to turn it into a two-bedroom, one-bath suite, but never got around to completing the makeover.

Before retiring from full-time racing at the end of 2017, Earnhardt Jr. had amassed 26 career victories, including wins at the 2004 and 2014 Daytona 500s. These days he runs his own race team—JR Motorsports— and is an author, fundraiser for his Dale Jr. Foundation and a NASCAR race analyst for NBC.

His eccentricity when it comes to property is also seen in his sprawling 300-acre estate in Mooresville, NC, which he affectionately calls “Dirty Mo Acres.” It includes a vintage Wild West-style town, a treehouse, paintball course and five miles of ATV trails.

As someone used to spending his life lapping the racetrack at 200 mph, Earnhardt is no doubt looking for a speedy sale to an equally quirky homeowner for this Key West home.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Learn More About Dale Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a third-generation driver in a family forever connected to the sport of stock-car racing, and while his innate ability behind the wheel comes from Earnhardt DNA, his competitive driving style and business savvy are all his own. His common-sense charisma and flair for originality have helped propel him to become one of the most popular figures in sports. Race fans have selected him a record 15 consecutive times as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. Earnhardt tops all NASCAR and IndyCar drivers on MVPindex’s social media power rankings. His appeal is not limited to loyal race fans, as Earnhardt has appeared on Harris Interactive’s annual survey of America’s Top 10 Favorite Athletes, frequenting the list with such names as LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter. 

In April, Earnhardt announced that 2017 would be his final full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition. Beginning in 2018, the native of Kannapolis, North Carolina, will join NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR coverage. Earnhardt’s role with NBCUniversal will allow him a wide range of opportunities in the company’s media businesses, including movies, television, podcasts, and other areas.

Through the end of his full-time career, Earnhardt amassed 26 career victories, including the 2004 and 2014 Daytona 500s. His 26 victories tie him for 29th on NASCAR’s all-time race winners list. He also has 13 pole positions and eight non-points wins (five in the Daytona 500 qualifying Duel, two in the Clash and one All-Star Race victory). Even though he was sidelined for the second half of the 2016 season with a concussion, Earnhardt still managed to find success, scoring a victory in his preseason Daytona 500 qualifying Duel and earning four runner-up finishes through the first 18 races. Overall, Earnhardt has qualified for the NASCAR playoffs eight times (2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015).

Earnhardt is the only third-generation NASCAR champion, achieved when he won the 1998 and 1999 NASCAR Xfinity Series titles. He follows his legendary father Dale Earnhardt Sr., a seven-time Cup champion and winner of 76 races, and his grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, the 1956 NASCAR Sportsman champion. In October 2009, Earnhardt Sr. was selected as a posthumous inductee in the inaugural 2010 class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. In 2007, Ralph Earnhardt was inducted posthumously into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Both his father and grandfather were selected among NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers of all time in 1999. The three Earnhardts combine for 10 NASCAR championships. 

Until 2008, Earnhardt Jr.’s career as a full-time driver was solely within the confines of the family-owned business, Dale Earnhardt Inc., where he accumulated 39 victories in the Xfinity and Cup Series from 1998-2007. But the 2008 season marked one of significant change, as Earnhardt made the boldest decision of his young career by signing with NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.

Earnhardt’s role as a team owner and businessman continues to enjoy its own ascent separate from his driving career. JR Motorsports employs more than 140 people and fields four full-time entries in the Xfinity Series, in addition to two late model stock cars competing regionally in the Southeast. From its inception in 2006, JR Motorsports has scored 40 Xfinity Series wins. Chase Elliott earned the company’s first Xfinity Series championship in 2014 with teammate Regan Smith completing a one-two sweep of the top spots in the driver standings. Josh Berry secured track championship honors for the JRM late model program racing at Motor Mile Speedway (2012) and Hickory Motor Speedway (2014). William Byron added a second Xfinity Series title to the team's stable in 2017.

Earnhardt’s first turn at ownership began with Chance 2, a team started in 2002 and jointly operated with Dale Earnhardt Inc. With that team, Earnhardt was co-owner of the 2004 and 2005 Xfinity Series championship teams with driver Martin Truex Jr.

