I can’t believe it’s almost been 20 years... time really goes by.

Lost my dad to a heart attack when I was 11. He was 38. Now older than he was at 41. Still think about it daily to this day. It never goes away. ❤

I’m so thankful I got to meet Dale in ‘94 along with the Goodwrench team. It’s a memory that, even 26 years later is still as fresh in my mind as it was the day I met him. It’s not too often you get to meet your heroes and it’s extremely rare when they make your 12 year old self feel like the most important kid in the world. Thank you, Dale, we all miss you terribly down here.

Dale, your dad would be extremely proud of EVERYTHING you've accomplished. Your racing career, your family, everything. Even though I followed your racing career pretty faithfully, to me, when your dad died, so did nascar.

Dale Earnhardt Jr would have won at least 2 championships if Dale was still here.

Well I don't normally share stories but in 1995 I was at the All Star race with my wife at the time and we had a NASCAR shop in TN so we went to a lot of races to get merch to sale but 1995 was special. During the weekend we went to Sam Bass studio to get some posters and stuff and on that day they had a special if you bought so many Sam would autograph them. Well we picked up the usual stuff from Dale, Rusty, Gordon, and many others so the Lady at the cash register said if you want Sam to autograph these just go down stairs and he's down there. Well I'm thinking his signature would make these sale better so why not, well once we get down stairs there was Dale and Richard looking at new paint schemes for the 3 car. They were chatting away and we waited till Sam said do you want me to sign those, well we had like 40 posters in total and I said sure if you have the time and he said he did have the time. So while we stood there and waited Dale saw Rusty's poster and he asked if he could have one of the Rusty poster and said sure, I mean why not. Well he autographed that Rusty poster and told Richard that he was going to give it to Rusty so he would have a poster worth something, we all laughed. Well Sam was about to get done when Dale said do mind if I sign all those 3 posters and I said "heck no" and he stood there and signed like 16 posters and talked about the silver car he was going to run in the Winston. Dale was a real down to earth person and that's what the sport doesn't have any more. I kept one of those poster since 1995 till this past Christmas and there was this young man with mental heath issues and even tho he was just a small kid when Dale drove he was a hug fan. So on Christmas eve I gave him the last one I had knowing he would get a huge kick out of it, when he saw that Dale had signed it back in 1995 he just so excited he couldn't stop looking at it. Dale maybe gone but he's not forgotten by any means....

DEI would be a power house team. Dale would have raced until he was 55 because he loved it. He would have won 1 or 2 more 500’s and Michael Waltrip probably wouldn’t have started MWR. Dale would have probably won 8-10 more races. The HANS device would have came much later. He would have been against the chase. But it was meant to be like it is. He left as a legend. His career never fell off. Dale SR left as a legend. And he’ll always be a legend.

It’s so hard to lose a parent. Hard when grandparents cannot meet your babies.

Dale Earnhardt inc would be as big as HMS

Dale isn’t gone he is just waiting at the finish line

Imagine how great it would be to see Dale Sr’s soft side around his granddaughters

19 February's ago I cried the hardest I'd ever cried up until 2014 when my dad passed

I met Dale at Talladega in 1997, I scored some press passes from a friend that worked at a local newspaper. Was on a Friday when they were qualifying. Had to go by the credentials building to pick up my passes, walk in the door and guess who's standing there? He was really nice despite my Ford Racing cap I was wearing. As he started to leave I said hold on just one second he stopped and I bumped his elbow, he asked what that was all about and I said now I can tell everybody that I bumped Dale Earnhardt at Talladega.

I am sure Dale would have never let the chase, playoffs or stage racing ever happen. Not without a fight. He could have influence the fans to rebel against it.

I miss Dale Senior a lot today. But I can’t imagine how many more drivers we would have lost.

Dude. I was raised watching your Dad tear up the tracks. I am truly blessed to have see that. I know he would have been so proud of the man you have become.

JR is a good dude.

This is a wonderful conversation between these two guys on this subject. Thank you for sharing this discussion with us. We all miss Sr. NASCAR continued its’ ascent after his untimely passing,, but now, here in 2020, it has sadly fallen off the map. Legendary racers such as these have stepped into the background, and the new generations aren’t as charismatic or interesting as drivers. Thank you for posting this.

He's such a family man. He wanted to talk about his wife and kid. Very nice Jr.

I'm 33, was a big nascar fan when I was real young. I was 6 or 7 when my parents divorced. On Sundays, every other weekend for years, we'd listen to the race on the way to meet my mother at the halfway point to go home. Huge Earnhardt fan. I miss him, I miss the memories he was making me. I'm proud of the journey Jr has made. Haven't followed the sport in years but I still follow Jr. It has got to be the weirdest feeling to see so many people cry when talking about his dad.

I feel bad for dale

Amy loves you for you. That is what parents want for their children. My daughter has that too.

