Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2014 NASCAR resurgence wasn’t just about checkered flags. After a dominant Pocono win that August, the Hall of Famer revealed the four “simple joys” grounding his life beyond the track — a list prioritizing love, legacy, and downtime.
The revelation came during a career-high season, offering fans a rare glimpse into the personal world of NASCAR’s most beloved driver. A decade later, those joys still define his post-retirement life.
When Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mentioned His 4 ‘Simple Joys’ in the ‘Right Order’
Fresh off his third victory of 2014, a reporter asked Dale Jr. to name his “simple joys” in life.
“Amy, [Washington’s NFL team], my family, drinking a cold beer,” he quickly replied. Crew chief Steve Letarte quipped, “You got that in the right order, too,” nodding to Earnhardt’s then-girlfriend Amy Reimann topping the list.
The timing was poignant. The Hendrick Motorsports star was amid a career revival — his four wins that year matched his total from 2005-2013.
“Everything about life right now has been great,” he said. “I got my professional life good, and the personal life’s good. I’ve just learned and grown a lot in the last four or five years working with this group, so it’s been a big thing.”
Earnhardt’s bond with Reimann, now his wife, began in 2009 when she redesigned his North Carolina home. Their relationship stayed private until 2011, evolving through shared projects and a 2016 New Year’s Eve wedding at Richard Childress’ vineyard in Lexington, N.C.
How Amy Earnhardt Became “Junior’s” Anchor Beyond the Joy List
Amy’s role deepened during Dale’s 2016 concussion recovery. “Racing wasn’t even a thought,” she recalled.
“He was terrified more that he would not be able to function as a human being again and enjoy life.”
She guided his rehab, balancing physical therapy with emotional support until his eventual 2017 retirement from full-time racing.
Post-retirement, their partnership flourished. They co-founded 88% proof High Rock Vodka (nodding to Dale Jr.’s No. 88 car), starred in DIY Network’s reality series, “Renovation Realities: Dale Jr. & Amy,” and prioritized therapy to strengthen their marriage.
“Amy has changed me,” Dale said. “I became a better person, a better husband, a better friend.”
The family remains central. Daughters Isla Rose and Nicole Lorraine, named for Amy’s middle name (Nicole) and Dale’s mother (Lorraine), reshaped his legacy focus.
“Now that me and Amy are growing our family, you certainly are thinking about your kids and that generation and beyond, and what you can pass on to them,” he told People magazine of his family’s legacy.
Yet some joys stay timeless. Dale still cheers for the Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins) and sips beers in his Dirty Mo Media podcast studio. As Letarte observed in 2014, the order still holds: Love first, everything else laps behind.