The Amazon Prime Video docuseries Earnhardt presented an emotional and complex portrayal of the legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., also known as “The Intimidator.” The series explored not only his racing career but also the intricate family dynamics and personal struggles that shaped his life and legacy.

An Emotional Rollercoaster Behind the Scenes

The docuseries delved into Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s relationship with his own father, Ralph Earnhardt, highlighting how Dale Sr. yearned for the affection he never fully received. This theme of seeking paternal approval extended to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who similarly craved his father’s love and acceptance. The series revealed facets of the Earnhardt family that had rarely been seen before.

Behind the scenes, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s children, Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Dale Earnhardt Jr., played crucial roles in shaping the documentary. Together, they worked tirelessly to present an honest and raw story about what it was like to be around their father. Despite Dale Sr.’s larger-than-life personality and seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, capturing every perspective on his life proved challenging. Dale Jr. expressed regret that some important stories from his father’s legendary career remained untold.

Challenges Faced During the Making of the Series

The docuseries was a major success, quickly rising to #1 on Prime Video in the U.S. upon release. NASCAR fans were thrilled to see a new side of Earnhardt, including his rivalry with Darrell Waltrip, his close friendship with Neil Bonnett before Bonnett’s passing, and the complicated family relationships involving his children and his third wife, Teresa Earnhardt.

However, Dale Jr. wished more people had contributed to the storytelling. He felt that some friends and family members who could have offered valuable perspectives were hesitant to participate, concerned about how Dale Sr.’s image would be portrayed.

Speaking on the Varsity podcast with John Durand, Dale Jr. said:

“When I read the reviews and comments around this documentary, I see the celebration of Kelley [Earnhardt Miller] and how people have really appreciated how she came about this, how she went at this, and tackled this. I really love that, because she’s not really got a chance to tell her side.”

Family Dynamics and Missing Voices

The documentary addressed the strained relationship between Kelley and Dale Sr., noting that they had not spoken for weeks before his tragic death at the 2001 Daytona 500. Kelley became emotional during the series, admitting she had to learn to accept her father for who he was without receiving closure before he passed.

Dale Sr. had three wives and multiple children, but not all were equally represented in the series. Notably, his oldest son, Kerry Earnhardt, from his first marriage to Latane Brown, had a minimal role in the documentary. Dale Jr. expressed a wish that Kerry had been more involved:

“I wish that Kerry [Earnhardt] had been more involved, wish that Kerry would have been able to tell a lot more about his experience. He too has an incredible story, and his experience around dad and all of that was very tough. I would have loved to have had Taylor [Earnhardt] share her experience and how she views dad and her perception of her life. We can only open up the lines of communication and see if it worked out.”

Kerry Earnhardt shared that he did not know Dale Sr. was his father until he was a teenager. After discovering the truth, he rode his bike to his grandmother’s house to visit Dale Sr. Although nervous, Kerry was warmly greeted by his father with a smile in the garage. They went for a drive where Dale Sr. caught up with him and asked about his life. Beyond this, the documentary did not reveal much more about their relationship, leaving many questions unanswered—answers that only Dale Jr. might know.

Taylor Earnhardt, Dale Sr.’s daughter with his third wife Teresa Earnhardt, did not appear in the documentary at all. Taylor lives a private life away from the racing spotlight, residing in Mooresville, North Carolina. She is a public speaker and rodeo competitor, choosing to stay out of the glitz and glamor of the Earnhardt racing legacy.

Reluctance from Friends and Protecting a Legacy

Beyond family, even some of Dale Sr.’s closest friends were reluctant to participate in the documentary. Dale Jr. explained:

“We tried to help the Imagine folks really connect to everybody that they wanted to. Some people were very reluctant because they were either not interested or they were worried about, ‘What is this? I want to protect Dale’s legacy. Is this good? Is this going to help that? I’m not sure.’ A lot of people, some of dad’s really, really close friends, are still like, ‘That’s not for the world to know.’ So it was pretty interesting to go through that whole experience. I’m glad that we got out the other side of it, and it feels like everybody has embraced it, and we didn’t ruin any relationships.”

The docuseries did not attempt to portray Dale Earnhardt Sr. as a flawless hero. Instead, it showed him as a human being with imperfections. His complicated relationships with Kelley and Dale Jr. set a somber tone, illustrating his struggle to be a good parent while pursuing his dream of becoming a racing legend to honor his own late father.