Dale Earnhardt Jr., renowned NASCAR driver and member of the legendary Earnhardt family, recently recounted how he obtained a unique Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph from Richard Petty, a figure he greatly admired growing up at the race track. This story surfaced during an episode of the “12 Questions” interview series with Jeff Gluck, where Earnhardt Jr. discussed his perspective on racing memorabilia and his deep respect for Petty.
Dale Jr. Reflects on Treasure from the King
Despite being surrounded by iconic drivers throughout his youth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t initially interested in collecting autographs. The thrill of securing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph only became meaningful to him later in life after a memorable encounter with Richard Petty, also known as “The King.” During the interview, he shared,
“Autographs didn’t really get cool to me ’til later in life,”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
He went on to explain the significance of his first major autograph experience:
“I have become someone who definitely appreciates autographs, but one of the very first autographs I asked for was from Richard Petty. When I was young, Richard Petty had a comic book, and it was really large in size.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
The comic detailed the history of Richard Petty, his brother Maurice, and Dale Inman during their childhoods spent racing homemade box cars down hills, eventually joining their father, Lee Petty, on the official racing circuit. Dale Jr. tracked down four editions of these specialized comics and presented them to Richard Petty, who signed them for him—making them cherished items in Dale Jr.’s collection. He proudly concluded,
“And in this comic book, it was the story of him and Maurice (Petty) and Dale (Inman) growing up as kids and racing these homemade box cars down a hill and then growing up and racing with their dad, Lee.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
Dale Jr. affirmed the personal value of this memorabilia, stating that he still owns them and cherishes them to this day.
The Unique Place of Petty Comic Books in NASCAR Culture
Unlike the standard superhero comics of the era, these Richard Petty comics catered specifically to collectors and NASCAR fans. Titles such as “The Racing Pettys” (1980),
“The Legends of NASCAR – Richard Petty”
(1990s), and “NASCAR Adventures – Richard Petty” (1991) have become prized memorabilia, reflecting the influence of racing’s first families like the Pettys, Earnhardts, and Inmans.
Richard Petty’s Caution for Dale Jr.’s Health Post-Injury
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also faced significant health hurdles during his driving career, notably missing half of the 2016 Cup Series season after suffering multiple concussions. After being cleared by doctors to return in 2017, Richard Petty voiced public concerns about Dale Jr.’s decision to get back behind the wheel. Petty, celebrated seven-time champion, addressed the issue with a warning regarding the risks of further injury:
“I just feel like he got through with it two or three times, and he had some pretty big knocks in the head. I’ve had them, too. I think I still live in one of them, but hitting mine was never that bad. He’s got a lot of career opportunities in front of him. He could make another career, and racing would be a minor thing for him.”
— Richard Petty, Seven-time NASCAR Champion
Despite Petty’s concerns, Earnhardt Jr. resumed racing for the 2017 season, achieving eight top-10 finishes before officially retiring from full-time competition at the end of that year.
Legacy of Autographs and Racing History
The intersection of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s journey and Richard Petty’s legendary status is embodied in the rare autographs and unique racing memorabilia now treasured by collectors and fans alike. Stories like these underline the connection between generations of NASCAR families, showing how a Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph tied to Richard Petty carries meaning well beyond mere ink on paper. As the NASCAR community continues to look back on decades of thrilling racing and family legacies, moments such as Dale Jr.’s story add to the sport’s vibrant history and its impact on both fans and drivers.
12 Questions with @DaleJr just dropped: https://t.co/x3b6mBWEHx
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 22, 2025
