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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@doughall6056]

NASCAR has never been the same since we lost Dale 😢

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@caramelapplequeen]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@lisafollowingthemagic]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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]

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]

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!

[@dennycelestinohybridspecies]

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]

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]

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]

@@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! 🙏

[@wrblattner69]

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]

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.👍

[@Robert-ex2qp]

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]

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.👍

[@kevinbarrett5001]

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]

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

[@jjlebon6798]

Thanks tor all your work making this video.

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@wiggitywak2050]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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]

@@HitchHikingYeti love me some Buc-ees!

[@dirtworxphotography245]

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]

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]

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

[@davidjillraines7114]

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

[@MrJodyPatterson]

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

[@markrobison2030]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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.👍

[@gorjlg]

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]

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!

[@justice4all82]

Great video love ya brother stay safe

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@Jamesbass1968]

Man what a super video!!!

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@markrobison2030]

Awesome video

[@Mymusickb]

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]

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.

[@jeffdragna316]

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

[@davidrice3337]

Good Video dude - Thanks

[@HitchHikingYeti]

Thanks watching David. Have a good day buddy.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

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]

Thanks for watching!

[@kishdogg1594]

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]

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.👍

[@Ryanteawhite]

3 For Dale!

[@HitchHikingYeti]

Love IT!

[@michaelREDjohnston]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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.

[@jeffdragna316]

Rcr has a great museum of dale sr

[@markogrujicic6994]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@lanbrick5826]

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]

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

[@birdmanrobertlabodajr.3416]

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]

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.

[@kishdogg1594]

The Man in Black

[@HitchHikingYeti]

Forever missed. Thanks for watching.

[@BradyEikleberry]

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]

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

[@stephendesrosier3937]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@btmnation7100]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@jeffdragna316]

Jr retired to many concussions

[@jaydizz_]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

Thanks Jay! Have a good day buddy.👍

[@brandonkahuna1251]

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]

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

[@mrd9720]

Is the dealership still open?

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@jeffdragna316]

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]

Dale sr dies in February 2001… not 2002

[@thedon5810]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@bobbynelson2481]

The wicked witch ruined it all

[@HitchHikingYeti]

Thanks for watching Bobby.👍

[@davidrice3337]

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

[@ms01885]

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

[@jasonmiller5940]

Twin falls

[@charlespatty6822]

Nascar would be way different

[@ROWDYBatrulha]

I wonder why DEI isn't open.

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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.

[@J.B24]

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

[@gatorred157]

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]

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.

[@markrobison2030]

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

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@markrobison2030]

@@HitchHikingYeti thanks

[@andrewwilson6509]

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]

Thanks for watching Andrew! Have a good day buddy.

[@hotwheelscrazy2.o371]

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]

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

[@hotwheelscrazy2.o371]

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

[@Bama_RTMF]

Intimidator*

[@MasseyFerguson-pp4fo]

Nascar died on 2/18/2001.

[@nathaniels.sexton2114]

He was born in 51 not 54

[@Ace-hg3ox]

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

[@KADoodlez]

Born in 1951 not 54

[@HitchHikingYeti]

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

[@RW-bt6ex]

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

[@jeffdragna316]

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

[@randyedmisten1374]

Different jimmy wouldn't be 7 time champ

[@josephlineberger443]

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]

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

[@GlennDubski88]

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]

Thanks for watching Glenn.👍

[@thomascamara8398]

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

[@FJB8646]

@@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]

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

[@chadha1412]

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