NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Race Day Bible Verses Ritual: ‘I Don’t Feel Safe Without It’

The wife of former NASCAR driver Darrell Waltrip writes scriptures for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on race day.

By Nancy Flory Published on October 17, 2017

“I just wanted him to have inspiration in the car with him. I started writing scriptures out for him and he’d put them on the dash in his car.” Stevie Waltrip, wife of former NASCAR driver Darrell Waltrip shared their private ritual before races. 

For decades, Stevie has written out Bible verses for her husband, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and now Dale Earnhardt, Jr. “I’ve seen her spend hours looking through the Bible to find the right scripture,” said Darrell. 

The practice started out with Stevie giving Darrell scriptures for his car before races. After Stevie and Darrell prayed before the race one day, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. grabbed the scripture verse that Stevie was holding. “Where’s mine?” he asked. That’s when Stevie began writing verses for Dale, Sr. 

“Dad was religious,” said Dale, Jr. “When we weren’t racing on Sunday, we didn’t miss going to church. If she had the Midas touch to keep somebody safe, he wanted some of that.”

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The scripture on the day of Dale, Sr.’s death on February 18, 2001, was Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous will run to it and be safe.” “It was poetic,” said Darrell. “That scripture in his car on that day… .”

The scripture verses didn’t end with Dale, Sr.’s death. “I know he would have told me to watch after his boy,” said Darrell. Stevie asked Dale Earnhardt, Jr. if she could continue the tradition of giving him scriptures for his car. “I was like, absolutely,” said Dale, Jr. “I don’t have anything that I do on race day I’m superstitious about, that has to happen, except for the scripture. It gives you some strength, you know, emotional, mental strength. I don’t feel safe without it.”

Amy Earnhardt tweets the scripture each week and her twitter followers look forward to it. “I’m not trying to push a belief on anyone, but the majority of what I get is thank you so much I needed that,” said Amy.

https://twitter.com/AmyEarnhardt/status/919627001027276800

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