In the world of NASCAR, one luminary shines brighter than most—Dale Earnhardt Sr. Known most notably for driving the #3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing to six Cup Series championship titles, Dale Sr holds an exceptional distinction in NASCAR history. He is the only driver to score at least one win in four different and consecutive decades, a testament to his enduring excellence on the track. Renowned as “The Intimidator,” his aggressive driving style and salt-of-the-earth personality made him a hallowed presence in and around the tracks. 

A pivotal moment in Dale Earnhardt’s career unfolded during the 1986 Cup race at the Richmond Raceway. A disastrous 6-car wreck, caused by a collision with fellow pilot Darrell Waltrip, reshaped his future in NASCAR racing. This incident proved decisive for his relationship with RCR, resulting in strained ties and lasting consequences for Dale Sr.

Collisions & consequences: The unseen twist in the iconic partnership that dominated the field for nearly two decades

A recent video uploaded by Motorsports on NBC offered a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of the Richmond race, unveiling intriguing revelations. Dale Earnhardt Jr shared that Junior Johnson once contemplated having Dale Sr drive his car. However, Johnson was furious, given that Dale Sr‘s crash in Richmond wrecked both his and Waltrip’s race. This heated exchange led to a decision that Dale Sr would never get the chance to drive any of Johnson’s race cars. This episode held significant repercussions, as it possibly prevented a premature end to the iconic partnership between Dale Sr and RCR, a union that took home six championship titles.

“Junior [Johnson] told dad that he’d never have a chance to drive any of his race cars after that race. Junior was so mad.” shared Dale Jr.

The bond between Waltrip and Dale Sr has seen ups and downs since the ’70s. Initially friends through Earnhardt’s former father-in-law Robert Gee, they clashed when Dale Sr became a competitive force. After the ’86 race, their relationship hit its lowest. Eventually, they united at DEI, finding redemption. But their divergent racing styles and ambitions often caused friction.

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“Darrell and Dad’s relationship has been up and down since the ’70s. […] They knew each other really well. Darrell helped dad a little bit. In Darrell’s eyes, he helped dad kind of get up through the ranks to be able to race in the Cup series full-time in 1979. Then, when dad started being competitive, their friendship sort of turned ice-cold,” Junior added.

The clash of legends: Kyle Petty reflects on Dale Earnhardt Sr’s ’86 victory in Richmond

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The 1986 Richmond race witnessed a gripping accident between NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip. The recent video also featured Kyle Petty, who took us back to the unforgettable Richmond ’86 race. Petty fondly recalls those last 40 laps, witnessing two titans leaning on each other, nudging, and pushing with mutual respect. But as the finish line neared, sportsmanship gave way to intense competition. Earnhardt’s contact sent Waltrip careening into the outside wall. Amidst the chaos, Petty navigated skillfully, securing the victory for the Wood Brothers team, leaving all astounded and celebrating an unexpected triumph.

“Richmond ’86 was a great race between Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip, and those last 40 laps are some of the greatest short-track racing you’ll ever see,” Petty emphasized.

The Richmond ’86 showdown stands as a testament to the intense rivalry between legends, where an astonishing triumph arose from the unlikeliest of circumstances. In the realm of NASCAR controversies, the lingering question of “What if Dale Sr had joined Johnson?” remains one of the sport’s most tantalizing questions.

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