Searching for Dale Earnhardt’s most Legendary race shops on the back roads of North Carolina

Today we will be driving the Dale Trail. During our adventure today will be searching for Dale’s childhood home in Kannapolis, NC. Also, I would like to go find the old Rod Osterlund’s race shop where Dale’s full time Winston Cup Series career begin. From there we will drive north to DEI and then finally Richard Childress Racing in Welcome, NC. I have a nice bonus for you when visiting the RCR shop. So make sure to watch till the end!
Richard Childress Racing Museum • RCR Museum in Welcome,...
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Пікірлер: 121

  • @HitchHikingYeti
    @HitchHikingYeti4 ай бұрын

    I miss spoke when I said Dale was born in 1954. He was actually born in 1951.

  • @doughall6056
    @doughall60564 ай бұрын

    NASCAR has never been the same since we lost Dale 😢

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Some people cannot be replaced. I feel your pain Doug. Thanks for watching my friend.

  • @caramelapplequeen
    @caramelapplequeen4 ай бұрын

    I love this video!! I was a huge Junior fan and I love hearing the history of the Earnhardts!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I love making video like these. Thanks for watching my friend!😉

  • @dennycelestinohybridspecies
    @dennycelestinohybridspecies4 ай бұрын

    This was a really cool video! I was at DEI in 2000, when my oldest sister lived in Concord NC. Me and my dad went to the 400 in Daytona we lived and grew up in central Florida, and took a relative back to North Carolina and went on a tour of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and me and dad went to the dirt track and saw Tony Stewart race when he was pretty new in nascar, and then DEI. There was a spot for the 8th championship trophy as well as juniors rookie of the year trophy, sadly none of them trophies were ever in those spots. It's cryptic to see it as just an empty building with one probably showcar, and his images. And I visited RCR in 2001 after Dale Earnhardt senior's untimely and most tragic death as I was a big fan of him and everything DEI and RCR related and every driver they had. It is February 19th 2024, rainy and I watched a couple of really good documentaries on him and thinking of that most sad Daytona 500.

  • @dennycelestinohybridspecies

    @dennycelestinohybridspecies

    4 ай бұрын

    I remember in Welcome, North Carolina When you walked into RCR in 2001, the very first thing you saw on the left startled every Dale Earnhardt fan, the 1998 Daytona 500 winning car with the lucky penny, and Stevie Waltrip's Bible verse taped to the dashboard. And we all touched the car it was really cool, they didn't mind. I found a picture I took of Kevin Harvick's car he won the first race in just the other day.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey Denny. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I love reading stories like these. If you would like to see my RCR Museum Tour? Click the link in the description of this video. Have a good day my friend.👍

  • @alhanes5803

    @alhanes5803

    4 ай бұрын

    @@HitchHikingYeti You're a class act my friend! I'm 63, and nobody was a bigger Dale fan than I. Thank you very much for this vid. Be safe out there. God bless you! 🙏

  • @Robert-ex2qp
    @Robert-ex2qp4 ай бұрын

    I'm impressed you can state all his career stats from memory without a prompter. NASCAR should use the street cars body shape instead of a sticker and race in the rain to boost ratings. Thanks for #3 tour!!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey Robert. I had a lot of fun traveling the roads between Charlotte and Welcome, NC searching for all these legendary garages. Thanks for watching my friend! Have a good sir.👍

  • @davidjillraines7114
    @davidjillraines71144 ай бұрын

    My husband's friend is in the old RCR shop. But it is not the same inside as it was when Childress had it.

  • @lisafollowingthemagic
    @lisafollowingthemagic4 ай бұрын

    This is so cool. That is awesome that you got to tour the shop. Great Video.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey Lisa! Touring the old RCR shop was awesome. I was not expecting that!😮 Thanks for watching and have a great day my friend.

