Dale Earnhardt Jr. is arguably one of the most recognizable names in NASCAR. Even after his retirement, the NASCAR Hall of Famer is still as relevant as ever.
In his podcast, ‘Dale Jr. Download, ‘ he continues to talk about everything NASCAR week after week. While doing so, he also talks about several other elements of his life and often spills tea about his larger-than-life personality.
Every time Kelley Earnhardt has joined Dale Jr. on camera, it has been an absolute delight to watch the siblings’ wholesome bond, and this time, it was no different either. The two also spoke about their father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and what his approval meant for them.
Kelley Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Winning Dale Sr.’s Approval
When it comes to podcasts, Dale Jr. often runs them in his own studio in his cap, glasses, and a beard. However, when Junior made a recent appearance on the ‘Rubbin Is Racing’ podcast, he was clean-shaven and dressed up.
With just a handful of days remaining until the premiere of the ‘Earnhardt’ docuseries on Prime Video, the Earnhardt siblings appeared on camera to talk about it.
After talking about the current landscape of NASCAR and the developments of the current season, the room finally arrived at talking about Dale Sr.’s retirement.
Junior revealed that just before his death, Dale Sr. contemplated taking a short-term break from racing. He planned to assume more responsibilities for his team and wanted to contribute to promoting NASCAR as a sport.
“I was under the assumption that it was his plan to stop racing in the short term,” Junior said. “He knew his time. It was his time to shift from out of the car and over to the boardroom full-time and run DEI, his race team, his program, and really get more hands-on with that.”
Large then mentioned being in disbelief when Junior’s sister called Dale Sr.’s love “conditional” many years ago. Kelley explained that while her siblings may disagree with her, it was what she felt growing up.
She then spoke about earning the Senior’s approval, which Dale Jr. so often sought as a kid. Kelley said, “A little bit of my perspective is this, and hearing Dale go through the approval stance with my dad, and wanting to earn it. I had my dad’s approval because I did what dad said to do.”
She continued saying that if Dale Sr. asked her to get a straight ‘A’, she would do it; however, after doing so, she would look forward to the validation from her father, which she seldom got.
“Make straight A’s. Do this, Kelly. Okay, did it. I was waiting for the ‘Atta girl!’ I wanted the ‘Atta girl!’, which is the same as approval, right? I did the things that I thought would earn that approval and then didn’t get it.”
This prompted Kelley to confess, “We were both looking for a hug just in different ways.”
Junior, on the other hand, did whatever it took to get his father’s attention, even if it meant getting a whupping from the NASCAR legend. He said, “I’ll put myself there just so that I get some attention. He’s talking to me. We’re communicating even though he’s angry.”