A bond cultivated over the peaks of success, happiness, and tragedy is difficult to melt easily. Such is the case for the connection between the late Dale Earnhardt and Richard Childress. Although it has been 25 years since the Intimidator’s passing, the memories that Earnhardt forged under Childress’s team banner are evergreen. And who else to better acknowledge it than Earnhardt’s living legacy, Dale Jr.?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pays an emotional tribute

“Dad and Richard were like brothers,” were the emotional 6 words Dale Earnhardt Jr. said recently on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. “The RCR connection is more than just the relationship dad had with Richard, and the success they had on the racetrack.” He continued, “While we do compete on the racetrack, that is so small and singular compared to the history and relationship we have. And the trust would be a bond that would be very, very challenging to break.”

When Dale Earnhardt Sr. went to Richard Childress Racing in 1984, he launched a legendary journey. Across 17 years of competition under the RCR banner, Sale Sr. picked up 6 of his 7 NASCAR Cup Series championships. Between 1984 and 2000, Earnhardt clinched 67 of his 76 race trophies. And besides these coveted accomplishments, he also forged an unbreakable bond with Childress.

Back in 1985, RCR was in a dilemma with 11 blown-out engines. The dire situation distressed Childress so much that he asked Dale Earnhardt to find another team to drive for. However, Dale Jr.’s dad did nothing of the sort and instead stuck with Childress through his struggling years. Such incidents strengthened their bond and paved the way for Dale Jr.’s future association with Childress as well.

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Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a team that competes with RCR now, the emotions are intact. JR Motorsports went up against RCR in a tight competition in 2025, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship run. Connor Zilisch, Dale Jr.’s driver, fell short of the title despite clinching 10 wins, while Richard Childress‘s young star Jesse Love became the champion.

Such on-track battles can never obliterate the powerful bond that Earnhardt created with Childress. As he sets forth to commemorate the 25th year of his dad’s passing, Dale Jr. has an issue at hand.

Another fortress to cross

In 2025, JR Motorsports entered the Daytona 500 – but narrowly. NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional made Justin Allgaier work for a spot in the prestigious race. With Helio Castroneves expanding the field to 40 entries, it was a tight battle for the remaining spots. Nevertheless, Allgaier got in and finished in 9th place. In 2026 as well, Dale Jr.’s driver needs to be mindful of the entry process.

“NASCAR has tweaked Daytona 500 qualifying: the top two open cars in single-car qualifying are locked in and they aren’t racing for the spot allotted to the top open car in each duel,” Bob Pockrass tweeted. “The remainder of the open cars race for the one spot available in each duel.”

Should there be more than four Open Cars, there would be a real elimination with drivers needing to race their way into a Daytona 500 spot. However, the change now means the top two Open cars will be locked into a spot in the race. So, Dale Jr.’s team needs to be at the highest level of performance.

With fresh challenges ahead, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gearing up. The memories of his father and Richard Childress continue to inspire him in this journey.