| By Joe Macenka, Turner Sports Interactive
CONCORD, N.C. --Even with the death of Dale Earnhardt, steps are in place to ensure that the family continues to maintain a significant presence in stock-car racing. The biggest reminder of the family's influence is on a two-lane road a few miles southeast of Mooresville, N.C., where a smoked glass and steel shrine known as Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has risen from rolling farm terrain. The sprawling DEI complex of more than 200,000 square feet houses the NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. Playing an integral role in the development and day-to-day oversight of DEI is Teresa Earnhardt, Dale's widow. Her hands-on management style has helped DEI quickly grow into one of the top Winston Cup teams, as evidenced by the fact that all three of the company's drivers have visited Victory Lane in the past nine months. Dale Earnhardt Jr., the youngest of Dale Earnhardt's two sons, is a two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion who last year made a successful jump to the Winston Cup ranks, winning two points events as well as the circuit's all-star race. |
Kerry Earnhardt, Dale's oldest son, also is trying to break into the
racing business, showing promise while driving in the ARCA ranks last year
and making several recent starts in Winston Cup and Busch competition.
Dale Earnhardt also had two daughters. The eldest, Kelley King, last year made Dale Earnhardt a grandfather for the first time, and his youngest daughter, Taylor Nicole Earnhardt, is 12. Martha Earnhardt, Dale's mother, still lives in the same home in Kannapolis, N.C., where she raised her family.
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