NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. was in for a heartwarming surprise on the anniversary of his father’s death as he laid hands on an extraordinary gift. One of the sport’s most celebrated drivers, Dale Earnhardt Sr., left behind a glimmering legacy, and the token that his son recently received played a pivotal role in shaping the same.
Revealing the entire story on “Dale Jr. Download,” the 50-year-old detailed how he became the recipient of one of his father’s iconic black RCR Chevrolet No. 3 cars. The moment a son reunited with a piece of his late father’s history was a special one, and fans were there to celebrate it with him.
Fans Share Heartwarming Responses as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Receives Father’s Car
As he received the car, the younger Earnhardt revealed that a fan, who had recently passed away, had willed an RCR Dale Earnhardt from the ’90s to him. The car was still in its original condition, including the iconic orange interior.
Seeing the post on X, fans flocked together to celebrate a special moment while also pouring in some heartfelt messages.
X user Big Mike called the No. 3 Chevrolet “God’s chariot,” while someone else exclaimed, “She is neat.”
She is neat pic.twitter.com/G4Qg5WD1yo
— harbdarko (@harbdarko) February 18, 2025
One fan urged Dale Jr. to “get into the car, please!” while another said the car was “Beyond precious memories.”
Beyond Precious Memories 🥰
— Hayley Marie (@HayleysMegaMaga) February 19, 2025
Several others mentioned how the cars of the bygone era looked amazing and better than the current ones.
Oh my lord. The cars in this era were amazing
— Team 54 (@Team54Updates) February 18, 2025
Those cars were so much better looking in my opinion.
— Lake Toho Man (@bigtimehoo1) February 19, 2025
Sharing his thoughts on the car further, Earnhardt Jr. recalled the time his father bought it. “They took the original hood off” because that was the way his father raced when he last drove. After staying in his uncle’s garage for around 40 years, the hood found its way to him, and now, the car has also come back home, making it a “weird” occurrence.
Notably, six of Earnhardt Sr.’s seven championships came while driving the No. 3 Chevrolet. The car also won him 67 races, making it one of the most successful driver-car pairings.
Now, with his father gone, the younger Earnhardt continues to follow in his footsteps, both as a racer and a team owner, co-running the JR Motorsports team with his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller.