I lost my Dad 35 years ago, and I think about him every sincle day, mainly because I drive be the cemetrey where he is buried every day to and from work. I was (and still am) a huge Dale Sr. fan (and a Dale Jr. fan). Losing him was almost as bad as losing my dad, cuz he was such a father figure to me . I know he was a big public figure, but I really took it personally, which I'm sure a lot of other people did too. So I can totally relate to Dale Jr., Kelly Earnhardt, and Michael Waltrip. I never knew Dale Sr. personally, but I sure wish I did!

I really miss him.

I've been a fan of both of you guys for a really long time and here you tell this story Junior was real special thanks.

Imagine being interviewed on your dad for 19 years

he is looking down n PROUD junior....

I feel Dale Jr on this. My Mom passed away years ago and I wish she was around for my two kids. 😞

I think he would be very proud of dale Jr and them 2 granddaughters he has

He would be very proud of the family you have built

It’s okay Dale - your dad SENT you Amy.

I too miss Dale Sr

If the same way my mom died three years ago and there aint a day go by that i wish i could talk to her again she was my best freind and thats gone but i just cherish her memory s

I live with the exact situation so listening to Dale talk about it makes me very emotional and I can feel his pain 😭

Very interesting and very candid interview! thank you for this

This is a incredibly deep interview I’ve listen to all of Dale‘s downloads and most of his interviews and appearances and I’ve never heard him talk about his father like that pretty incredible

I tell ya one thing DEI would've never failed... Jr. most likely would've had a better career continuing to race at DEI & having his dad around for support, having him run the company instead of Teressa to keep it competitive with the other race teams.

Love it , good talk. Still miss you , always #3

God bless Dale. Ur dad would be proud

My father been gone for over 30 years. What I miss most are the good times I couldn’t share with him.

"Hands Down, "Dale Jr. Is Dale Seniors Greatest Fan!

Man you guys didn’t have to talk about this topic, it would be so hard to talk about. But I’m glad you did for us to listen and know.

Dale Sr. would have been proud of the man Jr. became.

DEI would be a top powerhouse team and a leader in the sport..... Been watching and attending Nascar events since the Early 70's.... 2000 was the greatest season ever .... Period.... Simply because we had a glimpse into what that Father/ Son relationship had become between Sr. & Jr. .... The only way that year gets any better is Dale Sr. Wins the championship..... The memories of the wins that year remain like yesterday.... We ALL miss him ...

So strange to hear how critical Sr. Was of the women that Jr. was dating when Sr. himself married such a snake

Perfect answer Dale. Watch your dad race all the time. Watching him with my dad on TV. I'm 26 I remember the second he crashed. My dad turned and said that's bad. He's gone before they had him from car

There is no such thing as what might have been, but let's not forget the great things we have seen since Dale passed, Nascar safety, Harvick's first win, Junior's win at Daytona the following July. Those are all great memories for me and a lot of people that only happened because it was tough to lose Dale. But I do think Nascar would have a different look if we wouldn't have lost Dale Earnhardt and Adam Petty so close together!

Dale Jr you are a honest man! You will never see this! But I wasn't SR fan! But you I liked alot! I can imagine your Dad's presence being very very intimidating! One thing about him he was who he was! Either you agreed with him or not!

I am a big fan of dale

Christmas morning 2015, my father passed away, and strangely I reached out to Jr. To this day I still don't know why, maybe I wanted advice from someone I really looked up to and watching this interview after what Jr told me, I so get what he talks about in this video eventhough Sr passed away way longer than my dad did, I think of how it would be of asking him for advice on so many things now.

I don't think your daddy would have agreed with how NASCAR came up with the point scoring. As big of a influence he was on racing he'd have definitely not allowed at least that part.

God loves the Earnhardts. We will always miss Dale. Wouldve loved to see him watch you grow up to be the man you are, Dale JR

Dale, maybe your dad picked Amy out for you and sent her your way

I feel Dale Jr would've won at least one championship, DEI would be like Hendrick or Joe Gibbs now, Mikey would've gotten a couple more wins, maybe even at someplace other than a plate track (I saw him at Phoenix back in 05 or 06 I think, going toe to toe with Kurt Busch for the lead and it made me realize he can drive, he ain't Darrell but he can drive) and maybe, just maybe Steve Park could've nailed a few more wins. Kevin Harvick would've been pushed back a year, but just imagine Harvick being a teammate of Dale Sr?

If dale was still around, he would've won nine championships, and would've retired in 2008. DEI would've been a power house company, he would probably get talked into being in the booth with Darrell, and Mike, and would've hate the rule changes that nascar has today.

He would be proud of the man Jr has became

I dare somebody to not cry thru this entire video.

I've wondered what if Dale Earnhardt's best friend Neil Bonnett didn't die in his practice crash at Daytona in 1994 and Dale Earnhardt didn't die at Daytona in 2001 what would the world of NASCAR be like?

