While many people misunderstood Dale Earnhardt Sr. during his career, one thing everyone got right was his tough-guy persona. In his prime, Earnhardt Sr. was constantly in the media spotlight, with plenty written about him, accurate or not.
But one label fit perfectly: The Intimidator.
On and off the track, he lived up to that nickname and took pride in it. Still, there was much more to the man than the persona. He was one of NASCAR’s most complex and compelling figures.
In a recent episode of the “Dale Jr. Download,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Means shared a story that summed up who Dale Sr. was.
Brad Means’ Career in Motorsports
Raised in a racing family, Means had motorsports in his blood. His father, Jimmy Means, was a respected name in NASCAR with 18 years behind the wheel.
Brad competed in the 1997 Hooters Pro Cup Series, finishing the season ranked 20th, before shifting to the sport’s technical side. He joined Richard Childress Racing and worked in both the Cup and Xfinity Series, then moved to Yates Racing and Roush Racing as a body fabricator and technician.
In 2021, Means transitioned into team ownership with DCC Racing in the Truck Series. By 2022, he had joined the ARCA Series as crew chief for Rajah Caruth’s No. 6 team.
Brad Means’ Appearance on ‘Dale Jr. Download’
A childhood friend of Dale Jr., Means recently appeared on the “Dale Jr. Download.” The two looked back on early memories, discussing lesser-heard topics like design’s role in stock cars and the impact of sponsorships in the sport.
Means shared a story from when he was too young to have a driver’s license but would sneak into the garage with his dad.
“I would go to the back door, and Bruce Rooney, with this big cigar, would give me a garage pass. I’d sign my name on it, and I’d have my own garage pass. He’d just give me one.”
But once, his dad wasn’t with him, and a security guard gave him a hard time.
“I’m walking through the garage, and some security guard with a big ego stopped me. He says, ‘Let me see your pass,’ so I pull my pass out.
“‘Where’s your ID at?’ he asks me. I don’t have an ID. ‘How do I know this is you?’
“Well, my dad’s racing, I have a pass, and that’s my name. He’s giving me attitude. I’m like 12, and he makes a big deal out of it.”
Later, as Means passed through again, the same guard gave him trouble until Dale Sr. walked by in his Goodwrench suit.
Means called out to him:
“Dale, help me out. This guy is wearing me out, giving me a hard time. Tell him that my dad’s over there.”
What happened next was vintage Dale Sr. Means described it to Dale Jr.:
“Your dad chewed that guy up and down. He cussed him. He said, ‘If this boy comes and gets me, says you’re giving him a hard time, you’re leaving this racetrack.’ Damn!”
After that, the guard waved politely to Means for the rest of the weekend—and didn’t give him any more trouble.