The widow of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Sr. is facing backlash from fans as she tries to convert a large portion of her North Carolina estate 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 were married for 19 years, but since his death she has endured an awkward relationship with Earnhardt fans and even clashed with her stepson, Dale Earnhardt. jr.
In the latest tense installment, Teresa attempts to sell 65,399 acres of the farm her late husband lived on in Mooresville – about an hour’s drive from Charlotte – to developers, sparking an angry backlash from fans.
“What did Dale see in her that made him want to marry her?” one angry fan wrote on X, while another said: ‘Absolutely ridiculous, she would blame it all on Dale Jr. have to give.’
Dale Earnhardt. Sr’s widow Teresa wants to convert part of his estate into an industrial estate
Teresa, now 65, inherited her late husband’s estate when he died in a racing accident in 2001
The majority of NASCAR fans reacted furiously to the news on social media
Fans believe that Teresa appears to be tarnishing the legacy of NASCAR great
But some fans supported Teresa’s decision to do what she wants with the estate
Another fan said on X: ‘Now Teresa is trying to sell Dale’s farm and turn it into an industrial park. Greediest woman in the world.’
But some fans supported her decision on social media, with one saying in her defense: ‘Newsflash…Dale is long gone and the widow has the right to make a living. Let it go, dude.”
Teresa is expected to formally request the rezoning at a meeting on Tuesday The news and the observeradding that no date has been set for a verdict.
Dale Earnhardt. Sr. was killed in a three-car accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in February 2001.
An autopsy ruled that a fracture at the base of his skull caused his death after he crashed head-on into a wall. His son Dale finished second in the race in which his father was killed.
The crash is widely regarded as an important moment for the sport in terms of how it worked around safety. New barriers were introduced and head and neck braces implemented following an investigation into his death.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Teresa had been married for 19 years when he passed away at the age of 49
Driver Greg Biffle told us Sports illustrated in 2011: “I can pretty much guarantee you that I wouldn’t be alive today without the progress brought about by Earnhardt’s death.”
Earnhardt Sr. is still considered one of the greatest drivers ever and was nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ during his career 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 during his 26-year career.
His seven Winston Cup championships are tied by Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.