Fans and media selected Earnhardt as one of the top-three Xfinity Series drivers of all-time in a 2006 NASCAR poll. Earnhardt’s 24 victories rank him tied for 10th on the all-time series wins list. His two championships, in 1998 and 1999, introduced him to the NASCAR history books, and his accomplishments throughout the ensuing decade reinforced his place. On July 2, 2010, Earnhardt scored a popular victory at Daytona International Speedway in a throwback blue-and-yellow No. 3 Chevrolet made famous by his father in the mid-1980s. It was Earnhardt’s sixth Xfinity Series victory at Daytona, which ranks second all-time behind Tony Stewart and Earnhardt Sr. with seven each. On April 23, 2016, Earnhardt Jr. scored his most recent Xfinity Series victory, and his first in a JRM entry, at Richmond International Raceway.

With crossover appeal that stretches beyond his accomplishments as an athlete in NASCAR, Earnhardt continues to garner media attention worldwide. He has appeared on more than 150 magazine covers and has been featured in high-profile publications such as Maxim, Rolling Stone, GQ, Men’s Journal, Sports Illustrated, People Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Men’s Fitness and TV Guide. 

In 2009, Earnhardt appeared on country music’s biggest stage as a presenter at the 43rd annual Country Music Awards. The live telecast on ABC was watched by 35.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. It marked Earnhardt’s first appearance at a major pop-culture awards show since he was a presenter at the 2002 MTV Music Awards. He has been a guest on “60 Minutes,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Today Show,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Jimmy Kimmel Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Live with Regis and Kelly,” “Chelsea,” “The Soup,” “CBS This Morning” and “Larry King Live.” He has played cameo roles in major motion pictures “Talladega Nights” and “Cars” and was the subject of an episode of MTV’s “Diary” and VH1’s “Driven.” In 2004, he played a cameo role on the CBS sitcom “Yes Dear.” In 2010, he was featured in an episode of “Shaq Vs.” – ABC’s Fall primetime reality show in which NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal went one-on-one against America’s top athletes and entertainers in their respective professions. The same year he was the voice of Chase Crawford, one of the central characters in Disney Channel’s “Handy Manny” primetime special. In 2012, he was featured in “Good Morning America’s” Note to Self, and wrote a letter to his 16-year-old self about his relationship with his father, his racing career and building confidence within. In 2013, Earnhardt teamed up with Diet Mountain Dew and Discovery Channel’s “Fast ‘N Loud” to restore and customize a 1956 Chevy Nomad. The episode broke a series viewership record with 2.7 million viewers tuning into the cable network. In 2016, Earnhardt appeared in the season finale of Animal Planet’s “Treehouse Masters,” which delivered a season-high 1.3 million total viewers. After appearing previously in their YouTube videos, Earnhardt teamed up with Dude Perfect in the CMT series premiere of “The Dude Perfect Show,” which earned a total of 3.4 million viewers and ranked as CMT’s highest rated original debut ever with teens 12-17. Earnhardt also appeared in the premiere episode of DIRECTV’s “Religion of Sports” series, which examines unique examples where sports profoundly influence societies and cultures in a manner that extends far beyond merely entertainment value, from executive producers Tom Brady, Gotham Chopra and Michael Strahan. Earnhardt also spent time in the radio and television broadcast booths in 2016, calling several NASCAR XFINITY and Cup Series races for FOX Sports, NBC Sports and MRN Radio. During Super Bowl LI, FOX used its hit series “The Simpsons” to promote the 2017 Daytona 500 by featuring Earnhardt’s animated character behind the wheel with Homer Simpson riding shotgun.

Earnhardt’s eclectic taste in music is reflected in the diverse list of artists that have featured him in their music videos, including Jay-Z, Staind, Sheryl Crow, Three Doors Down, Trace Adkins, O.A.R., the Matthew Good Band and Nickelback. Earnhardt became a best-selling author in 2001 with “Driver 8,” a documentation of his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series. The book landed on the New York Times best-seller list for 17 weeks, and online retailer Amazon.com named “Driver 8” the top-selling sports book of the year.

In 2012, Forbes magazine ranked Earnhardt seventh overall on its list of “Most Influential Athletes.” In January 2013, BusinessWeek magazine named Earnhardt to its top 100 most influential people in sports. The Charlotte Observer listed him sixth among the top-25 most influential in NASCAR in 2014. In July 2014, Harris Poll rated Earnhardt tied for fifth in its “America’s Favorite Sports Star” rankings, and rated him tied for eighth in the category in September 2015, marking his 11 th appearance in the top 10. In May 2016, ESPN ranked Earnhardt as the most famous auto racing driver in the world. Earnhardt tops all NASCAR and IndyCar drivers on MVPindex’s 2016 social media power rankings. He has a following of more than 5.2 million across his three main social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Earnhardt’s business sense extends beyond the track. In 2006, he started Hammerhead Entertainment, a one-stop-shop production company that produces shows for multiple national television networks. In April 2008, Earnhardt extended his entrepreneurship into the Charlotte, North Carolina, entertainment scene, as he opened Whisky River, an uptown bar and nightclub located in the EpiCentre. In May 2015, Whisky River expanded to include a location at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Earnhardt launched “Dirty Mo Radio,” a podcast network, in February 2013, which features race recaps as well as behind-the-scenes insight from Earnhardt, team members, family members and others. The free podcasts can be found on dalejr.com and other outlets such as iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher.

