The article from EssentiallySports titled “Teresa Earnhardt Labeled ‘Wicked Witch’ by NASCAR Fans After $2.23 Trillion Earnhardt Partner’s Exposè,” published on June 5, 2025, details the controversy and family feud surrounding Teresa Earnhardt following the release of the Amazon Prime documentary series Earnhardt on May 22, 2025.
The documentary, intended as a tribute to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., unexpectedly exposed deep family conflicts, especially involving Teresa Earnhardt, Dale Sr.’s widow and stepmother to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt. Teresa inherited full control over Dale Sr.’s estate and family possessions after his death in 2001, which led to estrangement from her stepchildren. Reports indicate she denied them access to sentimental items, family photos, and even excluded them from decisions about Dale Sr.’s funeral and grave. Currently, Teresa enforces a strict ban preventing her stepchildren from visiting Dale Sr.’s mausoleum in Mooresville, North Carolina, which is heavily secured with fences and cameras. Kelley Earnhardt revealed the situation is so severe that attempting to visit could lead to arrest, and Dale Jr.’s last unsanctioned visit was about 20 years ago, motivated by a mix of defiance and emotional need to reflect.
Despite these tensions, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly acknowledged Teresa’s efforts in protecting their father’s legacy, describing her as “tough but fair” and crediting her with managing Dale Sr.’s legacy well over the years. However, NASCAR fans have not been as forgiving. Social media and Reddit users have criticized Teresa sharply, accusing her of cutting the children out of the business after Dale Sr.’s death, suing Kerry Earnhardt (Dale Sr.’s son) over the use of the Earnhardt name, and generally being the cause of family discord. Fans have labeled her the “wicked witch of the south,” a nickname that resurfaced strongly after the documentary aired. Many believe that Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) should have been passed on to Dale Jr. rather than being controlled by Teresa, viewing the decline of DEI as a betrayal of Dale Sr.’s legacy. The family feud and business struggles have been described metaphorically as a NASCAR version of Cinderella, with Teresa cast as the evil stepmother.
The article also highlights the fallout within DEI after Dale Sr.’s death. Teresa’s leadership is criticized for poor management, including failure to pay Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip for months in 2003, which led to confrontations. Dale Jr. and Kelley demanded a majority stake in DEI, which Teresa refused, prompting Dale Jr. to leave DEI for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, a major move in NASCAR history. DEI struggled with sponsorship losses and eventually merged with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2009 before Teresa and DEI exited the sport in 2014. Teresa continues to manage the Earnhardt brand’s licensing and trademarks but remains a controversial figure due to ongoing legal disputes and family tensions.
In summary, the article paints a complex picture of Teresa Earnhardt as a fiercely protective but divisive figure within the Earnhardt family and NASCAR community. While she has maintained control over Dale Sr.’s legacy and business interests, her actions have alienated her stepchildren and many fans, who view her as the antagonist in the Earnhardt family saga.
