I find it even more sad that Sr. died when he was really turning things around with his family. Jr. said it himself, he wasn't the same person in 92' as he was in 01'. You can hate on Sr. for being a shitty father, but people can change
I don't think anyone hates on Sr. for doing what he had to do in the 70's and 80's. If you watch the docu's of Sr. he acknowledges he was a shitty father but in later videos he was trying to turn the relationships around. Life caught up with him before he got it done. We still love him for who he was.
@@dom.rockchalkjayhawk.8990 That is the furthest thing from the truth. He didn’t turn down on sterling or drive up into ken because of his son. He did it for himself to finish good. Stop saying stupid shit.
James Gentry my dad had to earn his fathers love. My dad made it a point to always let my brothers and I know that we are loved regardless of anything. It’s a cycle. Dale Jr will love the hell out of his kids because of this
No doubt, it is.. When my dad was going to law school while working a full time job, then starting a law firm that ended with six partners and 25 junior partners, I didn't see much of him, but he was able to go to my high school graduation.. Politics aside, Brett Kavenaugh was able to get nominated for the Supreme Court and still coach his daughter's basketball team and go to baseball games with his family.. I find that incredible!
yes! but some guys sometimes have the talent for whatever they are doing and it seems easy and less time consuming and others really need to implicate every cell in their body to find success in their chosen field...
Same here as well. At least jr and kelly got to see their dad start to change. My dad is 81 I'm 47 and I have been told in front of my wife and mother " I had never done anything in life the way he would have had me do it" oh well, whatever.
This is really sad. Dale Sr. was an amazing driver, but his son is way more reflective, and focused on being a good person than he ever was. Nobody should have to earn love from a parent.
Being strict and love are two diffrent things. If he didnt care he wouldnt have pushed him or gave him a shot to race a car. Kelly said she got a car at 16. If he was a total prick he would have made them work for it. They cut the interview to make it feel this way. They didnt talk bad at all.
Every parent makes mistakes. Dale was not a bad father, just an incomplete one. All of his children have turned out to be well mannered, productive beings. Dale has to take some credit for that.
This really hits home. I will tell you, Dale, if you were my son I would be damn proud of what you have done. People would get tired of me bragging about you. Thanks
Indy Custom Made: yep, that's pretty much me. I hug my kids and tell them I love them and proud of them every chance I get...even if that happens to be in public. I don't care, and shouldn't care, who's watching.
My dad is a very quiet man, he was never huge on affection. When I graduated with honors, there were tears in his eyes and that was the first time I had ever seen him cry and he hugged me the hardest I think I cab recall. I knew my father loved me regardless, he taught me all that I needed to know in life, how to be a hardworker, how to appreciate things but he did it in very few words. He certainly has had his moments, he's amazing with food, with cars, motorcycles and his sense of humor when it came to the surface was fantastic. Back in 2012 when I was 16, he hopped on a stump with a stick and proceeded to tell a scary story about witches and warlocks, I couldn't help but crack up at the sight. The craziest part? He's my adopted father, he's the only father figure I've known and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Most southern dads are tough on their sons, including my own, but I think it's a culture thing. My dad wasn't abusive or an alcoholic he just thought being tough on me would drive me to do better in my life so I wouldn't have to work as hard as he did his whole life. We've gotten closer as I've aged though, which in some ways sounds similar to Jr's situation as Sr aged.
I’d agree. My dad was tough on me. But he did recognize me as his son. When I struck out, he was pissed. And when I hit a homer, he’d shit on the other team. When I failed a test. He slapped me and helped me study. And then made fun of me for shits. But dammit, he was there for it all.
I agree with the cultural aspect. I knew my dad loved me but, he was hard on me. When I did well he was the first to pat me on the back but, if I screwed up he would eat me alive. He wouldn't let me slack off no matter what I was doing. He expected 100% effort in what I did and would accept no less. Also, he was a contractor by trade and I hated construction. He didn't force me to go into construction and if I didnt want to participate in it then he didnt force me to go along on his trips and such. It wasnt until later in life when I would remodel my own home and eventually got involved with construction on my own did we have much of a relationship. He gave me the opportunity to decide for myself what I wanted to do but when I started operating heavy equipment it gave us something in common we could talk about. I think Dale Sr. did the same with Jr.
millieo idk how he could’ve disappointed him tbh, yeah maybe early in his life he didn’t really show that much of a supporting person, but just think that senior died so Junior could come in second place.
Dale Sr. may have been a crappy father but his children still respect him and made their way in their own life. Jr is literally the opposite of his old man and has the respect of the racing community and fans alike.
the ironic thing is look how great dale jr turned out. parents do things out of love even if you don't understand it. dale sr was old school. this whole reward system without doing anything generation is doomed.
I totally agree with that. Dale Jr is an outstanding person. I have no question about that. My father has been a dick to me most of my life and in a weird way, I appreciate it even though I want to beat his ass sometimes.
He was strict its not like he didnt care. You could see the love in the dudes eyes when he was around jr and kelly. He wanted the best for them and pushed them.
Because you see sr run up and be the first one in the pits after jr wins you see in all the races when they are together. Jr was always around the races as a kid in victory lane. He was pissed when jr wasnt doing well in school and sent him to military school because he wanted the best for him. Hes stubborn not an asshole. Just like ralph wanted for Dale not to end up at the mill which was all that was waiting for him as a high school drop out with no other work in town.
I'd like to know more about how Sr. grew up. My dad grew up dirt poor with eight other kids on a tiny farm that didn't have electricity or running water. When I was growing up, he was similar in many respects to Dale Sr. Dad was around and more involved than Sr., but if you thought you were ever going to hear "You done good, kid, and I'm proud of you", you were shit out of luck. Then one night I was standing with him in the kitchen after he'd had one too many, and he opened up in a way I had never seen from him before. He told me that his own father never really looked at his kids as children who needed love and support -- but that he just looked at them as farm hands. In other words, my dad wasn't an uncaring guy, he'd just never seen a good example of how a father could be a great parent rather than just an authority figure and provider. In his later years Dad became much better at relating to his children, and, believe me, it was appreciated even though by that time I was middle-aged. That's what growing older tends to do with people whose core intentions are sincere and well-meaning, as my father's were. It really is a shame that Sr. had not lived longer so he could have continued to develop a better relationship with Jr., as it sounds like he was beginning to do before he was killed.