  • @vafunseekers
    @vafunseekers4 ай бұрын

    Loved this video my friend! I have a brochure on the Dale Trail and that is something I want to do someday. Loved the statue of Dale. It looked so life like! I have been to DEI many years ago and then you could go inside and look around. It's a shame that it is closed now. Really wish Teresa would open it back up. Also wish you could go and see where Dale is buried at. It would be nice for all his fans to go and pay their respects. I have been to RCR before as well. Both the old and new shops. I love the museum and I agree with you its better than the Hall of Fame. It was so cool that the owner of that shop gave you a tour. I have never been to that spot before. Thanks for taking me along on your adventure. Looking forward to this weekend and the roar of the engines. Great video my friend!! Keep up the great job and we will see you in a few weeks. Take care!!!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I had a great time making this video. It was so cool to see all these legendary garages. The only garage I missed from his full time Winston Cup Career was Bud Moore Engineering in Spartanburg, SC. Due to my time constraint I could not make it to that shop. Thank you for watching and I will see you soon. Take care my friends!

  • @MrJodyPatterson
    @MrJodyPatterson4 ай бұрын

    There was one on Gumtree road in 1:56 the 1970s and 80s

  • @wrblattner69
    @wrblattner694 ай бұрын

    So glad I found your channel. Love this video. I believe for sure Jr. would have at least one championship if not more if DEI were still around. Dale would have never let it fail. Such a tragic end to a taller then life personality in Dale. He never liked to be called Dale Sr. he would say Im. Dale Earnhardt and this is Dale jr.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I’m glad you found my channel Whit. I had a great time filming this video and putting all together. Thank you for taking your time to watch it. I really do appreciate it. Have a good day friend.👍

  • @markrobison2030
    @markrobison20304 ай бұрын

    Awesome video

  • @kevinbarrett5001
    @kevinbarrett50014 ай бұрын

    Awesome video man. I used to live in Mooresville for awhile back in early 2000's. My son was born there. A same about DEI that it's not open. 👍🏁

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey Kevin! I hope someday they will open DEI again to the public. Thanks for watching buddy. Have a good day.

  • @jjlebon6798
    @jjlebon67984 ай бұрын

    Thanks tor all your work making this video.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    You are welcome JJ. Thanks you for taking your time to watch. Have a good day my friend.👍

  • @dirtworxphotography245
    @dirtworxphotography2454 ай бұрын

    From south dakota and made it to world finals at the dirt track at Charlotte back in November.went by the old homestead as well. So crazy to think of them in that garage

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I agree with you about the Ralph Earnhardt house. It is a surreal experience to see the garage where Dale and his father worked on cars. The seed that was planted there bloomed into an unbelievable NASCAR career. Thanks for watching my friend. Good luck with your future races.

  • @noezrider6361

    @noezrider6361

    3 ай бұрын

    And I from Kannapolis, visit "your" SoDak (West River) several times a year. Spent many nights at Black Hills Speedway.

  • @markrobison2030
    @markrobison20304 ай бұрын

    I love that shop we meet Chocolate Myers there super nice guy to talk to

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    That is so cool. I have heard Chocolate Myers is at the shop often. It seems he always takes the time to talk to fans. Thanks for watching Mark! I hope you have a good day my friend.👍

  • @jeffdragna316
    @jeffdragna3164 ай бұрын

    Dale was a old school racer jr said he was going to retire a couple years after his death

  • @justice4all82
    @justice4all824 ай бұрын

    Great video love ya brother stay safe

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey Bobby! Thanks for watching my friend. I enjoyed making this video. I love some old NASCAR history!!

  • @Jamesbass1968
    @Jamesbass19684 ай бұрын

    Man what a super video!!!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Appreciate you watching James. Thanks and have an awesome day my friend!👍

  • @wiggitywak2050
    @wiggitywak20504 ай бұрын

    Im a former Roush Racing employee..we live in tampa now...love this vid!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I like your Buc-ees shirt you are wearing in your profile pic.👍 I appreciate you liking the video. Making a video about Dale was fun. I was a huge NASCAR fan back then. I was so passionate. Also, congratulations on working for a well known race team like Roush. Thanks for watching my friend.

  • @wiggitywak2050

    @wiggitywak2050

    4 ай бұрын

    @@HitchHikingYeti love me some Buc-ees!

  • @davidrice3337
    @davidrice33374 ай бұрын

    Good Video dude - Thanks

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks watching David. Have a good day buddy.

