The release date of the highly anticipated “Earnhardt” documentary is fast approaching, and fans are buzzing with excitement over getting an in-depth peek into the life of one of the sport’s most influential drivers. Nicknamed “The Intimidator,” Dale Earnhardt was famous for his tough persona, which his son has often talked about.
However, Kelly Earnhardt-Miller has been less vocal about her father. However, she, too, has shared her perception of her father ahead of the docuseries’ release.
Kelley Earnhardt-Miller Remembers What It Was Like To Be Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s Daughter
The NASCAR world often referred to him as “The Intimidator” or “The Man in Black.” Neither was a welcoming nickname for a person, especially for their children.
Hearing their parents being referred to with such names can often have ill effects on how they perceive their parents, and Kelley had a hard time, too.
Appearing as guests on “TODAY,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt-Miller talked about their father ahead of the release of the “Earnhardt” docuseries. While here, Miller looked back at how she looked at her father while she was growing up.
She admitted that it was hard for her to reconcile her father’s on-track personality and his stature as her father. Kelley said that when she was young, she only saw her “dad as dad,” and nothing else, despite knowing that he was a famous personality. But now that she’s grown up, she can see him in a different light.
The host asked her whether he was an “easy dad” towards her daughter, to which she replied that he wasn’t. She replied, “He was a tough dad. He was a strict dad. But that era, you know, they’re full of tough dads.”
Notably, the new documentary leans heavily into Sr.’s relationship with his daughter. As she grew up, the dynamics between the two were occasionally strained, and they weren’t on the best of terms at the point of his passing.
Miller has previously talked about the ups and downs of their relationship in her 2020 book, “Drive.” Thus, she had no issues in the upcoming documentary, unearthing their strained relationship.
Eighteen years ago, “Dale” was released, which was another documentary on the late driver. But that was more glorious and a celebration of the driver. “Earnhardt” not only focuses on the man on the track, but also on the person he was behind all the glory, for better or for worse.