“We’ll make another Dale Jr,” when Dale Sr.’s third wife made a SHOCKING remark after Dale Earnhardt Jr. threatened to quit his father’s Cup team

Dale Earnhardt is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR. The seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup series champion has plenty of achievements and awards to his name. 2001 he passed away due to a crash during the Daytona 500. It was a dark day for NASCAR, and the sport mourned the 49-year-old’s death. After his passing, his third wife, Teresa Earnhardt, inherited his NASCAR team, Dale Earnhardt Inc (DEI).

Earnhardt Sr. had started this team in the 1980s to field cars for himself. Back then, it was called the Busch series. His team, DEI, moved to the transitioned Cup series, and in 2001 he fielded cars for his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. However, the story has a tragic end as Earnhardt Jr. leaves his father’s team due to a battle over ownership with his stepmother, Teresa. The team created by the NASCAR legend eventually shut down. Hence, the NASCAR world is not very fond of Teresa. 

Back then, Teresa saw that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wanted to leave his father’s team, DEI. She stated, “If Dale Jr. doesn’t want to stick around here we’ll make another Dale Jr.” Teresa thought that Dale Jr. was replaceable, but for NASCAR, there was only one Dale Jr. He was so popular that fans voted him as  NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for 15 years. 

Related: SHR’s Cole Custer set to make Cup return with Rick Ware Racing

Teresa once questioned Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment to being a driver

In 2007, Earnhardt Jr. was in the last year of his contract with the team. He wanted to be the majority owner of DEI. However, things did not go well, and the fight for the future of his father’s team played out in public.

Earnhardt Jr.’s stepmother raised concerns about his commitment to being a NASCAR driver in 2006. It was a shocking statement and revealed their fractured relationship. She stated, “Right now the ball’s in his court to decide on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality.”

Earnhardt Jr. also revealed that his relationship with Teresa was not an amicable one. In 2007, he announced that he was leaving DEI and stated that his goal was to win a Cup series championship. Dale Earnhardt Jr. felt that without having ownership of DEI, he could not win a title. A few months later, he joined Hendrick Motorsports with car No.88. Though he wanted his father’s No.8, it is understood that Teresa did not want him to have the car number. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened up on this subject on his podcast. He revealed that it was not Teresa’s wish to own the team, but she didn’t release control and power to another person who could run it. He believes she didn’t trust anybody. This is how the legendary NASCAR driver Dale Sr.’s team, DEI, folded. And unfortunately, it couldn’t be saved. 

In case you missed it:

• “Never felt so nervous,” Max Verstappen reveals he was ‘screaming’ while watching Shane van Gisbergen win the NASCAR Chicago Cup race.
• Kevin Harvick doesn’t want NASCAR to return to Chicago for at least the next five years

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW