Dale Earnhardt Jr. has opened up about Earnhardt, an upcoming Amazon Prime documentary centered on his father, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. After watching the four-part series, Earnhardt Jr. described the documentary as a tribute to the “badass of a racecar driver” his father was, while admitting that certain moments were emotionally challenging to watch.
Scheduled to premiere on Memorial Day Weekend, the documentary delves into the life and legacy of Dale Earnhardt Sr., who competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1975 until his tragic passing in 2001. According to Earnhardt Jr., the film offers an intimate portrayal of his father beyond his racing persona. Speaking on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, he acknowledged that while there have been other documentaries about his father, this one stands out for its personal depth.
“It’s something,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The Dale documentary was always the definitive story I would share with anyone wanting to know about my dad. Nothing else came close to capturing who he was as a driver. But this new project goes much deeper. It takes you inside his world—what it was like to be in the same room with him or to be his son. It’s raw and personal, revealing who he was beyond the statistics and championships.”
He emphasized that while the previous documentary highlighted his father’s on-track dominance, the Amazon Prime series provides a more profound understanding of the man behind the “Man in Black” image. Earnhardt Jr. admitted that several parts of the new documentary were difficult to watch and expressed curiosity about how fans will react to its deeply personal nature.
Amazon first announced the documentary in May 2024, describing it as a comprehensive exploration of the Earnhardt family’s legacy in NASCAR. Jeff Gluck of The Athletic shared the official statement, which highlighted Dale Sr.’s significant impact on the sport. The statement described him as a working-class hero who transcended NASCAR’s regional roots to achieve mainstream fame through major endorsement deals and media appearances.
With exclusive access and unseen archival footage, the documentary promises to deliver a revealing and definitive portrayal of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his family’s enduring connection to NASCAR. Fans can expect a heartfelt and in-depth look at one of the sport’s most iconic figures when the series debuts on Amazon Prime.