While the obligations of being a driver and team owner occupy much of his time, Earnhardt is active in charities and non-profit organizations. In 2007, he launched The Dale Jr. Foundation, a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals, with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence, education and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. The Dale Jr. Foundation has contributed to more than 400 local and national organizations. He also is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In May 2010, Make-A-Wish recognized Earnhardt as one of only a handful of athletes who has facilitated more than 200 “wishes” for kids battling terminal or life-threatening illnesses. The occasion was documented by ESPN SportsCenter’s “My Wish” series. In recognition of his career achievements as a champion driver, team owner and philanthropist, Earnhardt was named the recipient of the 2014 NMPA Myers Brothers Award, a prestigious accolade recognizing those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. In 2016, a harmless tweet from Earnhardt about his sandwich of choice, Hellmann’s mayonnaise and banana on white bread, went viral and triggered an outpouring of donations for Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food for children who face hunger on weekends when they are out of school.

More than 1,195 donors contributed, while The Dale Jr. Foundation and Hellmann’s each pledged to donate $50,000, raising a total of $159,935.33 for the charity.

Earnhardt’s hobbies include listening to music, traveling and continuously quenching his thirst for NASCAR history. He enjoys spending time on his property affectionately known as Dirty Mo Acres. It consists of a vintage Western-style town, a treehouse, a paintball course and five miles of ATV trails. In 2018, he and wife Amy welcomed their first child, daughter Isla Rose.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Old Callaway Corvette Is up for Auction

The nascar hall of famer owned the car for over a decade..

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What’s better than one of the rarest American sports cars? How about one that was owned by a two-time Daytona 500 winner?

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It’s hard to pick a favorite Callaway ‘Vette, but the C12 has to be near the top of the list. The shop’s 12th vehicle was founder Reeves Callaway’s attempt to build a true American supercar, according to Road and Track.  It was based on the C5 Corvette but the entire exterior, aside from the glass and doors, was jettisoned in favor of a longer and sleeker fiber and Kevlar body designed by Paul Deutschman.

Dale Jr.’s C12 is one of just 25 the shop built during the two years the cars were in production. He purchased the vehicle, which is finished in Mauritius Blue Mica over a two-tone grey leather, in 2004 and held onto it until 2015, when it was acquired by its current owner. It has 25,000 miles on the odometer, which isn’t too bad considering it left the factory a quarter-century ago. The car also features the NASCAR Hall of Famer’s signature on the headliner, as well as a couple of signs of minor wear and tear.

Click here for more photos of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s former Callaway C12.

Bryan Hood is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. Before joining the magazine, he worked for the New York Post, Artinfo and New York magazine, where he covered everything from celebrity gossip to…

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15+ Facts About The Life Of NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Posted: March 21, 2024 | Last updated: March 21, 2024

From the day he was born, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed destined to become a prominent stock car racer. His father, Dale Sr., is considered one of the greatest drivers of all time. His Grandfather and Half-Brother were stock car drivers as well.

Dale Jr. has been no slouch in his own career, winning the Daytona 500 on two separate occasions. He's also made his mark in other ways, by owning his own race team and not being afraid to speak his mind about the things he is passionate about. Keep clicking htrough this article to learn more.

A Family Tradition

It isn't all that hard to figure out that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the son of legendary NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt. His father was a racing legend at the time of death in 2001 but wasn't the only family member involved in stock car racing.

Dale Jr.'s Grandfather was also a racer who participated in NASCAR during the 1950s and 1960s. Earnhardt Jr.'s brother, Kerry was also a driver on the circuit. His sister, Kelley co-owns JR Motorsports alongside her brother.

The Young Troublemaker

Dale Jr. gave both his Father and his Mother, Brenda, a heck of a time while growing up. He often acted out in school and was was nearly expelled from a Christian school at age 12. His Father decided a stint in military school would shape him up.

Earnhardt Jr. said of the experience, "It was sorta a last ditch effort for me to figure it out. And it did, it worked. I'm sure it’s not for everybody. But, it taught me a lot."