He's watching you all of you !¡!¡!¡

Had a softer wall been installed much earlier, I do wonder if that alone would have been enough to overcome the other safety equipment recommendations that he dismissed .. because I don’t think he would’ve ever gotten on board, once those things were mandated .. I think he would’ve ended up retiring

I feel bad that little Isla Earnhardt wont get to know her Papaw Dale. I bet he would of loved her. If Dale Jr and Amy's new baby that's coming is a boy he should be named Dale Earnhardt III.

Your dad is very proud and happy of you you did what u said you were going to do you won races have a beautiful wife and kids your in the hof

DaleJr you’ve done great for yourself. You have shown a lot of common sense. Look at everything you have accomplished.

When dale jr won his first Daytona 500 I bet dale Sr was in he clouds and eating popcorn 🍿

The old man would be so proud.

If senior was still here dale junior would still be racing he would make him get out of the car and he would get in after those concussions he would make him heal

He would think we are a nation of whimps.

👍

He’d still be racing and have 15-20 championships. ITS STILL REAL TO ME DAMNIT!

Sr definitely wouldve been a big help with Jr getting help with his concussions i think it would’ve been addressed sooner and Jr could be racing now past when he retired

Jr would have won a championship if his dad had survived. I just wonder how many more would've died hitting that wall.

He would've made a great grandfather

Im not crying. You're crying

Do it for Dale

The biggest loss for the sport and it's fans. The 3 of them would have gone on for years I am sure to have many wins and championships. DEI would have become a dynasty. That day was to be the beginning of it all but as quick as it was to have begun it's demise did instead. Just guts me to even think about.

Dale won the wife lottery let's keep it real.

Dale Jr would have chance 2 and Jr Motorsports.

He would have loved to visit with the grand children

They might not be crying but I sure am. :(

Maybe he is the one who sent you Amy and Isla

I think the word you’re looking for Dale is critiquing he was very good at that

I hate to say it but I think junior is better off without his dad I think he is a better man I think he's also an individual who found his own way without the shadow and I love him for that and I love his show and his insight into announcing the races I'm just like Junior I can't imagine going back and living life with him in it

Dale Earnhardt would never have approved how NASCAR is running its races in this day and age...Dale was an old-school race car driver that was right about many things in racing and his influence would still be as strong. Probably he would have the voice to not approve of Brian France taking ownership of NASCAR even Steve Phelps...there would likely be no chase/playoff system, no stage racing, and other gimmicky BS that NASCAR has come up with. We would still be racing under the Winston Cup points and racing format still (BTW, my opinion still stands as there is nothing wrong with this format and is the best!). In addition, there would probably still be a similar generation race car seen last in 2006. Most importantly, I would still be watching NASCAR and maybe telling all the good news of what NASCAR is doing...instead, I won't be doing that!

If dale hadn’t passed DEI would still be alive and kicking and I seriously believe Jr would have won a championship and Michael would have won many more races. Theresa ruined DEI and the whole family hates here for it.

3

Early squad lol.

I love your father but I wouldn't have taken his advice on women look who he was married to and what happened.

I've always thought would Dale Jr's racing career be different, would DEI be a huge race team,would Jr have had more swagger while racing.....like Sr......I've always thought Jr took the foot off the pedal in racing somewhat after his dad passed....maybe I'm wrong....just a thought

Sr. would be punting yotas off the track, any chance he got.

Dale Jr. is 10x the man than the old man was. Its not even close.

Field of Dreams, or maybe Track of Dreams. Build you a race track in your yard and maybe he will come, lol.

micheal waltrip wont shut up about dale like damm he will literally be nothing without him

He sure would've hated the Chase when it was first created, but I think he would've eventually been okay with it. Today's format with the eliminations though, he would've been against that to the point it never would've came to be; same with stage racing.

Obviously he wouldn't be happy with NASCAR and he would be livid about DEI. On D jr., I don't know how he could be more proud of his son.

Brian France, would not have ruined NSC, that is one diff.

I know jr would have some cup championships and sr would be 8 time

At times it has to be so frustrating being Dale Jr. Being in discussion with people and then having to go into the "well, what would your dad do or think". Earnhardt Sr was a fantastic figure and frankly an icon. However, its important to remember Dale Jr is his own person as well. With that said, I'm not sure anymore throughout the last year that Waltrip is being honest with his feelings. I feel at times that he's just milking the cow on the Earnhardt situation. If hes not. I feel for him. Guy lost a great friend and influence, at some point though you have to move on much like Dale Earnhardt Jr and otber people in the business and his inner circle had.

Michael waltrip talking about dale sr. again....

Dale jr would of been more successful. Dei would be a power house. Nascar wouldn’t of went down the gutter like it did cause if it went down the path it did if dale was alive you wouldn’t here the end of it. Nascar wouldn’t be as safe but that was just part of nascar. That’s what made it popular was the danger. Many motor sports would be different. Everything would just be different. Nascar probably would be way better off.

What I want to know is would Dale Sr. still be racing today?