Earnhardt

As Episode 1 of "Earnhardt" (2025 release; 4 episodes ranging from 59 to 72 min) opens, it is "1979" and Dale Earnhardt, then 28 yo, competes in his first season of NASCAR, and promptly wins Rookie of the Year honors. NASCAR was wildly popular in the Southeast, where there were very few professional sports in the 60's and 70's. We learn that Dale's dad Ralph was himself quite good on the off-road car races. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: it is true that Dale Earnhardt is the central figure of this documentary series. It shows that Earnhardt was very driven and ambitious, and would do anything for his sport and for winning. If that means that the family, in particular the kids, suffer from Dal's absence, that was the price he was willing to pay. Dale Jr. And Kelly are quite forthcoming about it all, and do not hold back. But this documentary mini-series is about more than just Dale. It's in fact a mini-capsule of how NASCAR developed from a regional sport into the juggernaut it eventually became in the late 90's and early 00's (which is when I was a huge NASCAR fan, going to races all over the country). Absolutely fascinating stuff. The mini-series benefits from a ton of home footage that was unearthed, including of course from the Earnhardt family.

"Earnhardt" started streaming recently on Amazon Prime, where I watched this just the other night. If you are an Earnhardt fan, but also even if you are not even a fan of NASCAR all that much, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Its not the 1st race car documentary that pulls on the heart strings.

It is as much about the personality, psychology and inter-personal relationships of the drivers, as it is about car racing.

Any extreme sport is fundamentally about a passion you put before your own life and health.

Motor sports are big money, and the fanbase and industry behind it may be unparalleled in other extreme sport. For these reasons you really feel the pull of these type of sports in its purist form.

Its a nominative determinism-that he earned money the hard way, with a lot of heart.

It is also a story of succession which really sets it apart from just a plain old sports movie. It really does play out like a Hollywood movie, as his son has to rise in the ranks like a member of Royalty in the aftermath of losing his father. The pressure and expectations must have been almost unbearable. It really is a real world example of the allegorical story of "The sword of Damocles".

Its a very exciting, enthralling and emotional ride.

This is a great documentary. There aren't too many talking head interviews... and they cut back and forth to the family members, friends and competitors of the famous, or rather infamously strategically wreckless NASCAR driver, so you get a life story alongside a study to how important everything is in all aspects covered concerning race car driving...

Movies should be done this well about racing... You never really understand what the strategy of going around in circles but you do here, so it's a riveting study and not too much of a propaganda piece, like so many docs are nowadays...

The only big critique is why Amazon would drop the first 2 of 4 episodes and then wait a week for the next...

But that's over with and the last two episodes are very moving... Tragic and yet with an optimistic ending, about family... They could have centered a bit on the controversy surrounding the crash, but... overall an incredible doc.

From start to finish, "Earnhardt" was one of the best documentary series I've ever watched. Bravo to all involved.

The story of Dale Earnhardt Sr. - aka The Intimidator, an American icon whose fame transcended the sport of stock car racing - is well known.

What was less well known to now was the complicated life the 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion led, and how it affected those around him, not least of which were his kids, Dale Jr., Kelley and Kerry.

"Earnhardt" lifts the lid on Dale Sr. The man, separate to Dale Sr. The racer, and it is fascinating.

A brilliant mix of broadcast footage, current-day interviews with the people who knew Earnhardt the best, and home video-type footage is woven together perfectly to tell the warts-and-all story of one of the greatest drivers - and most complicated personalities - to ever do it.

A triumph - the last episode, especially.

First, this is a very well done documentary. The editing, music, and sound is absolutely fantastic. Its not pulling for one side, though, Theresa might feel different. Its a true representation of Dale Earnhardt, from his son, who produced the film. If my father was a great man, an icon, and I did well enough to put a Documentary out there, I would hope it was half as good as this.

If you aren't into racing?... Move along, this Documentary is likely not for you. But, it is incredibly well done.

Its pretty incredible, as a kid from WNC, that grew up when NASCAR was a bit of a joke, that Dale Earnhardt is as revered is always funny. Hes like a WCW/WWF star to me, like, as Jr. Said, a super hero. Not unlike wrestling stars, he put his aura, into NASCAR. He was a heel, and the face of NASCAR, and nobody's done it better.

I wore my Dale Earnhardt T Shirt, that I got from Daytona, in 94, till it was threadbare. I am biased, and a fan. Still, this is a great documentary, and im glad his children showed that side.