In the recently released Amazon Prime Video docuseries, Dale Earnhardt Jr. struggles with family in documentary as he works to offer an honest portrait of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., while navigating family tensions and untold stories. The project highlights both the groundbreaking access achieved and the deep silences that still linger within the Earnhardt family, raising questions over what was left unsaid as much as what is revealed.
The Making of an Unfiltered Earnhardt Family Story
Earnhardt, the docuseries, became a sensation upon its release, quickly rising to the top spot on Prime Video in the United States. The series provides viewers a rare glimpse into the private world of one of NASCAR’s most revered and complex figures, Dale Earnhardt Sr.—known as “The Intimidator.” Behind the scenes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt put in extensive efforts to present an unvarnished look at life around their father, whose seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and formidable reputation cast a long shadow over his children’s lives.
This storytelling task proved deeply personal and sometimes painful for Junior. While the siblings aimed to create a complete picture, there were frequent reminders that some family members’ voices were missing. The intensity of Dale Sr.’s legacy made it difficult to capture all perspectives, as Junior continues to wish for more stories and insights from those closest to his father.
The Unspoken Stories and Unwilling Participants
As both producer and participant, Dale Earnhardt Jr. faced significant resistance trying to bring together members of the large, blended Earnhardt family and close friends. Teresa Earnhardt, the third wife of Dale Sr., and their daughter Taylor Earnhardt, chose not to appear prominently or, in Taylor’s case, at all. Taylor, whose life diverged sharply from the family’s racing path, is now focused on public speaking and rodeo competition, living in Mooresville, North Carolina, far from the spotlight.
One of the most emotionally charged threads in the documentary is the strained relationship between Kelley and her father, which remained unresolved at the time of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s sudden death at the 2001 Daytona 500. The documentary reveals how Kelley struggled for acceptance and came to terms with a lack of closure. The film also explores Dale Jr.’s longing for stories that still lie unfinished in the Earnhardt legacy.
Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Sr.’s eldest son from his first marriage to Latane Brown, is another figure whose voice is only briefly heard. Junior openly expresses his regret over Kerry’s limited role in the documentary. He hoped his half-brother would have shared more, bringing additional dimension to the story of their enigmatic father, but circumstances did not allow for that fuller portrait.
As Dale Jr. explained,
“I wish that Kerry [Earnhardt] had been more involved, wish that Kerry would have been able to tell a lot more about his experience. He too, has an incredible story, and his experience around dad and all of that was very tough. I would have loved to have had Taylor [Earnhardt] share her experience and how she views dad and her perception of her life. We can only open up the lines of communication and see if it worked out.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver and Producer.
Protecting the Intimidator’s Image: Reluctance from Family and Friends
Beyond the immediate family, many of Dale Sr.’s closest friends remained wary, worried about how the narrative might shape his public legacy. Some, still fiercely protective of The Intimidator’s reputation, declined invitations to appear. Their reluctance stemmed from a sense of duty both to their friend’s memory and to the complex reality of his private life.
In a conversation addressing these concerns, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected,
“We tried to help the Imagine folks really connect to everybody that they wanted to. Some people were very reluctant because they were either not interested or they were worried about, ‘What is this? I want to protect Dale’s legacy. Is this good? Is this going to help that? I’m not sure.’ A lot of people, some of dad’s really, really close friends, are still like, ‘That’s not for the world to know.’ So it was pretty interesting to go through that whole experience. I’m glad that we got out the other side of it, and it feels like everybody has embraced it, and we didn’t ruin any relationships.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver and Producer.
In the public conversation around the documentary, many fans and commentators have highlighted how the film resists turning Dale Earnhardt Sr. into a mythical figure without flaws. Instead, the series addresses his struggles balancing his role as a demanding racecar driver, a father under the weight of Ralph Earnhardt’s legacy, and a human being whose family often felt both inspiration and heartbreak in his presence.
Celebrating Honesty and Accepting Incompleteness
While the documentary drew acclaim for its nuanced storytelling, through scenes of rivalry with Darrell Waltrip and moments of bond with Neil Bonnett, those involved acknowledge what remains unsaid. Kelley Earnhardt’s story, especially, resonated with viewers. As Dale Jr. noted in an interview,
“When I read the reviews and comments around this documentary. The celebration of Kelley [Earnhardt Miller] and how people have really appreciated how she came about this, how she went at this, and tackled this. I really love that, cause she’s not really got a chance to tell her side.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver and Producer.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister’s efforts provided unprecedented insight into one of America’s most iconic racing families. Yet, for every tale told, there are stories still shielded by uncertainty or the need for privacy. The documentary makes clear that closure remains elusive for some members, with estrangements and unspoken grief lingering among the Earnhardts even as the world watches their family saga unfold.
A Lasting Legacy and Unfinished Narrative
The Earnhardt docuseries leaves an undeniable impact, sparking larger questions about legacy and storytelling. Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s influence, both as a NASCAR champion and as a complicated father figure, endures on and off the racetrack. The intense, emotionally charged presentation of his life ensures that new generations of fans and drivers will continue to grapple with his memory, both for what is known and for what remains hidden. For now, the story shaped by Dale Earnhardt Jr. struggles with family in documentary stands as an invitation for future conversations—and perhaps, someday, even more revelations from those still waiting to share their side of this layered family legacy.
