Dale Earnhardt Jr. has opened up about the lingering emotional toll left by the death of his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., reflecting on how it has affected his ability to grieve even small, personal losses. From his numb return to racing just a week after the 2001 Daytona 500 to coping with the recent passing of the family’s 15-year-old Pomeranian, Junebug, Junior has admitted to a “lack of empathy” in certain moments. Despite this, he continues to honor his father’s legacy while remaining deeply involved in NASCAR’s evolution, both on and off the track.
Key Highlights
- Dale Jr. admits struggling with grief after his father’s death in 2001.
- Recent loss of family dog Junebug exposes Junior’s situational empathy.
- Returning to Daytona helped Junior reconcile with his father’s passing.
- He calls for a return to full-season points over the current playoff format.
- Emphasizes NASCAR’s missed emotional moments under the current playoff system.
Early Loss and Its Lasting Impact
The 2001 Daytona 500 left an indelible mark on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s life. Losing his father, known as The Intimidator, triggered a period of emotional numbness. He admitted,
“I didn’t care if I died. I didn’t want it to happen, but I was miserable in general all the time. I didn’t give a f—.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Just a week later, Junior returned to the track at Rockingham and crashed early, reflecting the inner turmoil he faced. A subsequent crash in California acted as a wake-up call, helping him realize he needed to find a way to continue racing while managing the lingering pain.
Coping with Junebug’s Passing
The Earnhardt family recently faced another loss with the death of their 15-year-old Pomeranian, Junebug. Amy Earnhardt shared the news on Instagram:
“Yesterday my tiny Junebug made his way over the rainbow bridge. My heart is broken.” – Amy Earnhardt
Junior explained his mechanical understanding of death and its connection to past trauma:
“I had a very big loss back in 2001 with dad. And that’s something you traditionally expect to happen later in life. But you kind of get this unfortunate situation early…even though I love Junebug to death and I will miss him terribly, I don’t grieve. I don’t know why. It’s not like I don’t appreciate him and love him, but like that part of me is not working right.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Amy commented on his response, noting,
“He doesn’t have empathy. Like, his empathy chip is situational, I guess. I don’t know. He didn’t have it yesterday, not in that moment…Yes. I think that your empathy chip has been damaged.” – Amy Earnhardt
Despite this, Junior’s devotion to family and the sport remains strong, showing a different type of empathy through actions rather than visible emotion.
Returning to Daytona and Finding Peace
Earlier this year, Dale Jr. reflected on returning to Daytona International Speedway, the site of his father’s death. Taking on the role of JR Motorsport team owner, he found a way to reconcile with the track and his father’s memory:
“I had to make a decision… I knew it wasn’t the track that took him. And I knew that wherever he is, he still felt the same about Daytona. And so, I’ve embraced it.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Even amidst grief, Junior has sought to honor his father’s legacy by staying active in NASCAR, mentoring younger drivers, and promoting the sport’s traditions.
Advocating for a Return to Full-Season Points
Dale Jr. has also weighed in on NASCAR’s current playoff format, which resets points and eliminates drivers over the final races. On Denny Hamlin’s Actions Detrimental podcast, he stressed the missed emotional moments:
“What I am missing right now is the heavy drama that would play out in the regular season. We don’t go to a racetrack in the summer and leave with pure elation because our favorite driver just extended his points lead from 25 to 80, or he crawled himself out of a hole.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Junior recalled his father’s fierce battles, such as the 1984 championship fight with Terry Labonte at Bristol and the 1980s showdown with Rusty Wallace at Charlotte, describing the gut-wrenching points swings that created unforgettable drama. The current playoff system, he says, lacks that emotional weight, leading him to advocate for a return to full-season points that reward consistent performance over the course of a long season.
News in Brief: Dale Jr. Gets Real About Grief and Life Since The Intimidator
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected on his father’s 2001 Daytona 500 death and admitted struggling with empathy during personal losses, including the recent passing of their dog Junebug. Junior described a mechanical understanding of grief and credited returning to Daytona as pivotal in his healing. He emphasized that NASCAR’s current playoff system lacks the emotional drama of full-season points racing, aligning with voices like Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin calling for change. Fans and drivers alike await adjustments after 2025.
ALSO READ: Dale Earnhardt Jr. warns NASCAR: More Cup drivers in Xfinity, Truck Series hurts regulars’ chances
