Who did Dale Earnhardt Jr date? A Comprehensive Look at the NASCAR Star‘s Relationship History

Dale Earnhardt Jr., commonly known as "Dale Jr." or just "Junior," is not just one of the most popular NASCAR drivers of all time, he‘s been a headline maker in his personal life as well. As an attractive, high-profile celebrity, Dale Jr.‘s dating life has long drawn public interest.

Let‘s take a closer look at the women who have been romantically linked to this racing legend over the years:

Getting Started: Kelley Earnhardt

Dale Jr.‘s first known girlfriend was Kelley Earnhardt, his sister-in-law. Kelley was married to Dale‘s older half-brother Kerry at the time.

Dale Jr. and Kelley started dating in 1998 when he was 24 and she was 26. The relationship caused some controversy, given that Kelley was family. But according to Kelley, the connection between them was undeniable. As she later told reporters, "Dale and I were attracted to each other. We tried very hard not to be, but we were."

Kelley eventually divorced Kerry, and she married Dale Jr. in 2001. Unfortunately, the marriage only lasted 5 years before the couple split amicably in 2006. They had no children together. These days, Kelley remains on good terms with her ex-husband and runs a successful NASCAR team.

Moving Up: Danica Patrick

Shortly after his divorce from Kelley, Dale Jr. became involved with another high-profile woman: racing driver Danica Patrick. Patrick had just transitioned from IndyCar to NASCAR and was one of the most buzzed-about female drivers around.

Dale Jr. and Danica were first spotted together in early 2012. Their relationship started casually, but they were clearly into each other based on their flirty interactions at the track. By summer, they had progressed to full-on couple status and could often be seen hugging and laughing at races.

The photogenic athletic pairing of Dale Jr. and Danica thrilled fans and dominated NASCAR gossip columns for months. Many observers expected wedding bells might be around the corner. But in the end, the romance fizzled out. Dale Jr. and Danica split in early 2013 after about a year together. Both have stated the breakup was friendly, and they enjoyed their time as a couple.

Finding "The One": Amy Reimann

After his split from Danica Patrick, Dale Jr. stayed single for several months before meeting interior designer Amy Reimann through mutual friends. Though Dale kept the relationship under wraps at first, it soon became clear that Amy was more than just a fling.

According to Junior, he knew right away that Amy could be "the one." Here‘s a quick timeline of their path to marriage:

• Late 2013: Dale Jr. and Amy start dating
• June 2015: Dale Jr. pops the question at a small family gathering
• New Year‘s Eve 2016: The couple ties the knot in a private evening ceremony

Dale Jr. and Amy have now been happily married for over 5 years. In April 2018, they welcomed their first child, daughter Isla Rose. Two years later, the couple had their second daughter, Nicole Lorraine, in 2020.

Based on his social media posts gushing over Amy and the girls, it‘s clear Dale Jr. adores his family. After failed relationships in the past, Amy seems to be Dale Jr.‘s perfect partner.

Coping With Sudden Loss

No discussion of Dale Jr.‘s life is complete without mentioning the tragic death of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., at the 2001 Daytona 500. When his father was killed in a crash at just age 49, Dale Jr. was only 26 years old and devastated. By all accounts, he relied heavily on the support of his then-wife Kelley to cope with the catastrophic loss.

Losing his dad so suddenly just as his own driving career was taking off was an unimaginable blow. But over time, Dale Jr. has found healing while continuing his father‘s racing legacy. He makes sure to keep his dad‘s memory alive for fans while also opening up more about his own struggles with grief and anxiety.

Embracing His Own Identity

For much of his early NASCAR career, Dale Jr. drove a car bearing his dad‘s iconic #3. But when he signed with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, Dale Jr. made the bold decision to switch to #88.

This move was clearly about stepping out of his father‘s shadow and establishing his own identity. While he wanted to honor his father‘s legacy, the pressure of driving the #3 had become overwhelming. According to Dale Jr., “I just wanted to take a different path and separate myself from Dad on the track.”

The switch to #88 allowed Dale Jr. to craft his own racing niche and build his fanbase. And the number change was a success: over the next decade with Hendrick, Dale Jr. won many races and solidified his status as one of NASCAR‘s most popular drivers.

Finding Joy in Fatherhood

After retiring from full-time racing in 2017, Dale Jr. settled into married life and started a family. He and wife Amy now have two daughters who bring them immense joy.

Isla Rose, born in 2018, made Dale Jr. a first-time dad at age 43. The experience of holding his baby girl was profoundly moving. As Dale Jr. described it: "Isla‘s arrival has been the greatest joy of my life."

In 2020, the couple welcomed their second girl, Nicole Lorraine. Being able to pass on racing traditions to his girls is a dream come true for Dale Jr. Though busy with broadcasting work, he makes sure to carve out quality time for his wife and daughters.

By the Numbers: Dale Jr‘s Relationship Timeline

• 1998: Dale Jr. begins dating sister-in-law Kelley Earnhardt
• 2001: Marries Kelley Earnhardt
• 2006: Divorces Kelley after 5 years of marriage
• Early 2012: Starts dating fellow driver Danica Patrick
• Early 2013: Splits from Danica after about 1 year together
• Late 2013: Begins dating Amy Reimann
• June 2015: Proposes to Amy at family gathering
• New Year‘s Eve 2016: Marries Amy in private ceremony
• April 2018: First daughter Isla Rose born
• 2020: Second daughter Nicole Lorraine born

Conclusion

Like many stars, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s romantic history has had its share of triumphs and tribulations. Early relationships fizzled out, but he seems to have found true love with wife Amy. Though the Earnhardt name brings pressure, Dale Jr. has handled the spotlight with grace. Now enjoying family life, he continues to thrill fans through broadcasting and carrying on his father‘s legacy.