13: Earnhardt Sr.’s Advice
Part of the reason that the friendship of the two drivers blossomed so well is because of the advice that Earnhardt Sr. would give to younger drivers. Gordon explained in the Bleacher Report what this meant to him “Another NASCAR legend, Jeff Gordon, also shared how he, too, remembered the morsels of advice that Dale Earnhardt, Sr. parceled out to him over time. He admitted that when he was younger, this advice did indeed go in one ear and out the other. But Gordon said that now that he is older and more mature, he realized that so much of what Earnhardt had said to him was important.
Gordon found some of Earnhardt’s advice, particularly related to managing his brand, trademarking, and other licensing arrangements have been especially helpful to him throughout his racing career. Earnhardt, Sr. also counseled Gordon on life issues, especially exploring other interests outside the race track. He shared with Gordon how important it was to balance family and other passions, like fishing and hunting, with a racing career.”