Kenny Wallace Declares Dale Earnhardt Sr. “Was Too Strong for NASCAR”

Ex-NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace has asserted that as a superstar, legendary racer Dale Earnhardt was too strong for the sport.

Kenny Wallace Declares Dale Earnhardt Sr. “Was Too Strong for NASCAR”

Kenny Wallace and Dale Earnhardt (Via IMAGO and UPI.com)

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The legacy Dale Earnhardt Sr. left behind is unmatched despite him being one of the three seven times Cup Series champions in NASCAR history. There has never been a driver that has had or will have the level of control the veteran had on the sport. Recently Kenny Wallace, close associate of Senior explained how big the Hall of Famer was.

In the latest episode of the Happy Hour podcast, the 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick discussed the star power of Dale Earnhardt with guest Kenny Wallace. The latter shared a special relationship with the legend, with him even driving the iconic No:8 DEI car once. Talking about Senior star power, he declared that the champion driver was too strong for the sport of NASCAR.

To back his argument, the veteran used a hypothetical. He pointed out that Dale Sr. held so much power in the sport that if one day he asked the fans to not to turn up for the event the coming weekend, the grandstands would be empty. No racer before or after has the same level of influence, and everyone involving the sanctioning body knew it.

This is wild for me saying I’ve never said it before, but I’ve always thought Dale Earnhardt senior was too strong for NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt senior in his day—if he ever got on the microphone and looked at the grandstands and said, “Okay, I don’t want any of you to show up at the racetrack next week,” they wouldn’t show up, and that’s how powerful he was. NASCAR knew that.

Kenny Wallace said via Happy Hour podcast.

Further talking about the point, Kenny Wallace recalled a moment from his past that proved his belief was right. Once in Vegas, the veteran racer Richard Childress the owner of senior’s team RCR having a heated discussion with a NASCAR official and reminding him that his driver controls the whole sport.

I mean, I remember your old boss, Richard Childress. I caught him arguing with one of the NASCAR officials; it was in Vegas. I kind of walked by and was like, whoa, but I remember Richard shooting at a NASCAR official, saying, “Dale controls this whole damn sport,” and I was like, wow, there it is. Yeah, I heard it. Yeah, it was true.

Kenny Wallace added.

Kenny Wallace explains the difference between Chase Elliott and stars of the past

In the past the drivers that were able to amass a massive fanbase were the likes of Rusty Wallace and Dale Sr. who were real fighter, who were never afraid to show their personality. But it not the case at the moment.

Chase Elliott and Kenny Wallace (Via IMAGO)
Chase Elliott and Kenny Wallace (Via IMAGO)

The biggest name of the sport at the moment is Chase Elliott. He inherited a lot of fans of his father Bill Elliott and has amassed more of the legacy fans, despite being someone that rarely express himself in the media. The No:9 driver doesn’t have to do anything than just show up and race for win to be the fan favorite.

And isn’t it interesting? I’ve always found it odd that Chase Elliott, who is a wonderful human being but so quiet, can be so damn famous. Yeah, isn’t it? Unbelievable. You, Rusty, and Earnhardt—you guys were wrestlers. And now these kids like Chase Elliott, they don’t even have to… don’t think I say anything.

Kenny Wallace said.

The comments from the veteran racer seems on point. While Wallace meant it as a compliment for Elliott, the veteran not expressing his personality is affecting the sport as it is limiting him from being the influential figure the sport need. At the moment, Elliott doesn’t seem to be the driver that can attract fans outside the NASCAR sphere.

Also Read: Kevin Harvick Exposes Why NASCAR No Longer Wants Another Dale Earnhardt