I dont know much but I know Srs dad was Ralph Earnhardt (Pretty sure) and he raced. They grew up poor in the poor town of Kannapolis. Its a very rural town from everything Ive heard. Ralph I think died in 1973 and Sr started his first NASCAR race in the 1975 World 600.
My father left the house when I was 3. When I had my own son, my goal was to gain HIS respect. Twenty five years later, he is still my best friend. He is the best person that I know. He thanks me everyday for being who I am. I am the proudest father with the best son a man could ask for.
This is pretty hard to listen to you know? Missing your sons high school graduation is pretty shitty, but I hope Dale Jr. learns from this, and is the father that his own dad wasn't.
infloslinger It’s not being coddled.. Not showing up for a child’s graduation for anything, college, high school, etc. is not okay. Everyone has a different perspective on this and I’ll leave it at that
Sometimes you miss things. I have 3 children and 6 grandchildren and I used to try to be at every single thing u just can't. That said those big things , high school graduation, a sports championship you just do not miss!!!! , that generation man was different. My Dad wasn't around period. Those era guys children were sort of a by product of a relationship and women generally handled the kids needs while dad went out and supported the family financially. I remember we got to do things at our parents pleasure not the other way around. These days everything circles around kids playing travel ball, school and church events. It's like either parents are too far one way or the other. Not much balance. If you love your kids you will make it to the big events in their life and you will be there for all the skinned knees along the way. Part of this story is like my dad was. We knew he loved us but he travelled all over for work. When that happens your bond isn't as strong. If Dale sr had lived he would've been an awesome grandpa. Even dale jr said he had changed a ton as he had gotten older. I think once he achieved all that success he woke up and realized he had an awesome son that he truly loved and got to share common passion to boot. I'm in business with both my oldest son and daughter it's fantastic!!!
I definitely expected this type of relationship. It isnt just Dale's mentality as a dad...it was also the time period. Dale Sr had families to take care of and he made sure everyone had a roof over there head and that they can eat. That was what he felt like his responsibility was. Everything else was extra. As long his family was in a home and fed his job as a man and father was complete
People, put things into perspective. Sr. was one of many drivers that had to give up the normal family life to be a driver for one. And he wasn't completely absent from their lives. So if you can judge a man by how his kids turn out, well then I give Sr. all the respect in the world. And I know most of you are jr fans if your commenting, so how do you think he feels while you sit here and bash his dad? He and Kelley are only making the point that they had a different childhood. What child of a celebrity or superstar athlete doesnt?
U cld also give the credit to his mother! Plenty of great children come from single mothers too. so its sad and u can see it in Jrs face when he talks about it. All these people love Sr. And the real story is he wasnt there for his kids Im certain that jr wont raise his own children that way. Id say its great to dedicate ur life to something a career or passion Just dont have multiple wives and children at the same time . Great driver YES Great father No Way!
look at the Petty family and the Allisons. they were close to their dads who also worked like Dogs to be great drivers and earn money for their families, so it isn't always the case of what happened to Jr. but i think that is a valid point, about how Sr grew up. it rubbed off on how he reacted to his own kids in a way
Dale Jr is just mirroring what a lot of guys went through with working dads. It’s hard to be a complete and total father. He cared for them by making sure they had what they needed. I went through and didn’t get to really know my dad until I was well into my late 20’s early 30’s. Sr. Wasn’t a bad dad just motivated to succeed and make sure his kids had what they needed to succeed!
Exactly .. Dale Jr even described himself as a man with no education, but just enough talent in one thing to pay the bills. (Just like his father...) Dale Sr chose to give his family a life of comfort and stability, an easier life than what he had. He could've dug ditches and made the weekly chump check... praying every night he still has a job to go to the next morning...Any father that has to Support his family on his own financially, is gonna be a busy man physically and mentally..
Amazed at all the comments about Sr. as it has been well known years ago that he abandoned all his kids for racing, save Taylor. Never was a fan of his, however I always appreciated what Jr. went through with his Dad and Theresa.
My Dad was the same way. We never did things together until I was older. He wanted me to quit school and become a roofer like him. He has never once told me he loved me. That being said it doesn't effect me like some people.
Kash 45 absolutely not. Some, sure. And I even grew up in the south. But fatherhood is extremely important and the fact that it seems that Dale Sr didn’t even recognize dale jr as his son is for part of his life does really suck.
Yeah, nah. I get this wasn't your intent to do this but normalizing child neglect and downplaying the importance of having parents be present in your life isn't good for anyone.
Yes! Very sad, now I completely understand why he retired so soon! Don't worry Dale, us fans love you and your family! and Pray for you the very best life now! So glad you are OK after your jet crash! Be Blessed!
Lots of sons out there experienced this with their dad, including myself. I can't recall a time my dad ever told me he loved me or hugged me. It changes with you. You can be the dad to your child you always wanted to have. My son knows I love him.
I feel like this happens a lot with Sr.’s generation. That’s how I feel with my dad at least because I relate with jr saying he wants just to be a kid and not have to work so much
Lots of people went through situations similar to this. Like Dale said, they got close as they got older. Normally, that’s typical when people tell these types of stories
Same thing here bud, my dad never spent time with me until I turned 30 and started building and racing my own race cars. Now I see him every Friday and Saturday for race day. It's better than nothing and racing is now my passion.
My parents weren't lovey dovey people, my dad when I was younger and after my parents split was very dedicated to his career. Like Dale Jr. I was older when I started forming a relationship with him. But I treasured the relationship and respected the hell out of him. I never doubted my dad loved me and I believe Dale Sr loved his kids , part of it is generational.
