Dale Earnhardt Jr. is known as a shy, reserved, and taciturn personality, growing up in the shadows of his legendary father. But beneath the quiet exterior, the NASCAR legend was every bit a naughty and mischievous child.
Recently, in one of his podcasts, the veteran driver shared a wholesome story from his childhood, recalling the time when he, Brad Means, and a group of buddies pulled Davey Allison’s leg in a lighthearted prank.
When Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Means, and Friends Played a Joke on Davey Allison
Like most NASCAR legends, Earnhardt also had his fair share of prankster moments growing up. Though naturally more introverted, his beer-chugging, party-loving side has become something of a legend in NASCAR circles.
“We were hanging out in the driver’s lounge in North Wilkesboro being kids, just goofing around,” began the two-time Daytona winner, detailing how he and his gang pranked the late great Allison at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Earnhardt, Means (son of legendary Winston Cup Series driver/owner Jimmy Means), and their buddies were goofing around as usual when Allison came rushing into the driver’s lounge at NWB. Answering nature’s calling, the 1992 Daytona 500 winner tossed his jacket onto the couch, heading straight for the bathroom, only for the gang to briefly pick it up and confuse the driver.
“Davey Allison came in there to use the bathroom. He took his jacket off and laid it on the couch or something, just threw it over to the back of the couch, and he went into the bathroom. We took his jacket and hid it in the return,” Earnhardt recalled, a warm smile spreading across his face.
However, the prankster didn’t quite plan it through, and when the driver came out after his business, he noticed his missing apparel. Allison caught on to it and quizzed the teenage gang standing before him.
And that was the end of that. After getting caught by the racer, Earnhardt quietly returned the jacket before Allison muttered, “Damn it, this thing is dirty.” But as Earnhardt remembers it, Allison wasn’t mad or upset, just being a sport about the whole thing.
The 50-year-old recounted a story as part of the “Ask Dale” segment on his show, where listeners could chime in and ask questions to their favorite driver. One fan who seems like an Allison fan asked, “Do you have a favorite Adam Petty or Davey Allison story?” That’s when the two-time Daytona winner opened up about his wholesome childhood days.
Earnhardt’s story not only brought a smile to fans but also served as a touching tribute to Allison.