Earnhardt

When I was growing up my dad loved watching Nascar and I never got into it. Today, I watch Formula 1 every weekend and he's not around to enjoy it with me. This documentary was an excellent way for me to revisit all of the memories watching with my Dad that I didn't even know I had. Since so much about this story is about fatherhood, it was an emotional journey. I was far luckier than a lot of the Earnhardt were, but I think a lot of people were better off because of this family. I went into this wondering how they could fill 4 episodes, but by the end I wished there were more.

I grew up watching a little NASCAR in the 90s/2000s, but never really got into it. Yet even as a non-fan I was hooked on this series. They do an incredible job weaving unexpectedly emotional and dramatic storylines through only four episodes. You know how it ends, but the story to get there, and even after, is amazing.

Theres no politics. No unnecessary drama. It's all just primary source interviews and archival footage, of which there is a lot!

Even as a non-fan this documentary will help you appreciate the teamwork, effort, and passion that goes into racing. It will also show you insights into someone going from a non-existent father to a more active and involved one.

To start there's 2 reasons I'm not giving this a 10. 1st it's a smidge too long. A lot of extra stuff and this could have been condensed to 3 episodes. 2nd where is Teresa and her and dales daughter? I find that very interesting they aren't in a documentary about the Earnhardt family that is focused on dale. They're Earnhardts. She claims he was the "love of" her life during the HOF induction. But can't appear on a documentary portraying history for folks like myself and others? Then whatever the lawsuits were about photos? Contract dispute with jr and his sister? Very interesting... Anyways, this was very eye opening about dale Earnhardt and how he was. I was born in 87 so I knew about him growing up but I was a football fan as was my dad. And basketball heck even hockey and baseball. NASCAR just wasn't a big thing like they portray it. But dale was like MJ. He made the sport. And then jr carried the torch.

This was a good doc to explain the relationship between dale and his family. It was not really good imo. It's a shame for jr. I mean he sacrificed his family for fame. Sure they've all panned out I supposed in the end but is it worth it? Interesting right? One of the tales as old as time when it comes to professional athletes and their families. It makes you wonder like if you could go pro but not see your kids or your wife but be a big dog in the sport would you do it?

I'd prob not personally. I'd say most people I know prob wouldn't. But then again, that's why we aren't legends in sports maybe...

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.

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.