I can understand Dale Jr’s story perfectly because I have been living a similar life for 50 years. I use to watch the young Dale Jr and could sense that something was different. I could almost feel a kinship with him. When something didn’t go quite right on the track for the young Jr, I could see in the post race interview that he had other fears or monsters that he had to deal with. Things that he dare not mention in the interview. I respect him for being able to communicate to us fans how it feels not to measure up to his fathers expectations. It’s truly a feeling of not measuring up to your fathers standards. He said it best when he spoke of what Dale Sr told him about doing anything to be in the shop and sweeping floors. When Jr heard him say that, he was, in his own mind ,a complete failure. Dale Jr, I feel for you now, and I was concerned about you back then, and I thank God that you can sit down today and put this information out to the public in hopes that it will strengthen the relationship of fathers and sons across this land.
"Have you ever walked in the shoes of a giant? Or had to fill the position of the boss before you were even a client" perfect way to describe Jr's relationship with Dale Sr.
I can definitely relate to Jr on this topic, my dad and like plenty of other dads were like this and it could really hurt a young man growing up. sometimes i still end up dealing with my own issues because of a lack of love there.. i truly respect Jr for taking this step and opening up about this subject.
Dale Jr didn't disappoint his Dad or anybody else! He tried to do his damn best as a NASCAR driver. Took some serious damage from the accidents he was involved in. And finally made the tough, but smart, decision to retire. Well done Dale!
I don't think sr was a bad father,he was a tough love dad,you'll never convince me he didn't love his kids and grandkids. He was like the coach of my beloved Patriots. You'll never hear him say good job,or love you. But you know he did.
All I can say is that as much as I miss/will miss drivers like Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Dale Jr, etc., I respect their decisions to step down from the peak of racing in America so that they can be good fathers to their kids
I hate to say this but the truth is this. Dale Sr was a better driver and anything and everything racing but Dalejr is a better man and has a better personality than Sr ever did. That is fact.
Jr. I can promise you now if he had another chance he’d do EVERYTHING differently. He most probably was treated as such by his father/or grew up w/out a father. You’ve been given another chance to change your past by becoming a father. Good luck to you. Lodie
One thing I think that indicated we were seeing a change in Dale Sr was his interest in racing at Le Mans. At the Rolex in 2001 he had found he was enjoying driving sportscars and made it known that he intended to pursue a Corvette ride at Le Mans in the near future. I think he had Nascar retirement in mind and running DEI Motorsports with Jr as lead driver as well as doing some sportscar stuff himself.
There's nothing wrong with totally immersing oneself into their career but if you know that's the way you are then don't waste everyone's time by getting married and having kids.
@@3338MAN Yeah, you have to think. Dale Jr. could have been deadbeat coke addict or serial killer because of Dale Sr. but he became his own person. The reason why I and many others have always respected Junior in more ways than Senior.
You have to put Dale Earnhardt Sr and his personal hand in life he was dealt in proper context when judging him. The man was dirt poor and wanted to impress his own father (who died in 1973 at a very young age) who made him earn everything himself. Dale Sr worked his ass off to get himself to where he was and by the time his kids where teenagers, they -through their father's toils were well off and probably didn't know what it was like to be hungry so Earnhardt Sr probably couldn't relate to them very well. I remember seeing an interview with him once when he was a 4 or 5 time Cup champion and he revealed that even then, he was always afraid of losing his ride. That kind of fear is instilled in you forever when you know what its like to consider owning something as simple as a bar of soap a luxury. A shame he died when he pretty much could put those worries to rest.
Trust me your dad is more proud of you then you think, he may not have showed the love and affection but he carried about you prob more then he did his self, ya he wanted you to be a racer as him because he knew you would love it, and it would be something you could bond too, he may have lost his life but he made sure you stayed infront of him snd lost his life doing it, he protected you and mikey on that track, and i bet damn well if he was alive today he would be right there with you.
Your on this show because of your Dad. Y'all's careers are based on the association of your father. Think of all the dedication, and hard work others put in like yourselves, but without a Dad with a known name. Your lucky, and should thank the lord for his blessings.
Didn't seem so much that Dale wanted to be a driver, as he wanted to be the best driver and his goals to achieve it was to put everything else aside. It cost marriages and closeness with his children sadly. But I think Dale changed and saw his mistakes when Jr became a very good racer. The greatest race between father and son came in the IROC series when Jr banged doors with Dad, and refused to be intimidated by Dad. Seems Dale learned a whole new respect for Jr after that race.
But... it took Jr. to get involved in racing and winning for Sr. to grow closer. People make mistakes but a child having to earn respect from their father should never be the case.
Dale was hard on Jr because he saw his potential. Much like Ralph was on Dale Sr when he was growing up. They were fathers fostering greatness. Sometimes a parent does not always go about it the right way. I am sure he did the best with the parenting skills he had. He told Hank Parker before he passed how he longed to have a better relationship with Jr. He wanted more of a father/son relationship not just one built on the racetrack. At the least I admire Dale for being present. So many daddies,and mommies choose not to be. At the least Dale was trying to be better. I hope Hank's words ink into Jr's heart,and he feels his father's love that was always there. Even off of the track.
My dad is like this. Rarely shows affection to me but will shower it on my mother. I can count on one hand the number of times he has said I love you without me saying it first.
Dale and Kelly both show sadness in their description of their relationship with their father, yet they try to defend him at the same time. They wanted more from him and he chose otherwise. I’m sure their words would sadden him if he could hear them. It makes me strive to be a better father.
Strict fathers have a way of pushing you to be great. Men that grew up in the 50’s are built different. (My father grew up in that era, and was a chief in the Navy while I was growing up) At an early age they had to learn what it meant to work and work hard. Dale Sr. grew up poor, and he was determined not to have his kids grow up the way he did. He was a workaholic, and made sure his kids had what they needed. Later on in life, and I think after reconnecting with Kerry, he saw and knew he needed to fix his relationship with his kids. People can change, all those people talking crap about Sr. Look at his kids now, if he didn’t care and was a shitty father… would Kerry and Jr had jobs at his dealership? Would he had help open the doors for all three of them to race, and if you say “they made their own way” nah Sr. Had pull and helped out behind the scenes more than even his kids know. He was a strict father that loved from a distance that wanted his kids to succeed at a high level in life. Look at them now??? Are they successful?
