Kenny Wallace, a seasoned figure in NASCAR, has reignited conversations about the emotional complexity in the relationship between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt. Kenny Wallace comments on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt relationship surfaced amid ongoing curiosity surrounding what the recently released Earnhardt documentary on Prime Video chose not to include.
Kenny Wallace Addresses Earnhardt Family Strains
After fans expressed a desire for more insight into the relationship between Dale Jr. and Teresa in the four-part Amazon Prime docuseries, Kenny Wallace responded with straightforward remarks. Wallace, who previously competed against Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the Winston Cup Series, acknowledged the long-standing speculation concerning discord within the Earnhardt family after Dale Sr.’s passing in 2001.
The documentary appeals to a wide spectrum of viewers, examining Dale Sr.’s enduring impact on NASCAR as well as the hardships and intricate relationships that unfolded following his tragic accident. Notably, Wallace’s acknowledgment lent credibility to the fans’ questions while also upholding the privacy that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has maintained about family matters throughout his career as a famous driver.
Underlying Causes of Tension Between Dale Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt
The friction between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa centered largely on control of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), the racing organization originally established by Dale Sr. Upon the elder Earnhardt’s death, Dale Jr. sought a controlling stake in DEI, reportedly wanting at least 51 percent ownership. Teresa, however, envisioned a different path for the company and resisted these efforts.
“Dale Jr’s growth was stunted because he could not get along with Teresa Earnhardt”
—Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Veteran
This ongoing discord, as previously noted by Wallace, ultimately impeded Dale Jr.’s potential within DEI and defined a period of significant professional and personal challenge for both stepmother and stepson. The dispute ultimately came to a head when, in 2008, Dale Jr. decided to depart DEI for Hendrick Motorsports—a decision that would reshape his career.
On motivation behind his departure, Dale Jr. shared with ESPN at the time,
“Money’s not really the issue. There’s some things you can’t get with money: peace of mind and satisfaction.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
The Long-Term Career Impact for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Kenny Wallace has been candid in his assessment that a better relationship with Teresa might have led Dale Jr. to even greater success. As Wallace put it,
“he would have went on to win a championship and win it all.”
—Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Veteran
After switching to Hendrick Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. put together an impressive record, collecting 26 victories at NASCAR’s premier level and twice earning trophies at the Daytona 500. His consistent popularity was reflected in a 15-year streak as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. Nevertheless, the anticipated Cup Series championship proved elusive, leaving many to wonder how unresolved family politics may have influenced his ultimate legacy.
Dale Jr.’s exit from DEI marked a decline for the team his father built. With Teresa at its helm, DEI eventually ceased participation in NASCAR, bringing an end to its presence in top-tier stock car racing and altering the landscape for the organization and for fans who followed its rise and fall.
What the Recent Documentary Exposes About Earnhardt Family Dynamics
Throughout his career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has rarely spoken at length about matters involving his stepmother or deeper family divisions. Premiering on Amazon Prime during Memorial Day weekend 2025, the new documentary offers more personal access than prior features, providing both emotional context and greater detail on life within the Earnhardt household.
“This goes way deeper. This might take you as far as you’ve ever been into what it would be like to actually have been in the same room with the guy, lived with him, been his son. I mean, it’s real personal.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
The series, while primarily focused on the racing legacies forged by Dale Sr. and Jr., does not shy away from acknowledging complicated family histories. However, it carefully balances revealing important context with honoring the privacy of those who experienced it firsthand, especially regarding Teresa Earnhardt and her role within DEI and the stepfamily dynamic.
The reserved tone of the documentary signals a respect for ongoing sensitivities and choices made by family members, but Kenny Wallace’s candid observations serve as reminders of the very real and unresolved tensions shaping one of NASCAR’s best-known families. For many fans and observers, what remains unsaid in the documentary, now confirmed in part by Wallace, continues to speak volumes about the internal conflicts that helped shape Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s remarkable but sometimes turbulent journey in the world of motorsports.