The Move To Hendrick Motorsports

Dale Jr. was always going to be compared to his famous Father. And while he wanted to honor the memory of Dale Sr., he also wanted to create his own legacy. While he started his racing career with Dale Earnhardt Inc, he later moved to Hendrick Motorsports.

He claimed that the time that the move had nothing to do with hard feelings. Earnhardt Jr. claimed that Hendrick gave him the best chance of achieving his goal of winning the Sprint Cup. His new team also featured Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears.

Exhibition Comes East To Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr. has certainly had an impressive career with a total of 26 Sprint Race wins. He is also a frequent participant in exhibition races. And for whatever reason, he seems to bring his A-game when these events come around.

Earnhardt Jr. has won a total of nine major exhibitions. This includes winning the Budweiser Duels a total of five times as well as the Budweiser Shootout twice and the Sprint All-Star Race and the Sprint Showdown once.

A Master Of The Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 will always be a significant and emotional race for Earnhardt Jr. One reason is that his father died on the track during the 2001 running of the race. The other reason is that Dale Jr. has been very successful there winning two Daytona 500's during his career.

Earnhardt Jr. took home his second Daytona during the 2014 running of the race. While he started the race at 9 and ran most of it in the middle, he came alive at the end and was able to overtake Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin for the win.

Missing Time Due To Injury

Stock car racing can be incredibly dangerous with drivers crashing into walls and other cars at high speed. NASCAR, like every other major sport, has become much more cognizant of the potential impact concussions can have.

Earnhardt Jr. first missed time due to a concussion back in 2012. In July of 2016, he was again diagnosed with concussion symptoms. He was replaced for the second half of the season by Alex Bowman and NASCAR legend, Jeff Gordon.

Son Of A Legend

Dale Jr. was one of 4 children born to Dale Earnhardt Sr. In addition to his sister, Kelley King Earnhardt Miller, he also had a half sister named Taylor and a half brother named Kerry. Kerry, Kelley and Dale Jr. are all involved in stock car racing. His half sister Taylor is a professional bull rider.

Dale Sr. was, of course, a legendary racer. The "Eliminator" won the Winston Cup a startling seven times. He also won the Daytona 500 in 1998. While his Father cast a larges shadow, Dale Jr. has done many things to make his old man proud.

Driver In Training

Dale Jr. and his brother, Kerry (5 years older) were always destined to have careers in stock car racing. In fact, the brothers shared the same racecar, a 1978 Chevy Monte Carlo, when Dale Jr. first began racing professionally at the age of 17.

When he turned 18, Earnhardt Jr. began his professional training with former driver Andy Hillenburg. His trainer saw that his pupil shared the same traits as his Father and Grandfather. Hillenburg encouraged Dale Jr. to bring that aggression to the track.

The End Of The Line

Dale Earnhardt Jr. began racing cars professionally at the age of 17. He won the Busch series twice and made his first race for the Winston Cup in 1998. He then raced in the Winston/Sprint series for nearly 20 years.

The driver had the second serious concussion of his career during the 2016 season. He decided to come back for one more year and competed for the Cup in 2017. After that year, though, he decided that is was time to stop racing professionally full-time.

The First Winston Cup Race

Earnhardt Jr. was clearly seen as an up and coming driver while racing in the Busch Series. He was the champion of the Busch Series, sort of a minor league for NASCAR, in both 1998 and 1999.

This success allowed him to compete in his first Winston Cup race, the Coca-Cola 600 in 1998. He had an impressive showing in the race finishing in 16th place. His Father also ran in the same race and finished 6th overall.

Mr. Popularity

While Dale Jr. was a very successful driver over the course of his career, he wasn't necessarily the most successful driver. That crown would probably go to Jimmie Johnson, who has won a total of seven Cup championships over the course of his career.

One thing Earnhardt Jr. certainly was, though, was incredibly popular. He won the Most Popular Driver Award fifteen consecutive times.

The First Winston Cup Series Win

The 2000 DirecTV 500 was special for more than one NASCAR legacy driver. Adam Petty, just 19-years-old, qualified for the race and became the first fourth-generation athlete in the history of professional sports.

The race was also notable for Dale Jr. who won in just the 12th start of his professional career. The win set the record for the fewest ever starts before the first victory in NASCAR history. Interestingly, he broke Dale Sr.'s record of 16 starts before his first victory.

The First Daytona

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had won the Gatorade 125 prior to the race. This turned out to be fortuitous for him as engine problems caused pole-sitter Greg Biffle to move to the back of the pack. Thanks to the Gatorade win, Dale Jr. now began the race in the number one starting spot.

