Danny Earnhardt, NASCAR Mechanic And Brother Of Dale Earnhardt Sr., Has Died

Danny Earnhardt Jr./Twitter

Danny Earnhardt Sr., the youngest brother of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., has died at 66. Earnhardt died Friday morning (December 10) at his home.

Danny Earnhardt Sr. was raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina, as the youngest child of dirt track racing legend Ralph Earnhardt and his wife Martha. According to a press release, Danny worked in his father’s race shop until his father died in 1973. At that time, Danny began working for his brother Dale’s racing team, and later “advocated for Dale Jr.’s talent behind the wheel, which led to his nephew’s Hall of Fame career in NASCAR.”

Earnhardt’s son, Danny Jr., took to Twitter to remember his dad with a poignant tribute that read, “Today has been the hardest day of my life. My dad was my hero, a person who’s [sic] work ethic could never be matched. I inspired every day to be looked at and loved like he was by the people that surrounded him,” Danny Jr. wrote in the post that was accompanied by photos of his father.

No words can express my gratitude to all the messages and text me and my mother have received. Even if we didn’t responded, you were heard with love. Please stay strong for all the family as we pass through the next few weeks. Dad loved you all… more than you even realize. pic.twitter.com/I8rMN8toiL

— Danny ✭ Earnhardt Jr (@DREjr88) December 11, 2021

Danny Earnhardt Sr. is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sherry, son Danny Earnhardt Sr., two grandchildren and his mother Martha.

In September 2021, Dale Earnhardt Jr. interviewed his uncle about the tragic day at Daytona in 2001 when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed. Watch the interview below.