Dale Earnhardt Jr reacts to Amazon Prime documentary with heartfelt surprise as previously unknown family history and rare recordings come to light, offering a new view into NASCAR’s famed Earnhardt lineage. The new film uncovers moments and memories even Earnhardt Jr himself had never seen, bridging generational gaps within the sport’s most iconic family.
Rarely Seen Footage Unveils the Earnhardt Family’s Past
The Earnhardt legacy is deeply embedded in NASCAR’s heritage, with names like Dale Earnhardt Sr and Junior celebrated by fans and the motorsports community alike. Yet, the roots of this famed lineage begin with Ralph Earnhardt, whose influence has long been overshadowed by his son and grandson’s greater fame and seven combined Cup Series championships. Now, Amazon Prime’s documentary, produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, uncovers new footage and personal moments, bringing the patriarch’s story to life in ways never before seen.
Ralph Earnhardt made history in the early days of NASCAR, clinching his first sportsman title in 1956 and notching 32 wins in a single season. His passion for the sport continued until his passing in 1973, while working in his garage—the same place where his racing journey started and ended. Dale Earnhardt Jr, born in 1974, never had the chance to meet his grandfather. For years, his knowledge was shaped by family stories and photos. With the release of ‘Earnhardt’ on Amazon Prime, that has changed dramatically.
Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Emotional Reaction to the Discoveries
The documentary team’s exhaustive research has uncovered intimate pieces of family history that even the Earnhardts—known for their deep NASCAR ties—had never seen. Dale Earnhardt Jr revealed on his show, ‘Bless Your Hardt,’ how skeptical he was when first approached by the producers. He explained to his wife Amy that he considered the previous “Dale” documentary by Ryan McGee as the benchmark, stating:
“The people that came to talk to us about the project on Amazon, I told them, the Dale doc’s the standard. If you can’t beat that, I don’t want to do this. They were confident that they could create something comparable, if not better.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, Veteran NASCAR Driver
This confidence appears justified, as the Amazon documentary brought to light a long-lost 1959 interview with Ralph Earnhardt at Charlotte Motor Speedway. For Dale Jr, hearing his grandfather speak and watching his mannerisms in motion was utterly moving. He described the impact it had, saying:
“There was this video of Ralph Earnhardt, he’s being interviewed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1959. It’s the only footage of Ralph talking…he died before I was born…This is the only time I could hear the sound of his voice, he might cock his head when he talks, mannerisms, yeah. They found more videos that I didn’t even know existed, that dad never saw.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, Veteran NASCAR Driver
The project didn’t stop at family origins. As a devoted collector, Dale Jr keeps tens of thousands of photos of his father, Dale Sr, documenting his career through the ’70s and beyond. Still, the documentary producers unearthed new images and moments from his father’s early racing days—memories he never realized the family was missing. He reflected on the excitement of seeing these new glimpses, adding:
“On my phone right here, I bet you I got 25,000 photos of Dale Earnhardt…all through the ’70s, all the Late Model Sportsman photos of his cars that he would take and carry all over the country…I rarely see a photo that I don’t have…So they found some new photos from the ’70s before he was a big deal. This stuff’s so cool.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, Veteran NASCAR Driver
Shedding New Light on NASCAR’s Most Revered Figures
While the world often remembers Dale Earnhardt Sr as a racing legend and the “Intimidator,” the documentary exposes aspects of his personal life rarely discussed. Viewers witness the emotional side of Earnhardt Sr, his relationships, and his vulnerabilities. In candid interviews, including a memory shared by his longtime friend Hank Parker Sr., it was revealed that Dale Sr confided about his struggles expressing affection to his children—a revelation that deeply affected both Dale Jr and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller. Dale Jr recalled the intensity of watching these moments unfold, stating:
“For me and Kelley to hear that was incredible. There’s a couple little nuggets of that in there with (Parker) and other people who contributed to the project that … I would’ve never believed that was what Dad said or how that went down.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, Veteran NASCAR Driver
Kelley Earnhardt Miller also spoke about how this project surpasses previous portrayals, emphasizing that the film brings out a side of their father unknown to most, saying:
“There’s been a few different documentaries and pieces done but I don’t think anything this comprehensive. A kind of human side of our dad, not the racer, not always the racer that people know. The father and the person and the friend and all that he was to people.”
—Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Businesswoman and Dale Sr’s daughter
The documentary goes beyond racing triumphs and public persona, venturing into private struggles, personal regrets, and the warmth of family life. This open look at the Earnhardt family extends the story of stock car heroes like Richard Petty, Dale Sr, and now Ralph Earnhardt—reshaping the way fans understand NASCAR’s core figures.
A Landmark in NASCAR Storytelling and Family Legacy
The new Amazon Prime film doesn’t merely recount accomplishments on the track; it stands out by portraying the family’s emotional ties and historical context. Through interviews, uncovered film footage, and unearthed photographs, the project creates a more intimate connection between fans and the Earnhardt family. By giving voice and presence to Ralph Earnhardt, it finally pulls the earliest chapter of this racing dynasty out of the shadows, reminding viewers just how significant his influence was—both as a father and as an innovator in stock car racing.
This documentary marks a milestone for sports storytelling, using never-before-seen material and candid testimonies to unite generations of fans. For Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, it solidifies family bonds and for NASCAR as a whole, it honors a legacy that stretches from Victory Lane to living rooms across America. As the Earnhardt narrative continues to grow, the revelations and emotional depth captured here will resonate far beyond racing fans, hinting that more hidden chapters in NASCAR history are still waiting to be revealed.