He took advantage of starting at the front by leading for the early portion of the race. In the middle portion, Jeff Gordon took the lead and was eventually caught by rookie Scott Wimmer. Near the end, Earnhardt Jr. was able to catch and pass Wimmer and won his first-ever Daytona.

Junior Ties The Knot

For the majority of his stock car career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was not married. This did not necessarily mean he was single though, as he had a long term girlfriend in Amy Reimann. Earnhardt Jr. proposed to Reimann in 2015.

The couple made it official on New Year's Eve of 2015 leading into 2016. The wedding, which took place at Richard Childress' Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina was attended by some of the biggest stars of NASCAR.

Still Has The Itch

2017 was the last season where Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran a full racing schedule. That does not mean, however, that he doesn't still get the itch to run a race from time to time.

In the Fall of 2018, Dale Jr. decided to run in the fall Xfinity race at Richmond. He had a very strong start to the race after he qualified for the number 2 starting position. He dominated much of the time and led 96 of 250 laps. Earnhardt Jr. ended up finishing fourth.

The Next Logical Step

When Dale Jr.'s career began to wind down he looked for other ways to continue to be involved in the sport. The most obvious way was to take on an ownership stake in JR Motorsports, the company his father had helped to build.

Junior owns the company along with his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and legendary NASCAR owner, Rick Hendrick. The ownership group has been quite successful and has recently expanded into Truck Series vehicles as well.

A Bundle Of Joy

Dale Jr. married his long-time girlfriend, Amy Reimann on New Years Eve in 2015.

The couple has two children together. Their first daughter was born in 2018, and their second daughter was born in 2020.

Speaking His Mind

Drivers participating in NASCAR tend to stay relatively quiet when it comes to political issues. With so many fans being from the South, stock car racing fans tend to be Republicans rather than Democrats.

Earnhardt Jr., however, has spoken out popular policies on a few different occasions. The driver has thrown his support behind immigrants noting that his family originally came to the US from Germany. Earnhardt Jr. also spoke out against the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Confederate battle flag is frequently seen at NASCAR events, especially in the South. Fans often say that both NASCAR and the flag reference the South's rebellious tradition. Earnhardt Jr., however, is not a fan.

When asked about his objection to the flag by supporters, he said, "I think it's offensive to an entire race. It does nothing for anybody to be there flying, so I don't see any reason. It belongs in the history books and that's about it.."

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There hasn't been a NASCAR season without a Dale Earnhardt since 1974. That is set to remain the case for at least another year.

By Asher Fair | Mar 25, 2024

After competing at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. contemplated officially calling it a career and opting not to return for a fourth consecutive season of running one Xfinity Series race, something he had done every year following his retirement from Cup Series competition at the end of the 2017 season.

Four years later, the 15-time Most Popular Driver is still competing in the Xfinity Series.

Earnhardt competed at Richmond Raceway in 2018 and Darlington Raceway in 2019. In 2021, he returned to Richmond, and in 2022, he made his first ever Xfinity Series start at Martinsville Speedway. Last year, he made two starts, one at Bristol Motor Speedway and another one at Homestead-Miami.

As a result of Earnhardt's JR Motorsports team continuing their partnership with Hellmann's, the 49-year-old Kannapolis, North Carolina native is set to return to the Xfinity Series for another start at Bristol this September. He is set to pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet in the Food City 300 on Friday, September 20 after missing out on a shot to win last year's race due to a late fire.

With an Xfinity Series start now scheduled for Earnhardt's seventh season as an ex-Cup Series driver, the 2024 season is set to be his 29th straight season of NASCAR competition on some level. He has competed in the Xfinity Series each year since 1996, sans 2000, and he competed full-time in the Cup Series from 2000 to 2017 after making his series debut, plus a few other starts, in 1999.

His start is also set to mark 50 consecutive years of a Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. made his Cup Series debut in 1975 and competed each year until he was killed in the 2001 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. He also competed in select Xfinity Series races from 1982 to 1994.

The Earnhardt name has already competed in NASCAR for the 50th straight year this season, as Jeffrey, Dale Jr,'s nephew, competed for Sam Hunt Racing and placed eighth at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month. The 2024 season is Jeffrey's 16th straight season of NASCAR competition on some level, as he has made starts in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series over the years.

During this five-decade streak, the other Earnhardt who has competed in the sport is Jeffrey's brother, Bobby Dale. He made select Xfinity Series starts from 2017 to 2019.

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Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Sr.'s father, was the first Earnhardt to compete in NASCAR, doing so in the Cup Series from 1956 to 1964.