Like many other professions, professional sports can run in the family. Take Dale Earnhardt Jr., for instance. His grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, was a pioneer in the early days of NASCAR, and his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., became a motorsports legend.
While Dale Jr.’s children are still quite young, it seems unlikely they will follow in his racing footsteps, as he would rather not finance such a venture. Dale Jr. himself did not initially plan on becoming a NASCAR star; he earned an automotive degree and worked at his father’s car dealership. Fate, however, led him to racing, which helped him bond with his father and showcase his talent. He joined the Busch Series in 1996 and the Cup Series two years later.
Despite concussions affecting his career, Dale Jr. compiled an impressive record, winning 50 races across the Cup Series and Xfinity Series, and earning 15 NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver titles. His popularity brought significant financial rewards, as sponsorships are a crucial part of NASCAR. According to Forbes in 2017, Dale Jr. earned over $400 million from salary, endorsements, race winnings, and licensing, even though he only finished in the top three of NASCAR’s year-end standings once.
Now mostly retired from racing, Dale Jr. has a net worth of around $300 million, thanks to his success on the track and ventures like media work and co-owning JR Motorsports. Despite his wealth, he is hesitant to fund his children’s potential racing careers. On a 2017 episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, he expressed reluctance about pushing his children toward racing, citing the high costs involved rather than safety concerns. “It’s freaking expensive,” he said, reflecting on the financial burden his own father shouldered.
Ultimately, Dale Jr. is like any other parent—he wants to see his kids succeed in whatever path they choose, whether it’s racing or another career. He would be “super proud” of them regardless of their profession.