Widow of NASCAR legend ignites fan fury with plans to turn his North Carolina estate into industrial park
The widow of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Sr is facing a fan backlash for trying to convert a large part of her estate in North Carolina into an industrial park.
Teresa Earnhardt, Earnhardt’s third wife, inherited his Dale Earnhardt, Inc (DEI) estate when he died in a racing accident in 2001 at the age of 49.
They had been married for 19 years but since his death, she has endured a fractious relationship with Earnhardt fans and has even clashed with her stepson, Dale Earnhardt. Jr.
The latest tense instalment now sees Teresa, 65, trying to sell 399 acres of the farm her late husband lived on in Mooresville – about an hour away from Charlotte – to developers, sparking a furious reaction from fans.
‘What did Dale see in her that made him want to marry her?’ one angry fan wrote on X, with another saying: ‘Absolutely ridiculous, she should give all of it to Dale Jr.’
Dale Earnhardt. Sr’s widow Teresa is looking to convert part of his estate into an industrial park
Teresa, now 65, inherited her late husband’s estate when he died in a racing crash in 2001
The majority of NASCAR fans reacted furiously to the news across social media
Fans believe that Teresa appears to be tarnishing the legacy of the NASCAR great
But some fans supported Teresa’s decision to do as she pleases with the estate
Another fan said on X: ‘Now Teresa is trying to sell off Dale’s farm and turn it into an industrial park. Greediest woman alive.’
But some fans supported her decision on social media, with one saying in her defense: ‘Newsflash….Dale is long gone and the widow has a right to make a living. Let it go, man.’
Teresa is expected to formally request the rezoning at a meeting on Tuesday, according to The News and Observer, which adds that no date is set for a verdict.
Dale Earnhardt. Sr died in a three-car crash on the last lap at the Daytona 500 on February 2001.
An autopsy ruled that a fracture at the base of his skull caused his death after colliding head-on with a wall. His son Dale finished second in the race that his father died in.
The crash is widely considered as a significant moment for the sport in terms of how it worked around safety. New barriers were introduced and head and neck restraining devices were implemented after inquests into his death.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Teresa had been married for 19 years at the time of his death at age 49
Driver Greg Biffle told Sports Illustrated in 2011: ‘I can pretty much guarantee you that I wouldn’t be alive today if not for the advancements that came about because of Earnhardt’s death.’
Earnhardt Sr. is still regarded as one of the best racing drivers ever and during his career was nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ due to his aggressive style on the track.
In 2010 he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and won 76 Winston Cup races across his 26-year career.
His seven Winston Cup championships are a record held with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.
