Dale Earnhardt was called ‘The Intimidator’ for a reason. His aggressive driving style, fearless attitude, and unparalleled dominance on the racetrack made him a force to be reckoned with, striking fear into the hearts of his rivals both on and off the track. Given his immense success and stature within the sport, it’s fair to say that Dale Sr. was nothing less than a superstar, and for a relatively unknown driver, getting a call from the ‘Man in Black’ was nothing less than unrealistic.

However, that’s exactly what happened to Steve Park. The New Yorker recalled how he got his big NASCAR breakthrough at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the events that led to his legendary meeting with the seven-time Cup Series champion.

Steve Park thought Dale Earnhardt’s call was a prank

The battle was already lost when a driver saw a black, No. 3 Chevy in their rearview mirror. That’s the kind of effect Dale Earnhardt had on his colleagues. The rest was just a formality. Making the pass and being the first driver to cross the checkered flag became the norm during the Intimidator’s long and illustrious career. Those rare moments when he showed his ‘real’ and ‘heartwarming’ side were so few and far between that many within the garage considered it a myth, a legendary tale.

However, Steve Park was lucky enough to experience that side of Dale Earnhardt. Speaking candidly on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, the former racer recalled the time Dale Sr. sent a jet to pick him up. However, it’s a meeting that almost didn’t happen! When Park first got a message from Earnhardt, he thought it was a prank, saying, “You see Dale on TV, he’s not that nice. So I’m like, I’m thinking it’s a friend, somebody playing a joke.” However, after getting a reminder message, the racer realized that it was the Intimidator himself who was sending a jet to pick Park up. His spotter, Randy Smith, almost didn’t believe him but took him to the airport anyway. That’s when they saw a Learjet with the Earnhardt crest on the tail.

Park continued, “I’m looking out the little window, and Randy’s looking out the window of the FBO, and I’m waving, and he’s waving like two little kids. Like we’re never gonna see each other again. Like Earnhardt kidnapped him, and he’s never coming back. And next thing you know, me and Dale are sitting in the back of his plane. Me and Dale Earnhardt. Like, for hours we’re talking about my family and my parents.” 

Park, who thought that the meeting was an interview of sorts for a racing job, was perplexed that Dale Earnhardt didn’t ask him any questions about his career. Ultimately, when he couldn’t take it anymore, he asked, “‘Well, you wanna know a little bit about my racing career?’ He’s like, ‘No, I know all about your racing career. I wanna know more about you personally. Like your family, where you grew up. How you grew up.” Eventually, the New Yorker got the job and went on to compete for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. across the Truck, Busch Series, and the Sprint Cup Series, securing five wins with the team, and one of those wins hit very close to home.

Everyone knows the tragic tale of Dale Earnhardt passing away at the 2001 Daytona 500 after a horrific last lap crash. It sent shockwaves through the racing community, as fans lost the one man who embodied the true spirit of being a stock car racer. The week following Earnhardt’s death, the Cup Series moved to Rockingham Speedway as gloomy clouds hovered over the track, almost symbolic of the mood around the grid. It was on that day that Steve Park delivered a drive to remember for Dale Earnhardt Inc. The racer led 167 laps at Rockingham Speedway in an emotional win for his former boss. A moment that those who witnessed it would never forget. This was also Steve Park’s last win in the Cup Series, and what a fitting race to do it.

Dale Sr. had a wholesome moment with his son as well

Dale Earnhardt and his Junior shared a complicated relationship. Dale Jr. has even publicly revealed that his father was disappointed in him as a child, and how the two didn’t always have a close connection. However, that wasn’t always the case. When ‘The Intimidator’ won the 1990 DieHard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, his 15-year-old son played the role of a pit reporter and the interaction between the duo was nothing short of adorable.

When asked how the race went, Dale Earnhardt gave credit to his son for his ‘invaluable advice,’ and with an amused expression, he said, “It was hot, but it was fast. Just like you told me to go.” He went on to say, “We did exactly what you told us, and we won the race.” Looking at his father’s good mood, Dale Jr. couldn’t help but take the chance, asking, “Are you going to give me some money when you get home?” to which Earnhardt replied, “I doubt it. You spent enough down here this week.”

It seems like Dale Jr. was always natural in front of the microphone. His quick wit was there for all to see, even at that young age, and it’s not surprising that the JR Motorsports co-owner also has a thriving career in front of the camera. Even though Junior didn’t manage to achieve the same level of success on the racetrack as his father, ‘Big E’ would be proud of how far his son has come, both on and off the track.