Biographical story of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. starts with his young life and growing up with his father, Ralph, who raced for a living, but initially wanted more for his son. When Dale quits high school to start driving full time, his father aids him and shows a reluctant pride when he is initially successful. Armed with many of his father's philosophies, Dale pushed himself to be the best. His aggressive track mannerisms earned himself fans and detractors. Fellow racer Neil Bonnett was one of those long time friends and whose death deeply affected Dale. Darrell Waltrip clearly was a detractor and the two men's rivalry is clearly depicted. Off the track, Dale's determination to make it impacts two marriages. Third wife Theresa was closer to racing and met Dale when he had started his rise into the Winston Cup circuit. The story also looks at his relationship with his children, particularly son Kerry from his first marriage and whom he did not see again after age 5 until Kerry in his late teens showed up to meet his father again. Similar to his own father, Dale drove Dale Jr. to be the best, including temporarily sending him to military school when his grades slipped, but like his father, Dale Jr. only wanted to race. Contains mild profanity.
| Release Date: | Dec 2004 |
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| Genre: | Biography / Drama / Sport |
| Awards: | Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations |
| Cast: | Barry Pepper (Dale Earnhardt), Elizabeth Mitchell (Teresa Earnhardt), Ernest Whitted (Pit Crowd), Andrea Powell (Martha Earnhardt), Sean Bridgers (Neil Bonnett), Russell Cook (Press Conference VIP), Teresa Delgado (Kelly Earnhardt), Traci Dinwiddie (Connie), Lori Beth Edgeman (Latane Brown), Corri English (Kelly Earnhardt), Michael Flippo (Wayne Robertson), Daniel Freeze (Dale Pit Crew), Frank Glidden (Kerry), Craig S. Harper (Kenny Schrader), Andy Hillenburg (Deke), Jim Keisler (GM Executive), James G. Martin Jr. (Dwayne), Chad McCumbee (Dale Earnhardt Jr.), Marshal McGee (Dale Earnhardt Jr.), Ron Prather (Richard Childress), Tricia Quattlebaum (Daisy), Brandi Ryans (Brenda Gee), David Sherrill (H.A. ), J.K. Simmons (Ralph Earnhardt), Zachary Dylan Smith (Dale Earnhardt Jr.), Kevin Stillwell (Rod Osterland), Greg Thompson (Darrell Waltrip), Olivia Weston (Dale's Mistress), David Wilson (GM Executive) |