This doesnt really surprise me. I wasnt really a senior fan and never really a junior fan because of senior and that fan base. But later on i grew to love junior cause i was blown away on how he handled the fan pressure and just grew into a caring and humble guy. I am not bashing senior for being a bad parent cause it was just kind of that way back then and he was busy with racing. I am saying that junior should be proud that he grew into a man that will forever be an icon of racing and twice the man his dad was character wise
Must be tough to have a hero right there that was so busy being a hero for everyone that he didn’t spend the time at home, but, Dale Sr was what he saw when he was growing up himself around his own father. I can relate, and I try to be different.
Being a son of the south and the son of a hard working southerner I got the same type of treatment growing up even though none of us were famous. My dad just worked his ass off and when he had a little bit of spare time he spent it with my mom or his buddies. I resented it growing up, but once I became an adult on my own me and my dad talked things out and we're as cool as we've ever been together!
Old school tough love. Dale Sr probably has alot of regrets. Im sure he loved and always cared for his kids. He was just wrapped up in trying to make a living turning wrenches, and steering wheels. RIP Intimidator
There are great men that do great things. But some are cold and indifferent fathers which can be devastating for their children and really pay no interest until the children are adults. Their mother must be awesome to have raised such great kids💖💖
You became your own man , Jr. You became and are a good father and family man. Your father was a superstar in racing but never made it as a dad. Be proud of who YOU are.
Kyle Petty said he never saw his dad either. What about the Wallace kids? It's not the same anymore because frankly the drivers do very little at the shop these days. Back then these drivers picked up a wrench. Drivers today go to the track.. Drive.. fly home.. that is pretty much it.
Dale Jr seems to be like every dad's kid who never lived up to their expectations. Honestly Dale Sr was hard headed and love racing and competition. I believed if he was alive still, Jrs career would be totally different
he's telling how you feel you can tell the hurt that he went through the missing out and having a dad a real dad around didn't get to hang out with his dad never went hunting his dad went hunting all the time he said he was a big hunter and you saw him going hunting but he never took his son hunting and fishing didn't get to hang out what he said how sad God my little girl is now 17 but growing up we hung out everyday and I work two jobs and had a business also but I made time for her because I knew she would grow up fast one day and be an adult and then leave how sad didn't have time for me at all makes everything he did on the track worth nothing being a horrible dad when you go back and see
Dale Sr was a great race driver and a bad father. That will likely get lots of hate but that is the truth. I would rather die being a great father than a great driver at the expense of my children's emotional health. It is amazing Dale Jr turned out so well after the poor example his father gave. I like Jr even more now. It is sad that anyone should grow up in that atmosphere. Dale, thank you for being honest, I don't think any of knew what your life was actually like. Let this be an example to other parents who put their own ambitions above their children.
Dale, we don't have to be like our dads. Love your family, that makes us better dads. I'm a big fan of both of you and l lost my dad a long time ago. He remarried & was distant. We do rise from the ashes. You are a great man better than sr.
I find it even more sad that Sr. died when he was really turning things around with his family. Jr. said it himself, he wasn't the same person in 92' as he was in 01'. You can hate on Sr. for being a shitty father, but people can change
I don't think anyone hates on Sr. for doing what he had to do in the 70's and 80's. If you watch the docu's of Sr. he acknowledges he was a shitty father but in later videos he was trying to turn the relationships around. Life caught up with him before he got it done. We still love him for who he was.
Roger Frizzell exactly
It doesnt take 60 years to change if you want to. Jr was a man by then and didn't need Sr. He wanted to have a father, which is really sad.
Roger Frizzell he died so his son could finish well in the race
@@dom.rockchalkjayhawk.8990 That is the furthest thing from the truth. He didn’t turn down on sterling or drive up into ken because of his son. He did it for himself to finish good. Stop saying stupid shit.
Jr had a tough go with a 10,000 pound weight on his back. His honesty is amazing.
Junior, you have millions of fans who could not be more proud of you. We love you
This is really sad. No son should have to earn his Father's love or attention.
Why not
True love is unconditional, especially love between a father and son. There is nothing that should separate a child from their parents love.
James Gentry my dad had to earn his fathers love. My dad made it a point to always let my brothers and I know that we are loved regardless of anything. It’s a cycle. Dale Jr will love the hell out of his kids because of this
The only unconditional love in this world is from your mother.
That's not true at all. It makes no sense for only one parent to possess unfailing love for their child. Its both their child.
Honestly , this is kind of sad
it really is sad
No doubt, it is.. When my dad was going to law school while working a full time job, then starting a law firm that ended with six partners and 25 junior partners, I didn't see much of him, but he was able to go to my high school graduation.. Politics aside, Brett Kavenaugh was able to get nominated for the Supreme Court and still coach his daughter's basketball team and go to baseball games with his family.. I find that incredible!
yes! but some guys sometimes have the talent for whatever they are doing and it seems easy and less time consuming and others really need to implicate every cell in their body to find success in their chosen field...
Very sad indeed considering Dale Sr. had passed early, it seemed like had he lived they would've made up for missed time.
Very sad
Dale Jr's relationship with Dale Sr mirrors mine with my dad, only difference is my father wasn't a NASCAR Winston Cup driver...
Mine and my sisters also.
Same with me and my dad too.
Vine Wood, yea mine too no matter what or how much you did, it wasn't good enough
Same here.
Same here as well. At least jr and kelly got to see their dad start to change. My dad is 81 I'm 47 and I have been told in front of my wife and mother " I had never done anything in life the way he would have had me do it" oh well, whatever.
Jr, Dale sounded like my Dad. He was cold, but he still loved me in his own way. It was the era they grew up in.
He is proud of you, God bless.
Jr had it tough being the child of The Intimidator..Can see the pain.
I love how open and honest they are about their relationship with their father.
Jesus dale JR. seems like a cool dude.
Hell yeah. Hang out with him for 20 minutes. Awesome dude
This is really sad. Dale Sr. was an amazing driver, but his son is way more reflective, and focused on being a good person than he ever was. Nobody should have to earn love from a parent.
Being strict and love are two diffrent things. If he didnt care he wouldnt have pushed him or gave him a shot to race a car. Kelly said she got a car at 16. If he was a total prick he would have made them work for it. They cut the interview to make it feel this way. They didnt talk bad at all.
Every parent makes mistakes. Dale was not a bad father, just an incomplete one. All of his children have turned out to be well mannered, productive beings. Dale has to take some credit for that.
