Rockwell, N.C.-native Jerry Long has a connection to NASCAR history many simply dream of.   The 33-year-old has been a Hardcore Race Fan all of his life and is a third-generation fan. Jerry’s family was not only fans of the sport, they also raced at the local short-tracks around North Carolina with one of the sport’s biggest names behind the wheel – the man himself, Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Racing for Jerry’s father and uncle in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dale Earnhardt Sr. got his feet wet in the motorsports industry. Running a yellow No. 8 Ford Falcon, Long explains this was the first car Earnhardt ever drove when he first started racing. 

“These pictures somehow never are put with Dale Sr., but we know the truth,” Long said of the pictures you see in this article. “If you wanted to get technical this yellow car was his very first car he drove, not the pink one!!!! He raced this car against his father Ralph because Ralph wouldn't let him drive his car.”

Long went on to explain Earnhardt drove his family’s car around the local track such as Metrolina and Concord Motorsports Park. Throughout the years, Long pointed out Earnhardt remained friendly with both his father and his uncle and he actually became friends with Dale’s oldest son Kerry.  Jerry knew all of the Earnhardt kids as they grew up and cut their teeth on many of the same local track their father had raced on.

In addition to this amazing story, Long has attended every All-Star Race held at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway.  He explained he prefers the All-Star event because it is not as crowded, the racing is more interesting and there is a better chance to see some amazing wrecks.  For the life-long fan, two events stand out in his mind, Earnhardt Sr.’s pass in the grass and when Earnhardt Jr. captured the win in his rookie season.

Although he told HardcoreRaceFans.com he is not a fan of the CoT, Long and his wife Teri still watch every weekend.  Long explained he feels the new car has not produced very good racing and he believes it looks more like dirt car than anything stock.  Yet, week-in and week-out Long roots on Dale Jr. as a part of Junior Nation while he wife pulls for Kevin Harvick.

“She likes Harvick because he filled Dale Sr.’s spot in the car,” Long said of why his wife cheers for Harvick. 

As for his reasoning for liking Dale Jr., “He has a special place, not just because I’m a fan.”  Jerry admitted there were better drivers out there these days, but that personal family connection still ties him to the Earnhardt name. 

A true Hardcore Race Fan, Jerry Long has a story that few have ever heard.  His family’s involvement with Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s early career is often overlooked and overshadowed, but we are proud to bring it to you our fans.