When an ex-employee labeled Dale Sr. as a ‘miserable boss’ in front of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt earned the nickname the intimidator with his tough attitude on and off the track.

When an ex-employee labeled Dale Sr. as a ‘miserable boss’ in front of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt ruled the NASCAR garage in his prime and was the most influential person in the Premier Stock car racing scene. He still has a massive fan base two decades after his unfortunate demise. His legacy leaves through the legend’s record 7 championships and son Dale Earnhardt Jr., the most renowned NASCAR driver ever.

Dale Sr. didn’t win 7 championships. Being the nice guy on the track, he earned them by going the extra mile and being the toughest guy on the grid. One thing that comes with being the rough and tough guy is that one expects everyone around him to give their 100%. Dale Sr. being a team and drover made it more demanding as he knew what he was asking and how they could deliver.

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He was a strict boss at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, now JR Motorsports. He demanded that his employees follow certain rules. One was the ban from playing football or any other sport that could result in an injury.  The iconic RCR No:3 Car driver was always disappointed if he came across a crew member who breached the rules and inflicted self-harm, and he wasn’t kind to the m either.

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Former DEI employee and current Trackhouse executive Ty Norris appeared in 2021 in the Dale Jr. Download podcast hosted by none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr. He pointed out that Sr. wasn’t always the cool boss and often was unkind to crew members who broke the rules. He said, “He was influential in everybody’s lives, but there are a lot of days where I just was like, ‘Get this man out of this office. Get this man on the back of that farm. Get him on a bulldozer. Get him in a happy place because he is a miserable son-of-a-b****.’ I couldn’t stand it,”.

In case you missed it: When Dale Sr. got mad at “little j**k” Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a T-shirt that could have ignited a feud with Bill Elliott

Ty Norris explains his uncomfortable experience with Dale Sr.

Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Norris once found himself in the forming line of boss Dale Sr. for breaking the rules. He tore his knee while playing basketball and was instructed by his boss to come to the race shop the next day. While at the shop, Dale Sr. kicked him on the injured foot, which made him fall and cry, lying on the ground. He added that Sr. then briefly talked about why he doesn’t want his crew playing basketball.

“He could see which leg I was limping on, and he had to go to an appearance, so he has like his Chase shirt on, jeans, and boots. He gets there close, and he puts his hand for me, and right when I go to shake his hand, he picks up his leg, and he kicks me right in the knee as hard as he can. Took me down. And he goes, ‘I told you never to play basketball! I’m not going to have my employees where they can’t be around!‘” Ty Norris said.

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