This really hits home. I will tell you, Dale, if you were my son I would be damn proud of what you have done. People would get tired of me bragging about you. Thanks
Indy Custom Made: yep, that's pretty much me. I hug my kids and tell them I love them and proud of them every chance I get...even if that happens to be in public. I don't care, and shouldn't care, who's watching.
@@aggie7756 i envy your kids. would give anything to be able to hug my daddy again
Awww thats nice
Im a loving passionate person
If he followed n your footsteps think he would be the beat burger flipper?
My dad is a very quiet man, he was never huge on affection. When I graduated with honors, there were tears in his eyes and that was the first time I had ever seen him cry and he hugged me the hardest I think I cab recall. I knew my father loved me regardless, he taught me all that I needed to know in life, how to be a hardworker, how to appreciate things but he did it in very few words. He certainly has had his moments, he's amazing with food, with cars, motorcycles and his sense of humor when it came to the surface was fantastic. Back in 2012 when I was 16, he hopped on a stump with a stick and proceeded to tell a scary story about witches and warlocks, I couldn't help but crack up at the sight. The craziest part? He's my adopted father, he's the only father figure I've known and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
I was the failure in my family, especially to my brothers. Thanks Dale for sharing your feelings. God Bless
Most southern dads are tough on their sons, including my own, but I think it's a culture thing. My dad wasn't abusive or an alcoholic he just thought being tough on me would drive me to do better in my life so I wouldn't have to work as hard as he did his whole life. We've gotten closer as I've aged though, which in some ways sounds similar to Jr's situation as Sr aged.
Very well put man!
and black families most dads leave our lives when we are born i didint meet my dad until i was 6
I’d agree. My dad was tough on me. But he did recognize me as his son. When I struck out, he was pissed. And when I hit a homer, he’d shit on the other team. When I failed a test. He slapped me and helped me study. And then made fun of me for shits.
But dammit, he was there for it all.
I agree with the cultural aspect. I knew my dad loved me but, he was hard on me. When I did well he was the first to pat me on the back but, if I screwed up he would eat me alive. He wouldn't let me slack off no matter what I was doing. He expected 100% effort in what I did and would accept no less.
Also, he was a contractor by trade and I hated construction. He didn't force me to go into construction and if I didnt want to participate in it then he didnt force me to go along on his trips and such. It wasnt until later in life when I would remodel my own home and eventually got involved with construction on my own did we have much of a relationship. He gave me the opportunity to decide for myself what I wanted to do but when I started operating heavy equipment it gave us something in common we could talk about. I think Dale Sr. did the same with Jr.
@@kash45 I am so very sorry that was your experience. I don't know what it's like to be abandoned by a father in that way.
You didn't disappoint your dad, he disappointed you.
millieo idk how he could’ve disappointed him tbh, yeah maybe early in his life he didn’t really show that much of a supporting person, but just think that senior died so Junior could come in second place.
That’s stupid. He was a piece of shit father period
Amen to that! Dale Sr needed to be a dad first his son should have come first!!
Andrew Crawford how is he a shot father
Kur because he feels like it, must be.
You can feel his pain as he elaborates about that .
Dale Sr. may have been a crappy father but his children still respect him and made their way in their own life. Jr is literally the opposite of his old man and has the respect of the racing community and fans alike.
the ironic thing is look how great dale jr turned out. parents do things out of love even if you don't understand it. dale sr was old school. this whole reward system without doing anything generation is doomed.
I totally agree with that. Dale Jr is an outstanding person. I have no question about that. My father has been a dick to me most of my life and in a weird way, I appreciate it even though I want to beat his ass sometimes.
But i bet u Jr. Wont be like that to his children. His mom raise him apparently. So she gets the credit
He was strict its not like he didnt care. You could see the love in the dudes eyes when he was around jr and kelly. He wanted the best for them and pushed them.
Because you see sr run up and be the first one in the pits after jr wins you see in all the races when they are together. Jr was always around the races as a kid in victory lane. He was pissed when jr wasnt doing well in school and sent him to military school because he wanted the best for him. Hes stubborn not an asshole. Just like ralph wanted for Dale not to end up at the mill which was all that was waiting for him as a high school drop out with no other work in town.
This one hit home.
Much respect to the Earnhardt family.
I'd like to know more about how Sr. grew up. My dad grew up dirt poor with eight other kids on a tiny farm that didn't have electricity or running water. When I was growing up, he was similar in many respects to Dale Sr. Dad was around and more involved than Sr., but if you thought you were ever going to hear "You done good, kid, and I'm proud of you", you were shit out of luck.
Then one night I was standing with him in the kitchen after he'd had one too many, and he opened up in a way I had never seen from him before. He told me that his own father never really looked at his kids as children who needed love and support -- but that he just looked at them as farm hands.
In other words, my dad wasn't an uncaring guy, he'd just never seen a good example of how a father could be a great parent rather than just an authority figure and provider. In his later years Dad became much better at relating to his children, and, believe me, it was appreciated even though by that time I was middle-aged. That's what growing older tends to do with people whose core intentions are sincere and well-meaning, as my father's were.
It really is a shame that Sr. had not lived longer so he could have continued to develop a better relationship with Jr., as it sounds like he was beginning to do before he was killed.
I dont know much but I know Srs dad was Ralph Earnhardt (Pretty sure) and he raced. They grew up poor in the poor town of Kannapolis. Its a very rural town from everything Ive heard. Ralph I think died in 1973 and Sr started his first NASCAR race in the 1975 World 600.
@@jimmiejohnson4871 1975 World 600
My father left the house when I was 3. When I had my own son, my goal was to gain HIS respect. Twenty five years later, he is still my best friend. He is the best person that I know. He thanks me everyday for being who I am. I am the proudest father with the best son a man could ask for.
This is pretty hard to listen to you know? Missing your sons high school graduation is pretty shitty, but I hope Dale Jr. learns from this, and is the father that his own dad wasn't.
infloslinger It’s not being coddled.. Not showing up for a child’s graduation for anything, college, high school, etc. is not okay. Everyone has a different perspective on this and I’ll leave it at that
JR is gonna be an awesome dad , and it won't be because of his childhood . He's a totally different person !
Sometimes you miss things. I have 3 children and 6 grandchildren and I used to try to be at every single thing u just can't. That said those big things , high school graduation, a sports championship you just do not miss!!!! , that generation man was different. My Dad wasn't around period. Those era guys children were sort of a by product of a relationship and women generally handled the kids needs while dad went out and supported the family financially. I remember we got to do things at our parents pleasure not the other way around. These days everything circles around kids playing travel ball, school and church events. It's like either parents are too far one way or the other. Not much balance. If you love your kids you will make it to the big events in their life and you will be there for all the skinned knees along the way. Part of this story is like my dad was. We knew he loved us but he travelled all over for work. When that happens your bond isn't as strong. If Dale sr had lived he would've been an awesome grandpa. Even dale jr said he had changed a ton as he had gotten older. I think once he achieved all that success he woke up and realized he had an awesome son that he truly loved and got to share common passion to boot. I'm in business with both my oldest son and daughter it's fantastic!!!
Keaton Eastridge l
@@mgraber1 you hit the nail on the head. I guees it is different for us who were actually loved by there parents.
damn. it's even sadder that he still got into racing to have a relationship with his dad after all those years of his dad not being there.
Damn I’d prolly be hella depressed if my dad never acknowledged me
I definitely expected this type of relationship. It isnt just Dale's mentality as a dad...it was also the time period. Dale Sr had families to take care of and he made sure everyone had a roof over there head and that they can eat. That was what he felt like his responsibility was. Everything else was extra. As long his family was in a home and fed his job as a man and father was complete
Pretty much the same as his own father.
My dad was the same way. I think it was that generation of men. No crying, no emotion and corporal punishment.
This really hit me hard and deep. I was never good enough for my father. No wonder I'm a Dale Jr. Fan.
Seemed like JR was holding back tears the whole interview
Agreed
I’m a grown ass man and I got choked up and have some tears flowing. The Earnhardt story is one of a kind.
People, put things into perspective. Sr. was one of many drivers that had to give up the normal family life to be a driver for one. And he wasn't completely absent from their lives. So if you can judge a man by how his kids turn out, well then I give Sr. all the respect in the world. And I know most of you are jr fans if your commenting, so how do you think he feels while you sit here and bash his dad? He and Kelley are only making the point that they had a different childhood. What child of a celebrity or superstar athlete doesnt?
U cld also give the credit to his mother! Plenty of great children come from single mothers too. so its sad and u can see it in Jrs face when he talks about it. All these people love Sr. And the real story is he wasnt there for his kids Im certain that jr wont raise his own children that way.
Id say its great to dedicate ur life to something a career or passion
Just dont have multiple wives and children at the same time .
Great driver YES Great father No Way!
look at the Petty family and the Allisons. they were close to their dads who also worked like Dogs to be great drivers and earn money for their families, so it isn't always the case of what happened to Jr. but i think that is a valid point, about how Sr grew up. it rubbed off on how he reacted to his own kids in a way
Dale Jr is just mirroring what a lot of guys went through with working dads. It’s hard to be a complete and total father. He cared for them by making sure they had what they needed. I went through and didn’t get to really know my dad until I was well into my late 20’s early 30’s. Sr. Wasn’t a bad dad just motivated to succeed and make sure his kids had what they needed to succeed!
Me too. men have to work to provide thats what consumse our time. Its hard being a father.
Exactly ..
Dale Jr even described himself as a man with no education, but just enough talent in one thing to pay the bills. (Just like his father...)
Dale Sr chose to give his family a life of comfort and stability, an easier life than what he had. He could've dug ditches and made the weekly chump check... praying every night he still has a job to go to the next morning...Any father that has to Support his family on his own financially, is gonna be a busy man physically and mentally..
Had what they needed?? The best thing a father can give his children is HIS TIME!! NOTHING REPLACES THAT!!!
It always breaks my heart when I hear jr talk about how his dad was to him as a kid. Jr isnt even sour about it at all. Hes so matter of fact.
Amazed at all the comments about Sr. as it has been well known years ago that he abandoned all his kids for racing, save Taylor. Never was a fan of his, however I always appreciated what Jr. went through with his Dad and Theresa.
You can see in Dale Jr the childhood scars never heal, you just learn to live with them.
My Dad was the same way. We never did things together until I was older. He wanted me to quit school and become a roofer like him. He has never once told me he loved me. That being said it doesn't effect me like some people.
lets admit every boy goes through this somehow
Kash 45 absolutely not. Some, sure. And I even grew up in the south. But fatherhood is extremely important and the fact that it seems that Dale Sr didn’t even recognize dale jr as his son is for part of his life does really suck.
Yeah, nah. I get this wasn't your intent to do this but normalizing child neglect and downplaying the importance of having parents be present in your life isn't good for anyone.
Unless u dont have one its worse
Not Me
Yes! Very sad, now I completely understand why he retired so soon! Don't worry Dale, us fans love you and your family! and Pray for you the very best life now! So glad you are OK after your jet crash! Be Blessed!
Man Dale Jr. is the man.
I love his honesty. He’s a Great interview and a Great Guy.
Was 1 Heck of race car driver as well.
Definitely held is own.
Lots of sons out there experienced this with their dad, including myself. I can't recall a time my dad ever told me he loved me or hugged me. It changes with you. You can be the dad to your child you always wanted to have. My son knows I love him.
it sucks how dale had to start driving for his dad to actually realize he is living being
I have a new respect for jr, I followed him, he wasn’t my favorite, but he’s a good dude.
Kinda hits different that the second senior starts to turn himself around in his family life he doesn't get to live long enough to go far with it
I feel like this happens a lot with Sr.’s generation. That’s how I feel with my dad at least because I relate with jr saying he wants just to be a kid and not have to work so much
If Dale Jr spends more time with his kid(s) and family than Dale Sr did, he will have achieved more.
Lots of people went through situations similar to this. Like Dale said, they got close as they got older. Normally, that’s typical when people tell these types of stories
Same thing here bud, my dad never spent time with me until I turned 30 and started building and racing my own race cars. Now I see him every Friday and Saturday for race day. It's better than nothing and racing is now my passion.