  • @Mymusickb
    @Mymusickb4 ай бұрын

    Hopefully some day she has a moment and God puts an ounce of kindness in her heart so she leaves alot of that to Jr, Kerry, and Kelly. That shop could be full functioning as Jr. Motorsports, and race shop for the grand kids. while I'm sure they'd have all that stuff open for people to enjoy. But she didn't give him as much as a picture from that place. It's really sad! I imaging Kelly and Kerry wound up with nothing as well.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    If she is not going to use the race shop. I think she should sell it. It sucks a shop that size is just setting there not being used.

  • @sergeantmasson3669
    @sergeantmasson36694 ай бұрын

    Not possible. Teresa allows nobody on former Dale Sr properties. That first house, and garage, belonged to his parents, Martha and Ralph. Osterlund shop, he only won one championship there. The other 6 was while he was with RCR. No, DEI museum is only open on weekends for only a few hours.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @jeffdragna316
    @jeffdragna3164 ай бұрын

    Rcr has a great museum of dale sr

  • @Ryanteawhite
    @Ryanteawhite4 ай бұрын

    3 For Dale!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Love IT!

  • @kishdogg1594
    @kishdogg15944 ай бұрын

    Very Sad to see D.E.I sitting like that..with alot of Dale and Jr cars there. I believe the Winning Bud #8 Daytona car is there and a few of 3 cars

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I’m not sure what they are doing at DEI. I think it would be cool to turn it into a race shop museum. They could sale tickets for a self guided tour through fab/body, engine room, and other day to day race operation areas. Thanks for watching buddy.👍

  • @gorjlg
    @gorjlg4 ай бұрын

    I went to the RCR museum in 2020. I loved it. Hope to go back. I went to Talladega and the Hall of Fame down there last weekend. That was a lot of fun. Have you been to the Greenback Castle? It's next to where I grew up. It's very interesting.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey Justin. I looked up Greenback castle. It looks awesome. I added to my list of places to go see. Next time we stay over night in Pigeon Forge I will plan a day to go visit the Castle. Thank you so much for telling me about it. Really cool. Have a good day my friend!

  • @michaelREDjohnston
    @michaelREDjohnston4 ай бұрын

    When did they close DEI down to where you cant go inside through the front and see the showroom?

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I can’t verify the exact moment. But, I believe I heard it was in March of 2020 when the world went crazy. All the race shops stayed closed for year or more. DEI never reopened. I wish they would turn that place into a walk through museum.

  • @lanbrick5826
    @lanbrick58264 ай бұрын

    Can’t believe DEI is closed ! Fans around the world are really getting screwed because of one woman’s poor attitude! Very sad! Great content ! Thanks for sharing, Brings a tear to my eye about what might have been!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the kind comment. Thanks for taking the time to watch my vlog. Have a good day my friend.👍

  • @birdmanrobertlabodajr.3416
    @birdmanrobertlabodajr.34164 ай бұрын

    You know I think it’s because it’s Teresa Earnhardt. She had a lot to do with us and she had to respect his wishes but now she’s going to be marrying somebody else and she has all the. I think Dale Junior should be a part of that because he raced for his father three years after them, but I think overall, you know I think when he starts his own team in the cup series down the roadways you know I want him to do well and become a great person on that race track

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I think Dale Jr should be running DEI. He has stated interest in buying a charter to race in the Cup Series. DEI would be a great facility to start a Cup team up. Thanks for watching and have a great day my friend.

  • @brandonkahuna1251
    @brandonkahuna12514 ай бұрын

    Nascar would be nothing like it is today if he was still alive. Jr probably has multiple championships. I wonder if JR motorsports would exist, if it did, it might be different. More involved with DEI. His death really derailed JR's career in a lot of ways. That said , It made Jr the man he is today as well.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I agree with you Brandon. I think the sport of NASCAR would look vastly different. Thanks for watching. Have a great day my friend!

  • @J.B24
    @J.B244 ай бұрын

    It wouldn't make a difference if Dale was alive but he would have been vocal about the crappy racing today, especially at atlanta.

  • @stephendesrosier3937
    @stephendesrosier39374 ай бұрын

    If Dale Sr was alive today. I would be more of a fan, and it would be different than today.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I agree with you. NASCAR misses his leadership. Thanks for watching my friend.

