Kenny Wallace Makes Staggering Dale Earnhardt Sr Claim

Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace has spoken about Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s influence on the sport.

Wallace argued that Earnhardt's charisma and impact reached beyond the sport's conventional boundaries at the time.

Dale Earnhardt Sr., often remembered as "The Intimidator" due to his domineering racing style, remains a legendary figure in NASCAR history.

With an impressive career spanning seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and 76 race wins, Earnhardt became an icon of the sport.

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. sits in his race car while it is repaired after an accident during the 1981 Firecracker 400 on July 4, 1981 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.... Robert Alexander/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Additionally, he amassed 281 Top 5 finishes and 428 Top 10 finishes. The charisma and tenacity he displayed during the 1990s and early 2000s contributed to a period often referred to as NASCAR's "magical days."

In a social media video series "Coffee With Kenny," Wallace explained:

"Dale Sr. was bigger than NASCAR. You know, there's that old saying 'You're never bigger than the sport'. I'm telling you right now, I talk to anybody about that, I would talk to Steve Phelps, I would talk to Mike Helton, I would talk to Jim France, in those days Dale Senior – he was bigger than NASCAR."

Reflecting on Earnhardt's connection with his fanbase, Wallace continued:

"He could have got on radio or TV and said 'everybody stay home' and all the fans would have stayed home. That's what superstars were back then.

"Whenever Dale Senior would leave his motor home to head to the garage, he had to have two police escort him because the people were literally hanging on the fence and screaming. Those days were magical. It was so big, I mean these guys were like Elvis Presley, they were superstars."

2025 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

Regular Season

• Feb. 2: Winston-Salem (Clash) - 8 p.m., FOX
• Feb. 16: Daytona 500 - 2:30 p.m., FOX
• Feb. 23: Atlanta - 3 p.m., FOX
• Mar. 2: Austin - 3:30 p.m., FOX
• Mar. 9: Phoenix - 3:30 p.m., FS1
• Mar. 16: Las Vegas - 3:30 p.m., FS1
• Mar. 23: Homestead - 3 p.m., FS1
• Mar. 30: Martinsville - 3 p.m., FS1
• Apr. 6: Darlington - 3 p.m., FS1
• Apr. 13: Bristol - 3 p.m., FS1
• Apr. 20: Off (Easter)
• Apr. 27: Talladega - 3 p.m., FOX
• May 4: Texas - 3:30 p.m., FS1
• May 11: Kansas - 3 p.m., FS1
• May 18: North Wilkesboro (All-Star) - 8 p.m., FS1
• May 25: Charlotte - 6 p.m., Prime Video
• June 1: Nashville - 7 p.m., Prime Video
• June 8: Michigan - 2 p.m., Prime Video
• June 15: Mexico City - 3 p.m., Prime Video
• June 22: Pocono - 2 p.m., Prime Video
• June 28: Atlanta - 7 p.m., TNT
• July 6: Chicago street course - 2 p.m., TNT
• July 13: Sonoma - 3:30 p.m., TNT
• July 20: Dover - 2 p.m., TNT
• July 27: Indianapolis - 2 p.m., TNT
• Aug. 3: Iowa - 3:30 p.m., USA
• Aug. 10: Watkins Glen - 2 p.m., USA
• Aug. 16: Richmond - 7:30 p.m., USA
• Aug. 23: Daytona - 7:30 p.m., NBC

Playoffs

• Aug. 31: Darlington - 6 p.m., USA
• Sept. 7: St. Louis - 3 p.m., USA
• Sept. 13: Bristol - 7:30 p.m., USA
• Sept. 21: New Hampshire - 2 p.m., USA
• Sept. 28: Kansas - 3 p.m., USA
• Oct. 5: Charlotte road course - 3 p.m., USA
• Oct. 12: Las Vegas - 5:30 p.m., USA
• Oct. 19: Talladega - 2 p.m., NBC
• Oct. 26: Martinsville - 2 p.m., NBC
• Nov. 2: Phoenix - 3 p.m., NBC

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