I’m blessed to have my pops. I recognize that but it’s always nice to have a reminder. Thanks for this clip
My parents weren't lovey dovey people, my dad when I was younger and after my parents split was very dedicated to his career. Like Dale Jr. I was older when I started forming a relationship with him. But I treasured the relationship and respected the hell out of him. I never doubted my dad loved me and I believe Dale Sr loved his kids , part of it is generational.
I can understand Dale Jr’s story perfectly because I have been living a similar life for 50 years.
I use to watch the young Dale Jr and could sense that something was different. I could almost feel a kinship with him.
When something didn’t go quite right on the track for the young Jr, I could see in the post race interview that he had other fears or monsters that he had to deal with. Things that he dare not mention in the interview.
I respect him for being able to communicate to us fans how it feels not to measure up to his fathers expectations.
It’s truly a feeling of not measuring up to your fathers standards.
He said it best when he spoke of what Dale Sr told him about doing anything to be in the shop and sweeping floors.
When Jr heard him say that, he was, in his own mind ,a complete failure.
Dale Jr, I feel for you now, and I was concerned about you back then, and I thank God that you can sit down today and put this information out to the public in hopes that it will strengthen the relationship of fathers and sons across this land.
In Other words, Dale Sr wanted a son that did the same thing that he did. Like Racing and stuff.
Nothing wrong with that. It's obvious Dale Jr didn't have the same heart or drive his dad did
@@jamesgentry13 Did watch the interview? Dale Sr wanted his son to do like he did and be in racing like he was when Dale Sr. Was a kid.
@@BrentHarmon I watched it and all I see is Dale Jr whining like a baby
@@jamesgentry13 A lot wrong with that when you're a fully grown adult with kids like Dale was.
@@nazcarcup so he's supposed to give up his career? Why
As sad as it was and is, I like how Jr. pointed out Dale wasn’t the same person in 01 as he was in 92.
Thank you for this Graham and Dale, great incite on the life of a race car driver.
"Have you ever walked in the shoes of a giant? Or had to fill the position of the boss before you were even a client" perfect way to describe Jr's relationship with Dale Sr.
This is a perfect definition of "you have to live your life for yourself and no one else"..PERIOID!..
I can definitely relate to Jr on this topic, my dad and like plenty of other dads were like this and it could really hurt a young man growing up. sometimes i still end up dealing with my own issues because of a lack of love there.. i truly respect Jr for taking this step and opening up about this subject.
Dale Jr didn't disappoint his Dad or anybody else! He tried to do his damn best as a NASCAR driver. Took some serious damage from the accidents he was involved in. And finally made the tough, but smart, decision to retire. Well done Dale!
I don't think sr was a bad father,he was a tough love dad,you'll never convince me he didn't love his kids and grandkids. He was like the coach of my beloved Patriots. You'll never hear him say good job,or love you. But you know he did.
Then suck it up and say it.
All I can say is that as much as I miss/will miss drivers like Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Dale Jr, etc., I respect their decisions to step down from the peak of racing in America so that they can be good fathers to their kids
I hate to say this but the truth is this. Dale Sr was a better driver and anything and everything racing but Dalejr is a better man and has a better personality than Sr ever did. That is fact.
Jr. I can promise you now if he had another chance he’d do EVERYTHING differently. He most probably was treated as such by his father/or grew up w/out a father. You’ve been given another chance to change your past by becoming a father. Good luck to you. Lodie
One thing I think that indicated we were seeing a change in Dale Sr was his interest in racing at Le Mans. At the Rolex in 2001 he had found he was enjoying driving sportscars and made it known that he intended to pursue a Corvette ride at Le Mans in the near future. I think he had Nascar retirement in mind and running DEI Motorsports with Jr as lead driver as well as doing some sportscar stuff himself.
He's a good dude man. Miss him racing. Always be a legend
There's nothing wrong with totally immersing oneself into their career but if you know that's the way you are then don't waste everyone's time by getting married and having kids.
Great point
@@3338MAN Yeah, you have to think. Dale Jr. could have been deadbeat coke addict or serial killer because of Dale Sr. but he became his own person. The reason why I and many others have always respected Junior in more ways than Senior.
You have to put Dale Earnhardt Sr and his personal hand in life he was dealt in proper context when judging him. The man was dirt poor and wanted to impress his own father (who died in 1973 at a very young age) who made him earn everything himself. Dale Sr worked his ass off to get himself to where he was and by the time his kids where teenagers, they -through their father's toils were well off and probably didn't know what it was like to be hungry so Earnhardt Sr probably couldn't relate to them very well. I remember seeing an interview with him once when he was a 4 or 5 time Cup champion and he revealed that even then, he was always afraid of losing his ride. That kind of fear is instilled in you forever when you know what its like to consider owning something as simple as a bar of soap a luxury. A shame he died when he pretty much could put those worries to rest.
Trust me your dad is more proud of you then you think, he may not have showed the love and affection but he carried about you prob more then he did his self, ya he wanted you to be a racer as him because he knew you would love it, and it would be something you could bond too, he may have lost his life but he made sure you stayed infront of him snd lost his life doing it, he protected you and mikey on that track, and i bet damn well if he was alive today he would be right there with you.
Hands Down the Best Jr. Interview
Feel so bad love them both. But I have pictures of him & his Dad & you can see in Seniors eyes & smile how much he loved you @DaleEarnhart.
Reminds me of the relationship with my father. I've always had to pave my own way.
Sr. Paved the way for his son, Dale Jr would never have been a famous nascar driver without his fathers last name.
Your on this show because of your Dad. Y'all's careers are based on the association of your father. Think of all the dedication, and hard work others put in like yourselves, but without a Dad with a known name. Your lucky, and should thank the lord for his blessings.
Didn't seem so much that Dale wanted to be a driver, as he wanted to be the best driver and his goals to achieve it was to put everything else aside. It cost marriages and closeness with his children sadly.
But I think Dale changed and saw his mistakes when Jr became a very good racer. The greatest race between father and son came in the IROC series when Jr banged doors with Dad, and refused to be intimidated by Dad. Seems Dale learned a whole new respect for Jr after that race.