  • @charlespatty6822
    @charlespatty68224 ай бұрын

    Nascar would be way different

  • @markogrujicic6994
    @markogrujicic69944 ай бұрын

    How did you go inside the original Childress shop? i would love to check it out one day

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    The owner invited me to come inside. He was really cool. The guy showing me around the shop was the owner.

  • @kishdogg1594
    @kishdogg15944 ай бұрын

    The Man in Black

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Forever missed. Thanks for watching.

  • @BradyEikleberry
    @BradyEikleberry4 ай бұрын

    4:51 that’s where Kerry Earnhardt met dale sr in the garage working on the racecars and Dale said hey son wyd Kerry said just coming over want to meet you

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I did not know that. Thanks for some cool information. Have a good day Brady. Thanks for watching my friend.👍

  • @jeffdragna316
    @jeffdragna3164 ай бұрын

    Jr retired to many concussions

  • @btmnation7100
    @btmnation71004 ай бұрын

    That last shop u went to said he races at bowman gray. What’s his name.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I’m sorry. I can’t remember his name. The name of the shop is Ace of Customs. Thanks for watching.

  • @jasonmiller5940
    @jasonmiller59402 ай бұрын

    Twin falls

  • @jeffdragna316
    @jeffdragna3164 ай бұрын

    Earnhardt would not like a full helmet or hans device it was mandatory after his death 2002 he would still be alive but something h!ppen to his seatbelt harnesses crushed his skull on impact

  • @wildman318

    @wildman318

    4 ай бұрын

    Dale sr dies in February 2001… not 2002

  • @mrd9720
    @mrd97204 ай бұрын

    Is the dealership still open?

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I think so. I have not been by there in awhile.

  • @jaydizz_
    @jaydizz_4 ай бұрын

    just a heads up for your thumbnail, the correct spelling should be "the Intimidator". good video my guy.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks Jay! Have a good day buddy.👍

  • @thedon5810
    @thedon58104 ай бұрын

    Who owns or what goes on with the Martha Earnhardt house now?

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I think Teresa Earnhardt still lives at the address. Thanks for watching Don.👍

  • @ms01885
    @ms018854 ай бұрын

    There are 2 other shops in Winston-Salem that Richard worked out of.

  • @ROWDYBatrulha
    @ROWDYBatrulha4 ай бұрын

    I wonder why DEI isn't open.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I’m not sure. It is bizarre to say the least. All the other race shops in the area reopened to the public. Thanks for watching.

  • @andrewwilson6509
    @andrewwilson65094 ай бұрын

    Wish Jr and Kelly would of got to take that over and ran it I think Kelly could of handle it together him and her can of tan it but Treasha was to bullhead to turn it over to them

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching Andrew! Have a good day buddy.

  • @gatorred157
    @gatorred1574 ай бұрын

    well my Dale Earnhardt’s letter was in 1993 & his wreck in one where he stopped on track! & went to rusty car! it was a safety thing! he set me a letter & signed thing of his he looked into it! ( ok if i walked in to nascar & said you turn car back word at speed this happens because of air spoiler or wing it works if wrong if air comes in wrong side) i had a well known person racer, do it hay this is wrong!) ps I alive today because of a talk to a mr gates & ibm computer & the manual wrong and there needs to be addon to the computer! i told him this was his job! this guy looked like a kid stood looking at me in shock! I saw something really wrong i in area that people though i was nut-so but he was in Microsoft & could fix it & wire the world put them in every hospital & wire them to gather! for my illness i was sick the whole time i have a name & number it from my seal adoption the 3 rd known man! to be my relation in said family the last name i have! i was special rules sealed by court my real father asked info! threw the 3 rd known man he my step father real brother! he related to my mom & he had a 100% death rate cancer & lived threw it the records and sample of blood saved over this is how they knew i was sick how & what it is & its fully controlled ok & who or what caused it in me! ( it lead to big brother, MIB, area like 51, testing zones in nevada & my old us goverment Job it was in secret area's one them was to close to a test area & what injury I had happen to me ) ok other odd thing I worked off base injured i was over a baby named Busch & i heard voice say this he going to grow up and be where I should be at! I sat here for years looking at this Dale Earnhardt’s letter on my wall how this ever gonna work out He in The RCR 8 car now! I so upset i lost all my backing the end of 2023 none re new ok by 1-10 2024 every bill on loaned or owed was fully paid off! i can not believe it!

