Many people and most NASCAR fans often, when they think of Dale Earnhardt, think of The Intimidator. But a case could be made that it was also a persona. A persona on the racetrack, as a racecar driver who won 7 Cup titles, who elevated himself to be regarded as the sport’s greatest, someone who was feared by his competitors as a driver and respected as a person. Because what one of Earnhardt’s friends recently told Dale Earnhardt Jr., it sheds new light on the Intimidator’s character.
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Hank Parker, one of Earnhardt’s friends, recently made an appearance on Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast show. During their conversation, Park revealed an incident that happened one day when not only did Dale Sr. show the vulnerable side of his personality, but he also confided with his friend about one of his struggles.
Earnhardt once opened up on his struggles with expressing love for his children
According to Hank Parker, Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a very private man. He said it was “a rare occasion” for Earnhardt to open and reveal who he really was. In fact, he got The Intimidator tag because he was an introvert, as Earnhardt was someone who wasn’t really comfortable carrying on conversations for a long period, because of which he got a reputation regarding his temper.
“But it was undeserving. People didn’t know him,” Parker claimed. He then revealed the anecdote about Earnhardt that is a complete 180 to how he is perceived.
One day, Hank Parker and Dale Earnhardt Sr. were on the former’s farm. Parker was talking to his son on the phone, and when he got off the phone, Earnhardt looked at him and said, “I don’t know how to love my kid like you love your kid,” to which Parker replied, “Well we’re different, Dale. We’re different. You love him just as much as I love Hank Jr., you just don’t know how to express it.”
Earnhardt replied, “Well, you know, I’m in broken marriages and I’m not married to their mom, and it’s hard,” to which Parker advised him, “You just have to let go. You are who you are, and I know how much you love your kids. You just have a hard time expressing it.”
Dale Sr. was hurt about never expressing his love for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Parker claimed that Dale Sr. was never able to express how much he loved Dale Jr. “He never was able, and you always felt like he loved you when you won, and he didn’t when you didn’t. And I could tell that,” he continued.
“And I’ve always wanted somehow to get you and just grab ahold of your shoulders and just tell you how hurt he was that he did not know how to express his love to you.”
Hearing this incident about Dale Earnhardt Sr. would certainly give his fans a new perspective on his personality. Of course, he was the tough man, the tough racer who was determined to win no matter what. Yet at the same time, there was another side to him, one which not many saw.
But it’s heartwarming to know now that there was in fact, another side to the Intimidator.