But... it took Jr. to get involved in racing and winning for Sr. to grow closer. People make mistakes but a child having to earn respect from their father should never be the case.
Dale was hard on Jr because he saw his potential. Much like Ralph was on Dale Sr when he was growing up. They were fathers fostering greatness. Sometimes a parent does not always go about it the right way. I am sure he did the best with the parenting skills he had. He told Hank Parker before he passed how he longed to have a better relationship with Jr. He wanted more of a father/son relationship not just one built on the racetrack. At the least I admire Dale for being present. So many daddies,and mommies choose not to be. At the least Dale was trying to be better. I hope Hank's words ink into Jr's heart,and he feels his father's love that was always there. Even off of the track.
You never Miss them till there gone and people take that for granted!!!!!
My dad is like this. Rarely shows affection to me but will shower it on my mother. I can count on one hand the number of times he has said I love you without me saying it first.
Dale and Kelly both show sadness in their description of their relationship with their father, yet they try to defend him at the same time. They wanted more from him and he chose otherwise. I’m sure their words would sadden him if he could hear them. It makes me strive to be a better father.
Strict fathers have a way of pushing you to be great. Men that grew up in the 50’s are built different. (My father grew up in that era, and was a chief in the Navy while I was growing up) At an early age they had to learn what it meant to work and work hard. Dale Sr. grew up poor, and he was determined not to have his kids grow up the way he did. He was a workaholic, and made sure his kids had what they needed. Later on in life, and I think after reconnecting with Kerry, he saw and knew he needed to fix his relationship with his kids. People can change, all those people talking crap about Sr. Look at his kids now, if he didn’t care and was a shitty father… would Kerry and Jr had jobs at his dealership? Would he had help open the doors for all three of them to race, and if you say “they made their own way” nah Sr. Had pull and helped out behind the scenes more than even his kids know. He was a strict father that loved from a distance that wanted his kids to succeed at a high level in life. Look at them now??? Are they successful?
Good Post,,,,
you did not disappoint your dad
look what they all have because of Sr. Never would've happen without all the dedication and sacrifice!
This doesnt really surprise me. I wasnt really a senior fan and never really a junior fan because of senior and that fan base. But later on i grew to love junior cause i was blown away on how he handled the fan pressure and just grew into a caring and humble guy. I am not bashing senior for being a bad parent cause it was just kind of that way back then and he was busy with racing. I am saying that junior should be proud that he grew into a man that will forever be an icon of racing and twice the man his dad was character wise
Racer Guy Same wasn't a fan because of the fan base, but Jr. has become my favorite driver as a person, he's a really good guy.
Man I swear to God! I can relate to this shit 100% man he is so spot on on
Must be tough to have a hero right there that was so busy being a hero for everyone that he didn’t spend the time at home, but, Dale Sr was what he saw when he was growing up himself around his own father. I can relate, and I try to be different.
This is so sad and he is still is effected by this. So many parents do this to their kids. I hope he breaks the chain of disfunction.
Being a son of the south and the son of a hard working southerner I got the same type of treatment growing up even though none of us were famous. My dad just worked his ass off and when he had a little bit of spare time he spent it with my mom or his buddies. I resented it growing up, but once I became an adult on my own me and my dad talked things out and we're as cool as we've ever been together!
This poor baby!!! My heart breaks for Jr. 😭😭😭
"The only reason why i race to get closer to my dad" that hit me😔😭😭😭
Old school tough love. Dale Sr probably has alot of regrets. Im sure he loved and always cared for his kids. He was just wrapped up in trying to make a living turning wrenches, and steering wheels. RIP Intimidator
That’s sad 😔 I just wanna give him a hug
I relate with this a lot. I know that feeling man.
The Joe Rogan interview was real good ..check it out
Joe Rogan doesn’t do bad interviews
There are great men that do great things. But some are cold and indifferent fathers which can be devastating for their children and really pay no interest until the children are adults. Their mother must be awesome to have raised such great kids💖💖
You became your own man , Jr. You became and are a good father and family man. Your father was a superstar in racing but never made it as a dad. Be proud of who YOU are.
I feel so sad for my cuz... Love you Dale!
Kyle Petty said he never saw his dad either. What about the Wallace kids? It's not the same anymore because frankly the drivers do very little at the shop these days. Back then these drivers picked up a wrench. Drivers today go to the track.. Drive.. fly home.. that is pretty much it.
Greatness requires sacrifice.
Dale Jr seems to be like every dad's kid who never lived up to their expectations. Honestly Dale Sr was hard headed and love racing and competition. I believed if he was alive still, Jrs career would be totally different
he's telling how you feel you can tell the hurt that he went through the missing out and having a dad a real dad around didn't get to hang out with his dad never went hunting his dad went hunting all the time he said he was a big hunter and you saw him going hunting but he never took his son hunting and fishing didn't get to hang out what he said how sad God my little girl is now 17 but growing up we hung out everyday and I work two jobs and had a business also but I made time for her because I knew she would grow up fast one day and be an adult and then leave how sad didn't have time for me at all makes everything he did on the track worth nothing being a horrible dad when you go back and see
Dale Sr was a great race driver and a bad father. That will likely get lots of hate but that is the truth. I would rather die being a great father than a great driver at the expense of my children's emotional health. It is amazing Dale Jr turned out so well after the poor example his father gave. I like Jr even more now. It is sad that anyone should grow up in that atmosphere. Dale, thank you for being honest, I don't think any of knew what your life was actually like. Let this be an example to other parents who put their own ambitions above their children.
I’ve never been an Earnhardt fan, but this interview puts things into perspective and you realize they are just ordinary people like us.
breaks my heart😣
Not related but honestly
Only reason RC is in the HOF is because of Dale Sr
Harvick is another Reason
Oscar Jimenez Jr. true
@@JackCallSports Kevin Won 2 Busch Series Championships (2001 & 2006) for Childress
Oscar Jimenez Jr. RCR is really good in xfinity tho ngl
Dale, we don't have to be like our dads. Love your family, that makes us better dads. I'm a big fan of both of you and l lost my dad a long time ago. He remarried & was distant. We do rise from the ashes. You are a great man better than sr.
Dale Jr. Is speaking from his heart.