Dale Earnhardt Jr. breaks down the pressure he had on his shoulders to live up to his father’s legacy

Dale Sr and Dale Jr made the Earnhardt’s one of the biggest racing families in the world.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. breaks down the pressure he had on his shoulders to live up to his father’s legacy

Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the victory lane after Earnhardt Sr. won the IROC race at Daytona International Speedway. (Via IMAGO)

Two-time Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. is arguably the most popular NASCAR driver ever. The fame wasn’t just the product of his impressive race craft but also had to do with his last name. His father, Dale Earnhardt, was the man who dominated NASCAR when the sport transformed to its current status in the 80s and 90s.

Dale Sr. won the Cup title a record seven times and is considered one of the GOATs of the sport alongside fellow seven-time champs Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty. Coming to the sport bearing the surname, a lot was expected of him. Before getting to the Cup series, he won back-to-back Xfinity series titles, proving he has the racing blood in him.

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Dale Jr. had some solid seasons, first with DEI and later with Hendrick Motorsports, but failed to win the elusive title. He ended his career with 26 Cup race wins and 24 Xfinity Series wins. While talking to Ex-NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, Junior opened up about this pressure he had on his shoulders and claimed that he always felt he was falling short of expectations.

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I just wanted to do good. I always felt like that I was falling short of expectations. Even if no one ever said anything to me, my expectation was my father. His success, right?
Dale Jr. said via Kenny Wallace Show.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t bothered by the negative chatter about him

The NASCAR Hall of Famer wall is fully aware of the negative comments that were circling about him, But he claimed that he was never bothered by such comments and reiterated that he never gave attention to the noise.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
But none of that really bothered me that bad. To be honest with you, all the talk, all the noise outside that might be negative, never, never really bothered me

Kenny Wallace is a person who has experienced the same in his career, being the young brother of Cup champion Rusty Wallace, he was expected to produce a performance similar to or above him. Keeny failed to emulate his brother but was able to contribute to the sport more than his brother after retiring.

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