Dale Earnhardt Sr. was born to a working-class family in North Carolina. While his father, Ralph Earnhardt, was also a racer, he wasn’t involved in high-class racing. But his son went on to change that for his family and the future generations, becoming one of the most, or probably the most successful driver NASCAR had ever witnessed, earning major sponsorships for himself. However, the journey to that level was not an easy one.
While Christmas is a time of celebrations and joy, Dale Sr. never had enough to buy something more precious for his mother, Martha. He had only gifted her simple plug-in appliances, such as toasters or so. However, something changed in 1980, and he saw the light of dawn and shared a very emotional moment with his mother.
Dale Earnhardt’s business manager reveals his emotional gesture for his mother
Earnhardt was becoming increasingly competitive in the late 1970s. He won his first race in 1979, which was also his first full-time season. Driving for Osterlund Racing, Earnhardt had an extremely strong start to the 1980 season. Winning five races and clinching 4661 points, he ultimately managed to win his first Cup Series (called the Winston Cup Series) Championship that year.
Joe Whitlock, his manager at the time, revealed how that was the year, for the first time, he gifted something genuinely precious to his mother, something that got him very emotional.
“After he had won the Winston Cup crown, we came home, and he’s driving the car, and I’m sitting in the passenger seat,” he said. “And he starts crying, he’s laughing and crying, it’s not a serious cry. I said, ‘What’s the matter?’ He said, ‘This is the first Christmas that I can buy my mother something that doesn’t plug into the wall.’ It was always a toaster or something. But he bought her diamond earrings.”
His better financial condition at that time helped him to share that heartfelt moment with his mother. Leveling up from toasters to diamond earrings wasn’t just a monetary upgrade, but it meant how deep and sacred he shared the bond with his mother.
This is a nice little Christmas story. Joe Whitlock remembers the Christmas when Dale Earnhardt finally had enough money to buy his mother a nice gift. pic.twitter.com/zWyeU63nbb
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) December 25, 2020
Earnhardt continued with the team post that. However, could not get into a championship contention. It wasn’t until 1984, when he joined Richard Childress Racing, that he would have another shot at the title. Finally, in 1986, he clinched the title for the second time. This success continued with RCR as he equaled the record for seven titles before his unfortunate crash in 2001, which took his life.
Although he became quite an icon and would have gifted many more things to his mother in the future, those earrings held a special place for her.
Earnhardt’s mother kept the earrings with her for a long time
Dale Earnhardt’s on-track success gained him many sponsorship deals and high-paying contracts in the future. With his kids, Dale Jr and Kelley growing up, it is understood that he had ample responsibilities on himself. Moreover, the family also stepped out of their difficult lifestyle with enough financial stability.
Yet, his mother, Martha, never gave up the earrings her son brought her right after winning the first title in 1980. In the interview, she revealed that she was quite surprised by the gift and kept it forever.
“I still have my diamond earrings, yeah. And it was really a big surprise that he could even afford that, you know. But he was always springing something on you, and I thought it was just amazing how he fought to get to where he was,” he said.
Earnhardt eventually became one of the most competitive drivers in NASCAR history. His son, Dale Jr, extended his legacy and continues to do so with his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team, JR Motorsports.
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