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    It is so cool you have an autograph from Dale. Congrats on paying all you stuff off. That must be a good feeling. Thanks for watching and have a blessed day.

  • @Bama_RTMF
    @Bama_RTMF4 ай бұрын

    Intimidator*

  • @bobbynelson2481
    @bobbynelson24814 ай бұрын

    The wicked witch ruined it all

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching Bobby.👍

  • @davidrice3337

    @davidrice3337

    4 ай бұрын

    put yourself in her position - Unless you know the situation personally it's easy to be so critical of a girl

  • @markrobison2030
    @markrobison20304 ай бұрын

    I've been there but couldn't find his mom's house

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    The house is located on the corner of Sedan Ave and Coach St. Have a good day Mark.

  • @markrobison2030

    @markrobison2030

    4 ай бұрын

    @@HitchHikingYeti thanks

  • @jeffdragna316
    @jeffdragna3164 ай бұрын

    Open helmet with goggles boy wonder jeff gordon said he like to be free inside the car

  • @hotwheelscrazy2.o371
    @hotwheelscrazy2.o3714 ай бұрын

    Dale Earnhardt was born in 51, not 54, even the thumbnail the cool number three with the and everything. It even says 51 on it, not 54

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    I pinned my correction message at the top of the comments. It was a honest mistake on my part.

  • @hotwheelscrazy2.o371

    @hotwheelscrazy2.o371

    4 ай бұрын

    Np👍 I just realized someone else already commented the mistake But then again not really a big deal

  • @KADoodlez
    @KADoodlez4 ай бұрын

    Born in 1951 not 54

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    You are correct. My bad. I can’t believe I missed that in editing. Have a good day buddy.

  • @RW-bt6ex

    @RW-bt6ex

    4 ай бұрын

    April 29 was Dales Birthday and mine . That's so cool to me . Dale was born in 1951 and i was born 1957 .

  • @MasseyFerguson-pp4fo
    @MasseyFerguson-pp4fo4 ай бұрын

    Nascar died on 2/18/2001.

  • @randyedmisten1374
    @randyedmisten13744 ай бұрын

    Different jimmy wouldn't be 7 time champ

  • @nathaniels.sexton2114
    @nathaniels.sexton21144 ай бұрын

    He was born in 51 not 54

  • @Ace-hg3ox

    @Ace-hg3ox

    4 ай бұрын

    The creator already addressed this. He pinned a comment at the top for the mistake.

  • @josephlineberger443
    @josephlineberger4434 ай бұрын

    I don’t think your hero told NASCAR how to operate at all. I do believe he could have run much cleaner races and not have wrecked so many good cars. I suppose it sold tickets. It is a shame that he is gone.

  • @merica.racing
    @merica.racing4 ай бұрын

    Unfortunately Teresa has killed DEI. 100%, NASCAR definitely would be better if Dale was around.

  • @GlennDubski88
    @GlennDubski884 ай бұрын

    Jimmii Johnson actually tied petty and earnhardt lol. Considering dale won 7 before johnson did. You can thank Teresa for ruining d.e.i and destroying everything dale built for his family and legacy to live on. Absolutely terrible.

  • @HitchHikingYeti

    @HitchHikingYeti

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching Glenn.👍

  • @thomascamara8398

    @thomascamara8398

    4 ай бұрын

    Doesn't say much about dale's taste in women

  • @FJB8646

    @FJB8646

    4 ай бұрын

    @@thomascamara8398 yeah because he should have known she would stab him in the back if he died?? What a dumb thing for you to say.

  • @jamesholcombe435

    @jamesholcombe435

    4 ай бұрын

    It was harder to win back then than in Jimmie Johnsons time, different era

  • @chadha1412

    @chadha1412

    4 ай бұрын

    Ehh Dale just married a typical woman that's all. Your bound to get that kind of stuff if you marry one.