Dale Earnhardt Jr. Finds Rare Photo Of His Dad: 'He Was Flat Broke'

Just days after celebrating the anniversary of his dad's one and only Daytona 500 win, Dale Earnhardt Jr. found an old picture of his pop that came with the perfect NASCAR backstory. 

Junior shared the old photo, along with the story, on Twitter Friday afternoon in a now-viral tweet. 

"Learned a small piece of history about a race dad won in 1978," Earnhardt started. "I’ve seen this photo many times during my life. But I had no idea what car this was. You can see the car is red, but no other real identifiable marks….."

Here's the full thread:

Dale Earnhardt was on verge of big NASCAR break in 1978

What a picture! My God. I'd spend $500 for that hat. That exact hat. Bet I ain't alone. Would probably be out-bid, too. 

It's always funny to me to think about a broke, unknown, working-his-way-up Dale Earnhardt. You forget that legends weren't always legends, which is why I'm glad we have Junior here to remind us. Sounds like he's still learning, too. 

"It’s interesting to me that dad ‘made it work’ however possible back then. He was flat broke but on the verge of his big break."

I believe the event in question was part of the Road To Charlotte. Could be wrong, but some research and further digging – along with some agreement in the comments – tells me this was that. 

Great story from Dale Jr., too. They usually are. 

Dale Earnhardt, who would've been 27 at the time, blowing an engine, having to switch cars, throw different parts in different places and then still winning was PEAK Earnhardt. 

Hell, this little clip from years later down here in Daytona is still my favorite Earnhardt memory:

Hilarious. Legend. Gets me every single time. 

Anyway, I reckon we all should've known that's the guy Dale would've turned into when he went to a backup car way back in 1978 with parts strewn all over the place and still won. 

Raise hell, praise Dale!